hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
California Desert Protection Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-138
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Alternative and renewable resources
California
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Water use and supply
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
California Desert Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the California Desert Protection Act of 1994 to, among other things: (1) establish or designate national monuments, wilderness areas, a special management area, and off-highway vehicle recreation areas; (2) release specified wilderness study areas; (3) adjust national park and preserve boundaries; and (4) specify land withdrawals, exchanges, and acquisitions. 
 
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specified segments of rivers and creeks as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S209-221)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S206-209)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Equal Access to Tax Planning Act

Bill: 112-s-139
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Intellectual property
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Equal Access to Tax Planning Act - Deems any strategy for reducing, avoiding, or deferring tax liability insufficient to differentiate a claimed invention from the prior art when evaluating specified conditions of patentability under federal patent law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S221-222)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the Coverdell education savings accounts to allow home school education expenses, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-141
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Elementary and secondary education
Income tax exclusion
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) payment of home school expenses from Coverdell education savings accounts; and (2) an annual inflation adjustment after 2010 to the contribution limit amount for such accounts.
 
Makes permanent provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 relating to Coverdell education savings accounts, including an increase in the contribution limit amount for such accounts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain federally owned land located in Story County, Iowa.

Bill: 112-s-142
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural research
Department of Agriculture
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Iowa
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Requires conveyance of approximately 44 acres of federally owned land administered by the Agricultural Research Service which comprises part of the National Animal Disease Center in the city of Ames, Iowa, to the city of Ames and its assigns. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Church Plan Clarification Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-143
Sponsor: Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Church Plan Clarification Act of 2011- Amends Internal Revenue Code pension plan provisions to: (1) apply a special rule for determining the status of an employer participating in a church plan as a member of a controlled group of entities, and (2) allow certain tax-free transfers to and mergers of church plans that are maintained by the same church or association of churches.
 
Amends the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA) to apply limitations on benefits and contributions under qualified employee plans to certain church defined benefit plans.
 
Includes within the definition of plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) an employee benefit plan which is a church plan for purposes of ERISA automatic enrollment provisions.
 
Allows church plans and their supporting organizations to invest plan assets in a group trust (as defined by Internal Revenue Service Revenue Rulings).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the further extension or establishment of national monuments in Nevada except by express authorization of Congress.

Bill: 112-s-144
Sponsor: Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Monuments and memorials
Nevada
Parks, recreation areas, trails

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Prohibits any further extension or establishment of national parks and monuments in Nevada from being undertaken, except by express authorization of Congress. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Older Worker Opportunity Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-145
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Aging
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Income tax credits
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
 
 Older Worker Opportunity Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers who maintain a tax-qualified pension or retirement plan and who provide health insurance coverage a business-related tax credit for 25% of the first $6,000 of the wages of employees who have attained the age of 62 and who are participating in a formal flexible work program. 
 
Defines "formal flexible work program" as a work program: (1) that consists of core and flex time; (2) whose core time does not exceed 20 hours per week, three days per week, or 1,000 hours per year; (3) that allows participation for at least one year; and (4) that does not permit a change or reduction in the health care or pension benefits of the participating employee.
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-146
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Income tax credits
National Guard and reserves
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2011- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the definition of "qualified veteran" for purposes of the work opportunity tax credit to mean recently discharged veterans and any veteran receiving specified benefits.
 
Defines "recently discharged veteran" to mean: (1) any individual who has served on active duty (other than active duty for training) in the Armed Forces for more than 180 consecutive days, (2) any individual who has been discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability, and (3) any member of the National Guard who has served for more than 180 consecutive days in active duty, full-time National Guard duty, or duty in state status. 
 
Defines "veteran receiving specified benefits" as any veteran who is certified as being a member of a family receiving assistance under a supplemental nutrition assistance program and is entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability.
 
Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Guard to inform military personnel who are discharged or released from active duty of the work opportunity tax credit and provide them with documentation relating to eligibility for and use of such credit. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Great Lakes Water Protection Act

Bill: 112-s-147
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Great Lakes
Lakes and rivers
Marine pollution
Pollution liability
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Great Lakes Water Protection Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to prohibit publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) from intentionally diverting waste streams to bypass any portion of the treatment facility if the diversion results in a discharge into the Great Lakes unless: (1) the bypass is unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage; (2) there is no feasible alternative; and (3) the treatment works provides notice; or (4) the bypass does not cause effluent limitations to be exceeded and is for essential maintenance to ensure efficient operation of the treatment facility.
 
Requires: (1) such notice to be provided to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (or to a state with an approved permit program) prior to an anticipated bypass or by no later than 24 hours after the time at which the POTW first becomes aware of an unanticipated bypass; and (2) follow-up notice regarding the cause and duration of, volume of discharge resulting from, and public access areas affected by an unanticipated bypass.
 
 Includes among prohibited bypasses those resulting in discharges from a POTW that consist of effluent routed around treatment units and blended with effluent from treatment units prior to discharge.

Directs the Administrator to establish procedures to ensure that permits issued to POTWs under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System include requirements to implement this Act.
 
Provides an increased maximum civil penalty for violations occurring on or after January 1, 2031.
 
Applies the prohibition on diverting waste streams to a bypass occurring after the last day of the one-year period beginning on the date of this Act's enactment.
 
Establishes the Great Lakes Cleanup Fund from which amounts shall be provided for improving wastewater discharges.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S222-223)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S222)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

Bill: 112-s-148
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Members of Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
FISA Sunsets Extension Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-149
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Business records
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
FISA Sunsets Extension Act of 2011 - Amends the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 to extend through December 31, 2013, a provision granting roving electronic surveillance authority.
 
Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to extend until December 31, 2013, a provision revising the definition of an &quot;agent of a foreign power&quot; to include any non-U.S. person who engages in international terrorism or preparatory activities (&quot;lone wolf&quot; provision).
 
Amends the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend through December 31, 2013, certain additional procedures concerning the electronic surveillance of certain persons outside the United States for foreign intelligence information purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S223-224)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Care and Training for Older Workers Act

Bill: 112-s-150
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Aging
Disability assistance
Employment and training programs
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Performance measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Health Care and Training for Older Workers Act - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to extend COBRA continuation coverage for certain older workers.
 
Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to revise: (1) statewide employment and training activities, adding developing strategies for serving hard-to-serve populations and coordinating programs among one-stop partners; (2) local employment and training activities, with respect to intensive services and training services, and adding customer support for members of hard-to-serve populations, including individuals with disabilities; and (3) performance measures, data, and reporting.
 
Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) identify best practices for hiring and retaining older workers in the private and public sectors; and (2) make such information publicly available through the Internet.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Fairness for Texas Schools Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-151
Sponsor: Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Intergovernmental relations
State and local finance
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Fairness for Texas Schools Act of 2011 - Repeals the requirement that the Secretary of Education deny Texas and its local educational agencies (LEAs) funds from the Education Jobs Fund until the state assures the Secretary that: (1) funds used to support elementary and secondary education shall be distributed based on the LEAs' relative shares of school improvement funds for the most recent fiscal year for which data are available; (2) such funds will not be used to supplant state formula funding that is distributed like school improvement funds; and (3) state funding for elementary and secondary education, as a percentage of the state's total revenue, will not be reduced through FY2013.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Dual Fuel Vehicle Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-152
Sponsor: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Manufacturing
Motor fuels
Motor vehicles

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Dual Fuel Vehicle Act of 2011 - Requires automobile manufacturers to ensure that at least 50% of 2014 and 2015 model year automobiles and light duty trucks manufactured for sale in the United States are dual fueled (capable of operating on alternative fuel and on gasoline or diesel fuel or a mixture of biodiesel and diesel fuel). Increases the minimum to 90% for later model years. (Excludes automobiles and light duty trucks that operate only on electricity.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Fast Track to College Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-154
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Fast Track to College Act of 2011 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive matching six-year grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) that partner with institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish or support dual enrollment programs, such as early college high schools, that allow secondary school students to earn credit simultaneously toward a secondary school diploma and a postsecondary degree or credential.
 
Gives grant priority to applicants: (1) that propose to establish or support a dual enrollment program for a student body at least 40% of which is impoverished; and (2) from states that provide assistance to dual enrollment programs, such as assistance defraying the costs of higher education.
 
Requires applicants to make assurances that: (1) students will not be required to pay tuition or fees for postsecondary courses, and (2) those courses will be taught by faculty that meet their partner IHE's normal standards.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive matching five-year grants to states to: (1) plan and implement statewide strategies to make dual enrollment programs more accessible to students who are underrepresented in postsecondary education; (2) provide technical assistance to dual enrollment programs; and (3) engage in outreach, assessment, and teacher training activities designed to strengthen such programs.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract for an independent evaluation of this Act's programs; and (2) provide technical assistance to LEAs and their partners, and disseminate information concerning best practices in dual enrollment programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S225-227)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S225)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Domestic Jobs Innovation Bonus Act

Bill: 112-s-155
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Energy research
Income tax credits
Manufacturing
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Domestic Jobs Innovation Bonus Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a manufacturer who has domestic production gross receipts that are greater than 50% of total production gross receipts an increased tax credit for research expenditures, including energy research.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S227-228)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Water Heater Rating Improvement Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-156
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer affairs
Department of Energy
Energy efficiency and conservation
Lighting, heating, cooling

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Water Heater Rating Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to require the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to publish a rule that establishes a uniform efficiency descriptor and accompanying test methods for water heaters, storage water heaters, instantaneous water heaters, and unfired water storage tanks (covered heaters) no later than 180 days after this Act's enactment. Requires: (1) the efficiency descriptor and accompanying test method to apply to all water heating technologies in use and to future water heating technologies, and (2) the efficiency standard to be denominated according to the efficiency descriptor.
 
Sets forth provisions concerning a mathematical conversion factor for converting the measurement of efficiency for covered heaters from the test procedures in effect on the date of enactment of this Act to the new energy descriptor.
 
Authorizes the rule to exclude a specific category of covered water heaters from the uniform efficiency descriptor if the category of water heaters: (1) does not have a residential use and can be clearly described, and (2) are rated effectively using the thermal efficiency and standby loss descriptors applied to the category.
 
 
Requires the Secretary, in establishing the rule, to contract with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to conduct testing and simulation of alternative descriptors identified for consideration.
 
Considers a covered water heater to be in compliance with the rule and with any revised labeling requirements established by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to implement the rule if the covered water heater: (1) was manufactured prior to the effective date of the rule, and (2) complied with the efficiency standards and labeling requirements in effect prior to the rule.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S227-228)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an investment credit for solar light pipe property, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-157
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2011-01-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Energy efficiency and conservation
Income tax credits
Lighting, heating, cooling

Summary:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a new energy tax credit for investment in equipment that: (1) uses prismatic or other lenses, glazing, reflectors, or concentrators to convey or diffuse natural light into a structure or that uses a highly reflective light pipe which has a solar collection component and a distribution lens at the ends to transport visible solar radiation from its collection point to illuminate the interior of a structure, and (2) integrates automotic lighting controls to adjust traditionally powered lighting to satisfy building lighting requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S227-228)
action_date: 2011-01-25
text: Introduced in Senate