hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To provide a comprehensive assessment of the scientific and technical research on the implications of the use of mid-level ethanol blends, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-3199
Sponsor: Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5]
Introduced: 2011-10-13 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy research
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Motor fuels
Motor vehicles
Research administration and funding
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: 
Requires the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), prior to the implementation of any waiver, partial waiver, or decision pursuant to current law and no later than 45 days after this Act's enactment, to enter into an agreement with the National Academies to provide a comprehensive assessment of research on the implications of the use of mid-level ethanol blends (defined as an ethanol-gasoline blend containing 15% or 20% ethanol by volume that is intended to be used in any conventional gasoline-powered motor vehicle or nonroad vehicle or engine). Recommends that the assessment compare mid-level ethanol blends to gasoline blends containing 10% and 0% ethanol.
 
Requires such assessment to: (1) evaluate the environmental, safety, durability, and performance effects of the introduction of mid-level blends on onroad, nonroad, and marine engines, onroad and nonroad vehicles, and related equipment; and (2) identify research and development necessary to permit existing motor fuels infrastructure to handle mid-level ethanol blends while preventing or mitigating against adverse impacts such as corrosion of materials used in pipes or storage tanks, ensuring fuel fungiblity, and protecting against misfueling by users at various points in the distribution and supply chain.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-07
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 7.
action_date: 2012-02-07
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: Introduced in House
Local Flexibility for Transit Assistance Act

Bill: 112-hr-3200
Sponsor: Rep. Carnahan, Russ [D-MO-3]
Introduced: 2011-10-13 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Economic performance and conditions
Energy prices
Public transit
Transportation programs funding
Unemployment
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: 
Local Flexibility for Transit Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to make urbanized area formula grants for the operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation in an urbanized area with a population over 200,000 to a designated recipient, direct recipient, or subrecipient that provides public transportation in the area operating less than 100 buses in fixed-route service in the area during peak service hours.
 
Authorizes a designated recipient or direct recipient that operates at least 100 buses in fixed-route service during peak service hours in an urbanized area with a population of more than 200,000 to use grant funds for the operating costs of public transportation equipment and facilities in such projects if: (1) the recipients are certified by the Secretary as being in a crisis period; and (2) the recipients' percentage of revenue for the operating costs of public transportation equipment and facilities from non-federal sources (excluding system-generated revenue) is equal to the previous fiscal year's revenue, or the revenue is derived from dedicated sources.
 
Specifies percentage limitations on the use of funds for urbanized areas with populations between 200,000 and 500,000, between 500,000 and 1 million, and over 1 million.
 
Defines &quot;crisis period&quot; to mean that: (1) the unemployment rate within the recipients' service area is 7% or higher for the preceding month, or (2) the national average retail price of regular gasoline during a quarter has increased by more than 10%.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Budget Control Act of 2011 to eliminate the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.

Bill: 112-hr-3201
Sponsor: Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-35]
Introduced: 2011-10-13 in the House
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional committees
Congressional operations and organization

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: 
Amends the Budget Control Act of 2011 to repeal: (1) establishment of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction; and (2) the mandatory reduction in discretionary appropriations and direct spending unless a joint committee bill achieving more than $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction is enacted by January 15, 2012 (enforcement of the budget goal).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-10-13
text: Introduced in House
American Mariners Job Protection Act

Bill: 112-hr-3202
Sponsor: Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7]
Introduced: 2011-10-14 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Marine and inland water transportation
Military readiness
Transportation safety and security
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: 
American Mariners Job Protection Act - Amends federal shipping laws that require a determination by the Administrator of the Maritime Administration regarding the non-availability of qualified U.S. flag capacity to meet national defense requirements before the head of an agency responsible for the administration of navigation or vessel-inspection laws is authorized on its own initiative to waive compliance with such laws when it considers it necessary in the interest of national defense. Requires the Administrator, in making such determinations, to: (1) identify any actions that could be taken to enable such flag capacity to meet the national defense requirements, (2) provide each such determination to the Secretary of Transportation and the head of the agency for which the determination is made, and (3) publish each such determination on the Internet site of the Department of Transportation (DOT) within 48 hours after it is provided to the Secretary.
 
Directs the Secretary to notify Congress of any waiver requests or issuances. Requires the notification of the issuance of a waiver to include the reasons why: (1) the waiver is necessary, and (2) specified actions are not feasible.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-12-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces.
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
Novel Device Regulatory Relief Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-3203
Sponsor: Rep. Bilbray, Brian P. [R-CA-50]
Introduced: 2011-10-14 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Health technology, devices, supplies

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: 
Novel Device Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise the process for requesting classification for a type of medical device that has not been previously classified by removing the requirement that a person can only file a request for classification of a new medical device after the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) classifies the device as a class III device in response to the person filing a notice of intent to market the device.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
Guidance Accountability and Transparency Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-3204
Sponsor: Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]
Introduced: 2011-10-14 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Government information and archives
Public participation and lobbying

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: 
Guidance Accountability and Transparency Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), when issuing guidance documents that set forth initial interpretations of a statute or regulation, set forth changes in interpretation or policy that are of more than a minor nature, include complex scientific issues, or cover highly controversial issues (Level 1 guidance documents), to: (1) publish notice in the Federal Register of the Secretary's intent to prepare such a document at least three months before issuance of a draft, and (2) meet with interested stakeholders and solicit public comment during preparation and before issuance of a draft. 
 
 Includes within such guidance documents a notice to industry guidance letter, a notice to industry advisory letter, and any similar notice. Sets forth other procedures if the Secretary for good cause finds compliance with such requirements is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.
 
Requires the Secretary: (1) upon issuing a draft, to designate it as proposed or final; and (2) to issue a final draft within 12 months after issuing a proposed draft. Treats the proposed draft as null and void if the Secretary fails to finalize the draft within such time.
 
Directs the Secretary to conduct a retrospective analysis of a final Level 1 guidance document not less than every five years to ensure it is not outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome and to modify or repeal the document accordingly.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
FDA Renewing Efficiency From Outside Reviewer Management Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-3205
Sponsor: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3]
Introduced: 2011-10-14 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Government information and archives
Health technology, devices, supplies

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: 
FDA Renewing Efficiency From Outside Reviewer Management Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise and extend through October 1, 2017, provisions authorizing accredited persons to provide classification reports for a medical device and to inspect class II device or class III device facilities.
 
Deems a recommendation of an accredited person as to the classification of a medical device to be accepted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) if the Secretary fails to make a determination with respect to the recommendation within 30 days.
 
Requires the Secretary to regularly publish: (1) detailed decision summaries for each clearance of a device, classification of a device, approval of an application of a device, or grant of exemption for a device occurring after the enactment of this Act; and (2) total product life cycles information for devices.
 
Expands the devices for which an accredited person may perform a review to include: (1) a class II device for which clinical data is required in the report, and (2) a class II device which is intended to be permanently implantable or life sustaining or supporting only if notification is provided to the Secretary before such a review. Deems the review permissible if the Secretary does not object within 60 days.
 
Requires the Secretary to provide for the initial training and periodic updating of training of accredited persons.
 
Makes accreditation valid for three years. Sets forth provisions regarding reaccreditation.
 
Prohibits an accredited person from being a sole practitioner. Provides that the prohibitions against an accredited person being owned or controlled by a manufacturer, supplier, or vendor of devices or engaging in the design, manufacture, promotion, or sale of devices shall apply only if the devices are of the same type for which the person is accredited.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
Cultivating Scientific Expertise to Foster Innovation for Patients Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-3206
Sponsor: Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26]
Introduced: 2011-10-14 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Health technology, devices, supplies

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: 
Cultivating Scientific Expertise to Foster Innovation for Patients Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise provisions related to financial interests of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee members to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that individual appointments to advisory committees are made to promote scientific and technical expertise while at the same time minimizing any potential conflicts of interest. Requires the Secretary to consider, with respect to any financial interest constituting a potential conflict of interest, the type, nature, and magnitude of the financial interest. Declares that no specific factor shall be dispositive in the Secretary's evaluation of a particular financial interest. 
 
Repeals the prohibition specifically applicable to FDA that prevents a member of an advisory committee from participating with respect to a particular matter if such individual or an immediate family member of such individual has a financial interest that could be affected by the advice given to the Secretary. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
Modernizing Laboratory Test Standards for Patients Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-3207
Sponsor: Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26]
Introduced: 2011-10-14 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Advisory bodies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Marketing and advertising
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: 
Modernizing Laboratory Test Standards for Patients Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a single publicly accessible test registry data bank of laboratory-developed tests and direct-to-consumer DNA tests, which shall include information on the purpose of each test, the claimed use or uses of each test, and information regarding the analytical validity of each test.
 
Requires notification to the Secretary: (1) before marketing such a test, (2) after any significant modification of such a test, or (3) if the evidence of clinical validity is inadequate to support one or more of the claimed uses. 
 
Requires the Secretary, within 90 days of receiving such notification, to determine whether the notification demonstrates clinical validity. Deems the Secretary to have authorized marketing of the test if no response is received within 90 days.
 
Gives the Secretary authority to order a laboratory or test-offering entity to cease offering or marketing a test if the information submitted in notifications does not demonstrate the clinical validity of the claimed uses and the test poses a risk of immediate harm to the public health.
 
Sets forth requirements for: (1) registration of a test-offering entity, (2) information that must be included in disseminated materials and advertising, (3) notice to the Secretary if a test may have caused or contributed to a death or serious bodily injury, and (4) sanctions for violations of this Act.
 
Requires the Secretary to administer this section solely through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
Patients Come First Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-3208
Sponsor: Rep. Shimkus, John [R-IL-19]
Introduced: 2011-10-14 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Government information and archives
Health technology, devices, supplies

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: 
Patients Come First Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS): (1) within 90 days after enactment of this Act, to establish the schedule required under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for the promulgation of regulations requiring premarket approval for medical devices required to remain in class III; and (2) not later than one year after the schedule is established, to issue a final regulation for each such device.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to assess information relating to device recalls and use such information to proactively identify strategies for mitigating health risks presented by defective or unsafe devices, (2) clarify procedures for conducting device recall audit checks to improve the ability of investigators to perform those checks in a consistent manner, (3) develop detailed criteria for assessing whether a person performing a device recall has performed an effective correction or action plan for the recall, and (4) document the basis for each Food and Drug Administration (FDA) termination of a device recall.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
Premarket Predictability Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-3209
Sponsor: Rep. Shimkus, John [R-IL-19]
Introduced: 2011-10-14 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medical ethics
Medical research
Research ethics

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: 
Premarket Predictability Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to assign a tracking number to a medical device upon submission of: (1) an application for an exemption of a device for investigational use, (2) a request to classify a device, or (3) a premarket report or notification related to a device. Requires the Secretary to use the tracking number to record interactions between the Secretary and applicant with respect to the device.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) assign a reviewer with prior review experience with the type of of device or technology involved or other relevant expertise to review an application for an exemption of a device for investigational use, and (2) evaluate whether the investigational study can be conducted ethically with reasonable risk in determining whether to grant an exemption for investigational use. 
 
Prohibits the Secretary from disapproving an application because the investigation does not or may not meet any requirement relating to the approval or clearance of a device because the Secretary believes that a different clinical testing design or plan could produce data more relevant to an approval or clearance decision.
 
Revises the procedures relating to submission of an application to investigate a class II or a class III device, which may include a plan for determining whether the device is substantially equivalent to or is at least as safe and effective as a legally marketed device that is not subject to premarket approval requirements.
 
Sets forth requirements for the Secretary to meet in determining the least burdensome appropriate means of evaluating medical device effectiveness that would have a reasonable likelihood of resulting in approval.
 
Requires the Secretary to document the scientific and regulatory rationale for any significant decision of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health regarding device review, approval, or exemption. Sets forth appeal procedures. Requires the Secretary to regularly publish detailed decision summaries for each clearance of a device not requiring premarket approval.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-10-14
text: Introduced in House