hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Acquisition Savings Reform Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1736
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Scott P. [R-MA]
Introduced: 2011-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Computers and information technology
Disability and paralysis
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Public contracts and procurement
Small business
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: 
Acquisition Savings Reform Act of 2011 - Directs the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to revise certain federal acquisition practices and procedures, including by: (1) requiring executive agency heads to use online reverse auction, or an equivalent method, in the procurement of commercial items above the simplified acquisition threshold; (2) requiring the consideration of Federal Strategic Sourcing Vehicles (defined as a kind of government-wide interagency acquisition contract or agreement to leverage the federal government's buying power) in the acquisition planning process; (3) authorizing contracting officers to waive contract closeout audits above the simplified acquisition purchase threshold based on risk assessments and to write off unreconciled balances on low risk contracts; (4) requiring executive agency heads to mandate that affordability be included as a requirement for major systems, research and development, and construction and architect-engineering acquisitions, prior to the approval of any acquisition plan exceeding $100 million; (5) requiring service contracts valued at more than $100 million to include provisions to achieve productivity improvements and cost efficiencies; and (6) assisting small businesses by paying their invoices as quickly as possible and before normal payment due dates established by contract.
 
Requires the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy to develop a plan for reducing the use of time and materials and labor hour contracts.
 
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) identify on the OMB website a list of all Federal Strategic Source Vehicle contracts and agreements and awardees, and (2) develop a plan to achieve not less than $1 billion in measurable savings through Federal Strategic Sourcing Vehicles for FY2013-FY2016.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Sensible Accounting to Value Energy Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1737
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2011-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy prices
Housing finance and home ownership
Public utilities and utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: 
Sensible Accounting to Value Energy Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to issue guidelines for all federal mortgage agencies (including the Federal National Mortgage Association [Fannie Mae], the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation [Freddie Mac], and any affiliates) to implement enhanced loan eligibility requirements, for use when determining the ability of a loan applicant to repay a covered loan, that account for the expected costs of energy at the property involved. 
 
Directs the Secretary to issue guidelines for how covered agencies shall determine: (1) the maximum permitted loan amount based on the value of the property for all covered loans made on properties with an energy efficiency report, and (2) the estimated energy savings for properties with such a report.
 
Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to require rules by the federal financial institutions regulatory agency and the Resolution Trust Corporation for real estate appraisals for federally related transactions to require that state-certified appraisers have timely access, whenever practicable, to lender information relevant to an appraisal of the energy and water efficiency or conserving improvements or features of property.
 
Applies the requirement of state certified appraisers to transactions involving any real property on which the appraiser makes adjustments using an energy efficiency report. 
 
Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory group on the implementation of the enhanced energy efficiency underwriting criteria established in this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Economic Growth and Jobs Protection Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1738
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2011-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Financial services and investments
Income tax rates
Interest, dividends, interest rates

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: 
Economic Growth and Jobs Protection Act of 2011 - Repeals the provision of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 that imposes a 3.8% tax on unearned income (e.g., investment income, rents, royalties, etc.).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6766)
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6766, S6766-6767)
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1739
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2011-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Federal-Indian relations
Indian claims
Legal fees and court costs
Minnesota

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: 
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act of 2011 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to reimburse the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe for the amount, plus interest, that the Tribe contributed for the distribution of judgment funds and the payment of attorneys' fees and litigation expenses associated with the litigation of Docket No. 19 and Docket No. 188 before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. 
 
Requires that the Tribe's claim for reimbursement of expended funds be certified by the Tribe as being unreimbursed to it from other funding sources. 
 
Requires the Tribe to provide the Secretary with updated membership rolls for the Boise Forte Band, Fond du Lac Band, Grand Portage Band, Leech Lake Band, Mille Lacs Band, and White Earth Band of the Tribe.
 
Directs the Secretary to set aside a specified amount of the judgment funds for distribution to each member enrolled with each Band and then divide the remaining funds into equal shares for each Band.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-02
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-626.
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6767-6768)
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6767)
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Reauthorization Act

Bill: 112-s-1740
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2011-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Chesapeake Bay
Historic sites and heritage areas
Historical and cultural resources
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Reauthorization Act - Amends the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network through FY2016.
action_date: 2012-01-26
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Reauthorization Act - Amends the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network through FY2016.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-26
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 305.
action_date: 2012-01-26
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer without amendment. With written report No. 112-139.
action_date: 2012-01-26
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer without amendment. With written report No. 112-139.
action_date: 2011-12-08
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6768)
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6768)
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Community Wind Act

Bill: 112-s-1741
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2011-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: 
Community Wind Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the definition of "qualified small wind energy property" for purposes of the 30% energy tax credit to include property which uses 1 or more wind turbines with an aggregate nameplate capacity of more than 100 kilowatts but not more than 20 megawatts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6875)
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6874-6875)
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
MAPLE Act

Bill: 112-s-1742
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2011-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: 
Maple Agriculture Protection and Law Enforcement Act of 2011 or the MAPLE Act - Prohibits knowingly and willfully introducing or delivering for introduction into interstate commerce a product that is labeled as maple syrup but that is not maple syrup, unless the product's label includes a clear identification of the product's true nature.
 
Defines &quot;maple syrup&quot; to mean a liquid food: (1) that is derived by concentration and heat treatment of the sap of a species of tree in the genus Acer or by solution in water of maple sugar made from such sap, (2) that is not less than 66% by weight of soluble solids derived solely from such sap, and (3) the concentration of which may be adjusted by adding water.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6875-6876)
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6875)
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Learn to Earn Reemployment Training Improvement Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1743
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Scott P. [R-MA]
Introduced: 2011-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Appropriations
Employment and training programs
Government studies and investigations
Legislative rules and procedure
Performance measurement
Unemployment
Wages and earnings
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: 
Learn to Earn Reemployment Training Improvement Act of 2011 - Establishes the Learn to Earn program to facilitate the reemployment of individuals receiving emergency unemployment compensation (EUC claimants) under title IV of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008.
 
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to analyze federal job training programs and recommend to Congress their termination or consolidation sufficient to result in total savings of at least $100 million per fiscal year.
 
Prescribes legislative procedures for consideration in both chambers of proposed legislative language (job training bill) for program terminations or consolidations.
 
Directs the Secretary to make certain allotments (out of funds saved from program terminations and consolidations) to states with approved state plans to establish State Learn to Earn programs to increase reemployment opportunities for EUC claimants by providing them with short-term work experience placements with eligible employers. Prescribes program requirements.
 
Requires a State Learn to Earn program to give participants emergency unemployment compensation (including augmented wages, if necessary) for work performed. Authorizes a program also to provide supportive services to a participant, such as transportation, child care, and dependent care.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Alice Paul Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 112-s-1745
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2011-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Voting rights
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: 
Alice Paul Women's Suffrage Congressional Gold Medal Act - Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the posthumous presentation of a congressional gold medal in commemoration of Alice Paul (founder of the National Woman's Party), to recognize her role in the women's suffrage movement and in advancing equal rights for women.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of America Act

Bill: 112-s-1746
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2011-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Asia
Border security and unlawful immigration
Canada
China
Congressional oversight
Housing finance and home ownership
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Terrorism
Travel and tourism
User charges and fees
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: 
Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of America Act or the VISIT USA Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide qualifying nationals of China (PRC) with a five-year multiple entry/exit visitor visa. Requires such persons to be screened through the automated electronic travel authorization system. 
 
Transfers authority to establish and collect the premium fee for employment-based petitions and applications from the Attorney General (DOJ) to the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS).
 
Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) offer for a fee premium visitor visa processing; (2) develop, subject to security concerns, a pilot program for processing visitor visas using secure remote videoconferencing technology to conduct visa interviews; and (3) decrease nonimmigrant visa application and issuance fees in selected countries when there is a low demand from such countries for visitor visas.
 
Establishes a W (nonimmigrant)-visa for: (1) a Canadian citizen who is older than 50 years of age and owns a U.S. residence or has rented a U.S. accommodation for the duration of his or her stay; and (2) such alien's accompanying spouse and children. Makes such visa renewable every three years with a maximum stay of 240 consecutive days in each authorized period.
 
Revises the visa waiver program to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate any country as a program country; (2) adjust visa refusal rate criteria, including addition of a 3% maximum overstay rate; and (3) revise probationary and termination provisions.
 
Establishes an X (nonimmigrant)-visa for: (1) an alien who invests (and maintains) at least $500,000 in U.S. residential real estate, of which at least $250,000 must be for a U.S. primary residence where such person will reside for more than 180 days per year; and (2) such alien's accompanying spouse and children. Makes such visa renewable every three years.
 
Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to include in the Global Entry Trusted Traveler Network individuals who meet security requirements and are employed and sponsored by an international organization which maintains a strong working relationship with the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
CPU Act

Bill: 112-s-1747
Sponsor: Sen. Hagan, Kay R. [D-NC]
Introduced: 2011-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Labor standards
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: 
Computer Professionals Update Act or CPU Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise and expand the exemption from overtime and minimum wage requirements for any employee who is an analyst, computer programmer, software engineer, or other skilled worker. 
 
Extends the exemption to any employee working broadly in a computer or information technology (IT) occupation, including but not limited to work related to computers, information systems, components, networks, software, hardware, databases, security, the Internet, intranet, or websites. Adds to the current occupations cited designer, developer, and administrator. 
 
Applies such exemption to IT professionals: (1) whose primary duties include, among other things, network or database analysis, consulting with users, and directing the work or training of individuals performing such duties; and (2) who are paid at a rate of at least $27.63 an hour (as under current law) or on a salary basis.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Christopher Bryski Student Loan Protection Act

Bill: 112-s-1748
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2011-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Consumer credit
Disability and paralysis
Government information and archives
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: 
Christopher Bryski Student Loan Protection Act or Christopher's Law - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require lenders of private educational loans for which cosigners are held jointly liable to describe clearly and conspicuously, in writing, the cosigners' obligations regarding such loans, including the effect a borrower's or cosigner's death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity would have on such obligations.
 
Directs the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to publish a model form for describing those obligations.
 
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to provide borrowers of federal educational loans information at their entrance counseling on the effect their death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity would have on their federal and private educational loans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Center to Advance, Monitor, and Preserve University Security Safety Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1749
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2011-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Crime prevention
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Justice
Education programs funding
Emergency planning and evacuation
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Higher education
Mental health
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: 
Center to Advance, Monitor, and Preserve University Security Safety Act of 2011 or CAMPUS Safety Act of 2011 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to establish and operate a National Center for Campus Public Safety.
 
Tasks the Center with strengthening the safety and security of institutions of higher education (IHEs) by: (1) training IHE public safety agencies and their collaborative partners; (2) fostering relevant research; (3) collecting, coordinating, and disseminating information and best practices regarding campus safety; (4) developing protocols to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from natural and man-made emergencies that threaten the campus community; and (5) increasing cooperation between IHEs and the law enforcement, mental health, and other agencies and jurisdictions that serve them.
 
Authorizes the Director to award grants to IHEs and other nonprofit organizations for activities that will assist the Center in performing its functions.
 
Transfers the Office of Dispute Resolution in the Department of Justice to the Office of Legal Policy.
 
Directs the Attorney General to save $1 million by consolidating ineffective or duplicative programs through FY2016.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom to Breathe Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1752
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2011-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Department of Health and Human Services
Environmental regulatory procedures
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Health technology, devices, supplies

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: 
Freedom to Breathe Act of 2011 - Nullifies the final rule entitled &quot;Use of Ozone-Depleting Substances; Removal of Essential-Use Designation (Epinephrine).&quot;
 
Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from reissuing such rule in substantially the same form or issuing a new rule that prohibits the production and distribution of oral pressurized metered-dose inhalers because such inhalers may emit greenhouse gas emissions, unless the reissued or new rule is specifically authorized by a law enacted after this Act's enactment.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate