hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
IDEA Fairness Restoration Act

Bill: 112-s-613
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Disability and paralysis
Elementary and secondary education
Evidence and witnesses
Legal fees and court costs
Special education

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
IDEA Fairness Restoration Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to include expert witness fees, including the reasonable costs of any test or evaluation necessary for the preparation of the parents' or guardians' case in the action or proceeding, within the definition of &quot;attorneys' fees&quot; that may be awarded to the prevailing party in a civil action brought under such Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1833-1834)
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Securing Terrorist Intelligence Act

Bill: 112-s-614
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Justice
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Securing Terrorist Intelligence Act - Prohibits the Attorney General (AG) or any officer or employee of the Department of Justice (DOJ) from initiating a custodial interrogation of, or filing a criminal complaint or indictment (action) against any foreign person detained by the United States because they may have engaged in conduct constituting an act of war against the United States, terrorism, or material support to terrorists or activities in preparation therefor, unless the AG has previously consulted with: (1) the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), (2) the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, (3) the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), and (4) the Secretary of Defense (DOD).
 
Provides that if any of the intelligence officials believe that any action proposed by the AG may prevent the collection of intelligence related to terrorism or threats of violence against the United States or its citizens, the AG may not initiate such action without specific direction from the President.
 
Requires an annual report from the AG to Congress on the occasions on which direction for action was sought from the President and the number of times the President directed such actions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1834)
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Fiscal Accountability and Transparency in Infrastructure Spending Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-615
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Budget process
Infrastructure development
Intergovernmental relations
Public contracts and procurement
Public transit
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Fiscal Accountability and Transparency in Infrastructure Spending Act of 2011 - Requires each executive agency to obtain a life-cycle cost analysis for each major infrastructure project prior to obligating funds. Defines "life-cycle cost analysis" as a process for evaluating the total economic worth of an infrastructure project by analyzing specified costs over a minimum 50-year period.
 
Authorizes the use of alternate infrastructure type bidding procedures for awarding contracts for projects on the National Highway System and for major infrastructure projects. 
 
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to require states to utilize the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (developed under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program Project I-37A) for the initial design phase of all authorized highway projects.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Community Schools Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-616
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Child care and development
Child health
Community life and organization
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Public-private cooperation
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Supporting Community Schools Act of 2011 - Amends part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to authorize local educational agencies (LEAs) to use school improvement funds to transform schools identified as needing improvement, corrective action, or restructuring into community schools. (Schools are identified as needing improvement, corrective action, or restructuring when they fail to make adequate yearly progress [AYP] toward state academic performance standards.)
 
Defines a &quot;community school&quot; as a public elementary or secondary school that partners with community-based entities, both public and private, to address students' academic, health, and developmental needs while also serving as a community center that provides or hosts relevant community services.
 
Requires such schools to be based on research into successful practices in: (1) improving student achievement or growth, (2) closing achievement gaps between groups of students, and (3) increasing student attendance and graduation rates.
 
Authorizes LEAs to use funds under part D (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk) of title I of the ESEA to fund a community school coordinator who will support their community schools. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Elko Motocross and Tribal Conveyance Act

Bill: 112-s-617
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Gambling
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Motor vehicles
Nevada
Pedestrians and bicycling
Sports and recreation facilities

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Elko Motocross and Tribal Conveyance Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to Elko County, Nevada, without consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to approximately 275 acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Elko District, Nevada, as depicted on the map as &quot;Elko Motocross Park.&quot; Requires the land conveyed to be used only: (1) as a motocross, bicycle, off-highway vehicle, or stock car racing area; or (2) for any other public purpose consistent with the Recreation and Public Purposes Act.
 
Holds approximately 373 acres of BLM administered land in trust for the Te-moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada. Makes such land part of the Tribe's reservation. Prohibits class II or III gaming on such land. Limits the use of such land to: (1) traditional and customary uses, (2) stewardship conservation for the benefit of the Tribe, and (3) residential or recreational development. Requires the Tribe to pay the Secretary of the Interior the fair market value of any portion of such land used for another purpose.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-18
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-39.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1835-1836)
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1834-1835)
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
STEM Support for Teachers in Education and Mentoring (STEM) Act

Bill: 112-s-619
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Indian social and development programs
Minority education
Performance measurement
Science and engineering education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
STEM Support for Teachers in Education and Mentoring (STEM) Act or STEM 2 Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award competitive planning grants to states, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, or institutions of higher education to develop effective state or tribal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) networks that coordinate STEM education efforts by: (1) facilitating communication and collaboration among public and private STEM stakeholders, and (2) identifying STEM occupational skills needed in the future.
 
Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to states, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, or nonprofit organizations to develop, implement, and evaluate STEM education training programs for teachers and administrators in elementary, middle, and secondary schools.
 
Requires the Secretary to establish a national panel to identify and recommend the most effective STEM curricula models for kindergarten through grade 12.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1836)
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Campus Fire Safety Education Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-620
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Fires
Higher education

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Campus Fire Safety Education Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher education or consortiums of such institutions for: (1) initiating, expanding, or improving fire safety education programs; and (2) increasing fire safety awareness among enrolled students. 
 
Directs the Secretary to give priority to institutions that plan to use funds to initiate, expand, or improve fire safety education programs that include educational material specifically prepared for students with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. Sets forth provisions regarding grant periods, limits on awards, and matching and other requirements.
 
Requires an institution to use grant funds to initiate, expand, or improve a fire safety education program that: (1) reaches all enrolled students; (2) ensures maximum exposure to and increased awareness of, and that effectuates change in behavior regarding, fire safety by students through conducting outreach to students a minimum of twice per academic year and through measures that provide fire safety information to any student upon request; (3) includes minimum instruction regarding fire behavior, fire injury and death, ignition scenarios, fire safety systems and equipment, the importance of means of egress, fire prevention techniques, and actions to be taken if a fire occurs to minimize the potential for death, injury, and property damage; and (4) includes a mechanism for carrying out evaluations of program effectiveness. 
 
Requires the Secretary to publish a report of best practices for initiating, expanding, or improving fire safety education programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
CARE Act

Bill: 112-s-621
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Coal
Employee benefits and pensions
Land use and conservation
Mining
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Coal Accountability and Retired Employee Act of 2011 or CARE Act - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to transfer specified excess funds derived from coal mine operator-paid reclamation fees to the trustees of the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan for use solely to pay pension benefits required under such Plan.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Commission on Effective Regulation and Assessment Systems for Public Schools Act

Bill: 112-s-622
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Department of Education
Elementary and secondary education
School administration
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Commission on Effective Regulation and Assessment Systems for Public Schools Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish the Commission on Effective Regulation and Assessment Systems for Public Schools, composed of certain government officials, educators, and education policy experts.
 
Requires the Commission to: (1) examine the effect government regulations have on elementary and secondary education; (2) recommend ways to align and improve those regulations to improve performance and innovation in education; and (3) recommend ways to improve and align assessment systems to provide reliable and meaningful information to parents, teachers, and students to improve student achievement, teacher performance, and innovation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-624
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Building construction
Economic development
Employment and training programs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Housing and community development funding
Housing supply and affordability
Low- and moderate-income housing
Public housing
Public transit
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
Unemployment
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make competitive grants to local governments, public housing agencies (PHAs), community development corporations, assisted housing owners, and other for-profit and nonprofit entities to implement transformational programs in eligible neighborhoods with a concentration of extreme poverty, severely distressed housing, and a potential for long-term viability, once certain key problems are addressed.
 
Requires such programs to include neighborhoods with characteristics such as proximity to educational institutions, medical centers, central business districts, major employers, effective transportation alternatives (including public transit, walking, and bicycling), and low poverty neighborhoods.
 
Prohibits the use of such grants for construction or rehabilitation of a K-12 school building or a higher educational institution. Limits the use of grants for certain non-housing activities and supportive services. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such limitations.
 
Exempts from specified requirements of the United States Housing Act of 1937 the demolition and disposition of severely distressed public and assisted housing pursuant to a transformation plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to incorporate regional transportation planning organizations into statewide transportation planning, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-625
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
Rural conditions and development
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Requires states, at a minimum, to cooperate with affected nonmetropolitan local officials responsible for transportation through regional transportation planning organizations to develop and implement long-range statewide transportation plans and statewide transportation improvement programs, with emphasis on addressing the transportation needs of nonmetropolitan areas of the state.
 
Defines a regional transportation planning organization as a multi-jurisdictional organization composed of nonmetropolitan local officials (or their designees) and representatives of local transportation systems who all volunteer for such organization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
American Shipping Reinvestment Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-626
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Financial services and investments
Foreign and international corporations
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Marine and inland water transportation
Taxation of foreign income

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
American Shipping Reinvestment Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal shipping investment withdrawal tax rules; and (2) allow U.S. corporate shareholders an election to deduct dividends attributable to foreign base company shipping income received from a controlled foreign corporation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1839-1840)
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1838-1839)
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Alaska Railroad Right of Way Extension Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-628
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alaska
Land transfers
Railroads

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Alaska Railroad Right of Way Extension Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, and other appropriate federal officials, to convey to the Alaska Railroad Corporation all rights, title, and interests of the United States to certain land located between North Pole, Alaska, and Delta Junction, Alaska, for the purpose of constructing a railroad corridor extension and related support areas and structures. 
 
Requires Surface Transportation Board approval for the phased construction of such extension.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1840-1841)
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Hydropower Renewable Energy Development Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-631
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Hydropower Renewable Energy Development Act of 2011 - Includes hydroelectric energy generated in the United States by a hydroelectric facility within the definition of &quot;renewable energy&quot; for purposes of any federal program or standard.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) classify certain hydropower production facilities as renewable resources for purposes of the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources, (2) eliminate the one-half reduction in the tax credit rate for hydropower and marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy facilities, and (3) allow accelerated depreciation of equipment that produces electricity from marine and hydrokinetic renewable resources and from hydropower.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1842)
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-632
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Commerce
Fishes
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2011 - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to require fishery management plans, amendments, or regulations for overfished fisheries to specify a time period for ending overfishing and rebuilding the fishery that is as short as practicable (under current law, as short as possible). Modifies the exceptions to the requirement that such period not exceed ten years.
 
Requires consideration, in evaluating progress to end overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks, of factors other than commercial and recreational fishing.
 
Requires, when the Secretary of Commerce extends the period under specified provisions, that the maximum rebuilding time not exceed the sum of the initial ten-year period, the expected time to rebuild the stock absent any fishing mortality and under prevailing environmental conditions, and the mean generation time of the stock.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Holocaust Rail Justice Act

Bill: 112-s-634
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2011-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Crime victims
Europe
Federal district courts
France
Government liability
Human rights
International law and treaties
Jurisdiction and venue
Railroads
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
World history

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: 
Holocaust Rail Justice Act - Grants U.S. district courts original jurisdiction over any civil action for damages for personal injury or death that: (1) arose from the deportation of persons to Nazi concentration camps between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1944; and (2) is brought by or on behalf of such person against a railroad that owned or operated the trains on which the persons were deported and that was organized as a separate legal entity.
 
Declares that: (1) no law limiting the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts shall preclude any such action; and (2) no such action shall be barred because a statute of limitations has expired. Makes this Act applicable to any action pending on or commenced after January 1, 2002.
 
Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the status of access to wartime records and archives concerning the wartime activities of any such railroad that engaged in the deportation of such persons to Nazi concentration camps.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-20
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-551.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate