hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
FCC MERGER Act

Bill: 112-hr-3763
Sponsor: Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-35]
Introduced: 2011-12-20 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Civil actions and liability
Corporate finance and management
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Licensing and registrations
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: 
FCC Merging Entities Regulatory Guidance and Ethical Reform Act of 2011 or the FCC MERGER Act - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create and implement rules requiring public disclosure of contributions (including financial contributions, contributions in-kind, language to be filed, and offers of employment) received by any party that submits to the FCC facts, arguments, offers of settlement, or proposals of adjustment, whenever such contributions may constitute a potential conflict of interest.
 
Requires that such rules: (1) be applicable to all FCC proceedings, including rulemakings, transfers of licenses, mergers, combinations, and adjudicatory proceedings; and (2) include a requirement of a description of any contributions received from any party or applicant within one year of any such proceeding pending before the FCC, where such contributions may constitute a conflict of interest. 
 
Allows contributions to constitute a potential conflict of interest if made by a party with a direct financial interest in the outcome of a pending FCC proceeding. 
 
Prohibits a former FCC official from accepting employment from a regulated entity as an employee, officer, director, or consultant within a one year after: (1) presiding over the transfer of licenses acquired or formerly held by the entity offering employment to the officer; (2) presiding over a merger, combination, or adjudicatory proceeding in which the entity offering employment was a party to the proceeding; or (3) issuing a decision to approve such a transfer or with respect to such proceedings.
 
Authorizes the Attorney General (DOJ) to bring a civil action in an appropriate U.S. district court against any person who engages in such prohibited conduct concerning the employment of a former or current FCC official. Sets forth civil penalties for individuals and organizations engaging in such conduct. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law.
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: Introduced in House
Ensuring Quality Education for Veterans Act

Bill: 112-hr-3764
Sponsor: Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-35]
Introduced: 2011-12-20 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Military education and training
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: 
Ensuring Quality Education for Veterans Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require proprietary institutions of higher education to derive not less than 10% of their revenue from sources other than title IV or the educational assistance programs of the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA), or become ineligible for title IV funding and participation in those programs. (Currently, this 90/10 rule requires these schools to derive not less than 10% of their revenue from sources other than title IV or become ineligible for title IV funding.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2012-02-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2012-01-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2011-12-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2011-12-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2011-12-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: Introduced in House
Jeremy Bell Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-3766
Sponsor: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Michael G. [R-PA-8]
Introduced: 2011-12-23 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Business ethics
Crimes against children
Criminal justice information and records
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employee hiring
Sex offenses
State and local government operations
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2011-12-23
text: 
Jeremy Bell Act of 2011 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit an employer from directing, causing, persuading, inducing, or enticing the travel of an employee in one state to employment in another state if the employer knows that the employee engaged in sexual conduct with a person under age 18 that would constitute a felony where such conduct occurred during the course of employment. Sets penalties for violations.
 
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize a private or public elementary or secondary school, a local educational agency, or a state educational agency to receive funds under such Act only if it has in effect a policy that ensures that every individual employed by it has undergone a fingerprint-based check of the national crime information databases and, where possible, of state criminal history databases.
 
Conditions a state's receipt of funds under such Act on enforcement of a state law and policy that ensures that: (1) individuals employed at a school located in the state report to law enforcement officials any incidents of sexual conduct involving a minor and an individual employed at any school in the state; (2) employees who fail to report such incidents are penalized; (3) the state makes available in an interstate clearinghouse to schools, local educational agencies, and state educational agencies the identity of any individual who was so reported and whose employment was terminated as a result; and (4) such information is only made available to schools, local educational agencies, and state educational agencies, not the general public.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2012-01-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2011-12-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2011-12-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2011-12-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-12-23
text: Introduced in House
To grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II.

Bill: 112-hr-3767
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, Jeff [R-FL-1]
Introduced: 2011-12-23 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Canada
Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Military facilities and property
Military history
Montana
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Smithsonian Institution
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2011-12-23
text: 
Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of Congress, of two gold medals to the First Special Service Force (a joint American-Canadian unit), collectively, in recognition of their World War II service.
 
Directs one such gold medal to be given to the Smithsonian Institution and the other to the First Special Service Force Association in Helena, Montana.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bronze duplicates with proceeds deposited in the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
 
Declares that medals struck under this Act are national medals for purposes of specified coins and currency provisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology.
action_date: 2011-12-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2011-12-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2011-12-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-12-23
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the credit for plug-in electric drive vehicles.

Bill: 112-hr-3768
Sponsor: Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-3]
Introduced: 2011-12-30 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax credits
Manufacturing

Summary:
action_date: 2011-12-30
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the tax credit for the purchase of new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-12-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-12-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-12-30
text: Introduced in House
Irene and Lee Tax Relief Storm Recovery Act

Bill: 112-hr-3769
Sponsor: Rep. Gibson, Christopher P. [R-NY-20]
Introduced: 2012-01-10 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Income tax credits
Low- and moderate-income housing
Natural disasters

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-10
text: 
Irene and Lee Tax Relief Storm Recovery Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an increase in 2012, 2013, and 2014 of the amount of the low-income housing tax credit that may be allocated in states containing counties covered by the natural disaster declaration of the Secretary of Agriculture in 2011 due to damage from Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-01-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-01-10
text: Introduced in House
Haiti Empowerment, Assistance, and Rebuilding Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-3771
Sponsor: Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2012-01-13 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Caribbean area
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Cultural exchanges and relations
Disability and health-based discrimination
Disaster relief and insurance
Economic development
Elementary and secondary education
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Foreign aid and international relief
Forests, forestry, trees
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
HIV/AIDS
Haiti
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Infrastructure development
International organizations and cooperation
Labor standards
Land use and conservation
Latin America
Law enforcement officers
Multilateral development programs
Natural disasters
Performance measurement
Public contracts and procurement
Reconstruction and stabilization
Rule of law and government transparency
Rural conditions and development
Sex offenses
U.S. and foreign investments
Urban and suburban affairs and development
Violent crime
Wages and earnings
Water quality
Water use and supply
Women's employment
World health
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-13
text: 
Haiti Empowerment, Assistance, and Rebuilding Act of 2012 - States that it is U.S. policy, in partnership with the government of Haiti and in coordination with the international community, to support the sustainable recovery and rebuilding of Haiti.
 
Directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to submit to Congress a multi-year strategy to provide assistance in support of Haiti's reconstruction.
 
Authorizes FY2013-FY2014 appropriations for assistance to Haiti under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2012-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-01-13
text: Introduced in House
Domestic Alternative Fuels Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-3773
Sponsor: Rep. Olson, Pete [R-TX-22]
Introduced: 2012-01-17 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Motor fuels

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: 
Domestic Alternative Fuels Act of 2012 - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the Renewable Fuel Program to: (1) provide that the applicable volume of renewable fuel required in transportation fuel sold or introduced into commerce in the United States for 2012 through 2022 shall apply in the aggregate to renewable fuel and domestic alternative fuel; and (2) define &quot;domestic alternative fuel&quot; as ethanol that is produced from domestic fossil fuels other than petroleum and that is used to replace or reduce the quantity of petroleum present in a transportation fuel. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Introduced in House
Dollars to the Classroom Act

Bill: 112-hr-3775
Sponsor: Rep. Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16]
Introduced: 2012-01-17 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: 
Dollars to the Classroom Act - Requires at least 95% of any federal funds made available to a state by the Secretary of Education for elementary or secondary education to be used for: (1) academic purposes, and (2) classroom-related purposes or at the school level.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Introduced in House
SKILLS Act

Bill: 112-hr-3776
Sponsor: Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7]
Introduced: 2012-01-17 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Libraries and archives
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: 
Strengthening Kids' Interest in Learning and Libraries Act or SKILLS Act - Amends part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to require the inclusion of effective school library programs in school improvement programs.
 
Defines an &quot;effective school library program&quot; as one that: (1) is staffed by a state sanctioned school librarian; (2) has up-to-date materials and technology, including broadband; (3) includes regular collaboration between teachers and school librarians concerning school reform efforts; and (4) supports the development of digital literacy skills.
 
Replaces the existing program under subpart 4 (Improving Literacy Through School Libraries) of part B of title I of the ESEA with a new program (Improving Literacy and College and Career Readiness Through Effective School Library Programs) awarding competitive three-year grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to develop and enhance effective school library programs. Makes LEAs eligible for such grants only if at least 20% of their students are impoverished.
 
Amends part A (Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund) of title II of the ESEA to rename part A the Teacher, School Librarian, and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund. Requires states and LEAs to use funds under the program to train school librarians, and recruit and retain highly effective school librarians.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Introduced in House
To resolve title issues involving real property and equipment acquired using funds provided under the Alaska Kiln Drying Grant Program.

Bill: 112-hr-3777
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2012-01-17 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural equipment and machinery
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Alaska
Forests, forestry, trees
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: 
 Vests title to real property and equipment acquired using funds provided by a grant under the Alaska Kiln Drying Grant Program in the grant recipient in accordance with the compensation provisions in this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Credit.
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-01-17
text: Introduced in House
Budget Before Borrowing Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-3778
Sponsor: Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5]
Introduced: 2012-01-18 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: 
Budget Before Borrowing Act of 2012 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in both chambers to consider any bill or joint resolution, amendment, or conference report to extend the public debt limit unless a concurrent resolution on the budget has been agreed to and is in effect for the fiscal year during which such measure is being considered.
 
Permits: (1) waiver or suspension of this prohibition in either chamber only by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of its Members, and (2) its successful appeal from the ruling of the Chair in the Senate only by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of its Members.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-18
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: 2012-01-18
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: 2012-01-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: Introduced in House
Small Business Growth and Federal Accountability Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-3779
Sponsor: Rep. Owens, William L. [D-NY-23]
Introduced: 2012-01-18 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Public contracts and procurement
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: 
Small Business Growth and Federal Accountability Act of 2012 - Prohibits a federal department or agency not meeting its fiscal year goal for awarding procurement contracts to small businesses from expending, for procurement, more than 90% of the amount expended in the fiscal year with respect to which that department or agency did not meet the goal.
 
Allows such a department or agency, in attempting to meet such goal, to give procurement preference to a small business.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, 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: 2012-01-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, 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: 2012-01-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow an ordinary and necessary business expense deduction for contributions to regional infrastructure improvement zones, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-3780
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Geoff [R-KY-4]
Introduced: 2012-01-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Infrastructure development
Regional and metropolitan planning

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer to elect, during the five-year period after the enactment of this Act, to treat any contribution to a qualified regional infrastructure improvement zone as a tax deductible ordinary and necessary business expense. Defines &quot;qualified regional infrastructure improvement zone&quot; as any zone created and designated by a multi-jurisdictional regional planning organization to undertake public infrastructure improvement projects.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-01-18
text: Introduced in House