hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1381
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2011-07-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical education
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-18
text: 
Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee. Requires the Committee to advise the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Health regarding the manner in which such officials can: (1) ensure interagency coordination and communication and minimize overlap regarding efforts to address tick-borne diseases; (2) identify opportunities to coordinate efforts with other federal agencies and private organizations addressing such diseases; (3) ensure interagency coordination and communication with constituency groups; (4) ensure that a broad spectrum of scientific viewpoints are represented in public heath policy decisions and that information disseminated to the public and physicians is balanced; and (5) advise relevant federal agencies on priorities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Directs the Committee to regularly review published public and private treatment guidelines and evaluate such guidelines for effective representation of a wide variety of views.
 
Requires the Secretary, acting as appropriate through various federal officials, to provide for the coordination of all federal programs and activities related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and the conduct or support of specified activities, including: (1) developing sensitive and accurate diagnostic tools and tests, (2) improving the efficient utilization of diagnostic testing currently available; (3) surveillance and reporting of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases; (4) providing and promoting access to a clearinghouse of information on such diseases; (5) increasing public education related to such diseases; (6) creating a physician education program to educate health professionals on the latest research and diversity of treatment options for Lyme disease; (7) establishing epidemiological research objectives; and (8) determining the effectiveness of different treatment modalities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-07-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Appalachian Development Highway System Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1382
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2011-07-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Government trust funds
Roads and highways
Rural conditions and development
State and local finance
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-18
text: 
Appalachian Development Highway System Act of 2011 - Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY2012-FY2017 for the Appalachian development highway system program. Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to apportion such funds among the appropriate states to complete construction of the Appalachian development highway system.
 
Requires amounts made available to a state that remain unobligated five years later to be returned to the Secretary and reallocated among the remaining states.
 
Authorizes states of the system to loan apportioned amounts between themselves.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2011-07-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4643)
action_date: 2011-07-18
text: Introduced in Senate
HARVEST Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1384
Sponsor: Sen. Chambliss, Saxby [R-GA]
Introduced: 2011-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Lawyers and legal services
Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor
Visas and passports
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: 
Helping Agriculture Receive Verifiable Employees Securely and Temporarily Act of 2011 or the HARVEST Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to redefine &quot;H-2A worker&quot; to include a nonimmigrant who: (1) is seeking to perform agricultural labor in the United States in a job for which U.S. workers are not available and willing to perform such service or labor, and (2) commutes each day across the U.S. border and returns to his or her foreign residence and place of abode at the end of each business day.
 
 Sets forth employer and employee association petition and attestation requirements. 
 
Requires H-2A employers to participate in the the E-Verify program.
 
Requires: (1) the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct investigations and random audits of employer work sites; and (2) the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide each H-2A worker with a single machine-readable, counterfeit-resistant document that authorizes the alien's U.S. entry, serves as an employment eligibility document, and has at least one biometric identifier.
 
 
Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) penalties; (2) working conditions, wages, transportation, and housing; (3) admissions and extensions of stay; and (4) worker replacement. 
 
Amends the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act to: (1) limit the conditions under which the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) may provide legal assistance for any alien or provide financial assistance to any person or entity that provides legal assistance for any alien, (2) require a good faith mediation attempt prior to bringing a civil action for damages on behalf of an H-2A worker, (3) require an H-2A employer to post LSC contact information in the dwelling and at the work site of each nonimmigrant employee in a language in which all employees can understand, and (4) require that the LSC pay a prevailing defendant's costs.
 
Authorizes appropriations to adjudicate H-2A petitions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to terminate the $1 presidential coin program.

Bill: 112-s-1385
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2011-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Currency
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: 
Terminates the program for redesign and issuance of circulating $1 coins honoring each of the Presidents of the United States (Presidential $1 Coin Program).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Hussein Bazzi.

Bill: 112-s-1386
Sponsor: Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI]
Introduced: 2011-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Provides for the relief of Hussein Bazzi.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part IV

Bill: 112-s-1387
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2011-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Government trust funds
Motor fuels
Sales and excise taxes
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: 
Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part IV - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through September 16, 2011, increased excise taxes on aviation fuels, the excise tax on air transportation of persons and property, and the expenditure authority for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
 
Extends through September 16, 2011: (1) the authorization of appropriations for airport planning and development and noise compatibility planning projects (known as airport improvement projects [AIPs]), and (2) the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to make new AIP grants. 
 
Extends until September 17, 2011: (1) the pilot program for passenger facility fee authorizations at non-hub airports, and (2) disclosure requirements for large and medium hub airports applying for AIP grants. 
 
Directs the Secretary to extend through September 16, 2011, the termination date of insurance coverage for domestic or foreign-flag aircraft. Grants the Secretary discretionary authority to further extend such coverage through December 31, 2011. Extends through December 31, 2011, the authority of the Secretary to limit air carrier liability for claims arising out of acts of terrorism. 
 
Extends through September 16, 2011: (1) grant eligibility for airports located in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau; (2) grants to state and local governments for land use compatibility AIPs; and (3) authority for approving an application of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for an airport development grant or for permission to impose a passenger facility fee. 
 
Amends the Vision 100 - Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act to extend through September 16, 2011: (1) the temporary increase to 95% of the federal government's share of certain AIP costs, and (2) funding for airport development at Midway Island Airport.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4775-4776)
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Middle East and North Africa Transition and Development Act

Bill: 112-s-1388
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2011-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Congressional oversight
Egypt
Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign loans and debt
Human rights
International law and treaties
Middle East
Multilateral development programs
Protest and dissent
Religion
Rule of law and government transparency
Tunisia

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: 
Middle East and North Africa Transition and Development Act - States that it is U.S. policy to: (1) support a democratic transition in the Middle East and North Africa, including Egypt and Tunisia; and (2) increase economic prosperity in that region through financial investment and technical assistance and by utilizing the resources of appropriate multilateral development banks. 
 
States that U.S. negotiating objectives to expand the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's (Bank) resources for countries in the Middle East or North Africa should be to seek: (1) specified lending criteria for loans or other Bank assistance for countries of activity (countries provided with Bank resources for loans or other assistance), and (2) establishment of a Bank mechanism to ensure that countries of activity not committed to multiparty democracy and market economics do not benefit from Bank resources. 
 
Urges the Secretary of the Treasury to use U.S. influence to: (1) oppose the approval of a loan or other Bank assistance to a country of activity in the Middle East or North Africa that does not meet specified criteria, and (2) seek the Bank's adoption of clear standards for the graduation of countries of activity that have substantially achieved required transition objectives.
 
Amends the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Act to authorize the U.S. Governor of the Bank to subscribe to additional shares of Bank stock. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose.
 
Amends the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 to: (1) revise candidate country criteria, and (2) permit a country that no longer meets the requirements for being a candidate country because of per capita income changes in a fiscal year to maintain such candidate status during such fiscal year and the next three fiscal years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to exempt any road, highway, or bridge damaged by a natural disaster, including a flood, from duplicative environmental reviews if the road, highway, or bridge is reconstructed in the same location.

Bill: 112-s-1389
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Ben [D-NE]
Introduced: 2011-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Birds
Disaster relief and insurance
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Floods and storm protection
Historic sites and heritage areas
Infrastructure development
Natural disasters
Roads and highways
Water quality
Wetlands
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: 
Exempts from environmental review under named federal environmental laws the reconstruction process of any road, highway, or bridge that has been damaged by a natural disaster (including flood) and reconstructed in the same location.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Tax Lien Simplification Act

Bill: 112-s-1390
Sponsor: Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI]
Introduced: 2011-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Government information and archives
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: 
Tax Lien Simplification Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise procedures for the filing of federal tax liens. 
 
Direct the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) establish and maintain a federal tax lien registry, in lieu of filing tax liens in local jurisdictions, which would be accessible to and searchable by the public through the Internet at no cost; (2) take appropriate steps to secure and prevent tampering with the data recorded in the registry; and (3) review the information in the registry to determine whether information in the registry should be excluded or protected from public viewing. 
 
 Establishes the priority of a federal tax lien based upon the date and time of the filing of a notice of lien in the federal tax lien registry.
 
 Reduces the period for releasing satisfied or unenforceable tax liens from 30 to 20 days.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4722-4724)
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the disability compensation evaluation procedure of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-1391
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2011-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Crime victims
Disability assistance
Evidence and witnesses
Mental health
Sex offenses
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to accept as proof of service-connection of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) alleged to have been incurred in or aggravated by active military service a diagnosis of PTSD by a mental health professional, together with written testimony by the veteran and a written determination by the professional that such disorder is related to the veteran's service, notwithstanding the fact that there is no official record of such incurrence or aggravation in such service, and to resolve every reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran. Allows such service-connection to be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.
 
Provides the same conditions (with the same authorized rebuttal) with respect to acceptance of proof of service-connection of certain mental health conditions alleged to have been incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma experienced during active military service.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-668.
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Maintaining Agency Direction on Financial Fraud Act

Bill: 112-s-1393
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2011-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Government information and archives
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: 
Maintaining Agency Direction on Financial Fraud Act - Prohibits any interpretive guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which relates to &quot;Commission Guidance Regarding Disclosure Related to Climate Change&quot; from taking effect with respect to any person on or after February 2, 2010.
 
Prohibits the SEC from issuing interpretive guidance: (1) with respect to disclosures related to climate change after this Act's effective date; and (2) that would establish any requirements with respect to the content of or format for any disclosures related to climate change voluntarily submitted by any entity to the SEC after such date. 
 
Prohibits the SEC from initiating any civil or administrative action or proceeding pertaining to disclosures related to climate change after this Act's enactment and terminates any such actions or proceedings that are pending.
 
Prohibits this Act from being construed to: (1) prohibit the SEC from issuing interpretive guidance with respect to disclosures related to non-anthropogenic or natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods; or (2) terminate an administrative action or proceeding pertaining to such disclosures.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to allow a Commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to continue to serve on the Commission if a successor is not appointed and confirmed in a timely manner.

Bill: 112-s-1394
Sponsor: Sen. Webb, Jim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2011-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: 
Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 regarding the terms of office of the Commissioners of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to declare that any member appointed to fill a vacancy that occurs prior to the expiration of the term of his or her predecessor shall be appointed for the remainder of the predecessor's term.
 
Permits a member who has not been removed by the President for cause to continue to serve on the NRC until the earlier of: (1) the date on which the member's successor has been appointed and confirmed, or (2) the date on which the first new Congress begins after the member's term has expired.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
WAIVE Act

Bill: 112-s-1395
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2011-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: 
WAIVE Act - Allows an individual to apply for a waiver from one or more of the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) by submitting an application to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Requires the application to include: (1) the provision or provisions of PPACA for which the waiver is being sought; and (2) a brief description of why compliance would result in a decrease in access to benefits that are currently covered by a plan or policy in which the individual is enrolled or an increase in premiums to be paid by the individual for such coverage.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue waivers within 30 days of the receipt of such application, and (2) issue guidance to individuals in how they can apply for and be granted a waiver under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4803)
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Children's Budget Act

Bill: 112-s-1396
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2011-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget process
Child care and development
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Health programs administration and funding
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: 
Children's Budget Act - Requires the President's annual budget to Congress to include a detailed, separate analysis for the prior fiscal year, the current fiscal year, the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, and the ensuing fiscal year identifying the amounts of gross and net appropriations or obligational authority and outlays directed to children and children's programs within the United States and territories.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act

Bill: 112-s-1397
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2011-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Great Lakes
Income tax credits
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: 
Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a 30% tax credit for investment in a qualifying offshore wind facility (an offshore facility using wind to produce electricity), and (2) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a qualifying credit for offshore wind facilities program to consider and award certifications for investments eligible for such a credit to qualifying offshore wind facility sponsors.
 
Requires the Secretary to review credits allocated under this Act periodically and authorizes the Secretary to make additional allocations and reallocations of such credits upon determining that: (1) the limit on the total amount of megawatt capacity for offshore facilities with respect to which credits may be allocated under the program has not been attained, or (2) scheduled placed-in-service dates of previously certified facilities have been significantly delayed and the applicant will not meet the required timeline.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate