hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act

Bill: 112-s-2046
Sponsor: Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2012-01-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Judicial review and appeals
Terrorism
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: 
Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding the visa waiver program to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) 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.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S256)
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Student-to-School Nurse Ratio Improvement Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2047
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2012-01-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child health
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Nursing

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: 
Student-to-School Nurse Ratio Improvement Act of 2012 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make matching demonstration grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) in which the student-to-school nurse ratio in each of their public elementary and secondary schools is 750 or more students to every school nurse to reduce such ratio.
 
Gives grant priority to LEAs that serve a high number or percentage of impoverished students and demonstrate the greatest need for new or additional nursing services for their students.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the tax treatment of certain life insurance contract transactions, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-2048
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2012-01-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax exclusion
Life, casualty, property insurance
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of certain life insurance contract transactions, to require reporting to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of: (1) information identifying persons who acquire a life insurance contract, or any interest therein, in a reportable policy sale; (2) information identifying a seller who transfers an interest in a life insurance contract and the seller's investment in the contract; and (3) reportable death benefit payments. 
 
Requires a basis adjustment for mortality, expense, or other reasonable charges incurred under an annuity or life insurance contract.
 
Exempts from rules limiting the exclusion from gross income of life insurance death benefit amounts any amounts realized from the transfer of a life insurance contract, or any interest therein, that is a reportable policy sale. Defines "reportable policy sale" as the acquisition of an interest in a life insurance contract, directly or indirectly, if the acquirer has no substantial family, business, or financial relationship with the insured apart from the acquirer's interest in such life insurance contract. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Currency Optimization, Innovation, and National Savings Act

Bill: 112-s-2049
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2012-01-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Currency
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: 
Currency Optimization, Innovation, and National Savings Act - Requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board) to sequester all $1 coins bearing the design common to those $1 coins minted and issued from 1979-1981 and again in 1999.
 
Allows the release of such sequestered coins to collectible coin dealers and countries that have adopted the U.S. dollar as their base unit of exchange.
 
Directs the Federal Reserve Board to: (1) undertake efforts to improve, and remove barriers to, the circulation of all other $1 coins; and (2) work with the U.S. Mint, consumer groups, media outlets, and schools to publicize the Presidential $1 Coin Program.
 
Declares it is U.S. policy that after consumers and retailers are comfortable using and able to obtain adequate supplies of $1 coins, such $1 coins should replace $1 Federal Reserve notes as the only $1 monetary unit issued and circulated by the Federal Reserve System.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Tax Extenders Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2050
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2012-01-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Business investment and capital
Capital gains tax
Computers and information technology
Contracts and agency
Employee benefits and pensions
Employment taxes
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Inflation and prices
Securities
Self-employed
Small business
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: 
Small Business Tax Extenders Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2012: (1) the 100% exclusion from gross income of gain from the sale or exchange of certain small business stock; (2) the five-year carryback of the general business tax credits of eligible small businesses; (3) the offset against the alternative minimum tax (AMT) of general business tax credits; (4) the reduction (from seven to five years) in the recognition period for the built-in gains of S corporations; (5) the increased expensing allowance for depreciable business assets, including computer software; (6) the special tax rule for long-term contract accounting; (7) the increased tax deduction for small business start-up expenditures; and (8) the tax deduction for health insurance premiums in computing self-employment taxable income.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S211-212)
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S210-211)
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend the reduced interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans.

Bill: 112-s-2051
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2012-01-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: 
Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make the 3.4% interest rate on Direct Stafford loans first disbursed to undergraduate students between July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012, applicable to Direct Stafford loans first disbursed to undergraduate students on or after July 1, 2012.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S212-213)
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that the legal public holiday for the birthday of George Washington take place on February 22, rather than on the third Monday in February.

Bill: 112-s-2052
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2012-01-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: 
Changes the date of the observance of the birthday of President George Washington to February 22 of each year (currently, the third Monday in February).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Jumpstarting Transit-Oriented Development Act

Bill: 112-s-2053
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2012-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Economic development
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing and community development funding
Housing supply and affordability
Land use and conservation
Pedestrians and bicycling
Public transit
Railroads
Regional and metropolitan planning
Transportation programs funding
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: 
Jumpstarting Transit-Oriented Development Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to award grants to transit agencies, state or local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, tribal governments, or partnerships among them to establish a specific, implementable strategy for mixed-income, mixed-use development projects that lead to successful transit-oriented development within one-half mile of an existing or planned major transit facility.
 
Defines &quot;major transit facility&quot; to mean: (1) a station that is part of a fixed-guideway public transportation system, (2) a high-speed rail or intercity rail station, (3) a transit hub, or (4) a transit center located in a nonurbanized area.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to make or guarantee loans to eligible borrowers to carry out such projects.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
STOP Act

Bill: 112-s-2054
Sponsor: Sen. Begich, Mark [D-AK]
Introduced: 2012-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Government information and archives
Housing finance and home ownership
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: 
Stop the Outrageous Pay at Fannie and Freddie Act or STOP Act - Requires the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to: (1) suspend the compensation packages approved for 2011 for the executive officers of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (government sponsored enterprises or GSEs); and (2) establish a compensation system for the executive officers and all other employees of each GSE in accordance with the compensation and benefit schedules established and adjusted pursuant to the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA). 
 
Sets the maximum rate of compensation and benefits that an executive officer or employee of a GSE may receive at the rate of compensation and benefits of the highest compensated executive or employee of an agency enumerated in FIRREA (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation [FDIC], the Comptroller of the Currency, the National Credit Union Administration [NCUA] Board, the FHFA, the Office of Financial Research, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [CFPB], the Farm Credit Administration, or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission [CFTC]).
 
Requires each executive officer performing services for a GSE on the date of enactment of this Act whose compensation package is suspended to return to the Secretary of the Treasury any compensation earned in 2011 or any subsequent calendar year, but not yet disbursed as of the enactment of this Act, that exceeded the rate of compensation and benefits of the highest compensated executive or employee of an agency enumerated in FIRREA. Requires the Secretary to transfer returned amounts to a specified account in the Treasury to reduce the public debt.
 
States that any executive officer or employee whose compensation is affected by this Act shall not be considered a federal employee.
 
Requires the Director to report annually to specified congressional committees, and to make publicly available, the rate of compensation and benefits of all GES executives and employees, without disclosing their names or other personal information. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S262-263)
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to the protection of certain information.

Bill: 112-s-2055
Sponsor: Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [R-AL]
Introduced: 2012-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: 
 Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to prohibit information submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in the course of any supervisory or regulatory process from being construed as affecting any privilege the submitter may claim about that information under federal or state law as to any person or entity other than the CFPB. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Scofield Land Transfer Act

Bill: 112-s-2056
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2012-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government trust funds
Land transfers
Outdoor recreation
Utah
Water storage

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: 
Scofield Land Transfer Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) complete a full physical and title survey of specified federal land concerning the Scofield Dam and Reservoir in Carbon County, Utah, and any other related land in and around Scofield Reservoir Basin; and (2) attempt to notify each person or entity claiming title to, or an interest in, such land (claimant) of the claimant's trespass or encroachment on federal land, including the existence of any trespassing or encroaching structures.
 
Authorizes the Secretary, in order to resolve trespass and encroachment issues and upon a claimant's request, to convey either a fee interest or a life estate to a claimant. 
 
Subjects any conveyance to: (1) a claimant paying fair market value for the claimed land, (2) the United States retaining a flood easement over the entire portion of the federal land conveyed, and (3) specified deed restrictions.
 
Establishes the Scofield Reservoir Fund to provide enhanced recreation opportunities at the Scofield Reservoir. Deposits into the Fund any amounts paid by claimants pursuant to this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-642.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to supervise cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Bill: 112-s-2057
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2012-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Health personnel
Medicare
Nursing

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: 
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to supervise cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to close loopholes, increase transparency, and improve the effectiveness of sanctions on Iranian trade in petroleum products.

Bill: 112-s-2058
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2012-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Industrial facilities
Iran
Middle East
Oil and gas
Sanctions
Strategic materials and reserves
Technology transfer and commercialization
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: 
States that the Secretary of Energy (DOE) shall engage in any sale, purchase, or exchange activity involving the Strategic Petroleum Reserve only with a person certifying to the Secretary that the person is not directly or indirectly conducting transactions in or with Iran or an Iranian entity.
 
Exempts from such restriction transactions relating to humanitarian assistance, agricultural products, medicine, or a medical device to Iran or an Iranian entity.
 
Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress every 180 days regarding Iranian imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2059
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2012-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Employment taxes
Income tax deductions
Income tax rates
Inflation and prices
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax reform and tax simplification

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: 
Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million to pay a minimum tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year (tentative fair share tax). Establishes the amount of such tax as the excess (if any) of the tentative fair share tax over the excess of: (1) the sum of the taxpayer's regular tax liability, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) amount, and the payroll tax for the taxable year; over (2) certain tax credits. Provides for a phase-in of such tax. Requires an inflation adjustment to the $1 million income threshold for taxable years beginning after 2013.
 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should enact tax reform that repeals unfair and unnecessary tax loopholes and expenditures, simplifies the tax system, and makes sure that the wealthiest taxpayers pay a fair share of taxes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S263-264)
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Military Leave Act

Bill: 112-s-2060
Sponsor: Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI]
Introduced: 2012-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Employee leave
Military personnel and dependents
Personnel records
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: 
Fair Military Leave Act - Directs the Secretary concerned to make a payment to each member of the Armed Forces who was eligible to participate in the Post-Deployment/Mobilization Respite Absence program, but did not participate for one or more days due to government error.
 
Makes such payment: (1) $200 for each day of non-participation, and (2) in lieu of any authorized administrative absence for such day(s).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S264-265)
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom from Over-Criminalization and Unjust Seizures Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-2062
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2012-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Environmental regulatory procedures
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Trade restrictions
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-02
text: 
Freedom from Over-Criminalization and Unjust Seizures Act of 2012 - Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to repeal the prohibition on importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, or purchasing in interstate or foreign commerce: (1) fish or wildlife taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of foreign law; or (2) plants taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of foreign law, without the payment of appropriate royalties, taxes, or stumpage fees required by foreign law, or in violation of any limitation under foreign law that governs the export or transshipment of plants. Repeals the prohibition on possessing such fish, wildlife, or plants within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
 
Establishes a $200,000 maximum limit on a civil penalty for a knowing violation of such Act that involves fish, wildlife, or plants with a market value of $350 or more.
 
Repeals: (1) criminal penalties under such Act, and (2) the authorization to suspend, modify, or cancel specified licenses or permits issued to any person who is convicted of a criminal violation of such Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2012-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the transfer of technology developed using funding provided by the United States Government to entities of certain countries, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-2063
Sponsor: Sen. Webb, Jim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2012-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Intellectual property
Public contracts and procurement
Research and development
Technology transfer and commercialization
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-02
text: 
Prohibits a U.S. commercial entity from transferring any proprietary technology or intellectual property researched, developed, or commercialized with federal financial assistance to an entity: (1) owned or controlled by the government of a country which requires any U.S. commercial entity to transfer proprietary technology or intellectual property as a condition of doing business, or (2) in which the citizens of such a country hold 5% interests of the capital structure of that entity.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to waive such prohibition if the transfer would not compromise U.S. economic interests or competitiveness.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2012-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate