hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the income limitations for the student loan interest deduction, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6010
Sponsor: Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5]
Introduced: 2012-06-21 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Higher education
Income tax deductions
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the modified adjusted gross income threshold for reducing the allowable amount of the tax deduction for interest on education loans.
 
Makes permanent the elimination of the 60-month limitation on the tax deduction for interest on education loans and the increase in the income threshold for reducing the allowable amount of such deduction enacted by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide to owners of certain intellectual property rights information on, and unredacted samples and images of, semiconductor chip products suspected of being imported in violation of the rights of the owner of a registered mark or the owner of a mask work.

Bill: 112-hr-6012
Sponsor: Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
Introduced: 2012-06-21 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Customs enforcement
Government information and archives
Intellectual property
Trade secrets and economic espionage

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: 
Amends the federal criminal code to exempt the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) from disclosure of confidential information violations when the Secretary shares certain information and materials with intellectual property rights owners for purposes of determining whether semiconductor chip products are being imported into the United States in violation of Lanham Act provisions that prohibit infringing trademarks on imported articles or in violation of any of the exclusive rights of the owner of a mask work under the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984.
 
Authorizes the Secretary, upon presentation of such products, to: (1) share with the holder of the registered mark or the owner of the mask work information on the semiconductor chip products and their packaging and labels, including unredacted photographs or digital images of such products, packaging, and labels; and (2) supply unredacted samples of such products to such holder of the registered mark or owner of the mask work at any time, subject to bonding requirements.
 
Requires the Secretary, upon detention of such products, to share such product information and unredacted photographs or images with the registered mark holder or mask work owner. 
 
Sets forth exceptions for cases that would compromise ongoing law enforcement investigations or national security.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet.
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the time period for contributing military death gratuities to Roth IRAs and Coverdell education savings accounts.

Bill: 112-hr-6013
Sponsor: Rep. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT-5]
Introduced: 2012-06-21 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Employee benefits and pensions
Military personnel and dependents
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the period in which death gratuities (less amounts contributed to a Coverdell education savings account) and insurance proceeds payable to survivors of members of the Armed Forces or the Uniformed Services may be contributed to a Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA) from one to three years after receipt of such gratuities or proceeds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Introduced in House
Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6015
Sponsor: Rep. Schwartz, Allyson Y. [D-PA-13]
Introduced: 2012-06-21 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government information and archives
Government liability
Legal fees and court costs
Public contracts and procurement
State and local government operations
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: 
Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2012 - Waives a state's sovereign immunity with respect to the enforcement of uniformed services members' employment or reemployment rights or benefits under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).
 
Makes unenforceable agreements between an employer and employee requiring arbitration of disputes arising under USERRA. Provides exceptions. Requires the validity and enforceability of such an agreement to be determined by a court (as opposed to the arbitrator).
 
Provides increased liquidated damages, and authorizes punitive damages, against state or private employer violations of USERRA. Provides a right to a jury trial in such cases.
 
Requires (under current law, authorizes) the award of attorney fees in actions to enforce USERRA.
 
Requires (under current law, authorizes) a court to use equitable relief, including injunctions and restraining orders when appropriate, for USERRA violations.
 
 Requires federal procurement contracts to include a notice that the contractor may have USERRA obligations.
 
Requires a Comptroller General study on the effectiveness of federal education and outreach programs on employer obligations under USERRA. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2012-07-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2012-06-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2012-06-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2012-06-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to waive the 30-day waiting period for flood insurance policies purchased for private properties affected by wildfire on Federal lands.

Bill: 112-hr-6017
Sponsor: Rep. Pearce, Stevan [R-NM-2]
Introduced: 2012-06-25 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Fires
Floods and storm protection
Forests, forestry, trees

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-25
text: 
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to exempt from the statutory 30-day waiting period for a new contract for flood insurance coverage the initial purchase of flood insurance coverage for private property if: (1) the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determines that the property is affected by flooding on federal land that is a result of, or is exacerbated by, post-wildfire conditions; and (2) such coverage was purchased within 60 days after the fire containment date relating to the wildfire that caused the post-wildfire conditions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-10-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity.
action_date: 2012-06-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2012-06-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-25
text: Introduced in House
Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6019
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2012-06-26 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime prevention
Elementary and secondary education
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement administration and funding
School administration

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: 
Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act of 2012 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) expand the juvenile accountability block grant program with respect to programs for the prevention of bullying to include intervention programs, and (2) authorize appropriations for such grant program for FY2013-FY2017.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the use of best practices in the effort to combat bullying should be encouraged.

action_date: 2012-07-09
text: 
Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Reauthorization and the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act of 2012 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) expand the juvenile accountability block grant program with respect to programs for the prevention of bullying to include intervention programs, and (2) authorize appropriations for such grant program for FY2013-FY2017.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the use of best practices is encouraged for all activities for which juvenile accountability block grants may be used.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 422.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-582.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-582.
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
Rehab and Ahmed Amer Foster Care Improvement Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6021
Sponsor: Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2012-06-26 in the House
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Government information and archives
Judicial review and appeals
Separation, divorce, custody, support
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: 
Rehab and Ahmed Amer Foster Care Improvement Act of 2012 - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise requirements that states must follow to contact the adult relatives of a child removed from the custody of his or her parents.
 
Requires the state, within 90 days after making a placement decision, to provide notice of the decision and the reasons for it to each parent of the child, each relative who has expressed an interest in caring for the child, the guardian, and other specified parties.
 
Requires the state to establish procedures to: (1) allow a person who receives such a notice to request documentation of the reasons for the decision involved, (2) allow the attorney for the child to petition the court involved to review the decision, and (3) require the court to commence such a review on the record after receiving such a petition. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1139)
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
Containing Risk, Offering Protection Act

Bill: 112-hr-6022
Sponsor: Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-11]
Introduced: 2012-06-26 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural insurance
Disaster relief and insurance

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: 
Containing Risk, Offering Protection Act - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to include coverage for losses to an insured commodity when, as a result of a federally-imposed quarantine, the commodity must be destroyed or is unable to be marketed or utilized for its intended purpose.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
Federal Reserve Independence Act

Bill: 112-hr-6023
Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4]
Introduced: 2012-06-26 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Reserve System

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: 
Federal Reserve Independence Act - Amends the Federal Reserve Act regarding class A membership on the board of directors of a Federal Reserve Bank to require the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board) to designate members from among persons who are not employed in any capacity by a stockholding bank. 
 
Requires the Federal Reserve Board to designate the class B members of such board of directors (class B members represent the public).
 
Prohibits employees of any Federal Reserve Board-regulated entity from serving on the board of directors of any Reserve Bank.
 
Prohibits any employee of the Federal Reserve System or any board member of a Reserve Bank from owning stock or investing in any company regulated by the Federal Reserve Board.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to report annually to Congress to ensure implementation of this Act. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-10-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
Hydro 2.0 Act

Bill: 112-hr-6024
Sponsor: Rep. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA-7]
Introduced: 2012-06-26 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy revenues and royalties
Water resources funding
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: 
Hydro 2.0 Act - Amends the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain additions, improvements, efficiencies, and replacements of power generation facilities at existing Reclamation project facilities, including exclusive development of non-federal power at Bureau of Reclamation facilities.
 
Predicates such authority upon: (1) use of the lease of power privilege by the Commissioner to approve such development of non-federal power; and (2) construction, operation, and maintenance of the power generation facilities consistent with water supply and other purposes specifically authorized for the project.
 
Requires revenues from the lease of power privileges to be deposited into the Reclamation Fund and credited to the project from which such power is derived. Prescribes allocation guidelines governing the construction cost component of such revenues from the lease of power privilege. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
DREDGE Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6026
Sponsor: Rep. Richmond, Cedric L. [D-LA-2]
Introduced: 2012-06-26 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Floods and storm protection
Gulf of Mexico
Lakes and rivers
Louisiana
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Mississippi River
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: 
Dredging for Restoration and Economic Development for Global Exports Act of 2012 or the DREDGE Act of 2012 - Modifies the project for navigation, Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to direct the Secretary of the Army to: (1) achieve, operate, and maintain a navigation channel of 50 feet with respect to the portion of the project from Baton Rouge to the Southwest Pass sea buoy; (2) complete such work not later than the last day of the third fiscal year beginning after the enactment of this Act; (3) conduct a pilot disposal and sediment project in the Southwest Pass area to determine the cost-effectiveness of pump-out disposal operations for hopper dredges for environmental enhancement and dredged material disposal; and (4) consult with appropriate federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders to determine the safe placement and timing of such pump-out disposal operations that protect, create, restore, and nourish coastal wetlands and aquatic habitat.
 
Requires: (1) all costs of such work to be treated as operation and maintenance costs, including the first costs of achieving a navigation channel of 50 feet; (2) the federal cost share of such work to be 100%; and (3) the Secretary to pay 100% of the costs of such work out of amounts made available from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for operation and maintenance expenses.
 
Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on: (1) the cost and the environmental, storm damage reduction, and social benefits of the pump-out disposal operation; and (2) the total quantity of dredge material produced during operation and maintenance activities in the New Orleans District and the quantity that is beneficially used.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6027
Sponsor: Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-13]
Introduced: 2012-06-26 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Immigration status and procedures
International law and treaties
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: 
Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 - Applies universal intercountry adoption accreditation standards under the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000, and related regulations, to the same extent as they apply to the offering or provision of adoption services in connection with an adoption under the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, to any person offering or providing adoption services in connection with a foreign orphan under age 16 adopted or to be adopted by a U.S. citizen. 
 
Gives the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), the Attorney General, and the accrediting entities the duties, responsibilities, and authorities under the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 and related regulations with respect to a person offering or providing such adoption services, regardless of whether such services are offered or provided in connection with a Convention adoption.
 
Amends the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 to repeal the prohibition against, and so make available, collected fees to accrediting entities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-26
text: Introduced in House
Hire Now Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6030
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Sander M. [D-MI-12]
Introduced: 2012-06-27 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Corporate finance and management
Employee hiring
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Oil and gas
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: 
Hire Now Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow certain employers a tax credit for 10% of the excess (if any) of the wages and compensation paid to their employees in 2012 over the amount of such wages paid in 2011, up to a maximum amount of $5 million; (2) prohibit major integrated oil companies from using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) accounting method; and (3) deny major integrated oil companies a tax deduction for intangible drilling and development costs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Introduced in House
Wind Powering American Jobs Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6031
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Introduced: 2012-06-27 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Foreign and international corporations
Income tax credits
Taxation of foreign income

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: 
 Wind Powering American Jobs Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2013 the tax credit for the production of electricity from wind facilities and the energy tax credit for investment in wind facilities, and (2) limit the foreign tax credit and tax deferrals for amounts paid or accrued by a major integrated oil company that is a dual capacity taxpayer. Defines "dual capacity taxpayer" as a person who is subject to a levy of a foreign country or U.S. possession and receives (or will receive) directly or indirectly a specific economic benefit from such county or possession.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-27
text: Introduced in House