hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to establish a pilot program to study the benefits of using hair specimens for preemployment controlled substances tests of commercial motor vehicle operators, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6641
Sponsor: Rep. Ribble, Reid J. [R-WI-8]
Introduced: 2012-12-05 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Transportation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Motor carriers
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-05
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to carry out a pilot program to study the benefits of using hair specimens to conduct preemployment controlled substances tests of commercial motor vehicle operators.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop guidelines, protocols, and standards for such tests.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2012-12-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2012-12-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-05
text: Introduced in House
Ending Fiscal Cliffs Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6643
Sponsor: Rep. Fattah, Chaka [D-PA-2]
Introduced: 2012-12-07 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-07
text: 
Ending Fiscal Cliffs Act of 2012 - Authorizes an increase or decrease in the public debt limit, as necessary, by the amount determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be required to meet existing commitments after enactment of any Act of Congress that provides budget authority or reduces revenues.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-12-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-07
text: Introduced in House
To prohibit United States assistance to the country of Egypt.

Bill: 112-hr-6646
Sponsor: Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-13]
Introduced: 2012-12-11 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Egypt
Foreign aid and international relief
Middle East

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: 
Prohibits any funds made available after FY2012 to any federal department or agency from being used to provide assistance to Egypt.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: Introduced in House
To rename section 219(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Kay Bailey Hutchison Spousal IRA.

Bill: 112-hr-6647
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Sam [R-TX-3]
Introduced: 2012-12-11 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax deferral
Marriage and family status
Members of Congress
Senate
Tax treatment of families

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to rename the section heading of Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the individual retirement accounts (IRAs) of married individuals as the Kay Bailey Hutchison Spousal IRA. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: Introduced in House
POCAG Act

Bill: 112-hr-6648
Sponsor: Rep. Kucinich, Dennis J. [D-OH-10]
Introduced: 2012-12-11 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Corporate finance and management
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Lawyers and legal services
Legal fees and court costs
Postal service
Public participation and lobbying
Tax-exempt organizations
U.S. Postal Service
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: 
Post Office Consumer Action Group Act or the POCAG Act - Establishes as a nonprofit corporation the Post Office Consumer Action Group (POCAG) to represent and promote the interests of individual residential postal users. Grants POCAG the authority to: (1) intervene and participate in regulatory proceedings of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC); and (2) bring civil actions for the review or enforcement of decisions by USPS, PRC, or other public bodies pertaining to postal matters. Sets forth provisions relating to rights and powers of POCAG, its funding and membership structure, and the powers and duties of its board of directors. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 39, United States Code, to allow the United States Postal Service to provide nonpostal services, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6650
Sponsor: Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-5]
Introduced: 2012-12-12 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: 
Expands the enumerated powers of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to include the authority to provide nonpostal services.
 
Removes existing conditions that limit nonpostal services to certain services offered as of January 1, 2006.
 
Prohibits the USPS from entering into contracts with any corporation not incorporated in the United States.
 
Directs the Postmaster General to report annually to Congress on the nonpostal services provided by the USPS during each preceding year with an analysis of the costs associated with, and the revenues generated by, each nonpostal service.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in House
Securing our Borders and our Data Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-6651
Sponsor: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-17]
Introduced: 2012-12-12 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Border security and unlawful immigration
Computers and information technology
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Homeland Security
Evidence and witnesses
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Law enforcement officers
Right of privacy
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: 
Securing Our Borders and Our Data Act of 2011 [
sic
] - Sets forth rules for the search or seizure at a U.S. border of digital electronic devices or digital storage media. Prohibits a search of the digital contents of such devices or media unless such search is based on: (1) a reasonable suspicion regarding the owner of such devices or media, and (2) an independent constitutional authority to make a seizure (other than the authority for border searches). 

Requires officers at U.S. borders to receive appropriate training to make searches of digital devices or media to minimize the possibility of irreparable damage to such devices or media. Allows the owners of such devices and media to request that searches be conducted out of public view. 

Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) make rules regarding border searches of digital devices and storage media, including rules to protect the integrity of digital data, for the retrieval of seized devices or media by owners, and for sharing such data with other governmental agencies; and (2) publish such rules on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website. 
 
Requires the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to conduct an annual study of searches and seizures of digital devices and storage media at U.S. borders and report to Congress on such study.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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: 2012-12-12
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in House
MUSIC Act

Bill: 112-hr-6652
Sponsor: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-8]
Introduced: 2012-12-12 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Music
Sound recording

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: 
Making United States Independents Competitive Act or MUSIC Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to provide assistance to U.S. independent music label companies to facilitate exports of recorded music by those companies.
 
Requires the Secretary to give priority to assisting U.S. independent music label companies and their musical recording artists in attending international music trade shows, including support for admission costs, travel, booth construction, and touring expenses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in House
Independent Contractor Tax Fairness and Simplification Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6653
Sponsor: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3]
Introduced: 2012-12-12 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Contracts and agency
Department of the Treasury
Employment taxes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: 
Independent Contractor Tax Fairness and Simplification Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth criteria for classifying a worker as an employee or an independent contractor.
 
Prohibits: (1) any retroactive assessment of employment tax, except with respect to certain skilled workers, for tax periods after December 31, 1978, unless the employer had no reasonable basis for not treating a worker as an employee, and (2) the issuance, after the enactment of this Act, of Treasury regulations with respect to the employment status of any individual for purposes of the employment tax.
 
Establishes safe harbor provisions upon which a service recipient or payor may rely in classifying a service provider as an independent contractor rather than as an employee where the service provider: (1) incurs significant financial responsibility for providing and maintaining equipment and facilities to perform work under a contract; (2) incurs unreimbursed expenses or risks income fluctuations because remuneration is directly related to sales or other output rather than solely to the number of hours actually worked or expenses incurred; (3) is compensated on factors related to the work performed and not solely on the basis of hours or time expended; and (4) substantially controls the means and manner of performing the contract services, the specifications of the service recipient or payor, and any additional contractual requirements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in House
Egypt Accountability and Democracy Promotion Act

Bill: 112-hr-6657
Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations
Arms control and nonproliferation
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Congressional oversight
Due process and equal protection
Egypt
Foreign aid and international relief
Gaza Strip
Human rights
International law and treaties
Israel
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Political movements and philosophies
Religion
Rule of law and government transparency
Sanctions
Smuggling and trafficking
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
Egypt Accountability and Democracy Promotion Act - States that U.S. policy shall be to use its foreign assistance for Egypt to advance U.S. national security interests in Egypt, including encouraging the advancement of political, economic, and religious freedom in Egypt.
 
Limits specified security and economic assistance to Egypt unless the Secretary of State certifies to Congress every six months that the Egyptian government: (1) is not controlled by or under the influence of a foreign terrorist organization, or that no supporter of a foreign terrorist organization serves in a policy-making position in the government; (2) has implemented legal reforms that protect the political, economic, and religious freedoms and human rights of all citizens and residents of Egypt; (3) is fully implementing the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty; and (4) is taking verifiable steps to destroy the smuggling network and tunnels between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, and is cracking down on extremist groups in the Sinai Peninsula.
 
Provides for a limited national security waiver of such restrictions. 
 
Sets forth reporting requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
Urban Competitiveness Act

Bill: 112-hr-6658
Sponsor: Rep. Clarke, Hansen [D-MI-13]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Capital gains tax
Financial services and investments
Income tax rates
Securities
Unemployment
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
Urban Competitiveness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any capital gain from the sale or exchange of a stock, partnership, or business property interest invested in an enterprise zone area which had an average unemployment rate of not less than 150% of the national average rate during the preceding calendar year and which experienced a population loss of at least 20% during the 10-year period beginning in 2000.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
Urban Recovery and Growth Act

Bill: 112-hr-6659
Sponsor: Rep. Clarke, Hansen [D-MI-13]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Economic development
Financial services and investments
Income tax credits
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Securities
State and local finance
Unemployment
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
Urban Recovery and Growth Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the issuance of economic development extension bonds for the purpose of economic development or refinancing the indebtedness of a city that has an average unemployment rate of not less than 150% of the national average in the preceding calendar year and that has lost at least 20% of its population between 2000 and 2010.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
Personal Holding Company Tax Parity and Reinvestment Act

Bill: 112-hr-6660
Sponsor: Rep. Reichert, David G. [R-WA-8]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Corporate finance and management
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Taxation of foreign income

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
Personal Holding Company Tax Parity and Reinvestment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude dividends received by a U.S. shareholder from a controlled foreign corporation from the definition of "personal holding company income" for purposes of personal holding company taxation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14 Red River Avenue North in Cold Spring, Minnesota, as the "Officer Tommy Decker Memorial Post Office".

Bill: 112-hr-6661
Sponsor: Rep. Bachmann, Michele [R-MN-6]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Law enforcement officers
Minnesota
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14 Red River Avenue North in Cold Spring, Minnesota, as the "Officer Tommy Decker Memorial Post Office."

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a pilot program to study alternatives to the current system of taxing motor vehicle fuels, including systems based on the number of miles traveled by each vehicle.

Bill: 112-hr-6662
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Government studies and investigations
Motor fuels
Motor vehicles
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Sales and excise taxes
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Transportation programs funding
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) establish a pilot program to be known as the Road User Fee Pilot Project to study alternatives to the system of taxing motor vehicle fuels, including alternatives based upon the mileage of vehicles subject to tax (miles based program); (2) coordinate with technology, transportation system, and environmental working groups in carrying out the pilot program; and (3) establish a grant program to aid in the development of onboard technologies necessary for a miles based program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
action_date: 2012-12-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2012-12-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2012-12-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2012-12-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2012-12-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1932)
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
To permanently extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

Bill: 112-hr-6663
Sponsor: Rep. Brooks, Mo [R-AL-5]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Capital gains tax
General taxation matters
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Income tax rates
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Tax treatment of families
Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
Makes permanent: (1) the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, and (2) provisions of the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 that reduce tax rates on capital gain and dividend income.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the State of California all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to certain National Forest System land to facilitate the relocation of the South Operations Coordination Center, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6664
Sponsor: Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-44]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: California
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to convey to the state of California a parcel of approximately 12.55 acres of National Forest System land in the Pacific Southwest Region to permit the state to use such land to relocate the South Operations Coordination Center. Defines &quot;South Operations Coordination Center&quot; as the state facility that is jointly operated by the state and the Forest Service and is used for providing emergency support for wildland fires and other emergencies.
 
 
Requires the state, as consideration for the conveyance of the land, to pay an amount equal to the fair market value of the conveyed land. 
 
Requires the state to cover the costs to be incurred by the Secretary, or to reimburse the Secretary for the costs incurred in carrying out such conveyance. 
 
Subjects such conveyance to valid existing rights. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in House