hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
SCORE Program Improvement Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3246
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2012-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: 
SCORE Program Improvement Act of 2012 - Establishes the SCORE Advisory Board to: (1) review and monitor plans and programs which affect SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) chapters; (2) advise on improving coordination between such plans and programs; (3) advise SCORE chapters on the use of allocated federal funding; (4) develop and promote initiatives, policies, programs, and plans designed to assist with mentoring services offered by SCORE chapters; and (5) advise the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) on the development and implementation of an annual comprehensive plan for joint public-private efforts to facilitate the formation and development of mentoring by SCORE volunteers. Requires an annual activities report from the Board to the President and the congressional small business committees.
 
Amends the Small Business Act to reauthorize the SCORE program through FY2015.
 
Limits the rate of pay of the SCORE chief executive officer to the maximum rate within the Senior Executive Service.
 
Directs SCORE to establish a committee to determine the amount of, and methods for, allocations to each chapter.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to: (1) conduct a study that includes an examination of each SCORE expenditure for technology activities and the result of each expenditure; and (2) report study results to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3637-3638)
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3636-3637)
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
West Hunter Street Baptist Church Study Act

Bill: 112-s-3247
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2012-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Georgia
Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: 
West Hunter Street Baptist Church Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the historic West Hunter Street Baptist Church located at 775 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, to evaluate the national significance of the Church and determine the suitability and feasibility of designating such area as a unit of the National Park System. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
National Bison Legacy Act

Bill: 112-s-3248
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2012-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Mammals
National symbols

Summary:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: 
National Bison Legacy Act - Designates the North American bison as the national mammal of the United States.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3638)
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Boko Haram Terrorist Designation Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3249
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Scott P. [R-MA]
Introduced: 2012-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Congressional oversight
Nigeria
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: 
Boko Haram Terrorist Designation Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress on whether the Nigerian organization People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad (Boko Haram) meets the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization. 
 
States that nothing in this Act may be construed to infringe upon Nigeria's sovereignty to combat militant or terrorist groups operating inside its boundaries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Mille Lacs Lake Freedom To Fish Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3251
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2012-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Hunting and fishing
Lakes and rivers
Licensing and registrations
Marine and inland water transportation
Minnesota
Navigation, waterways, harbors

Summary:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: 
Mille Lacs Lake Freedom To Fish Act of 2012 - Exempts from certain federal vessel licensing and safety inspection requirements uninspected vessels operating on Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Jack Nicklaus, in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence, good sportsmanship, and philanthropy.

Bill: 112-s-3252
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2012-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Sports and Recreation
Subjects: Athletes
Congressional tributes
Professional sports

Summary:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: 
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Jack Nicklaus in recognition of his service to the nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship.
 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike such gold medal and to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the gold and bronze medals. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
EXCEL Act

Bill: 112-s-3253
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2012-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Credit and credit markets
Government information and archives
Inflation and prices
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Rural conditions and development
Small business
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: 
Expanding Access to Capital for Entrepreneurial Leaders Act or EXCEL Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee the payment of up to $4 billion per fiscal year for debentures or participating securities issued by small business investment companies (SBICs) to encourage the formation and growth of small businesses. Increases the maximum amount of outstanding leverage for two or more commonly-controlled SBICs. Authorizes annual inflationary adjustments of such limits.
 
Directs the Administrator to make publicly available on the SBA website specified fiscal and related information with respect to each SBIC.
 
Allows SBIC licensing fees to be used by the SBA for SBIC program needs other than the costs of licensing examinations.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that SBICs would benefit from partnerships with community banks and other lenders, and that the Administrator should: (1) increase outreach to such banks and lenders for investment in SBICs; (2) use the Internet to publicize which SBICs are soliciting and making investments in small businesses; (3) partner with governors, mayors, states, and municipalities to increase outreach by SBICs to underserved and rural areas; and (4) revise and update the SBIC program webpage to make it more prominent and user-friendly.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3638-3639)
action_date: 2012-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Miguel Santillan.

Bill: 112-s-3255
Sponsor: Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI]
Introduced: 2012-06-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Provides for the relief of Miguel Santillan.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Introduced in Senate
End Pay Discrimination Through Information Act

Bill: 112-s-3256
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2012-06-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Employment discrimination and employee rights
Labor standards
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: 
End Pay Discrimination Through Information Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise the prohibition against employer retaliation for employee complaints. Prohibits retaliation for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of the employee or another employee in response to a sex discrimination complaint or charge, or in furtherance of a sex discrimination investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit the use of public funds for political party conventions, and to provide for the return of previously distributed funds for deficit reduction.

Bill: 112-s-3257
Sponsor: Sen. Coburn, Tom [R-OK]
Introduced: 2012-06-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government trust funds
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions providing for the use of funds from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund for presidential nominating conventions. Requires that any amount which is returned by the national committee of a major or minor party to the Treasury from an account established under the Fund to make payments for conventions to be used solely for deficit reduction. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3688)
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to clarify the maximum distance between Farm Service Agency county offices for purposes of the closure or relocation of a county office for the Farm Service Agency.

Bill: 112-s-3258
Sponsor: Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO]
Introduced: 2012-06-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Department of Agriculture
Executive agency funding and structure
Government buildings, facilities, and property

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: 
Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to prohibit the closing of a Farm Service Agency county or field office unless there is another Agency office not more than 20 driving miles away.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Dr. Shakeel Afridi.

Bill: 112-s-3259
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2012-06-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Provides for the relief of Dr. Shakeel Afridi.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide that no United States assistance may be provided to Pakistan until Dr. Shakil Afridi is freed.

Bill: 112-s-3260
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2012-06-04 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Detention of persons
Foreign aid and international relief
Health personnel
Human rights
Pakistan
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Sanctions
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: 
 Prohibits any direct U.S. assistance to the government of Pakistan unless the President certifies to Congress that: (1) Dr. Shakil Afridi has been released from prison in Pakistan and any criminal charges brought against Dr. Afridi, including treason, have been dropped; and (2) if necessary to ensure his freedom, Dr. Afridi has been allowed to leave Pakistan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2012-06-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Whaling Convention Amendments Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3262
Sponsor: Sen. Begich, Mark [D-AK]
Introduced: 2012-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alaska
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Department of Commerce
Indian lands and resources rights
Mammals
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: 
Whaling Convention Amendments Act of 2012 - Amends the Whaling Convention Act of 1949 to require the Secretary of Commerce to authorize aboriginal subsistence whaling if it: (1) is for subsistence purposes (including the sale of authentic native articles of handicrafts and clothing); (2) does not include the striking, taking, or killing of calves or any whale accompanied by a calf; and (3) is not accomplished in a wasteful manner.
 
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish catch limits for the Alaska Native aboriginal subsistence hunt of bowhead whales for any year or set of years if: (1) the International Whaling Commission has failed to adopt applicable catch limits; and (2) the biological status of the affected bowhead stock or stocks is such that, based on the most recent review of their status by the Scientific Committee of the Commission, the aboriginal subsistence needs statement submitted to the Commission by the United States for that year or set of years is sustainable.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe Skies Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3263
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2012-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Labor standards
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: 
Safe Skies Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT), not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act, to modify a specified Department of Transportation (DOT) final rule relating to flightcrew member duty and rest requirements so that the requirements under that rule apply to all-cargo flightcrew members to the same extent they apply to air passenger flightcrew members.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (consideration: CR S8552-8553)
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3731)
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program.

Bill: 112-s-3264
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2012-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Lakes and rivers
Louisiana
Water quality
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: 
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program to: (1) limit grants by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to no more than 75% of project costs; and (2) authorize the appropriation of $20 million or the lowest amount appropriated to carry out such Program for any of the preceding five fiscal years, whichever is less, for each of FY2013-FY2017.

action_date: 2012-07-16
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program to: (1) limit grants by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to no more than 75% of project costs; and (2) authorize the appropriation of $20 million or the lowest amount appropriated to carry out such Program for any of the preceding five fiscal years, whichever is less, for each of FY2013-FY2017.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 454.
action_date: 2012-07-16
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer without amendment. With written report No. 112-185.
action_date: 2012-07-16
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer without amendment. With written report No. 112-185.
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Power Act to remove the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to collect land use fees for land that has been sold, exchanged, or otherwise transferred from Federal ownership but that is subject to a power site reservation.

Bill: 112-s-3265
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2012-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Electric power generation and transmission
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Licensing and registrations
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: 
Amends the Federal Power Act regarding annual charges payable by licensees to the United States for use of federal lands to exclude land that has been sold, exchanged, or otherwise transferred from federal ownership, yet remains subject to a power site reservation under the Act. 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-624.
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3732)
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3731-3732)
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Comprehensive Student Loan Protection Act

Bill: 112-s-3266
Sponsor: Sen. Coburn, Tom [R-OK]
Introduced: 2012-06-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional oversight
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-06
text: 
Comprehensive Student Loan Protection Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to set the interest rate on Direct Loans, for any 12 month period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30, at the bond equivalent rate of 10-year Treasury bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such June 1, plus 3%.
 
Makes: (1) that formula applicable to Direct Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2012; and (2) the rate set on such loans applicable for the life of the loans.
 
Requires any savings to the federal government that result from this Act's amendment to be used for deficit reduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-06-06
text: Introduced in Senate
American Opportunity Tax Credit Permanence and Consolidation Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3267
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2012-06-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Higher education
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-06
text: 
American Opportunity Tax Credit Permanence and Consolidation Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits with a new American Opportunity Tax Credit that: (1) allows an income tax credit of up to $3,000 of the qualified tuition and related expenses of a student who is carrying at least one half of a normal course load, (2) increases the income threshold for reductions in the credit amount based upon modified adjusted gross income, (3) allows a lifetime dollar limitation on such credit of $15,000 for all taxable years, and (4) makes 40% of the credit refundable. Allows an exclusion from gross income of any amount received as a Federal Pell Grant. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-06-06
text: Introduced in Senate