hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1721
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2011-10-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Citizenship and naturalization
Crime victims
Human trafficking
Immigrant health and welfare
Poverty and welfare assistance
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
User charges and fees
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: 
SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act of 2011 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to extend through FY2012 the eligibility period for benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act for certain aliens and victims of trafficking. 
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a diversity immigrant VISA petition fee of $30, which shall be deposited directly in the general fund of the Treasury. Applies such fees only to petitions filed before October 1, 2013.

action_date: 2011-10-17
text: 

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

 
SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act of 2011 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to extend through FY2012 the eligibility period for benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act for certain aliens and victims of trafficking. 
 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a diversity immigrant VISA petition fee of $30, which shall be deposited directly in the general fund of the Treasury. Applies such fees only to petitions filed before October 1, 2013.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-21
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2011-10-21
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S6590-6591; text as passed Senate: CR S6591)
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S6590-6591; text as passed Senate: CR S6591)
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Early Learning Proficiency Act

Bill: 112-s-1722
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2011-10-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Immigrant health and welfare
Preschool education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: 
 Early Learning Proficiency Act - Requires states to issue guidance to local educational agencies (LEAs) regarding permissible uses of school improvement funds under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to serve preschool children.
 
Amends title III of the ESEA to allow LEAs to use subgrant funds under the English language acquisition and language enhancement program to develop and implement prekindergarten language programs.
 
Directs the Secretary of Education to issue guidance to LEAs on the use of funds under title III of the ESEA for prekindergarten programs. Requires that guidance to promote LEAs' use of funds under part B (Improving Language Instruction Educational Programs) of title III for early childhood professional development systems.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6604)
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Introduced in Senate
School Accountability Improvements Act

Bill: 112-s-1724
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2011-10-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Family relationships
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Indian social and development programs
Minority education
Rural conditions and development
School administration
Special education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: 
School Accountability Improvements Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow local educational agencies (LEAs) that are unable to provide a small, rural, or remote school with a highly-qualified on-site classroom teacher for a core academic subject to use distance education provided by a teacher highly qualified in the subject, but only if a teacher highly-qualified in another subject is present in the classroom to assist students during the distance education.
 
Allows states to use a growth model in calculating whether students are making adequately yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic performance standards if the state plan ensures their attainment of proficiency within certain periods of time.
 
Gives schools which are identified as needing improvement an extra year to make AYP before being required to allow student transfers. Limits the transfer option to students who do not meet proficiency standards. 
 
Permits LEAs identified as needing improvement to provide supplemental educational services themselves.
 
Allows schools and LEAs identified as needing improvement due to an underperforming disabled or limited English proficient (LEP) student subgroup to limit their improvement plan to such failing subgroup. Eliminates the requirements that schools face corrective action or restructuring and LEAs face corrective action because of such a subgroup's underperformance, if AYP can be shown using a growth model that counts students who are on track to attain proficiency by their final year in secondary school.
 
Requires AYP measurements of certain schools providing Native language instruction to kindergarten through second grade children in states with no AYP assessment in such language to exclude grade three results and employ a growth model requiring progress toward proficiency by seventh grade.
 
Allows partnerships receiving subgrants for preparing, recruiting, and training teachers and principals to include parent teacher organizations and use funds for activities enhancing parental involvement.
 
Excepts teachers of American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian language, culture, or history from the requirement that teachers be highly qualified. Allows states to require a local tribe or tribal organization to verify their competency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Educational Accountability and State Flexibility Act

Bill: 112-s-1725
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2011-10-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Minority education
School administration
Special education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: 
Educational Accountability and State Flexibility Act - Amends the school improvement program under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require each state to establish a multi-tiered accountability system that places each public school in a tier that reflects the state's annual assessment of the extent to which the school needs improvement. (This replaces the current system of assessing schools as needing improvement, corrective action, or restructuring.)
 
Requires states to weigh school needs by considering the extent to which: (1) schools are making adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic performance standards for students overall and for poor, minority, disabled, and limited English proficient student subgroups in particular; (2) schools are progressing toward the required graduation rate; and (3) a school's students are growing academically.
 
 Requires distinct tiers for schools: (1) making AYP; (2) nearly making AYP, achieving student academic growth, and improving their graduation rate; (3) not making AYP for a significant number of categories of students; and (4) not making AYP for multiple years.
 
Lists minimum consequences for schools placed into each of these tiers: consequences that range from requiring states to recognize successful schools, to requiring local educational agencies (LEAs) to implement alternative school governance models or school improvement strategies based on a specified system of support model. 
 
Denies the Secretary of Education any authority to approve or disapprove of a state's multi-tiered accountability system.
 
Requires state-approved providers of supplemental educational services to demonstrate success in serving any category of students at schools that do not make AYP. Authorizes LEAs to negotiate performance-based contracts with providers of supplemental educational services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Withholding Tax Relief Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1726
Sponsor: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Introduced: 2011-10-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Appropriations
Employment taxes
Public contracts and procurement
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: 
Withholding Tax Relief Act of 2011 - Repeals the provision in the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 requiring federal, state, and local governmental entities to withhold 3% of payments due to vendors providing goods and services to such entities. 
 
Rescinds permanently $30 billion of appropriated but unobligated discretionary funds. Exempts unobligated funds of the Department of Defense (DOD) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to determine and identify from which appropriation accounts such rescissions shall apply and report to the Secretary of the Treasury and Congress on such rescissions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-20
text: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the bill not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 57 - 43. Record Vote Number: 178. (consideration: CR S6840-6841; text: CR S6840)
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate. (consideration: CR S6753)
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the bill presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S6753; text: CR S6753)
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S6753)
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 205.
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6604-6605)
action_date: 2011-10-17
text: Introduced in Senate
William Shemin Jewish World War I Veterans Act

Bill: 112-s-1727
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2011-10-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Religion
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: 
William Shemin Jewish World War I Veterans Act - Directs the Secretaries of the Army and the Navy to: (1) review the service records of certain Jewish-American World War I veterans to determine whether that veteran should be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor; and (2) upon a positive determination, submit a recommendation to the President that the President make such award.
 
Makes eligible for such review and award each Jewish-American World War I veteran: (1) who was previously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or other military decoration for service during World War I; or (2) whose name is submitted to either Secretary by the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America within one year after the enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Stolen Valor Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1728
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Scott P. [R-MA]
Introduced: 2011-10-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: 
Stolen Valor Act of 2011 - Amends the federal criminal code to subject an individual who, with intent to obtain anything of value, knowingly makes a misrepresentiation regarding his or her military service to: (1) a fine, one year's imprisonment, or both if the misrepresentation is that such individual served in a combat zone or in a special operations force or was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor; and (2) a fine, six months' imprisonment, or both, in any other case. 
 
Provides that: (1) this Act shall not apply to a misrepresentation that an individual did not serve in the Armed Forces, and (2) it is a defense to prosecution that the thing of value is de minimis.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 to clarify that manure is not considered a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant under that Act.

Bill: 112-s-1729
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2011-10-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Livestock
Pollution liability

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: 
Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to exclude manure from the definition of &quot;hazardous substance&quot; and &quot;pollutant or contaminant&quot; for purposes of such Act. Defines &quot;manure&quot; to mean: (1) digestive emissions, feces, urine, urea and other excrement from livestock; (2) any associated bedding, compost, raw materials or other materials commingled with such excrement from livestock; (3) any process water associated with such items; and (4) any byproducts, constituents, or substances contained in, or originating from, such items or any emissions relating to such items. 
 
Amends the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to exempt from notification requirements applicable to releases from facilities of hazardous substances any release associated with manure as defined under CERCLA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Southern New Mexico Economic Development Act

Bill: 112-s-1730
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2011-10-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Latin America
Mexico
New Mexico
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Southern New Mexico Economic Development Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to permit a Mexican national who enters the United States with a valid border crossing card and who is admitted to the United States at the Columbus, Santa Teresa, or Antelope Wells port of entry in New Mexico, to remain in New Mexico, within 75 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, for up to 30 days.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6667)
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6667)
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Privacy Act Modernization for the Information Age Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1732
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2011-10-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: 
Privacy Act Modernization for the Information Age Act of 2011 - Amends provisions of federal law relating to privacy protections, including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the E-Government Act of 2002, to revise and expand such protections, including by: (1) redefining "system of records" to include any records maintained by, or otherwise under the control of, any federal agency and "routine use," with respect to the disclosure of a record, as the use of such record for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose for which it was collected and that is appropriate and reasonably necessary for the efficient and effective conduct of goverment; (2) expanding agency requirements for collecting, maintaining, and disclosing information on individuals to require the creation of a centralized website maintained by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) containing system of records notices and related privacy information; and (3) revising and increasing civil and criminal penalties for violations of privacy requirements.
 
Sets forth a new Federal Information Privacy Policy defining the authority and functions of the OMB Director and agency responsibilities with respect to privacy protections. Establishes: (1) the position of Federal Chief Privacy Officer in OMB, and (2) a Chief Privacy Officers Council to develop best practices for agency privacy policies. 
 
Amends the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 to expand the authority of agency privacy or civil liberties officers to investigate violations of privacy law. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6669-6672)
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6668-6669)
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Commission on the Review of the Overseas Military Facility Structure of the United States Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1733
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2011-10-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Military facilities and property
Military operations and strategy

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: 
Commission on the Review of the Overseas Military Facility Structure of the United States Act of 2011 - Establishes the Commission on the Review of the Overseas Military Facility Structure of the United States to: (1) conduct a thorough study of matters relating to the U.S. overseas military facility structure, and (2) report study findings and conclusions to the President and Congress. Requires the report to include a proposal for an overseas basing strategy for the Department of Defense (DOD) to meet current and future DOD missions during periods of heightened fiscal constraints.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2011-10-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1734
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2011-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Government studies and investigations
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intellectual property
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Prescription drugs
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: 
Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the exclusivity period for a new prescription drug by five years for a drug that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) determines to be a qualified infectious disease product. Defines &quot;qualified infectious disease product&quot; to mean an antibiotic drug for treating, detecting, preventing, or identifying a qualifying pathogen (certain pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics). Excludes drugs that are: (1) a supplement to a new drug application for which an extension is in effect or has expired; or (2) a subsequent application for a change that results in a new indication, route of administration, dosing schedule, dosage form, delivery system, delivery device or strength, or a modification to the structure of the product that does not result in a change in safety or effectiveness.
 
Extends such period of exclusivity an additional six months for a sponsor or manufacturer of a qualified infectious disease product that identifies a companion diagnostic test. 
 
Requires the Secretary to give priority review to any drug determined to be a qualified infectious disease product.
 
Includes qualified infectious disease products as fast track products for which the Secretary shall facilitate development and expedite review.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to study the need for incentives to encourage the research, development, and marketing of qualified infectious disease biological products.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) review Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for clinical trials of antibiotic drugs; and (2) revise such guidelines, as appropriate, to reflect developments in scientific and medical information and technology and to ensure clarity regarding the procedures and requirements for approval of an antibiotic drug.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to approve the transfer of Yellow Creek Port properties in Iuka, Mississippi.

Bill: 112-s-1735
Sponsor: Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS]
Introduced: 2011-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land transfers
Mississippi
Navigation, waterways, harbors

Summary:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: 
Approves the conveyance by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to the state of Mississippi of the federally-owned Yellow Creek Port properties in the custody of the TVA at Iuka, Mississippi. 

action_date: 2012-11-30
text: 

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

 
Approves the conveyance by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to the state of Mississippi of the federally-owned Yellow Creek Port properties in the custody of the TVA at Iuka, Mississippi. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-11-30
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 558.
action_date: 2012-11-30
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer without amendment. With written report No. 112-243.
action_date: 2012-11-30
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Boxer without amendment. With written report No. 112-243.
action_date: 2012-07-25
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate