hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Voluntary State Discount Prescription Drug Plan Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-989
Sponsor: Rep. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD-8]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Health care costs and insurance
Medicaid
Prescription drugs
Retail and wholesale trades
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Voluntary State Discount Prescription Drug Plan Act of 2011 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require drug manufacturers to pay rebates to state prescription drug discount programs as a condition of participating in a Medicaid rebate agreement for outpatient prescription drugs, but only if the state has elected to establish an optional state prescription drug discount program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E441-442)
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in House
Restoration of the U.S.-Russia Polar Bear Conservation Fund Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-990
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Canada
Endangered and threatened species
Hunting and fishing
Mammals
Outdoor recreation
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Restoration of the U.S.-Russia Polar Bear Conservation Fund Act of 2011 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the importation of polar bear parts taken legally in sport hunts in Canada.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in House
Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-991
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2011-03-09 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Canada
Endangered and threatened species
Hunting and fishing
Mammals
Outdoor recreation
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: 
Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to issue a permit for the importation of polar bear parts taken in a sport hunt in Canada, if legally harvested before: (1) February 18, 1997; or (2) May 15, 2008, from a bear population from which a sport-hunted trophy could be imported before such date. (Polar bears were listed as a threatened species by the Department of the Interior on May 14, 2008.)

action_date: 2011-12-01
text: 
Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act of 2011 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to issue a permit for the importation of any polar bear part (other than an internal organ) from a polar bear taken in a sport hunt in Canada to any person: (1) who submits proof that the polar bear was legally harvested before February 18, 1997; or (2) who has submitted, in support of an application submitted before May 15, 2008, proof that the bear was legally harvested before such date from a polar bear population from which a sport-hunted trophy could be imported before such date. (Polar bears were listed as a threatened species by the Department of the Interior on May 14, 2008.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-12-01
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 208.
action_date: 2011-12-01
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 112-308.
action_date: 2011-12-01
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 112-308.
action_date: 2011-10-05
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2011-10-05
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2011-10-05
text: Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs Discharged.
action_date: 2011-05-12
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2011-03-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-09
text: Introduced in House
Building American Jobs Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-992
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Sander M. [D-MI-12]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Economic development
Financial services and investments
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Income tax rates
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Low- and moderate-income housing
Securities
Solid waste and recycling
State and local finance
Water resources funding

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Building American Jobs Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the Build America Bond program, to: (1) extend until December 31, 2012, the authority to issue such bonds and the authority for payments to issuers of such bonds; (2) reduce the percentage rate of payments to issuers in 2011 and 2012; (3) allow refundings of currently issued bonds; and (4) allow the use of Build America bonds to fund capital expenditures for levees and flood control projects.
 
Extends through 2011 the authority to issue recovery zone economic development bonds. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate 2011 national limitations on such bonds based upon state unemployment statistics.
 
 Exempts private activity bonds for sewage and water supply facilities from the state volume caps applicable to such bonds. Allows Indian tribal governments to issue tax-exempt private activity bonds to provide water or sewage facilities. 
 
 
Extends through 2011: (1) the exemption from alternative minimum tax (AMT) treatment of interest on certain tax-exempt bonds, (2) the tax exemption allowed for interest on bonds guaranteed by a federal home loan bank, and (3) small issuer rules for the allocation of tax-exempt interest expense by financial institutions.
 
Allows a full offset against the AMT for new market tax credit amounts. 
 
Allows taxpayers to elect payments in lieu of low-income housing tax credits in 2011 for low-income buildings financed by tax-exempt bonds.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
Lease Extension and Secure Energy Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-993
Sponsor: Rep. Flores, Bill [R-TX-17]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Gulf of Mexico
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Lease Extension and Secure Energy Act of 2011- Directs the Secretary of the Interior to extend by one year the term of each oil and gas lease (covered lease) for the Gulf of Mexico outer Continental Shelf region that was: (1) not producing as of April 30, 2010; or (2) suspended from operations, permit processing, or consideration, in accordance with either a certain moratorium dated May 30, 2010, or the decision memorandum of the Secretary dated July 12, 2010.
 
States that this extension of covered leases is in addition to any suspension of operations or suspension of production granted by the Minerals Management Service or the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement after May 1, 2010.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2011-03-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1754-1755)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
No Pay Raise for Congress Until the Budget is Balanced Act

Bill: 112-hr-994
Sponsor: Rep. Rehberg, Denny [R-MT-At Large]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional oversight
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Inflation and prices
Members of Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
No Pay Raise for Congress Until the Budget is Balanced Act - Prohibits a Member of Congress from receiving a cost of living adjustment under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 during any fiscal year (beginning with FY2012) unless the Secretary of the Treasury reports to Congress (beginning with FY2011) that a federal budget deficit did not exist in the previous fiscal year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on 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: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on 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: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
Smart Technologies for Communities Act

Bill: 112-hr-995
Sponsor: Rep. Carnahan, Russ [D-MO-3]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Air quality
Energy efficiency and conservation
Public transit
Public-private cooperation
Roads and highways
Sales and excise taxes
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Smart Technologies for Communities Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish the Smart Communities Technology Initiative to provide grants to eligible entities to develop pilot programs to serve as model deployment sites for large scale installation and operation of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to improve safety, efficiency, system performance, and return on investment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-996
Sponsor: Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-3]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Military operations and strategy

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2011 - Places specified restrictions on the use of cluster munitions.
 
Directs the President, within 90 days after the use of such munitions, to submit to the congressional defense, appropriations, and foreign relations committees a plan for cleaning up any such munitions or submunitions which fail to explode and continue to pose a hazard to civilians.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
English Language Unity Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-997
Sponsor: Rep. King, Steve [R-IA-5]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Citizenship and naturalization
Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
English Language Unity Act of 2011- Makes English the official language of the United States. 
 
Requires, subject to exceptions and rules of construction, that: (1) official functions of the United States be conducted in English; and (2) all naturalization ceremonies be conducted in English. Establishes a uniform English language rule for naturalization.
 
Makes English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States. 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing of English language ability of candidates for naturalization based upon the principles that: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States; and (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-02
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2011-03-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-998
Sponsor: Rep. Polis, Jared [D-CO-2]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Civil actions and liability
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government liability
Legal fees and court costs
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2011 - Prohibits public school students from being excluded from participating in, or subject to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates.
 
Considers harassment to be a form of discrimination.
 
Prohibits retaliation against anyone for opposing conduct they reasonably believe to be unlawful under this Act.
 
Authorizes federal departments and agencies to enforce these prohibitions by cutting off the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating them.
 
Allows an aggrieved individual to assert a violation of this Act in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees should they prevail.
 
Deems a state's receipt of federal educational assistance for a program to constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity for conduct prohibited under this Act regarding such program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-999
Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Health and Human Services
Medicare
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2011 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) establishment of one or more Medicare operated prescription drug plan options; and (2) an appeals process for denials of benefits under a Medicare operated prescription drug plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-03-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 10, United States Code, to increase the number of persons appointed to the military service academies from Puerto Rico from nominations made by the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.

Bill: 112-hr-1000
Sponsor: Resident Commissioner Pierluisi, Pedro R. [D-PR-At Large]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Caribbean area
Higher education
Military education and training
Military personnel and dependents
Puerto Rico

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Increases from 5 to 15 the authorized number of annual appointments to each of the military service academies from nominations made by the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
Notch Fairness Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-1001
Sponsor: Rep. McIntyre, Mike [D-NC-7]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Notch Fairness Act of 2011 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to revise the formula for the computation of minimum Old Age Insurance benefits for individuals who reached age 65 in or after 1979, and to whom applies the 15-year transition period for the changes in benefit computation rules enacted in the Social Security Amendments of 1977. 
 
Sets forth a schedule of additional benefit increases for such beneficiaries (and related beneficiaries), with percentages declining from 55% to 5% and keyed to the year an individual became eligible for such benefits between 1979 and 1988. 
 
Allows such beneficiaries, in the alternative, to receive lump sum payments over four years totaling $5,000.
 

 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize space-available travel on military aircraft for reserve members, former members of a reserve component, and unremarried surviving spouses and dependents of such members and former members.

Bill: 112-hr-1003
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Authorizes space-available travel on military aircraft, on the same basis as active-duty members, for members of the reserves.
 
Authorizes such travel, on the same basis as members entitled to retired pay, for: (1) a former member of the reserves who is entitled to retired pay but for attaining the required age (generally, 60); and (2) unremarried surviving spouses of such members or former members.
 
Authorizes such travel for dependents of such members or former members, if accompanying the member.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
Health Flexible Spending Arrangements Improvements Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-1004
Sponsor: Rep. Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [R-LA-7]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Medical FSA Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow amounts in a flexible spending arrangement (FSA) that are not spent for medical care to be distributed to the FSA participant as taxable income after the close of a plan year (currently, such unspent amounts are forfeited). Includes such FSAs in the definition of tax-exempt cafeteria plans. 

action_date: 2012-06-05
text: 
Health Flexible Spending Arrangements Improvements Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a distribution to a participant in a flexible spending arrangement (FSA) of FSA funds not used to reimburse medical expenses by the end of the plan year (currently, unspent funds must be forfeited). Limits the amount of such distribution to the lesser of: (1) $500; or (2) the excess of the salary reduction contributions to the FSA, over reimbursements for medical expenses for the plan year. Includes such distributions in the gross income of the FSA participant for income and employment tax purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 363.
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 112-515.
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 112-515.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 6.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2011-03-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House