hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Burn Area Flood Prevention Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-487
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2011-03-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Arizona
Disaster relief and insurance
Evidence and witnesses
Fires
Floods and storm protection
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Indian lands and resources rights
Legal fees and court costs
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Watersheds
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: 
Burn Area Flood Prevention Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Land Assistance, Management, and Enhancement Act of 2009 to include within the purpose of FLAME Wildlife Suppression Reserve Funds to cover the costs of burn area responses, including flood prevention. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to make the waiting period for coverage under a new contract for flood insurance coverage, and any modification to coverage under an existing flood insurance contract, inapplicable to the initial purchase of flood insurance coverage upon a determination by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that such period should be waived for private property affected by flooding on federal land affected by wildfire.
 
Establishes the Schultz Fire Flooding Area Task Force. Designates the FEMA Administrator as the Chair of the Task Force. Directs the Task Force to: (1) coordinate the efforts of the entities represented on the Task Force (including FEMA, the Corps of Engineers, the Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the United States Geological Survey [USGS], state and local governments, and community-based organizations and other interested parties) to immediately implement interim flood protection systems, including the retention of water retention basins; (2) identify existing and potential funding, technical assistance, general investigations, and construction of short-term flood protection projects; and (3) carry out a detailed study of the affected area to evaluate the potential of integrating projects and programs of the Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) into a comprehensive, long-term flood protection system for the affected area. 
 
Directs the Attorney General to report on court costs and legal fees and expenses awarded in connection with the Jack Smith/Schultz Fuels Reduction Healthy Forest Restoration Project.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Reduce Excessive Interest Payments Act

Bill: 112-s-488
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2011-03-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Housing finance and home ownership
Interest, dividends, interest rates

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: 
Reduce Excessive Interest Payments Act or REIP Act - Amends the National Housing Act to prohibit each mortgagee (or servicer) from imposing, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from requiring imposition of, any interest charge on an insured mortgage as a result of the loss of any time period provided by the mortgagee (or servicer) within which the mortgagor may fully repay the principal balance amount of the mortgage, with respect to: (1) any days in the preceding billing cycle in which such amounts were repaid, or (2) any amounts repaid in the current billing cycle that were repaid within such time period.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserving Homes and Communities Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-489
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2011-03-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Financial crises and stabilization
Government trust funds
Housing finance and home ownership
State and local government operations
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: 
Preserving Homes and Communities Act of 2011 - Prohibits a covered mortgagee from initiating either a nonjudicial or a judicial foreclosure against a covered mortgagor that is otherwise authorized under state law unless the covered mortgagee has: (1) used its best efforts to determine whether the mortgagor is eligible for a qualified loan modification, and to offer one if the mortgagor is eligible; and (2) made available to an ineligible mortgagor certain documentation of a loan modification calculation or net present value calculation, the loan origination, any pooling and servicing agreement, the mortgagor's payment history, and the specific alternatives to foreclosure considered by the mortgagee, including qualified loan modifications, workout agreements, and short sales.
 
Requires a covered mortgagee to use its best efforts to suspend any foreclosure proceeding initiated before enactment of this Act, and to toll any deadlines limiting the mortgagor's rights. Prohibits any sale of the property under the mortgage or the entry of judgment against the mortgagor.
 
Requires the mortgagee to reevaluate an eligible mortgagee's application for a qualified loan modification and offer one.
 
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) Director to ensure that any home loan modification protocol includes a dispute resolution procedure to resolve any application disputes.
 
Declares any sale of property in violation of this Act void.
 
Makes failure to comply with this Act a bar to foreclosure under state law.
 
Prohibits loan modification fees and sets forth rules governing foreclosure-related fees. 
 
Directs the Secretary of HUD to: (1) establish a grant program to make competitive grants to state and local governments to establish mediation programs that assist mortgagors facing foreclosure, and (2) develop and implement a plan to monitor conditions and trends in home ownership and the mortgage industry and the effectiveness of public and private efforts to reduce mortgage defaults and foreclosures.
 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, out of funds received or to be received from the sale of warrants under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, to transfer and credit $1 billion to the Housing Trust Fund established under the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1233-1235)
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1232-1233)
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under the CHAMPVA program, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-490
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2011-03-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Child health
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: 
Makes a child eligible for medical care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) eligible for such care until the child's 26th birthday, regardless of the child's marital status.
 
Makes such provision inapplicable before January 1, 2014, to a child who is eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored health care plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-06-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-116.
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1236)
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1235-1236)
action_date: 2011-03-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Honor America's Guard-Reserve Retirees Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-491
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2011-03-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: National Guard and reserves
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-04
text: 
Honor America's Guard-Reserve Retirees Act of 2011 - Honors as a veteran any person entitled to retired pay for nonregular (reserve) service or, but for age, would be so entitled.
 
Provides that such person shall not be entitled to any benefit by reason of such recognition.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-06-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-116.
action_date: 2011-03-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2011-03-04
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit Federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting after fiscal year 2013.

Bill: 112-s-492
Sponsor: Sen. DeMint, Jim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2011-03-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Appropriations
Corporate finance and management
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
News media and reporting

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-04
text: 
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting after FY2013.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2011-03-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act

Bill: 112-s-494
Sponsor: Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT]
Introduced: 2011-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: 
Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to make grants to states and Indian tribes to carry out programs to increase quality colorectal cancer screening. Requires such a program to include: (1) providing recommended colorectal cancer screening to individuals who are over 50 years of age or at high risk for such cancer; (2) providing case management and referrals for medical treatment; (3) ensuring the full continuum of follow-up and cancer care for individuals screened; (4) carrying out activities to improve the education, training, and skills of health professionals to ensure the use of evidence-based recommended and quality screening and follow-up in the prevention, detection, and control of colorectal cancer; and (5) developing and disseminating public information and education programs for the prevention, detection, and control of colorectal cancer and promoting the benefits of receiving screenings through this program. Gives priority to low-income individuals who lack adequate coverage under health insurance and health plans with respect to screenings for colorectal cancer.
 
Allows the Secretary to provide training and technical assistance with respect to the planning, development, and operation of programs funded by a grant under this Act.
 
Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow states to provide medical assistance to individuals who have been screened for colorectal cancer under this Act and who need treatment for complications due to screening or colorectal cancer. Applies provisions related to breast and cervical cancer programs to programs under this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Adult Day Achievement Center Enhancement Act

Bill: 112-s-495
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2011-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Adult day care
Health programs administration and funding
Neurological disorders

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: 
Adult Day Achievement Center Enhancement Act - Requires the Assistant Secretary for Aging to initiate a comprehensive survey of current adult day programs that provide care and support to individuals living with neurological diseases or conditions, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or traumatic brain injury. Requires the Assistant Secretary to identify ongoing successful adult day programs and develop a set of best practices to help guide the establishment and replication of additional successful adult day programs.
 Directs the Assistant Secretary to establish a competitive grant program for awarding grants annually to fund adult day programs. 
Defines an &quot;adult day program&quot; as a program that provides comprehensive and effective care and support services to individuals living with neurological diseases or conditions and to their family caregivers and that may assist them in ways that: (1) maintain or improve their functional abilities or otherwise help them adjust to their changing functional abilities; (2) prevent the onset of complications associated with severe forms of the disease or condition; (3) promote alternatives to placement in nursing homes; (4) reduce the strain on family caregivers taking care of a family member living with such a disease or condition; (5) focus on supporting the emotional, social, and intellectual needs of a younger adult population; or (6) address the needs of veterans living with such a disease or condition.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act to repeal a duplicative program relating to inspection and grading of catfish.

Bill: 112-s-496
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2011-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Aquaculture

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: 
Repeals a provision of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act establishing an inspection and grading program for catfish and other species of farm-raised fish shellfish effective on the date of enactment of such Act..


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1329-1330)
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-497
Sponsor: Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2011-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Immigration status and procedures
International organizations and cooperation
Judicial review and appeals
Terrorism
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: 
 Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding the visa waiver program to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Secretary of State, to designate program countries; (2) replace visa refusal rates with visa overstay rates in determining program participation; (3) set a maximum 3% visa overstay rate for program countries; and (4) revise probationary status and program termination provisions.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to review the Secretary of Homeland Security's methods for tracking aliens entering and exiting the United States and for detecting visa overstays.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Fostering Independence Through Technology Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-501
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2011-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Home and outpatient care
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: 
Fostering Independence Through Technology Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct pilot projects under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for the purpose of providing incentives to home health agencies to utilize home monitoring and communications technology.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Maha Dakar.

Bill: 112-s-502
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2011-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Provides for the relief of Maha Dakar.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
English Language Unity Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-503
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2011-03-08 in the Senate
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: 2011-03-08
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: 2011-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
National Right-to-Work Act

Bill: 112-s-504
Sponsor: Sen. DeMint, Jim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2011-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Labor-management relations

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: 
National Right-to-Work Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal those provisions that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
See Something, Say Something Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-505
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2011-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Law enforcement officers
Legal fees and court costs
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: 
See Something, Say Something Act of 2011 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to grant immunity from civil liability to persons who, in good faith and based on an objectively reasonable suspicion, report suspicious activity indicating that an individual may be engaging, or preparing to engage, in a violation of law relating to an act of terrorism.

Grants qualified immunity from civil liability to any authorized official who observes, or receives a report of, such activity and takes reasonable action in good faith to respond, consistent with applicable law in the relevant jurisdiction. Provides that an authorized official not entitled to assert the defense of qualified immunity shall nonetheless be immune from civil immunity if that official takes reasonable action, in good faith, to respond to the reported activity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1407-1408)
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-506
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2011-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Assault and harassment offenses
Crime prevention
Crimes against children
Disability and health-based discrimination
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Performance measurement
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
School administration
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: 
Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states, on an ongoing basis, to: (1) collect and report certain information on bullying and harassment by youth in their elementary and secondary schools and communities; (2) conduct, and report the results of, a needs assessment for bullying and harassment prevention programs; and (3) provide technical assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in their efforts to thwart bullying and harassment.
 
Requires LEAs to: (1) include clear prohibitions against bullying and harassment within their discipline policies; (2) establish and monitor performance indicators for incidents of bullying and harassment; and (3) establish grievance procedures students, parents, and educators can use to redress such conduct.
 
Directs LEAs to notify parents, students, and educators annually on: (1) the bullying and harassment prohibited by their discipline policies, (2) the numbers and nature of bullying and harassment incidents for each of their schools, and (3) grievance procedures for redressing such conduct.
 
Requires: (1) the Secretary of Education to conduct, and report on, an independent biennial evaluation of programs to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools; and (2) the Commissioner for Education Statistics to collect data, that are subject to independent review, to determine the incidence and prevalence of bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools in this country.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate