hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To permit the chief executive of a State to create an exemption from certain requirements of Federal environmental laws for producers of agricultural commodities, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6075
Sponsor: Rep. Buerkle, Ann Marie [R-NY-25]
Introduced: 2012-06-29 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural conservation and pollution
Air quality
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Intergovernmental relations
Solid waste and recycling
State and local government operations
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: 
Permits the chief executive of a state to exempt persons in the state acting in their capacity as farmers from a requirement of a covered federal environmental law by determining that such requirement is unduly burdensome to such persons.
 
Requires the chief executive to solicit and accept public comments for at least 90 days before finalizing any such determination.
 
Defines &quot;covered federal environmental law&quot; to mean the Clean Air Act insofar as it applies to emissions of air pollutants other than those resulting from the combustion of fossil fuel, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act), and the Solid Waste Disposal Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Introduced in House
Original Living American Wage (LAW) Act

Bill: 112-hr-6076
Sponsor: Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]
Introduced: 2012-06-29 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Housing finance and home ownership
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: 
Original Living American Wage (LAW) Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the federal minimum wage should, as a minimum, be adjusted every four years so that a person working for it may earn an annual income at least 15% higher than the federal poverty threshold for a family of two; (2) it should be set at a level high enough to allow two full-time minimum wage workers to earn an income above the national housing wage; and (3) Congress, any of the several states, the District of Columbia, any U.S. territories or possessions, any Indian tribe, or local or state government may establish a higher minimum wage requirement than that established in this Act.
 
Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage to at least the amount determined by the Secretary of Labor according to the formula prescribed by this Act beginning September 1, 2012.
 
Requires the Secretary to determine such minimum wage rate by June 1, 2012, and once every four years thereafter. Prohibits any adjustment if the determination would result in a minimum wage lower than the current one.
 
Requires the minimum wage so determined to be the minimum hourly wage sufficient for a person working for it 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, to earn an annual income 15% higher than the federal poverty threshold for a two-person household, with one child under age 18, and living in the 48 contiguous states, as published for each such year by the Census Bureau.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Introduced in House
Rachel Carson Nature Trail Designation Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6077
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2012-06-29 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Art, artists, authorship
Congressional tributes
District of Columbia
Land use and conservation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: 
Rachel Carson Nature Trail Designation Act of 2012 - Designates a trail located in Glover Archbold Park in the District of Columbia from Canal Road to Van Ness Street as the &quot;Rachel Carson Nature Trail.&quot;
 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to post signs on or near the Trail that include one or more of the following: (1) information on Rachel Carson and her contributions to the environmental movement; (2) images of her; and (3) references to her efforts to educate others about the importance of environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1196)
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Introduced in House
Small Business Contracting Opportunities Expansion Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6078
Sponsor: Rep. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI-9]
Introduced: 2012-06-29 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Public contracts and procurement
Small business
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: 
Small Business Contracting Opportunities Expansion Act of 2012 - Amends the Small Business Act to raise from 23% to 26% the governmentwide prime contract award goal for participation by small business concerns and make the governmentwide subcontract participation award goal 40% for such businesses. Increases percentage goals for awards to qualified HUBZone [historically underutilized business zone] small businesses and small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. 
 
Requires such latter procurement goals, as well as goals for small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans and by women (collectively, the targeted groups), as established annually by the head of each federal agency participating in federal procurement contracts, to: (1) be at least the average percentage of participation that occurred over the last three fiscal years, (2) be in the same format as the goals established by the President, (3) address both prime contract and subcontract awards, and (4) meet or exceed the government-wide goals for each small business category. Requires each agency head to: (1) consult with the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator in establishing agency goals, and (2) develop a plan for achieving agency goals.
 
Prohibits the carrying out or establishing of any SBA pilot program if the Administrator does not issue a required annual report which compiles and analyzes each agency's performance with respect to procurement contract participation by small businesses.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to study, and report to Congress on: (1) improving internal processes of federal procurement contracting agencies and increasing outreach to those groups that make up the small business categories, (2) legislative actions to improve participation in contracting by such groups, and (3) the feasibility of creating a governmentwide contract participation goal for small businesses owned and controlled by veterans.
 
Increases, as of FY2017, the governmentwide small business participation goal as well as the goals for targeted groups.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Introduced in House
To make improvements in the enactment of title 41, United States Code, into a positive law title and to improve the Code.

Bill: 112-hr-6080
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21]
Introduced: 2012-07-09 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: 
Revises provisions in titles of the U.S. Code relating to public contracts to correspond to title 41 of such Code as enacted into positive law.

action_date: 2012-09-10
text: 

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

 
Revises provisions in titles of the U.S. Code relating to public contracts to correspond to title 41 of such Code as enacted into positive law.

action_date: 2012-09-11
text: 

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

 
Revises provisions in titles of the U.S. Code relating to public contracts to correspond to title 41 of such Code as enacted into positive law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-12
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5796-5814)
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5796-5814)
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6080.
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5796-5814)
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2012-09-10
text: Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 159.
action_date: 2012-09-10
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-662.
action_date: 2012-09-10
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-662.
action_date: 2012-07-10
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2012-07-10
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
Advancing Innovative Manufacturing Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6081
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30]
Introduced: 2012-07-09 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Government information and archives
Higher education
Industrial policy and productivity
Intellectual property
Manufacturing
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Small business
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Technology transfer and commercialization
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: 
Advancing Innovative Manufacturing Act of 2012 - Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to carry out a program to develop and support industry-led consortia that will identify, prioritize, and address long-term, precompetitive industrial research needs in the area of advanced manufacturing, including through the use of technology roadmaps and transfer of technology platforms and infrastructure.
 
Requires the Director to carry out a pilot program (through the award of competitive, merit-reviewed grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to small- or medium-sized manufacturers through a uniform process) to enhance the innovative capabilities and competitiveness of such manufacturers through support for research and development that will promote the field of advanced manufacturing and lead to the commercialization of new products, processes, or technologies.
 
Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish an innovation voucher pilot program to accelerate innovative activities and enhance the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized manufacturers, which shall: (1) foster collaborations between such manufacturers and research institutions, and (2) enable the manufacturers to access technical expertise and capabilities that will lead to the development of innovative products or manufacturing processes.
 
Amends the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 to revise the program of grants for education and training in advanced manufacturing so that such grants are provided to community colleges for the development and implementation of innovative education reforms to ensure an adequate and well-trained advanced manufacturing workforce. Lists activities that may be supported by such grants, including for: (1) the development of teaching materials and methods, (2) faculty professional development, (3) centers to provide models and leadership, and (4) activities to enhance student recruitment and retention.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-08-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
TEACH Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6084
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2012-07-09 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Income tax credits
Neurological disorders
Special education
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: 
Teacher Education for Autistic Children Act of 2012 or the TEACH Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for up to $10,000 of the annual education expenses (e.g., tuition, books, student loan interest) incurred by individuals studying to become teachers of children or adults with an autism spectrum disorder. Terminates such credit after 2017. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
To amend section 40 of the Revised Statutes of the United States to clarify that for purposes of determining whether a Member of the House of Representatives is subject to a deduction from in pay by reason of absence from the House on a day, the Member shall be considered to be absent if the Member misses any vote held in the House on that day, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6085
Sponsor: Rep. Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [R-LA-7]
Introduced: 2012-07-09 in the House
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Congressional operations and organization
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
House of Representatives
Members of Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: 
Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States with respect to the requirement that the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives deduct from the monthly payments of each Member of the House (or Delegate) the amount of the Member's salary for each day of absence from the House, except in the case of the Member's sickness or the sickness of a family member. Adds Resident Commissioner to Member and Delegate under such requirement.
 
Considers a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner (Member) to be absent from the House on a day if the individual does not cast a vote on any vote taken in the House (including any vote taken in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union) on that day.
 
Requires a written notice to the Speaker of the House about the Member's or family member's sickness under the exception.
 
Requires the Chief Administrative Officer, within five days after the end of each month, to publish on the House official public Internet site a list showing: (1) specified information regarding each Member whose pay was subject to such a deduction for the month; and (2) each Member who submitted a written notice to the Speaker during the month, together with a copy of the notice.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6087
Sponsor: Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
Introduced: 2012-07-09 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Child health
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Elementary and secondary education
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
Marriage and family status
Women's health
Women's rights
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: 
International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2012 - Defines &quot;child marriage&quot; as the marriage of a girl or boy not yet the minimum age for marriage stipulated in law in the country in which the girl or boy is a resident, or where there is no such law, under the age of 18.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) child marriage is a violation of human rights and its prevention and elimination should be a U.S. foreign policy goal; and (2) expanding educational opportunities for girls, economic opportunities for women, and reducing maternal and child mortality are critical to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and U.S. global health and development objectives, including efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS.
 
Authorizes the President to provide assistance, including through multilateral, nongovernmental, and faith-based organizations, to prevent child marriage in developing countries and to promote the educational, health, economic, social, and legal empowerment of girls and women. 
 
Directs the President to establish a multi-year strategy to prevent child marriage and promote the empowerment of girls at risk of child marriage in developing countries, and should include addressing the unique needs, vulnerabilities, and potential of girls under age 18 in developing countries. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President and all relevant agencies should collect and make available data on the incidence of child marriage in countries that receive U.S. foreign or development assistance where the practice of child marriage is prevalent. 
 
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that Department of State country reports on human rights practices include a description of the status of child marriage for each country in which child marriage is prevalent.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
TRUTH Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6088
Sponsor: Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-5]
Introduced: 2012-07-09 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Capital gains tax
Comprehensive health care
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Prescription drugs
Sales and excise taxes
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: 
Total Repeal of the Unfair Taxes on Healthcare Act of 2012 or the TRUTH Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to health care provisions added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, to repeal: (1) the excise tax on the excess benefit from certain high cost employer-sponsored health coverage plans; (2) the excise tax on net investment income in the Medicare taxable base; (3) the prohibition against payments from health flexible spending arrangements, health savings accounts (HSAs), and Archer medical savings accounts (MSAs) for over-the-counter drugs; (4) the increased penalty on distributions from an HSA or Archer MSA not used for qualified medical expenses; (5) the limitation on annual salary reduction contributions by an employee to a health flexible spending arrangement under a cafeteria plan; (6) the increase in the income threshold for claiming an itemized deduction for medical expenses; (7) the excise tax on indoor tanning services; (8) the requirement that individuals maintain minimal essential health care coverage; and (9) the excise tax on medical devices.
 
Repeals provisions of PPACA that require: (1) annual fees on branded prescription drug manufacturers and importers and on health insurance providers, and (2) a report by the Secretary of Veteran Affairs (VA) on the effect of fees assessed by such Act on the cost of medical care provided to veterans and on access by veterans to medical devices and branded prescription drugs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-07-09
text: Introduced in House
To amend the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor Act of 1996 to designate the management entity for the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6090
Sponsor: Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3]
Introduced: 2012-07-10 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Historic sites and heritage areas
South Carolina

Summary:
action_date: 2012-07-10
text: 
Amends the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor Act of 1996 to designate the South Carolina Heritage Corridor, Inc. as the management entity for the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor and transfers all program funds to such entity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2012-07-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-07-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-07-10
text: Introduced in House