hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Gas Tax Holiday Act

Bill: 112-hr-1889
Sponsor: Rep. Shuler, Heath [D-NC-11]
Introduced: 2011-05-12 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Budget deficits and national debt
Business investment and capital
Corporate finance and management
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Motor fuels
Oil and gas
Sales and excise taxes
Small business
Taxation of foreign income

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-12
text: 
Gas Tax Holiday Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend the excise tax on highway motor fuels for 45 days beginning 7 days after the enactment of this Act. Expresses the sense of Congress that consumers should immediately receive the benefit from the suspension of such tax (i.e., 18.4 cents per gallon tax reduction).
 
Denies or limits for any company that is not a small, independent oil and gas company certain tax benefits for one year, including: (1) amortization of geological and geophysical expenditures; (2) the tax credits for producing oil and gas from marginal wells and for enhanced oil recovery costs; (3) the tax deductions for intangible drilling and development costs for oil and gas wells and for tertiary injectant expenses; (4) the percentage depletion allowance; (5) the exemption from limits on the deductibility of passive activity losses; and (6) the tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities relating to oil, natural gas, or any primary product thereof.
 
Prohibits the use of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) accounting method by major integrated oil companies.
 
Limits or denies the foreign tax credit and tax deferrals for amounts paid or accrued by a dual capacity taxpayer to a foreign country or U.S. possession for any period with respect to combined foreign oil and gas income. Defines "dual capacity taxpayer" as a person who is subject to a levy of a foreign country or U.S. possession and receives (or will receive) directly or indirectly a specific economic benefit from such county or possession.
 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to extend the one-year denial of tax benefits to any company that is not a small, independent oil and gas company if revenues raised during that period are insufficient to cover the cost of suspending the excise taxes on higway motor fuels.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-05-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-12
text: Introduced in House
SAFER Drilling Act

Bill: 112-hr-1890
Sponsor: Rep. Tsongas, Niki [D-MA-5]
Introduced: 2011-05-12 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Accidents
Emergency planning and evacuation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-12
text: 
 Save America from Environmentally Reckless Drilling Act or SAFER Drilling Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to require, as a condition and term of any exploration plan or any development and production plan, that the applicant submit and implement an oil spill containment and cleanup plan (to be approved by the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]) capable of handling a worst-case scenario oil spill.
 
Describes required plan contents.
 
Allows approval by the Administrator only if the applicant has demonstrated adequate technology, organization, resources, and capacity both to contain and to prevent shoreline contamination by a significant proportion of a worst-case spill, and to provide for long-term cleanup and remediation of the marine and coastal environments.
 
Authorizes cancellation of a lease (without compensation) upon failure of the lease holder to submit an exploration plan or development and production plan in accordance with this Act or to implement an approved oil spill containment and cleanup plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2011-05-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-05-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-12
text: Introduced in House
Military Commissions Guilty Plea Adjustment Act

Bill: 112-hr-1894
Sponsor: Rep. Gowdy, Trey [R-SC-4]
Introduced: 2011-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing
Military law

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: 
Military Commissions Guilty Plea Adjustment Act - Permits a guilty plea made by the accused prior to the announcement of the sentence in a capital offense trial before a military commission to form the basis of an agreement to reduce the maximum approved sentence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
Do Not Track Kids Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-1895
Sponsor: Rep. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA-7]
Introduced: 2011-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Child safety and welfare
Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Marketing and advertising
Right of privacy
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: 
Do Not Track Kids Act of 2011 - Amends the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 to: (1) revise the definition of "operator" to include online and mobile applications (currently, only Internet websites and online services); (2) revise the definition of "disclosure" as the release of personal information (currently, the release of personal information collected from a child in identifiable form); and (3) apply the prohibitions against collecting personal information from children to online applications and mobile applications directed to children.
 
Prohibits an operator of a website, online service, online application, or mobile application directed to children or minors, or an operator having actual knowledge that it is collecting information from children or minors, from: (1) using, disclosing to third parties, or compiling personal information collected from children or minors for targeted marketing purposes; and (2) collecting geolocation information in a manner that violates the regulations prescribed under this Act. Defines a &quot;minor&quot; as an individual over the age of 12 and under the age of 18.
 
Prohibits an operator of a website, online service, or such applications directed to minors from collecting personal information from minors unless such operator has adopted and implemented a Digital Marketing Bill of Rights for Teens that: (1) is consistent with the Fair Information Practices Principles established by this Act; and (2) balances the ability of minors to participate in the digital media culture with the governmental and industry obligation to ensure that such operators do not subject minors to unfair and deceptive surveillance, data collection, or behavioral profiling. 
 
Preempts state or local laws that impose liability for actions by operators that are inconsistent with the treatment of those actions under this Act.
 
Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate regulations that require operators to implement mechanisms that permit users to erase content that is publicly available through their websites, services, or applications and that contains or displays personal information of children or minors. 
 
Sets forth enforcement provisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-1897
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2011-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Aging
Health programs administration and funding
Medical research
Neurological disorders
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: 
Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to coordinate and focus all Alzheimer's research activities of NIH, which shall include: (1) the establishment of a strategic Alzheimer's research plan to expedite therapeutic outcomes for individuals with or at risk for Alzheimer's; and (2) the provision of budget estimates, without regard to the probability that such amounts will be appropriated, of the amounts required to carry out the strategic plan.
 
Requires NIH to make available contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements to facilitate partnerships between public and private entities to execute the Alzheimer's research plan, support the development of diagnostic technologies and protocols, and develop and diffuse data sharing practices.
 
Expands the Alzheimer's Disease Center program to include translational research and research into outcome measures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act

Bill: 112-hr-1898
Sponsor: Rep. Rehberg, Denny [R-MT-At Large]
Introduced: 2011-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Licensing and registrations
Mental health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: 
Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act - Prohibits, in any case arising out of the administration of laws and benefits by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), considering any person who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being considered adjudicated as a mental defective for purposes of the right to receive or transport firearms without the order or finding of a judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2011-05-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
Minority Business Development Improvements Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-1902
Sponsor: Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]
Introduced: 2011-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: 
Minority Business Development Improvements Act of 2011 - Requires the Director of the Minority Business Development Agency to establish the Minority Business Development Program to provide qualified minority businesses with technical assistance and contract procurement assistance. Outlines minority business qualification requirements for the Program, including that: (1) not less than 51% of the entity be directly and unconditionally owned by historically disadvantaged individuals, and (2) each officer or other individual exercising control over regular operations is a historically disadvantaged individual. Outlines specific types of technical assistance authorized under the Program.
 
Authorizes the Director to enter into agreements for the fulfillment of federal procurement contracts by, and contracting opportunities for, qualified minority businesses. Provides contract limits.
 
Allows the Director to terminate a qualified minority business from the Program under specified circumstances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology.
action_date: 2011-06-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform     .
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, 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: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, 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: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act

Bill: 112-hr-1903
Sponsor: Rep. Woolsey, Lynn C. [D-CA-6]
Introduced: 2011-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Family relationships
Minority education
Science and engineering education
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Women's education

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: 
21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to provide grants to, and enter into agreements with, local educational agencies (LEAs) to improve the education of girls and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and prepare them to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees and careers in such fields.
 
Gives priority to LEAs that partner or coordinate with local, regional, or national entities experienced in increasing the participation of girls or underrepresented minorities in STEM.
 
Requires the use of grant funds to: (1) involve the parents of girls and underrepresented minorities in stoking their children's interest in STEM, (2) provide tutoring and mentoring programs in such fields, (3) expose girls and underrepresented minorities to STEM role models, (4) enable such students and their teachers to attend STEM events outside the classroom, (5) provide after-school and summer programs for students in such fields, (6) purchase education materials or equipment to facilitate STEM instruction, (7) provide such students with academic advice and assistance in selecting high school courses, (8) pay up to 50% of the cost of a STEM internship for such students, and (9) train school personnel to facilitate students' progress in such fields.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
Fairness in Federal Contracting Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-1906
Sponsor: Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
Introduced: 2011-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Business records
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: 
Fairness in Federal Contracting Act of 2011 - Prohibits an executive agency from requiring an entity that is bidding on a federal contract or otherwise participating in the acquisition of property or services from the federal government to disclose information on any payments to a candidate for federal office or to a political committee or on any disbursements for such purposes, as a condition for submitting such contract bid or for participating in the acquisition of property or services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-06-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform     .
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
Infrastructure Facilitation and Habitat Conservation Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-1907
Sponsor: Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-44]
Introduced: 2011-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government lending and loan guarantees
Infrastructure development
Land transfers
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: 
Infrastructure Facilitation and Habitat Conservation Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to establish a program to provide loans and loan guarantees to enable state political subdivisions to acquire interests in real property pursuant to habitat conservation plans approved by the Secretary of the Interior under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit loan applications for the Secretary of the Interior's review, which shall include a determination that the subdivision has adopted a complementary plan for sustainable infrastructure development that provides for the mitigation of environmental impacts; and (2) give preference to such subdivisions located in biologically rich regions in which rapid growth and development threaten successful implementation of approved habitat conservation plans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
To specify the priority of the obligations of the United States Government if the debt ceiling is reached, to provide for an emergency appropriation of funds to pay for certain defense and national security obligations during a gap in funding, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-1908
Sponsor: Rep. Akin, W. Todd [R-MO-2]
Introduced: 2011-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget deficits and national debt
Coast guard
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Military personnel and dependents
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: 
Sets forth the priority of the payment of obligations incurred by the U.S. government in the event that U.S. debt reaches the statutory limit. 
 
Limits certain obligations for specified departments, agencies, international organizations, and funds to 20% of the amount that would have been made available to satisfy such obligations if such limit had not been reached. 
 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, during any funding gap, to make emergency appropriations: (1) to continue to provide pay and allowances (without interruption) to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, including the reserve components thereof, who perform active service; and (2) for such amounts as the President certifies to Congress as are necessary to carry out vital national security priorities. 
 
Requires the President to submit a specified prioritization report to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2011-05-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2011-05-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2011-05-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Armed Services, 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: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
FFSCC Charter Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-1909
Sponsor: Rep. Baca, Joe [D-CA-43]
Introduced: 2011-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Consumer credit
Federally chartered organizations
Financial literacy
Financial services and investments
Government studies and investigations
Small business
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: 
FFSCC Charter Act of 2011 - Directs the Comptroller of the Currency to: (1) provide for the establishment and chartering of Federal Financial Services and Credit Companies (FFSCCs); and (2) ensure that credit alternatives are available to the underbanked.
 
Prescribes eligibility criteria for an FFSCC charter. 
 
Subjects FFSCCs to specified requirements, including: (1) credit disclosures; (2) account access; (3) financial literacy programs; (4) a comprehensive array of financial services to the underbanked, unbanked, and consumers with low credit scores; and (5) grant of access to credit products predominately to unbanked or underbanked consumers.
 
Subjects FFSCCs to an annual fee to offset the cost of implementing this Act.
 
Directs the Comptroller to: (1) draft approved, model product and disclosure forms that may be utilized by FFSCCs with any approved credit products or services; (2) study rates and terms used in the extension of credit; and (3) develop a suite of FSCC financial products for underbanked persons which contain transparent and full disclosure of all related fees and terms, and are economically viable for FFSCCs to offer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
To extend for one year the authority of certain members of the Armed Forces and veterans to transfer unused Post-9/11 Educational Assistance benefits to family members.

Bill: 112-hr-1910
Sponsor: Rep. Bartlett, Roscoe G. [R-MD-6]
Introduced: 2011-05-13 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: 
Extends for one year and 30 days after the enactment of this Act the authority of members of the Armed Forces or veterans who have completed more than 10 years of active-duty service to transfer to family members any portion of their unused post-9/11 educational assistance program benefits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Introduced in House