hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Rural Access to Credit Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-805
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2011-04-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Government lending and loan guarantees
Rural conditions and development
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: 
Rural Access to Credit Act of 2011 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to use commercial lending standards in determining equity requirements for rural entity direct or guaranteed loans. 
 
Directs the Secretary, through December 31, 2012, to guarantee up to 90% of high priority business and industry loans up to $10 million. Authorizes the Secretary, beginning on January 1, 2013, to guarantee up to 80% or 90% of high priority business and industry loans up to $10 million. Directs the Secretary to guarantee related line-of-credit loans.
 
Authorizes business and industry loans to be used for refinancing.
 
Waives audit requirements for business and industry loans under $1 million. Authorizes audit waiver for loans of at least $1 million.
 
Directs the Secretary to use the Small Business Administration (SBA) calculation method in calculating the delinquency rate for business and industry loans.
 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that in allocating discretionary funds the Secretary should give priority to the rural microentrepreneur assistance program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Rural Community Flood Protection Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-806
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2011-04-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Floods and storm protection
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: 
Rural Community Flood Protection Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of the Army, upon receipt of a request from a non-federal interest, to conduct a levee system evaluation and certification of a federally authorized levee or a non-federally authorized levee for purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Limits the non-federal share of the cost of carrying out a levee system evaluation and certification to 35% of the total cost, but requires the Secretary to adjust the non-federal share to zero if: (1) the non-federal interest is located in an area with a population of 10,000 or fewer individuals, or (2) the division of the non-federal interest with responsibility for the applicable levee is staffed by individuals operating on a volunteer basis.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2448)
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Voluntary Protection Program Act

Bill: 112-s-807
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2011-04-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Labor
Small business
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: 
Voluntary Protection Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to enter into cooperative agreements with employers to: (1) encourage establishment of comprehensive safety and health management systems to protect employees from occupational hazards, and (2) establish a voluntary protection program to encourage excellence and recognize its achievement in both the technical and managerial protection of employees from occupational hazards.
 
Requires the Secretary to take necessary steps for the orderly transition from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cooperative agreements and voluntary protection programs existing before enactment of this Act to agreements and programs authorized under this Act.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a program to increase small business participation in the voluntary protection program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2449)
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2448-2449)
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Introduced in Senate
All-STAR Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-809
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2011-04-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Building construction
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Government lending and loan guarantees
School administration

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: 
All Students Achieving through Reform Act of 2011 or All-STAR Act of 2011 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to direct the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to certain eligible entities and, through them, subgrants to successful public charter schools to allow such schools to expand or replicate to serve additional students.
 
Lists, as eligible grantees, state and local educational agencies, authorized public chartering agencies, and tax-exempt organizations that have successfully supported the replication and expansion of such schools.
 
Sets forth the attributes that are to give such entities grant priority, including their serving or planning to serve a large percentage of low-income students from public schools with low-graduation rates or schools identified as needing improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under the ESEA.
 
Authorizes grantees to use up to 25% of a grant to establish a reserve account to assist them in acquiring and developing new facilities for successful public charter schools through: (1) credit enhancement initiatives, (2) the establishment of revolving loan funds, (3) direct spending or financing, or (4) partnerships with community development or other mission-based financial institutions.
 
Directs the Secretary to conduct an independent, comprehensive, and scientifically sound evaluation of the effect this Act's initiatives have on student achievement and other areas, as determined by the Secretary.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2450-2453)
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2449-2450)
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-811
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2011-04-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Census and government statistics
Civil actions and liability
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government information and archives
Government liability
Marriage and family status
Military personnel and dependents
Religion
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: 
Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2011 - Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity by covered entities (employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, or joint labor-management committees). Prohibits preferential treatment or quotas. Allows only disparate treatment claims.
 
Prohibits related retaliation. 
 
Makes this Act inapplicable to: (1) religious organizations, and (2) the relationship between the United States and members of the Armed Forces. Declares that this Act does not repeal or modify any federal, state, territorial, or local law creating a special right or preference concerning employment for a veteran.
 
 
Provides for the construction of this Act regarding: (1) enforcement by employers of rules and policies, (2) sexual harassment, (3) certain shared facilities such as showers or dressing facilities, (4) construction of new or additional facilities, (5) dress and grooming standards, and (6) provision of employee benefits to married vs. unmarried couples. Declares that, in this Act, &quot;married&quot; refers to marriage as that term is defined in the Defense of Marriage Act (a legal union between one man and one woman).
 
Prohibits the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from collecting statistics from covered entities on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or compelling the collection by covered entities of such statistics.
 
Provides for enforcement, including giving the EEOC, the Librarian of Congress (LOC), the Attorney General (DOJ), and U.S. courts the same enforcement powers as they have under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, and other specified laws.
 
Allows actions and proceedings, subject to exception, against the United States and the states.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-12
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-915.
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Lead Act

Bill: 112-s-812
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2011-04-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Performance measurement
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: 
Lead Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to direct the Secretary of Education to award a competitive grant to a partnership between a nonprofit organization and an institution of higher education (IHE) to establish a school leadership academy that develops and provides evidence-based leadership training to school leaders (turnaround leaders) and their supporting mentors (turnaround mentors) to transform and improve turnaround schools.
 
Defines &quot;turnaround schools&quot; as schools that are subject to corrective action or restructuring under the ESEA or are secondary schools that have a graduation rate below 60%.
 
Requires the Secretary to award competitive grants to partnerships between or among a nonprofit organization, IHE, or a nonprofit organization and an IHE, and state or local educational agencies to establish school leadership centers of excellence, after the initial cohort of turnaround leaders and mentors have been trained by the school leadership academy.
 
Directs such centers to: (1) adopt and adapt the leadership training program developed by the school leadership academy so that such program is informed, on an ongoing basis, by evidence regarding effective school leadership and meets the needs of the local educational agencies they serve; and (2) work with the school leadership academy to best train and support program participants.
 
Requires leadership training participants at the academy and the centers of excellence to receive a stipend for participating and agree to serve for at least four years at turnaround schools.
 
Requires the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences to support: (1) research on identifying the skills and conditions necessary for school leaders to improve turnaround schools, and (2) evaluations of this Act's programs and activities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Title X Transparency and Verification Act

Bill: 112-s-814
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2011-04-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Family planning and birth control
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: 
Title X Transparency and Verification Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to disclose on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website the results of audits of entities that receive funds for activities under title X (Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs) of the Public Health Service Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Sanctity of Eternal Rest for Veterans Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-815
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2011-04-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Cemeteries and funerals
Civil actions and liability
Military personnel and dependents
Protest and dissent
Right of privacy
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: 
Sanctity of Eternal Rest for Veterans Act of 2011 or SERVE Act of 2011 - Amends the federal criminal code concerning the prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members or former members of the Armed Forces to increase the period covered under such prohibition from one to two hours before and after a military funeral. Includes within such unlawful conduct any disturbance or disruption occurring within 500 feet of the residence of a surviving member of a deceased's immediate family. Provides civil remedies, including actual and statutory damages.
 
Makes identical changes under federal veterans' provisions concerning the prohibition on certain demonstrations and disruptions at national cemeteries, including Arlington National Cemetery.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-06-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-116.
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2011-04-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-816
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2011-04-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Poverty and welfare assistance
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: 
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to establish a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program (VITA grant program) for the development, expansion, or continuation of volunteer tax preparation programs to assist low-income taxpayers and members of underserved populations. 
 
Establishes the National Center to Promote Quality, Excellence, and Evaluation in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Requires such Center to: (1) promote the adoption of a universally accessible volunteer training platform for the preparation of federal income tax returns, (2) provide technical assistance to tax return preparation program managers, (3) identify and disseminate best practices related to tax site management, (4) support outreach and marketing efforts, and (5) provide evaluation of programs and activities funded under this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the inclusion of independent regulatory agencies in the application of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).

Bill: 112-s-817
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2011-04-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Federal Reserve System
Intergovernmental relations
Monetary policy

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: 
Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to revise the definition of &quot;agency&quot; to include independent regulatory agencies for purposes of provisions concerning federal mandates.
 
Amends the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 to provide that provisions of such Act relating to regulatory accountability and reform, review of federal mandates, and judicial review shall not apply to rules concerning monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-818
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2011-04-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Home and outpatient care
Hospital care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: 
Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to deem an individual receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital to be an inpatient with respect to satisfying the three-day inpatient hospital requirement in order to entitle the individual to Medicare coverage of any post-hospital extended care services in a skilled nursing facility (SNF).
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2510)
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Introduced in Senate
September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-819
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2011-04-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Crime victims
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Terrorism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: 
September 11 Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act of 2011 - Provides permanent resident status adjustment for an applicant alien who: (1) was on September 10, 2001, the spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of an alien who died as a direct result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist activity against the United States; (2) was deemed to be a beneficiary of, and by, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001; (3) has no federal tax liability; (4) made a proffer of information to the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) between April 24, 2008, and August 15, 2008, in connection with a request for immigration relief; and (5) applies not later than one year from the date of enactment of this Act.
 
Makes the provisions of this Act inapplicable to an alien who is inadmissible or deportable under criminal or security grounds, including September 11, 2001, terrorist activity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Introduced in Senate
SMART Act

Bill: 112-s-820
Sponsor: Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [R-AL]
Introduced: 2011-04-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Income tax rates
Legislative rules and procedure
Tax reform and tax simplification
Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Simplified, Manageable, And Responsible Tax Act or the SMART Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the marginal income tax rates with a single rate of 17% on individual taxable income. 
Redefines "taxable income" to mean the amount by which wages, retirement distributions, and unemployment compensation exceed the standard deduction. Increases the basic standard deduction and includes an additional standard deduction for dependents. Includes in taxable income the taxable income of each dependent child under the age of 14. 
Replaces the current tax on corporations with a tax on every person engaged in a business activity equal to 17% of the business taxable income of such person. Makes the person engaged in the business activity liable for the tax, whether or not such person is an individual, a partnership, or a corporation. 
Imposes a tax of 17% on the value of excludable compensation provided during the year by an employer for the benefit of employees. Makes the employer liable for the tax. 
Repeals pension plan rules relating to : (1) non-discrimination, (2) contribution limits, and (3) restrictions on distributions. Revises rules relating to transfers of excess pension assets. 
 
Repeals: (1) the alternative minimum tax; (2) all income tax credits; (3) estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes; and (4) income tax provisions, except certain provisions relating to retirement distributions and tax-exempt organizations. 
 
 Declares it not in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate, unless waived or suspended by a three-fifths vote, to consider any legislation that increases or adds an income tax rate, reduces the standard deduction, or provides any exclusion, deduction, credit, or other benefit that reduces federal revenues.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2510-2511)
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Uniting American Families Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-821
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2011-04-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Citizenship and naturalization
Immigration status and procedures
Marriage and family status

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: 
Uniting American Families Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include a &quot;permanent partner&quot; within the scope of such Act. Defines a &quot;permanent partner&quot; as an individual 18 or older who: (1) is in a committed, intimate relationship with another individual 18 or older in which both individuals intend a lifelong commitment; (2) is financially interdependent with the other individual; (3) is not married to, or in a permanent partnership with, anyone other than the individual; (4) is unable to contract with the other individual a marriage cognizable under this Act; and (5) is not a first, second, or third degree blood relation of the other individual. 
 
Defines &quot;permanent partnership&quot; as the relationship existing between two permanent partners. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2512-2514)
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2511-2512)
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require all wage withholding returns to be filed electronically.

Bill: 112-s-822
Sponsor: Sen. Coburn, Tom [R-OK]
Introduced: 2011-04-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require all employers to file wage withholding return information on magnetic media. Allows a waiver of such requirement for employers demonstrating hardship or having five or fewer employees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-04-14
text: Introduced in Senate