hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to reassert the proper role of Congress in closing or realigning military installations.

Bill: 112-s-3663
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2012-12-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Land use and conservation
Military facilities and property
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-06
text: 
Revises provisions concerning a required congressional notification and waiting period prior to the closure or realignment of a military installation by the Department of Defense (DOD) to instead prohibit, absent specific legislative authorization, any realignment involving a reduction of the lesser of: (1) 100 or more combined military and civilian personnel, or (2) 50% of the highest number of such personnel assigned to that installation during any of the previous four years. Allows only the Secretary of Defense (under current law, either such Secretary or the Secretary of the military department concerned) to provide such notification, and to include a description of the alternatives considered, an estimate of the number of military, civilian, and contractor personnel affected, and a plan to provide support for affected communities.
 
Excepts from such requirements the relocation of personnel or functions required to support the deployment of members of the Armed Forces, as long as such personnel and functions are returned to the installation after the deployment.
 
Includes as a military installation, for purposes of such requirements: (1) any public land under Bureau of Land Management control that is withdrawn and reserved for military training and testing, and (2) any leased space in which more than 300 combined military and civilian personnel are housed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2012-12-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for debt limit extensions.

Bill: 112-s-3664
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2012-12-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Legislative rules and procedure
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-06
text: 
Authorizes an increase in the public debt limit by an Executive order of the President.
 
(Currently, a public debt increase is limited to the congressional budget process, a presidential modification of the debt ceiling procedures subject to a joint resolution of disapproval, or otherwise.)
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-10
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 560.
action_date: 2012-12-06
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7686)
action_date: 2012-12-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Foster Youth Higher Education Opportunities Act

Bill: 112-s-3665
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2012-12-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Government information and archives
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-06
text: 
Foster Youth Higher Education Opportunities Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to inform students who indicate on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form that they are or were in the foster care system of their potential eligibility for federal student aid, including the specific federal programs under which they may be eligible for assistance.
 
Requires the Secretary to provide foster youth with that same information on the Department of Education's website.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-12-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7686-7687)
action_date: 2012-12-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to rename section 219(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as the Kay Bailey Hutchison Spousal IRA.

Bill: 112-s-3667
Sponsor: Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2012-12-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax deferral
Marriage and family status
Members of Congress
Senate
Tax treatment of families

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-10
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to rename the section heading of Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the individual retirement accounts (IRAs) of married individuals as the Kay Bailey Hutchison Spousal IRA. 

action_date: 2012-12-27
text: 

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

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to rename the section heading of Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the individual retirement accounts (IRAs) of married individuals as the Kay Bailey Hutchison Spousal IRA. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-12-30
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2012-12-28
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2012-12-27
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8454)
action_date: 2012-12-27
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S8454)
action_date: 2012-12-27
text: Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8454)
action_date: 2012-12-27
text: Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8454)
action_date: 2012-12-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-12-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7703)
action_date: 2012-12-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Bradley Fighting Vehicle Sustainment Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3668
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2012-12-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Government studies and investigations
Military procurement, research, weapons development

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-10
text: 
Bradley Fighting Vehicle Sustainment Act of 2012 - Requires the Secretary of the Army to conduct a study on the quantitative and qualitative impacts of a production break for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2012-12-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide assistance for watersheds adversely affected by qualifying natural disasters.

Bill: 112-s-3669
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2012-12-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Disaster relief and insurance
Water resources funding
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: 
Provides assistance, from Treasury funds not otherwise appropriated, for watersheds adversely affected by qualifying natural disasters.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2012-12-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Conditioning United States-Egypt Military Exercises Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3670
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2012-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appropriations
Arab-Israeli relations
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Egypt
International law and treaties
Israel
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: 
Conditioning United States-Egypt Military Exercises Act of 2012 - Prohibits FY2013 funds from being used for U.S. participation in joint military exercises with Egypt if, during FY2013, Egypt abrogates, terminates, or withdraws from the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty.
 
Authorizes the President to waive such limitation if the President certifies to Congress that the waiver is in U.S. national security interests.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide certain assistance to North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies.

Bill: 112-s-3671
Sponsor: Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]
Introduced: 2012-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Alliances
Collective security
Foreign aid and international relief
Free trade and trade barriers
Trade agreements and negotiations

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: 
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to treat each North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member nation as a nation with which there is in effect a free trade agreement and thus eligible for expedited application and approval for the importation or exportation of natural gas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7977-7978)
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to clarify the collateral requirement for certain loans under section 7(d) of the Small Business Act, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-3672
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2012-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing finance and home ownership
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: 
Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), in obtaining the best available collateral for a disaster loan of not more than $200,000 relating to damage to or destruction of property or economic injury to a small business, from requiring the small business owner to use his or her primary residence as collateral if the Administrator determines that the owner has other assets with a value equal to or greater than the loan amount that could be used as collateral.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Farmers Protection Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3674
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2012-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Agricultural practices and innovations
Birds
Farmland
Floods and storm protection
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Hunting and fishing
Pest management
State and local government operations
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: 
Farmers Protection Act of 2012 - Amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to permit the taking of any migratory game bird, including waterfowl, coots, and cranes, on or over land that: (1) is not a baited area; and (2) contains a standing crop (including an aquatic crop), standing, flooded, or manipulated natural vegetation, flooded harvested cropland, or an area on which seed or grain has been scattered solely as the result of a normal agricultural practice.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
HUBZone Expansion Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3675
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2012-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Census and government statistics
Economic development
Military facilities and property
Public contracts and procurement
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: 
HUBZone Expansion Act of 2012 - Amends the Small Business Act to include as a base closure area for purposes of the HUBZONE (historically underutilized business zone) program of the Small Business Administration (SBA) a military installation's municipality, county, census tract, or contiguous census tract having a total population of no more than 50,000, as determined by the most recent census.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7979-7980)
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Reducing Duplication Overseas Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3676
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2012-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Performance measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: 
Reducing Duplication Overseas Act of 2012 - Requires a federal agency that performs any foreign affairs functions and operates overseas to participate in the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services system for purposes of obtaining household furniture, furnishings, and appliance pools services, motor pool services, and management services unless such agency provides a detailed explanation that describes: (1) how such agency will provide the service outside the system, (2) the cost of the service, and (3) how providing the service outside the system will not increase overall costs. Requires such an agency to provide a detailed explanation certifying that the mission of the agency cannot be achieved by participation in the system.
 
Requires the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services Executive Board to allow an agency to act as an alternative provider for administrative services at an overseas post in place of the system if the agency: (1) demonstratives that it can provide the administrative service more efficiently, and (2) agrees to provide the administrative service to all other International Cooperative Administrative Support Services customer agencies at the overseas post. 
 
Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to submit a review of the system to specified congressional committees


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7981-7982)
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7980-7981)
action_date: 2012-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Indian Trust Asset Reform Act

Bill: 112-s-3679
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Department of the Interior
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Federal-Indian relations
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Indian lands and resources rights
Judicial review and appeals

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
Indian Trust Asset Reform Act - Reaffirms the federal government's fiduciary responsibilities to Indians. 
 
States that: (1) the most exacting common law fiduciary standards governing private trustees also govern the federal government when it manages Indian Trust Assets, and (2) those standards are not limited to the express terms of statutes and regulations.
 
Indian Trust Asset Management Demonstration Project Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish an eight-year Indian trust asset management demonstration project that allows Indian tribes to propose, for the Secretary's approval, Indian trust asset management plans.
 
Allows participating Indian tribes that contract or compact trust management functions or activities under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to develop and carry out trust asset management systems, practices, and procedures that differ from the Secretary's. 
 
Requires each plan to: (1) be consistent with all tribal laws and all federal treaties, statutes, executive orders, and court decisions applicable to the trust assets and their management; (2) establish procedures for nonbinding mediation or resolution of any plan-related disputes between the Indian tribe and the federal government; (3) include an annual evaluation by the Indian tribe and affected federal agencies of the plan's implementation; and (4) identify any federal regulations that the plan will supersede.
 
Prohibits the approval of any plan that does not: (1) protect trust assets from loss, waste, and unlawful alienation; and (2) promote the interests of the trust asset's beneficial owner.
 
Establishes, in the Department of the Interior, an Under Secretary for Indian Affairs who is to report directly to the Secretary and assume the functions of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs and the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians.
 
Requires the Office of the Under Secretary to carry out additional duties relating to the management of Indian trust assets and resources through an Office of Trust Reform Implementation and Oversight.
 
Requires the Under Secretary to give a hiring preference to Indians.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in Senate
2013 Making Working Pay Credit Act

Bill: 112-s-3680
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax credits
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
2013 Making Working Pay Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) revive in calendar year 2013 the making work pay tax credit, (2) establish the amount of such credit as the lesser of 6.0% of earned income or $800 in a taxable year ($1,600 for married couples filing jointly), and (3) require a reduction of such credit for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds $60,000 ($90,000 for married couples filing jointly).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to clarify the collateral requirement for certain loans under section 7(d) of the Small Business Act, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-3681
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing finance and home ownership
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), in obtaining the best available collateral for a disaster loan of not more than $200,000 relating to damage to or destruction of property or economic injury to a small business, from requiring the small business owner to use his or her primary residence as collateral if the Administrator determines that the owner has other assets with a value equal to or greater than the loan amount that could be used as collateral.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8043)
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8042-8043)
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in Senate
CAMPUS Safety Act of 2012

Bill: 112-s-3682
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Crime prevention
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Justice
Education programs funding
Emergency planning and evacuation
Executive agency funding and structure
First responders and emergency personnel
Higher education
Law enforcement administration and funding
Mental health
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
Center to Advance, Monitor, and Preserve University Security Safety Act of 2012 or the CAMPUS Safety Act of 2012 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to establish and operate a National Center for Campus Public Safety.
 
Tasks the Center with strengthening the safety and security of institutions of higher education (IHEs) by: (1) training IHE public safety personnel and their collaborative partners; (2) fostering relevant research; (3) collecting and disseminating information and best practices regarding campus safety; (4) developing protocols and best practices to prevent, protect against, and respond to dangerous and violent situations that threaten the campus community; and (5) promoting cooperation among public safety and emergency management personnel of IHEs and their collaborative partners, including law enforcement, emergency management, and mental health agencies.
 
Authorizes the Director to award grants to IHEs and other nonprofit organizations for activities that will assist the Center in performing its functions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Green Mountain Lookout Heritage Protection Act

Bill: 112-s-3683
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2012-12-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees
Historic sites and heritage areas
Land use and conservation
Washington State
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: 
Green Mountain Lookout Heritage Protection Act - Amends the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984, with respect to certain lands in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests in the state of Washington designated as part of the Glacier Peak Wilderness, to specifically allow the operation and maintenance of Green Mountain Lookout.
 
Prohibits the Chief of the Forest Service from moving the Lookout from its current location on Green Mountain in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest unless the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) determines that its move is necessary to preserve the Lookout or to ensure the safety of individuals on or around Green Mountain. Requires the Secretary, if such a determination is made, to move the Lookout to a location outside of the lands described in this Act, above.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-12-13
text: Introduced in Senate