hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a renewable electricity standard, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-741
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2011-04-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alternative and renewable resources
Department of Energy
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy prices
Forests, forestry, trees
Government trust funds

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: 
Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to require a retail electric supplier to submit to the Secretary of Energy (DOE) for calendar year 2013 and thereafter one or more of the following: (1) specified federal renewable energy credits, (2) certification of the renewable energy generated and electricity savings, and (3) specified alternative compliance payments. Prescribes, for calendar years 2013 through 2039, a schedule of graduated annual percentages of a retail electric supplier's base amount that shall be generated from renewable energy resources (increasing from 6% in 2013 to 25% in 2025). 
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a program to: (1) verify and issue federal renewable energy credits to generators of renewable energy; (2) track the sale, exchange, and retirement of the credits; and (3) enforce the federal renewable energy credits program.
 
Directs the Secretary to issue a generator of electric energy one federal renewable energy credit for each kilowatt hour of electric energy generated by the use of a renewable energy resource at an eligible facility.
 
Prescribes rules for federal renewable energy credit trading and for borrowing and repayment of federal renewable energy credits.
 
Provides that this Act does not diminish the authority of a state or its political subdivision to: (1) adopt or enforce any law (including regulations) respecting renewable energy, or (2) regulate the acquisition and disposition of federal renewable energy credits by retail electric suppliers.
 
Permits an electric utility that has sales of electric energy subject to rate regulation to recover the full cost of renewable energy obtained to comply with this Act.
 
Establishes in the Treasury a state renewable energy account for a grant program for promoting renewable energy production and providing energy assistance and weatherization services to low-income consumers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Congressional Retirement Age Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-742
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2011-04-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Members of Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: 
Congressional Retirement Age Act of 2011 - Prohibits a Member of Congress serving on or after the enactment of this Act from being eligible for an annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), unless he or she is separated from the service after attaining retirement age under the Social Security Act and completing five years of service.
 
Makes a Member serving on or after the enactment of this Act ineligible for a CSRS or FERS deferred retirement annuity, unless the Member is separated from the service, or transferred to a position in which the individual does not continue subject to CSRS or FERS annuity requirements, after completing five years of service. 
 
Denies an early retirement annuity under FERS to any Member serving on or after enactment of this Act who otherwise meets FERS early retirement requirements. Delays entitlement to a FERS annuity until after attaining retirement age under the Social Security Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-09
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Passport Identity Verification Act

Bill: 112-s-744
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2011-04-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Citizenship and naturalization
Congressional oversight
Criminal justice information and records
Department of State
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Licensing and registrations
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: 
Passport Identity Verification Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to consider, for data sharing purposes only, that when Department of State personnel authorized by the Secretary of State to grant, refuse, revoke, deny, or adjudicate U.S. passports are lawfully engaged in authorized data sharing activities regarding such passport activities, those activities shall be considered law enforcement activities involving the administration of criminal justice. 
 
Considers such Department personnel to be engaged in authorized data sharing activities when lawfully seeking to: (1) verify the identity of a passport applicant, (2) detect passport fraud, or (3) deny or revoke a passport. 
 
Directs the Secretary to promulgate implementing regulations regarding data sharing regulations, procedures, and policies.
 
Directs the Secretary to conduct a study, and report to Congress, to determine: (1) if U.S. passport applicants or renewals should provide biometric identification information, and (2) if technology should be employed to verify identity documents.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2201-2202)
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to protect certain veterans who would otherwise be subject to a reduction in educational assistance benefits, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-745
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2011-04-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Higher education
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: 
 Makes the amount payable for programs of education at nonpublic institutions of higher education pursued by individuals enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) post-9/11 educational assistance program (post-9/11 program) during the period beginning on August 1, 2011, and ending on December 31, 2014, the lesser of: (1) the established charges for that program; (2) the established charges payable under a VA maximum payments table published on October 27, 2010; or (3) the amount for the previous academic year, increased by the authorized annual percentage increase.

action_date: 2011-07-19
text: 
 Makes the amount payable for programs of education at nonpublic institutions of higher education pursued by individuals enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) post-9/11 educational assistance program (post-9/11 program) during the period beginning on August 1, 2011, and ending on December 31, 2014, the lesser of: (1) the established charges for that program; (2) the established charges payable under a VA maximum payments table published on October 27, 2010; or (3) the amount for the previous academic year, increased by the authorized annual percentage increase.
 
Modifies guaranteed home loan fees for certain veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 105.
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Murray with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Murray with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2011-06-29
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2011-06-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-116.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Dodd-Frank Repeal Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-746
Sponsor: Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [R-AL]
Introduced: 2011-04-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Bankruptcy
Business records
Commodities markets
Consumer affairs
Consumer credit
Corporate finance and management
Financial crises and stabilization
Financial services and investments
Foreign and international banking
Government information and archives
Securities
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: 
Dodd-Frank Repeal Act of 2011 - Repeals titles I through XV of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Restores or revives the provisions of law amended or repealed by such titles as if the Act had not been enacted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-747
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2011-04-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Government trust funds
Infrastructure development
Motor carriers
Motor vehicles
Roads and highways
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: 
Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2011 - Allows a state to authorize a vehicle with a maximum gross weight (including enforcement tolerances) exceeding certain federal weight limitations to operate on Interstate Highway System (IHS) routes in the state if: (1) the vehicle is equipped with at least six axles, (2) the weight of any single axle does not exceed 20,000 pounds, (3) the weight of any tandem axle does not exceed 34,000 pounds, (4) the weight of any group of 3 or more axles does not exceed 51,000 pounds, and (5) the gross weight of the vehicle does not exceed 97,000 pounds.
 
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a safe and efficient vehicle bridge infrastructure improvement program. Requires the Secretary to apportion amounts from the Safe and Efficient Vehicle Trust Fund to states for eligible bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a tax on any vehicles that exceed federal weight limitations operating on the IHS, and (2) establish the Safe and Efficient Vehicle Trust Fund.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Algae-Based Renewable Fuel Promotion Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-748
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2011-04-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: 
Algae-Based Renewable Fuel Promotion Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the definition of &quot;cellulosic biofuel&quot; for purposes of the cellulosic biofuel producer tax credit and the special depreciation allowance to mean any liquid fuel which is derived solely by, or from, qualified feedstocks. Defines &quot;qualified feedstocks&quot; as any lignocellulosic or hemicellulosic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis and any cultivated algae, cyanobacteria, or lemna.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Elections Revenue Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-749
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2011-04-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government trust funds
Public contracts and procurement
Sales and excise taxes
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: 
Fair Elections Revenue Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on payments made pursuant to a U.S. government contract to any person that is not a state or local government, a foreign nation, or a tax-exempt organization and that has contracts with the U.S. government in excess of $10 million. Sets the rate of such tax imposed on any payment to a qualified person under any such contract at 0.50% of the amount paid and limits the aggregate annual amount of tax so imposed for any calendar year to not more than $500,000.
 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the tax revenues raised by this Act should be used for the financing of a Fair Elections Fund and the public financing of Senate elections.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-12
text: Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights. Hearings held.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2202)
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-751
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2011-04-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Census and government statistics
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Government information and archives
Manufacturing

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to assess the U.S. economy to determine what goods the United States currently produces, where such goods are produced, which U.S. manufacturing sector is the most competitive in the global economy, and what policies are necessary to maintain or increase the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing in the global economy.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop and submit to Congress a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy; (2) establish and submit to Congress targets for the growth of U.S. manufacturing for each of FY2012-FY2016; (3) survey all federal agencies that provide support to U.S. manufacturers, and report survey results to Congress; (4) report to Congress on progress and trends in U.S. manufacturing since a specified 2004 report by the Secretary concerning manufacturing in America; and (5) biennially survey U.S. entities that maintain manufacturing facilities outside the United States, maintain a database on information collected through each survey, and submit each survey's results to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-752
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2011-04-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Cancer
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Environmental health
Health care quality
Health programs administration and funding
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Military medicine
Minority health
Research administration and funding
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: 
Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement a comprehensive program to achieve a 50% reduction in the mortality rate of lung cancer by 2020. Requires the program to include initiatives throughout HHS, including: (1) a strategic review and prioritization by the National Cancer Institute of research grants; (2) the establishment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of quality standards and guidelines for facilities that conduct computed tomography screening for lung cancer; and (3) the provision of funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish a Lung Cancer Early Detection Program that provides low-income, uninsured, and underserved populations that are at high risk for lung cancer access to early detection services.
 
Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Secretary of HHS in implementing this Act and implementing coordinated care programs for military personnel and veterans diagnosed with lung cancer.
 
Requires the Secretary of HHS to establish: (1) the Lung Cancer Computed Tomography Screening and Treatment Demonstration Project; and (2) the Lung Cancer Advisory Board to monitor the programs established under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2209-2210)
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2208-2209)
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Early-Stage Business Investment and Incubation Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-753
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2011-04-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Manufacturing
Marketing and advertising
Research and development
Small business
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: 
Early-Stage Business Investment and Incubation Act of 2011 - Directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development to establish an early-stage business investment and incubation grant program (program) to support the development of early-stage businesses engaged primarily in the research, development, manufacturing, production, or marketing of specified technologies, aerospace, communications, or transportation. Limits individual grants to $5 million. Requires each grant recipient under the program to: (1) designate an individual as the grant fund manager; (2) establish a grant investment committee; and (3) assign to each assisted business a grant collaborator. Directs the Assistant Secretary to monitor and evaluate program effectiveness.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2011-04-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe Roads Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-754
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2011-04-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Motor carriers
Personnel records
Roads and highways
Transportation safety and security
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: 
Safe Roads Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish a national clearinghouse for verified positive alcohol and controlled substance test results and test refusals as well as violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) alcohol and controlled substances regulations of commercial motor vehicle operators. Prohibits the release of clearinghouse information to a commercial motor carrier employer unless there has been compliance with all applicable federal privacy laws and regulations.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to collect fees from such employers and other authorized users for informational requests.
 
Prohibits an employer from hiring an individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle unless the employer has determined that the individual, for the preceding three-year period, has: (1) been tested for use of alcohol and controlled substances; (2) not tested positive for their use, or tested positive but has completed the return-to-duty process; (3) not refused to be tested; and (4) not violated FMCSA alcohol and controlled substances regulations.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a process: (1) to require employers to request and review any clearinghouse records of individuals before their employment as a commercial motor vehicle operator and for each year thereafter as long as the individual is so employed; and (2) for an individual and a state licensing authority to request and receive information from the clearinghouse.
 
Subjects persons who violate the requirements of this Act to both civil and criminal penalties.
 
Requires the Secretary to take certain actions to enhance DOT oversight of testing sites.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Crime Victim Restitution and Court Fee Intercept Act

Bill: 112-s-755
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2011-04-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Crime victims
Judicial procedure and administration
Legal fees and court costs
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: 
Crime Victim Restitution and Court Fee Intercept Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the chief justice of the highest court of any state that wishes to collect past-due, legally enforceable state judicial debts to designate a single state entity to communicate judicial debt information to the Secretary of the Treasury.
 
Directs the Secretary, upon receiving notice from such an entity that a named person owes a past-due, legally enforceable state judicial debt, to pay such debt from any tax refund due to such person. 
 
Defines &quot;state judicial debt&quot; to include court costs, fees, fines, assessments, restitution to victims of crime, and other monies resulting from a judgment or sentence rendered by any court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction handling criminal or traffic cases in the state. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2268)
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Data Access for Transparency and Accountability Act

Bill: 112-s-756
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2011-04-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: 
Medicare Data Access for Transparency anc Accountabililty Act - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make available to the public HHS claims and payment data related to SSA title XVIII (Medicare), including data on payments made to any service provider or supplier. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2269)
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2268-2269)
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: Introduced in Senate