hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Andean Trade Preference Extension Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-380
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Bolivia
Colombia
Ecuador
Latin America
Peru
Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Andean Trade Preference Extension Act of 2011 - Amends the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) to extend duty-free treatment or other preferential treatment of the products of Colombia and Ecuador through November 30, 2012.
 
Extends through FY2013 preferential treatment for apparel articles assembled in one or more beneficiary countries from regional fabrics or regional components, and specified other type apparel (brassieres).
 
Extends the President's authority to take bilateral emergency action to grant duty-free treatment of certain apparel articles imported from an ATPDEA beneficiary country.
 
Requires the liquidation or reliquidation (refund of duties) on such articles that entered into the United States after February 12, 2011, and before the 15th day after enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Collectible Firearms Protection Act

Bill: 112-s-381
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Historical and cultural resources
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Collectible Firearms Protection Act - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to allow the importation of certain firearms listed as curios or relics into the United States by a licensed importer without the requirement of an authorization from or payment to the Department of State or the Department of Defense (DOD) upon certification to the Attorney General that such firearms are lawfully possessed under the laws of the exporting country.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Critical Minerals and Materials Promotion Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-383
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Employment and training programs
Energy research
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental technology
International organizations and cooperation
Materials
Mining
Research and development
Science and engineering education
Solid waste and recycling
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Critical Minerals and Materials Promotion Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the United States Geological Survey (USGS), to establish a research and development program to: (1) provide data and scientific analyses for research on, and assessments of the potential for, undiscovered and discovered resources of critical minerals and materials in the United States and other countries; (2) analyze and assess current and future critical minerals and materials supply chains; and (3) cooperate with international partners to ensure that the research and assessment programs provide analyses of the global supply chain of critical minerals and materials.
 
Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to conduct a research, development, and demonstration program to strengthen the domestic critical minerals and materials supply chain for clean energy technologies, and to ensure the long-term, secure, and sustainable supply of critical minerals and materials sufficient to strengthen the national security and meet the clean energy production needs of the United States.
 
Directs the Secretary of Energy to promote the development of the critical minerals and materials industry workforce in the United States by supporting: (1) critical minerals and materials education by providing undergraduate and graduate scholarships and fellowships at institutions of higher education, including technical and community colleges; (2) partnerships between industry and institutions of higher education, including technical and community colleges, to provide onsite job training; and (3) development of courses and curricula on critical minerals and materials. 
 
Expresses the policy of the United States to promote an adequate and stable supply of critical minerals and materials necessary to maintain national security, economic well-being, and industrial production with appropriate attention to a long-term balance between resource production, energy use, a healthy environment, natural resources conservation, and social needs. Directs the President take specified steps to implement such policy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-06-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-117.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S883-884)
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S882-883)
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Dale Long Emergency Medical Service Providers Protection Act

Bill: 112-s-385
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
First responders and emergency personnel
Health personnel

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Dale Long Emergency Medical Service Providers Protection Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1986 to include within the definitions of "member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew" and "public safety officer" for purposes of eligibility for public safety officers' benefits an officially recognized or designated employee or volunteer member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew that: (1) is a public agency or a nonprofit entity serving the public that is officially authorized or licensed to engage in rescue activity or to provide emergency medical services and that is officially designated as a prehospital emergency medical response agency, and (2) is engaging in rescue activity or in the provision of emergency medical services. 
 
Cancels $12 million of unobligated balances available under the Department of Justice (DOJ) Assets Forfeiture Fund.
 
Makes this Act applicable to injuries sustained on or after June 1, 2009.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S885)
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S884-885)
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Unemployment Insurance Solvency Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-386
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Labor
Employment taxes
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government trust funds
State and local finance
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Unemployment Insurance Solvency Act of 2011 - Amends title XII of the Social Security Act (Advances to State Unemployment Funds) to: (1) extend through December 31, 2012, the waiver granted to states for payment of interest on advances made from the federal unemployment account in the Unemployment Trust Fund; and (2) authorize the governor of any state that has outstanding repayable advances from the federal unemployment account to apply to the Secretary of Labor to enter into a voluntary principal abatement agreement. 
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the 6.2% employment tax rate for employers through 2013 and impose a reduced 5.78% rate in 2014, (2) modify the rate applicable to the limit on the credit allowed to employers for the federal unemployment tax, and (3) increase the taxable wage base for the federal unemployment tax to $15,000 in 2014.
 
Amends title IX of the Social Security Act (Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Employment Security) to increase the rate of interest payable on unemployment compensation reserves and lower the rate of the employment tax for employers in states whose unemployment compensation fund remains solvent.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S885-887)
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S885)
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 37, United States Code, to provide flexible spending arrangements for members of uniformed services, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-387
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Defense
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax exclusion
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Directs each Secretary of the military department concerned to: (1) establish procedures to implement flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) for military health care and dependent care for active-duty military personnel on a pre-tax basis; and (2) consider life events of members of the Armed Forces that are unique to them, including changes relating to permanent changes of duty station and deployments to overseas contingency operations.
 
Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to submit to Congress recommendations on the advisability of authorizing FSAs for members of the reserves.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit Members of Congress and the President from receiving pay during Government shutdowns.

Bill: 112-s-388
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget deficits and national debt
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Members of Congress
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Prohibits Members of Congress and the President from receiving basic pay for any period in which: (1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution, or (2) the federal government is unable to make payments or meet obligations because the public debt limit has been reached.
 
Prohibits retroactive payment of such forfeited pay.
 

action_date: 2011-03-01
text: 

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

 
Prohibits Members of Congress and the President from receiving basic pay for any period in which: (1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department that results from failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution, or (2) the federal government is unable to make payments or meet obligations because the public debt limit has been reached.
 
Bars such forfeited pay from being paid retroactively.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-02
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2011-03-02
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2011-03-02
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2011-03-01
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S1051)
action_date: 2011-03-01
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S1051)
action_date: 2011-03-01
text: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1051-1052)
action_date: 2011-03-01
text: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S1051-1052)
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S887-888)
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Spending Control Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-389
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Spending Control Act of 2011- Establishes the Grace Commission II to conduct a review of cost control in the federal government every two years with respect to improving management and reducing costs. Directs the Commission to conduct in-depth studies to evaluate potential improvements in the operations of executive agencies and to develop recommendations regarding: (1) opportunities for increased efficiency and reduced costs that can be realized by executive action or legislation, (2) areas where managerial accountability can be enhanced and administrative control can be improved, (3) opportunities for managerial improvements over the short and long terms, (4) specific areas where further study can be justified by potential savings, and (5) ways to reduce governmental expenditures and indebtedness and improve personnel management.
 
Requires the Commission to submit final reports within 18 months after enactment of this Act and every two years thereafter until it submits its third final report. Requires such reports to contain the Commission's findings, conclusions, and recommendations for legislative and administrative actions and proposed legislation to carry out those recommendations. Sets forth congressional procedures for considering such legislation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Blue Star/Gold Star Flag Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-390
Sponsor: Sen. Webb, Jim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Cooperative and condominium housing
Military personnel and dependents
National symbols
Real estate business

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Blue Star/Gold Star Flag Act of 2011 - Prohibits a condominium association, cooperative association, or residential real estate management association from adopting or enforcing any policy, or entering into any agreement, that would restrict or prevent an association member from displaying a Service Flag on residential property within the association with respect to which such member has a separate ownership interest or a right to exclusive possession or use. (A Service Flag, also known as a &quot;blue star banner,&quot; is an official banner authorized by the Department of Defense [DOD] for display by families who have members serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities the United States may be engaged in for the duration of such hostilities.) 
 
Prohibits anything in this Act from being considered to permit any display or use inconsistent with: (1) any DOD regulations regarding rules or customs pertaining to the proper display or use of the Service Flag; or (2) any reasonable restriction pertaining to the time, place, or manner of displaying the flag necessary to protect a substantial interest of the condominium, cooperative, or residential real estate management association.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
RESET Act

Bill: 112-s-391
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget deficits and national debt

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Recovering Excessive Stimulus Expenditures for Taxpayers Act or RESET Act - Rescinds all unobligated balances of the discretionary appropriations made available by division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus funds).
 
Requires such rescinded appropriations to be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury for federal budget deficit reduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Promoting Health as Youth Skills In Classrooms And Life Act

Bill: 112-s-392
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Child health
Department of Education
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Executive agency funding and structure
Health programs administration and funding
Physical fitness and lifestyle

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Promoting Health as Youth Skills In Classrooms And Life Act - Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish an Office of Safe and Healthy Students in the Department of Education to assume the responsibilities of the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools and expand such responsibilities to broader health and physical education issues.
 
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include health education and physical education in the definition of &quot;core academic subjects.&quot; 
 
Requires each state to determine the most feasible measure for assessing students in health education and physical education, including through adaptive assessments, to measure student knowledge and performance against state standards.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to, and enter into contracts with, local educational agencies (LEAs), community-based organizations, and nonprofit organizations to initiate, expand, and improve health education programs for students in kindergarten through grade 12, especially in rural areas.
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2016 for the Carol M. White Physical Education Program, which provides matching grants to LEAs and community-based organizations to initiate, expand, and improve physical education programs (including after-school programs) for students in kindergarten through grade 12.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Prescribe A Book Act

Bill: 112-s-393
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Books and print media
Child health
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Health personnel
Language arts
Preschool education
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Prescribe A Book Act - Creates a Pediatric Early Literacy program under which the Secretary of Education awards matching grants to nonprofit organizations for the implementation of three-part models through which: (1) health care providers encourage parents to read aloud to their children and offer them recommendations and strategies for doing so; (2) health care providers give each visiting child between the ages of six months and five-years a new, developmentally appropriate children's book to take home and keep; and (3) volunteers reading to children in health care facility waiting areas show parents the techniques and pleasures of reading aloud to children.
 
Requires that the books provided to children under the program be obtained at a discount.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S889)
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S888-889)
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Better Use of Light Bulbs Act

Bill: 112-s-395
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Consumer affairs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy research
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Lighting, heating, cooling
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Better Use of Light Bulbs Act - Repeals provisions of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 concerning lighting energy efficiency, including provisions that: (1) prescribe energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps, rough service lamps, and other designated lamps; (2) direct the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to conduct and report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on an annual assessment of the market for general service lamps and compact fluorescent lamps; (3) direct the Secretary to carry out a proactive national program of consumer awareness, information, and education about lamp labels and energy-efficient lighting choices; (4) prohibit a manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or private labeler from distributing in commerce specified adapters for incandescent lamps; (5) authorize the Secretary to carry out a lighting technology research and development program; (6) set forth minimum energy efficiency standards for incandescent reflector lamps; (7) sets forth requirements for the use of energy efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs in public building construction, alteration, and acquisition; and (8) require metal halide lamp fixtures and energy efficiency labeling for designated consumer electronic products to be included within the Energy Policy and Conservation Act's (EPCA) regulatory oversight.
 
Provides that EPCA shall be applied and administered as if such provisions had not been enacted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Meeting the Inpatient Health Care Needs of Far South Texas Veterans Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-396
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2011-02-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health facilities and institutions
Hospital care
Texas
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: 
Meeting the Inpatient Health Care Needs of Far South Texas Veterans Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) ensure that the South Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care Center in Harlingen, Texas, includes a full-service VA inpatient health care facility; and (2) if needed, modify the existing facility to meet this requirement.
 
Requires the Secretary to report on specific actions to be taken to satisfy such requirement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-06-08
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-116.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2011-02-17
text: Introduced in Senate