hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Los Padres Conservation and Recreation Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4109
Sponsor: Rep. Gallegly, Elton [R-CA-24]
Introduced: 2012-02-29 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: California
Forests, forestry, trees
Lakes and rivers
Land transfers
Motor vehicles
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Roads and highways
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: 
Los Padres Conservation and Recreation Act of 2012 - Designates specified National Forest System lands in California that are administered as part of the Los Padres National Forest as wilderness and as additions to existing components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. 
 
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specified creek segments in California as wild, scenic, or recreational rivers. 
 
Establishes the Condor Ridge Scenic Area within the National Forest. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to develop a comprehensive management plan for such area. 
 
Designates within the National Forest: (1) specified roads and trails for certain off-highway vehicle use, and (2) specified areas as off-highway vehicle areas. 
 
Directs the Secretary to study and report on the feasibility of and the public interest in the construction of specified new trails respecting the National Forest. 
 
Los Padres National Forest Land Exchange Act - Directs the Secretary to convey specified National Forest System lands to the United Water Conservation District of California in exchange for the conveyance of specified non-federal lands to the Secretary. 
 
Requires the Secretary to reserve easements for all trails and roads considered necessary for administrative purposes and to ensure public access. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2012-03-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
To restrict assistance to Pakistan unless the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that the Government of Pakistan is not aiding, assisting, advising, or informing the Haqqani network in any capacity, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-4110
Sponsor: Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
Introduced: 2012-02-29 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Foreign aid and international relief
Latin America
Mexico
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Pakistan

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: 
Prohibits assistance from being provided to Pakistan pursuant to the authorities of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Arms Export Control Act, or the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund unless the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that Pakistan is not aiding the Haqqani network (an insurgent network operating in Pakistan and Afghanistan).
 
 Makes withheld funds available for assistance to fight drug cartels on the U.S.-Mexico border.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income certain State foster care program payments made to the biological parents of disabled children.

Bill: 112-hr-4111
Sponsor: Rep. Green, Gene [D-TX-29]
Introduced: 2012-02-29 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Disability assistance
Income tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow biological parents of handicapped children to exclude from their gross incomes difficulty of care payments made to them under a state or local foster care program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
Private Security Officer Screening Improvement Act

Bill: 112-hr-4112
Sponsor: Rep. Marino, Tom [R-PA-10]
Introduced: 2012-02-29 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Employee hiring
Law enforcement officers

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: 
Private Security Officer Screening Improvement Act - Amends the Private Security Officer Employment Authorization Act of 2004 to authorize a screening entity (defined as a private business, nonprofit organization, or individual authorized by the Attorney General to submit, receive, and screen criminal history record information for purposes of a criminal history record information search), in addition to a state identification bureau, to perform such a search on private security officers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
To amend title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to help close the gaps in principal preparation and provide new principals with the support and tools they need to meet the complex challenges of school leadership.

Bill: 112-hr-4113
Sponsor: Rep. Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10]
Introduced: 2012-02-29 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: 
Amends title II (Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to states, local educational agencies, and nonprofit organizations to provide principals who have no more than three years of experience with training that improves their capacity to increase student achievement for all children.
 
Authorizes the grants to be used to: (1) establish learning communities within elementary and secondary schools where principals and teachers work together regularly to analyze and improve teaching and learning, (2) develop quality mentoring programs, and (3) provide stipends to mentors who are veteran principals with demonstrated leadership skills and a successful record of increasing student achievement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
HIRE at HOME Act

Bill: 112-hr-4115
Sponsor: Rep. Stivers, Steve [R-OH-15]
Introduced: 2012-02-29 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health personnel
Licensing and registrations
Military education and training
Motor carriers
Nursing
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: 
Helping Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Return to Employment at Home Act or HIRE at HOME Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), as a condition of a grant or contract to a state for certain veterans' employment and training programs, to require the state to demonstrate the consideration of any military training received by a veteran when approving or denying a commercial driver's license or a certification to be a nursing assistant or certified nursing assistant, a registered nurse, or an emergency medical technician.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2012-06-28
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2012-06-21
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2012-03-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-29
text: Introduced in House
To prohibit the use of private security contractors and members of the Afghan Public Protection Force to provide security for members of the Armed Forces and military installations and facilities in Afghanistan, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-4117
Sponsor: Rep. McKeon, Howard P. "Buck" [R-CA-25]
Introduced: 2012-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Law enforcement officers
Military facilities and property
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Military procurement, research, weapons development

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: 
 Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the best possible security and force protection for members of the Armed Forces garrisoned and housed in Afghanistan (members) should be provided, (2) better security and force protection for such members can be provided by U.S. military personnel than by private security contractors or members of the Afghan Public Protection Force, (3) the President should take action in light of the increased risk to such members during the drawdown period and the increasing number of insider attacks, and (4) the United States remains committed to mission success in Afghanistan in light of the national security interests in the region and the sacrifice and commitment of the Armed Forces over the last ten years.
 
Prohibits funds appropriated to the Department of Defense (DOD) from being obligated or expended for: (1) entering into a contract for the performance of security-guard functions at a military installation or facility in Afghanistan at which members deployed to Afghanistan are garrisoned or housed, (2) otherwise employing private security contractors to provide security for such members, or (3) employing the Afghan Public Protection Force to provide such security or to perform security-guard functions at such a military installation or facility. Allows the President to waive such prohibition after a certification to Congress that the Afghan Public Protection Force or private security contractors can provide protection at least equal to that provided by the Armed Forces.
 
Directs the President to ensure that as many appropriately trained members of the U.S. Armed Forces as necessary are available to provide: (1) the security-guard functions at the installations and facilities at which members deployed to Afghanistan are garrisoned, (2) security for all members deployed to Afghanistan, and (3) counterintelligence support for such members.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4120
Sponsor: Rep. Dent, Charles W. [R-PA-15]
Introduced: 2012-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: 
Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to waive coinsurance for colorectal cancer screening tests (thus covering 100% of their cost under Medicare part B [Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled]).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2012-03-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
Early Stage Small Business Contracting Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4121
Sponsor: Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5]
Introduced: 2012-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Public contracts and procurement
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: 
Early Stage Small Business Contracting Act of 2012 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish and carry out a program to provide increased access to federal contract opportunities for early stage small businesses (no more than 15 employees and average annual receipts of no more than $1 million). Requires the Administrator to identify appropriate federal procurement contracts for award under the program.
 
Allows a contracting officer to award: (1) a sole source contract under the program if an entity is determined to be a responsible contractor and the officer does not reasonably expect that two or more early stage businesses will submit offers, and (2) contracts on the basis of competition restricted to early stage businesses if the officer reasonably expects that at least two early stage businesses will submit offers and that the award can be made at a fair market price.
 
Requires all program contract awards to be counted toward goals for small business participation in federal procurement contracts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-21
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 530.
action_date: 2012-12-21
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 112-727.
action_date: 2012-12-21
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 112-727.
action_date: 2012-03-07
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2012-03-07
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act

Bill: 112-hr-4122
Sponsor: Rep. McKeon, Howard P. "Buck" [R-CA-25]
Introduced: 2012-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Trade restrictions
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: 
Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act - Amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to prohibit any person from importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, purchasing, breeding, possessing, or owning any prohibited wildlife species (current law prohibits importing, exporting, transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring, or purchasing such a species in interstate or foreign commerce). Includes among exemptions to such prohibition the: (1) breeding of such species by authorized persons; and (2) transportation, possession, or ownership of such species by authorized persons.
 
Defines &quot;breeding&quot; as facilitating the reproduction of prohibited wildlife species (any live species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species) for commercial use. 
 
Removes from the list of persons authorized to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, breed, possess, own, or purchase such species a person that is licensed or registered, and inspected, by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) or any other federal agency with respect to such species. Includes in such list: (1) a zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; (2) a wildlife sanctuary that cares for such species, is a tax exempt corporation, does not commercially trade in or propagate such species, does not allow direct contact between the public and animals, and does not allow the transport and display of such species off-site; and (3) a person that is in possession of animals of such species that were born before the date of this Act's enactment and that are registered with APHIS within six months after such regulations are promulgated.
 
Establishes civil and criminal penalties and forfeiture requirements for violations of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
Fair Playing Field Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4123
Sponsor: Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7]
Introduced: 2012-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Census and government statistics
Contracts and agency
Department of the Treasury
Employment taxes
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: 
Fair Playing Field Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the classification of workers for employment tax purposes, to: (1) repeal the prohibition against issuance of regulations and guidance by the Secretary of the Treasury on workers' employment tax status (i.e., as an employee or as an independent contractor) enacted by the Revenue Act of 1978; (2) direct the Secretary to issue regulations and other guidance to clarify the proper employment status of workers for employment tax purposes; (3) prohibit a retroactive assessment of employment tax, except with respect to certain skilled workers, for tax periods after December 31, 1978, and before a specified reclassification date for worker misclassifications, unless the taxpayer had no reasonable basis for not treating a worker as an employee; (4) require taxpayers who hire independent contractors on a regular and ongoing basis to provide such contractors with notice of their federal tax obligations, the labor and employment law protections that do not apply to them, and their right to seek a status determination from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); and (5) eliminate reduced penalty provisions for failure to withhold income taxes for taxpayers who lack a reasonable basis for treating a worker as other than an employee (i.e., as an independent contractor). 
 
Provides that for purposes of determining whether a registered representative of a securities broker-dealer is an employee for employment tax purposes, no weight shall be given to instructions from a service recipient which are imposed only in compliance with investor protection standards. Makes this rule applicable to services performed by a broker-dealer after December 31, 1997.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4124
Sponsor: Rep. Kinzinger, Adam [R-IL-11]
Introduced: 2012-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Licensing and registrations
Medical education
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: 
Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a program consisting of awarding demonstration grants to states that demonstrate a shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to streamline state requirements and procedures in order to assist veterans who completed military EMT training while serving in the Armed Forces to meet state EMT certification, licensure, and other requirements.
 

action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2012 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a program consisting of awarding demonstration grants to states that demonstrate a shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to streamline state requirements and procedures in order to assist veterans who completed military EMT training while serving in the Armed Forces to meet state EMT certification, licensure, and other requirements.
 
Requires $1 million of the amount authorized to carry out the area health education center program to be authorized to carry out this Act for FY2013-FY2017.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6142)
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6142)
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4124.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6142-6144)
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Mr. Pitts moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) .
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2012-03-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
Voter ID Accessibility Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4126
Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Introduced: 2012-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: 
Voter ID Accessibility Act of 2012 - Amends the Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require states that have in effect a photo identification requirement as a condition for voting in a federal election to provide individuals who do not have a government-issued photo identification with such an identification, without charge, upon request.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Elections.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-03-01
text: Introduced in House