hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
National Guard, Reserve, `Gray Area' Retiree, and Surviving Spouses Space-available Travel Equity Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-542
Sponsor: Sen. Begich, Mark [D-AK]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
National Guard, Reserve, &quot;Gray Area&quot; Retiree, and Surviving Spouses Space-available Travel Equity Act of 2011 - Authorizes space-available travel on military aircraft, on the same basis as active-duty members, for members of the reserves.
 
Authorizes such travel, on the same basis as members entitled to retired pay, for: (1) a member or former member of the reserves who is entitled to retired pay but for attaining the required age (generally, 60); and (2) unremarried widows and widowers of retired members entitled to retired pay or of members who died in the line of duty or as the result of a line-of-duty condition.
 
Authorizes such travel for certain dependents of such members, if accompanying the member. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1549-1550)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1549)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-543
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Sales and excise taxes
State and local taxation
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011- Prohibits states or local governments from imposing any new discriminatory tax on mobile services, mobile service providers, or mobile service property (i.e., cell phones) for five years after the enactment of this Act. Defines &quot;new discriminatory tax&quot; as a tax imposed on mobile services, providers, or property that is not generally imposed on other types of services or property, or that is generally imposed at a lower rate, unless such tax was imposed and actually enforced prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
 
.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1550)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act

Bill: 112-s-544
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: California
Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Military history
Military personnel and dependents
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Racial and ethnic relations
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study alternatives for the commemoration and interpretation of the role of the Buffalo Soldiers (African-American troops who, in the late 19th century and early 20th century, came to be known as the Buffalo Soldiers) in the early years of the National Parks, which shall include an evaluation of the suitability and feasibility of establishing a national historic trail commemorating the route traveled by the Buffalo Soldiers from their post in the Presidio in San Francisco to the Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks and to any other National Parks where they may have served. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-224.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1550-1551)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1550)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to strengthen the quality control measures in place for part B lung disease claims and part E processes with independent reviews.

Bill: 112-s-545
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Department of Energy
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government liability
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health information and medical records
Nuclear weapons
Public contracts and procurement
Radioactive wastes and releases
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
 Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to require the President to establish an Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health.
 
Requires the Board to provide advice to the President on the review and approval of the Department of Labor site exposure matrix (SEM) used to determine the eligibility of Department of Energy (DOE) employee contractor claims for compensation for lung disease resulting from exposure to toxic substances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Annual National Classified School Employee of the Year Award Act

Bill: 112-s-547
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Higher education
Preschool education
School administration
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Annual National Classified School Employee of the Year Award Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award National Classified School Employee of the Year Awards to classified public school employees within certain occupational specialties who provide exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through higher education.
 
Requires the Secretary to choose an awardee each year, out of nominations received from each state, from one of the following occupational specialties: (1) paraprofessional services, (2) clerical and administrative services, (3) transportation services, (4) food and nutrition services, (5) custodial and maintenance services, (6) security services, (7) health and student services, (8) technical services, and (9) skilled trades.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Effective Interrogation of Unprivileged Enemy Belligerents Act

Bill: 112-s-548
Sponsor: Sen. Chambliss, Saxby [R-GA]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Detention of persons
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Effective Interrogation of Unprivileged Enemy Belligerents Act - Amends the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 to require the Secretary of Defense (DOD), the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), and the Attorney General to jointly submit to Congress procedures for the interrogation of unprivileged enemy belligerents who are suspected of possessing significant information and who are under the control and custody of the United States or a foreign government, entity, or law enforcement or intelligence agency that is providing access to the United States for the purpose of interrogation. Requires such procedures to include the creation of an entity composed of representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and any other appropriate element of the intelligence community or DOD, which shall have primary responsibility for the interrogation of such belligerents. Requires the Secretary, upon conclusion of an interrogation, to determine the individual's status and disposition.
 
Requires the DNI to notify the congressional intelligence committees semiannually of the identities of any unprivileged enemy belligerents who have been interrogated or determined to meet the requirements for interrogation.
 
Directs the Secretary to notify Congress: (1) within 60 days after any modifications to the interrogation procedures, and (2) within ten days after the authorization of an exception to such procedures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Casting Light on EAJA Agency Records for Oversight Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-549
Sponsor: Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Government liability
Legal fees and court costs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Casting Light on EAJA Agency Records for Oversight Act of 2011 - Directs the Attorney General (DOJ) to issue an annual online report to Congress and the public on the amount of attorney fees and other expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to the law commonly known as the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA).
 
Directs the Comptroller General to commence an audit of the EAJA for 1995 through the end of the calendar year in which this Act is enacted, and report to Congress on the audit results. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Emergency Deficit Reduction Act

Bill: 112-s-552
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Income tax rates
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Emergency Deficit Reduction Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose an additional 5.4% tax on individual taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million ($2 million in the case of a joint return); (2) repeal the amortization of intangible and drilling and development costs for oil, gas, and geothermal wells; (3) repeal the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas wells; and (4) deny a tax deduction for income attributable to the domestic production of oil, natural gas, or primary products thereof.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1555-1557)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the use of Department of Justice funds for the prosecution in Article III courts of the United States of individuals involved in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Bill: 112-s-554
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Appropriations
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Jurisdiction and venue
Military law
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Prohibits any funds appropriated or made available to the Department of Justice (DOJ) from being used to commence or continue a prosecution in an Article III court of any individual suspected of involvement in the attacks on the United States and its citizens on September 11, 2001, who is not a citizen of the United States and is subject to the jurisdiction of a military commission.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-555
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Civil actions and liability
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government liability
Legal fees and court costs
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2011 - Prohibits public school students from being excluded from participating in, or subject to discrimination under, any federally-assisted educational program on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or that of their associates.
 
Considers harassment to be a form of discrimination.
 
Prohibits retaliation against anyone for opposing conduct they reasonably believe to be unlawful under this Act.
 
Authorizes federal departments and agencies to enforce these prohibitions by cutting off the educational assistance of recipients found to be violating them.
 
Allows an aggrieved individual to assert a violation of this Act in a judicial proceeding and recover reasonable attorney's fees should they prevail.
 
Deems a state's receipt of federal educational assistance for a program to constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity for conduct prohibited under this Act regarding such program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1558-1559)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1557-1558)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-s-556
Sponsor: Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding registration of securities to modify the registration threshold for an issuer that is either a bank or a bank holding company as well as for an issuer that is neither a bank nor a bank holding company. 
Raises from $1 million to $10 million the threshold for total assets of an issuer that requires registration of a certain class of equity security. Divides the holding threshold that requires registration of such a class of equity security, however, into: (1) 2,000 holders of record if the issuer is a bank or a bank holding company, and (2) 500 holders of record if the issuer is neither. 
Requires termination of a security registration in the case of a bank or a bank holding company if the the number of holders of record of the class of security is reduced to less than 1,200. 
Directs the Chief Economist and the Director of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to study and make a cost-benefit analysis of shareholder registration thresholds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-557
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax exclusion
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the tax exclusion of distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) for charitable purposes to: (1) make such exclusion permanent; (2) eliminate the $100,000 cap on such exclusion; (3) permit tax-free distributions from IRAs to a split-interest entity (i.e., a charitable remainder annuity or unitrust, a pooled income fund, and a charitable gift annuity); and (4) allow distributions to a split-interest entity to be made when the account beneficiary attains age 59-1/2 (otherwise, age 70-1/2 for IRA distributions to a charitable organization).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-558
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Military operations and strategy

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2011 - Places specified restrictions on the use of cluster munitions.
 
Directs the President, within 90 days after the use of such munitions, to submit to the congressional defense, appropriations, and foreign relations committees a plan for cleaning up any such munitions or submunitions which fail to explode and continue to pose a hazard to civilians.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1561)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1559-1560)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-560
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Health and Human Services
Medicare
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2011 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) establishment of one or more Medicare operated prescription drug plan options; and (2) an appeals process for denials of benefits under a Medicare operated prescription drug plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1561-1563)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1561)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Ashley Ross Fuller.

Bill: 112-s-561
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Provides for the relief of Ashley Ross Fuller.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
National Metro Safety Act

Bill: 112-s-562
Sponsor: Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Transportation
Public transit
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
National Metro Safety Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation, notwithstanding certain prohibitions, to: (1) develop, implement, and enforce national safety standards for transit agencies operating heavy rail on fixed guideways; and (2) require such standards to include National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regarding crashworthiness, emergency access and egress, event recorders, and hours of service.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-14
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1596-1597)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Equal Access to COBRA Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-563
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Marriage and family status
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Equal Access to COBRA Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and Public Health Service Act to expand COBRA coverage (health insurance continuation benefits) to include an employee's domestic partner and any dependent child of the domestic partner.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act

Bill: 112-s-564
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees
Historic sites and heritage areas
Land transfers
New Mexico
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act - Designates the Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico as a unit of the National Park System for the protection, preservation, and restoration of the fish, wildlife, watershed, natural, scientific, scenic, geologic, historic, cultural, archaeological, and recreational values of the area. 
 
Requires the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) to: (1) prepare a management plan for the Preserve; (2) establish a new science and education program for the Preserve; (3) undertake activities for improving the health of forest, grassland, and riparian areas within the Preserve; and (4) study the feasibility of establishing a hiking trail along the rim of the Valles Caldera. 
 
Authorizes the establishment of a science and education center outside of the Preserve.
 
 Transfers administrative jurisdiction over the Preserve from the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) and the Valles Caldera Trust to the Secretary. Modifies the boundaries of Santa Fe National Forest to exclude the Preserve. 
 
Terminates the Valles Caldera Trust.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-05-11
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 112-124.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1563-1565)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1563)
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
StartUp Visa Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-565
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2011-03-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Congressional oversight
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
U.S. and foreign investments
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-14
text: 
StartUp Visa Act of 2011 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an employment-based, conditional immigrant visa (StartUp visa) for a sponsored alien entrepreneur: (1) with required amounts of financial backing from a qualifying investor, government entity, or venture capitalist; and (2) whose commercial activities will generate required levels of employment, revenue, or capital investment.
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to terminate the status of a sponsored entrepreneur (and the alien spouse and children of such entrepreneur) if not later than three years after the date on which such permanent resident status was conferred: (1) the sponsoring venture capitalist or investor fails to meet investment requirements; or (2) the entrepreneur fails to meet job creation, capital investment, or revenue requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-03-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-03-14
text: Introduced in Senate