hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1528
Sponsor: Sen. Johanns, Mike [R-NE]
Introduced: 2011-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural conservation and pollution
Air quality
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: 
Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 - Amends the Clean Air Act (CAA) to exempt nuisance dust from the CAA and excludes nuisance dust from references in the CAA to particulate matter, except with respect to geographic areas where such dust is not regulated under state, tribal, or local law to the extent the Administrator finds that: (1) nuisance dust (or any subcategory of nuisance dust) causes substantial adverse public health and welfare effects at ambient concentrations; and (2) the benefits of applying CAA standards and other requirements to such dust outweigh the costs. Defines "nuisance dust" as particulate matter: (1) generated from natural sources, unpaved roads, agricultural activities, earth moving, or other activities typically conducted in rural areas; or (2) consisting primarily of soil, other natural or biological materials, windblown dust, or some combination of such materials.
 
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from proposing, finalizing, implementing, or enforcing any regulation revising the national primary ambient air quality standard or the national secondary ambient air quality standard applicable to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter greater than 2.5 micrometers under the CAA for one year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5460-5461)
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Closing Regulatory Loopholes Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1530
Sponsor: Sen. Johanns, Mike [R-NE]
Introduced: 2011-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Government information and archives
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: 
Closing Regulatory Loopholes Act of 2011 - Requires federal agency guidance documents and major guidance documents to be submitted for congressional review prior to implementation. Defines: (1) "guidance document" as an agency statement of general applicability and future effect that sets forth a policy on a statutory, regulatory, or technical issue or an interpretation of a statutory or regulatory issue; and (2) "major guidance document" as a guidance document that has resulted in or is likely to result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, a major increase in costs or prices, or a significant adverse effect on competition, employment, investment, productivity, or innovation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5460-5461)
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Two-Year Regulatory Freeze Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1531
Sponsor: Sen. Johanns, Mike [R-NE]
Introduced: 2011-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: 
Two-Year Regulatory Freeze Act of 2011 - Prohibits any federal department or agency from publishing new rules or regualtions, or finalizing or otherwise enforcing or giving lawful effect to draft rules or regulations, until January 31, 2013. Exempts a rule which involves U.S. military or foreign affairs functions or matters relating to agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts, or for which notice of proposed rulemaking is not otherwise required.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5460-5461)
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Job Creation and Economic Growth Act

Bill: 112-s-1532
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2011-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional committees
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Employment and training programs
Legislative rules and procedure
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: 
Job Creation and Economic Growth Act - Amends the Budget Control Act of 2011 to redesignate the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, Job Creation, and Economic Growth.
 
Adds as a goal of the joint committee spurring economic growth and restoring the nation's workforce to full employment over the period of FY2012 and FY2013. Revises the duties of the joint committee to require it to make recommendations that will significantly improve U.S. short-term and long-term employment levels and spur economic growth.
 
Requires the joint committee, by November 23, 2011, to vote on: (1) a report containing joint committee findings, conclusions, and recommendations with respect to economic growth and job creation and Congressional Budget Office (CBO) costs estimates of proposed job creation legislation; and (2) proposed legislative language to carry out such recommendations.
 
Prescribes procedures for expedited congressional consideration of proposed joint committee job creation legislative language.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Job Creation and Economic Growth Act

Bill: 112-s-1533
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2011-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional committees
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Employment and training programs
Legislative rules and procedure
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: 
Job Creation and Economic Growth Act - Amends the Budget Control Act of 2011 to redesignate the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, Job Creation, and Economic Growth.
 
Adds as a goal of the joint committee spurring economic growth and restoring the nation's workforce to full employment over the period of FY2012 and FY2013. Revises the duties of the joint committee to require it to make recommendations that will significantly improve U.S. short-term and long-term employment levels and spur economic growth.
 
Requires the joint committee, by November 23, 2011, to vote on proposed legislative language to carry out joint committee recommendations with respect to job creation measures, including a statement of job creation achieved by such legislation.
 
Increases the number of members of the joint committee from 12 to 16.
 
Directs the joint committee to appoint some of its members to a special subcommittee to make recommendations on measures to spur economic growth and restore the nation's workforce to full employment over the period of FY2012 and FY2013.
 
Prescribes procedures for expedited congressional consideration of proposed joint committee job creation legislative language.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Identify Theft and Tax Fraud Prevention Act

Bill: 112-s-1534
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2011-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Appropriations
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Consumer credit
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Crime prevention
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of the Treasury
Executive agency funding and structure
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Freedom of information
Government information and archives
Intergovernmental relations
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Right of privacy
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: 
Identify [
sic
] Theft and Tax Fraud Prevention Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a fine and/or prison term on any person who knowingly or willfully misappropriates another person's tax identification number in connection with any list, return, account, statement, or other document submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); (2) increase the civil and criminal penalties for improper disclosure or use of taxpayer information by tax return preparers; (3) require the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to submit to the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Ways and Means an annual report on the number of reported cases of tax fraud and suspected tax fraud and the actions taken in response to such reports; and (4) require the head of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to submit to Congress a detailed plan on how it will use tax information provided by the IRS to reduce prison tax fraud. 
 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) implement an identity theft tax fraud prevention program; and (2) review whether current federal tax law prevents the effective enforcement of local, state, and federal identity theft statutes.
 
Authorizes the Commissioner to transfer appropriated funds to be used solely to prevent and resolve potential tax fraud cases. 
 
Directs the Commissioner to establish in the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS the position of Local Law Enforcement Liaison to coordinate the investigation of tax fraud with state and local law enforcement agencies and communicate the status of tax fraud cases involving identity theft.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to study and report on the role of prepaid debit cards and commercial tax preparation software in facilitating fraudulent tax returns through identity theft.
 
Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from disclosing information contained on the Death Master File relating to a deceased individual to persons who are not certified to access such information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5462)
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5461-5462)
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
NOTICE Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1536
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2011-09-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Consumer affairs
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Government information and archives
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-09
text: 
Notification of Origin of Telecommunications and Internet Consumer Exchanges Act of 2011 or the NOTICE Act of 2011 - Requires a business entity that initiates or receives a customer service communication to require each of its employees or agents participating in the communication to disclose their physical location at the beginning of each such communication unless all involved employees or agents are located in the United States. Exempts any communication: (1) initiated by a consumer if the consumer knows or reasonably should know that the employee or agent is located outside the United States; or (2) related to the provision of emergency services. 
 
Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to exclude certain classes or types of business entities or customer services communications from the requirements of this Act for exceptionally compelling circumstances that justify such exclusions. 
Sets forth enforcement provisions.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2011-09-09
text: Introduced in Senate
National September 11 Memorial and Museum Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1537
Sponsor: Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2011-09-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land transfers
Monuments and memorials
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
New York City
Pennsylvania
Terrorism
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-09
text: 
National September 11 Memorial and Museum Act of 2011- Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to accept from the Board of Directors of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center Foundation, Inc., the donation of title to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center in New York City, New York. 
 
Requires approval of the donation by the governor of New York, the governor of New Jersey, and the mayor of New York City. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide technical and financial assistance to the Board that is related to the operation of the Memorial; and (2) consult with and seek technical assistance from the Secretaries of Defense (DOD), Education, Homeland Security (DHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Administrator of General Services (GSA) in providing such technical and financial assistance to the Board. 


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: 2011-09-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5477-5478)
action_date: 2011-09-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5477-5478)
action_date: 2011-09-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Regulatory Time-Out Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1538
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2011-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Environmental regulatory procedures
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: 
Regulatory Time-Out Act of 2011 - Suspends the effective date of certain covered regulations for one-year beginning on the enactment of this Act. Defines a "covered regulation" as a final regulation that did not take effect before September 1, 2011, that increases costs on businesses in a manner that will have an adverse effect on job creation, job retention, productivity, competitiveness, or the efficient functioning of the economy, and that is likely to: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) adversely affect in a material way the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities; (3) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action by another agency; (4) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients; or (5) raise novel legal or policy issues.
 
Allows agency heads to exempt covered regulations that: (1) are necessary due to an imminent threat to human health or safety or any other emergency; (2) are necessary to enforce criminal laws, (3) foster private sector job creation; (4) encourage economic growth; (5) reduce regulatory burdens; (6) pertain to a military or foreign affairs function; or (7) are limited to interpreting, implementing, or administering the Internal Revenue Code.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5500-5503)
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Taiwan Airpower Modernization Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1539
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2011-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
China
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Taiwan

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: 
Taiwan Air Power Modernization Act of 2011 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a critical element to maintaining peace and stability in Asia in the face of China's military expansion is ensuring a militarily strong Taiwan, (2) the United States has a statutory obligation under the Taiwan Relations Act to help Taiwan maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities, and (3) the proposed fighter aircraft sale to Taiwan would have significant economic benefits to the U.S. economy. 
 
Directs the President to carry out the sale of no fewer than 66 F-16C/D multirole fighter aircraft to Taiwan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Help Veterans Own Franchises Act

Bill: 112-s-1540
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2011-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Government information and archives
Income tax credits
Retail and wholesale trades
Small business
User charges and fees
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: 
Help Veterans Own Franchises Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit of up to $100,000 for 25% of the franchise fees paid or incurred by a veteran for the purchase of a franchise.
 
Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide information about the tax credit allowed by this Act to veterans service organizations and veteran advocacy groups.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Retirement Equity for Pentagon Police Heroes Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1543
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2011-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Department of Defense
Employee benefits and pensions
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Law enforcement officers
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: 
Retirement Equity for Pentagon Police Heroes Act of 2011 - Makes provisions of the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) relating to retirement contributions, annuity computations, and mandatory separation applicable to Pentagon Force Protection Agency officers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5503-5504)
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5503)
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1544
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2011-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business investment and capital
Business records
Congressional oversight
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Small business
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: 
Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to exempt from its regulation a class of securities for which the aggregate offering amount of all securities offered and sold within the prior 12-month period in reliance on such exemption is between $5 million and $50 million, subject to specified terms and conditions.
 
Limits such an exemption to equity securities, debt securities, and debt securities convertible or exchangeable to equity interests, including any guarantees of such securities.
 
Authorizes the SEC to: (1) require an issuer of such exempted class of securities to make periodic disclosures available to investors regarding the issuer, its business operations, its financial condition, and its use of investor funds; and (2) provide for the suspension and termination of such a requirement with respect to that issuer.
 
Requires the SEC to: (1) review and increase biennially such offering amount limitation, as appropriate; and (2) report to certain congressional committees on its reasons for not increasing the amount if it determines not to do so.
 
Treats as a covered security with respect to a transaction exempt from registration requirements pursuant to a rule or regulation adopted under this Act any such security offered or sold: (1) on a national securities exchange, or (2) to a qualified purchaser.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to study the impact of state laws regulating securities offerings (Blue Sky laws) on offerings made under Regulation A (which specifies the terms and conditions of exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-06
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-482.
action_date: 2011-12-01
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-444.
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate Taiwan as a visa waiver program country under section 217(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Bill: 112-s-1545
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2011-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Asia
Taiwan
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-13
text: 
Deems Taiwan to be a designated visa waiver program country under the Immigration and Nationality Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate
National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-1548
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD]
Introduced: 2011-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Floods and storm protection

Summary:
action_date: 2011-09-13
text: 
National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2011 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the National Flood Insurance Program from September 30, 2010, through December 31, 2011.
 
Continues through December 31, 2011, the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with the President's approval, to issue up to $20.725 billion in notes and obligations to finance the Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2011-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate