hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Rural County Mandate Relief Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2442
Sponsor: Rep. Cravaack, Chip [R-MN-8]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Transportation
Intergovernmental relations
Roads and highways
State and local government operations
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
Rural County Mandate Relief Act of 2011 - Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) from issuing, implementing, or enforcing a minimum retroreflectivity level standard for a traffic control device under the jurisdiction of a state or local government.
 
Directs the Secretary to modify the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 2009 Edition, to eliminate federal minimum retroreflectivity level standards for traffic control devices and the schedule for their implementation. (Replacement of regulatory, warning, and post-mounted guide [except street name] signs is required by January 22, 2015. Replacement of street name signs and overhead guide signs is required by January 22, 2018.) 
 
Repeals the requirement that the Secretary revise the Manual to include a federal standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity for pavement markings and signs on all public roads.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
Tax Credit to Hire Veterans Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2443
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, Jeff [R-FL-1]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
Tax Credit to Hire Veterans Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow through 2014 an increase in the amount of depreciable business assets that an eligible small business can expense (i.e., deduct in the same taxable year) if such business employs certain unemployed veterans. Defines &quot;eligible small business&quot; to mean a business entity whose gross receipts in the preceding taxable year did not exceed $5 million or that did not employ more than 500 full time employees. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
Department of the Interior Tribal Self-Governance Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2444
Sponsor: Rep. Boren, Dan [D-OK-2]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Department of the Interior
Evidence and witnesses
Federal-Indian relations
Indian claims
Indian lands and resources rights
Indian social and development programs
Judicial procedure and administration
Judicial review and appeals
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
Department of the Interior Tribal Self-Governance Act of 2011 - Amends the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to revise tribal self-governance requirements. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the Office of Self-Governance, to select up to 50 new Indian tribes per year from those eligible to participate in self-governance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-22
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2011-07-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee Indian and Alaska Native Affairs.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
To establish the St. Croix National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-2448
Sponsor: Del. Christensen, Donna M. [D-VI-At Large]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Caribbean area
Historic sites and heritage areas
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
Establishes the St. Croix National Heritage Area in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
 
Designates St. Croix United for Community, Culture, Environment, and Economic Development (SUCCEED) Inc., as the local coordinating entity for the Area.
 
Requires SUCCEED Inc. to submit a management plan that provides for the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the natural, cultural, historic, scenic, and recreational resources of the Area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
Fresh Start Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2449
Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Government information and archives
Intergovernmental relations
Law enforcement administration and funding
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
Fresh Start Act of 2011 - Amends the federal criminal code to allow an individual convicted of a nonviolent criminal offense to file a petition for expungement of the record of such conviction. Allows expungement if such individual: (1) has never been convicted of any criminal offense other than the nonviolent offenses committed in a single criminal episode that includes the offense for which expungement is sought; (2) has fulfilled all requirements of the sentence of the court, including payment of all fines, restitution, or assessments and completion of terms of imprisonment and probation; and (3) has remained free (if required by the court's sentence) from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance for at least one year.
 
Requires the Attorney General to maintain an unaltered nonpublic copy of expunged criminal records, to be disclosed for limited purposes to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies.
 
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase by 5% grant funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to states that implement expungement procedures substantially similar to the procedures enacted by this Act. Decreases such grant funding by 5% for states that fail to adopt expungement procedures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-08-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
To suspend temporarily the duty on certain high-intensity sweetener.

Bill: 112-hr-2450
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on certain high-intensity sweetener.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
Glass-Steagall Restoration Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2451
Sponsor: Rep. Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Financial services and investments
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
 Glass-Steagall Restoration Act of 2011 - Amends the Banking Act of 1933 (Glass-Steagall Act) to prohibit a member bank from being affiliated with specified organizations engaged principally in the issue, flotation, underwriting, public sale, or distribution of stocks, bonds, debenture, notes, or other securities.
 
Prohibits the staff and personnel of corporations and partnerships (as well as any individual) primarily engaged in the issue, flotation, underwriting, public sale, or distribution, of stocks, bonds, or other similar securities from serving simultaneously as an officer, director, or employee of any member bank. 
 
Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to grant an exception in limited classes of cases when in the Board's judgment it would not unduly influence the investment policies of such member bank or the advice it gives its customers regarding investments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
Hudson River Valley Special Resource Study Act

Bill: 112-hr-2452
Sponsor: Rep. Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Economic development
Government studies and investigations
Historical and cultural resources
Lakes and rivers
New York State
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Travel and tourism
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
Hudson River Valley Special Resource Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to commence a study of the Hudson River Valley in the state of New York to evaluate: (1) the national significance of the counties in New York that abut the Hudson River that flows from Rogers Island at Fort Edward to the southernmost boundary of Westchester County, New York (the study area); and (2) the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
Child Tax Credit Equality for Puerto Rico Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2454
Sponsor: Resident Commissioner Pierluisi, Pedro R. [D-PR-At Large]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Caribbean area
Child care and development
Income tax credits
Puerto Rico
Tax treatment of families
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
Child Tax Credit Equality for Puerto Rico Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make residents of Puerto Rico with less than three children eligible for the refundable portion of the child tax credit. Requires a phase-in of the full credit amount between 2011 and 2015.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
Humanitarian Aid for Americans Act

Bill: 112-hr-2455
Sponsor: Rep. Richmond, Cedric L. [D-LA-2]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget deficits and national debt
Disaster relief and insurance
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
Humanitarian Aid for Americans Act - Prohibits any appropriation during calendar year 2011 or 2012 for disaster assistance from being: (1) counted for any budgetary purpose of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 or of any rule of either chamber, or (2) required to be accompanied by any budgetary offset.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
Fort Monroe National Historical Park Establishment Act

Bill: 112-hr-2456
Sponsor: Rep. Rigell, E. Scott [R-VA-2]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Historic sites and heritage areas
Land transfers
Military history
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
Fort Monroe National Historical Park Establishment Act - Establishes the Fort Monroe National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park System in Virginia. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other party under which the Secretary may identify, interpret, and provide assistance for the preservation of non-federal properties within the boundary of the Park and the historic area. 
 
Encourages the Secretary to explore the feasibility of a partnership agreement with the Fort Monroe Foundation to benefit the preservation and interpretation of resources within the Park. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance and public interpretation of natural, historic, and cultural resources within the historic area, as well as at any sites in close proximity to the Park outside of such area that are related to events or persons associated with Fort Monroe, including encampments and cemeteries of formerly enslaved persons freed at Fort Monroe during the Civil War. 
 
 Allows the Secretary to provide for the coordination of interpretation between the Park and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail for any resources within the Park that may relate to the Trail. 
 
Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to enter into an interagency agreement for the long-term protection and public interpretation of the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse. 
 
Requires the Secretary to complete a management plan for the Park. 
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
Palestinian Accountability Act

Bill: 112-hr-2457
Sponsor: Rep. Walsh, Joe [R-IL-8]
Introduced: 2011-07-07 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Arab-Israeli relations
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Foreign aid and international relief
Gaza Strip
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Israel
Middle East
Palestinians
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Terrorism
Trade restrictions
United Nations
West Bank

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: 
Palestinian Accountability Act - Prohibits any U.S. government document from referring to the areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA) as Palestine until the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that the PA: (1) does not inappropriately influence elections in PA-contolled areas; (2) is promoting human rights and ending government corruption; (3) has taken steps to dismantle terrorist infrastructures and arrest terrorists, control Palestinian security organizations, and end the incitement to violence and hatred in the Palestinian media, educational institutions, and mosques; (4) has ceased to participate in any boycott of Israel; (5) works with Israel to implement the Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict of 2003 (the Roadmap to Peace); (6) recognizes Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state; and (7) has excluded Hamas from participating in a unity government or has required Hamas to publicly support such requirements.
 
Prohibits certain Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 funds from being made available to the PA unless: (1) a U.S. nongovernmental or private entity audits the PA budget and the Secretary submits the audit to Congress, and (2) the Secretary certifies to Congress that the PA meets specified requirements.
 
Prohibits funds from being obligated or expended for U.S. contributions to the United Nations (U.N.) if the U.N. or any U.N. entity recognizes statehood for the Palestinian territories unless the Secretary certifies to Congress that the PA meets specified requirements.
 
Prohibits funds from from being obligated or expended for U.S. contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) unless: (1) a U.S. nongovernmental or private entity audits the UNRWA budget and the Secretary submits the audit to Congress, and (2) the Secretary certifies to Congress that UNRWA meets specified requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia .
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Introduced in House
ARID Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2458
Sponsor: Rep. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ-6]
Introduced: 2011-07-08 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: 
Air Quality Review Interval and Dust Act of 2011 or the ARID Act of 2011 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review at 10-year intervals (currently, five-year intervals) criteria and standards for national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards.
 
Prohibits the Administrator from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing such standards applicable to coarse particulate matter (PM10) prior to December 18, 2016.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: Introduced in House
Safe Roads Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2459
Sponsor: Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1]
Introduced: 2011-07-08 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Motor carriers
Personnel records
Roads and highways
Transportation safety and security
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: 
Safe Roads Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish a national clearinghouse for verified positive alcohol and controlled substance test results and test refusals as well as violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) alcohol and controlled substances regulations of commercial motor vehicle operators. Prohibits the release of clearinghouse information to a commercial motor carrier employer unless there has been compliance with all applicable federal privacy laws and regulations.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to collect fees from such employers and other authorized users for informational requests.
 
Prohibits an employer from hiring an individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle unless the employer has determined that the individual, for the preceding three-year period, has: (1) been tested for use of alcohol and controlled substances; (2) not tested positive for their use, or tested positive but has completed the return-to-duty process; (3) not refused to be tested; and (4) not violated FMCSA alcohol and controlled substances regulations.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a process: (1) to require employers to request and review any clearinghouse records of individuals before their employment as a commercial motor vehicle operator and for each year thereafter as long as the individual is so employed; and (2) for an individual and a state licensing authority to request and receive information from the clearinghouse.
 
Subjects persons who violate the requirements of this Act to both civil and criminal penalties.
 
Requires the Secretary to take certain actions to enhance DOT oversight of testing sites.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: Introduced in House
Creating and Restoring U.S. Investment and Stimulating Employment Act

Bill: 112-hr-2460
Sponsor: Rep. Farenthold, Blake [R-TX-27]
Introduced: 2011-07-08 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Free trade and trade barriers
Marine and inland water transportation
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: 
Creating and Restoring U.S. Investment and Stimulating Employment Act - Exempts from certain provisions limiting the transportation of passengers by a passenger vessel between U.S. coastwise trading ports or places those voyages: (1) that are over 24 hours in duration, (2) that are at least partly on the high seas, and (3) in which passengers embark or disembark in the United States (including any U.S. commonwealth or territory).
 
Excludes from the existing definition of &quot;passenger vessel&quot;: (1) public vessels, (2) vessels owned or operated by a state or local government, or (3) vessels used on a regular schedule to provide transportation only between particular places and to transport only passengers or vehicles or railroad cars used in transporting passengers or goods.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-08
text: Introduced in House