hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6432
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21]
Introduced: 2012-09-19 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Intellectual property
International law and treaties
Product development and innovation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012 - Amends federal patent law to implement the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs and the Patent Law Treaty. (Both treaties were ratified by the Senate on December 7, 2007.) 
 
Allows any person who is a U.S. national, or has a domicile, habitual residence, or real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in the United States, to file an international design application for international registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (thereby enabling U.S. applicants to file a single application with USPTO instead of separate applications in multiple countries).
 
 Directs the USPTO to transmit international fees and forward international design applications to the international intergovernmental coordinating body. 
 
Requires an international design application on an industrial design made in the United States to constitute the filing of an application in a foreign country if such application is filed: (1) in a country other than the United States, (2) at the international intergovernmental coordinating body recognized under the Hague Agreement, or (3) with an intergovernmental organization. 
 
Sets forth the priorities of national and prior foreign and national applications. 
 
Standardizes application procedures to be consistent with other member countries. 
 
Extends the term for design patents from 14 to 15 years from the date of grant. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
Broadening Opportunities Through Education Act

Bill: 112-hr-6434
Sponsor: Rep. Edwards, Donna F. [D-MD-4]
Introduced: 2012-09-19 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
Broadening Opportunities Through Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to states that make school attendance compulsory through age 17.
 
Requires states to use their grant to improve their secondary school programs, such as by: 
 
 
 establishing or expanding work-based programs that integrate academic and career-based skills; 
 
 implementing an early warning system that helps high schools and their feeder middle schools identify and assist struggling students; 
 
 establishing grade and school transition programs and supports; 
 
personalizing the school experience and increasing student engagement through service-learning and experiential, work-based, and other learning opportunities; 
 
 providing extended-learning opportunities by the school day, week, or year; and 
 
 increasing student supports through activities such as student advisories, counseling, and one-to-one mentoring.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
Medicare Secondary Payer and Late Enrollment Penalty Family Fairness Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6435
Sponsor: Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]
Introduced: 2012-09-19 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Family relationships
Health care costs and insurance
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
Medicare Secondary Payer and Late Enrollment Penalty Family Fairness Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to apply the eligibility requirements of Medicare special enrollment periods, secondary payer rules, and late enrollment penalties in a way to take into consideration the current employment status of all family members of an employee (currently, only the employment status of the employee or of the employee's spouse).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2012-09-19
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: 2012-09-19
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: 2012-09-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1560)
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
Foreign Prison Conditions Improvement Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6436
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2012-09-19 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Department of State
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Foreign aid and international relief
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Human rights
Sanctions

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
Foreign Prison Conditions Improvement Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to Congress for 5 years describing prison and detention facility conditions in at least 30 countries receiving U.S. assistance or under U.S. sanction selected as a result of the Secretary's determination that such conditions raise the most serious human rights or humanitarian concerns.
 
Urges the Secretary and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide assistance to eliminate inhumane conditions in prisons and other detention facilities. Prohibits such funds from being used to construct new prisons. 
 
Directs the Secretary to enter into negotiations to achieve the purposes of this Act with a government listed in the report as not making significant compliance efforts. Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator to restructure or reduce U.S. assistance to such government in order to achieve such purposes. 
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish within the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor a full-time equivalent Deputy Assistant Secretary level position to advance the purposes of this Act; and (2) provide training for Foreign Service officers in assessing foreign prison and detention facility conditions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act

Bill: 112-hr-6437
Sponsor: Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2]
Introduced: 2012-09-19 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Corporate finance and management
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships as corporations, to expand the definition of "qualifying income" for such partnerships to include income and gains from renewable and alternative fuels (in addition to fossil fuels), including renewable energy facilities used in the production of electricity, biodiesel, alcohol used as fuels, and renewable fuels used to reduce or replace fossil fuels present in transportation fuels.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
Member Pay Reduction and Responsibility Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6438
Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Charles F. [R-NH-2]
Introduced: 2012-09-19 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget deficits and national debt
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Members of Congress
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
Member Pay Reduction and Responsibility Act of 2012 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to require that, if any sequestration under it takes effect for FY2013, the presidential order implementing the sequestration reduce the pay of the President, the Vice President, and Members of Congress by a percentage equal to the greater of 8.2% or the percentage by which accounts within the non-exempt, non-security category are reduced under the order.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
Keep the Forest in the Family Estate Tax Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6439
Sponsor: Rep. Black, Diane [R-TN-6]
Introduced: 2012-09-19 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Forests, forestry, trees
Inflation and prices
Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
Keep the Forest in the Family Estate Tax Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide an exemption from the additional estate tax for the disposition or severance of standing timber on a qualified woodland for timber that is harvested consistent with a written forest management plan or under professional guidance, and (2) increase from $750,000 to $5 million the limitation on the reduction in the fair market value of real property used for farming or in another trade or business for estate tax purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
To designate the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor as "The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor".

Bill: 112-hr-6440
Sponsor: Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
Introduced: 2012-09-19 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Connecticut
Historic sites and heritage areas
Massachusetts
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
Renames the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor in Connecticut and Massachusetts as the Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6441
Sponsor: Rep. Grimm, Michael G. [R-NY-13]
Introduced: 2012-09-19 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax-exempt organizations
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2012 - Reauthorizes and revises the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to appoint 28 directors (currently, 23) that are knowledgeable and experienced in matters relating to conservation of fish, wildlife, or other natural resources and represent a balance of expertise in ocean, coastal, freshwater, and terrestrial resource conservation. Removes limitations on the appointment of such Foundation's officers and employees. Requires the Foundation's Executive Director to be appointed by and serve at the direction of the Board as the chief executive officer and to be knowledgeable and experienced in matters relating to fish and wildlife conservation.
 
Gives the Foundation the power to receive and administer restitution and community service payments, amounts for mitigation of impacts to natural resources, and other amounts arising from legal, regulatory, or administrative proceedings, subject to the condition that the amounts are received or administered for purposes that further the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources.
 
Repeals provisions authorizing the Foundation to establish a national whale conservation endowment fund.
 
Authorizes appropriations for the Foundation for FY2012-FY2017.
 
Authorizes the Foundation to: (1) assess and collect fees for the management of amounts received from federal agencies; and (2) use such federal funds for matching contributions made by private persons, state and local agencies, and other entities (current law requires such use).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs.
action_date: 2012-09-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
To amend title XX of the Social Security Act to repeal the program of block grants to States for social services, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6442
Sponsor: Rep. Pompeo, Mike [R-KS-4]
Introduced: 2012-09-19 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
 Repeals the program of block grants to states for social services under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
To designate the facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 9800 West Commercial Boulevard in Sunrise, Florida, as the "William 'Bill' Kling VA Clinic".

Bill: 112-hr-6443
Sponsor: Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-20]
Introduced: 2012-09-19 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Florida
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Health facilities and institutions
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: 
Designates the facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at 9800 West Commercial Boulevard in Sunrise, Florida, as the &quot;William 'Bill' Kling VA Clinic.&quot;

action_date: 2012-12-20
text: 

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

 
Designates the facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at 9800 West Commercial Boulevard in Sunrise, Florida, as the &quot;William 'Bill' Kling VA Clinic.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-12-21
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2012-12-20
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-12-20
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 647). (text: CR 12/19/2012 H7331)
action_date: 2012-12-20
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 647).(text: CR 12/19/2012 H7331)
action_date: 2012-12-20
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7414)
action_date: 2012-12-19
text: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Michaud objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
action_date: 2012-12-19
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6443.
action_date: 2012-12-19
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7331-7333)
action_date: 2012-12-19
text: Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2012-10-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-19
text: Introduced in House
Stop RIN Fraud Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6444
Sponsor: Rep. Olson, Pete [R-TX-22]
Introduced: 2012-09-20 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Motor fuels

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: 
Stop RIN Fraud Act of 2012 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), by January 1, 2013, to establish and maintain a system under which: (1) the Administrator certifies, or authorizes accredited third parties to certify, upon generation, credits as valid and authentic for use by and transfer among persons required to comply with the renewable fuel program; and (2) each such certification is publicly disclosed. Requires the Administrator to treat any credit so certified as valid for compliance with such program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Introduced in House
Recovering Service Members Disability Benefits Act

Bill: 112-hr-6445
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-5]
Introduced: 2012-09-20 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Military personnel and dependents
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: 
Recovering Service Members Disability Benefits Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to create an exception from the required waiting period for disability insurance benefits in the case of recovering service members (of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or a Reserve component, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy while recovering from a serious bodily injury or physical illness related to the member's military service). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Introduced in House
Improving Diagnostic Innovations Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6446
Sponsor: Rep. Roskam, Peter J. [R-IL-6]
Introduced: 2012-09-20 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Department of Health and Human Services
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: 
Improving Diagnostic Innovations Act of 2012 - Sets forth additional factors for the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider in determining the payment amount for new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests under gap filling procedures which are used when no comparable existing test is available.
 
Directs the Secretary to convene an independent advisory panel to inform and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding any new test.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a process for application for the assignment of a temporary national HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) code to uniquely identify a diagnostic test until a permanent national HCPCS code is available for assignment to that test, (2) analyze the process used for the gapfilling procedures used in determining payment amounts for new clinical diagnostic laboratory tests, and (3) implement improvements in the process after public notice and opportunity for comment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2012-09-20
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: 2012-09-20
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: 2012-09-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Introduced in House
Local Modifications to Federal Flood Control Projects Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6450
Sponsor: Rep. Costello, Jerry F. [D-IL-12]
Introduced: 2012-09-20 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Advisory bodies
Army Corps of Engineers
Department of Defense
Floods and storm protection
Judicial review and appeals
Navigation, waterways, harbors

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: 
Local Modifications to Federal Flood Control Projects Act of 2012 - Amends the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 to direct the Secretary of the Army, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Engineers, to grant permission to a local sponsor to construct an improvement to a flood control project in accordance with this Act.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to grant permission for such an improvement: (1) that is necessary for the project to provide a qualified level of protection when, in the Secretary's judgment, the proposed improvement does not permanently reduce the existing level of protection; or (2) that is associated with permanently increasing the level of protection provided by the project from the authorized level or permanently realigning the project to substantially increase or otherwise significantly alter the geographic area protected by the project when, in the Secretary's judgement, the improvement does not adversely affect the existing level of protection and does not transfer the hydraulic impact of the project beyond the standards that the Chief of Engineers applies to projects proposed for initial federal authorization. Defines "qualified level of protection" as the lesser of the authorized level or the level necessary to receive, maintain, or restore accreditation pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. Prohibits the Secretary from granting permission regarding such an improvement unless it is constructed in accordance with plans and specifications prepared and certified by a registered professional engineer. 
 
Sets forth: (1) requirements for submission of an improvement application, (2) deadlines for action on such an application, (3) approval and disapproval procedures, and (4) procedures for administrative and judicial appeals of the disapproval of an application. Directs the Secretary to issue guidelines to facilitate and expedite the review of proposed improvements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-20
text: Introduced in House