hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to establish the Office of the Inspector General of the Senate.

Bill: 113-s-808
Sponsor: Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO]
Introduced: 2013-04-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Congressional officers and employees
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-24
text: 
Establishes the Office of the Inspector General (IG) of the Senate.
 
Requires the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate to appoint the first IG.
 
Limits the IG to an initial five-year term and two additional terms if reappointed.
 
Requires the IG to: (1) audit and investigate Senate programs and operations; (2) review legislation and regulations relating to Senate programs and operations, and make recommendations concerning their impact on the economy and efficiency in the administration of such programs and operations or the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in them; and (3) keep the Committee on Rules and Administration and the Committee on Appropriations informed concerning fraud and other serious problems, abuses, and deficiencies relating to such administration and recommend corrective action.
 
Requires the Office to establish a publicly available website for posting its reports and audits, including a direct homepage link for individuals to report fraud, waste, and abuse without being required to disclose personally identifying information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2013-04-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act

Bill: 113-s-809
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2013-04-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Department of Health and Human Services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Genetics
Immunology and vaccination

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-24
text: 
Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem misbranded any food that has been genetically engineered or contains one or more genetically engineered ingredients, unless such information is clearly disclosed.
 
Exempts from this requirement any food that: (1) is served in restaurants or other similar eating establishments, (2) is a medical food, (3) would be subject to such requirement solely because it was produced using a genetically engineered vaccine, or (4) would be subject to such requirement solely because it includes the use of a genetically engineered processing aid (including yeast) or enzyme.
 
Defines &quot;genetically engineered&quot; as a material intended for human consumption that is: (1) an organism produced through the intentional use of genetic engineering, or (2) the progeny of intended sexual or asexual reproduction (or both) of one or more organisms that is the product of genetic engineering.
 
Defines &quot;genetically engineered ingredient&quot; as an ingredient in a food that is derived from any part of an organism that has been genetically engineered, without regard to whether: (1) the altered molecular or cellular characteristics of the organism are detectable in the material, and (2) the organism is capable for use as human food.
 
Excludes from penalties for misbranding of genetically engineered food or ingredients any recipient that establishes a guaranty or undertaking that: (1) is signed by, and contains the name and address of, a person residing in the United States from whom the recipient received the food in good faith (including the receipt of seeds to grow raw agricultural commodities); and (2) contains a statement to the effect that the food is not genetically engineered or does not contain a genetically engineered ingredient.
 
Applies this exclusion from penalties without regard to the manner in which the recipient uses the food.
 
Excludes an agricultural producer also from such penalties when a violation occurs because food the producer has grown, raised, or otherwise produced, which neither contains nor was produced with a genetically engineered material, is subsequently contaminated with a food that does contain or was produced with a genetically engineered material, and the agricultural producer has not intended any such contamination nor was negligent in the matter.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2013-04-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-810
Sponsor: Sen. Donnelly, Joe [D-IN]
Introduced: 2013-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Military medicine

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: 
Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act of 2013 - Expresses the sense of Congress that, as the United States draws down combat operations in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense (DOD) should continue to seek to assist in the identification of behavior indicating a risk of suicide in members of the Armed Forces (members).
 
Directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using an online computerized assessment to assist DOD in detecting behaviors in members that indicate a risk of suicide or other mental health conditions. Requires: (1) 1,000 members of each regular component and 500 members of each reserve and National Guard component to be used in the pilot program, and (2) each participating member to complete two assessments. Requires the first superior officer of each participating member to also complete a computerized assessment on the behavior of that member as it relates to the risk of suicide or other mental health conditions.
 
Requires each member determined under the pilot program to have behavior indicating a risk of suicide or other mental health conditions to be referred to an appropriate mental health care provider for further assessment, care, and services.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish one or more control groups whose behavior permit comparison with the behavior and experiences of the participants.
 
Provides for the privacy of any medical or other information obtained under the pilot program. Prohibits information obtained from being used in determining the promotion or advancement of the member. Excludes the use of participant personally identifiable information in any required report.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3031-3032)
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Halal and Kosher Food Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-811
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2013-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Food assistance and relief
Food industry and services
Public contracts and procurement
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: 
Kosher and Halal Food Act of 2013 - Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to: (1) provide for the increased purchase of Kosher and Halal food if such food is cost neutral as compared to food that is not from food manufacturers with a Kosher or Halal certification, and (2) modify the labeling of the commodities list under the emergency food assistance program to enable Kosher and Halal food bank operators to identify which commodities to obtain from local food banks.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to take actions to implement the Agreement between the United States of America and the United Mexican States Concerning Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bill: 113-s-812
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2013-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Gulf of Mexico
International law and treaties
Latin America
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Mexico
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: 
Approves the Agreement between the United States of America and the United Mexican States Concerning Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to implement the Agreement's terms, including: (1) approving unitization agreements and related arrangements for the exploration of, and development or production of oil or gas from, transboundary reservoirs and geological structures; (2) disclosing information, as necessary, regarding exploration, development, and production of a transboundary reservoir or geological structure that may be considered confidential, privileged, or proprietary information under law; and (3) accepting and taking action not inconsistent with an expert determination under the Agreement.

action_date: 2013-10-12
text: 

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

 
Approves the Agreement between the United States of America and the United Mexican States Concerning Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to implement the Agreement's terms, including: (1) approving unitization agreements and related arrangements for the exploration of, and development or production of oil or gas from, transboundary reservoirs and geological structures; (2) disclosing information, as necessary, regarding exploration, development, and production of a transboundary reservoir or geological structure that may be considered confidential, privileged, or proprietary information under law; and (3) accepting and taking action not inconsistent with an expert determination under the Agreement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-10-14
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2013-10-14
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2013-10-14
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2013-10-12
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7431)
action_date: 2013-10-12
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7431)
action_date: 2013-10-12
text: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7431)
action_date: 2013-10-12
text: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7431)
action_date: 2013-10-01
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-104.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Peace Corps Equity Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-813
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2013-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Abortion
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health care coverage and access
National and community service
Peace Corps

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: 
Peace Corps Equity Act of 2013 - Amends the Peace Corps Act to subject abortion service coverage by the Peace Corps for volunteers to the same limitations that apply to Peace Corps employees regarding coverage of abortion services.
 
States that such provision shall not be construed to limit medical evacuation coverage.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Communities from Chemical Explosions Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-814
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2013-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Homeland Security
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Industrial facilities
Performance measurement
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: 
Protecting Communities from Chemical Explosions Act of 2013 - Amends the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 to make any owner or operator of a chemical facility that holds a quantity of a chemical of interest that is at or above the screening threshold quantity established under interim final regulations establishing security performance standards and requiring site security plans for chemical facilities, and that does not file a Chemical Security Assessment Tool Top-Screen with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), liable for a civil penalty.
 
Subjects an officer of an entity that owns or operates, or an owner or operator of, a chemical facility that holds a quantity of a chemical of interest that is at or above the screening threshold quantity, who intentionally fails to file a Chemical Security Assessment Tool Top-Screen with DHS, to a fine, up to six years' imprisonment, or both.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Stewardship End Result Contracting Project Act

Bill: 113-s-816
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO]
Introduced: 2013-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Ecology
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Pest management
Public contracts and procurement
Rural conditions and development
Water quality
Watersheds
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: 
Stewardship End Result Contracting Project Act - Amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to authorize the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to enter into stewardship contracting projects with private persons or other public or private entities to perform services to achieve land management goals for eligible land that meets local and rural community needs.
 
 States that the land management goals of a project may include: (1) road and trail maintenance or obliteration to restore or maintain water quality; (2) soil productivity, habitat for wildlife and fisheries, or other resource values; (3) setting of prescribed fires to improve the composition, structure, condition, and health of stands or to improve wildlife habitat; (4) removing vegetation or other activities to promote healthy forest stands, reduce fire hazards, or achieve other land management objectives; (5) watershed restoration and maintenance; (6) restoration and maintenance of wildlife and fish; or (7) control of noxious and exotic weeds and reestablishing native plant species.
 
Defines &quot;eligible land&quot; to mean land located on National Forest System land or Bureau of Land Management [BLM]) land located west of the 100th meridian.
 
Repeals a section of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 that provides for forest health protection.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
JET Delays Act

Bill: 113-s-817
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2013-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Appropriations
Aviation and airports
Business investment and capital
Department of Transportation
Employee leave
Executive agency funding and structure
Income tax deductions
Transportation employees
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: 
Just End the Delays Act or the JET Delays Act - Makes available for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations for FY2013, notwithstanding any sequestration order, the funds that otherwise would have been available but for the sequestration order.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify general aviation aircraft as seven-year property for purposes of the depreciation tax deduction (currently, expenses for aircraft can be deducted or expensed in the current taxable year). Defines &quot;general aviation aircraft&quot; as any aircraft (except those used primarily for emergency or emergency relief operations) not used in commercial or contract carrying of passengers or freight, but which primarily engages in the carrying of passengers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-818
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2013-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Appropriations
Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Employee leave
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Transportation employees
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: 
Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT), notwithstanding the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-6), any other provision of law, or sequestration order, to transfer for FY2013 to any Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) appropriations account (such as the one for air traffic control operations) a certain amount from funds otherwise made available for discretionary grants-in-aid under the airport improvement program or any other FAA program.
 
Makes any transferred amount available immediately for obligation and expenditure as directly appropriated budget authority.
 
Specifies the amount to be transferred as the amount the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) determines necessary to: (1) prevent furloughs of FAA employees during FY2013; and (2) continue air traffic control towers that were operational as of January 1, 2013, under the FAA's contract tower program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-819
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2013-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Mental health
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: 
Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a program of mental health care and rehabilitation for veterans who: (1) have been discharged or released from active-duty service under conditions other than dishonorable for no more than two years; (2) are enrolled in the VA system of annual patient enrollment and were so enrolled before the date of enactment of this Act; (3) are diagnosed by a VA physician with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or substance use disorder that is service-related (as determined by the Secretary or a VA physician); and (4) agree to certain participation conditions, including not submitting a claim for veterans' disability compensation for any such condition until either one year after program commencement or the conclusion of the prescribed treatment regimen.
 
Requires the Secretary to provide for each participant a treatment regimen and rehabilitation plan for the determined condition.
 
Provides a stipend for participants, commencing upon program commencement, continuing through successful treatment and plan compliance, and ending either upon the conclusion of such treatment or one year after treatment and plan commencement. Allows a veteran to participate more than once in the program if the Secretary determines that the additional participation will assist the veteran in achieving the remediation of the condition.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-12
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-111.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2013

Bill: 113-s-820
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2013-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural practices and innovations
Agricultural trade
Air quality
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Birds
California
Federal preemption
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Livestock
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: 
Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2013 - Amends the Egg Products Inspection Act to revise provisions concerning housing and treatment of egg-laying hens and enforcement of such requirements.
 
Sets forth separate caging device and environmental and housing conversion provisions for California. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to delegate to the California Department of Food and Agriculture certain enforcement authority with respect to eggs produced, shipped, handled, transported, or received in California prior to the date that is 15 years after the date of enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3032-3033)
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Healthy Food Financing Initiative

Bill: 113-s-821
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2013-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Agricultural research
Department of Agriculture
Economic development
Food assistance and relief
Food industry and services
Fruit and vegetables
Government lending and loan guarantees
Performance measurement
Public-private cooperation
Retail and wholesale trades
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: 
Healthy Food Financing Initiative - Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a Healthy Food Financing Initiative to provide assistance in order to: (1) improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas; (2) create and preserve quality jobs; and (3) revitalize low-income communities by providing loans and grants to eligible food retailers to overcome the higher costs and initial barriers to entry in underserved, urban, suburban, and rural areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2013-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate