hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Protecting Financial Aid for Students and Taxpayers Act

Bill: 113-s-528
Sponsor: Sen. Hagan, Kay R. [D-NC]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Marketing and advertising
School administration
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Protecting Financial Aid for Students and Taxpayers Act - Amends the Higher Education Opportunity Act to prohibit postsecondary educational institutions from using revenues derived from federal educational assistance funds for: (1) advertising and promotion; (2) identifying and attracting prospective students; or (3) other activities the Secretary of Education may proscribe, such as paying for the promotion or sponsorship of education or military-related associations.
 
Excepts from that prohibition activities that are required as a condition of receiving funds under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, specifically authorized under title IV, or otherwise specified by the Secretary.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the commencement date of the period of service at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for eligibility for hospital care and medical services in connection with exposure to contaminated water, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-s-529
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Veterans Affairs
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Military facilities and property
North Carolina
Veterans' medical care
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Changes the commencement for the period of military service at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for purposes of eligibility for hospital care and medical services for specified illnesses or conditions related to exposure to contaminated water at such installation, from January 1, 1957, to either August 1, 1953, or an earlier date that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in consultation with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, shall specify.
 
Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register any earlier date chosen.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-05-09
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-203.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to make participation in the American Community Survey voluntary, except with respect to certain basic questions, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-s-530
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Census and government statistics

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Requires the Secretary of Commerce, in conducting any survey relating to the Census, to include in instructions for completing any such survey that participation in the survey is optional, except that survey respondents must provide their names, contract information, the date of response, and the number of people living or staying at the same addresses where the respondents reside. Prohibits any person participating in a survey from being fined or otherwise compelled to answer questions in connection with the survey (except for the basic questions permitted by this Act).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act

Bill: 113-s-531
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child health
Department of Health and Human Services
Government information and archives
Health promotion and preventive care
Physical fitness and lifestyle

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish a &quot;Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans&quot; report at least every 10 years that contains physical activity information and guidelines for the general public, based on the preponderance of current scientific and medical knowledge, and including guidelines for identified population subgroups, as needed. Requires any federal agency that proposes to issue any physical activity guidance for the general population or identified subgroups to submit the text of the guidance to the Secretary for review. Prescribes review procedures.

action_date: 2014-07-23
text: 
Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish a report at least every 10 years that contains physical activity recommendations for the general public, based on the most current scientific and medical knowledge and including additional information for population subgroups, as needed.
 
Requires the Secretary to publish, no more than 5 years after the first full report is published and every 10 years thereafter, an updated report detailing evidence-based practices and highlighting continuing issues with respect to physical activity. Permits a report to focus on particular subgroups or issues relating to physical activity.
 
Requires any federal agency that proposes to issue physical activity recommendations that differ from the recommendations in the most recent full report to submit the proposed recommendations to the Secretary for review to ensure they are either consistent with the report or based on the most current scientific and medical knowledge.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-07-23
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 479.
action_date: 2014-07-23
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Harkin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2014-07-23
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Harkin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2014-07-23
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Same Day Registration Act

Bill: 113-s-532
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional elections
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Same Day Registration Act - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require states with a voter registration requirement to make same-day voter registration available at the polling place on the date of election itself (or on the day of voting under early voting).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to correct the boundaries of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Unit L06, Topsail, North Carolina.

Bill: 113-s-533
Sponsor: Sen. Hagan, Kay R. [D-NC]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
North Carolina

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Replaces the map included in the set of maps entitled &quot;Coastal Barrier Resources System&quot; (referred to in specified provisions of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act and relating to Unit L06 in the state of North Carolina) with another map relating to the same unit entitled &quot;John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Corrected Unit L06.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Regulation Costs to Small Business Act

Bill: 113-s-535
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Economic performance and conditions
Government studies and investigations
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Regulation Costs to Small Business Act - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) conduct an annual study of the total costs to small businesses of federal regulations, and (2) report each study's results to Congress.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that no additional funds should be made available to the SBA to carry out this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Regulation Costs to America Act

Bill: 113-s-536
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Regulation Costs to America Act - Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to: (1) conduct an annual study of the total costs of federal regulations; and (2) report to Congress on the findings, including an estimate of the total annual costs of federal regulations by agency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
CLEAR SBA Act

Bill: 113-s-537
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Credit and credit markets
Government information and archives
Small Business Administration
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Communicating Lender Activity Reports from the Small Business Administration Act or CLEAR SBA Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make publicly available a user-friendly database of information relating to lenders making loans under such Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
 
Requires the Administrator to: (1) include in the database information on such loans made during FY2009-FY2013, and (2) incorporate information relating to such loans on an ongoing basis.

action_date: 2013-09-10
text: 
Communicating Lender Activity Reports from the Small Business Administration Act or CLEAR SBA Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make publicly available a user-friendly database of information relating to lenders making loans under such Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
 
Requires the Administrator to: (1) include in the database information on such loans made during FY2009-FY2013, and (2) incorporate information relating to such loans on an ongoing basis.
 
Prohibits the Administrator from requiring lenders to submit additional information or to otherwise increase burdens on lenders in order to comply with this Act.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that no additional funds should be made available to carry out this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-09-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 169.
action_date: 2013-09-10
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Landrieu with amendments. With written report No. 113-91.
action_date: 2013-09-10
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Landrieu with amendments. With written report No. 113-91.
action_date: 2013-06-17
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2013-03-14
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-309.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1712-1713)
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1712)
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to modify the authorities and responsibilities of convening authorities in taking actions on the findings and sentences of courts-martial.

Bill: 113-s-538
Sponsor: Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing
Military law

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to require a convening authority (the official acting on the sentence of a court-martial), when taking any action other than approving a sentence, to prepare a written justification of such action which shall be made part of the record of the court-martial.
 
Prohibits a convening authority (or person acting in such capacity) from: (1) dismissing or setting aside a finding of guilty, or (2) reducing a finding of guilty to a finding of guilty to a lesser included offense. Repeals an inconsistent UCMJ provision.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-04
text: Committee on Armed Services. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-320.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (consideration: CR S5461)
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act

Bill: 113-s-539
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Department of Health and Human Services
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Executive agency funding and structure
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act - Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission to evaluate and make recommendations regarding better coordination and leveraging of federal programs that relate in any way to supporting appropriate clinical care for people with pre-diabetes and diabetes. 
 
Sets forth the duties of the Commission, which shall include: (1) evaluating HHS programs, (2) identifying current activities and critical gaps in federal efforts to support clinicians in providing care to people with pre-diabetes and diabetes, (3) recommending how an outcomes-based registry may be developed and then used to evaluate various care models and methods, (4) evaluating and expanding education and awareness to health care professionals regarding clinical practices for the prevention of diabetes and the precursor conditions of diabetes, and (5) reviewing and recommending appropriate methods for outreach and dissemination of educational resources related to diabetes prevention and treatments.
 
Requires the Commission to submit an operating plan to the Secretary and Congress within 90 days of its first meeting.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (consideration: CR S5461)
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-541
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Food supply, safety, and labeling
Mammals
Meat
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem equine (horses and other members of the equidae family) parts to be an unsafe food additive or animal drug. 
 
 Prohibits the knowing sale or transport of equines or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for purposes of human consumption.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Maritime Lien Reform Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-542
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2013-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Licensing and registrations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: 
Maritime Lien Reform Act of 2013 - Bars specified federal shipping laws related to maritime liability from: (1) establishing maritime liens on state or federal fishing licenses (authorizing a person or use of a vessel to engage in fishing), and (2) authorizing civil actions to enforce maritime liens on such licenses.
 
Specifies that a &quot;fishing license&quot; is governed solely by the state or federal law under which it was issued and is not included in the whole or as an appurtenance or intangible of a vessel.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate
VISN Reorganization Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-543
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2013-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Executive agency funding and structure
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Performance measurement
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: 
VISN Reorganization Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to organize the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) into 12 geographically defined Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).
 
Directs the Secretary to ensure that each VISN: (1) is aligned with the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the specific health care requirements of veterans in that network; (2) implements VA national goals within their network and associated medical centers; (3) maintains a regional integrated health care system; (4) identifies and reduces the duplication of functions in VHA clinical, administrative, and operational processes and practices; (5) works to achieve maximum effectiveness in patient care and safety, graduate medical education, and research; (6) assesses the consolidation or realignment of institutional functions, in collaboration and cooperation with other VISNs and specified offices or entities within their network; and (7) develops and shares innovations and best practices with each other at the local, regional, and national levels.
 
Prohibits more than one headquarters for each VISN, with no more than 65 full-time employees. Requires the Secretary to report at least annually to the congressional veterans committees on employment at VISN headquarters.
 
Directs the Secretary, at least every three years, to: (1) review and assess VISN structure and operations, and (2) submit review results to such committees.
 
Requires the Secretary, in order to comply with the requirements of this Act, to realign and combine the current 21 VISNs into 12 geographically defined VISNs, and to appropriately consolidate VISN headquarters. Directs the Secretary to submit to such committees a realignment implementation plan.
 
Provides for the relocation of leased VISN headquarters, requiring the Secretary to notify such committees if renewing or engaging in a new lease for any headquarters.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish up to four regional support centers within the VHA to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the VISNs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-05-09
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-203.
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-544
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2013-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Industrial policy and productivity
Manufacturing

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: 
Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013 - Directs the President to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy.
 
Requires to be included in such strategy: (1) short- and long-term goals for U.S. manufacturing, (2) a survey of all persons with headquarters in the United States that maintain manufacturing facilities outside the United States, (3) a survey of all federal agencies that provide assistance to U.S. manufacturers, (4) a survey of manufacturing goods produced in the United States and where such goods are produced, (5) the number of people in the United States employed by manufacturers operating in the United States, and (6) an evaluation of the global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing.
 
Directs the President to: (1) include in such strategy recommendations for achieving its goals, and (2) report to Congress on such strategy and any revisions thereto.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2013-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate