hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Growing Opportunities for Agriculture and Responding to Markets Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-678
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2013-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Government lending and loan guarantees
Nutrition and diet

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: 
Growing Opportunities for Agriculture and Responding to Markets Act of 2013 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a local farm business and market garden loan program to make available to eligible lending entities loans to develop revolving loan funds to assist: (1) producers in establishing local farm business projects or market garden projects that will produce fresh foods locally, and (2) local farm business projects and market garden projects to create local employment opportunities. 
 
Sets forth program provisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to rescind amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2013 for the Department of Defense for the Medium Extended Air Defense System, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-s-680
Sponsor: Sen. Ayotte, Kelly [R-NH]
Introduced: 2013-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appropriations
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Executive agency funding and structure
Military operations and strategy
Military procurement, research, weapons development

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: 
Rescinds $380.9 million from the amount appropriated under the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 for the Medium Extended Air Defense System of the Department of Defense (DOD).
 
Increases by $205 million the aggregate amount appropriated under such Act for DOD operation and maintenance, to be allocated among accounts as determined by the Secretary of Defense. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a description of such allocations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 35.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Offshore Fairness Act

Bill: 113-s-681
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2013-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alabama
Atlantic Ocean
Florida
Georgia
Gulf of Mexico
Intergovernmental relations
Land transfers
Louisiana
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Mining
Mississippi
North Carolina
Oil and gas
South Carolina
State and local government operations
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: 
Offshore Fairness Act - Amends the Submerged Lands Act to extend the seaward boundaries of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia to a line three marine leagues (currently, three geographic miles) distant from the coast line. 
 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) notify such states of the right to request a conveyance of the applicable interest of the United States in and to the expanded submerged land; and (2) at such a state's request, convey to the applicable state the interest of the United States in and to such land. 
 
Prohibits states conveyed such land from imposing: (1) burdens or requirements on an interest owner that would be stricter than any federal burdens or requirements, and (2) administrative or judicial penalties or sanctions on an interest owner that are more severe than any federal administrative or judicial penalty or sanction. 
 
Declares submerged land within the seaward boundaries of such states to be subject to federal oil and gas mineral rights and to be considered part of the federal outer continental shelf for purposes of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, and other laws applicable to the leasing of the oil and gas resources.
 
 Prohibits this Act from affecting any federal oil and gas lease in effect on the date of the land conveyance. Excludes from specified requirements and prohibitions any interest in the expanded submerged land that is granted by the state after the date on which the land is conveyed. 
 
Authorizes such states to exercise their sovereign taxation powers within the entire extent of the extended seaward boundaries. Prohibits this Act from affecting a state's authority to tax any federal oil and gas lease in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to grant such states exclusive fishery management authority over: (1) reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean in the expanded submerged land, (2) red snapper fish in designated areas until the state's governor certifies that the stock assessments of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are accurate and based on sound science. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Comprehensive Student Loan Protection Act

Bill: 113-s-682
Sponsor: Sen. Coburn, Tom [R-OK]
Introduced: 2013-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional oversight
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: 
Comprehensive Student Loan Protection Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to set the interest rate on Direct Loans, for any 12-month period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30, at the bond equivalent rate of 10-year Treasury bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such June 1, plus 3%.
 
Makes: (1) that formula applicable to Direct Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2013, and (2) the rate set on such loans applicable for the life of the loans.
 
Requires any savings to the federal government that result from this Act's amendment to be used for deficit reduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Exist Act

Bill: 113-s-685
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2013-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Congressional oversight
Financial crises and stabilization
Financial services and investments
Insurance industry and regulation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: 
Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Exist Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) submit to Congress, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, a list of all commercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds, and insurance companies that the Secretary believes are too big to fail (&quot;Too Big To Fail List&quot;), including, but not limited to, any U.S. bank holding companies identified by the Financial Stability Board as systemically important banks; and (2) break up entities on the list so that their failure would no longer cause a catastrophic effect on the U.S. or global economy without a taxpayer bailout.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Postal Employee Appeal Rights Amendments Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-686
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2013-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Labor-management relations
Merit Systems Protection Board
Postal service
U.S. Postal Service

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: 
Postal Employee Appeal Rights Amendments Act of 2013 - Extends federal employee protections against adverse personnel actions, including the right to appeal such actions to the Merit Systems Protection Board, to any career or noncareer U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee who is not represented by a bargaining representative and is in a supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial position covered by the Executive and Administrative Schedule.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the closing of air traffic control towers, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-s-687
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2013-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: 
 Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), during FY2013 or FY2014, from suspending or terminating the operation of any air traffic control tower in operation on March 1, 2013, without regard to whether the tower is operated by the FAA or a contractor.
 
Directs the Administrator, as soon as practicable after enactment of this Act, to provide for resumed operation of any such tower that was suspended or terminated after March 1, 2013.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to permanently extend the private mortgage insurance tax deduction.

Bill: 113-s-688
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2013-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for mortgage insurance premiums.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-690
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2013-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia
Philippines
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: 
Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2013 - Deems certain service performed before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts as active military service for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
 
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in determining eligibility under this Act, to take into account any relevant service documentation, including documentation other than the Missouri List (the list of all discharged and deceased veterans from the 20th century).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-12
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-111.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2507)
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
High-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban of 2013

Bill: 113-s-691
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2013-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing
Firearms and explosives
Law enforcement administration and funding
Trade restrictions
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: 
High-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban of 2013 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, of a large capacity ammunition feeding device. 
 
Defines a &quot;large capacity ammunition feeding device&quot; to: (1) mean a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has an overall capacity of, or that can be readily changed to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition; and (2) exclude an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.
 
Provides exemptions for: (1) devices lawfully possessed before this Act's enactment; (2) federal, state, and local agencies and law enforcement officers; (3) licensees under the Atomic Energy Act for on-site security, off-site training, and transportation of nuclear materials; and (4) authorized testing or experimentation by a licensed firearms manufacturer or importer.
 
Requires a device manufactured after this Act's enactment to be identified by a serial number and the date it was manufactured conspicuously engraved or cast on the device.
 
Sets penalties for violations. Subjects devices used or involved in knowing violation of such Act to seizure and forfeiture.
 
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the use of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants for buy-back programs for surrendered large capacity ammunition feeding devices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 36.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2013-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
REFUND Act

Bill: 113-s-692
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2013-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget deficits and national debt
Intergovernmental relations
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: 
Returned Exclusively For Unpaid National Debt Act or REFUND Act - Rescinds unwanted amounts, as identified by a state from a projected allocation, from any federal funds required to be allocated by formula among all states that agree to use them for a specified purpose.
 
Prescribes a procedure by which a state legislature may identify a projected federal allocation as unwanted funds.
 
Requires such rescinded amounts to: (1) be deposited by the Secretary of the Treasury in the special fund account entitled &quot;Gifts to Reduce Debt Held by the Public, Bureau of the Public Debt, Treasury&quot;; and (2) be used to reduce the federal debt.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the City of Hermiston, Oregon, water recycling and reuse project, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-s-693
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2013-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Oregon
Water resources funding
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: 
Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in design, planning, and construction of permanent facilities to reclaim and reuse water in the City of Hermiston, Oregon. Limits the federal share of project costs to 25% of the total. Prohibits the Secretary from providing funds for project operation and maintenance. 

action_date: 2013-07-15
text: 
Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in design, planning, and construction of permanent facilities to reclaim and reuse water in the City of Hermiston, Oregon. Limits the federal share of project costs to 25% of the total. Prohibits the Secretary from providing funds for project operation and maintenance. 
 
Amends the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to deauthorize the Willow Lake Natural Treatment System Project, Oregon.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-07-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 132.
action_date: 2013-07-15
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Wyden with an amendment. With written report No. 113-75.
action_date: 2013-07-15
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Wyden with an amendment. With written report No. 113-75.
action_date: 2013-05-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2013-04-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 113-32.
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2565-2566)
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Apple Red Tape Elimination Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-694
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2013-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural trade
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Fruit and vegetables

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: 
Apple Red Tape Elimination Act of 2013 - Provides that the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), through the Agricultural Marketing Service, shall have no authority to inspect apples prior to export.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Paralympic Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-695
Sponsor: Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
Introduced: 2013-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Athletes
Disability assistance
Olympic games
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: 
Veterans Paralympic Act of 2013 - Extends, until FY2018, the yearly: (1) $2 million appropriations authorization for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay a monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing for the Paralympic Team; and (2) $8 million appropriations authorization, with amounts appropriated remaining available without fiscal year limitation, for grants to U.S. Paralympics, Inc.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-12
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-111.
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2566)
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2566)
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Line of Duty Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-698
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2013-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Assault and harassment offenses
Civil actions and liability
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Justice
Educational facilities and institutions
Firearms and explosives
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government liability
Judges
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Legal fees and court costs
Protection of officials
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: 
Line of Duty Act of 2013 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) require the use of grant funds under the community-oriented policing services program to train and provide security details for prosecutors and judges, including their immediate families, involved in cases that raise substantial concerns of retaliation or intimidation through violent acts; and (2) allow grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to fund prosecutorial and judicial security details and programs.
 
Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful to: (1) kill, or attempt or conspire to kill, a U.S. judge, a federal law enforcement officer, or a federally funded public safety officer engaged in official duties or a former U.S. judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federal funded public safety officer on account of past performance of official duties; or (2) travel in interstate commerce to avoid prosecution for such crimes. Expands criminal penalties for assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officers and employees.
 
Permits judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials to carry firearms in federal facilities where such possession is otherwise authorized by law. 
 
Limits damages and costs in legal actions against a judicial officer by an individual injured during the commission of a felony or a crime of violence.
 
 Requires the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that each federal penal or correctional institution provides a secure firearms storage area for use by all employees who are authorized to carry a firearm. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Court Efficiency Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-699
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2013-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Federal appellate courts
Judges

Summary:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: 
Court Efficiency Act of 2013 - Directs the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, one additional circuit judge for the second circuit court of appeals and one additional circuit judge for the eleventh circuit court of appeals.
 
Reduces from 11 to 8 the number of circuit judges appointed to the District of Columbia circuit court of appeals. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2566-2567)
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2566)
action_date: 2013-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate