hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Affordable Footwear Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-1633
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2013-10-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Inflation and prices
Retail and wholesale trades
Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on certain footwear, and for other purposes.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Hunter and Farmer Protection Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-1634
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2013-10-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Agricultural practices and innovations
Birds
Farmland
Floods and storm protection
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Hunting and fishing
Pest management
State and local government operations
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: 
Hunter and Farmer Protection Act of 2013 - Amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to permit the taking of any migratory game bird, including waterfowl, coots, and cranes, on or over land that: (1) is not a baited area; and (2) contains a standing crop (including an aquatic crop), standing, flooded, or manipulated natural vegetation, flooded harvested cropland, or an area on which seed or grain has been scattered solely as the result of a normal agricultural practice.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act

Bill: 113-s-1635
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2013-10-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: American Samoa
Caribbean area
Food assistance and relief
Poverty and welfare assistance
Puerto Rico
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: 
Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to extend through FY2014 the benefit calculation of 113.6 % of the June 2008 value of the thrifty food plan for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) as well as the consolidated block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to redesignate certain facilities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Bill: 113-s-1636
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2013-10-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: California
Congressional tributes
Federal officials
Government buildings, facilities, and property
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Research administration and funding
Space flight and exploration

Summary:
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: 
Redesignates: (1) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, as the "NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center," and (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Western Aeronautical Test Range in California as the "NASA Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range."


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7732)
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7731-7732)
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Introduced in Senate
United We Stand to Hire Veterans Act

Bill: 113-s-1637
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2013-10-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Employee hiring
Government information and archives
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: 
United We Stand to Hire Veterans Act - Requires the Secretary of Labor, in conjunction with the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA), to consolidate government Internet portals on employment for current and former members of the Armed Forces into one comprehensive portal for the purposes of connecting members who are seeking employment with employers who want to employ them. 
 
Authorizes the Secretaries, in order to expedite implementation of such consolidated portal, to carry out pilot projects to evaluate the feasibility and advisability of various portal options by continuing or modifying existing programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-10-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Pinyon-Juniper Related Projects Implementation Act

Bill: 113-s-1640
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2013-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Economic development
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Forests, forestry, trees
Historic sites and heritage areas
Historical and cultural resources
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Law enforcement administration and funding
Nevada
Public utilities and utility rates
Religion
User charges and fees
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: 
Pinyon-Juniper Related Projects Implementation Act - Amends the Lincoln County Land Act of 2000 (the Act) to require implementation of a multispecies habitat conservation plan in Lincoln County, Nevada. 
 
Amends the Act and the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004 to make certain amounts available for: (1) pinyon-juniper dominated landscape restoration projects within the county, consistent with the Ely Resource Management Plan; and (2) completing specified plans and activities. 
 
Declares that establishment and funding of cooperative agreements between the BLM and Lincoln County shall be required for certain county-provided law enforcement and planning related activities. 
 
Requires the use of a portion of proceeds from land sales under both Acts for economic development in Lincoln County.
 
Excludes specified public land within certain utility corridors in Lincoln and Clark Counties, Nevada, from being withdrawn from public land, mining, and mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-07-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 113-433.
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
West Virginia National Heritage Area Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-1641
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2013-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Coal
Economic development
Forests, forestry, trees
Historic sites and heritage areas
Land use and conservation
Mining
West Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: 
West Virginia National Heritage Area Act of 2013 - Establishes the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area in the states of Maryland and West Virginia. 
 
Designates the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, Inc., as the local coordinating entity for the Area. 
 
Requires the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, Inc., to submit a management plan that provides for the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of cultural, natural, historical, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the Area. 
 
Amends the National Coal Heritage Area Act of 1996 and the Wheeling National Heritage Area Act of 2000 to extend through FY2017 the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to make grants or provide assistance with respect to the National Coal Heritage Area and the Wheeling National Heritage Area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-07-23
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 113-493.
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Keeping the Affordable Care Act Promise Act

Bill: 113-s-1642
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2013-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Comprehensive health care
Consumer affairs
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: 
Keeping the Affordable Care Act Promise Act - Permits individuals to continue their individual health insurance coverage in which they are enrolled on December 31, 2013, if they meet requirements applied to such coverage, unless the health insurance issuer cancels all coverage offered in the individual market and ceases operations as a health insurance issuer. Deems such coverage: (1) as a grandfathered health plan under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), and (2) to be minimum essential health coverage. 
 
Amends PPACA to require health insurance issuers in the individual market annually, at the time of enrollment and renewal, to provide enrollees with a notice that states: (1) the reasons that such coverage, if applicable, does not meet the requirements under PPACA for a qualified health plan, including citations to the requirements involved; (2) that the enrollee has the right to continue to enroll in such coverage; and (3) that the enrollee has the right to enroll in a qualified health plan offered through a health care exchange and instructions on how to access the exchange.
 
Requires a health insurance issuer's cancellation notice for individual health insurance coverage to contain a statement of the reasons for the cancellation, including a reference to any provision of PPACA that the issuer relied upon in making the determination to cancel. Exempts from this notice requirement a health plan that has provided, before enactment of this Act, a notification of cancellation that has not yet taken effect. Allows an enrollee to continue coverage under the plan if the issuer continues to offer it, and the issuer shall provide a subsequent notification to the enrollee that states: (1) that such plan will remain in effect at the enrollee's option, and (2) the reasons that the plan does not otherwise meet PPACA requirements for a qualified health plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7797-7798)
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-1643
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2013-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Afghanistan
Asia
Disability and paralysis
Iraq
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: 
Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act of 2013 - Extends through the end of 2015 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
 
Requires the Committee to include veterans representative of the post-9/11 operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7798)
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7798)
action_date: 2013-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Article 32 Reform Act

Bill: 113-s-1644
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2013-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing
Evidence and witnesses
Military law

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: 
Article 32 Reform Act - Revises requirements relating to an Article 32 investigative hearing under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to require a judge advocate to conduct a preliminary hearing prior to referring a charge or specification to a general court-martial for trial. Requires such judge advocate to have a grade equal to or higher than the grade of the trial counsel and any defense counsel who is representing the accused at the preliminary hearing. Limits the preliminary hearing to the purpose of determining whether there is probable cause to believe an offense has been committed and whether the accused committed it. 
 
Requires the judge advocate conducting the preliminary hearing to prepare a report that includes: (1) a determination as to the court-martial jurisdiction over the offense and the accused, (2) a determination as to probable cause, (3) a consideration of the form of charges, and (4) a recommendation as to the disposition of the case.
 
Allows a victim of the alleged offense to decline to testify at the preliminary hearing. Requires the preliminary hearing to be recorded by a court reporter or by a suitable recording device. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-1645
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2013-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employment taxes
Intergovernmental relations
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: 
Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2013 - Prohibits the wages or other remuneration earned by an employee who performs employment duties in more than one state from being subject to income tax in any state other than: (1) the state of the employee's residence, and (2) the state within which the employee is present and performing employment duties for more than 30 days during the calendar year. Exempts employers from withholding of tax and information reporting requirements for employees not subject to income tax under this Act. Allows an employer, for purposes of determining penalties related to employer withholding or reporting requirements, to rely on an employee's annual determination of the time such employee will spend working in a state in the absence of fraud or collusion by such employee. 
 
Exempts from the definition of &quot;employee&quot; for purposes of this Act professional athletes, professional entertainers, and public figures who are persons of prominence who perform services for wages or other remuneration on a per-event basis. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend subtitle IV of title 40, United States Code, regarding county additions to the Appalachian region.

Bill: 113-s-1646
Sponsor: Sen. Alexander, Lamar [R-TN]
Introduced: 2013-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Rural conditions and development
Tennessee

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: 
Adds the Tennessee counties of Hickman, Perry, and Wayne to the definition of &quot;Appalachian region&quot; for purposes of Appalachian regional development efforts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring Access to Medication Act

Bill: 113-s-1647
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2013-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health care costs and insurance
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: 
Restoring Access to Medication Act - Repeals provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that restrict payments from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, and health flexible spending arrangements for medications to prescription drugs and insulin only (thus allowing payments for over-the-counter medications). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Memorial Day Moment of Silence Act

Bill: 113-s-1648
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2013-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: 
Memorial Day Moment of Silence Act - Directs the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe two minutes of silence on Memorial Day, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Atlantic standard time, in honor of the service and sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces throughout the history of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-1649
Sponsor: Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
Introduced: 2013-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Area studies and international education
Asia
Congressional oversight
Cultural exchanges and relations
Detention of persons
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Human rights
Human trafficking
International exchange and broadcasting
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
News media and reporting
Political movements and philosophies
Property rights
Protest and dissent
Racial and ethnic relations
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Rule of law and government transparency
United Nations
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: 
Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013 - Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam in excess of FY2012 amounts unless the President certifies to Congress that the government of Vietnam has made substantial progress respecting political, media, and religious freedoms, minority rights, access to U.S. refugee programs, return of confiscated religious estates and property, and actions to end trafficking in persons and to release political prisoners.
 
Authorizes the President to waive such requirements if increased U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance would promote the purposes of this Act or is otherwise in the U.S. national interest. Allows the President to waive such authority with respect to: (1) all U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to Vietnam; or (2) one or more programs, projects, or activities of such assistance. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1)the United States should take measures to overcome the jamming of Radio Free Asia by Vietnam and that the Broadcasting Board of Governors should not cut staffing, funding, or broadcast hours for the Vietnamese language services of the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia; (2) U.S.-Vietnam educational and cultural exchange programs should promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam; (3) the Secretary of State should oppose Vietnam's candidacy for membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC); (4) Vietnam should be designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom; and (5) Vietnam does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to exempt certain Alaska Native articles from prohibitions against sale of items containing nonedible migratory bird parts, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-s-1650
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2013-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Art, artists, authorship
Birds
Indian lands and resources rights
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: 
Amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to provide that nothing in such Act prohibits possessing, selling, bartering, purchasing, shipping, and transporting any authentic Alaska Native handicraft on the basis that it contains a nonedible migratory bird part. Makes such exemption inapplicable with respect to any handicraft containing any part of a migratory bird that was taken in a wasteful manner.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-07-16
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works Senate Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 113-772.
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Manufacturing Reinvestment Account Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-1651
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2013-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Manufacturing

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: 
Manufacturing Reinvestment Account Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish tax-exempt manufacturing reinvestment accounts (MRAs) for taxpayers engaged in a manufacturing business. Allows such manufacturers to make tax deductible cash payments into an MRA of the lesser of their domestic manufacturing gross receipts for the taxable year or $500,000. Permits expenditures from an MRA for expenses for property to be used in the manufacturing business and expenses for employee job training and workforce development. Imposes a 10% tax on amounts in an MRA that are not distributed within 7 years. Terminates the tax deduction for payments to an MRA 10 years after the enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Utility Energy Service Contracts Improvement Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-1652
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2013-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Energy efficiency and conservation
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Performance measurement
Public contracts and procurement
Public utilities and utility rates
Service industries

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: 
Utility Energy Service Contracts Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, with respect to promotion of the conservation and efficient use of energy and water, and the use of renewable resources, by the federal government, to authorize each agency to use measures provided by law to meet energy efficiency and conservation mandates and laws, including through utility energy service contracts.
 
Authorizes the term of such a contract to have a contract period that extends beyond 10 years, but prohibits such term from exceeding 25 years.
 
Requires the contract conditions to include requirements for measurement, verification, and performance assurances or guarantees of the savings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7830-7831)
action_date: 2013-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate