hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Disabled Veterans' Access to Medical Exams Improvement Act

Bill: 113-hr-2423
Sponsor: Rep. Runyan, Jon [R-NJ-3]
Introduced: 2013-06-18 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Disability assistance
Health personnel
Licensing and registrations
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Public contracts and procurement
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: 
Disabled Veterans' Access to Medical Exams Improvement Act - Amends the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 to extend until December 31, 2016, the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide for persons other than VA employees (i.e., contract physicians) to conduct medical disability examinations of applicants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
 
Permits licensed, VA-contracted physicians to conduct such examinations at any location in any state, the District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, so long as the examination is authorized under the contract.
 
Amends the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 to provide similar authorities with respect to permissible examination locations to licensed physicians under the pilot program authorizing the VA to use contract physicians to perform medical disability examinations of applicants for benefits under laws carried out through the Under Secretary for Benefits. Expands from 10 to 15 the maximum number of VA regional offices through which the Secretary is authorized to carry out such pilot program. 
 
Directs the Secretary to conduct an annual data analysis (including an analysis of backlogged claims, pending workloads, and the timeliness of completed cases) to determine the regional offices requiring support.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-07-17
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2013-07-17
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2013-07-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2013-06-28
text: Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Prior to Referral.
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Introduced in House
Earned Retiree Healthcare Benefits Protection Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-2425
Sponsor: Rep. Tierney, John F. [D-MA-6]
Introduced: 2013-06-18 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Aging
Civil actions and liability
Department of Labor
Employee benefits and pensions
Executive agency funding and structure
Government lending and loan guarantees
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: 
Earned Retiree Healthcare Benefits Protection Act of 2013 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish an enforceable obligation on sponsors of group health plans to restore health benefits previously taken away from plan participants to the extent such benefits were cancelled or altered after their retirement.
 
Prohibits group health plans from reducing retiree health benefits after the retirement of a plan beneficiary. Requires such plans to adopt provisions barring post-retirement reductions in retiree health benefits.
 
Requires group health plan sponsors to grant benefit restoration to retired plan participants. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to waive or vary requirements for benefit restoration if compliance with such requirements would: (1) be adverse to the interests of plan participants in the aggregate, (2) not be administratively feasible, and (3) cause substantial business hardship to plan sponsors.
 
Establishes the Emergency Retiree Health Loan Guarantee Program. Authorizes the Program to guarantee loans provided by private financial institutions to assist plan sponsors in meeting benefit restoration obligations under this Act. Terminates loan guarantee authority on December 31, 2019. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to assess civil penalties for violations of this Act.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-07-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Introduced in House
Educating Tomorrow's Engineers Act

Bill: 113-hr-2426
Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Introduced: 2013-06-18 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education of the disadvantaged
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Higher education
Research administration and funding
Rural conditions and development
Science and engineering education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: 
Educating Tomorrow's Engineers Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require states to incorporate engineering design skills and practices into their academic content standards and academic achievement standards and assessments in science by the 2016-2017 school year.
 
Requires states to reserve 10% of the grant they receive under the Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund program to award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations and other entities with expertise in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields to develop and provide professional development and instructional materials for STEM education in their state.
 
 Changes current references to the mathematics and science partnerships program to references to the STEM partnerships program, which provides funding to states, institutions of higher education, and high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) to recruit and train STEM teachers and improve STEM curricula.
 
Amends the 21st century community learning centers program to include STEM activities (currently, mathematics and science activities) within the before- and after-school activities funded under that program.
 
Amends the rural and low-income school program to include professional development in engineering education among the uses of the funds provided to rural LEAs.
 
Amends the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 to require the National Center for Education Research to sponsor and conduct research geared toward improving STEM, rather than just mathematics and science, teaching and learning.
 
Directs the Secretary of Education to support research on engineering education and use that research to provide information to the public, and technical assistance to states, on best practices and promising innovations in kindergarten through grade 12 engineering education.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-07-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Introduced in House
To provide for the relief of Lori L. Rogers.

Bill: 113-hr-2427
Sponsor: Rep. Stewart, Chris [R-UT-2]
Introduced: 2013-06-18 in the House
Policy area: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: 
Provides for the relief of Lori L. Rogers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-07-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-18
text: Introduced in House
SAFE Bridges Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-2428
Sponsor: Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3]
Introduced: 2013-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: 
Strengthen And Fortify Existing Bridges Act of 2013 or SAFE Bridges Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish a program to assist states to rehabilitate or replace bridges found to be structurally deficient, functionally obsolete, or fracture critical.
 
Requires states to use apportioned program funds for projects to rehabilitate and replace such bridges.
 
Sets the federal share of project costs at 100%.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-2429
Sponsor: Rep. Brady, Kevin [R-TX-8]
Introduced: 2013-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Inflation and prices
Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: 
Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
To prohibit the obligation or expenditure of funds made available to any Federal department or agency for any fiscal year to provide military assistance to any of the armed combatants in Syria absent express prior statutory authorization from Congress.

Bill: 113-hr-2432
Sponsor: Rep. Nolan, Richard M. [D-MN-8]
Introduced: 2013-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appropriations
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Syria

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: 
Prohibits funds made available to any federal department or agency for any fiscal year from being obligated or expended to provide military assistance to any of the armed combatants in Syria absent express prior statutory authorization from Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
Stem Cell Research Advancement Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-2433
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
Introduced: 2013-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cell biology and embryology
Department of Health and Human Services
Medical ethics
Medical research
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: 
 Stem Cell Research Advancement Act of 2013 -Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research that utilizes human stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells. 
 
Limits such research to human embryonic stem cells that have been derived from cells from human embryos that: (1) were created using in vitro fertilization for reproductive purposes and are no longer needed for those purposes, and (2) were donated by the individuals who sought reproductive treatment with written and voluntary informed consent for the embryos to be used for research purposes and without receiving any financial or other inducements. 
 
Requires the Secretary to maintain, review, and update as scientifically warranted guidelines applicable to the conduct or support of human stem cell research by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 
 
Prohibits the Secretary from using any funds for the conduct or support of human cloning. Defines &quot;human cloning&quot; to mean the implantation of the product of transferring the nuclear material of a human somatic cell into an egg cell from which the nuclear material has been removed or rendered inert into a uterus or the functional equivalent of a uterus. Requires the Secretary to update the guidelines maintained pursuant to this Act for consistency with such prohibition. 
 
Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to include information on human stem cells in the biennial report to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
Civilian Contractors Engaged in Intelligence Activities Reduction Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-2434
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2013-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: 
Civilian Contractors Engaged in Intelligence Activities Reduction Act of 2013 - Requires the Director of National Intelligence: (1) to study the extent to which contractors are used in the conduct of intelligence activities and the type of information to which such contractors have access; (2) by December 31, 2013, to submit a report containing the results of the study and a plan for reducing the number of intelligence community contractors with top secret security clearances that are engaged in intelligence activities, including analysis, by 25%; and (3) by December 31, 2014, to make such reduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select).
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
Let the GSEs Pay Us Back Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-2435
Sponsor: Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-7]
Introduced: 2013-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Financial crises and stabilization
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing finance and home ownership
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: 
Let the GSEs Pay Us Back Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and any affiliate, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and any affiliate (government sponsored enterprises or GSEs), with each GSE acting through an appointed conservator, to enter into an agreement that modifies the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement for the GSE to provide that: (1) any Senior Preferred Stock purchased under the Agreement by the Treasury shall not accrue further dividends; and (2) any amounts received by the GSE, before or after the modification, during a single year as a draw upon the Treasury's commitment under the Agreement shall be treated as a loan by the Treasury to the GSE meeting specified criteria.
 
Specifies as such criteria that this loan be treated as though originated on the date of the last such draw during that year, with: (1) an original principal obligation equal to the aggregate amount of such draws, (2) a 30-year term, (3) an annual interest rate of 5%, and (4) requirements for full amortization of the loan over the 30-year term. Requires the GSE to repay the loan in accordance with the amortization schedule established.
 
Requires any dividends paid by the GSE to the Treasury under the Agreement before the modification to be treated as payments of principal and interest due under the loan, to be credited against payments due: (1) first to the loan with the earliest origination date that has not yet been fully repaid until it is repaid, and (2) then to the loan having the next earliest origination date until it is repaid.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
San Gabriel Watershed Restoration Act

Bill: 113-hr-2436
Sponsor: Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27]
Introduced: 2013-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: California
Floods and storm protection
Government studies and investigations
Outdoor recreation
Water quality
Water resources funding
Water storage
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: 
San Gabriel Watershed Restoration Act - Directs the Chief of Engineers, in coordination with Los Angeles County, California, to: (1) prepare a feasibility study for environmental ecosystem restoration, flood control, water quality control, water supply storage, outdoor recreation enhancements, and other aspects of the San Gabriel River Watershed revitalization that is consistent with the goals of the San Gabriel River master plan published by that County; and (2) identify demonstration projects for construction and restoration of the San Gabriel River Watershed.
 
Authorizes the Chief to construct demonstration projects to provide information to develop the study. Limits to 65% the federal share of the cost of any project under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3765)
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
Creating Jobs Through Cooperatives Act

Bill: 113-hr-2437
Sponsor: Rep. Fattah, Chaka [D-PA-2]
Introduced: 2013-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Community life and organization
Credit and credit markets
Economic development
Housing and community development funding
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Performance measurement
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: 
Creating Jobs Through Cooperatives Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a National Cooperative Development Program to create jobs and increase economic development in eligible project areas by promoting cooperative development.
 
Defines &quot;eligible project areas&quot; as those located within:
 
 
a census tract defined as low- or moderate-income by the Census Bureau;
 
a population census tract treated as a low-income community under the Internal Revenue Code; or
 
areas adjacent or close to areas that meet either requirement, and are given special HUD approval to be classified as eligible project areas. (Requires the Secretary to limit the number of funded projects located in these areas.)
 
 
Defines &quot;cooperative development&quot; as specified technical assistance for the establishment of cooperative organizations, which are autonomous associations of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.
 
Authorizes the Secretary, through a competitive process, to make one- to -five-year grants to local cooperative development centers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
Protecting Adoption and Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-2439
Sponsor: Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]
Introduced: 2013-06-19 in the House
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Family relationships
Government information and archives
Marriage and family status
Separation, divorce, custody, support
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: 
Protecting Adoption and Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Act of 2013 - Amends part B (Child and Family Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and maintain an automated National Responsible Father Registry.
 
Requires the Registry to: (1) contain specified kinds of information sufficient to identify a possible father, and (2) provide a mechanism for men to register such identifying information directly with the Registry.
 
Limits access to Registry information to eligible parties, including: (1) public and licensed private adoption or child placement agencies, (2) licensed attorneys representing a party in a planned or pending adoption or in the termination of rights of one or more possible fathers, (3) state agencies or entities responsible for the placement of children, and (4) state courts.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a nationwide campaign designed to inform possible fathers, unwed mothers, possible adoptive parents, and eligible parties of the National Registry, the advantages of possible fathers registering either in the National Registry or State Responsible Father Registries, or both, the rights and responsibilities of such parties with regard to a proceeding, and the role of such Registries in a proceeding.
 
Directs the Secretary to use all reasonable efforts to encourage states to enter into agreements to establish automated State Responsible Father Registries and centers that make registration forms easily accessible to possible fathers.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to a state to establish a State Registry or modify an existing one to meet the requirements of this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-06-19
text: Introduced in House