hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Scofield Land Transfer Act

Bill: 113-s-510
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2013-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government trust funds
Land transfers
Outdoor recreation
Utah
Water storage

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-07
text: 
Scofield Land Transfer Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) complete a full physical and title survey of specified federal land concerning the Scofield Dam and Reservoir in Carbon County, Utah, and any other related land in and around Scofield Reservoir Basin; and (2) attempt to notify each person or entity claiming title to, or an interest in, such land (claimant) of the claimant's trespass or encroachment on federal land, including the existence of any trespassing or encroaching structures.
 
Authorizes the Secretary, in order to resolve trespass and encroachment issues and upon a claimant's request, to convey either a fee interest or a life estate to a claimant. 
 
Subjects any conveyance to: (1) a claimant paying fair market value for the claimed land, (2) the United States retaining a flood easement over the entire portion of the federal land conveyed, and (3) specified deed restrictions. 
 
Establishes the Scofield Reservoir Fund to provide enhanced recreation opportunities at the Scofield Reservoir. Deposits into the Fund any amounts paid by claimants pursuant to this Act.


Legislative actions:
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: 2013-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2013-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to clarify the role of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma regarding the maintenance of the W.D. Mayo Lock and Dam in the State of Oklahoma.

Bill: 113-s-513
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2013-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal-Indian relations
Indian lands and resources rights
Licensing and registrations
Oklahoma

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: 
Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to modify provisions authorizing the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma to design and construct hydroelectric generating facilities at the W.D. Mayo Lock and Dam on the Arkansas River in Oklahoma.
 
Authorizes such Nation to market the electricity generated from any such facility. Requires such Nation to obtain any permit required by federal or state law before the date on which construction begins on such facilities, except that the Nation shall be exempt from any licensing requirements under the Federal Power Act related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of hydroelectric generating facilities. 
 
Authorizes: (1) such Nation to initiate design and construction only after the Secretary of the Army reviews and approves the plans and specifications, and (2) the Secretary to accept and use funds offered by such Nation to carry out the design and construction. Requires such Nation to: (1) bear all costs associated with the design and construction, and (2) provide any funds necessary for the design and construction to the Secretary prior to the Secretary initiating related activities.
 
Provides that such Nation shall hold all title to any hydroelectric generating facility constructed under this Act and may assign such title to a third party, subject to the Secretary's approval. Requires such Nation to: (1) be solely responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and rehabilitation of, and the marketing of the electricity generated by, any such facility; and (2) release and indemnify the United States from all liabilities that may arise out of any activity undertaken to carry out this Act.
 
Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to provide any technical and construction management assistance that is requested by such Nation relating to such design and construction, and (2) such Nation to enter into agreements necessary to carry out this Act with the Secretary or a third party.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide additional educational assistance under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to veterans pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, math, or an area that leads to employment in a high-demand occupation, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-s-514
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2013-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Science and engineering education
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: 
 Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay an additional appropriate amount to each individual entitled to post 9/11 educational assistance who is pursuing a program of education with a STEM focus (science, technology, engineering, and math) or an area leading to employment in a high-demand occupation. Makes such amount in addition to any other educational assistance to which the individual is entitled.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-12
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-111.
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program to cover recipients of Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-s-515
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2013-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Public-private cooperation
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: 
Includes under the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program (public-private contributions for educational assistance in addition to post-9/11 educational assistance) the child or spouse of an individual who, on or after September 11, 2001, dies in the line of duty while serving on active duty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-12
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-111.
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
PROSTATE Act

Bill: 113-s-516
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2013-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Cancer
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Military medicine
Minority health
Research administration and funding
Sex and reproductive health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: 
Prostate Research, Outreach, Screening, Testing, Access, and Treatment Effectiveness Act of 2013 or PROSTATE Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the Interagency Prostate Cancer Coordination and Education Task Force, with duties to include: (1) developing a summary of advances in federal prostate cancer research and compile a list of best practices that warrant broader adoption in health care programs, (2) considering establishing guidance to enable physicians to allow screening of men over age 74, (3) coordinating information on federal research and health care program activities relating to prostate cancer, and (4) submitting recommendations regarding federal research and health care programs.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish and carry out a program to coordinate and intensify prostate cancer research, including by developing advances in diagnostic and prognostic methods and tests, better understanding of the etiology of the disease, and establishment of clinical registries for prostate cancer and the award of research grants.
 
Establishes in the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a Prostate Cancer Scientific Advisory Board to be responsible for accelerating real-time sharing of the latest research data and accelerating movement of new medicines to patients.
 
Directs the Secretary of VA, the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish four-year telehealth pilot projects to analyze the clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness associated with telehealth services in a variety of geographic areas that contain high proportions of medically underserved populations as well as those in rural areas. 
 
Requires the Secretary of VA to develop a national education campaign for prostate cancer. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
H2O Visa for Seafood Processing Act

Bill: 113-s-518
Sponsor: Sen. Begich, Mark [D-AK]
Introduced: 2013-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Foreign labor
Seafood
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: 
H
2
O Visa for Seafood Processing Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a nonimmigrant visa category for an alien having a foreign country residence, which he or she has no intention of abandoning, who is coming temporarily to the United States to work in the seafood processing industry.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
PRE-K Act

Bill: 113-s-519
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2013-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child care and development
Child health
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Language arts
Minority education
Preschool education
Rural conditions and development
School administration
Special education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: 
Providing Resources Early for Kids Act of 2013 or the PRE-K Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to states to enhance or improve state-funded preschool programs.
 
Sets forth a grant formula favoring states that: (1) have curricula aligned with state early learning standards; (2) use nationally-established, or better, best practices for class size and teacher-to-student ratios; (3) require each teacher to have at least an associate degree in early childhood education or a related field; (4) require such programs to operate for at least a full academic year; and (5) have a plan for meeting the requirement, within five years of receiving such grant, that teachers have at least a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education or have such degree in a related field, but have also completed specialized training in early childhood education.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a competitive process for awarding grants to other states that demonstrate that they will meet such requirements within two fiscal years.
 
Prohibits state grantees from reducing their preschool or child care expenditures. 
 
Requires states to give priority, in using grant funds, to preschool programs in communities with high concentrations of impoverished children.
 
 Includes among grant uses: (1) increasing the qualifications of, and benefits provided to, teachers, teacher aides, and program directors; (2) decreasing class size and improving teacher-to-student ratios; (3) providing certain comprehensive services that support healthy child development; (4) extending program duration; (5) improving program monitoring and learning environments; and (6) providing classroom supplies or equipment.
 
Reserves funds for competitive grants to Indians for their preschool programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1595-1596)
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Wounded Warrior Research Enhancement Act

Bill: 113-s-521
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2013-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Aging
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Materials
Medical research
Military medicine
Neurological disorders
Research administration and funding
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: 
Wounded Warrior Research Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to award grants to carry out research for the advancement of orthotic and prosthetic clinical care for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and civilians who have undergone amputation, traumatic brain injury, and other serious physical injury as a result of combat or military experience. Includes under such research the prevention of amputations, orthotic and prosthetic intervention, and orthotics and prosthetic materials and technology research.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1596-1597)
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1596)
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act

Bill: 113-s-522
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2013-03-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Allied health services
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Education programs funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medical education
Medical research
Military medicine
Research administration and funding
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: 
Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants to eligible institutions to: (1) establish a master's or doctoral degree program in orthotics and prosthetics, or (2) expand upon an existing master's degree program in such area. Requires a grant priority for institutions in partnership with a medical center administered by the VA or a facility administered by the Department of Defense (DOD). Provides grant amounts of at least $1 million and up to $1.5 million. Defines as eligible institutions those either accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education or demonstrating an ability to meet such accreditation requirements if receiving a grant.
 
Requires the Secretary to award a grant to an institution with orthotic and prosthetic research and education experience to: (1) establish the Center of Excellence in Orthotic and Prosthetic Education; and (2) improve orthotic and prosthetic outcomes for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and civilians by conducting orthotic and prosthetic-based research.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-05-09
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-203.
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1597-1598)
action_date: 2013-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom from Government Competition Act

Bill: 113-s-523
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Congressional oversight
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Freedom from Government Competition Act - Requires each executive or military department or independent establishment to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of its authorized functions by procurement from private sources, except if: (1) such goods or services are required by law to be produced or performed by such agency; or (2) the head of the agency determines and certifies that federal production, manufacture, or provision of a good or service is necessary for the national defense or homeland security, that a good or service is so inherently governmental in nature that it is in the public interest to require production or performance by government employees, or that there is no private source capable of providing the good or service.
 
Requires such private sector provision of goods and services to be performed through: (1) the divestiture of federal involvement, (2) the award of a contract using competitive procedures, (3) converting an activity to performance by a qualified firm under at least 51% ownership by an Indian tribe or a Native Hawaiian Organization, or (4) conducting a public-private competitive sourcing analysis in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) procedures and determining that using the private sector is in the best interest of the United States and provides the best value to the taxpayer.
 
Authorizes an agency head to utilize federal employees to provide goods or services previously provided by a private sector entity upon completion of a public-private competitive sourcing analysis and after determining that provision by federal employees provides the best value.
 
Requires the Director of OMB to carry out a study, in conjunction with the Comptroller General (GAO), to evaluate the activities carried out in each 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
Pike National Historic Trail Study Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-524
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Colorado
Historic sites and heritage areas
Kansas
Louisiana
Missouri
Nebraska
New Mexico
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
 Pike National Historic Trail Study Act of 2013 - Amends the National Trails System Act to require a study for the designation of Pike's Trail, a series of routes that follow the route taken by Lt. Zebulon Montgomery Pike during the 1806-1807 Pike expedition that began in Fort Bellefontaine, Missouri, and ended in Natchitoches, Louisiana, as a national historic trail. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-07-31
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 113-93.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to restore the rights of the American people that were taken away by the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case and related decisions, to protect the integrity of our elections, and to limit the corrosive influence of money in our democratic process.

Bill: 113-s-525
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Constitution and constitutional amendments
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Constitutional Amendment - Declares that, whereas the right to vote in public elections belongs only to natural persons as U.S. citizens, so shall the ability to make contributions and expenditures to influence the outcome of public elections belong only to natural persons. 
 
Declares that nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to restrict the power of Congress and the states to protect the integrity and fairness of the electoral process, limit the corrupting influence of private wealth in public elections, and guarantee the dependence of elected officials on the people alone by taking certainactions.
 
Includes among such actions: (1) the establishment of systems of public financing for elections; (2) the imposition of requirements to ensure the disclosure of contributions and expenditures made to influence the outcome of a public election by candidates, individuals, and associations of individuals; and (3) the imposition of content neutral limitations on all such contributions and expenditures.
 
Declares that nothing in this Article shall be construed to alter freedom of the press.
 
Grants Congress and the states power to enforce this Amendment through appropriate legislation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-526
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Income tax deductions
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Sports and recreation facilities

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax deduction for charitable contributions by individuals and corporations of real property interests for conservation purposes; and (2) prohibit any such deduction for contributions of an easement for use on, or intended use on, a golf course.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1711-1712)
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-527
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2013-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Africa
Immigration status and procedures
Liberia

Summary:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: 
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2013 - Adjusts to permanent resident status a qualifying Liberian national who: (1) has been continuously present in the United States between January 1, 2013, through the date of status adjustment application; or (2) is the spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of such an alien.
 
Requires adjustment applications to be filed not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1712)
action_date: 2013-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate