hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020.

Bill: 116-s-5010
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-12-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Justice
Executive agency funding and structure
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Intergovernmental relations
Lawyers and legal services
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-10
text: 

Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
 
The initiative shall
 
 
serve as legal and policy advisor on DOJ's efforts to enforce criminal and civil laws that impact service members, veterans, and their families;
 
develop policy recommendations for improved enforcement of federal law to support service members, veterans, and their families;
 
serve as the liaison and point of contact between DOJ and the military departments;
 
 provide counsel for the Office of Justice Programs to ensure that funding decisions take into account service members, veterans, and their families; 
 
serve as a liaison and point of contact with the Consumer Protection Branch of DOJ's Civil Division with respect to the prosecution of federal crimes involving fraud that target service members; and
 
serve as a liaison and point of contact with other DOJ components as needed to support the enforcement of other federal laws that protect service members and veterans.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-12-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Economic Empowerment for Underserved Communities Act

Bill: 116-s-5011
Sponsor: Sen. Loeffler, Kelly [R-GA]
Introduced: 2020-12-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Business investment and capital
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Department of Commerce
Economic development
Economic performance and conditions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Government lending and loan guarantees
Income tax credits
Income tax rates
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Inflation and prices
Manufacturing
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Poverty and welfare assistance
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Securities
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: 

Economic Empowerment for Underserved Communities Act

 
This bill provides economic assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), including through (1) the designation of specified amounts for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, (2) the establishment of a Small Business and Domestic Production Recovery Investment Facility, and (3) the extension of the requirement that the Small Business Administration subsidize certain loan payments. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Holding Sexual Predators and Online Enablers Accountable Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-5012
Sponsor: Sen. Loeffler, Kelly [R-GA]
Introduced: 2020-12-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: 

Holding Sexual Predators and Online Enablers Accountable Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes a new criminal offense for owning, managing, or operating an interactive computer service (e.g., social media company) that promotes or facilitates the hosting or trafficking in materials that involve child sexual exploitation. 
 
A violator is subject to criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to 25 years, or both. The bill also authorizes civil remedies such as damages. 
 
Additionally, the bill increases the mandatory minimum prison term for certain offenses involving child sexual exploitation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: Introduced in Senate
National Civilian Medals Improvement Act

Bill: 116-s-5013
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-12-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Art, artists, authorship
Behavioral sciences
Biological and life sciences
Chemistry
Citizenship and naturalization
Earth sciences
Family relationships
Federal officials
Members of Congress
Performing arts
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Supreme Court

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: 

National Civilian Medals Improvement Act

 
This bill modifies the requirements for awarding the National Medal of Science, the National Medal of Arts, the National Humanities Medal, and the National Technology and Innovation Medal and establishes a National Medal of Social Sciences.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 31, United States Code, to provide for automatic continuing resolutions.

Bill: 116-s-5014
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2020-12-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Executive agency funding and structure
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: 

Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2020

 
This bill provides continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown if any appropriations measure for a fiscal year has not been enacted before the fiscal year begins or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. 
 
For an initial 90-day period, the bill provides continuing appropriations at 99% of the rate for the preceding year to continue programs, projects, and activities for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year. The bill reduces the continuing appropriations by 1% after the first 90-day period and by an additional 1% for each subsequent 90-day period until the applicable appropriations legislation is enacted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-14
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 613.
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2020-12-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Outdoor Restoration Force Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-5015
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2020-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 

Outdoor Restoration Force Act of 2020
 
 
This bill establishes an Outdoor Restoration Fund to carry out restoration and resilience projects. 
 
The bill establishes the Restoration Fund Advisory Council. The council shall (1) disburse amounts for the restoration and resilience project grant program established by this bill; and (2) gather public input and provide recommendations to the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the use of the fund for the restoration and resilience partnership established by this bill.
 
The council shall coordinate with at least one existing regional entity, or a regional entity established by the council, in a specific geographic region to assist with the grant program. 
 
Amounts in the fund shall be made available to Interior, USDA, and the EPA to supplement their existing budgets for efforts that (1) enhance forest and watershed health through fuel reduction, forest restoration, fire mitigation, and road and trail maintenance; (2) support state, private, and Tribal forestry; (3) remediate or reclaim abandoned oil and gas wells, coal mines, and hardrock mines; (4) mitigate, or eradicate, invasive species on public, private, and Tribal land; or (5) enhance carbon sequestration, water resources, and improve wildlife habitats.
 
Until FY2026, the council shall annually perform outreach efforts and solicit public comments on the use of the fund by Interior, USDA, and the EPA for the restoration and resilience partnership.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-5016
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2020-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Criminal justice information and records
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign property
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Higher education
Human rights
Human trafficking
Immigration status and procedures
International organizations and cooperation
Medical education
Organ and tissue donation and transplantation
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Sanctions
Smuggling and trafficking
Surgery and anesthesia
Trade restrictions
Visas and passports
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 

Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes specified measures to combat forced organ harvesting and the international trafficking in persons for the purpose of removing their organs. These measures include (1) establishing property-blocking and visa-blocking sanctions, (2) prohibiting exports of certain surgery devices to entities that are identified as being responsible for forced organ harvesting or related human trafficking, and (3) requiring the Department of State to report on these practices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
HEMP Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-5017
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2020-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural practices and innovations
Business records
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Horticulture and plants
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 

Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan Act of 2020 or the
 
HEMP Act of 2020 

 
This bill modifies the definition of hemp to raise the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana) limit from 0.3% to 1%, and requires hemp shipments to contain a copy of a seed certification showing such hemp was grown from not more than 1% THC seed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
End the Cycle of Violence Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-5018
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2020-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Crime prevention
Detention of persons
Government information and archives
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Medical research
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 

End the Cycle of Violence Act of 2020

 
This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program for specified trauma centers and nonprofits to establish or expand intervention or prevention programs related to intentional violent trauma, excluding intimate partner violence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-5019
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2020-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Income tax deductions
Land use and conservation
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 

Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act of 2020

 
This bill limits the aggregate amount of a partner's annual tax deductions for qualified conservation contributions of a partnership to 2.5 times the partner's adjusted basis in the partnership. (Under current law, a qualified conservation contribution is the contribution of a qualified real property interest to a qualified organization exclusively for conservation purposes.) The limitation applies for the first three taxable years after the individual becomes a partner in the partnership. It does not apply to certain family partnerships. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to repeal section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934.

Bill: 116-s-5020
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2020-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 
This bill repeals Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, which protects a provider or user of an interactive computer service (e.g., social media company) from liability for screening or blocking objectionable content. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Every Child Connected Act

Bill: 116-s-5021
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2020-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Intergovernmental relations
State and local government operations
Telecommunication rates and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 

Every Child Connected Act

 
This bill modifies the E-Rate program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by (1) expanding program eligibility to include households in which a student is participating in distance learning, (2) requiring the FCC to coordinate with the Department of Education and state and local governments to direct E-Rate support to these newly eligible households, and (3) transferring certain funds captured from Federal Trade Commission civil penalties to the E-Rate program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Flood Risk Management Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-5022
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2020-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Appropriations
Building construction
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Finance and Financial Sector
Floods and storm protection
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing and community development funding
Lakes and rivers
Land use and conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 
 

Federal Flood Risk Management Act of 2020 

 
This bill directs agencies to reduce the risk of flood losses, minimize flood impacts, and restore and preserve natural floodplains. Additionally, an agency facilitating a financial transaction in an area subject to flooding has a duty to inform any participating private party of the hazards. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Ending Administrative Garnishment Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-5023
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 

Ending Administrative Garnishment Act of 2020

 
This bill suspends the authority of the Department of Education (ED) to collect student loan debt through wage garnishment until ED certifies to Congress that it has implemented a revised wage garnishment process. Further, the bill provides a right of action against employers for improper wage garnishment, and requires ED to pay a borrower whose wages were improperly garnished double the amount of those wages.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
National Ocean Exploration Act

Bill: 116-s-5024
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2020-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Employment and training programs
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental education
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Geography and mapping
Government information and archives
Hydrology and hydrography
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Performance measurement
Research administration and funding
Science and engineering education
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: 

National Ocean Exploration Act 

 
This bill provides statutory authority for the Ocean Policy Committee and the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council, and otherwise revises provisions related to ocean and coastal resources at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Japanese American Confinement Education Act

Bill: 116-s-5025
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Asia
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Detention of persons
Due process and equal protection
Historic sites and heritage areas
Historical and cultural resources
Japan
Military history
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Racial and ethnic relations
Research administration and funding
U.S. history
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: 

Japanese American Confinement Education Act

 
This bill establishes a museum program on the historical importance of Japanese American confinement during World War II and permanently reauthorizes the Japanese American Confinement Sites preservation program.
 
The bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish a program of grants to a Japanese American museum to educate individuals in the United States on the historical importance of such confinement and the commitment of the United States to equal justice.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Global Press Freedom Act

Bill: 116-s-5026
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
News media and reporting
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: 

Global Press Freedom Act

 
This bill establishes the Office of Press Freedom to advance the protection and well-being of members of the press abroad and to engage with foreign governments and global press freedom organizations concerning freedom of the press and of expression. The Government Accountability Office must assess and report on effects and changes resulting from certain requirements related to press freedom. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Secure Data and Privacy for Contact Tracing Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-5027
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Performance measurement
Right of privacy
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: 

Secure Data and Privacy for Contact Tracing Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award grants to public health agencies in states, tribes, and territories to incorporate digital contact tracing technology in COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) contact tracing programs. 
 
This technology must meet requirements with respect to contact tracing functions, data security and privacy, and voluntary use. Grantees that develop or procure technology that does not meet these requirements lose eligibility for this funding and future funding for COVID-19 contact tracing technology.
 
Furthermore, as a condition of receiving funding, grantees must (1) undertake an independent security assessment, and (2) develop a plan that delineates how the technology augments existing COVID-19 contact tracing and response efforts and addresses interoperability and protections to limit access to the data. 
 
In addition, the bill expressly applies federal privacy standards for the use and disclosure of personal health information by health care providers, health plans, health clearinghouses, and their business associates to contact tracing technology and its use. Current law provides an exception to these standards for personal health information used by, or disclosed to, a public health authority that is legally authorized to collect the information. The bill also prohibits the use of data derived from the contact tracing technology in legal proceedings or for immigration enforcement. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must evaluate this program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Zeroing Out Money for Buying Influence after Elections (ZOMBIE) Act

Bill: 116-s-5028
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2020-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: 

Zeroing Out Money for Buying Influence after Elections (ZOMBIE) Act

 
This bill requires each authorized committee or leadership political action committee (PAC) of a candidate to disburse all unused funds within a specified time period beginning after an election or before the candidate registers as a lobbyist or foreign agent, unless the candidate files to run for office again before the disbursement period begins. 
 
A committee or PAC disbursing unspent funds shall first pay any obligations incurred and, if funds are left over, it may disburse the funds in specified ways.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate