hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3689
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal-Indian relations
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Judicial review and appeals
Legislative rules and procedure
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 20

20

 
This bill broadens the requirements for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to study and report on the impact of federal mandates in legislation and estimate their direct costs to state, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector. Specifically, it requires CBO's estimates to include (1) costs to state, local, or tribal governments to implement proposed changes of the conditions for participating in a federal assistance program, upon the request of certain Members of Congress; (2) indirect costs to the private sector, such as foregone profits and costs passed onto consumers and other entities; and (3) costs of rules issued by independent regulatory agencies, except the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee. 
In addition, the bill prohibits consideration of legislation that would increase the direct cost of private sector mandates beyond certain limits, unless such prohibition is waived by Congress. 
 
The bill further revises the federal regulatory process by, among other things (1) transferring certain responsibilities from the Office of Management and Budget to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, (2) establishing criteria to guide agencies in assessing the effects of federal regulatory actions, (3) revising requirements for agency statements accompanying significant regulatory actions, (4) requiring agencies to develop a process for private sector parties to provide input on regulatory proposals containing significant federal mandates, and (5) requiring agencies to conduct a retrospective analysis of an existing regulation upon the request of certain Members of Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3690
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Appropriations
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Computers and information technology
Educational facilities and institutions
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Government trust funds
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Libraries and archives
Minority education
Telecommunication rates and fees
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, from which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must provide support for certain schools or libraries to purchase specified telecommunications equipment during the public health emergency declared because of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Specifically, the FCC shall provide funds to certain elementary schools, secondary schools, or libraries to purchase telecommunications equipment or services (e.g., Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, and routers) for use by students, staff, or patrons at locations that include locations other than the schools or libraries. Priority must be given to students, staff, or patrons who do not have access to such equipment or services.
 
Following the emergency period, funding recipients are authorized to use purchased equipment for appropriate purposes but may not sell or transfer such equipment for anything of value, except for upgraded equipment of the same type. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Sending American Taxpayer Money To Governments Controlled By Terrorists Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3691
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Foreign aid and international relief
Lebanon
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Political parties and affiliation
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

Stop Sending American Taxpayer Money To Governments Controlled By Terrorists Act of 2020

 
This bill prohibits the U.S. government from providing assistance to any Lebanese government (1) of which Hezbollah is a member; (2) over which Hezbollah exercises undue influence; or (3) in which a ministry, agency, or instrumentality of that government is controlled by Hezbollah.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
End Military-Connected Child Abuse and Neglect Act

Bill: 116-s-3692
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Crime victims
Criminal justice information and records
Domestic violence and child abuse
Military facilities and property
Military personnel and dependents
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

End Military-Connected Child Abuse and Neglect Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to carry out activities to improve the ability of DOD to effectively prevent, track, and respond to military-connected child abuse, consistent with the recommendations of the Government Accountability Office in the report titled 
Increased Guidance and Collaboration Needed to Improve DOD's Tracking and Response to Child Abuse
.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to foster efficient markets and increase competition and transparency among packers that purchase livestock from producers.

Bill: 116-s-3693
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Livestock
Meat

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 
This bill establishes that a minimum of 50% of a covered packer's daily volume of livestock slaughter must be purchased through spot market sales from nonaffiliated producers. (The term 
covered packer
 applies to a packer that is required to report to the Department of Agriculture each reporting day information on the price and quantity of livestock purchased by such packer and does not include a packer that owns only one livestock processing plant.)
 
A spot market sale is a purchase and sale of livestock by a packer from a producer under (1) an agreement that specifies a firm base price that may be equated with a fixed dollar amount on the date the agreement is entered into, (2) which the livestock are slaughtered not more than 14 days after the date on which the agreement is entered into, and (3) circumstances in which a reasonable competitive bidding opportunity exists on the date on which the agreement is entered into.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2380-2381)
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
ORE Act

Bill: 116-s-3694
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

Onshoring Rare Earths Act of 2020 or the ORE Act

 
This bill allows permanent expensing of property used in the extraction of certain critical minerals and metals within the United States and of nonresidential real property used in extracting such minerals and metals. 
Expensing
 is the treatment of expenditures as operating costs deductible in full in the current taxable year. 
 
The bill allows a new tax deduction for 200% of the cost of purchasing or acquiring such critical minerals and metals extracted from deposits in the United States. 
 
The bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a pilot project grant program for the development of critical minerals and metals in the United States. A grant awarded under such program may not exceed $10 million. In awarding grants, DOD must give priority to projects determined to be economically viable over the long term and must allot 30% of grants funds to the secondary recovery of critical minerals and metals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
CONNECT at Home Act

Bill: 116-s-3695
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Federal preemption
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Poverty and welfare assistance
State and local government operations
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

Continuing Online Networking, Negating Economic Conditions on Technology at Home Act or the CONNECT at Home Act

 
This bill prohibits a voice or internet service provider from terminating service to a customer during the national emergency declared due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and for 180 days thereafter.
 
A provider that terminated voice or internet service to a customer following the emergency declaration and prior to the enactment of this bill must resume providing such service upon the date of enactment. 
 
Terminating or failing to resume providing such service will result in a forfeiture penalty, and the proceeds of any such penalties collected shall be used to provide assistance to low-income individuals who lack access to affordable broadband service due to COVID-19.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Insurance Relief for Unemployed Individuals and Families

Bill: 116-s-3696
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Income tax credits
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

Health Insurance Relief for Unemployed Individuals and Families

 
This bill requires the disregard of additional unemployment insurance paid under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act in determining eligibility for and the amount of the tax credit for health care premium assistance and for means tested federal benefit programs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
SNAP COVID–19 Anti-Hunger Restaurant Relief for You Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3697
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Food assistance and relief
Food industry and services
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Public contracts and procurement
Retail and wholesale trades
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

SNAP COVID-19 Anti-Hunger Restaurant Relief for You Act of 2020

 
This bill modifies the Restaurant Meals Program under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to make additional individuals and food retailers eligible to use and participate in the program during the COVID-19 public health emergency. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Emergency GRACE Act

Bill: 116-s-3698
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Aging
Appropriations
Cancer
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Justice
Detention of persons
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
HIV/AIDS
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Public contracts and procurement
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

Emergency Grants of Release And Compassion Effectively Act of 2020 or the Emergency GRACE Act

 
This bill makes various changes to address COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and expand the use of compassionate release programs in correctional facilities, including by providing emergency funding to nonfederal correctional facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
America Forward Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3699
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intergovernmental relations
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
State and local government operations
Travel and tourism
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

America Forward Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes an America Forward Commission to create a strategy to reopen the economy in light of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
 
Specifically, the commission shall take steps that include
 
 
examining the tools and techniques necessary to ensure that federal, state, and local governments can diagnose, isolate, and mitigate the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19; 
 
 evaluating information-sharing policies and practices for essential information between government stakeholders; 
 
 developing recommendations concerning necessary materials; 
 
 evaluating proposals to strengthen the resilience of economic sectors and protect workers who are most vulnerable to disruption from viral pandemics; and
 
advising on best practices for strengthening international trade, business, and tourism in a manner that reduces the risk of foreign traveler-related transmission of viral disease.
 
 
The bill requires (1) the commission to submit its findings or recommendations to the White House Coronavirus Task Force and Congress and make them available to the public, and (2) the task force to respond in writing to the commission's recommendations or findings and make its response available to the public.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Utilizing and Supporting Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Act

Bill: 116-s-3700
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Appropriations
Asia
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
China
Corporation for National and Community Service
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee hiring
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mongolia
National and community service
Peace Corps
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Unemployment
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

Utilizing and Supporting Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Act

 
This bill provides benefits for Peace Corps volunteers, including health insurance for volunteers whose service was terminated due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak.
 
Such a terminated Peace Corps volunteer shall receive health insurance for two months upon return to the United States. The volunteer may elect to extend such insurance, at the volunteer's expense, until the last day in which the volunteer would be eligible for unemployment benefits under the Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus Act. The Department of Labor shall deem a terminated volunteer eligible for such unemployment benefits if the volunteer is unemployed and not eligible for regular or extended unemployment benefits.
 
Executive branch departments and agencies with hiring needs, as well as the Corporation for National and Community Service, shall establish expedited processes for hiring and enrolling such terminated Peace Corps volunteers.

The Peace Corps shall (1) resume all programs, to the extent possible, as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided; and (2) establish an expedited process for reenrolling Peace Corps volunteers whose service was terminated due to COVID-19. 
 
The Peace Corps shall inform exiting volunteers of various health care options available after leaving the Peace Corps.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Con­nec­tiv­ity for Higher Education Students in Need Act

Bill: 116-s-3701
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Appropriations
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Computers and information technology
Department of Commerce
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government trust funds
Higher education
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Minority education
Rural conditions and development
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 

Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act

 
This bill establishes and provides funds for the Emergency Higher Education Connectivity Fund. Specifically, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) must use the fund to support institutions of higher education (IHEs) in providing broadband internet access service, videoconferencing systems and services used for distance learning, and equipment (e.g., computers, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other one-time costs) to enrolled students during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.
 
The bill requires the NTIA, in consultation with the Department of Education, to promulgate regulations within 14 days related to support for IHEs.
 
Among other things, the regulations must
 
 
prioritize support for IHEs that receive certain institutional grants, including historically Black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, and rural-serving institutions;
 
require IHEs to prioritize support for students who are eligible for need-based financial aid; and
 
establish a schedule of reasonable per-student funding amounts for eligible services and equipment.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to appropriate additional amounts to provide loans under the paycheck protection program to community development financial institutions and minority depository institutions, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-3702
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2020-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Appropriations
Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Credit and credit markets
Department of the Treasury
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing and community development funding
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Small business
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: 
This bill modifies and provides additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Specifically, the bill provides an additional $10 billion to guarantee paycheck protection loans, $7.5 billion of which shall be for small loans made by community development financial institutions or minority depository institutions.
 
The bill also 
 
 
establishes a grant program to provide assistance to community development financial institutions and minority depository institutions that primarily make small paycheck protection loans;
 
provides additional funding for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and prioritizes support for minority-led community development financial institutions or community development financial institutions that serve communities of color;
 
authorizes community development financial institutions that are certified by the fund to make and approve paycheck protection loans;
 
extends the deadline to apply for a paycheck protection loan;
 
allows recipients up to 24 weeks to use their paycheck protection loan;
 and 
extends the deadline by which a paycheck protection loan recipient must eliminate a reduction in employment, salary, or wages to be eligible for loan forgiveness.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2020-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate