hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
AQUAA Act

Bill: 116-s-4723
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Agricultural education
Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural research
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Animal and plant health
Aquaculture
Assault and harassment offenses
Business investment and capital
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Commerce
Economic performance and conditions
Education programs funding
Emergency planning and evacuation
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal-Indian relations
Fishes
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Genetics
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Indian lands and resources rights
Intergovernmental relations
Judicial review and appeals
Labor standards
Law enforcement officers
Licensing and registrations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor
Natural disasters
Public participation and lobbying
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Seafood
State and local government operations
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases
Water quality
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture Act or the
 
AQUAA Act

 
This bill establishes national standards for sustainable offshore aquaculture. It also establishes a national plan to identify and designate aquaculture opportunity areas.
 
The Department of Commerce must develop a plan and time line to systematically (1) assess the exclusive economic zone, (2) prepare an inventory of sites suitable for aquaculture opportunity areas, and (3) designate aquaculture opportunity areas.
 
Commerce must also establish a research and development grant program to promote research and extension activities, including to (1) create innovative design and engineering solutions to common obstacles within the aquaculture industry; (2) evaluate the role of genetics in relation to brood stock production, disease management, and interactions between cultured species and wild stocks; and (3) improve techniques for monitoring, assessing, and addressing environmental impacts of aquaculture and develop and evaluate methodologies to prevent, minimize, and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.
 
The bill directs Commerce to create an Office of Aquaculture within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to coordinate regulatory, scientific, outreach, and international issues related to aquaculture.
 
The bill also establishes a unified permitting and review process for aquaculture operations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Solid Start Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4724
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Mental health
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Solid Start Act of 2020

 
This bill permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the military.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Defense to 
 
 
collect updated contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service,
 
explain the existence and purpose of the program,
 
call veterans at least twice within the first year of separation,
 
publish information about the program in booklets and on the VA website,
 
ensure calls are tailored to each veteran's needs by conducting quality assurance tests, and
 
prioritize outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces.
 
 
Under the bill, the VA is authorized to (1) encourage members of the Armed Forces to provide additional contact information if they are unreachable following their separation, (2) follow up on missed phone calls, and (3) reach out to veterans who separated prior to the initiation of the Solid Start program.
 
The Government Accountability Office must assess and report on the Solid Start program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Energizing Technology Transfer Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4725
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Congressional oversight
Department of Energy
Employee hiring
Energy research
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Scientific communication
Small business
State and local government operations
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Energizing Technology Transfer Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes programs and incentives to facilitate the commercial application of clean energy technologies developed in federal laboratories.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
BUILDS Act

Bill: 116-s-4726
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Computers and information technology
Economic development
Energy efficiency and conservation
Government information and archives
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Infrastructure development
Pedestrians and bicycling
Public transit
Public-private cooperation
Railroads
Roads and highways
Rural conditions and development
State and local finance
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Better Utilizing Innovative Low-emission Development Strategies Act or the BUILDS Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish a grant program to promote reductions in transportation energy use, accelerate the adoption of new and existing energy efficient technologies for transportation applications, and enhance transportation infrastructure.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Advanced Energy Technologies and Grid Efficiency Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4727
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy research
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Government studies and investigations
Public utilities and utility rates
Research and development
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Advanced Energy Technologies and Grid Efficiency Act of 2020

 
This bill addresses advanced energy technology implementation, including by requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to coordinate with the Department of Energy to establish the Advanced Energy Technology Research Initiative to research and provide recommendations on how to improve the modeling, operational, and planning practices used for the bulk electric system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Holding Russia Accountable for Malign Activities Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4728
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Assault and harassment offenses
Chemical and biological weapons
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Europe
Foreign property
Germany
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Human rights
International law and treaties
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Protest and dissent
Russia
Sanctions
Violent crime
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Holding Russia Accountable for Malign Activities Act of 2020

 
This bill directs the President to impose visa- and asset-blocking sanctions on any current or former official of Russia's government involved in the August 20, 2020, poisoning of a Russian opposition leader or the subsequent cover-up of the poisoning. An individual or entity that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of such sanctions shall be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
 
In addition, the President shall report to Congress on the personal wealth of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his family members.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the Generalized System of Preferences, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-4729
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Asia
Customs enforcement
Free trade and trade barriers
South Korea
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations
Trade restrictions
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 
This bill extends through April 30, 2022, the duty-free treatment provided for certain items under the Generalized System of Preferences, and it extends to November 18, 2029, the date through which certain merchandise processing fees may be charged.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4730
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Athletes
California
Commemorative events and holidays
Currency
Disability and paralysis
Games and hobbies
Marketing and advertising
Olympic games
U.S. history
Voting rights
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Women's History and Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Quarter Dollar Coin Program Act
 
 
 This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue, beginning January 1, 2022, quarter-dollar coins in commemoration of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote. 
 
Treasury may issue quarter dollars, beginning January 1, 2026, with up to five different designs emblematic of the United States semiquincentennial. One of the quarter dollar designs must be emblematic of a woman's or womens' contribution to the birth of the nation or the Declaration of Independence or any other monumental moments in American history.
 
 Beginning January 1, 2027, Treasury shall issue quarter dollars that have designs on the reverse that are emblematic of sports played by American youth. 
 
Beginning January 1, 2027, Treasury shall issue half dollars that have designs on the reverse that are emblematic of a sport tailored to athletes with a range of disabilities, including physical impairment, vision impairment and intellectual impairment (i.e., a 
Paralympic
 sport). 
 
Treasury is authorized to design and manufacture medals for award at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Cybersecurity of Small Organizations Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4731
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Intergovernmental relations
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Improving Cybersecurity of Small Organizations Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to maintain and promote cybersecurity guidance for use by small organizations. 
 
Specifically, the bill requires CISA to maintain cybersecurity guidance that documents and promotes evidence-based cybersecurity policies and controls for use by small organizations to improve their cybersecurity. This guidance must be publicly available at no cost, and CISA, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Department of Commerce must promote the guidance through relevant resources that are regularly used by small organizations.
 
Commerce must report on methods of incentivizing small organizations to improve their cybersecurity, including through the adoption of policies, controls, products, and services that have been demonstrated to reduce cybersecurity risk. Every two years, the SBA must submit and make publicly available specified data on the state of small businesses' cybersecurity. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
COVID–19 Dis­in­for­ma­tion Research and Reporting Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4732
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medical research

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

COVID-19 Disinformation Research and Reporting Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the National Science Foundation to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study disinformation and misinformation about COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) on the internet and social media platforms.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5874-5875)
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
National Service Animals Monument Act

Bill: 116-s-4733
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Monuments and memorials
Service animals

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

National Service Animals Monument Act

 
This bill directs that the monument to commemorate and recognize the heroic deeds and sacrifices of service animals and the handlers of service animals in the United States, to be constructed by the National Service Animals Monument Corporation at a location determined by the corporation, shall be designated as the National Service Animals Monument.
 
The monument shall not be a unit of the National Park System.
 
The designation of the monument shall not require federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to the monument.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
COMP Act

Bill: 116-s-4734
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Medicare
State and local finance
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Coordination Of Medicare Payments and Workers' Compensation Act or the COMP Act

 
This bill alters provisions relating to Medicare secondary payer rules with respect to workers' compensation settlement arrangements. Among other things, the bill provides that a Medicare set-aside fulfills secondary payer obligations if the set-aside is included in the arrangement and meets certain other criteria.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Acting on the Annual Duplication Report Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4735
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of the Treasury
Employee hiring
Executive agency funding and structure
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing supply and affordability
Inflation and prices
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement
Securities
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
User charges and fees
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Acting on the Annual Duplication Report Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes requirements to facilitate the implementation of recommendations made in the annual reports of the Government Accountability Office on reducing duplications, fragmentation, and overlap in federal programs.
 
Specifically, the Department of the Treasury must prescribe certain standards for the security of tax return information and information technology systems. The bill also establishes a penalty for authorized providers of electronic filing services that fail to comply with electronic return security standards. Further, the Internal Revenue Service must develop an organizational plan to coordinate all aspects of its efforts to protect return information while it is being held or transmitted by authorized providers of electronic filing services.
 
The Department of Housing and Urban Development must report on aspects of the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), including (1) the adequacy of Ginnie Mae's guarantee fee for single-family mortgage-backed securities, (2) the workforce composition and workforce challenges of Ginnie Mae, and (3) alternate ways of overseeing Ginnie Mae.
 
Additionally, the Navy must submit a specified report after identifying a critical operating and support cost estimate breach in a major defense ship acquisition program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Climate PREP Act

Bill: 116-s-4736
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Economic performance and conditions
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Environmental regulatory procedures
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public-private cooperation
Racial and ethnic relations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Climate Planning, Resilience, and Enhanced Preparedness Act of 2020 or the Climate PREP Act

 
This bill addresses climate change preparedness by establishing a council and a task force and requiring each executive agency (excluding the Government Accountability Office) to submit a climate change adaptation plan containing specified elements to the Office of Management and Budget and the Council on Environmental Quality.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Community Immunity During COVID–19 Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4737
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Aging
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Immunology and vaccination
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Minority health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: 

Community Immunity During COVID-19 Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award grants to governmental health departments to increase rates of recommended immunizations during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The CDC must also develop, in consultation with specified entities, guidance for health care providers on counseling patients about COVID-19 vaccines.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate