hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
I Am Vanessa Guillén Act

Bill: 116-s-4600
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-09-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Defense
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Judicial procedure and administration
Lawyers and legal services
Legal fees and court costs
Military law
Military personnel and dependents
Right of privacy
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: 

I Am Vanessa Guillen Act

 
This bill addresses the response of the Department of Defense to sex-related offenses committed against members of the Armed Forces, including allowing a member to confidentially allege a complaint of sexual harassment to an individual outside the immediate chain of command of that member.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4601
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2020-09-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Congressional oversight
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Justice
Executive agency funding and structure
Intergovernmental relations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: 

Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes a new section in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice to enforce federal laws concerning animal cruelty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Blocking Hospitals Act

Bill: 116-s-4602
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2020-09-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: 

Stop Blocking Hospitals Act

 
This bill establishes a new criminal offense for preventing ambulances and vehicles used by fire departments and law enforcement agencies from responding to a call or transporting an individual to a hospital.
 
An individual who engages in this conduct is subject to criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Forest Health and Biomass Energy Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4603
Sponsor: Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2020-09-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Coal
Congressional oversight
Electric power generation and transmission
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Insects
Performance measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: 

Forest Health and Biomass Energy Act of 2020

 
This bill addresses biomass energy, particularly with respect to materials removed from high-hazard areas (e.g., areas that pose wildfire risks).
 
The bill directs the Department of Energy, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), to assess the potential to produce biomass energy from certain land under the administrative jurisdiction of Interior and USDA. 
 
With respect to the removal of timber located within certain high-hazard areas, USDA shall not charge a stumpage rate or assign any value to (1) certain trees, (2) forest processing residues or byproducts of forest restoration, or (3) a large dead tree that is not suitable for higher-valued wood products because of decay. 

The bill establishes the High Hazard Area Wood Biomass Fund, into which USDA may deposit a percentage of the revenue generated from base stumpage rates of timber sales that occur on National Forest System land to assist timber operators and biomass energy producers with the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation of biomass material removed from high-hazard areas.
 
The President shall include in the annual budget submission an annual performance metric, which shall be established by USDA, for the harvest of wood biomass material in green tons made available for bioenergy markets.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-18
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 116-382.
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Introduced in Senate
SUSPEND Act

Bill: 116-s-4604
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2020-09-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Foreign and international corporations
Foreign property
International law and treaties
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Nuclear weapons
Sanctions

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: 

Strongly and Unambiguously Sanctioning Proliferators Exploiting Nuclear Diplomacy Act of 2020 or the SUSPEND Act

 
This bill establishes reporting and sanctions requirements related to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
 
 Specifically, the bill requires the Department of State to report on whether parties to the NPT are fulfilling their responsibility to pursue negotiations in good faith relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race and to nuclear disarmament. Further, it requires the President, on the basis of this report, to impose sanctions against certain parties that are not meeting this responsibility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect and Serve Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4605
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Firearms and explosives
Law enforcement officers

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

Protect and Serve Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly assaulting a law enforcement officer and causing serious bodily injury (or attempting to do so) in circumstances that affect interstate commerce.
 
It imposes criminal penalties&#8212;a prison term, a fine, or both&#8212;on a violator.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act

Bill: 116-s-4606
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances
Asia
China
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign aid and international relief
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military education and training
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Military readiness
National Guard and reserves
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Taiwan
Trade agreements and negotiations
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act

 
This bill authorizes the President to use the Armed Forces to defend Taiwan against a direct attack by China's military, a taking of Taiwan's territory by China, or a threat that endangers the lives of civilians in Taiwan or members of Taiwan's military. The bill also directs the Department of Defense to convene an annual regional security dialogue with Taiwan and other partners to improve U.S. security relationships with countries in the Western Pacific. 
 
(Taiwan is self-governing, but China considers it a renegade province.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Disaster Relief for Southeastern Small Businesses Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4607
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Alabama
Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Florida
Government lending and loan guarantees
Income tax exclusion
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Louisiana
Mississippi
Natural disasters
Small business
Texas
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

Disaster Relief for Southeastern Small Businesses Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes loan forgiveness for a recipient of a paycheck protection loan or an economic injury disaster loan made or guaranteed by the Small Business Administration in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) to a recipient located in an area for which the President declared a major disaster related to Hurricane Laura or Hurricane Sally.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4608
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Military personnel and dependents
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act of 2020

 
This bill provides for the portability of professional licenses of service members and their spouses who are relocated under military orders to a location that is not within the jurisdiction of the license.
 
Specifically, a professional license in good standing of a service member or spouse shall be considered valid and in good standing in the new jurisdiction for the duration of such military orders. 
 
To establish and maintain eligibility, a service member or spouse must (1) provide a copy of the military orders to the licensing authority in the jurisdiction in which the new residency is located; (2) remain in good standing with the licensing authority that issued the license; and (3) submit to the authority of the licensing authority in the new jurisdiction for the purposes of standards of practice, discipline, and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5708-5709)
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate
China Trade Relations Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4609
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Abortion
Asia
China
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Detention of persons
Family planning and birth control
Free trade and trade barriers
Government lending and loan guarantees
Human rights
Immigration status and procedures
Intellectual property
Labor standards
Legislative rules and procedure
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Religion
Surgery and anesthesia
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations
Trade secrets and economic espionage
U.S. and foreign investments
User charges and fees
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

China Trade Relations Act of 2020

 
This bill withdraws normal trade relations treatment from China and expands the bases of ineligibility for this treatment to include specified violations of human rights by China. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5709-5710)
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Wear Your Mask Act

Bill: 116-s-4610
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
U.S. Capitol

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

Wear Your Mask Act

 
This bill requires each federal agency to take action to ensure that an individual is required to wear a face mask inside a federal facility under its jurisdiction if the individual is within six feet of another individual to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Each agency shall make face masks available at each entrance to a federal facility at which such agency maintains a presence.
 
The bill terminates such requirements when the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases determines, and publishes in the Federal Register a notification, that the requirement to wear a mask is no longer necessary to prevent such transmission.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Fairs During Coronavirus Act

Bill: 116-s-4611
Sponsor: Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural education
Agricultural marketing and promotion
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
State and local finance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

Protecting Fairs During Coronavirus Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a program to address the effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on state and local fairs.
 
In carrying out the program, USDA may provide competitive grants to states (i.e., the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States).
 
A state may only use grant funds provided under the program to assist a state agricultural agency to address cost coverage issues related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on state and local fairs, including by identifying opportunities to provide virtual education and entertainment related to agriculture.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Methamphetamine Response Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4612
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

Methamphetamine Response Act of 2020

 
This bill designates methamphetamine as an emerging drug threat (a new and growing trend in the use of an illicit drug or class of drug). It also directs the Office of National Drug Control Policy to implement a methamphetamine response plan.

action_date: 2020-11-16
text: 

Methamphetamine Response Act of 2020

 
This bill designates methamphetamine as an emerging drug threat (a new and growing trend in the use of an illicit drug or class of drug). It also directs the Office of National Drug Control Policy to implement a methamphetamine response plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2020-11-16
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S6716-6717)
action_date: 2020-11-16
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S6716-6717)
action_date: 2020-11-16
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6716-6717)
action_date: 2020-11-16
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6716-6717)
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Contact Lens Rule Modernization Act

Bill: 116-s-4613
Sponsor: Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

Contact Lens Rule Modernization Act

 
This bill (1) requires prescribers of contact lenses to conspicuously post notice that the prescriber is required to provide a copy of the contact lens prescription to the patient, (2) prohibits prescribers from requiring patients to acknowledge a contact lens prescription release in writing or electronically, and (3) prohibits automated telephone calls to verify a prescription.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Postal Banking Act

Bill: 116-s-4614
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Congressional oversight
Financial services and investments
Government studies and investigations
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Postal service
U.S. Postal Service

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

Postal Banking Act

 
This bill grants the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) the power to provide basic financial services, including
 
 
 low-cost, small-dollar loans, in specified amounts;
 
small dollar lending servicing, which shall ensure that the customer's access to the products and the public interest is given significant consideration;
 
 small checking accounts and interest-bearing savings accounts in specified amounts;
 
 transactional and remittance services; and
 
 other basic financial services in the public interest.
 
 
It grants the USPS the power to set interest rates and fees for the financial instruments and products provided by the USPS that meet specified requirements.
 
 The USPS (1) shall not be granted a bank charter or become an insured depository institution for the purpose of capital requirements; and (2) shall be subject to the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code regarding bank deposits and collections.
 
The Federal Reserve Board of Governors shall transfer to the USPS such sums as necessary to carry out the services described in this bill, which shall (1) be sufficient to ensure that the products substantially decrease the number of people who do not have a bank account or use alternative financial products such as payday lending, check cashing, prepaid debt cards, and overdraft fees; and (2) be provided to the USPS through a separate account.
 
The Government Accountability Office shall submit to Congress an annual report that includes the demographics, number of participants, and average balances and uses for such products.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate
SELF Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4615
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Congressional oversight
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Educational guidance
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment and training programs
Family relationships
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Mental health
Minority education
Natural disasters
Public-private cooperation
Rural conditions and development
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

Social-Emotional Learning for Families Act of 2020 or the SELF Act of 2020

 
This bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to local educational agencies to develop, implement, and evaluate educator and school leader professional development programs on social-emotional learning and family engagement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act

Bill: 116-s-4616
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2020-09-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Land transfers
Mining
Pollution liability
South Dakota

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: 

Gilt Edge Mine Conveyance Act

 
This bill provides for a land conveyance to South Dakota.
 
Specifically, if South Dakota submits an offer to the Forest Service to acquire approximately 266 acres of National Forest System land within the Gilt Edge Mine Superfund Boundary for its market value, the Forest Service shall convey such land to South Dakota.
 
Any proceeds received by the Forest Service from the conveyance shall be (1) deposited in a specified fund for the exchange of lands, and (2) available to the Forest Service for the maintenance and improvement of land or administration facilities in the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-18
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 116-382.
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S5710)
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Introduced in Senate