hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
United Nations Transparency and Accountability Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-7939
Sponsor: Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
Introduced: 2020-08-04 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Congressional oversight
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Foreign aid and international relief
Government information and archives
International organizations and cooperation
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Subversive activities
Taiwan
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: 

United Nations Transparency and Accountability Act of 2020

 
This bill requires various actions related to malign influence operations by other countries in the United Nations (UN), with such operations defined as coordinated actions by a UN member state to foster UN actions or attitudes that further that member state's interests in a manner inconsistent with the UN Charter.
 
The President shall direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN to vote for and promote policies to (1) oppose malign influence operations and UN employees involved in such operations, and (2) support Taiwan's membership or meaningful participation in UN entities. (China considers Taiwan a Chinese province and opposes Taiwan's UN participation.) 
 
The Department of State shall designate a senior level official to assist in implementing such policies and fulfill other related responsibilities. 
 
The State Department shall also establish an Office of American Citizens within the Bureau of International Organization Affairs to promote the candidacy of U.S. citizens for roles in international organizations, including the UN, and to coordinate support for non-U.S. candidates when appropriate. 
 
The State Department shall increase by at least 50% the number of U.S.-sponsored Junior Professional Officer positions in the UN. 
 
The President shall periodically review evidence and determine if any countries have engaged in malign influence operations that have threatened U.S. interests. The President must designate any such country as a malign global actor and provide an explanation to Congress for why the designation was made.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act

Bill: 116-hr-7940
Sponsor: Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Introduced: 2020-08-04 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental education
Environmental regulatory procedures
Executive agency funding and structure
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health information and medical records
Licensing and registrations
Manufacturing
Marketing and advertising
Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor
Personnel records
Pest management
Product safety and quality
Right of privacy
State and local government operations
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: 

Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act

 
This bill modifies provisions related to the distribution, sale, and use of pesticides, including by cancelling the registration of organophosphates, neonicotinoids, and paraquat and by creating a process for interested individuals to submit a petition to designate an active ingredient or pesticide as a dangerous pesticide.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
District of Columbia Courts Improvement Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-7941
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2020-08-04 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing
Disability and paralysis
District of Columbia
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Judges
Judicial procedure and administration
Lawyers and legal services
Legal fees and court costs
State and local courts
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: 

District of Columbia Courts Improvement Act of 2020

 
This bill revises provisions related to jurors, magistrates, and other judicial officers, and otherwise makes changes to provisions related to the District of Columbia courts.
 
The bill expands authority for magistrate judges of the District's courts to perform certain judicial functions, including to issue arrest and search warrants, and punish an individual for contempt.
 
The bill (1) provides that grand and petit jurors serving in the Superior Court of the District must receive fees and expenses equivalent to those provided to jurors serving in the U.S. district courts, (2) allows service of prospective jurors to be made by electronic communication, and (3) permits individuals 70 years of age or older to opt-out of jury service.
 
The Joint Committee on Judicial Administration in the District and the District's Public Defender Service may each establish a voluntary separation incentive payments program for its employees substantially similar to that for certain federal employees and members of the uniformed services, except that the maximum payment amount to any individual may not exceed $25,000.
 
 The bill removes provisions for fixed hourly rates for legal representation of indigent defendants and criminal investigative and expert services for such defendants.
 
The bill revises appointment and removal authority for the Executive Officer of the District's courts to include the Register of Wills.
 
The District's courts may give retroactive pay increases to employees on board at the time an increase is ordered, and to those that have retired (not resigned) or died between the date the increase becomes effective and the date it is ordered. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E723-724)
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
Public Health Emergency COBRA Extension Act

Bill: 116-hr-7942
Sponsor: Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
Introduced: 2020-08-04 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Infectious and parasitic diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: 

Public Health Emergency COBRA Extension Act

 
 This bill addresses the availability of health coverage through the COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) program during, and in the year following, the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-7943
Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Introduced: 2020-08-04 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Child care and development
Congressional oversight
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational guidance
Elementary and secondary education
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Labor and Employment
Special education
Vocational and technical education
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: 

Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to entities such as educational agencies, schools, and local governments to establish, expand, or support school-based mentoring programs that assist at-risk students in developing cognitive skills and promoting social-emotional learning to prepare them for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
Southwest Border Security Technology Improvement Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-7944
Sponsor: Rep. Torres Small, Xochitl [D-NM-2]
Introduced: 2020-08-04 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Aviation and airports
Border security and unlawful immigration
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Human trafficking
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Latin America
Law enforcement officers
Mexico
Performance measurement
Right of privacy
Smuggling and trafficking
Technology assessment
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: 

Southwest Border Security Technology Improvement Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to Congress an analysis of border security technology along the Southwest border. 
 
The report shall address the technology DHS needs to (1) prevent terrorists from entering the United States, (2) reduce cross-border criminal activity such as drug smuggling, and (3) facilitate legal trade flow. The report shall also address recent technological advancements and assess whether such advancements can help achieve these goals. 
 
DHS shall submit the report within a year of this bill's enactment and provide periodic updates for six more years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
FAAN Act

Bill: 116-hr-7945
Sponsor: Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
Introduced: 2020-08-04 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Higher education
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical education
Medical research
Minority education
Minority employment
Nursing
Rural conditions and development
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: 

Future Advancement of Academic Nursing Act or the FAAN Act

 
This bill authorizes the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award grants to nursing schools to increase capacity to respond to public health emergencies and pandemics and otherwise enhance nursing education programs.
 
In awarding these grants, HRSA shall prioritize historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions, schools that are located in medically underserved communities, and schools in areas with shortages of health professionals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
Federal Reserve Racial and Economic Equity Act

Bill: 116-hr-7946
Sponsor: Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]
Introduced: 2020-08-04 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Consumer credit
Credit and credit markets
Economic performance and conditions
Federal Reserve System
Labor market
Minority employment
Monetary policy
Racial and ethnic relations
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: 

Federal Reserve Racial and Economic Equity Act 

 
This bill requires the Federal Reserve Board to carry out its duties in a manner that supports the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in employment, income, wealth, and access to affordable credit. The board must report on disparities in labor force trends as well as on plans and activities of the board to minimize and eliminate these disparities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-04
text: Introduced in House
Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act

Bill: 116-hr-7947
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Introduced: 2020-08-07 in the House
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child safety and welfare
District of Columbia
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment and training programs
Family services
Higher education
Housing and community development funding
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Judicial procedure and administration
Medicaid
Poverty and welfare assistance
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local courts
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: 

Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act

 
This bill increases FY2020 funding, raises the maximum age of eligibility, and provides other flexibilities for certain foster care programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Introduced in House
SMART Government Act

Bill: 116-hr-7949
Sponsor: Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]
Introduced: 2020-08-07 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Appropriations
Census and government statistics
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Libraries and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: 

Sensible Management of Archives, Records, and Technologies Government Act or the SMART Government Act

 
This bill directs the chief information officer (CIO) of each federal agency to take specified steps with respect to the management of data centers.
 
Specifically, each CIO shall (1) develop and publish a strategic plan to consolidate and optimize data centers at the agency, and (2) inventory software applications used in the information technology systems of the entity.
 
Each agency, in coordination with the Office of the Archivist of the United States, shall create copies of all records controlled by the agency and transfer such copies to a records center maintained and operated by such office.
 
By September 30, 2020, such office shall (1) develop standards for each agency to create copies of the records, (2) develop guidelines for each agency to store metadata with respect to such records and transfer such copies, and (3) make exemptions to the standards developed.
 
The bill requires each agency to designate a senior official to manage records and lists such official's duties.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Introduced in House
Emergency Family Stabilization Act

Bill: 116-hr-7950
Sponsor: Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3]
Introduced: 2020-08-07 in the House
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Dental care
Domestic violence and child abuse
Economic performance and conditions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment and training programs
Family services
Food assistance and relief
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Human trafficking
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Landlord and tenant
Mental health
Poverty and welfare assistance
Racial and ethnic relations
Rural conditions and development
Sex offenses
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Social Welfare
Telecommunication rates and fees
Transportation costs
Women's health
Worker safety and health
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: 

Emergency Family Stabilization Act

 
This bill establishes a competitive grant program within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) for family stabilization agencies to provide emergency relief to children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. These agencies include current ACF grantees or subgrantees, tribes and tribal organizations, and other organizations with expertise providing direct services to those experiencing homelessness. Recipients may use grant funds for, among other purposes, personnel costs, personal protective equipment, and other supplies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), as well as payments for security deposits and other housing-related needs. 
 
Additionally, the ACF must award the grants based on factors including the need for the services in the area served by the agency and specified allocation and prioritization requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Introduced in House
Qualified Immunity Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-7951
Sponsor: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3]
Introduced: 2020-08-07 in the House
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Due process and equal protection
Government liability
Law enforcement officers

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: 

Qualified Immunity Act of 2020

 
This bill codifies the defense of qualified immunity for law enforcement officers in any case under provisions regarding civil actions for deprivation of rights under color of law.
 
Specifically, a law enforcement officer subject to such an action in his or her individual capacity shall not be found liable if the officer establishes that
 
 
the right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Constitution or federal law was not clearly established at the time of the deprivation, or that at this time, the state of the law was not sufficiently clear that every reasonable law enforcement officer would have understood that the conduct alleged constituted a violation of the Constitution or federal law; or
 
 a court of competent jurisdiction had issued a final decision on the merits holding, without reversal, vacatur, or preemption, that the specific conduct alleged to be unlawful was consistent with the Constitution and federal laws. 
 
 
A law enforcement agency or unit of local government that employed a law enforcement officer subject to such an action shall not be liable if the officer is found not liable and to have been acting within the scope of his or her employment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Introduced in House
Veteran Benefits Enhancement and Expansion Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-7952
Sponsor: Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]
Introduced: 2020-08-07 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: 

Veteran Benefits Enhancement and Expansion Act of 2020

 
This bill modifies provisions related to Department of Veterans Affairs programs and benefits for veterans, including those related to education benefits, burial benefits, the home loan program, service-connected disability matters, pension matters, and representation and financial exploitation matters.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2020-10-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2020-10-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Introduced in House