hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Family Crisis Cash Assistance Act

Bill: 116-s-4770
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-09-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Budget deficits and national debt
Census and government statistics
Congressional oversight
Consumer credit
Disability and health-based discrimination
Disability and paralysis
Disaster relief and insurance
Economic performance and conditions
Family services
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Income tax exclusion
Inflation and prices
Intergovernmental relations
Natural disasters
Performance measurement
Poverty and welfare assistance
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: 

Family Crisis Cash Assistance Act

 
This bill provides funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a program within 30 days that provides monthly cash-assistance payments to low- and moderate-income households during economic downturns or disasters. This funding is exempt from sequestration, a process of automatic spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.
 
During any month the Department of Labor determines that a state or territory is in an economic downturn or the Federal Emergency Management Agency determines that an area is under a major disaster declaration, eligible households in those places receive payments. Payments vary based on household size and income. For households with incomes under 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL), payments range from $2,000 to $4,000. Payments phase out for households with incomes between 200% and 300% of the FPL. In addition, payments may not be garnished or taxed, and jurisdictions may not impose conditions, such as work requirements or asset tests, on the receipt of these payments. The federal government must cover 100% of the payments.
 
States and territories may carry out this program directly by submitting plans that meet certain requirements to HHS for approval. HHS must award planning grants to jurisdictions to develop the plans and cover certain program implementation costs. If a jurisdiction lacks an approved plan or otherwise fails to comply with program requirements, HHS must make the payments on behalf of that jurisdiction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Continued Assistance to Unemployed Workers Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4771
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-09-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child care and development
Child health
Congressional oversight
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intergovernmental relations
Self-employed
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Temporary and part-time employment
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: 

Continued Assistance to Unemployed Workers Act of 2020

 
This bill extends unemployment assistance to workers who are unemployed due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Specifically the bill extends through January 31, 2021 (1) Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, (2) Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), (3) Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), (4) temporary financing of short-time compensation (STC) payments, (5) temporary financing of STC program agreements, (6) full federal funding of the first week of compensable regular unemployment for states with no waiting period, and (7) 13 additional weeks of pandemic emergency unemployment extension compensation.
 
The bill also extends through June 30, 2021 (1) the federal share of payments to states for extended and regular unemployment compensation, (2) the suspension on the accrual of interest on federal payments made to states for assistance with unemployment, and (3) appropriations for the transfer of funds to state accounts in the Unemployment Trust Fund for the reimbursement of certain governmental entities and nonprofit organizations for amounts paid (in lieu of contributions) into such accounts.
 
The bill provides an additional $125 in mixed earner unemployment compensation to recipients of at least $5,000 of self-employment income in the most recent taxable year before the individual applied for regular compensation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Future of Local News Commission Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4772
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-09-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government lending and loan guarantees
Infectious and parasitic diseases
News media and reporting
Small business
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: 

Future of Local News Commission Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes the Future of Local News Commission to examine, report on, and make recommendations related to the state of local news and the ability of local news to meet the information needs of the people of the United States.
 
The duties of the commission include (1) examining the implications of the loss of local newspapers, digital news outlets, and broadcasting outlets; (2) assessing the impact of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and whether the Paycheck Protection Program has had beneficial effects on local news organizations; and (3) assessing and examining existing and potential means of supporting local news production.
 
The commission must recommend mechanisms that the federal government can create and implement to support the production of local news, such as the possible creation of a new national endowment for local journalism or the reform and expansion of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to establish the Paycheck Protection Program Second Draw Loan, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-4773
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2020-09-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Appropriations
Bankruptcy
Business ethics
Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Farm Credit Administration
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Life, casualty, property insurance
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Public participation and lobbying
Religion
Small Business Administration
Small business
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax-exempt organizations
Temporary and part-time employment
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Wages and earnings
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: 

Continuing the Paycheck Protection Program Act

 
This bill establishes funding for, expands, and provides additional economic assistance to small businesses in response to COVID-19. 
 
Specifically, the Small Business Administration is authorized to provide second draw loans of up to $2 million under the Paycheck Protection Program. A recipient shall be eligible for forgiveness of a second draw loan in the same manner as an initial paycheck protection loan.
 
Further the bill modifies the Paycheck Protection Program by, among other things, (1) expanding forgivable expenses, (2) allowing borrowers to select an eight-week period to use their paycheck protection loan, (3) simplifying the forgiveness application for smaller loans, (4) expanding eligibility to certain chambers of commerce and destination marketing organizations, and (5) establishing a specific loan calculation for farmers and ranchers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 562.
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide support for air carrier workers, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-4774
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2020-09-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Appropriations
Aviation and airports
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Government information and archives
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Labor-management relations
Rural conditions and development
Securities
Small towns
Transportation employees
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: 

Air Carrier Worker Support Extension Act of 2020

 
This bill extends authority for the Department of the Treasury to provide financial assistance to passenger air carriers, cargo air carriers, and contractors of passenger air carriers for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries, and benefits.
 
The maximum amounts of financial assistance that may be provided by Treasury for this purpose are $25.5 billion for passenger air carriers, $300 million for cargo air carriers, and $3 billion for contractors .
 
The bill provides specific deadlines and procedures under which Treasury must provide financial assistance to air carriers and contractors.
 
To be eligible for financial assistance, an air carrier or contractor must (1) agree not to reduce pay and benefits or conduct involuntary furloughs until March 31, 2021; and (2) agree, through March 31, 2022, not to repurchase stock, pay dividends, or make other capital distributions. Additionally, Treasury may require carriers that receive assistance to maintain service to points served before March 1, 2020. Such authority terminates on April 1, 2022. 
 
The bill limits the maximum allowable compensation of an officer or employee of an air carrier or contractor that receives assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 563.
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to reduce the amount provided to agencies that do not comply with reasonable vehicle utilization standards and to establish methods and procedures for evaluating vehicle fleets.

Bill: 116-s-4776
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2020-09-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Congressional-executive branch relations
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Motor vehicles
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: 
This bill reduces funding for executive agencies that do not comply with reasonable vehicle utilization standards and establish uniform methods and procedures for evaluating vehicle fleets.
 
Specifically, the bill directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish vehicle usage standards for the executive branch and uniform methods and procedures (1) for use by agencies in determining the appropriate size of their vehicle fleet, and (2) that require the vehicle fleet management component of the agency to maintain the procedures and documentation for deciding to keep a vehicle in an easily accessible manner.
 
The GSA must make publicly available the government-wide vehicle usage standards, including documentation requirements and metrics, and the uniform vehicle fleet methods and procedures.
 
An agency may establish and implement separate vehicle usage standards, subject to annual review by the GSA. The bill provides for a reduction in budget for weaker standards or for failure to implement standards.
 
The bill requires (1) each agency to document an annual review of the vehicle fleet to identify underutilized vehicles and actions taken to remove such vehicles from the fleet or a justification for their continued use, and (2) the inspector general of each agency to conduct audits at least once every two years of vehicle fleet management practices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Worker Leave Fairness Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4777
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-09-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee leave
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Infectious and parasitic diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: 

Federal Worker Leave Fairness Act of 2020

 
This bill restores leave that is lost by federal employees during a public health emergency relating to a pandemic. Specifically, the bill restores leave for employees of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government that was lost because the employee's accumulated leave exceeded the maximum amount that is otherwise allowable. 
 
The bill applies to leave that is lost on or after the date of enactment of this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5980-5981)
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the use of security cameras in medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Bill: 116-s-4778
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2020-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Photography and imaging
Right of privacy
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report on its policies and procedures relating to the usage and placement of security cameras throughout VA medical centers and the role such cameras play in securing the medical center and maintaining patient privacy and safety.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
JUDGES Act

Bill: 116-s-4779
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2020-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Alabama
Arizona
California
Caribbean area
Colorado
Congressional oversight
Delaware
Federal district courts
Florida
Georgia
Government studies and investigations
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Judges
Kansas
Missouri
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York State
North Carolina
Puerto Rico
Texas
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: 

Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act or the JUDGES Act

 
This bill requires the appointment of additional U.S. district court judges, converts certain temporary district court judgeships into permanent judgeships, and requires the Government Accountability Office to report on vacant or underused federal courthouses.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the appointment of 34 district court judges on or after January 21, 2021, in specified judicial districts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Texas.
 
Further, 31 district court judges must be appointed on or after January 21, 2025, in specified judicial districts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and Texas.
 
Additionally, the bill converts certain temporary district court judgeships to permanent judgeships in specified judicial districts in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Hurricane Laura Recovery Opportunity Zones Act

Bill: 116-s-4780
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2020-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Capital gains tax
Disaster relief and insurance
Income tax deferral
Income tax rates
Louisiana
Natural disasters
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: 

Hurricane Laura Recovery Opportunity Zones Act

 
This bill designates certain low-income community areas as qualified Hurricane Laura Recovery Opportunity Zones. Such zones are areas for which a major disaster has been declared before September 30, 2020, and which have been determined by the President to warrant individual or public assistance by reason of Hurricane Laura.
 
The bill sets forth special rules for the treatment of capital gains in Hurricane Laura Recovery Opportunity Zones. It also expresses the sense of Congress that the rate of tax on income from capital gains in effect on the enactment date of this bill should not be changed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Asuncion Valdivia Heat Illness and Fatality Prevention Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4781
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2020-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Department of Labor
Emergency planning and evacuation
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Health promotion and preventive care
Labor standards
Labor-management relations
Lighting, heating, cooling
Water use and supply
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: 

Asuncion Valdivia Heat Illness and Fatality Prevention Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of Labor to promulgate an occupational safety or health standard on prevention of exposure to excessive heat. 
Excessive heat
 includes outdoor or indoor exposure to heat at levels that exceed the capacities of the body to maintain normal body functions and may cause heat-related injury, illness, or fatality. 
 
In addition, the bill establishes requirements concerning (1) training and education to prevent and respond to heat illness, and (2) whistle-blower protections.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Keeping Schools Safe Act

Bill: 116-s-4782
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2020-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Air quality
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Lighting, heating, cooling

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: 

Keeping Schools Safe Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award competitive grants to eligible entities (i.e., local educational agencies, educational service agencies, and the Bureau of Indian Education) to improve the indoor air quality in elementary and secondary schools in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. 
 
In addition, ED must consult with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other relevant agencies and national organizations to develop technical guidance for eligible entities to address the safety and health of students and staff. ED must, within 21 days, provide eligible entities with this technical guidance.
 
A grant recipient must use funds to improve or monitor the indoor air quality, ventilation, or circulation in schools using the technical guidance provided by ED.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Territory Economic Development Tax Credit Act

Bill: 116-s-4783
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Caribbean area
Corporate finance and management
Employee benefits and pensions
Foreign and international corporations
Income tax credits
Puerto Rico
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: 

Territory Economic Development Tax Credit Act

 
This bill establishes a new tax credit for wages and tangible investments made by U.S. domestic corporations with branches operating in U.S. territories. It requires that 80% of credible income must be derived from a territory during a 3-year period, and 75% must come from an active trade or business in a territory. The credit is equal to 40% of eligible wages and benefits paid or provided to employees in the territory, subject to certain limitations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the Generalized System of Preferences, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-4784
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2020-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-01
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 25, 2029, the date through which certain merchandise processing fees may be charged.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate