hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Earn to Learn Act

Bill: 116-s-3477
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Congressional oversight
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Financial literacy
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Performance measurement
Student aid and college costs
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Earn to Learn Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a college matched-savings demonstration grant program, through which ED must award competitive grants to states and nonprofit organizations to provide certain low-income students with educational savings accounts (e.g., 529 plans).
 
Further, ED must (1) develop and make available to grant recipients certain tools, including a training platform, a program guide, an online data portal, and certain trainings (e.g., on college readiness); (2) ensure that participation in the grant program does not affect student eligibility for Federal Pell Grants; and (3) provide technical assistance.
 
Grant recipients must use funds to (1) select eligible students to participate in the grant program, (2) provide selected students with financial literacy education, (3) establish an educational savings account for each participating student and allow such students and their families to deposit funds in their account to save for attendance at an institution of higher education or an area career and technical education school, and (4) reserve matching funds for participating students. Additionally, grant recipients must ensure that participating students are entitled to withdraw funds from their accounts under certain circumstances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Commission on America’s Medical Security Act

Bill: 116-s-3478
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Chemical and biological weapons
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Economic performance and conditions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Emergency planning and evacuation
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Manufacturing
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Commission on America's Medical Security Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to report on the security of the U.S. medical product supply chain (i.e., supply of drugs and devices).
 
Among other things, the report shall
 
 
assess the dependence of the United States, including the private sector, states, and federal government, on critical drugs and devices sourced or manufactured outside of the United States; and
 
provide recommendations to address supply vulnerabilities or potential disruptions.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1743)
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Cover Crop Flexibility Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3479
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Agricultural insurance
Agricultural practices and innovations
Agricultural research
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Livestock
Natural disasters
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Cover Crop Flexibility Act of 2020 

 
 
This bill modifies the federal crop insurance program to address the planting of cover crops following prevented planting.
 
Specifically, the bill allows a producer that is prevented from planting its first crop to plant a second crop and receive an indemnity equal to the full guarantee for the first crop if the second crop (1) is an approved cover crop, and (2) cannot be harvested for grain or other uses unrelated to livestock forage or conservation. Under current law, if a producer plants a second crop it can only get an indemnity worth at most 35% of the prevented planting guarantee for the first crop.
 
For a producer planting a cover crop following prevented planting, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) may provide separate prevented planting coverage factors that include preplanting costs, the cost of cover crop seed, and the cost of fencing and supplying water to livestock.
 
Further, the FCIC must conduct research and development regarding a policy to insure crops on fields that regularly utilize cover crops, including research to examine the extent that cover crops reduce risks of prevented planting and other crop insurance losses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S1743)
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
PFAS Testing and Treatment Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3480
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Environmental technology
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Water quality
Water resources funding
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Providing Financial Assistance to States for Testing and Treatment Act of 2020 or the PFAS Testing and Treatment Act of 2020 

 
This bill expands the allowed use of existing grants for certain water systems to address emerging contaminants, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. Specifically, these grants may be used for activities such as investing in compliance for public water systems and underground sources of drinking water, and to provide household water quality testing. 
 
The bill also establishes additional grants for states to address groundwater contamination by certain perfluoroalkyl substances. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Correct the Census Count Act

Bill: 116-s-3481
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Census and government statistics
Congressional districts and representation
Correctional facilities and imprisonment

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Correct the Census Count Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce, beginning with the 2030 decennial census, to attribute an individual incarcerated in a correctional center to such individual's last place of residence before incarceration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Emergency U.I. Solutions Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3482
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government trust funds
Intergovernmental relations
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Emergency U.I. Solutions Act of 2020

 
This bill permits a state to enter into an agreement with the Department of Labor under which Labor will temporarily provide 100% of unemployment compensation (UC), including related administrative expenses, to certain individuals in their first week of unemployment, thus eliminating the state requirement that an individual has to wait one week before being eligible for UC.The unemployment must occur in an area for which there is an emergency declaration for such week. 
 
Such agreement shall apply to weeks of unemployment after the agreement is entered into and ends on or before the earlier of (1) January 1, 2022, or (2) the state's compliance with certain federal requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Scale-Up Manufacturing Investment Company Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3483
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Scale-Up Manufacturing Investment Company Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes a scale-up manufacturing investment company (SUMIC) program within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide leverage for participating investment funds (PIFs) to support debt and equity investments in qualifying manufacturing projects of specified small and emerging manufacturers.
 
The SBA may provide up to $1 of leverage for every $1 of private capital raised by a PIF, not to exceed a certain amount, and the SBA must charge a leverage fee of between 3% and 5.5% of the face amount of the leverage issued. Each PIF may borrow money and issue debentures and preferred securities. Of the SBA leverage provided to a PIF (1) at least 70% must be issued as debentures, and (2) up to 30% may be issued as preferred securities. 
 
 Certain banks may invest in any one or more PIFs, or in any entity established to invest solely in PIFs. However, the total amount of such investments may not exceed 5% of the bank's capital and surplus.
 
Each PIF shall be subject to examination by the SBA and shall submit a semiannual, written valuation of its loans and investments.
 
The SBA shall issue policy directives to increase investments by PIFs in small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and by women, veterans, or individuals with disabilities.
 
The SBA may establish a SUMIC Credit Council to advise on carrying out the program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
HOPE Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3484
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Aging
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Business investment and capital
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Economic development
Employment and training programs
Financial literacy
Food assistance and relief
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax credits
Libraries and archives
National and community service
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public contracts and procurement
Right of privacy
Rural conditions and development
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local taxation
Student aid and college costs
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Telephone and wireless communication
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment Act of 2020 or the HOPE Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes several Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment (HOPE) pilot projects to improve economic security for individuals who meet income or other requirements. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development must collaborate on the projects and report to Congress on project implementation and outcomes. 
 
The HOPE Accounts Pilots provide awards to certain nonprofits to assist eligible individuals in establishing HOPE accounts through banks, credit unions, or governmental agencies. Through technology platforms and other means, HOPE accounts must (1) provide access to specified financial services and information related to public benefits, health insurance, and other topics; and (2) facilitate activities such as applying for government benefits and filing taxes. HHS, in consultation with the other departments, must also hold a merit-based competition to award contracts to private businesses and nonprofits to develop technology applications and other tools for HOPE accounts. 
 
Grants for the HOPE Action Plans Pilot Projects allow nonprofits to enter voluntary agreements with eligible individuals to carry out long-term plans related to improving economic security and upward mobility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
OFFSHORE Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3485
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy revenues and royalties
Government information and archives
Infrastructure development
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas
State and local finance
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Opening Federal Financial Sharing to Heighten Opportunities for Renewable Energy Act of 2020 or the
 
OFFSHORE Act of 2020

 
This bill expands revenue sharing for offshore wind projects on the Outer Continental Shelf, including for fees, rentals, bonuses and royalties.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 116-380.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
CDC Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act

Bill: 116-s-3486
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health programs administration and funding
Indian social and development programs
Minority health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

CDC Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act

 
This bill allows tribes and tribal organizations to apply directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program funds. Currently, only states and certain local entities may apply for PHEP funds to respond to public health emergencies, such as COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
The CDC must award at least 10 cooperative agreements to tribal applicants.
 
Additionally, the CDC must consult with tribes and tribal organizations to ensure the PHEP program enables such entities to respond to public health emergencies. The CDC may make modifications to the program after such consultation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Edith Shorougian Senior Victims of Fraud Compensation Act

Bill: 116-s-3487
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aging
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government trust funds
Law enforcement administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Edith Shorougian Senior Victims of Fraud Compensation Act

 
This bill adds a new source of revenue for the Crime Victims Fund and expands the allowable use of victim compensation grant funds.
 
Specifically, the bill directs any monetary payment made to the federal government as a fine or penalty under a deferred prosecution agreement, non-prosecution agreement, or other settlement agreement in relation to an alleged criminal act to be deposited into the fund. 
 
Additionally, the bill allows victim compensation grant funds to be used to compensate elderly victims for property loss resulting from financial fraud, abuse, or exploitation. Currently, victim compensation grant funds may not be used to compensation for property loss (with limited exceptions). An elderly victim is a victim who is at least 60 years of age. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to repeal a provision relating to the suspension, waiver, or reduction of rents or royalties by the Secretary of the Interior to promote development or operation, to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to limit the authority of the Secretary to reduce or eliminate certain royalties and net profit shares, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-3488
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Energy revenues and royalties
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Mining
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 
This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from suspending, waiving, or reducing rents or royalties that the government receives for the production of certain mineral resources (e.g., fossil fuel) on leased public land, including royalties or net profit shares received from oil and gas exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act

Bill: 116-s-3489
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child care and development
Child health
Disaster relief and insurance
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Employee hiring
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Mental health
Minority education
Preschool education
School administration
Special education
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Temporary and part-time employment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act

 
This bill establishes and provides funds for grant programs to respond to safety and health risks presented by qualifying emergencies, including COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to agencies that administer Child Care Development block grants and Head Start agencies. 
 
ED grant recipients must award subgrants to BIE schools, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education (IHEs). HHS grant recipients must award subgrants to early care and education programs.
 
Subgrants under each grant program must be used for certain activities, such as coordinating preparedness and response efforts with public health departments; purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean facilities to minimize the spread of infectious diseases; and providing mental health services and supports to children, students, and staff.
 
Additionally, ED must award grants to IHEs for creating and expanding emergency financial-aid grant programs that address the unexpected expenses related to basic needs (e.g., housing, food, and certain one-time costs) of enrolled students during a qualifying emergency. IHEs must use grant funds to make emergency financial-aid grants to eligible students.
 
HHS must also award supplemental grants for certain organizations to address emergency-related child traumatic stress.
 
ED may waive certain financial-aid requirements for students affected by qualifying emergencies. Such requirements include those related to subsidized usage limits, leaves of absence, and satisfactory progress.
 
The bill also authorizes ED to permit foreign IHEs to offer distance education during an emergency. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Rebecca Trimble.

Bill: 116-s-3490
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Provides for the relief of Rebecca Trimble.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Job Protection for Quarantined Individuals Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3491
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Job Protection for Quarantined Individuals Act of 2020

 
 This bill prohibits employers from taking adverse actions (e.g., terminating, disciplining, threatening, or penalizing) against employees who are unable to work because the employee is or has been (1) quarantined, (2) in isolation, or (3) caring for a family member in isolation or quarantine. Such isolation or quarantine may be due to (1) a regulation by the Office of the Surgeon General concerning the spread of a communicable disease; (2) an order by a state, local, or tribal government; (3) a written recommendation by such government; or (4) voluntary health monitoring pursuant to guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other applicable public health agency.
 
 Employees may enforce this prohibition through civil claims to recover damages and reinstatement of employment, if appropriate. The Department of Labor also may conduct administrative actions and file civil claims on behalf of employees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Elko National Cemetery Act

Bill: 116-s-3492
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2020-03-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cemeteries and funerals
Land transfers
Nevada

Summary:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: 

Elko National Cemetery Act

 
This bill transfers jurisdiction over certain public land in Elko, Nevada, from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Veterans Affairs for use as a national cemetery.


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: 2020-03-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Introduced in Senate