hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act

Bill: 116-s-4475
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Arizona
Historical and cultural resources
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior, after receiving a request from La Paz County, Arizona, to convey approximately 4,800 acres of identified land managed by the Bureau of Land Management to the county.
 
Interior shall exclude from the conveyance any federal land that contains significant cultural, environmental, wildlife, or recreational resources.
 
As a condition of the conveyance, La Paz County and any subsequent owner shall 
 
 
make good faith efforts to avoid disturbing tribal artifacts; 
 
 minimize impacts on tribal artifacts if they are disturbed; 
 
 coordinate with the Colorado River Indian Tribes Tribal Historic Preservation Office to identify artifacts of cultural and historic significance; and 
 
 allow tribal representatives to rebury unearthed artifacts at, or near, where they were discovered.
 
 
The federal land is withdrawn from the operation of U.S. mining and mineral leasing laws.


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: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4476
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Evidence and witnesses
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act of 2020

 
This bill creates certain administrative and judicial remedies for federal employees whose right to provide information to Congress is interfered with or denied.
 
Under current law, federal employees have the right to petition or furnish information to Congress or to individual Members of Congress, and this right may not be interfered with or denied. The bill explicitly allows employees who are aggrieved by a violation of this right to seek administrative remedies that are currently available to whistleblowers who are fired or experience other forms of retaliation. The bill also establishes a private right of action for aggrieved employees, including the option of a jury trial, if an administrative remedy is not issued within 210 days of a complaint being made.
 
The bill applies to employees and contractors of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, including members of the intelligence community. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening Social Connections Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4477
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Aging
Appropriations
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Community life and organization
Department of Health and Human Services
Disability assistance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Nutrition and diet

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Strengthening Social Connections Act of 2020

 
This bill provides FY2021 supplemental appropriations to the Administration for Community Living for various activities to address the health effects of extended social isolation and loneliness among older individuals due to factors such as the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
LIFT Act

Bill: 116-s-4478
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Human trafficking
Law enforcement administration and funding
Sanctions
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Leveraging Information on Foreign Traffickers Act or the LIFT Act

 
This bill requires the Department of State to ensure that the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security receive timely and regular information regarding visa denials based on grounds related to human trafficking. The bill also extends (1) to June 30 the deadline for submission of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, and (2) through FY2025 the survivor-led Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 11, United States Code, to change the treatment of certain rental obligations during bankruptcy.

Bill: 116-s-4479
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Contracts and agency
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Landlord and tenant

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 
This bill temporarily revises bankruptcy provisions related to a lease of nonresidential real property. Specifically, if a Chapter 11 small business reorganization bankruptcy debtor is experiencing material financial hardship due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, a court may extend the time the debtor may pay rent on a nonresidential real property from 60 days to 120 days. Additionally, businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic have an additional 90 days to determine whether to keep or end a nonresidential lease agreement. 
 
The bill also prohibits a bankruptcy trustee from voiding transfers of the debtor's interest due to the payment of certain rental and supplier arrearages. 
 
These provisions have a two-year sunset.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Advanced Coursework Equity Act

Bill: 116-s-4480
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational guidance
Elementary and secondary education
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Higher education
Minority education
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Advanced Coursework Equity Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Education to establish three grant programs to increase enrollment and performance of underrepresented students in advanced courses and programs. Local educational agencies receiving grants or subgrants must use such funds for certain activities, such as conducting community engagement, expanding enrollment of underrepresented students in advanced courses, and providing direct services (e.g., tutoring) to underrepresented students.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Adopt GREET Act

Bill: 116-s-4481
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Motor fuels

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Adopt the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation Model Act or the Adopt GREET Act

 
This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to update the methodology it uses in life cycle greenhouse gas assessments for corn-based ethanol and biodiesel fuels used in vehicles. The assessments are used to evaluate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of such fuels.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S5277)
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening Reporting of Actions Taken Against the Normalization of Relations with Israel Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4482
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Human rights
International exchange and broadcasting
Israel
Middle East
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Strengthening Reporting of Actions Taken Against the Normalization of Relations with Israel Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of State to include specified information concerning Arab-Israeli relations in the annual Country Report on Human Rights Practices. Such information shall include (1) the status of laws that punish individuals for people-to-people relations with Israelis (i.e., anti-normalization laws); (2) instances of prosecution or extrajudicial retribution against citizens or residents of Arab countries for calling for peace with Israel, visiting Israel, or engaging Israeli citizens in any country; and (3) evidence of steps taken by Arab governments toward permitting or encouraging people-to-people relations between their citizens or residents and Israeli citizens. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Campus Free Speech Restoration Act

Bill: 116-s-4483
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Department of Education
Education programs funding
First Amendment rights
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Judicial procedure and administration
Judicial review and appeals
Legal fees and court costs
Protest and dissent
Religion
School administration

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Campus Free Speech Restoration Act

 
This bill generally prohibits public institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs from restricting noncommercial expressive activities (e.g., peacefully assembling, distributing literature, or carrying signs) on campus. It also requires private IHEs that receive federal funds to provide students with their policies related to expressive rights.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to modify the definition of critical technologies for purposes of reviews by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

Bill: 116-s-4485
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Corporate finance and management
Foreign and international corporations
Government studies and investigations
Technology transfer and commercialization
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 
This bill modifies the definition of 
critical technologies
 for the purpose of national security reviews and investigations by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to include emerging and foundational technologies identified as essential to U.S. national security.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
ATTAIN Mental Health Act

Bill: 116-s-4486
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Government information and archives
Health programs administration and funding
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Achieving Thorough Transparency and Accessibility for Information Navigation on Mental Health Act of 2020 or the ATTAIN Mental Health Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and update a publicly accessible, internet-based dashboard to publicize federally funded mental health grants.
 
The dashboard must contain, for example, program names and opening and closing dates for applications. In addition, HHS must establish a process to accept information voluntarily provided by states concerning their federally supported mental health grants for incorporation into the dashboard.
 
In developing the dashboard, HHS must consult with appropriate federal departments and agencies and other relevant stakeholders.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Pandemic Pay-For Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4487
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget process

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Pandemic Pay-For Act of 2020

 
This bill extends the existing limits on FY2021 discretionary spending through FY2024. (Discretionary spending is spending that is provided and controlled by appropriations acts.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Tax Relief for Families Suffering from Government-Mandated Shutdowns Act

Bill: 116-s-4488
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Tax Relief for Families Suffering from Government-Mandated Shutdowns Act

 
This bill revises the tax treatment of certain business-related tax deductions and allows new deductions for dependent care expenses, elementary and secondary school expenses, and for expenses incurred in 2020 for internet access.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Paycheck Protection Program Integrity Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4489
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business expenses
Business records
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Small business
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Paycheck Protection Program Integrity Act of 2020

 
This bill modifies loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Specifically, the bill reduces the amount of loan forgiveness by (1) the amount of a recipient's after-tax income, or (2) the increase in net assets if the recipient is a nonprofit organization. A recipient seeking loan forgiveness must submit documentation verifying after-tax income and net assets to determine any paycheck protection loan repayment.
 
Further, the bill requires the disclosure of paycheck protection loan information in accordance with applicable laws.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Make Billionaires Pay Act

Bill: 116-s-4490
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Debt collection
Drug therapy
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Home and outpatient care
Immunology and vaccination
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare
Military medicine
Minority health
Prescription drugs
Property tax
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Make Billionaires Pay Act

 
 This bill establishes a tax on the wealth increases of individuals with more than $1 billion in net assets during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to pay the out-of-pocket expenses of individuals receiving medically-necessary care or services for a period of one year.
 
First, the bill requires individuals with net assets of more than $1 billion on December 31, 2020, to pay a tax of 60% on the amount equal to the lesser of (1) the increase in value of their net assets during the period beginning on March 18, 2020, through such date, or (2) the value of their net assets that is greater than $1 billion. The Department of the Treasury must establish rules for the application of this tax to married individuals and this tax is not deductible for the purpose of federal income tax. 
 
 Further, the bill covers the costs for services provided through public or private health insurance and to uninsured individuals, including prescription drugs and care related to COVID-19, for a period of one year beginning on the date of enactment of this bill. Health insurance plans are prohibited from increasing the cost-sharing requirements of plans while this program is in effect and HHS must report to Congress on the program on a weekly basis.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Methamphetamine Response Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4491
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
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: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5284)
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe Drugs Act

Bill: 116-s-4492
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Safe Drugs Act

 
This bill authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to order the mandatory recall of any drug when the FDA determines that there is a reasonable probability that the drug would cause serious adverse health consequences or death. 
 
Currently, the FDA may order a mandatory recall under such circumstances only with respect to a controlled substance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
USTR Inspector General Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4493
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Asia
China
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government studies and investigations
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

USTR Inspector General Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the President to appoint an Inspector General of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), who shall conduct an audit of the process for excluding articles from certain duties with respect to articles imported from China.
 
The required audit shall include an assessment of whether USTR officials (1) uniformly applied the criteria used to review a request for, or objection to, excluding such articles from duties; (2) met with any interested parties to discuss a request or objection while the request or objection was pending; and (3) at any time permitted the resubmission of a previously submitted request or objection after the submission deadline. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund Extension Act

Bill: 116-s-4494
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health programs administration and funding
Infectious and parasitic diseases
State and local finance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

State and Local
 
Coronavirus Relief Fund Extension Act

 
This bill allows payments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which were made to states, tribal governments, and local governments, to be used to cover expenditures incurred through December 31, 2021. Currently, expenditures must be incurred before December 31, 2020.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Automatic Cash Assistance Act

Bill: 116-s-4495
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Asia
Birth defects
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Conflicts and wars
Disability assistance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax credits
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Poverty and welfare assistance
Railroads
Social security and elderly assistance
South Korea
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Transportation employees
Veterans' pensions and compensation
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Automatic Cash Assistance Act

 
This bill allows recipients of Social Security, railroad retirement, and veterans disability benefits to automatically receive stimulus payments under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act regardless of whether they filed income tax returns in 2018 or 2019. Recipients will also receive the $500 stimulus payment for each dependent child. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate