hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act

Bill: 116-s-4131
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act

 
This bill establishes measures related to expanding broadband infrastructure and access in unserved and underserved communities.
 
The bill creates the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, and it provides funding for programs that (1) promote digital equity and broadband capacity building, (2) provide discounts on broadband service for low-income consumers, and (3) subsidize internet services for schools and libraries. The bill establishes specified transparency requirements, such as making federal broadband data available to local governments. It also requires the Federal Communications Commission to expand broadband access for unserved and underserved communities and make the provision of Wi-Fi access on school buses eligible for support under the E-Rate program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
National Commission on the COVID–19 Pandemic in the United States Act

Bill: 116-s-4132
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Border security and unlawful immigration
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Emergency planning and evacuation
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Immigration status and procedures
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Intergovernmental relations
International organizations and cooperation
Law enforcement administration and funding
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

National Commission on the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States Act

 
This bill establishes, in the legislative branch, the National Commission on the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States and sets forth its powers, duties, funding, and membership. Among other activities, the commission shall investigate the facts and circumstances of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and make recommendations on preventing a similar outbreak from occurring in the future. 
 
The commission terminates 60 days after the submission of its final report. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4138-4139)
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
REAL ID Modernization Act

Bill: 116-s-4133
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

REAL ID Modernization Act

 
This bill revises requirements for obtaining driver's licenses and personal identification cards under the REAL ID Act of 2005.
 
Specifically, the bill 
 
 
permits electronic and mobile driver's licenses,
 
allows electronic submission of required information,
 
permits a digital photograph to be one that is already on file with the state if the photograph was taken during the six-year period preceding the application,
 
provides for the permanent extension of grants to states for conforming with standards,
 
requires aircraft operators and third party reservation entities to notify passengers about this bill's requirement, and
 
eliminates documentation requirements for Social Security numbers and permanent addresses.
 

action_date: 2020-12-07
text: 

REAL ID Modernization Act

 
This bill revises requirements for obtaining driver's licenses and personal identification cards under the REAL ID Act of 2005.
 
Specifically, the bill 
 
 
permits electronic and mobile driver's licenses,
 
allows electronic submission of required information,
 
permits a digital photograph to be one that is already on file with the state if the photograph was taken during the six-year period preceding the application,
 
repeals the authorization for the Department of Transportation to make grants to states for conforming with standards,
 
requires aircraft operators and third party reservation entities to notify passengers about this bill's requirement, and
 
eliminates documentation requirements for Social Security numbers and permanent addresses.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 601.
action_date: 2020-12-07
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-303.
action_date: 2020-12-07
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-303.
action_date: 2020-07-22
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4134
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Medicare
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish a demonstration project to evaluate the benefits of providing additional payments to providers of biosimilars under Medicare. Specifically, under the demonstration project, participating providers receive an additional payment based on the difference between the costs to the provider of furnishing the biosimilar and the cost if the provider had furnished the underlying reference biological product instead. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
HEAL Act

Bill: 116-s-4135
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

Helping Entrepreneurs Access Loans Act or the HEAL Act

 
This bill establishes eligibility and provides funding for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans and advance grants for eligible small businesses.
 
Eligible small businesses are those that (1) are located in an area in which the SBA declared a disaster due to civil unrest occurring between May 26, 2020, and July 1, 2020; (2) incurred damage due to such civil unrest; and (3) have average annual gross receipts of $2 million or less.
 
Such small businesses shall be eligible to receive forgivable loans and advance grants under the SBA's disaster loan program. Such loans shall be equal to 100% of the amount required to repair, rehabilitate, or replace property that was damaged or destroyed due to civil unrest and that was not compensated for by insurance, state or local government grants, or any other means. An applicant may also request an advance of up to $10,000 on such loan.
 
Further, a recipient shall be eligible for forgiveness of 75% of such loan if they are still in operation on December 31, 2021, and have submitted specified documentation related to sales and taxes paid.
 
Additionally, the SBA shall waive certain loan requirements such as (1) personal guarantees, (2) inability to obtain credit elsewhere, and (3) provision of collateral. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
COST of Relocations Act

Bill: 116-s-4136
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

Congressional Oversight to Secure Transparency of Relocations Act or the COST of Relocations Act

 
This bill requires a federal agency seeking to relocate more than 5% of its employees or more than 100 employees to conduct and make public a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of the proposed change.
 
Specifically, the agency must conduct such analysis and submit it to the agency's office of inspector general for review and submission to Congress.
 
The report must include, among other things
 
 
the anticipated outcomes and improvements that will result from the proposed relocation,
 
the metrics for measuring whether the proposed relocation results in the anticipated outcomes and improvements,
 
a timeline of past and future engagements with stakeholders regarding the proposed relocation,
 
a comprehensive strategy for accomplishing the proposed relocation, and
 
an assessment of the short- and long-term effects of the proposed relocation on the agency's mission.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Equitable Payments for Nursing Facilities Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4137
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Alaska
Hawaii
Health facilities and institutions
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicare
Nursing

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

Equitable Payments for Nursing Facilities Act of 2020

 
This bill allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to adjust the federal per diem payment rate for Medicare skilled nursing facilities in Alaska or Hawaii to reflect the unique circumstances of such facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Telework for U.S. Innovation Act

Bill: 116-s-4138
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Commuting
Congressional oversight
Employee benefits and pensions
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Transportation costs
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

Telework for U.S. Innovation Act

 
This bill makes permanent the Telework Enhancement Act Pilot Program in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The program allows USPTO employees to telework from locations across the United States; USPTO may cover any necessary travel expenses to and from an agency worksite. The program is set to expire on December 31, 2020.

action_date: 2020-10-01
text: 

Telework for U.S. Innovation Act

 
This bill makes permanent the Telework Enhancement Act Pilot Program in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The program allows USPTO employees to telework from locations across the United States; USPTO may cover any necessary travel expenses to and from an agency worksite. The program is set to expire on December 31, 2020.

action_date: 2020-12-08
text: 

Telework for U.S. Innovation Act

 
This bill makes permanent the Telework Enhancement Act Pilot Program in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The program allows USPTO employees to telework from locations across the United States; USPTO may cover any necessary travel expenses to and from an agency worksite. The program is set to expire on December 31, 2020.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-09
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2020-12-09
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2020-12-09
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2020-12-08
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7285-7286; text: CR S7285-7286)
action_date: 2020-12-08
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 569.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 116-276.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 116-276.
action_date: 2020-07-22
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Support for Global Financial Institution Pandemic Response Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4139
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Debt collection
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Economic development
Economic performance and conditions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign loans and debt
Health programs administration and funding
Infectious and parasitic diseases
International monetary system and foreign exchange
International organizations and cooperation
Multilateral development programs
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

Support for Global Financial Institution Pandemic Response Act of 2020 

 
This bill requires each U.S. Executive Director at an international financial institution to take certain actions in support of the global response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Specifically, each U.S. Executive Director at an international financial institution (e.g., the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development or the International Finance Corporation) must 
 
 
 seek the suspension of debt service payments to the institution and the relaxation of fiscal targets for certain programs, 
 
oppose programs or loan agreements that would reduce countries' health care spending or other spending related to their responses to COVID-19, and 
 
require approval of all Special Drawing Rights (a currency support tool) allocation transfers from wealthier member countries to countries that are emerging or developing to ensure the allocations are used for the public good and in response to the global pandemic.
 
 
Further, the U.S. Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund must support the issuance of Special Drawing Rights so that governments may access additional resources to finance their responses to COVID-19. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S4139)
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Local FARM Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4140
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Appropriations
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Community life and organization
Department of Agriculture
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Food assistance and relief
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Fruit and vegetables
Government lending and loan guarantees
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Nutrition and diet
Retail and wholesale trades
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

Local Food Assistance and Resilient Markets Act of 2020 or the
 
Local FARM Act of 2020

 
This bill addresses provisions related to programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), including the Specialty Block Grant Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), the Loan Agriculture Market Program, and the Farm Microloan Program.
 
USDA must provide grants to states under the Specialty Block Grant Program to procure and distribute specialty crops to needy persons at zero cost to those persons. Each grant distributed shall not exceed $2.5 million.
 
The Food and Nutrition Service of USDA must distribute grants to state agencies to develop tools and provide technical assistance to (1) increase the quantity of retailers that accept and redeem SNAP benefits online, and (2) expand the capacity of retailers to accept and redeem SNAP benefits online. 
 
The bill temporarily reduces the matching funds requirement for certain nutrition programs under the Local Agriculture Market Program. Additionally, the bill expands funding under such program to include (1) providing grants to organizations that serve socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, and (2) making payments to certain entities for COVID-19-related losses.
 
The bill also extends the Farm Microloan Program and temporarily waives certain eligibility requirements for the program during the COVID-19 public health emergency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Bank on Students Coronavirus Emergency Loan Refinancing Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4141
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Medical education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

Bank on Students Coronavirus Emergency Loan Refinancing Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes refinancing programs for federal and private student loans. Specifically, it allows certain borrowers to refinance their federal student loans down to lower interest rates, and creates the Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loan to allow certain borrowers to refinance their private student loans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Ending Qualified Immunity Act

Bill: 116-s-4142
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
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: 2020-07-01
text: 

Ending Qualified Immunity Act

 
This bill eliminates the defense of qualified immunity in civil actions for deprivation of rights. 
Qualified immunity
 is a judicially created doctrine that protects government employees or those acting with state authority from being held personally liable for constitutional violations.
 
The bill provides that under the statute allowing a civil action alleging deprivation of rights under color of law, it shall not be a defense or immunity to any such action that (1) the defendant was acting in good faith or believed that his or her conduct was lawful at the time it was committed; (2) the rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution or laws were not clearly established at the time of their deprivation; or (3) the state of the law was such that the defendant could not reasonably have been expected to know whether his or her conduct was lawful.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
American Workforce Rescue Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4143
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: American Samoa
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Guam
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Northern Mariana Islands
Palau
State and local government operations
Temporary and part-time employment
U.S. territories and protectorates
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

American Workforce Rescue Act of 2020

 
This bill revises and extends pandemic unemployment programs established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act, including linking the availability and amounts of specified benefits to a state's unemployment rate.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4139-4140; text: CR S4142-4144)
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4144
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2020-07-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Appropriations
Coast guard
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Department of the Interior
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Hunting and fishing
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Outdoor recreation
Solid waste and recycling
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: 

Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2020

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and modifies use of the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which provides funding for several things, including fisheries conservation and management, water and boating infrastructure, and recreational boating safety. The bill modifies use of the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund, which supports wildlife restoration, conservation, and hunter education and safety programs.
 
The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on (1) the increasing use of nonmotorized vessels and their impacts on motorized and nonmotorized vessel access, (2) user conflicts at waterway access points, (3) the use of Sport Fish Restoration Program funds to improve nonmotorized vessel access and the reasons for providing such access, and (4) the use of Recreational Boating Safety Program funds for nonmotorized boating safety programs.
 
The GAO shall consult with the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and the National Boating Safety Advisory Council on study design, scope, and priorities for the report.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-22
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-07-01
text: Introduced in Senate