hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
CLEAR Patents Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5902
Sponsor: Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-50]
Introduced: 2021-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: 

Conducting Legally Efficient Administration and Resolution of Patents Act of 2021 or the CLEAR Patents Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes that a federal agency proceeding pertaining to a patent shall, in certain instances, be stayed while certain administrative validity challenges to that patent are pending.
 
Specifically, if the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office institutes an inter partes review (IPR) or a postgrant review (PGR) of a patent and the cancellation of one of the patent's claims would materially affect a federal agency proceeding, that proceeding must be stayed until the IPR or PGR has been decided or otherwise terminated.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
HERD Act

Bill: 117-hr-5903
Sponsor: Rep. Jacobs, Chris [R-NY-27]
Introduced: 2021-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: 

Having Employees Return to Duty Act or the HERD Act

 
This bill addresses federal employees who comply with Executive Order 14043 (requiring COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees).
 
Specifically, the bill requires each federal agency to require employees who comply with the order to work from their duty station and to work the hours required as of February 15, 2020.
 
The bill's requirement does not apply to immunocompromised employees. Additionally, the bill does not prohibit an agency from implementing different policies at a particular work site if the agency finds that (1) there is substantial transmission of COVID-19 within a community in which such requirements would otherwise be carried out; and (2) implementing those different policies will not degrade the level of service that the agency provides to the public.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Deepãvali Day Act

Bill: 117-hr-5904
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
Introduced: 2021-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Arts, Culture, Religion
Asia
Commemorative events and holidays
India
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: 

Deepavali Day Act

 
This bill establishes Deep&atilde;vali Day, also known as Diwali, as a federal holiday. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5905
Sponsor: Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
Introduced: 2021-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: 

Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2021

 
This bill expands eligibility for Post-9/11 GI bill educational assistance benefits and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan program. Specifically, the bill explicitly includes the following persons as eligible veterans:
 
 
Black veterans who served on active duty during World War II who can certify they were denied a specific benefit on the basis of race; and
 
the living surviving spouses, children, grandchildren, or other direct descendants of such veterans described above who can certify the veteran was denied a specific benefit on the basis of race.
 
 
 
Such veterans described above must apply for educational or home loan benefits within the five-year period after the passage of this bill to be eligible for benefits.
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on the number of individuals who received educational or housing loan benefits and the total value of such benefits administered by the VA due to the amendments made by the bill.
 
Finally, the VA must appoint a panel of independent experts to develop recommendations regarding additional benefits and assistance for female and minority members of the Armed Forces.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
DAYLIGHT Act

Bill: 117-hr-5906
Sponsor: Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]
Introduced: 2021-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: 

Daylight All Year Leads to Ideal Gains in Happiness and Temperament Act or the DAYLIGHT Act

 
This bill allows states to observe daylight savings time year-round. (States may already choose to observe standard time year-round.)
 
No later than two years after enactment of this bill, the Government Accountability Office shall submit a report to Congress containing the results of a study on implementing daylight savings time year-round. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Water Infrastructure for Rural and Impoverished Communities Act

Bill: 117-hr-5907
Sponsor: Rep. Vela, Filemon [D-TX-34]
Introduced: 2021-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: 

Water Infrastructure for Rural and Impoverished Communities Act

 
This bill makes rural communities with up to 30,000 residents eligible to apply, under certain conditions, for grants and loans for water and waste disposal infrastructure. (Current law limits eligibility to communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.)
 
 In making the grants and loans, the Department of Agriculture must prioritize communities in counties where at least 20% of the population has persistently lived in poverty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Stop Vaccine Mandates Act

Bill: 117-hr-5908
Sponsor: Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2]
Introduced: 2021-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Public contracts and procurement
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: 

Stop Vaccine Mandates Act

 
This bill rescinds the executive order titled 
Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors
 and the executive order titled 
 Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees
, both published on September 9, 2021. The bill provides that these executive orders shall have no force or effect.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to E. Royce Williams for acts of valor during the Korean War.

Bill: 117-hr-5909
Sponsor: Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-50]
Introduced: 2021-11-05 in the House
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: 
This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to E. Royce Williams for acts of valor as a lieutenant in the Navy, on November 18, 1952.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Holding SPACs Accountable Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5910
Sponsor: Del. San Nicolas, Michael F. Q. [D-GU-At Large]
Introduced: 2021-11-09 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Corporate finance and management
Financial services and investments
Licensing and registrations
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: 

Holding SPACs Accountable Act of 2021 

 
This bill revises the exclusion from safe harbor protections from liability applicable to forward-looking statements (i.e., statements that predict, project, or use future events as expectations or possibilities) made in connection with certain investments. Specifically, it excludes from the safe harbor a development stage company that has no specific business plan or purpose or has indicated that its business plan is to acquire or merge with an unidentified company, entity, or person (e.g., a special purpose acquisition company).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 23.
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
Close the ILC Loophole Act

Bill: 117-hr-5912
Sponsor: Rep. Garcia, Jesus G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
Introduced: 2021-11-09 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: 

Close the ILC Loophole Act 

 
This bill limits the exemption from certain banking regulations applicable to industrial loan companies to those companies approved to receive Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance before September 23, 2021, or companies with an application pending as of September 23, 2021. Industrial loan companies are state chartered institutions that provide several services similar to banks, such as originating loans and processing payments.
 
Parent companies of such industrial loan companies are subject to the supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. 
 
The bill also sets forth procedures regarding a change in control of an industrial loan company. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on the effects of industrial loan companies, industrial banks, and other similar institutions on the economy, including the effect on competitiveness, market structure, and different industries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 25.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
Protecting Investors from Excessive SPACs Fees Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5913
Sponsor: Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-30]
Introduced: 2021-11-09 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Corporate finance and management
Financial services and investments
Licensing and registrations
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: 

Protecting Investors from Excessive SPACs Fees Act of 2021 

 
This bill limits the transaction or recommendation by registered investment advisers to specified investors of securities belonging to certain special purpose acquisition companies and brokers. Special purpose acquisition companies raise capital through initial public offerings with the intent to acquire other companies. 
 
Specifically, these securities may not be recommended to a person who is not an accredited investor unless the related economic compensation is 5% or less or the company makes necessary disclosures to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the protection of investors. An accredited investor must satisfy certain requirements indicating their reduced exposure to financial risk, including those related to income, net worth, or knowledge and experience.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 29 - 23.
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
FHA Fairness Act

Bill: 117-hr-5915
Sponsor: Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-31]
Introduced: 2021-11-09 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: 

FHA Fairness Act 

 
This bill increases the mortgage limit for federal mortgage insurance eligibility for homes in certain cities and counties. Specifically, this increase applies to metropolitan cities and urban counties with higher housing costs that have experienced a decrease in home values over a specified time period. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Management Improvement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5917
Sponsor: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3]
Introduced: 2021-11-09 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Management Improvement Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report on the implementation of operational and policy reforms in construction procurement. Additionally, the VA must report on certain construction projects dealing with the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than $100 million during FY2017-FY2021.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act

Bill: 117-hr-5919
Sponsor: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Introduced: 2021-11-09 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: 

Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act

 
This bill makes various changes to the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which reimburses child care centers, day care homes, and other sites for meals and snacks provided to low-income individuals. Among these changes, the bill
 
 
authorizes reimbursements for an additional meal or snack provided to children who are in care for at least eight hours,
 
allows certain child care centers to certify their eligibility on an annual (rather than a monthly) basis, and
 
establishes an advisory committee to make recommendations to reduce unnecessary recordkeeping requirements for program participants.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
Veteran Entrepreneurs Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5920
Sponsor: Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
Introduced: 2021-11-09 in the House
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: 

Veteran Entrepreneurs Act of 2021

 
This bill allows a business-related tax credit of 25% of up to $400,000 of the franchise fees paid or incurred by an eligible veteran for the purchase of a franchise. The bill reduces the amount of such credit if the veteran does not own 100% of the stock or capital or profits interest of the franchisee.
 
An 
eligible veteran
 is a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service; was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable; and who pays or incurs a franchise fee in connection with a franchise agreement with a franchisor. 
 
The veteran may elect to transfer the credit to an eligible franchisor in exchange for a discount in the franchise fee commensurate with the value of the credit. 
 
 The Small Business Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs must provide information about the tax credit allowed by this bill to veterans service organizations and veteran advocacy groups.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
Filter Bubble Transparency Act

Bill: 117-hr-5921
Sponsor: Rep. Buck, Ken [R-CO-4]
Introduced: 2021-11-09 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: 

Filter Bubble Transparency Act

 
 This bill establishes requirements for large online platforms that use algorithms applying artificial intelligence or machine learning to user-specific data to determine the manner in which content is displayed to users. Specifically, if an online platform applies such techniques to user-specific data that is not expressly provided by the user, the platform must (1) notify users that the platform uses such data, and (2) make a version of the platform available that uses only user-specific data that has been expressly provided by the user and which enables users to switch between the two platforms.
 
These requirements do not apply to search engines operated by downstream providers with fewer than 1,000 employees and that have an agreement to access an index of web pages from an upstream provider. However, the bill requires such upstream providers to make their algorithm available to downstream providers as part of such an agreement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
Sarah Keys Evans Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 117-hr-5922
Sponsor: Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1]
Introduced: 2021-11-09 in the House
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Motor carriers
North Carolina
Racial and ethnic relations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: 

Sarah Keys Evans Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Sarah Keys Evans in recognition of her achievements relating to the desegregation of passengers on interstate buses in the 1950s.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
Preserving the Integrity of Our Laws Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5923
Sponsor: Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4]
Introduced: 2021-11-09 in the House
Policy area: Law

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: 

Preserving the Integrity of Our Laws Act of 2021

 
This bill prohibits settlements in civil actions brought by individuals who entered the United States unlawfully (i.e., illegal aliens) against the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
Keep STEM Talent Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5924
Sponsor: Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]
Introduced: 2021-11-09 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: 

Keep STEM Talent Act of 2021 

 
This bill exempts certain aliens with advanced degrees in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field from direct limitations on the number of immigrant visas granted per year. Specifically, the alien must (1) have earned a master's level or higher degree in certain STEM fields while in the United States attending an accredited higher education institution, (2) be employed (or have a job offer) in a field related to the degree and earn at least the median wage for that occupation, and (3) meet certain labor certification requirements. 
 
The bill also allows an alien seeking a nonimmigrant F-1 (student) visa to obtain an advanced STEM degree to have dual intent. Specifically, such an alien may obtain the nonimmigrant visa or change nonimmigrant status even if the alien intends to seek lawful permanent resident status. (Generally, an alien may be denied a nonimmigrant visa if the alien actually intends to seek immigrant status, unless dual intent is allowed for that type of visa.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-11-09
text: Introduced in House