hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Linemen Legacy Act

Bill: 117-s-398
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-02-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Electric power generation and transmission
First responders and emergency personnel

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-23
text: 

Lineman Legacy Act

 
This bill specifies that utility line technicians responding to a major disaster or emergency qualify as emergency response providers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-02-23
text: Introduced in Senate
No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act

Bill: 117-s-399
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-02-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care costs and insurance
Health promotion and preventive care
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-23
text: 

No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act

 
This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requiring a co-payment or other cost sharing for qualifying preventive services related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). A qualifying preventive service is intended to prevent or mitigate COVID-19 and is either (1) an evidence-based item or service with an 
A
 or 
B
 rating in the current recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, or (2) an immunization that has in effect a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual involved.
 
Such a prohibition shall take effect 15 business days after the date on which a recommendation is made regarding a qualifying preventive service related to COVID-19.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-02-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Conscience Protection Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-401
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Civil actions and liability
Disability and health-based discrimination
Employee benefits and pensions
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Medical education
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 

Conscience Protection Act of 

2021

 
This bill provides statutory authority for certain protections for health care providers that refuse to participate in abortions based on religious beliefs or other convictions. Health care providers include individual professionals, medical facilities, health insurance organizations, and social services providers that refer clients to health care services.
 
The federal government and entities that receive federal funding for health-related activities, including state and local governments, may not discriminate against a health care provider that refuses to be involved in, or provide coverage for, abortions. Currently, similar requirements apply to various related activities, including
 
 
certain employment or personnel decisions (the Church Amendments),
 
abortion services training (the Coats-Snowe Amendment),
 
qualified health plans offered through health insurance exchanges, and
 
annual appropriations bills for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies (the Weldon Amendment). 
 
 
The HHS Office for Civil Rights must investigate complaints of this kind of discrimination. Furthermore, HHS may terminate or reduce HHS funding for health-related activities if a person or entity fails to comply with nondiscrimination requirements.
 
Additionally, the Department of Justice or any entity adversely affected by such discrimination may bring a civil action to obtain appropriate relief. A plaintiff does not need to seek or exhaust administrative remedies before bringing the action. A plaintiff may also bring an action, including one for money damages, against a governmental entity. In many cases, principles of sovereign immunity shield states and some localities from these kinds of actions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Network Security Trade Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-402
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Free trade and trade barriers
Telephone and wireless communication
Trade agreements and negotiations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 

Network Security Trade Act of 2021

 
This bill expands the overall trade negotiating objectives of the United States to require that negotiators seek to ensure the security and autonomy of global communications infrastructure.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S858)
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
FOCA Act

Bill: 117-s-403
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Building construction
Labor-management relations
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 

Fair and Open Competition Act 

or the FOCA Act

 
This bill prohibits federal construction contracts or controlling documents for federally supported construction projects from requiring or prohibiting project labor agreements. Such documents also may not discriminate against or give preference to a bidder or contractor who signs or refuses to sign a project labor agreement.
 
An agency may exempt a project from this prohibition to avert an imminent threat to public health or safety or to serve the national security.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Coronavirus Housing Counseling Improvement Act

Bill: 117-s-404
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Landlord and tenant
Low- and moderate-income housing
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 

Coronavirus Housing Counseling Improvement Act

 
This bill authorizes additional housing counseling services provided through the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Funding priority is given to counseling organizations that target low-income and minority homeowners, renters, individuals experiencing homelessness, and individuals at risk of homelessness.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act

Bill: 117-s-405
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Building construction
Cancer
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Caribbean area
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government liability
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Lawyers and legal services
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Metals
Military education and training
Military facilities and property
Military readiness
Puerto Rico
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 

Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act 
 
 
This bill provides a framework to compensate certain residents of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, for the use of such island for military readiness. The bill sets forth provisions regarding award amounts for individuals and for claims by the municipality of Vieques.
 
An individual claimant who has resided on the island of Vieques for not less than five years shall be awarded monetary compensation if the claimant contracted a chronic or life threatening case of cancer, hypertension, cirrhosis, kidney disease, diabetes, or heavy metal poisoning during or after the government used the island for military readiness.
 
The bill limits total amounts awarded to $1 billion and bars claims not filed within 15 years of enactment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
National Right-to-Work Act

Bill: 117-s-406
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Labor-management relations
Railroads
Transportation employees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 

National Right-to-Work Act 

 
This bill repeals those provisions of the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act that permit employers to make an agreement with a labor union to require employees to join such union as a condition of employment. 
 
Currently, at least 27 states have enacted laws prohibiting employers from compelling employees to become members of a union as a condition of employment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Best Practices for Healthy Moms Act

Bill: 117-s-408
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Performance measurement
Sex and reproductive health
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 

Supporting Best Practices for Healthy Moms Act

 
This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to publish and periodically update guidance for hospitals, freestanding birth centers, and other maternal care providers on ways to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
 
 The CMS must also report on the Medicaid payment methodologies that apply to facility transfers of pregnant women.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening Social Connections Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-410
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 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: 2021-02-24
text: 

Strengthening Social Connections Act of 2021

 
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: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
MOM­MA’s Act

Bill: 117-s-411
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Dental care
Domestic violence and child abuse
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Hospital care
Inflation and prices
Medicaid
Medical education
Medical research
Mental health
Minority health
Racial and ethnic relations
Sales and excise taxes
Surgery and anesthesia
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 

Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act or the MOMMA's Act

 
This bill establishes various programs and requirements to reduce maternal mortality. It also increases federal tobacco taxes and equalizes the tax treatment of different tobacco products.
 
Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must provide technical assistance and best practices for collecting data, standardizing reporting, and preventing maternal mortality. The CDC must consult with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on this assistance.
 
The bill also provides statutory authority for
 
 
CDC grants for state-based collaboratives to improve care immediately before and after birth and to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, and
 
a HRSA program to improve the quality and safety of maternity care.
 
 
Furthermore, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish regional centers through health professional schools and training programs to educate health care providers about implicit bias and culturally competent care.
 
In addition, the bill expands eligibility for Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and other benefits for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Specifically, it
 
 
extends postpartum eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP for one year;
 
provides coverage for oral health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals under Medicaid and CHIP; and
 
extends postpartum eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children for two years.
 
 
HHS must also take steps to publicize the benefits available to pregnant and postpartum individuals under Medicaid and CHIP, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must provide guidance on Medicaid coverage for doula services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S859-863)
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
National Coronavirus Commission Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-412
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Economic performance and conditions
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Federal-Indian relations
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Higher education
Hospital care
Housing finance and home ownership
Immigrant health and welfare
Immunology and vaccination
Income tax deferral
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intergovernmental relations
Landlord and tenant
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Military civil functions
Minority health
Rural conditions and development
State and local government operations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 

National Coronavirus Commission Act of 2021

 
This bill temporarily establishes, in the legislative branch, the Commission on the Coronavirus Pandemic in the United States and sets out its powers, duties, and membership.
 
The commission must investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. This investigation must include the preparedness for and response to the disease by federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local governments. The commission terminates 120 days after the submission of its final report.
 
Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must monitor the implementation of any recommendations identified by the commission.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to establish the China Censorship Monitor and Action Group, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-413
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances
Asia
China
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Government information and archives
Human rights
News media and reporting
Television and film
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 
This bill requires the President to establish an interagency task force, the China Censorship Monitor and Action Group. The task force shall oversee the development and execution of a federal government strategy to monitor and address Chinese government efforts to censor or intimidate individuals and entities in the United States, including U.S. companies doing business in China, when such individuals and entities are exercising their free speech rights. 
 
The Department of State shall seek to enter into an agreement with a qualified independent research entity to report to Congress on Chinese government efforts to censor or intimidate U.S. individuals and entities in the United States, including attempts to censor or intimidate U.S. companies doing business in China.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Amateur Athletes Protection and Compensation Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-414
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Sports and Recreation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Athletes
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Contracts and agency
Disability assistance
Education programs funding
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Federal preemption
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Higher education
Marketing and advertising
Professional sports
School athletics
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 

Amateur Athletes Protection and Compensation Act of 2021 

 
This bill provides standards relating to compensation for the use of the names, images, and likenesses of amateur intercollegiate athletes and protections for these athletes.
 
Specifically, compensation for such an athlete may only be provided by unaffiliated third parties. Currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association and colleges generally prohibit student athletes from receiving compensation.
 
A national amateur athletic association or institution of higher education may not punish an athlete in an amateur intercollegiate athletic event or competition based on the athlete having entered into an agency contract with an amateur athlete representative certified by the Amateur Intercollegiate Athletics Corporation (AIAC) established by this bill. 
 
An amateur intercollegiate athletics association shall allow an amateur intercollegiate athlete to transfer from one institution of higher education to another at least once without losing or delaying eligibility for intercollegiate athletics if specified conditions are met.
 
The AIAC shall serve as a clearinghouse for best practices with respect to the rights and protections of amateur intercollegiate athletes who enter into agency and endorsement contracts.
 
The bill requires institutions of higher education to provide a certain level of health care coverage for such athletes. Such institutions must make specified legally binding disclosures to each athlete before he or she commits to enroll in or attend the institution. 
 
The institution must comply with requirements of this bill in order to participate in certain federal student financial aid programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act

Bill: 117-s-416
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2021-02-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Advisory bodies
Civil actions and liability
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Judicial review and appeals
Supreme Court

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: 

Restoring Integrity to America's Elections Act

 
This bill revises provisions regarding the Federal Election Commission (FEC), including to change FEC membership.
 
Specifically, the bill reduces the number of appointed members of the FEC from six to five and permits no more than two members to be affiliated with the same political party. Further, it removes the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House as ex officio members.
 
Next, the bill establishes the Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel to recommend to the President individuals for nomination to the FEC. The President shall appoint the FEC chair, subject to Senate confirmation.
 
The bill distributes the FEC's powers between the chair and the other FEC members. Further, it requires the FEC to ensure that its forms allow for the use of an accent mark as part of an individual's identification.
 
The bill modifies the process for (1) the FEC to initiate an investigation, and (2) a party aggrieved by the FEC's dismissal of the party's complaint or the FEC's failure to take action on the party's complaint to seek judicial review in federal court. Additionally, individuals who submit written comments regarding requests for advisory opinions must be given an opportunity to appear at FEC hearings on those requests.
 
The bill also permanently extends the FEC's administrative penalty authority.
 
Finally, the bill provides statutory authority for limitations on ex parte communications as applied to FEC members and employees. It also specifies that FEC attorneys may represent the FEC before the Supreme Court. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Introduced in Senate