hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-611
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-03-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government trust funds
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Law enforcement administration and funding
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-04
text: 

VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021

 
This bill adds a new source of revenue for the Crime Victims Fund and makes changes to formula grants supported by the fund. 
 
Specifically, the bill directs revenues collected from deferred prosecution and non-prosecution agreements to be deposited into the Crime Victims Fund. Currently, such revenues are deposited into the general fund of the Treasury.
 
Additionally, the bill increases the percentage&#8212;from 60% to 75%&#8212;of state compensation payments to crime victims in the prior fiscal year used to calculate formula grants for state victim compensation programs.
 
Finally, the bill directs states to waive the matching requirement for recipients of state victim assistance formula grants during and for one year after a pandemic-related national emergency. It also allows states to waive the matching requirement pursuant to a policy established by the state. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S1122)
action_date: 2021-03-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-612
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2021-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Government information and archives
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Intergovernmental relations
Performance measurement
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: 

Improving Housing Outcomes for Veterans Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide medical center staff and homelessness service providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with information related to best practices for the collaboration on centralized or coordinated assessment systems established and operated by Continuums of Care. The VA must also ensure that the information and related resources are accessible to VA medical center staff and homelessness service providers. 
 
Additionally, the bill requires the VHA to communicate with VA employees who have responsibilities related to homelessness assistance programs regarding (1) the measurement of performance by the VA's Homeless Program Office, and (2) how to obtain and provide feedback about the performance measures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-06-23
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act

Bill: 117-s-613
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2021-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Congressional oversight
Disability assistance
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Mammals
Mental health
Neurological disorders
Service animals
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: 

Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act

 
This bill implements a program and a policy related to service dog therapy for veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder through a method where veterans train service dogs for veterans with disabilities.
 
The bill also authorizes the VA to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses, regardless of whether they have a mobility impairment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-23
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Transportation Alternatives Enhancements Act

Bill: 117-s-614
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2021-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Parks, recreation areas, trails
Pedestrians and bicycling
Public transit
Regional and metropolitan planning
Roads and highways
State and local government operations
Transportation programs funding
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: 

Transportation Alternatives Enhancements Act

 
This bill revises and reauthorizes the surface transportation block grant program (Transportation Alternatives Program) in the Department of Transportation.
 
For example, states are allowed to allocate funds under the program to counties, metropolitan planning organizations, regional transportation planning organizations, and local governments.Additionally, metropolitan planning organizations that serve an urbanized area with a population of 200,000 or fewer are eligible for funding.
 
The bill also adjusts the funding limits for states to improve the ability of applicants to access funding in an efficient and expeditious manner, and limits the transferability of funds under the program unless a state meets certain requirements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-615
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-03-05 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Economic development
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international banking
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement administration and funding
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military education and training
News media and reporting
Performance measurement
Political movements and philosophies
Rule of law and government transparency
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Terrorism
Women's education
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: 

Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021

 
This bill provides statutory authority for the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program, an interagency program launched in 2005 to partner with countries in the Sahel and Maghreb regions of Africa to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
 
The Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development, shall establish the partnership program, which must coordinate all U.S. programs in North and West Africa related to various counterterrorism activities, such as building foreign-military capacity, enhancing border security, promoting youth employment, and supporting independent media to counter terrorist propaganda. 
 
The State Department must submit comprehensive, five-year strategies that include specified activities for the Sahel and Maghreb regions and for program counterterrorism efforts. Further, program activities must, among other things (1) be carried out in countries where there is an adequate level of partner country committment, and (2) have clearly defined outcomes and specific plans with indicators to regularly monitor and evaluate outcomes and impact. Such activities must also take into account the counterterrorism and development strategies of partner countries and align with such strategies to the extent possible.
 
The State Department shall notify Congress before obligating funds for such programs, and must submit annual reports about program activities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-24
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-03-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Inter-American Development Bank General Capital Increase Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-616
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Caribbean area
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Economic development
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Environmental regulatory procedures
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign loans and debt
Infectious and parasitic diseases
International organizations and cooperation
Land use and conservation
Latin America
Multilateral development programs
Natural disasters
Performance measurement
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Venezuela
Western Hemisphere
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-06
text: 

Inter-American Development Bank General Capital Increase Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the President to support and coordinate diplomatic engagement to secure a 10th general capital increase for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and to support the creation of an environmental fund and financing facility at the IDB. The bill also authorizes the U.S. Governor of the IDB to vote in favor an $80 billion increase in the capital stock of the IDB and to subscribe on behalf of the United States to additional shares of this capital stock. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-617
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2021-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Inflation and prices
Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: 

Death Tax Repeal Act
 
of 2021

 
This bill repeals the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. It also makes conforming amendments related to the gift tax. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S1425)
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Universal Giving Pandemic Response and Recovery Act

Bill: 117-s-618
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2021-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Income tax deductions
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: 

Universal Giving Pandemic Response and Recovery Act

 
This bill allows individual taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize their tax deductions a deduction in taxable years beginning in 2021 or 2022 for charitable contributions. The deduction is limited to one-third of the standard deduction allowed to such taxpayers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Defending Our Defenders Act

Bill: 117-s-619
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2021-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime victims
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Law enforcement officers
Political movements and philosophies
Terrorism
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: 

Defending Our Defenders Act

 
This bill establishes federal criminal offenses involving the murder of federal, state, or local law enforcement officers. Violators are subject to life in prison or death. 
 
The bill sets forth aggravating factors (e.g., intent to ambush or prior history of promoting violence against a law enforcement officer) to be considered in determining whether to impose the death penalty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
KEEP Telehealth Options Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-620
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2021-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Aging
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medicaid
Medicare
Mental health
Minority health
Poverty and welfare assistance
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: 

Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent Telehealth Options Act of 2021 or the KEEP Telehealth Options Act of 

2021

 
This bill requires certain agencies to report on the availability and effects of expanded telehealth services under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19.
 
Among other information, the Department of Health and Human Services must detail its actions during the emergency to expand access to telehealth services and must analyze telehealth usage by certain demographic groups. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission must report on the efficiency and management of the telehealth expansion and related risks of fraudulent activity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Significant Transnational Criminal Organization Designation Act

Bill: 117-s-621
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2021-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Evidence and witnesses
Foreign property
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Judicial procedure and administration
Judicial review and appeals
Organized crime
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: 

Significant Transnational Criminal Organization Designation Act

 
This bill makes membership in a significant transnational criminal organization a ground for inadmissibility into the United States and provides for criminal penalties against those that provide material support to such an organization. 
 
The bar against admission applies to an alien member of such an organization and an alien spouse or child of such an individual. The bar shall not apply to a spouse or child who (1) did not know, or should not reasonably have known, that the individual was a member of such an organization; or (2) has renounced the organization in question. 
 
The bill establishes statutory authority and procedures for the Department of Justice to designate an organization a significant transnational criminal organization. The Department of the Treasury may require U.S. financial institutions to block transactions involving assets belonging to such an organization. 
 
An individual who knowingly provides material support or resources to a significant transnational criminal organization (or attempts or conspires to do so) shall be fined, imprisoned for up to 20 years, or both. If the death of any person is the result, the offending individual may be imprisoned for any term of years or for life. A financial institution that becomes aware that it possesses or controls funds belonging to such an organization shall retain such funds and notify Treasury.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-622
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2021-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental technology
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax credits
Industrial facilities
Manufacturing
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: 

American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021

 
This bill revises the definition of 
qualifying advanced energy project
 for purposes of the tax credit for such project. Specifically, the bill expands the definition to include property designed to produce energy from water, property designed to produce energy conservation technologies, light-, medium-, or heavy-duty electric or fuel cell vehicles, certain hybrid vehicles, and manufacturing facilities designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
 
The definition also includes projects located in a census tract in which a coal mine closed after 1999 and in which a coal-fired electric generating unit was retired after 2009, and provides additional credit allocations for projects to retool, expand, or build new facilities that make or recycle energy-related products, and for projects in communities where coal mines have closed or coal-fired electric units have been retired.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Sunshine Protection Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-623
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: State and local government operations
Time and calendar

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: 

Sunshine Protection Act of 2021

 
This bill makes daylight saving time the new, permanent standard time.
 
States with areas exempt from daylight saving time may choose the standard time for those areas.

action_date: 2022-03-15
text: 

Sunshine Protection Act of 2021

 
This bill makes daylight saving time the new, permanent standard time, effective November 5, 2023.
 
States with areas exempt from daylight saving time may choose the standard time for those areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-16
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-03-16
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-03-16
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-03-15
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-03-15
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-03-15
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S1165-1167)
action_date: 2022-03-15
text: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-03-15
text: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Returns for Public Lands Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-624
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of the Interior
Energy revenues and royalties
Government studies and investigations
Inflation and prices
Oil and gas
Performance measurement
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: 

Fair Returns for Public Lands Act of 2021

 
This bill revises the royalty system applicable to leases of public lands for oil and gas production. 
 
Specifically, it increases royalty rates, rental rates, and minimum bidding standards for onshore oil and gas leasing. In addition, it establishes a new fee that must be paid by any person who nominates public lands for such leasing.
 
Finally, the bill requires the Department of the Interior to adjust these rates and fees for inflation at least every four years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
TRICARE Select Restoration Act

Bill: 117-s-625
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2021-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
User charges and fees
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: 

TRICARE Select Restoration Act

 
This bill eliminates the TRICARE Select annual enrollment fee for beneficiaries who retired from the uniformed services before January 1, 2018.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Lacey Act Amendments of 2021

Bill: 117-s-626
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural conservation and pollution
Department of the Interior
Ecology
Forests, forestry, trees
Horticulture and plants
Trade restrictions
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: 

Lacey Act Amendments of 2021

 
This bill modifies the injurious wildlife provision of the Lacey Act, which generally prohibits the import and shipment of listed living creatures and their eggs.
 
First, the bill specifies that the prohibition on shipment applies to interstate shipments within the continental United States.
 
Second, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to issue an emergency designation prohibiting the importation of a species if necessary to address an imminent threat to human beings, to the interests of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, or to wildlife, or to the wildlife resources of the United States.
 
Third, the bill establishes a presumptive prohibition on the importation of any nonnative species of wild mammal, wild bird, fish (including mollusks and crustacea), amphibian, or reptile, or the eggs of any such species. The presumption may be overcome if Interior determines that the species does not pose a significant risk of invasiveness to the United States.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate