hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Prime CUTS Act

Bill: 117-s-2799
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2021-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: 

Prime Cancel Unnecessary Transactions and Spending Act or the Prime CUTS Act

 
This bill restricts certain spending by federal agencies. It also authorizes the U.S. Mint to modify the metallic composition of circulating coins to a new metallic composition under specified circumstances and terminates the Presidential Election Campaign Fund.
 
Specifically, the bill limits the amount of discretionary spending that an executive agency may obligate in the two-month period immediately preceding the end of a fiscal year.
 
The bill authorizes the Department of Defense to consolidate infrastructure at its distribution centers to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the supply chain and inventory management.
 
The bill prohibits specified federal spending to purchase, acquire, or distribute swag and requires each agency to report on public relations and advertising spending. 
Swag
 is merchandise (typically displaying an agency's name or seal) that is commonly distributed to all employees or participants at a particular event for the sole purpose of promoting or advertising the agency or organization.
 
The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for certain transit and rail projects.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Community College to Career Fund in Higher Education Act

Bill: 117-s-2800
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: 

Community College to Career Fund in Higher Education Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Education and the Department of Labor to award grants to community colleges for education and workforce training programs or related activities. Such programs or activities must lead to or expand opportunities for students to obtain recognized postsecondary credentials (e.g., associate degrees or industry-recognized certifications).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
SMART Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-2801
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2021-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Competition and antitrust
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Economic performance and conditions
Inflation and prices
Judicial review and appeals

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: 

Setting Manageable Analysis Requirements in Text Act of 2021 or the SMART Act of 2021

 
This bill requires agencies, when publishing a proposed or final major rule, to include a framework for assessing whether the rule achieves its regulatory objective. An agency must assess a rule in the time frame included in the framework. The assessment must compare the rule's anticipated and actual benefits and costs.
 
The bill defines a major rule as a rule likely to cause (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; or (3) significant effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, health, safety, the environment, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

action_date: 2022-12-19
text: 

Setting Manageable Analysis Requirements in Text Act of 2022 or the SMART Act of 202

2

 
This bill requires agencies, when publishing a proposed or final major rule, to include a framework for assessing whether the rule achieves its regulatory objective. An agency must assess a rule in the time frame included in the framework. The assessment must compare the rule's anticipated and actual benefits and costs.
 
The bill defines a major rule as a rule likely to cause (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, health, safety, the environment, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-19
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 672.
action_date: 2022-12-19
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-273.
action_date: 2022-12-19
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-273.
action_date: 2022-02-02
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Balance the Highway Trust Fund Act

Bill: 117-s-2802
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: 

Balance the Highway Trust Fund Act

 
This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation from obligating more funding from the Highway Trust Fund and the Mass Transit Account for federal-aid highway and highway safety construction projects and mass transit activities than the fund receives in tax revenue.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Transportation Empowerment Act

Bill: 117-s-2803
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air quality
Alaska
Appropriations
Aviation and airports
Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Commuting
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment taxes
Energy efficiency and conservation
Executive agency funding and structure
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government trust funds
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Higher education
Hunting and fishing
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intergovernmental relations
Marine and inland water transportation
Motor fuels
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Pedestrians and bicycling
Performance measurement
Public transit
Railroads
Regional and metropolitan planning
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Roads and highways
Sales and excise taxes
Small Business Administration
Small business
Solid waste and recycling
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Transportation employees
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: 

Transportation Empowerment Act

 
This bill limits federal support available through the Highway Trust Fund to highways and surface transportation systems designated as part of the Interstate System and correspondingly reduces the taxes on gasoline and other fuels that generate revenue for the fund. The bill phases in these changes over five years. 
 
In addition, the bill
 
 
eliminates various programs, such as the Congestion and Air Quality Mitigation Improvement Program, that currently receive funding through the Highway Trust Fund;
 
removes requirements for states to comply with federal standards, environmental provisions, and related matters with respect to the design, construction, and maintenance of highways and surface transportation systems that are not part of the Interstate System; and
 
transfers unobligated COVID-19 relief funding to the Highway Trust Fund for unpaid obligations incurred prior to the bill's enactment. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2804
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2021-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Competition and antitrust
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Economic performance and conditions
Government information and archives
Industrial policy and productivity
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: 

Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2021

 
This bill directs agencies to publish advance notice of a proposed rulemaking at least 90 days before publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking for a major rule that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) determines is likely to impose (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, health, safety, the environment, or the ability of U.S. enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.
 
The advance notice must
 
 
include, among other information, a written a description of the rule and the legal authority under which it is proposed; and 
 
solicit and provide a period of at least 30 days for submission of written data, views, and argument from interested persons. 

 
Any difference between such advance notice and the notice of proposed rulemaking may not be considered arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
 
Advance notice is not required if the proposing agency is not required to publish notice of proposed rulemaking or OIRA finds that such advance notice is (1) not in the public interest, (2) duplicative of another statutory requirement, (3) not practicable due to a required deadline, or (4) for a rule that is routine or periodic in nature. Such a determination made by OIRA is not subject to judicial review.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Passenger Vessel Liability Fairness Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2805
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: 

Small Passenger Vessel Liability Fairness Act of 2021

 
This bill revises maritime law regarding the liability of owners of certain small passenger vessels for violations of safety rules resulting in accidents on such vessels. Under current law, owners may avoid liability in some cases depending on the value of their vessels after accidents. The bill requires the Coast Guard to promulgate rules that require owners or operators of small passenger vessels to provide just compensation in any claim for which they are found liable. 
 
The bill makes the revised liability provisions retroactive to September 2, 2019, the date of what is known as the 
Conception 
boat fire in which 34 lives were lost.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6626)
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Wildfire Emergency Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2806
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Aquatic ecology
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Department of Agriculture
Disaster relief and insurance
Ecology
Economic development
Educational facilities and institutions
Educational guidance
Electric power generation and transmission
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental education
Executive agency funding and structure
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Forests, forestry, trees
Health facilities and institutions
Land use and conservation
Military facilities and property
Photography and imaging
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public contracts and procurement
Public utilities and utility rates
Public-private cooperation
Roads and highways
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Technology transfer and commercialization
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: 

Wildfire Emergency Act of 2021

 
This bill provides for programs and activities in support of forest restoration, wildfire mitigation, and energy resilience. 
 
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall select landscape-scale forest restoration projects located west of the 100th meridian to implement on National Forest System land and on land adjoining National Forest System land. USDA shall establish a pilot program under which USDA may enter into conservation finance agreements with public or private persons to implement and monitor such projects.
 
The Department of Energy shall establish a program to support critical infrastructure and microgrids, including by improving the energy resilience and power needs of critical facilities (e.g., hospitals) through the use of microgrids, renewable energy, energy efficiency, reduced electricity demand, and on-site storage.
 
 USDA and the Department of the Interior shall establish one or more centers in western states to train individuals in methods relevant to the mitigation of wildfire risk. 
 
 USDA shall establish a competitive grant program to support workforce development in forestry and fire management.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Watershed Results Act

Bill: 117-s-2807
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government studies and investigations
Performance measurement
Wages and earnings
Water resources funding
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: 

Watershed Results Act

 
This bill provides funding for the Department of the Interior, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, to establish a total of not less than two and not more than five watershed pilot programs that use pay-for-performance contracts.
 
Interior shall designate a management team for each watershed pilot. The management team for the applicable watershed pilot shall develop and implement a five-year plan for carrying out that pilot. 
 
Interior and the management team for each watershed pilot shall use advance watershed analytics throughout the planning, implementation, measuring, and monitoring of projects within the pilot. Such analytics must be conducted to identify quantifiable outcomes, costs, feasibility, and impacts of the projects before making funding available for the pilot.
 
Interior and the management team for a watershed pilot shall set and publish minimum per-unit outcome prices. The participating federal department or agency shall enter into a pay-for-performance contract to achieve outcome-based goals described in the plan developed for the pilot.
 
Interior shall submit specified annual and five-year reports to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Justice for the Living Victims of Lockerbie Act

Bill: 117-s-2808
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2021-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Africa
Aviation and airports
Crime victims
Department of Justice
Europe
Firearms and explosives
Government trust funds
Libya
Scotland
Terrorism
Transportation employees
United Kingdom

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: 

Justice for the Living Victims of Lockerbie Act

 
This bill establishes a mechanism for compensating certain victims of the bombing of Pan American Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21, 1988.
 
Specifically, the Department of the Treasury must establish a fund to compensate qualifying victims of the bombing (generally, former employees of Pan American who were part of an earlier lawsuit seeking compensation from Libya for the bombing).
 
The Foreign Claims Settlement Commission must establish a process for claimants to apply for compensation from the fund.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Full Faith and Credit Act

Bill: 117-s-2809
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: 

Full Faith and Credit Act

 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to prioritize certain obligations if the federal debt limit is reached and provides for a limited increase in the debt limit to fund these priorities. 
 
If the federal government reaches the debt limit, the following obligations must be given equal priority over all other federal obligations:
 
 
 the principal and interest on the debt held by the public;
 
Social Security benefits;
 
pay and allowances for members of the Armed Forces on active duty and members of the U.S. Coast Guard;
 
compensation, pensions, and payments for medical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and
 
the Medicare programs.
 
 
If the debt limit has been reached and incoming revenue will be insufficient to pay the priority obligations over an upcoming two-week period, the bill requires (1) Treasury to notify Congress of the expected revenue shortfall for the two-week period, and (2) the debt limit to be increased by the amount of the expected shortfall. 
 
If the incoming revenue exceeds the expected shortfall, the excess revenue must be held in reserve and applied to the following two-week period. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 136.
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6626-6627)
action_date: 2021-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2810
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Coal
Disability assistance
Government trust funds
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Mining
Sales and excise taxes
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act of 2021

 
This bill extends until December 31, 2031, the excise tax on coal from U.S. mines. This tax is a source of funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act

Bill: 117-s-2811
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Health promotion and preventive care
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Mental health
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense to carry out a two-year pilot program to program suicide prevention resources onto smart devices issued to members of the Armed Forces and to provide training on these resources.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act

Bill: 117-s-2812
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Economic development
Income tax credits
Poverty and welfare assistance
Small business
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act

 
This bill allows a new business-related tax credit for the start-up expenses of a veteran-owned small business in an underserved community. 
 
The allowable amount of such credit is 15% of start-up expenditures that do not exceed $50,000. To be eligible for the credit, the small business must (1) be owned and controlled by one or more veterans or their spouses, and (2) have its principal place of business in an underserved community. 
 
An 
underserved community
 is any area located within (1) a HUBZone (as defined by the Small Business Act), (2) an empowerment zone or an enterprise community, (3) an area of low income or moderate income (as recognized by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council), or (4) a county with persistent poverty (as classified by the Economic Research Service of the Department of Agriculture).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe Generators Save Lives Act

Bill: 117-s-2813
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Consumer affairs
Electric power generation and transmission
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Product safety and quality

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Safe Generators Save Lives Act

 
This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish safety standards for portable generators, including requirements related to labeling, minimum cord length, and shutoff capability in an elevated carbon monoxide environment. The commission is authorized to enforce these standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate