hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
FEMA Equity Act

Bill: 117-s-4159
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2022-05-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-05
text: 

Federal Emergency Management Advancement of Equity Act or the FEMA Equity Act

 
This bill addresses equity in federal disaster assistance policies and programs. It allows, in some instances, counties to request disaster declarations.
 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must develop and implement a process to ensure equity in the provision of federal assistance and throughout all FEMA programs and policies. Additionally, FEMA must establish metrics to measure the efficacy of the process and seek input from relevant representatives of state, regional, local, and tribal governments; community-based organizations; subject matter experts; and individuals from underserved communities impacted by disasters.
 
FEMA must designate a senior official as an equity advisor. The bill establishes in FEMA an Equity Enterprise Steering Group.
 
The chief executive officer of an affected county may submit a request for a presidential declaration that a major disaster exists if (1) the governor of the state or territory in which the county is located does not request such a declaration, (2) the affected county is not included in a request for assistance made by such governor, or (3) the affected county communicates with that governor about the disaster or potential request for a major disaster declaration before the relevant period has lapsed.
 
The Government Accountability Office shall issue a report describing the factors that FEMA considers when evaluating a request from a governor to declare that a major disaster or emergency exists and to authorize specified assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2022-05-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Clean Water Standards for PFAS 2.0 Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-4161
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2022-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: 

Clean Water Standards for PFAS 2.0 Act of 2022

 
This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency to develop requirements to (1) limit the discharge of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into certain waters of the United States, and (2) publish human health water quality criteria for PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act

Bill: 117-s-4162
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2022-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Census and government statistics
Child safety and welfare
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Crimes against children
Criminal justice information and records
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency communications systems
Emergency planning and evacuation
Firearms and explosives
Government information and archives
Higher education
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: 

School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to publish an annual report on indicators of school crime and safety.
 
The report must collect specified information, including 
 
 
 the number of school shootings that have taken place nationwide and the number of those that were mass shootings;
 
the number of people killed or injured in each school shooting;
 
the age, gender, race, ethnicity, and nationality of each victim; 
 
the motivation of the shooter;
 
 how the shooting was stopped; 
 
the number and type of firearms and ammunition used in each shooting; and
 
the response time of law enforcement.
 
 
ED must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to collect and publish specified data on school shootings.
 
 The center must collect information on the existence or absence of specified measures at the time of the shooting, including physical and other types of security measures, a communication plan with local law enforcement, a response plan that includes coordination with local agencies, and an active shooter response plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
CONSCIENCE Act

Bill: 117-s-4163
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2022-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Civil actions and liability
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Legal fees and court costs
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: 

Conscience Objections to Negligent State COVID-19 Inoculation Edicts Need Constitutional Enforcement Act or the CONSCIENCE Act

 
This bill generally prohibits state and local governmental COVID-19 vaccine mandates that do not provide religious exemptions. The bill applies to any mandates adopted before, on, or after the bill's date of enactment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Defund the Ministry of Truth Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-4164
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2022-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: 

Defund the Ministry of Truth Act of 2022

 
This bill prohibits the expenditure of federal funds for the establishment or operation of the Disinformation Governance Board in the Department of Homeland Security.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 365.
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
CDFI Crisis Fund Act

Bill: 117-s-4165
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2022-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business investment and capital
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Financial crises and stabilization
Government trust funds
Housing and community development funding
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Poverty and welfare assistance
Small business
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: 

CDFI Crisis Fund Act 

 
This bill establishes the CDFI National Crisis Fund. The fund is authorized to make grants to community development financial institutions (CDFIs) providing financial products as emergency assistance to small businesses and low-income populations in certain circumstances. Furthermore, the fund is triggered by 
 
 
certain emergency declarations, including the COVID-19 emergency period; 
 
certain disaster declarations; 
 
a specified increase in a statewide unemployment rate; or 
 
a specified increase in the nationwide unemployment rate. 
 
 
Specified amounts in the fund are set aside for grants to Native and minority CDFIs. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on the impact of the fund and provide recommendations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2022-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Technological Hazards Preparedness and Training Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-4166
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2022-05-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Accidents
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: 

Technological Hazards Preparedness and Training Act of 2022

 
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to maintain the capacity to provide states and local governments with technical assistance, training, and other preparedness programming to build community resilience to technological hazards and related emerging threats.

action_date: 2022-07-12
text: 

Technological Hazards Preparedness and Training Act of 2022

 
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to maintain the capacity to provide states and local governments with technical assistance, training, and other preparedness programming to build community resilience to technological hazards and related emerging threats.

action_date: 2022-09-28
text: 

Technological Hazards Preparedness and Training Act of 2022

 
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to maintain the capacity to provide states and local governments with technical assistance, training, and other preparedness programming to build community resilience to technological hazards and related emerging threats.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-09-29
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-09-29
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-09-29
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-09-28
text: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5162-5163; text: CR S5163)
action_date: 2022-09-28
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-07-12
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 440.
action_date: 2022-07-12
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with amendments. With written report No. 117-129.
action_date: 2022-07-12
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with amendments. With written report No. 117-129.
action_date: 2022-05-25
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Introduced in Senate
National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-4168
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2022-05-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land use and conservation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: 

National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the National Park Foundation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-09-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act

Bill: 117-s-4169
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2022-05-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Social security and elderly assistance
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: 

Expanding Veterans' Options for Long Term Care Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of providing assisted living services to eligible veterans, including by assessing the satisfaction of veterans participating in the pilot program. Eligible veterans are those who (1) are eligible for assisted living services as determined by the VA; and (2) are already receiving nursing home level care paid for by the VA, are eligible for such care from the VA, or exceed the requirements for domiciliary care paid for by the VA but do not meet the requirements for nursing home level care paid for by the VA.
 
The Inspector General of the VA must report to Congress on the pilot program, and the VA must submit a follow-up plan to address any deficiencies that are identified in the report.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Introduced in Senate
International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022.

Bill: 117-s-4171
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2022-05-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional committees
Cultural exchanges and relations
Foreign labor
Foreign loans and debt
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Human trafficking
International exchange and broadcasting
International monetary system and foreign exchange
International organizations and cooperation
Multilateral development programs
Smuggling and trafficking
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: 

International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022

 
This bill reauthorizes certain initiatives to combat human trafficking (e.g., the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) and specifically incorporates anti-human trafficking initiatives into other federal programs and activities (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development).

action_date: 2022-06-14
text: 

International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022

 
This bill reauthorizes certain initiatives to combat human trafficking (e.g., the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) and specifically incorporates anti-human trafficking initiatives into other federal programs and activities (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development).

action_date: 2022-12-01
text: 

International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022

 
This bill reauthorizes certain initiatives to combat human trafficking (e.g., the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) and specifically incorporates anti-human trafficking initiatives into other federal programs and activities (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S6925-6928; text: CR S6925-6928)
action_date: 2022-12-01
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2022-06-14
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 407.
action_date: 2022-06-14
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-06-14
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-06-09
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Introduced in Senate
AMERICANS Act

Bill: 117-s-4172
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2022-05-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Department of Defense
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
Personnel records
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: 

Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2022 or the AMERICANS Act

 
This bill modifies the classification of discharge and remedies available to specified individuals who were discharged for failing to obey an order to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Such individuals include members of the Armed Forces, individuals enrolled at a military service academy, or individuals enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) or Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (SROTC) program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Introduced in Senate
CALM Modernization Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-4173
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2022-05-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: 

Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Modernization Act of 2022 or the CALM Modernization Act of 2022

 
This bill applies certain requirements concerning the volume of commercials to video streaming services that are supported by advertisements (e.g., Hulu). It also modifies enforcement related to those requirements.
 
Current law requires commercials transmitted via broadcast, cable, and satellite television to have the same average volume as the underlying programming. Under this bill, the Federal Communications Commission must apply through rulemaking similar requirements to ad-supported video streaming services.
 
The bill also modifies enforcement of requirements for moderating the volume of commercials. The commission currently uses a complaint-driven enforcement process. Under this bill, the commission must treat violations of the requirements as violations of the Communications Act of 1934. Additionally, the bill makes rebuttable a presumption that deems a broadcast television station, cable operator, or other multichannel video programming distributor in compliance with the requirements if it appropriately installs and uses certain equipment and software to moderate the volume of commercials.
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on the effectiveness of the requirements, and the commission's enforcement of them, in moderating the volume of commercials.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act

Bill: 117-s-4174
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2022-05-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government studies and investigations
Labor standards
Personnel records
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: 

Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act 

 
This bill requires employers to make initial and modified disclosures to employees of the terms of their employment, provide such employees with regular paystubs, and make a final payment to an employee for uncompensated work hours within 14 days of the employee's termination. Employers must also allow employees access to wage records. 
 
An employer must compensate an employee at the rate specified in an employment contract, including a collective bargaining agreement, that specifies a rate of pay higher than the minimum wage rate. The bill makes all of such unpaid wages recoverable through civil enforcement.
 
The bill establishes new and increased civil and criminal penalties for violations of overtime or minimum wage requirements, including referral to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution of employers who engage in wage theft, falsification of wage records, or retaliation against employees. 
 
The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor must provide grants to specified organizations, including nonprofits and educational institutions, to enhance the enforcement of wage and hour laws. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on successful grant programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to authorize certain extraordinary operation and maintenance work for urban canals of concern.

Bill: 117-s-4175
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2022-05-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Dams and canals
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: 
This bill amends the Bureau of Reclamation's authority to carry out emergency work to include certain urban canals of concern and amends certain cost-sharing provisions. 
 
Specifically, the bill reclassifies Reclamation's urban canals of concern as emergency extraordinary maintenance and operation work necessary to ensure the continued safe, dependable, and reliable delivery of project benefits. An urban canal of concern conveys water through a densely populated urban area and the canal's failure would result in the loss of life and property in the vicinity of the failure. 
 
As emergency work, Reclamation may provide federal funds to an urban canal of concern project on a non-reimbursable basis sufficient to cover 35% of the cost. The bill further specifies that reimbursable funds provided under this provision must be considered a nonfederal source of funds for purposes of federal grant cost-sharing requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-25
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Introduced in Senate