hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
FAST Fix Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-802
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Small business
State and local government operations
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

FAST Fix Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies provisions governing the administration of the Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) program.
 
Specifically, the bill encourages FAST program grants to be awarded to small businesses in underperforming states by requiring the Small Business Administration (SBA) to prioritize such applicants and authorizing the SBA to provide additional assistance to such applicants. The bill defines 
underperforming states
 as being the 18 states that receive the fewest Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer awards.
 
Additionally, the bill removes the limit on the number of proposals that may be submitted for inclusion in the FAST program to provide services in any one state. The bill also lowers the matching requirements for the bottom tier of FAST recipients, sets limits on the amount of each award, and extends the period for distribution of grants to two years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Home Defense and Competitive Shooting Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-803
Sponsor: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Federal preemption
Firearms and explosives
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Sales and excise taxes
State and local government operations
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

Home Defense and Competitive Shooting Act of 2021

 
This bill removes short-barreled rifles (barrels of less than 16 inches in length) from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also eliminates the prohibition on the transportation of such rifles in interstate commerce and treats persons who acquire or possess a short-barreled rifle as meeting the registration or licensing requirements for such rifle where such requirements are determined by reference to the National Firearms Act. 
 
The bill preempts state or local laws that impose a tax or recordkeeping requirements on short-barreled rifles. 
 
The Department of Justice must destroy records relating to the registration of certain rifles within one year after the enactment of this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
SALT Deduction Fairness Act

Bill: 117-s-804
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax deductions
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

SALT Deduction Fairness Act 

 
This bill increases the limitation on the deduction for state and local taxes to $20,000 for individuals filing a joint tax return. The limitation applies to taxable years 2018 through 2025. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1616)
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Davis-Bacon Repeal Act

Bill: 117-s-805
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Building construction
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Labor standards
Public contracts and procurement
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

Davis-Bacon Repeal Act

 
 This bill repeals the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires that the locally prevailing wage rate be paid to various classes of laborers and mechanics working under federally-financed or federally-assisted contracts for construction, alteration, and repair of public buildings or public works.
 
References in any law to a requirement under the Davis-Bacon Act shall be null and void. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
MPH Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-806
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Horticulture and plants
Insects
Land use and conservation
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

Monarch and Pollinator Highway Act of 2021 or the
 
MPH Act of 20

21

 
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to provide grants to states, Indian tribes, and federal land management agencies to carry out pollinator-friendly practices on roadsides and highway rights-of-way, including the planting and seeding of native, locally-appropriate grasses, wildflowers, and milkweed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Cameras in the Courtroom Act

Bill: 117-s-807
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Due process and equal protection
Judicial procedure and administration
Supreme Court
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

Cameras in the Courtroom Act

 
This bill requires the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court unless it decides by majority vote that allowing such coverage in a particular case would violate the due process rights of any of the parties involved.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S1617)
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Cybersecurity Disclosure Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-808
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Computer security and identity theft
Corporate finance and management
Financial services and investments
Government information and archives
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

Cybersecurity Disclosure Act of 2021

 
This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue final rules requiring a registered issuer of securities to disclose in its mandatory annual report or annual proxy statement whether any member of its governing body has expertise or experience in cybersecurity. If no member has such expertise or experience, the issuer must describe what other company cybersecurity aspects were taken into account by the persons responsible for identifying and evaluating nominees for the governing body. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-14
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1617)
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Monarch Action, Recovery, and Conservation of Habitat Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-809
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Arizona
California
Government trust funds
Idaho
Insects
Nevada
Oregon
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Utah
Washington State
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

Monarch Action, Recovery, and Conservation of Habitat Act of 2021 or the MONARCH Act of 2021

 
This bill provides support for the conservation of western monarch butterflies (the monarch butterfly population that overwinters along the coast of California and breeds across California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah).
 
Specifically, the bill establishes the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund. The Department of the Interior must use amounts in the fund to provide grants for the conservation of such butterflies.
 
In addition, Interior must enter into an agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to facilitate the implementation of the Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan, which was prepared by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-810
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia
Blood and blood diseases
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Conflicts and wars
Disability assistance
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

Fair Care for Vietnam Veterans Act of 2021

 
This bill provides a presumption of service-connection for hypertension and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) for veterans who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Taiwan Fellowship Act

Bill: 117-s-811
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Area studies and international education
Asia
China
Congressional officers and employees
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
International exchange and broadcasting
Taiwan

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

Taiwan Fellowship Act

 
This bill directs the Department of State to establish a program to provide fellowships in Taiwan to qualifying U.S. government employees. 
 
Each program fellow shall work in (1) a Taiwanese government agency; or (2) a nongovernmental organization, such as the American Institute in Taiwan, whose interests are associated with the interests of the fellow's employing U.S. government agency. (In 1979, the United States established diplomatic relations with China and ended formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The American Institute in Taiwan is a private organization that has a contract with the State Department to represent U.S. interests in Taiwan and provide consular services.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act

Bill: 117-s-813
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Department of Education
Disability and paralysis
Disability assistance
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Language arts
Special education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act 

 
This bill expands special education and related services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, students with visual disabilities, and children and youth who are deaf-blind.
 
The individualized education program for each child who is visually and/or hearing impaired must include specified components and must provide the child with instruction that meets the child's unique learning needs. 
 
In addition, a state's closure of a special school serving deaf or blind children shall count as a reduction of its financial support for special education and related services.
 
Among other provisions, the bill authorizes support, including grants for training special education personnel, to be used in preparing individuals to become qualified teachers and early intervention specialists for children with hearing disabilities.
 
The bill establishes within the Department of Education the Anne Sullivan Macy Center on Visual Disability and Educational Excellence to better support students with visual disabilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
PPP Extension Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-815
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government lending and loan guarantees
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Small business
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: 

PPP Extension Act of 2021

 
This bill extends the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19, through June 30, 2021. Currently, the program is set to expire on March 31, 2021.
 
For the final 30 days of the program (i.e., from June 1 until June 30), the Small Business Administration (SBA) may only process applications submitted prior to June 1, and it may not accept any new loan applications. The bill also prohibits the SBA from prioritizing certain applications over others.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2021-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Wall Street Tax Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-817
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Financial services and investments
Foreign and international corporations
Sales and excise taxes
Securities
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: 

Wall Street Tax Act of 2021

 
This bill imposes a 0.1% excise tax on certain purchases of stocks, bonds, and derivatives. 
 
The tax applies to the purchase of a security if (1) such purchase occurs on, or is subject to the rules of, a qualified board or exchange located in the United States; or (2) the purchaser or seller is a U.S. person.
 
The tax applies to transactions with respect to a derivative if (1) the derivative is traded on, or is subject to the rules of, a qualified board or exchange located in the United States; or (2) any party with rights under the derivative is a U.S. person.
 
The bill exempts from such tax (1) initial issues of securities; and (2) any note, bond, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness which is traded on or is subject to the rules of, a qualified board or exchange located in the United States, and has a fixed maturity of not more than 100 days. 
 
The tax applies to transactions by a controlled foreign corporation and must be paid by its U.S. shareholders.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-818
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2021-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Evidence and witnesses
Federal appellate courts
Federal district courts
Judicial procedure and administration
Photography and imaging
Sound recording
Supreme Court
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: 

Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes a framework to allow federal court proceedings&#8212;in district courts, in circuit courts, and at the Supreme Court&#8212;to be photographed, recorded, broadcast, or televised. Specifically, it authorizes the presiding judge to permit media coverage of court proceedings, subject to requirements and limitations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-819
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2021-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances
Asia
Collective security
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Europe
European Union
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international banking
Foreign loans and debt
Foreign property
Free trade and trade barriers
Germany
International monetary system and foreign exchange
Japan
Licensing and registrations
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Public contracts and procurement
Russia
Sanctions
Technology transfer and commercialization
Trade agreements and negotiations
Trade restrictions
U.S. and foreign investments
Ukraine
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: 

Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act of 2021 

 
This bill establishes requirements related to U.S. international energy strategy.
 
Applications to export natural gas to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, Japan, and certain other countries shall be granted on an expedited basis without modification or delay. 
 
The President shall impose sanctions on a person that provides certain equipment, investment, or services to the Russian government or related entities for constructing or servicing Russian energy export pipelines. 
 
The Department of State shall report to Congress on a strategy to enhance the energy security of NATO member countries and increase U.S. energy exports to such countries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide an exemption from certain requirements for federally funded projects and activities in areas not in metropolitan statistical areas, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-820
Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2021-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Historic sites and heritage areas
Regional and metropolitan planning

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: 
This bill provides exemptions from environmental, endangered species, or historic preservation requirements for federally funded projects or activities that are not in metropolitan statistical areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Repay Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-821
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2021-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: 

Repay Act of 2021

 
This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to carry out a simplified income-driven repayment program for new borrowers of Federal Direct Loans. 
New borrower
 refers to a borrower who, as of July 1, 2022, has no outstanding balance on Federal Direct Loans.
 
Under current law, a borrower may choose from three traditional repayment plans, including a fixed 10-year repayment plan, and five income-driven plans. Under the bill, a new borrower may choose either the fixed 10-year repayment plan or a simplified income-driven repayment plan. ED must direct servicers of loans to notify borrowers of these repayment options. ED must cancel the outstanding loan balance after a borrower makes payments under the simplified income-driven repayment plan for 20 or 25 years, depending on the balance of the loan at the time the initial repayment period began.
 
Further, the bill allows payments made by a borrower under the simplified income-driven repayment plan to become qualifying payments under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
 
Finally, the Government Accountability Office must study and provide recommendations for streamlining income and employment verification and administering income-based repayment programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1647)
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Transparency for Confucius Institutes Act

Bill: 117-s-822
Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2021-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Area studies and international education
Asia
China
Higher education
School administration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: 

Transparency for Confucius Institutes
 
Act

 
This bill requires an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student-aid programs to enter into a program participation agreement if a Confucius Institute operates on the IHE's campus. (Confucius Institutes are Chinese government-funded centers for language education and cultural programming at IHEs.)
 
The agreement must be entered into with the Office of Chinese Language Council International (i.e., Confucius Institute Headquarters, Hanban) and be made publicly available online. 
 
Among other requirements, the Confucius Institute must be physically located apart from the IHE's own Chinese language, history, and cultural programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide for protection of recovery rebates.

Bill: 117-s-823
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2021-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Bankruptcy
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Debt collection
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Income tax credits
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: 
This bill prohibits the attachment of a 2021 recovery rebate by legal process, including assignment, levy, or garnishment. A 
2021 recovery rebate
 is a stimulus payment provided by the American Rescue Plan of 2021 for individual taxpayers and their dependents who have been affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate