hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act

Bill: 117-s-2220
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act

 
This bill specifies that certain service obligations owed by the licensee of a commercial television broadcast station apply regardless of the broadcast frequency used by the licensee.
 
Specifically, the bill provides that a licensee making a change from a very high frequency (VHF) broadcast station to an ultrahigh frequency (UHF) broadcast station must ensure the change does not affect its obligation to provide service to its customers. The bill also requires such a licensee to (1) broadcast at least 14 hours of common local programming per week, (2) include a substantial amount of particularized local content, and (3) maintain a studio in the station's community. 
 
 The bill further provides for the reallocation of a station to a community where there is no VHF or UHF station.
 
The Government Accountability Office must examine and report on the process used by the Federal Communications Commission for renewing broadcast television licenses to determine if that process meets specified obligations. In particular, the GAO must review how the process relates to television broadcast stations with specific obligations to serve the needs of their local communities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
END CRT Act

Bill: 117-s-2221
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Employment discrimination and employee rights
Labor and Employment
Labor-management relations
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Public contracts and procurement
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

END CRT Act

 
This bill prohibits executive agencies from acting in contravention of certain provisions of Executive Order 13950, which prohibits programming that contains certain concepts relating to race and sex. It also prohibits federal agencies and recipients of federal funds from advancing certain ideas, such as that one race is inherently superior or inferior to another race.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect Taxpayers’ Privacy Act

Bill: 117-s-2222
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing
Employee performance
Evidence and witnesses
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Right of privacy
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Protect Taxpayers' Privacy Act

 
This bill increases to $250,000 the criminal penalty for unauthorized disclosures of taxpayer information by federal employees and tax return preparers. It also lowers the evidentiary requirements for removal of employees from federal service who disclose tax return information without authorization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Community Wood Facilities Assistance Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2223
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Community Wood Facilities Assistance Act of 2021

 
This bill makes changes to grant programs administered by the Forest Service to promote wood products.
 
Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and modifies a program that supports capital costs for installing community wood energy systems and building innovative wood products facilities, including by increasing the maximum grant amount per facility.
 
The bill also modifies a program that provides grants to develop and expand the market for innovative wood products. Specifically, the bill (1) modifies the grant priorities, and (2) increases the portion of a project's cost that may be covered by such a grant.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4778)
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
STEM Opportunities Act

Bill: 117-s-2224
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Adoption and foster care
Census and government statistics
Child care and development
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Minority education
Minority employment
National Science Foundation
Office of Science and Technology Policy
Performance measurement
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Rural conditions and development
Science and engineering education
Science, Technology, Communications
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Women's education
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

STEM Opportunities Act

 
This bill provides for guidance, data collection, and grants for groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at institutions of higher education (IHEs) and at federal science agencies. 
 
 Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to provide specified guidance related to such groups to federal science agencies and IHEs.
 
Each federal science agency must collect comprehensive demographic data on recipients of merit-reviewed research and development grants given to IHEs and federal laboratories supported by that agency.
 
 Each agency must also implement recommendations from the OSTP report titled 
Reducing the Impact of Bias in the STEM Workforce
. In addition, each agency must carry out a pilot program and implement evidence-based policies and practices to minimize the effect of implicit bias in the grant review process.
 
The National Science Foundation (NSF) must carry out and publish a survey to collect data on the demographics of STEM faculty, by broad fields of STEM, at different types of IHEs.
 
The NSF must also carry out a variety of grant programs, including grants for increasing (1) the recruitment, retention, and advancement of individuals from underrepresented minority groups in STEM careers; (2) the recruitment and retention of minority students who are underrepresented in STEM fields; and (3) student participation in computer science and computational thinking education programs at tribal colleges and universities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Skills Act

Bill: 117-s-2225
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Federal Skills Act

 
This bill directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to review and revise all job classification and qualification standards for positions in the competitive service, as necessary. 
 
A federal agency may prescribe a minimum requirement with respect to education for a position in the competitive service only if a minimum qualification with respect to education is legally required to perform the duties of a comparable position in the state or locality where those duties are to be performed.
 
The OPM shall work with each agency to ensure that, for a position in the competitive service, the agency assesses an applicant for employment in a manner that does not rely solely on the education of the applicant to determine the extent to which the applicant possesses relevant knowledge, skills, competencies, and abilities for the position.
 
In assessing an applicant for employment
 
 
 an agency may not rely solely on the self-evaluation of the stated abilities of the applicant; and
 
the applicant shall fulfill other assessment standards in order to be certified for consideration, as established by the Chief Human Capital Officer of the applicable agency (or an equivalent official).
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Native Behavioral Health Access Improvement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2226
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Native Behavioral Health Access Improvement Act of 

2021

 
This bill provides funds for and requires the Indian Health Service to award grants to eligible entities (e.g., tribal health programs) for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
CHANCE in TECH Act

Bill: 117-s-2227
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Championing Apprenticeships for New Careers and Employees in Technology Act or the CHANCE in TECH Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Labor to enter into contracts with industry intermediaries to promote the development of and access to apprenticeships in the technology sector.
 
The Department of Education (ED) may issue CHANCE in TECH Awards for 21st Century Schools to secondary schools or junior or community colleges that demonstrate high achievement in providing students necessary skills to compete in the 21st century workforce. In making an award, ED must consider the availability of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), career and technical education, and computer technology courses at the schools.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
DISCOURSE Act

Bill: 117-s-2228
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Disincentivizing Internet Service Censorship of Online Users and Restrictions on Speech and Expression Act or the DISCOURSE Act

 
This bill limits federal liability protections for a user or provider of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company) related to content provided by third parties. It also requires a provider that offers its service through a mass-market offering to the public to disclose information about its content moderation activities.
 
The bill removes liability protections (sometimes referred to as section 230 protection) for a provider with a dominant market share if the provider
 
 
promotes or suppresses a viewpoint through its content moderation, including by affecting a content creator's revenue;
 
uses automated processes (e.g., algorithms) to target and amplify content provided to a user who has not requested or searched for the content; or
 
solicits, funds, modifies, or otherwise contributes to content.
 
 
Currently, a provider retains liability protections even when it restricts access to materials that it considers objectionable. Under this bill, a provider retains protections if restricted materials fall, based on an objectively reasonable belief, into a prescribed list of harmful or unlawful categories.
 
Additionally, the liability protections shall not apply to providers that (1) restrict access to content in a manner that burdens the exercise of religion, or (2) fail to comply with an existing requirement to notify customers of options for limiting a minor's access to harmful online content (e.g., parental controls).
 
The bill also changes legal procedures related to the liability protections, including by specifying that the protection serves as an affirmative defense.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Highway Formula Modernization Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2229
Sponsor: Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Infrastructure development
Intergovernmental relations
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Highway Formula Modernization Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to study the methods and data used to apportion certain federal-aid highway funding and develop recommendations for a new apportionment method. DOT must consult with state departments of transportation and representatives of local governments on the study and recommendations.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to enhance the carbon oxide sequestration credit.

Bill: 117-s-2230
Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 
This bill increases the applicable dollar amount of the carbon oxide sequestration tax credit for taxable years after 2021.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2231
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Loan Program, which provides a small business with SBA financing&#8212;through a certified development company (CDC) intermediary&#8212;for expansion or modernization.
 
Specifically, the bill adds policy goals, at least one of which a CDC must demonstrate to be eligible for assistance. These include (1) enhancing the ability of a small business to reduce costs by using energy efficient products and generating renewable energy, and (2) aiding the revitalization of any area for which a disaster has been declared or determined. The bill also authorizes a CDC to take specified actions to facilitate the closing of a 504 loan, such as correcting borrower or lender information on loan documents or reallocating up to 10% of the cost of a project.
 
For small manufacturers, the bill (1) increases the maximum loan amount from $5.5 million to $6.5 million, (2) reduces the amount that they must contribute to project costs, (3) increases job retention requirements, and (4) revises collateral requirements and debt refinancing considerations. Further, each SBA district office must partner with a resource partner to provide certain training for small manufacturers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2232
Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Energy
Energy research
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2021

 
This bill directs the Department of Energy to fund projects as needed to address the deferred maintenance, critical infrastructure needs, and modernization of the National Laboratories.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Minor League Baseball Relief Act

Bill: 117-s-2233
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Sports and Recreation
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Appropriations
Business expenses
Business records
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Income tax exclusion
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Professional sports
Public utilities and utility rates
Small business
Wages and earnings
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Minor League Baseball Relief Act

 
This bill establishes a program for the relief of certain minor league baseball clubs and independent professional baseball clubs that experienced large business losses.
 
The bill provides funding for the Small Business Administration to make grants to such clubs that experienced decreases in gross revenue in 2020 of at least 75%, as measured against revenues in 2019 (or, if revenues were negatively affected by a natural disaster or weather disruption in 2019, by the average of revenues over the prior three-year period).
 
 The source of funding for the grants shall be funds appropriated under enacted COVID-19 relief legislation that have not been obligated and are no longer being used to carry out activities authorized under those laws. Grant amounts provided to any club may not exceed $10 million.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Affordable HOME Act

Bill: 117-s-2234
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Alternative and renewable resources
Appropriations
Building construction
Congressional oversight
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy assistance for the poor and aged
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy prices
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government trust funds
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing supply and affordability
Income tax credits
Indian social and development programs
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Landlord and tenant
Low- and moderate-income housing
Public housing
Public utilities and utility rates
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
Rural conditions and development
Small business
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Affordable Housing Opportunities Made Equitable Act or the Affordable HOME Act

 
This bill addresses the availability and affordability of housing.
 
Among other provisions for low-income and homeless individuals, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to construct and preserve multifamily rental housing projects in rural areas, specifies the number of low-income housing choice vouchers HUD must provide in FY2022-2031, and provides FY2022-2031 appropriations for HUD to assist permanent supportive housing. The bill also repeals the limitation on construction of new public housing units, commonly known as the Faircloth limit or the Faircloth amendment; prohibits discrimination in housing based on source of income; and provides additional FY2021 appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund, which provides assistance to states to produce and preserve affordable housing.
 
For individuals experiencing unemployment or income shortfalls during periods of increased state unemployment or during certain disasters, the bill establishes an emergency assistance fund to provide housing assistance.
 
 For qualifying homeowners, the bill requires HUD to provide grants for down payment assistance and establishes a 15% annual mortgage interest tax credit.
 
 Among other provisions for residential renters, the bill requires notice and specific cause for eviction, provides funding to state and local governments that have established a right to counsel in certain housing cases, and requires certain landlords to provide renters an opportunity to purchase before selling or transferring the rental property.
 
The bill also provides grants for acquisition and preservation of manufactured home communities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
MATE Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2235
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Medication Access and Training Expansion Act of 2021 or the MATE Act of 2021

 
This bill requires health care providers, as a condition of receiving or renewing a registration to prescribe potentially addictive drugs, to complete a one-time training on managing patients with substance use disorders.
 
In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must award grants to health professional associations and education programs for integrating substance use disorder training into relevant curricula.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding Health Care Options for Early Retirees Act

Bill: 117-s-2236
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

Expanding Health Care Options for Early Retirees Act

 
This bill establishes a Medicare buy-in option for certain qualifying first responders.
 
Specifically, the bill allows first responders aged 50 to 64 to enroll in Medicare if they are retired or otherwise separated from service due to a disability. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must determine enrollment periods and set premiums for the buy-in option established under the bill, in accordance with specified requirements. The CMS must also award grants to states and nonprofit organizations for outreach and enrollment activities relating to the buy-in option.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate