hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to approve certain advanced biofuel registrations, to require the consideration of certain advanced biofuel pathways, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-218
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Licensing and registrations
Motor fuels

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 
This bill expedites the approval process for renewable fuels under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program. The existing RFS program requires transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel. Producers must register renewable fuels under the program.
 
The bill considers an application to register a renewable fuel under the RFS program to be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if the fuel has been approved under any state renewable fuel program. It also establishes a deadline for the EPA to make a decision on any pending application for a renewable fuel that has not yet been approved under any state program.
 
In addition, the bill establishes deadlines for the EPA to make decisions on pending pathway petitions by producers to register biofuels. If the EPA does not make decisions on the petitions by the deadlines, then petitions are automatically approved.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S476-477)
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Aid and Attendance Support Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-219
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Disability assistance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Hospital care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Aid and Attendance Support Act
 
of 2021

 
This bill increases the amount of specified Department of Veterans Affairs benefit payments for veterans (or their survivors) who require aid at home or are in nursing homes. Specifically, the bill increases such benefits by 25% until 60 days after the end of the declared emergency period resulting from COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Emergency Family Stabilization Act

Bill: 117-s-220
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Assault and harassment offenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Community life and organization
Dental care
Domestic violence and child abuse
Economic performance and conditions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment and training programs
Family services
Food assistance and relief
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Human trafficking
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Landlord and tenant
Mental health
Poverty and welfare assistance
Racial and ethnic relations
Rural conditions and development
Sex offenses
Telecommunication rates and fees
Transportation costs
Women's health
Worker safety and health
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Emergency Family Stabilization Act

 
This bill establishes a competitive grant program within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) for family stabilization agencies to provide emergency relief to children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. These agencies include current ACF grantees or subgrantees, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and other organizations with expertise providing direct services to those experiencing homelessness. Recipients may use grant funds for, among other purposes, personnel costs, personal protective equipment, and other supplies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), as well as payments for security deposits and other housing-related needs.
 
Additionally, the ACF must award the grants based on factors including the need for the services in the area served by the agency and specified allocation and prioritization requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
United States-Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act

Bill: 117-s-221
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Foreign aid and international relief
Health programs administration and funding
Higher education
International scientific cooperation
Israel
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military medicine
Neurological disorders
Research administration and funding
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

United States-Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act

 
This bill establishes a grant program for collaborative efforts between the United States and Israel to advance research on post-traumatic stress disorders.
 
The Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of State, shall award grants to eligible academic institutions or nonprofit entities in the United States.
 
Work shall be conducted by the eligible entity and an entity in Israel under a joint research agreement. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
American Opportunity Accounts Act

Bill: 117-s-222
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Employee benefits and pensions
Executive agency funding and structure
Financial services and investments
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Higher education
Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax exclusion
Inflation and prices
Securities
Student aid and college costs
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Vocational and technical education
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

American Opportunity Accounts Act

 
This bill establishes tax-exempt American Opportunity Accounts to provide children at birth with a $1,000 savings account with annual contributions up to $2,000 depending on family income. The accounts are available to children at age 18 for specified purposes, including educational expenses, home ownership, and investment that provides long-term returns.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Invest in Child Safety Act

Bill: 117-s-223
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Crimes against children
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Customs enforcement
Domestic violence and child abuse
Emergency communications systems
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Law enforcement administration and funding
Missing persons
Pornography
Sex offenses
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Invest in Child Safety Act

 
This bill modifies the federal framework governing the prevention of online sexual exploitation of children.
 
The bill establishes within the Executive Office of the President a new office&#8212;the Office to Enforce and Protect Against Child Sexual Exploitation&#8212;to coordinate federal efforts to prevent, investigate, prosecute, and treat victims of child exploitation.
 
Additionally, it establishes the Child Sexual Exploitation Treatment, Support, and Prevention Fund to make grants and fund federal efforts to treat and support victims of child sexual exploitation and evidence-based programs and services to prevent child sexual exploitation. 
 
Finally, the bill makes changes to the reporting requirements for electronic communication service providers and remote computing service providers (providers) who report apparent instances of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Among the changes, the bill requires providers to report facts and circumstances sufficient to identify and locate each involved individual and increases the amount of time that providers must preserve the contents of a report.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Promoting Digital Privacy Technologies Act

Bill: 117-s-224
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Right of privacy
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Promoting Digital Privacy Technologies Act

 
This bill directs the National Science Foundation to support merit-reviewed and competitively awarded research on privacy enhancing technologies. The award of grants for basic research on innovative approaches to the structure of computer and network hardware and software that are aimed at enhancing computer security may include privacy enhancing technologies and confidentiality. The bill also requires the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program to submit to Congress a report on the progress of research on privacy enhancing technologies and the development of specified voluntary resources. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Competition and Antitrust Law Enforcement Reform Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-225
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Competition and antitrust
Consumer affairs
Corporate finance and management
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Justice
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Government information and archives
Inflation and prices
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Small business
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Competition and Antitrust Law Enforcement Reform Act of 2021 

 
This bill revises antitrust laws applicable to mergers and anticompetitive conduct. 
 
Specifically, the bill applies a stricter standard for permissible mergers by prohibiting mergers that (1) create an appreciable risk of materially lessening competition, or (2) unfairly lower the prices of goods or wages because of a lack of competition among buyers or employers (i.e., a monopsony). Under current law, mergers that substantially lessen competition are prohibited. 
 
Additionally, for some large mergers or mergers that concentrate markets beyond a certain threshold, the bill shifts the burden of proof to the merging parties to prove that the merger does not violate the law. 
 
The bill also prohibits exclusionary conduct that presents an appreciable risk of harming competition. 
 
The bill also establishes monetary penalties for violations, requires annual reporting for certain mergers and acquisitions, establishes within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the Office of the Competition Advocate, and sets forth whistleblower protections. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) the success of merger remedies required by the Department of Justice or the FTC in recent consent decrees; and (2) the impact of mergers and acquisitions on wages, employment, innovation, and new business formation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-226
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Books and print media
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign property
Government information and archives
Human rights
Immigration status and procedures
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
News media and reporting
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Sanctions
Violent crime
Visas and passports
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Jamal Khashoggi Press Freedom Accountability Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes measures to protect the human rights of journalists.
 
Specifically, the bill (1) expands the scope of required reports related to violations of the human rights of journalists, (2) requires the President to impose certain property- and visa-blocking sanctions on persons responsible for gross violations of the human rights of journalists, and (3) prohibits certain foreign assistance to a governmental entity of a country if an official acting under authority of the entity has committed a gross violation of human rights against a journalist.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-227
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alternative and renewable resources
Aviation and airports
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Lighting, heating, cooling
Motor fuels
Pipelines

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes programs and requirements to expand access to renewable fuel.
 
Specifically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture must establish a program to award grants for the deployment of renewable fuel infrastructure as specified by this bill.
 
In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must finalize a 2021 proposed rule titled 
E 15 Fuel Dispenser Labeling and Compatibility With Underground Storage Tanks
. When finalizing the rule, the EPA must eliminate the labeling requirements for fuel pumps that dispense E 15 fuel (i.e., gasoline that contains 15% ethanol).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-228
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Competition and antitrust
Corporate finance and management
Department of Justice
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Inflation and prices
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies and expands the schedule for graduated merger filing fees and requires that such fees be adjusted each year based on the Consumer Price Index.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-13
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
FDIC Act

Bill: 117-s-229
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Financial Defense for Industrial Contractors Act or the FDIC Act 

 
This bill requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to begin proceedings for terminating the insured status of large depository institutions that deny banking services to federal contractors that otherwise qualify for such services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
PREPARE LTC Act

Bill: 117-s-230
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicaid
Medicare
Nursing

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Promoting Restoration of Emergency Preparedness and Advancing Response to Epidemics in Long-Term Care Act or the PREPARE LTC Act

 
This bill provides statutory authority for certain infection control and emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare skilled nursing facilities and Medicaid nursing facilities, and expands certain requirements to apply to other infectious disease outbreaks beyond COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for regulations that require, and set standards for, infection control programs and emergency preparedness programs in such facilities. The bill requires facilities to report information concerning any infectious disease outbreak that results in a state or national emergency in accordance with the standards for COVID-19 reporting. It also prohibits the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from reducing the frequency of compliance surveys or waiving direct care staffing reports during such outbreaks.
 
Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on deficiencies relating to COVID-19 infection control and direct care staffing requirements for skilled nursing facilities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Penny Plan to Enhance Infrastructure Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-232
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Appropriations
Aviation and airports
Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Infrastructure development
Marine and inland water transportation
Military facilities and property
Public transit
Railroads
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security
Water quality
Water resources funding
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Penny Plan to Enhance Infrastructure Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes discretionary spending limits for FY2022 and FY2023. 
 
Specifically, the bill 
 
 
establishes discretionary spending limits for defense and nondefense spending, 
 
 establishes a separate discretionary spending limit for infrastructure spending,
 
 specifies the appropriations accounts and programs that are categorized as infrastructure spending for the purposes of the discretionary spending limits, and
 
excludes infrastructure spending from the existing defense and nondefense categories of spending. 
 
 
(Under current law, the existing discretionary spending limits for defense and nondefense spending will expire at the end of FY2021, and there is no discretionary spending limit for infrastructure spending.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Americans Giving Care to Elders (AGE) Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-234
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Adult day care
Aging
Allied health services
Health care costs and insurance
Health technology, devices, supplies
Home and outpatient care
Income tax credits
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Americans Giving Care to Elders (AGE) Act of 2021

 
This bill allows a tax credit for a portion of a taxpayer's expenses for eldercare.
 
 The credit applies to expenses to care for certain relatives or members of the taxpayer's household who have attained the age of 65 and require assistance with activities of daily living.
 
Eldercare expense include amounts paid for: 
 
 
 medical care, 
 
 lodging away from home, 
 
 adult day services, 
 
 personal care, 
 
 respite care, 
 
 assistive technologies and devices (including remote health monitoring), 
 
 environmental modifications (including home modifications), and 
 
 counseling or training for a caregiver. 
 
 
The amount of eldercare expenses incurred during any year that may be taken into account for the credit may not exceed $6,000.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate