hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Fair Access to Small Business Lending Act

Bill: 117-s-1509
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Appropriations
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business investment and capital
Government lending and loan guarantees
Poverty and welfare assistance
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Fair Access to Small Business Lending Act

 
This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to carry out an initiative to expand the availability of 7(a) loans to small businesses that are located in low- or moderate-income neighborhoods. (Under the 7(a) Program, the SBA provides business loans and loan guaranties to small business borrowers unable to obtain financing elsewhere.)
 
The SBA must expand authorization for providing 7(a) loans to lenders that meet the criteria to make such loans but have not otherwise been approved to do so. Such lenders must ensure that at least 50% of loans they make that are guaranteed pursuant to the bill are made to small businesses in low- or moderate-income neighborhoods.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Self-Initiation Trade Enforcement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1510
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Department of Commerce
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign and international corporations
Government studies and investigations
Small business
Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Self-Initiation Trade Enforcement Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes within the Department of Commerce a task force to identify and recommend actions related to potential countervailable subsidies, dumping, and circumvention.
 
Dumping and countervailable subsidies are unfair trade practices that cause (or threaten to cause) material injury to U.S. industries by importing products (1) that are similar to those sold in the U.S market at less than fair value (dumping), or (2) with the assistance of subsidies from a foreign government or public entity (countervailable duties).
 
Specifically, the task force shall identify (1) potential countervailable subsidies and dumping that may be causing (or threatening to cause) material injury to an industry in the United States, and (2) potential circumvention of existing antidumping or countervailing duty orders. The task force must make recommendations with respect to initiating antidumping or countervailing duty investigations and circumvention inquiries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
CONNECT for Health Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1512
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Home and outpatient care
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Licensing and registrations
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medical education
Medicare
Minority health
Right of privacy
Rural conditions and development
State and local government operations
Telephone and wireless communication
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2021 or the CONNECT for Health Act of 

2021

 
This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. 
 
Among other provisions, the bill
 
 
allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain restrictions, such as restrictions on the types of technology that may be used; 
 
permanently removes geographic restrictions on originating sites (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) and allows the home of the beneficiary to serve as the originating site for all services;
 
permanently allows federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); and
 
allows the CMS to generally waive coverage restrictions during any public health emergency. 
 
 
Additionally, the CMS must report on the effects of expanded telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency, including with respect to the utilization, quality, and outcomes of services. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation may also test alternative payment models relating to expanded telehealth services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
End Outsourcing Act

Bill: 117-s-1513
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business investment and capital
Congressional oversight
Employee hiring
Foreign and international corporations
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Labor-management relations
Licensing and registrations
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Public contracts and procurement
Taxation of foreign income
U.S. territories and protectorates
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

End Outsourcing Act

 
This bill addresses the outsourcing (transfer) of jobs and companies from the United States to low-tax foreign jurisdictions.
 
The bill (1) requires employers to include an outsourcing statement in worker adjustment and retraining notices; (2) denies employers a tax deduction for outsourcing expenses, including license fees and equipment installation costs; (3) allows a tax credit for similar insourcing expenses; (4) denies employers the use of certain favorable accounting methods and a deduction for interest paid on indebtedness; and (5) requires the recapture of certain tax credit amounts allowed to outsourcing employers. 
 
The bill authorizes federal contracting officers to take the outsourcing of jobs from the United States into account in awarding contracts and grants and extending loans and loan guarantees to corporations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Border Transportation Efficiency Act

Bill: 117-s-1514
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Arizona
Border security and unlawful immigration
California
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Detention of persons
Latin America
Law enforcement officers
Licensing and registrations
Mexico
Texas
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Border Transportation Efficiency Act

 
This bill directs Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to establish a program to expedite detainee transport to processing facilities. 
 
Under the program, CBP shall ensure that at least 300 border patrol agents that have commercial driver's licenses with passenger endorsements are assigned to remote border patrol stations. CBP shall also ensure that for specified geographical sectors (1) a certain number of border patrol agents with commercial driver's licenses are serving on each shift, and (2) a certain number of buses are assigned.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
REMOTE Act

Bill: 117-s-1515
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Child health
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Latin America
Law enforcement officers
Medical education
Mexico

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Remote, Emergency, Medical, Online Training, Telehealth, and EMT Act or the REMOTE Act

 
This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to take actions to improve CBP medical services along the southern border.
 
CBP shall make emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic training available to selected border patrol agents along the southern border. Agents that complete the training or already have EMT or paramedic certifications shall receive specified pay increases. 
 
The bill imposes requirements related to (1) the percentage of agents with EMT or paramedic training assigned in each sector, and (2) minimum levels of various medical supplies in each sector.
 
Furthermore, CBP shall require all border patrol agents and officers to complete online training on how to (1) identify common signs of medical distress in children, and (2) timely transfer sick children to medical care. 
 
CBP shall also ensure that all remote stations, forward operating bases, and remote ports of entry on the southern border have voice access to a medical command physician. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
TRAVEL Act

Bill: 117-s-1516
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Air quality
Department of Transportation
Economic performance and conditions
Executive agency funding and structure
Marketing and advertising
Public transit
Railroads
Regional and metropolitan planning
Roads and highways
Rural conditions and development
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Transportation Resources to Add Vital Economic Longevity Act or the TRAVEL Act

 
This bill makes various changes to programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to facilitate travel and tourism.
 
The changes include
 
 
increasing the federal share up to 100% for highway projects that result in significant local or economic growth, including increased travel and tourism;
 
requiring that transportation plans address strategies to enhance travel and tourism; and
 
establishing an office within DOT to coordinate and implement activities to enhance travel and tourism.
 
 
In addition, DOT must consider the extent to which a project contributes to economic competitiveness, including increased travel and tourism, when selecting projects for the National Infrastructure Investment program.
 
DOT must also establish a program to fund planning activities and projects to improve and facilitate long-haul travel (trips of at least 50 miles from the point of origin to the point of destination) on the national transportation network.
 
Additionally, the bill expands eligibility for other transportation-related grants and programs to include projects related to travel and tourism. In particular, it makes such projects eligible for (1) the Nationally Significant Highway and Freight Projects program, (2) the Surface Transportation Block Grant, (3) the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, and (4) the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program.
 
The bill also sets out economic vitality as a separate goal of the Federal-Aid Highway Program. (Currently, the goal of economic vitality is linked specifically to freight movement.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom for Families Act

Bill: 117-s-1517
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Child safety and welfare
Community life and organization
Detention of persons
Family relationships
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government studies and investigations
Immigrant health and welfare
Immigration status and procedures
Lawyers and legal services
Public contracts and procurement
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Freedom for Families Act

 
This bill prohibits using federal funds for facilities used to detain noncitizen families and addresses related issues.
 
Specifically, no funds made available may be used to operate or construct a family detention center, whether operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or a contractor. This prohibition shall also apply to funds made available before this bill's enactment.
 
Funds obligated to operate such centers must instead be used for implementing and developing nondetention programs that are community-based and consistent with international best practices.
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may place an apprehended noncitizen family into such a nondetention program if DHS makes an individualized determination that doing so will facilitate the family's compliance with immigration laws. The programs must provide to participants a legal orientation and meaningful access to counsel. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to authorize appropriations for the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund.

Bill: 117-s-1518
Sponsor: Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural education
Agricultural practices and innovations
Agricultural research
International organizations and cooperation
Israel
Middle East
Research administration and funding
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 
This bill authorizes appropriations for the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund for each fiscal year to promote and support agricultural research and development activities that are of mutual benefit to the United States and Israel.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Save Hotel Jobs Act

Bill: 117-s-1519
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee hiring
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Travel and tourism
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Save Hotel Jobs Act

 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to award grants to hotel owners and operators to assist with payroll costs.
 
Applicants for a grant must provide Treasury with certain assurances, including that (1) the hotel, if in operation, experienced at least a 40% decline in revenue during a three-month period in calendar year 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019; and (2) the hotel owner or operator has a policy to offer employees who have been laid off during the COVID-19 public health emergency any same or similar positions that become available as a result of receiving a grant. All grant funds must be expended during the 270-day period beginning on the date the funds are disbursed.
 
If the hotel owner or operator receives loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, the grant must be reduced by the amount of such loans that are forgiven under the program, including loans received on or before enactment of this bill. For federal tax purposes, the grants are not included as part of the gross income of the hotel owner or operator.
 
The bill also establishes a tax credit equal to 50% of the expenses a hotel owner or operator incurs for qualified personal protective equipment (up to a maximum of $25,000).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1520
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crimes against children
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Defense
Domestic violence and child abuse
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Lawyers and legal services
Military education and training
Military facilities and property
Military law
Military personnel and dependents
Pornography
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies the process and policy related to the disposition of charges and convening of courts-martial for certain sexual assault cases and other specified offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
 
Among other elements, the bill provides that the determinations on the preferral, disposition, and referral of charges for specified offenses under the UCMJ must be made by a commissioned officer of the Armed Forces who is designated as a court-martial convening authority (in grade O-6 or higher) and who is available for detail as trial counsel, has significant trial experience, and is outside the chain of command of the member subject to the charges.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0

Bill: 117-s-1521
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Cancer
Child health
Civil actions and liability
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Government trust funds
Health programs administration and funding
Medical research
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Research administration and funding
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0

 
This bill modifies funding for a pediatric disease research initiative within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
 
Currently, this initiative receives funding through FY2023 from the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund.
 
This bill directs certain penalties assessed by the Securities and Exchange Commission against pharmaceutical companies for specified violations to that fund. In making allocations from the fund, the NIH must prioritize pediatric research that does not duplicate existing research activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2365)
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1522
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2021 
 
 This bill allows a qualified individual to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms.
 
A qualified individual must (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law; (2) carry a valid photo identification document; and (3) carry a valid state-issued concealed carry permit, or be eligible to carry a concealed firearm in his or her state of residence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Drug Price Transparency Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1523
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Inflation and prices
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Drug Price Transparency Act of 2021

 
This bill provides statutory authority for the limitation on which type of prescription drug rebates are exempt from federal anti-kickback laws.
 
 Specifically, a rebate from a drug manufacturer to a health insurer or pharmacy benefit manager is exempt only if the rebate (1) is disclosed to the consumer at the point of sale, or (2) is a flat fee paid for pharmacy benefit management services.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Care PRICE Transparency Act

Bill: 117-s-1524
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Hospital care
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Health Care Prices Revealed and Information to Consumers Explained Transparency Act or the Health Care PRICE Transparency Act

 
 This bill provides statutory authority for requirements for hospitals and health insurance plans to disclose certain information about the costs for items and services.
 
 Specifically, hospitals must publish in their list of standard charges certain rates negotiated with insurers, discounts for cash payments, and billing codes. Further, hospitals generally must publish the standard charges for the services provided by the hospital that may be scheduled in advance.
 
 Additionally, insurance plans must publish the in-network and out-of-network charges for covered items and services and the negotiated prices for covered prescription drugs. Plans must provide a tool for consumers to search for this cost information. Consumers also may request additional information about the costs of specific items or services under their plans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate