hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Ensuring a Fair and Accurate Census Act

Bill: 117-s-5270
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Ensuring a Fair and Accurate Census Act

 
This bill addresses the operations of the Bureau of the Census.
 
Specifically, the bill (1) requires the Deputy Director of the bureau to appoint an employee responsible for optimizing racial and ethnic equity in the decennial census of population; and (2) provides statutory authority for specified advisory committees.
 
The bureau may not include in the census any subject, type of information, or question that was not submitted to Congress.
 
The bureau must submit to Congress a report biannually that (1) describes each component of the operational plan for the subsequent decennial census of population; and (2) includes a detailed statement on the status of all research, testing, and operations that are part of the bureau's comprehensive plan for the decennial census.
 
The bureau must submit to Congress a certification stating that any question that has not appeared on the previous two decennial censuses has been researched, studied, and tested according to established statistical policies and procedures. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must review such certification and report to Congress on whether the questions to be included have been researched, studied, and tested according to such policies and procedures.
 
The bureau, by January 1, 2026, and every 10 years thereafter, must transmit to Congress a lifecycle cost estimate for the decennial census of population first occurring after the date of transmittal. 
 
The bureau must submit to Congress a report on local-level data and local field operations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Retirement Savings for Americans Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-5271
Sponsor: Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Retirement Savings for Americans Act of 2022

 
This bill provides retirement savings accounts to eligible workers without employer-sponsored retirement plans. Participants' contributions are matched (up to certain thresholds) by the government through a federal income tax credit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-5272
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 

2022

 
This bill provides for an additional payment for clinical psychologists under Medicare who provide services in designated health professional shortage areas. It also allows clinical psychologists to provide behavioral health services (in accordance with state law) for purposes of hospitalization services, home health services, and other services under Medicare.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Uyghur Human Rights Sanctions Review Act

Bill: 117-s-5273
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Uyghur Human Rights Sanctions Review Act

 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to determine whether specified Chinese entities (1) are responsible for serious human rights abuses against Uyghurs or certain other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups, and (2) meet the criteria for the imposition of certain sanctions.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-5274
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 
This bill limits attorneys' fees for claims involving individuals who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
 
Further, the bill requires an attorney representing an individual for such a claim to disburse the funds of any judgment or award to that individual before collecting any compensation for services rendered.
 
The bill also establishes certain penalties for (1) a person who solicits, contracts, charges, receives, or attempts such actions with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a veterans benefits claim; and (2) any legal representative who charges, demands, receives, or collects for services rendered in connection with certain tort claims or certain claims related to Camp Lejeune.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR S7254-7259)
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Bridge Quality Preservation Act

Bill: 117-s-5275
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Bridge Quality Preservation Act

 
This bill establishes certain requirements to address corrosion control in bridge and railroad-bridge projects that receive federal assistance.
 
Specifically, certified contractors must employ a substantial number of individuals who are certified by a qualified training program in corrosion control, mitigation, and prevention in order to work on certain aspects of bridge project activities. A certified contractor must also provide training for any non-certified coating applicators employed by the contractor to work on a project. 
 
The bill further requires bridge projects to implement a corrosion management system that utilizes industry-recognized standards and corrosion mitigation and prevention methods for construction, repair, and maintenance projects. 
 
In addition, the bill expands the scope of the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program to include corrosion control work on rail bridges. (This program provides direct loans and loan guarantees for the development of railroad infrastructure.)

 
The bill also requires the Department of Transportation to study best practices for inspecting and addressing corrosion on weathering steel bridges. This report must be made available to state and local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and regional organizations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Right to Build Families Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-5276
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Right to Build Families Act of 2022

 
This bill prohibits states from prohibiting (or unreasonably limiting) access to, provision of, or insurance coverage for assisted reproductive technology (e.g., in vitro fertilization). The Department of Justice and individuals adversely affected by violations may bring a lawsuit to enforce this bill, and states are not immune from suits for violations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Elections Now Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-5277
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Fair Elections Now Act
 
of 2022

 
This bill establishes the Freedom from Influence Fund, which shall provide funding to Senate candidates who meet specified conditions and agree to abide by certain requirements, such as limits on types of campaign funding sources. The bill also imposes a tax on certain U.S. government contracts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
TIPPI Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-5278
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Transparency in Invasive Pests on Pallets Improvement Act of 2022 or the
 
TIPPI Act of 2022 

 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to publicize on its website information on violations of wood packaging material (e.g., solid wood pallets, crates, spools and other packaging, and solid wood dunnage) regulations with respect to cargo entering the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act

Bill: 117-s-5279
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act

 
This bill establishes a pilot program for the Office on Violence Against Women to award grants to reduce domestic violence that occurs using any form of technology.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
CFPB Stability Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-5280
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

CFPB Stability Act of 2022 

 
This bill restructures the leadership and funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 
 
Specifically, the bill removes the bureau from the Federal Reserve System. Additionally, the bill eliminates the positions of director and deputy director and establishes a five-person panel appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, with not more than three members belonging to any one political party.
 
Under the bill, the inspector general of the bureau must be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Under current law, the inspector general of the Federal Reserve Board also serves as the inspector general of the bureau.
 
Further, the source of funding for the bureau is changed from Federal Reserve System transfers to annual appropriations. Under current law, the transfers from the Federal Reserve System permit the bureau to be funded outside of the annual appropriations process.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding Disability Access to Higher Education Act

Bill: 117-s-5281
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Expanding Disability Access to Higher Education Act

 
This bill establishes and revises programs to increase access to higher education for students with disabilities and increase their graduation rates.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to
 
 
award additional funds under existing TRIO programs (i.e., programs designed to identify and support disadvantaged students) to increase the number of individuals with disabilities served by such programs;
 
award grants to institutions of higher education to establish offices of accessibility on their campuses to support students and staff with disabilities; and
 
collect data on students served by TRIO programs and Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, including with respect to student persistence in such programs, graduation rates, postsecondary enrollment rates, and supports provided to enrolled students.
 
 
The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to review and report on how ED and TRIO program agencies identify and support students with disabilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Affordable and Secure Food Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-5282
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 
 
 

Affordable and Secure Food Act of 2022

 
This bill contains provisions related to alien farmworkers. For example, the bill (1) establishes a certified agricultural worker status; (2) changes the H-2A temporary worker program, including by establishing an electronic platform for handling H-2A petitions; (3) establishes an electronic system patterned on the E-Verify Program for employers to verify an individual's identity and employment authorization; and (4) requires agricultural employers to use the electronic verification system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Little Manatee Wild and Scenic River Act

Bill: 117-s-5283
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Little Manatee Wild and Scenic River Act

 
This bill designates a specified segment of the Little Manatee River in Florida for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Department of the Interior must complete a study of the Little Manatee River and submit the results to Congress. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-5284
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act of 2022

 
This bill addresses data collection, public education, workplace safety, and other matters related to maternal health during public health emergencies.
 
Specifically, the bill supports (1) the collection of maternal data (including racial, ethnic, and other demographic data) through surveillance systems of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and (2) research activities of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
 
Additionally, the CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must make publicly available and periodically update pregnancy and postpartum data that is collected across COVID-19 surveillance systems. The data must be disaggregated by factors such as race, ethnicity, insurance status, and location.
 
The bill also requires
 
 
the CDC to educate pregnant people, their employers, and their health care providers about evidenced-based health information concerning COVID-19 and pregnancy;
 
the Department of Health and Human Services to convene a task force to develop recommendations on the provision of maternity care during the COVID-19 (and future) public health emergencies with a particular focus on communities of color and rural populations;
 
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue an emergency temporary standard to protect employees who are at risk from occupational exposure to COVID-19 that considers the risks and needs of pregnant and postpartum employees; and
 
the Government Accountability Office to report on maternal health and public health preparedness, including prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care during the COVID-19 emergency.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Act 2.0

Bill: 117-s-5285
Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Improving Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Act 2.0

 
This bill makes permanent a grant program that supports the provision of substance use disorder treatment to pregnant and postpartum women.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Responsible Self-Regulation Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-5286
Sponsor: Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Responsible Self-Regulation Act of 2022 

 
This bill provides for the registration of an association of digital asset intermediaries with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Upon the written request of a member of the association, a registered digital asset association is allowed to make an initial determination of the legal character of a digital asset, including as a security, an ancillary asset, or a commodity. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Startup Act

Bill: 117-s-5287
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Startup Act

 
This bill provides conditional visas to certain immigrants with advanced educational credentials. It also establishes a grant program to promote innovation and imposes requirements on certain rulemaking activities. 
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may provide conditional permanent resident status to up to 50,000 aliens with advanced science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) degrees. Such aliens may remain in the country for up to one year after the expiration of a student visa to find employment, or indefinitely if already engaged in a STEM field.
 
DHS may issue conditional immigrant visas for up to 75,000 qualified alien entrepreneurs. The bill imposes various requirements on such entrepreneurs, such as creating a number of full-time jobs for a period of time, after which the alien shall receive permanent resident status.
 
The bill increases the per-country cap on family-based immigrant visas from 7% of the total number of such visas available that year to 15%, and eliminates the 7% cap for employment-based immigrant visas. It also removes an offset that reduced the number of visas for individuals from China.
 
The bill establishes a grant program to support the commercialization of federally-funded research. It also requires the Small Business Administration to award grants regionally to interconnected businesses within an industry sector.
 
This bill requires federal agencies, before proposing a rule that may have a significant economic effect, to publish an analysis of the rule, including the problem the rule intends to address and a cost-benefit analysis.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe at Home Act

Bill: 117-s-5288
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Safe at Home Act

 
This bill requires each executive agency (except for the U.S. Census Bureau) and federal court to accept an address designated to an individual pursuant to an address confidentiality program (e.g., a program to protect stalking or domestic violence victims).
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Ethical Use of Facial Recognition Act

Bill: 117-s-5289
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Ethical Use of Facial Recognition Act

 
This bill prohibits federal agencies from using facial recognition software until the enactment of legislation that implements certain guidance on its use, as recommended by a specialized commission created under this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
STOP Act 2.0

Bill: 117-s-5290
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

STOP Act 2.0

 
This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the implementation of a 2018 law that requires increased shipment-tracking responsibilities and coordination between the U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding international shipments of controlled substances (e.g., fentanyl).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to delay the implementation of the modifications of exceptions for reporting of third party network transactions.

Bill: 117-s-5291
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 
This bill delays the implementation of a 
de minimis
 exception to the tax reporting requirements of third party network transactions for transactions not exceeding $600.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Access to Donor Milk Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-5292
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2022-12-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: 

Access to Donor Milk Act of 2022

 
This bill establishes programs and requirements to support the provision of donor milk for infants by nonprofit milk banks, including by (1) allowing Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) funding to be used towards nonprofit milk banks, (2) establishing grants to expand the emergency capacity of nonprofit milk banks, and (3) establishing a donor milk awareness program. 
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2022-12-15
text: Introduced in Senate