hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Investments in Rural Transit Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-267
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aging
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Mental health
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public transit
Rural conditions and development
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

Investments in Rural Transit Act of 2021

 
This bill increases the federal share of operating costs to 80% for projects in certain rural areas with high transit dependency that receive grants under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program of the Federal Transit Administration. The program provides capital, planning, and operating assistance to states to support public transportation in rural areas with populations of less than 50,000.
 
To qualify for the increased federal share, a project must serve an area that is
 
 
an area of persistent poverty (a county in which at least 20% of the population has lived in poverty during the most recent 30-year period);
 
a county in which at least 25% of residents are age 65 or older,
 
a county designated as a health professional shortage area on the basis of a primary care or mental health care shortage, or
 
a county with low population density of not more than 20 people per square mile of land area.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-06-08
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
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
COVID–19 Whistleblower Protection Act

Bill: 117-s-268
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Evidence and witnesses
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Public contracts and procurement
Right of privacy
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-04
text: 

COVID-19 Whistleblower Protection Act

 
This bill establishes whistleblower protections for government contractors and private sector workers who may witness waste, fraud, or abuse or be victims of misconduct with respect to a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic-related program, project, or activity. Specifically, employers may not discharge, demote, or otherwise discriminate against such protected individuals who disclose information concerning fraud, misuse, or other misconduct related to COVID-19 program funds. A protected individual may submit to the Department of Labor a complaint alleging a violation of these protections and Labor may adjudicate such complaints and award relief in accordance with the Internal Revenue Service whistleblower procedures.


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
Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Jobs Act

Bill: 117-s-269
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax credits
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Jobs Act

 
This bill makes the work opportunity tax credit permanent. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-271
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Child care and development
Income tax credits
Inflation and prices
Marriage and family status

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies the tax credit for employment-related expenses incurred for the care of a taxpayer's dependent to (1) increase to $400,000, the adjusted gross income threshold level above which the credit is incrementally reduced; (2) increase the dollar limits on the allowable amount of the credit; (3) specify rules for married couples filing separate returns; (4) allow an inflation adjustment to the adjusted gross income threshold and the maximum credit amounts, beginning after 2022; and (5) make the credit refundable.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID–19 Pandemic Act

Bill: 117-s-274
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Drug therapy
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health promotion and preventive care
Immigrant health and welfare
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Stronger Medicaid Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Act

 
This bill allows COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccines, prevention, and treatment, as well as prevention and treatment for conditions that may complicate COVID-19 treatment, for uninsured individuals to be covered under Medicaid during the public health emergency. (Currently, state Medicaid programs have the option to cover COVID-19 testing for uninsured individuals.)
 
The bill also (1) specifically allows COVID-19 testing, vaccines, prevention, and treatment, as well as prevention and treatment for complicating conditions, for certain unlawful aliens to be covered under Medicaid during the public health emergency; and (2) specifies how the value and provision of COVID-19 assistance should be considered with respect to certain governmental programs and requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Retirement Freedom Act

Bill: 117-s-275
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Home and outpatient care
Hospital care
Medicare
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Retirement Freedom Act

 
This bill allows an individual to opt out of Medicare hospital services benefits without also having to opt out of Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefits and without having to repay Medicare hospital services benefits already received. The bill also allows an individual to opt back in with no penalty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
SAVES Act

Bill: 117-s-276
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Ecology
Endangered and threatened species

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Saving America's Vulnerable and Endangered Species Act or the SAVES Act

 
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit a living nonnative species from being listed as a threatened or endangered species.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-277
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Arkansas
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Louisiana
Texas
Trade restrictions
Water use and supply
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2021

 
This bill addresses transfers between Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana of water that contains invasive species.
 
The bill exempts certain water transfers between public water supplies in Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana from prohibitions on illegal trade of plants and wildlife. Specifically, the prohibitions do not apply to covered water transfers containing prohibited species if 

 
the species are present in both public water supplies before the transfer, the water is subject to effective mitigation measures, and the water is transferred directly between the supplies; or
 
the water is transferred in a closed conveyance system, such as a pipe system, and sent directly to treatment facilities where the species will be destroyed.
 
 
The costs of the mitigation measures must be borne by the entity that sells the water for financial gain.
 
Finally, the bill establishes notification requirements for water transfers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-278
Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Agricultural education
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Appropriations
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Department of Agriculture
Education programs funding
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Farmland
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Labor-management relations
Land transfers
Lawyers and legal services
Libraries and archives
Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Minority education
Minority employment
Property rights
Racial and ethnic relations
Student aid and college costs
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act of 2021

 
This bill provides funds for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide assistance to address historical discrimination and disparities in the agriculture sector.
 
For example, USDA must provide debt forgiveness to help socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers pay off outstanding farm loan debts and address issues relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Additionally, USDA must provide a competitive grant to a school of law or legal research entity to establish the National Center for Minority Farmer Agricultural Law Research and Information. It must also provide grants and loans to resolve property issues relating to ownership and succession on farmland.
 
The bill provides financial assistance to cooperative development centers, individual cooperatives, or groups of cooperatives that serve socially disadvantaged groups. It also provides financial assistance and technical assistance to certain nonprofit organizations that provide services to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
 
USDA must provide support for research, education, and extension at historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions. It must also provide grants to land-grant colleges and universities for student scholarships, including for students who are members of Indian tribes and pursuing an agricultural field of study.
 
The bill also requires USDA to establish an equity commission to address and mitigate discrimination across its agency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
National Broadband Plan for the Future Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-279
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Community life and organization
Commuting
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Educational technology and distance education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Energy efficiency and conservation
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
News media and reporting
Right of privacy
Telecommunication rates and fees
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

National Broadband Plan for the Future Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update the national broadband plan, which establishes benchmarks to meet the goal of ensuring that all people of the United States have access to broadband capability.
 
This update must include (1) an assessment of the progress in achieving the goals of the original national broadband plan; (2) an examination of the effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on how people learn, work, receive medical information and treatment, and participate in civic communications; and (3) an analysis of the change in reliance people will have on services enabled by broadband internet access service as a result of COVID-19. 
 
The FCC must report annually on its progress toward achieving the goals of the updated national broadband plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
FEMA Climate Change Preparedness Act

Bill: 117-s-280
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Air quality
Atmospheric science and weather
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Natural disasters
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

FEMA Climate Change Preparedness Act

 
This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to (1) revise its 2018-2022 Strategic Plan to ensure that the plan explicitly mentions climate change and addresses the implications of climate change on homeland security and near- and long-term national disaster risk, and (2) ensure that future strategic plans do likewise.
 
The Department of Homeland Security must establish, as a subcommittee of the National Advisory Council, the Climate Change Subcommittee, which shall advise FEMA on how to best incorporate climate change, including risk assessments and strategies for adaptation and mitigation, into and throughout FEMA's policies, plans, programs, and operations.
 
FEMA must publish as a report, submit to specified congressional committees, and make available to Congress and the public, a comprehensive assessment of climate change risks and preparedness.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-281
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accidents
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Crime prevention
Department of Health and Human Services
Executive agency funding and structure
Firearms and explosives
Health programs administration and funding
Medical research
Research administration and funding
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2021

 
This bill authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct or support research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Arctic Refuge Protection Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-282
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alaska
Arctic and polar regions
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Arctic Refuge Protection Act of 2021

 
This bill designates approximately 1,559,538 acres of land within Alaska in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
National Climate Bank Act

Bill: 117-s-283
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Community life and organization
Consumer credit
Credit and credit markets
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental health
Environmental regulatory procedures
Environmental technology
Financial services and investments
Forests, forestry, trees
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Industrial facilities
Labor standards
Labor-management relations
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public contracts and procurement
Public transit
Public utilities and utility rates
Rural conditions and development
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Transportation costs
Wages and earnings
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

National Climate Bank Act

 
This bill establishes and capitalizes a National Climate Bank. The independent, nonprofit bank must invest in clean energy technologies and infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 
The national bank's investments and procurements division must seek to facilitate affordable investment and procurement, including in low-income communities and communities of color, in key project areas (e.g., renewable energy or climate resiliency measures).
 
The national bank's start-up division must support the creation of new green banks by states or other political subdivisions. The new banks must be public or nonprofit specialized finance entities that use finance tools to mitigate climate change. The national bank may provide financing for such entities.
 
In addition, the bank must explore the establishment of a cash for carbon program to remove greenhouse gas emissions from the power system. The program may use market mechanisms to expedite the retirement of carbon-intensive power generation facilities (e.g., coal-fired power generation facilities), acquire carbon assets for the purpose of reducing emissions, and invest in communities negatively affected by the loss of those facilities or assets.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works Senate Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 117-21.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Library Stabilization Fund Act

Bill: 117-s-284
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Adult education and literacy
Appropriations
Digital media
Economic performance and conditions
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Employment and training programs
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Libraries and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Library Stabilization Fund Act

 
This bill provides funds for library services and technology. These funds may be used for maintaining and enhancing library operations and services, offering greater access to technology (e.g., purchasing and lending hotspots and other technology), and ensuring training and technical support for libraries.
 
The amounts provided by the bill are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) and the Senate PAYGO rule.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicaid Reentry Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-285
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Licensing and registrations
Medicaid
Medicare
Mental health
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Medicaid Reentry Act
 

of 2021

 
This bill allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release. The Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission must report on specified information relating to the accessibility and quality of health care for incarcerated individuals, including the impact of the bill's changes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Coronavirus Vaccine Act

Bill: 117-s-286
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-02-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health programs administration and funding
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical research
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: 

Coronavirus Vaccine Act

 
This bill directs the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to conduct or support research to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Introduced in Senate