hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2419
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Air quality
Appropriations
Disaster relief and insurance
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Lighting, heating, cooling
Small business
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: 

Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act of 2021
 
 
This bill authorizes the President to declare a smoke emergency and provide emergency assistance to affected communities under specified circumstances.
 
Specifically, the President, upon determining that there is, or anticipating that there will be, a significant decrease in air quality due to wildland fire smoke in one or more states, may declare a smoke emergency. The governor or other agency of a state that is or will be affected may request such a declaration.
 
 If the President declares a smoke emergency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies may provide emergency assistance to states and local communities that are or will be affected by the emergency, including grants, equipment, supplies, and personnel and resources for establishing smoke shelters, air purifiers, and additional air monitoring sites.
 
The Small Business Administration may provide grants to any small business concern that loses a significant amount of revenue due to wildland fire smoke in an area in which the President has declared a smoke emergency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment Act

Bill: 117-s-2420
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commuting
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax credits
Pedestrians and bicycling

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: 

Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment Act or the E-BIKE Act

 
This bill allows a refundable tax credit for 30% of the cost of a qualified electric bicycle. The credit is limited to $1,500 per taxpayer less all credits allowed for the two preceding taxable years. 
 
A 
qualified electric bicycle
 is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle that is, among other things, equipped with an electric motor of less than 750 watts that is capable of propelling such vehicle. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Smoke Planning and Research Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2421
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Air quality
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Environmental technology
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: 

Smoke Planning and Research Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to research and mitigate the impacts of smoke emissions from wildland fires. 
 
Specifically, the EPA must establish (1) four Centers of Excellence for Wildfire Smoke at institutions of higher education, and (2) a grant program to support community mitigation efforts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-09-07
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act

Bill: 117-s-2422
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2021-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: 

Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a grant program for specified trauma centers and nonprofits to establish or expand intervention or prevention programs related to intentional violent trauma, excluding intimate partner violence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Wildfire Smoke Relief Act

Bill: 117-s-2423
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Aging
Air quality
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Disaster relief and insurance
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: 

Wildfire Smoke Relief Act

 
This bill provides for assistance for the purchase of smoke inhalation prevention equipment to specified individuals at risk of wildfire smoke-related illness.
 
The President, in carrying out the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), shall provide (1) assistance to a state or local government, local public health authority, or a coordinated care organization to purchase and provide such equipment to at-risk individuals; and (2) cost-efficient transitional shelter assistance to at-risk individuals in any case in which such equipment is insufficient to mitigate the risk of illness.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring Brand USA Act

Bill: 117-s-2424
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Government trust funds
Marketing and advertising
Travel and tourism
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: 

Restoring Brand USA Act

 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to make $250 million available (out of unobligated balances remaining from certain fees collected by Treasury) for the Corporation for Travel Promotion, also known as Brand USA.

action_date: 2021-12-17
text: 

Restoring Brand USA Act

 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to make $250 million available (out of unobligated balances remaining from certain fees collected by Treasury) for the Corporation for Travel Promotion, also known as Brand USA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 220.
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-08-04
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2425
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2021-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Emergency communications systems
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Mental health
Performance measurement
Research administration and funding
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: 

Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2021

 
This bill expands the requirements for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Program.
 
Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must (1) develop a plan to ensure the provision of high-quality service, (2) strengthen data-sharing agreements to facilitate the transmission of epidemiological data from the program to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and (3) implement a pilot program focused on using other communications platforms (e.g., social media and texting) for suicide prevention.
 
The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to study the program.

action_date: 2021-09-21
text: 

Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act of 2021

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and expands the requirements for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Program.
 
Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must undertake efforts to raise awareness about the program and improve data collection and analysis of demographic information related to the program. In addition, SAMHSA must develop a plan to ensure the provision of high-quality service.
 
The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to study the program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 128.
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Murray with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Murray with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-08-03
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5020-5021)
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Fund the Police Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2426
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2021-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Appropriations
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Department of Justice
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee hiring
Executive agency funding and structure
Government trust funds
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
State and local finance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: 

Fund the Police Act of 2021

 
The bill rescinds specified COVID-19 relief funds and makes the funding available to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for law enforcement grant programs. 
 
Specifically, the bill rescinds certain unobligated funds that were provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for making payments to states, territories, and tribal governments to mitigate the fiscal effects stemming from the COVID-19 public health emergency.
 
The bill makes the rescinded funds available to DOJ for (1) the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, and the (2) Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program. It also makes a portion of the funds available to establish a Law Enforcement Assistance Trust Fund to ensure the long-term availability of federal support for state and local law enforcement activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate
FAIR Contributions Act

Bill: 117-s-2427
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2021-07-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Internet, web applications, social media
Libraries and archives
Rural conditions and development
Telecommunication rates and fees
Telephone and wireless communication
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: 

Funding Affordable Internet with Reliable Contributions Act or the FAIR Contributions Act

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to study and report on the feasibility of funding the Universal Service Fund through contributions from edge providers (i.e., providers of online content or services, such as search engines).
 
The fund provides support to high-cost areas, schools and libraries, rural health care facilities, and the Lifeline program (an FCC program that provides a discount on phone service for low-income consumers).
 
The report must consider (1) the type and size of firms and services on which contributions could be assessed, (2) equity issues related to current versus alternative systems for contributing to the fund, (3) the effect of any change to the contribution system on the telecommunications bills of consumers, and (4) the sustainability of the fund and how to ensure that fund disbursements are consistent and predictable over time.

action_date: 2022-12-07
text: 

Funding Affordable Internet with Reliable Contributions Act or the FAIR Contributions Act

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to study and report on the feasibility of funding the Universal Service Fund through contributions from edge providers (i.e., providers of online content or services, such as search engines). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 594.
action_date: 2022-12-07
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-12-07
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-05-11
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-07-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Administrative False Claims Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2429
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2021-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government liability
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: 

Administrative False Claims Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies provisions regarding fraud committed against the federal government.
 
Specifically, the bill raises the maximum amount of a fraud claim that may be handled administratively from $150,000 to $1 million, allows responsibilities in the administrative process assigned to the Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General to be delegated to other Department of Justice employees, and allows the government to recoup costs for investigating and prosecuting these frauds.

action_date: 2021-11-01
text: 

Administrative False Claims Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies provisions regarding fraud committed against the federal government.
 
Specifically, the bill raises the maximum amount of a fraud claim that may be handled administratively from $150,000 to $1 million, allows responsibilities in the administrative process assigned to the Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General to be delegated to other Department of Justice employees, and allows the government to recoup costs for investigating and prosecuting these frauds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-01
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 162.
action_date: 2021-11-01
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-11-01
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-10-21
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act

Bill: 117-s-2430
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Energy efficiency and conservation
Income tax exclusion
Public utilities and utility rates
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: 

Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act 

 
This bill expands the tax exclusion for energy conservation subsidies provided by public utilities to include certain subsidies for water conservation or efficiency measures and storm water management measures.
 
The bill excludes from gross income subsidies provided (directly or indirectly) (1) by a public utility to a customer, or by a state or local government to a resident of such state or locality, for the purchase or installation of any water conservation or efficiency measure; and (2) by a storm water management provider to a customer, or by a state or local government to a resident of such state or locality, for the purchase or installation of any storm water management measure. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5052)
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Training Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2431
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2021-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Training Act of 2021

 
This bill requires employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to undergo training developed by the Inspector General of the VA regarding the reporting of wrongdoing to, responding to requests from, and cooperating with the Office of the Inspector General.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2432
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Income tax exclusion
Natural disasters
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: 

Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2021

 
This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any qualified catastrophe mitigation payment made under a state-based catastrophe loss mitigation program. A 
qualified catastrophe mitigation payment
 means any amount received for making improvements to an individual's residence for the sole purpose of reducing the damage that would be done to such residence by a windstorm, earthquake, or wildfire.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-09-08
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5052)
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Local Journalism Sustainability Act

Bill: 117-s-2434
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2021-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Employment taxes
Income tax credits
Marketing and advertising
News media and reporting
Small business
Television and film
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: 

Local Journalism Sustainability Act

 
This bill allows individual taxpayers a tax credit up to $250 in any taxable year for subscriptions to one or more local newspapers for the taxpayer's personal use. It also allows a local news journalist employer a payroll credit for wages paid to local news journalists. 
 
The bill allows certain small businesses a tax credit for amounts paid for advertising in a local newspaper or through a broadcast of a radio or television station serving a local community.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2435
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2021-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Motor carriers
Motor vehicles
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: 

 Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2021

 
This bill repeals the 12% excise tax on the retail sale of heavy trucks and trailers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate
FIRESHEDS Act

Bill: 117-s-2436
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2021-07-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: 

Forest Improvements through Research and Emergency Stewardship for Healthy Ecosystem Development and Sustainability Act or the FIRESHEDS Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Department of the Interior, with respect to public lands, no later than 90 days after receiving a request from a state, to enter into an agreement with such state to jointly
 
 
designate one or more fireshed management areas within such state, and 
 
conduct fireshed management projects in such fireshed management areas.
 
 
Not later than 90 days after entering into an agreement, the USDA or Interior, as appropriate, and such state shall jointly conduct a stewardship and fireshed assessment.
 
The USDA and Interior shall carry out fireshed management projects in accordance with the timeline and project size limitations included in the stewardship and fireshed assessment.
 
Fireshed management projects shall be categorically excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement and exempt from the special administrative review process.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-07-22
text: Introduced in Senate