hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Black Hills Forest Protection and Jobs Preservation Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-3709
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2022-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental regulatory procedures
Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation
Montana
South Dakota
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: 

Black Hills Forest Protection and Jobs Preservation Act of 2022

 
This bill provides for vegetation management projects and timber production projects on certain National Forest System lands in Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
 
The bill directs the Forest Service to issue one or more decisions using expedited authorities for compliance with environmental review requirements to carry out vegetation management projects on land in the Black Hills National Forest. Furthermore, the Forest Service shall categorize the Black Hills National Forest and the Bighorn National Forest as being very high priority for ecological restoration that involves vegetation removal.
 
The Forest Service must also use specified amounts made available for forest thinning and timber harvesting for timber production in the Bighorn National Forest, the Custer Gallatin National Forest, and the Black Hills National Forest. In carrying out such timber production, the Forest Service shall use, to the extent practicable, the categorical exclusion for certain forest management activities and specified emergency action authority.
 
A vegetation management or timber production project carried out under this bill shall not be subject to judicial review.
 
Such a project may not be carried out on (1) a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, or (2) an inventoried roadless area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-06-07
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S838)
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Emmett Till Antilynching Act

Bill: 117-s-3710
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2022-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: 

Emmett Till Antilynching Act

 
This bill makes lynching a federal hate crime offense.
 
Specifically, the bill imposes criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to 30 years, or both&#8212;on an individual who conspires to commit a hate crime offense that results in death or serious bodily injury or that includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to ensure that no cost reduction or cash refund is due under certain transportation cost-reimbursement contracts on the basis of the forgiveness of certain covered loans, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-3711
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2022-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: 
This bill exempts until June 30, 2025, certain contractors that receive federal highway or public transportation funding from having to adjust costs associated with their contracts to account for loan forgiveness through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). (The PPP provided small businesses with loans for payroll and other costs to respond to the COVID-19 emergency with loan forgiveness under certain conditions.)
 
Under current law, a contractor with a cost-reimbursable contract must reduce costs or provide cash refunds to the Department of Transportation (or a state department of transportation) if the contractor receives or accrues any income, rebate, allowance, or other credit relating to an allowable contract cost, which includes PPP loan forgiveness.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Auto Reenroll Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-3712
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2022-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: 

Auto Reenroll Act of 2022

 
This bill allows sponsors of automatic contribution arrangements that take effect after December 31, 2024, to reenroll their employees in such arrangements at least once every three years. The purpose of the bill is to increase employee participation in tax-exempt pension plans and other retirement arrangements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S838)
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Reproductive Choice Act

Bill: 117-s-3713
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2022-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Abortion
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Supreme Court

Summary:
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: 

Reproductive Choice Act

 
This bill provides statutory authority for certain Supreme Court holdings on abortion rights and restrictions in the cases of 
Roe v. Wade
 and
 Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey
.
 
In 
Roe
, the Court held that the Constitution protects a woman's decision to terminate her pregnancy. In
 Casey
, the Court reaffirmed this holding and additionally held that state abortion regulations may not place a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking an abortion before fetal viability (i.e., an undue burden). However, a state may (1) restrict abortions after viability, except when a pregnancy endangers the life or health of the woman; and (2) enact regulations to further the health or safety of a woman seeking an abortion, except for unnecessary health regulations that present a substantial obstacle to a woman seeking an abortion.
 
The bill provides statutory authority for these holdings. It also specifies that the bill does not affect laws regarding conscience protection. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S838)
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
American Energy Independence Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-3714
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced: 2022-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Air quality
Alliances
Appropriations
Canada
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Commuting
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Department of Energy
Department of Transportation
Department of the Interior
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy prices
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Europe
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Government information and archives
International law and treaties
Land use and conservation
Licensing and registrations
Military operations and strategy
Montana
Motor fuels
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Russia
Ukraine
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: 

American Energy Independence Act of 2022

 
This bill addresses U.S. energy independence, the production and importation of oil and natural gas, and the rescission of specified environmental requirements. Specifically, the bill directs the President to develop a plan for the United States to achieve energy independence by 2024. The Department of Energy (DOE) must also develop a program and issue rules to ensure that the United States achieves such energy independence and becomes a net exporter of energy.
 
The bill also addresses energy pipelines, including by approving the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline in Phillips County, Montana for the import of oil from Canada to the United States. It also provides for energy production, including by requiring regulations to be issued by
 
 
DOE to reduce requirements on entities harvesting energy through hydraulic fracturing,
 
the Department of Transportation to promote stable and affordable gasoline and diesel prices, and
 
the Department of the Interior to promote the leasing of federal land for oil and natural gas production.
 
 
In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must identify and repeal certain regulations that substantially reduce energy independence. Further, the bill prohibits the use of any funds to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change. Finally, the bill rescinds (1) Executive Order 14008 about tackling climate change, (2) the 2021 proposed rule issued by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about the scope of the Clean Water Act, and (3) the 2021 proposed rule issued by the EPA about methane gas emissions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2022-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
E-SIGN Modernization Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-3715
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2022-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: 

E-SIGN Modernization Act of 2022 

 
This bill repeals certain requirements regarding the use of electronic records in commerce. Specifically, the bill repeals the requirement that consumers must demonstrate their ability to access information electronically in order to consent to the use of electronic records. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S876-877)
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Tracking Bad Actors Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-3716
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2022-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: 

Tracking Bad Actors Act of 2022 

 
This bill requires federal financial regulators to jointly publish a database of persons convicted or held liable in criminal, civil, or administrative actions regarding financial services that are brought by federal financial regulators, the Department of Justice, certain self-regulating organizations, or state or local agencies that voluntarily submit such information. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on the database five years after the database is operational.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to withdraw normal trade relations treatment from, and apply certain provisions of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 to, products of the Russian Federation, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-3717
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2022-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Alliances
Conflicts and wars
Europe
Free trade and trade barriers
International organizations and cooperation
Military operations and strategy
Russia
Tariffs
Ukraine

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: 

No Most Favored Nation Trading with Russia Act

 
This bill withdraws normal trade relations treatment from Russia.
 
Additionally, the bill requires the President to encourage U.S. allies and partners to (1) consider taking similar actions; and (2) condemn, at the World Trade Organization (WTO), Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
 
Further, the President must direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the WTO to seek suspension of Russia's membership in the WTO.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-02
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 292.
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the importation of petroleum and petroleum products from the Russian Federation.

Bill: 117-s-3718
Sponsor: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Introduced: 2022-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Energy storage, supplies, demand
Europe
Oil and gas
Russia
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: 
This bill prohibits the importation of petroleum and petroleum products from Russia.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Southwestern Power Administration Fund Establishment Act

Bill: 117-s-3719
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2022-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Department of Energy
Electric power generation and transmission
Executive agency funding and structure

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: 

Southwestern Power Administration Fund Establishment Act

 
This bill establishes a fund that the Southwestern Power Administration may use for the operation and maintenance of power transmission facilities and other related expenses. The bill also transfers amounts into the fund from specified accounts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-07-28
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
H–1B and L–1 Visa Reform Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-3720
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2022-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: 

H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2022 

 
This bill modifies requirements related to H-1B (specialty occupation) and L-1 (intracompany transfers) nonimmigrant visas and contains related provisions. 
 
Provisions relating to H-1B visas include
 
 
requiring the Department of Labor to review petitions for indicators of fraud or misrepresentation of material fact; 
 
requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritize certain petitions, with top priority for workers with advanced degrees in science, technology, or engineering; 
 
requiring an H-1B worker to possess at minimum a bachelor's degree to meet specialty occupation requirements (currently, relevant experience may be used instead); and
 
 prohibiting an alien classifiable in certain H-1B categories from obtaining a B-1 (temporary business visitor) visa. 
 
 
Provisions relating to L-1 visas include
 
 
requiring a waiver from Labor for an L-1 worker to be primarily stationed with an employer other than the petitioning employer; 
 
prohibiting an alien from receiving an L-1 visa to open or be employed in a new office if the alien has received two or more such visas in the last two years; and 
 
increasing the L-1 worker minimum wage to the highest of certain amounts, such as the median wage for the worker's occupational classification in the area of employment (currently, an L-1 worker must be paid at least the higher of the federal or state minimum wage). 
 
 
In regards to both visas, the bill (1) expands the authority of DHS and Labor to take various enforcement actions, and (2) directs DHS to conduct annual audits of a certain percentage of employers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S877-883)
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
RELIEF Act

Bill: 117-s-3721
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2022-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: 

Resolving Extended Limbo for Immigrant Employees and Families Act or the RELIEF Act

 
This bill revises provisions related to family- and employment-based visas.
 
The bill (1) increases the per-country cap on family-based immigrant visas from 7% of the total number of such visas available that year to 15%, (2) eliminates the 7% cap for employment-based immigrant visas, and (3) removes an offset that reduced the number of visas for individuals from China. The annual cap for visas for the unmarried children of citizens is increased, and the formula for calculating the cap for the unmarried children of residents is revised.
 
The bill also establishes transition rules for employment-based visas from FY2022-FY2024, by reserving a percentage of EB-2 (workers with advanced degrees or exceptional ability), EB-3 (skilled and other workers), and EB-5 (investors) visas for individuals not from the two countries with the largest number of recipients of such visas. Of the unreserved visas, not more than 85% shall be allotted to immigrants from any single country. 
 
The Department of State shall increase allocations of family- and employment-based visas by the number of beneficiaries of such applications filed before this bill's enactment, to be allocated FY2022-FY2026 to beneficiaries of applications filed before this bill's enactment who have not yet received a visa. 
 
The minor children and spouses of permanent residents and those accompanying a qualified alien shall be treated as an immediate relative for immigration purposes. Whether an alien qualifies as a minor shall be determined according to the alien's age at the time a relevant petition is filed.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S883-885)
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to withdraw normal trade relations treatment from, and apply certain provisions of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 to, products of the Russian Federation, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-3722
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2022-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Alliances
Conflicts and wars
Europe
Free trade and trade barriers
International organizations and cooperation
Military operations and strategy
Russia
Tariffs
Ukraine

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: 

No Most Favored Nation Trading with Russia Act

 
This bill withdraws normal trade relations treatment from Russia.
 
Additionally, the bill requires the President to encourage U.S. allies and partners to (1) consider taking similar actions; and (2) condemn, at the World Trade Organization (WTO), Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
 
Further, the President must direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the WTO to seek suspension of Russia's membership in the WTO.
 
The President may proclaim modifications to the applicable duty rates on products from Russia (under column 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule) if the President determines that the modifications are necessary to protect the essential security of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Ukraine Emergency Appropriations Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-3724
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2022-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Afghanistan
Alliances
Appropriations
Asia
Belarus
Collective security
Computer security and identity theft
Conflicts and wars
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Department of State
Disaster relief and insurance
Economic development
Estonia
Europe
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Infrastructure development
Latvia
Lithuania
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military operations and strategy
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Nuclear weapons
Poland
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Russia
Ukraine

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: 

Ukraine Emergency Appropriations Act of 2022

 
This bill provides emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance to Ukraine and for other related purposes.
 
Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) to (1) provide specified weapons and equipment to the government of Ukraine, (2) provide NATO member countries with certain weapons and defense articles to bolster deterrence efforts against Russia and to replace items such countries have donated to Ukraine, (3) enhance DOD capabilities to defend against a cyberattack originating from Russia or Belarus and targeting U.S. critical infrastructure or the ability of the United States to retaliate against a nuclear attack, and (4) deliver humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
 
The bill also provides appropriations to the Department of State to (1) address humanitarian needs in Ukraine caused by Russia's invasion, (2) assist refugees from Ukraine, (3) rebuild infrastructure in Ukraine damaged by Russia's invasion, and (4) support the revitalization of Ukraine's economy after Russia's invasion.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-02
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 294.
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
No Trading with Invaders Act

Bill: 117-s-3725
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2022-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Family relationships
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign property
Free trade and trade barriers
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Military operations and strategy
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Tariffs
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: 

No Trading with Invaders Act 

 
This bill requires the President to withdraw normal trade relations status from a country that commits, against a World Trade Organization member, an act of aggression that (1) violates international law, and (2) is not a legitimate act of self-defense.
 
The bill also makes permanent the President's authority to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions for violations of human rights and modifies such authority.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2022-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate