hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5770
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Atlantic Ocean
Ecology
Fishes
Hunting and fishing
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Forage Fish Conservation Act
 
of 2021

 
This bill addresses the management and conservation of forage fish. 
 
The Department of Commerce must issue a definition for the term 
forage fish
. It must consider certain factors in defining such term, including whether a species covered by the definition (1) is at a low trophic level; (2) is generally small to intermediate-sized; (3) occurs in schools or other dense aggregations; (4) contributes significantly to the diets of other fish, marine mammals, or birds; and (5) serves as a conduit for energy transfer to species at a higher trophic level.
 
Commerce must also establish guidelines to assist regional fishery management councils in (1) developing a list of unmanaged forage fish areas and prohibiting the development of any new forage fish fisheries until the potential impacts of such fisheries have been assessed; and (2)setting annual catch limits for forage fish fisheries that assess, specify, and reduce such limits by the diet needs of other fish species and marine wildlife. 
 
The bill adds shad (American shad and hickory shad)and river herring (blueback herring and alewife)to the list of managed stocks for the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2021-11-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
Building Much Needed Rail Grade Separations Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5771
Sponsor: Rep. Garcia, Jesus G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Building Much Needed Rail Grade Separations Act of 202

1

 
This bill establishes a grade separation investment program to award competitive grants to certain entities for projects that 
 
 
separate railway-highway grade crossings,
 
 improve safety by reducing the number of deaths and injuries at rail-highway crossings,
 
increase the efficiency and reliability of the movement of people and freight over rail-highway crossings,
 
increase the capacity of the freight and passenger rail system,
 
 reduce the amount of noise from trains, and
 
improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from less idling at rail-highway crossings.
 
 
Among other requirements, the bill (1) requires grant awards for large projects (projects with total costs of greater than $100 million) to be at least $50 million, and for any other projects not less than $2.5 million; and (2) directs the Department of Transportation to consider a number of factors in awarding grants, including accident history at the rail-highway crossing over the last 10 years, the annual average daily motor vehicle, cyclist, and pedestrian traffic at the crossing, the likelihood of a collision based on the geometry of the crossing, and the number of critical facilities near the crossing.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
Brycen Gray and Ben Price COVID–19 Neurological Impact Act

Bill: 117-hr-5772
Sponsor: Rep. Gonzalez, Anthony [R-OH-16]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Health information and medical records
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Neurological disorders
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Brycen Gray and Ben Price COVID-19 Neurological Impact Act

 
This bill authorizes grants and requires other activities to address neurological and psychiatric illnesses associated with COVID-19 infection.
 
Specifically, the National Science Foundation may award competitive grants for multidisciplinary research on such illnesses.
 
In addition, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy must establish a temporary interagency working group to coordinate relevant federal programs, data collection, and other activities focused on neurological and psychiatric illnesses associated with COVID-19 infection. The working group must also engage with researchers and nonfederal stakeholders to ensure the sharing and dissemination of relevant research, information, and best practices pertaining to those illnesses. The working group terminates after five years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5773
Sponsor: Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of
 
2021

 
This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement on behalf of the United States that provides for a payment to any person or entity other than the United States. The bill provides exceptions to allow payments that (1) remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment, or (2) constitute a payment for services rendered in connection with the case.
 
Government officials or agents who violate this prohibition may be removed from office or required to forfeit to the government any money they hold for such purposes to which they may otherwise be entitled.
 
Agencies must report annually for seven years to the Congressional Budget Office about the parties, funding sources, and distribution of funds for their settlement agreements permitted by the exceptions in this bill. The Office of Inspector General for each agency must also report annually on any settlement agreements that violate the bill's requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
Sustainable International Financial Institutions Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5775
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Sustainable International Financial Institutions Act of 2021

 
This bill directs specified international financial institutions to use the influence of the United States to advance the cause of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transition the global economy to a clean energy economy. It also prohibits the United States from providing direct or indirect assistance to any country or entity to support any fossil fuel activity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
Serving Our LGBTQ Veterans Act

Bill: 117-hr-5776
Sponsor: Rep. Kahele, Kaiali'i [D-HI-2]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Serving Our LGBTQ Veterans Act

 
This bill establishes a Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Veterans within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Among other functions, the center must serve as principal adviser to the VA on the adoption and implementation of policies and programs affecting veterans who are LGBTQ.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-07-19
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 11.
action_date: 2022-07-19
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2022-07-18
text: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.
action_date: 2022-03-30
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2021-12-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
CHOICE Act

Bill: 117-hr-5777
Sponsor: Rep. Keller, Fred [R-PA-12]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Connecting Higher Opportunities In College Education Act or the CHOICE Act

 
This bill makes certain job training programs eligible for federal student aid.
 
To be eligible, a program must (1) provide at least 150 clock hours, 4 semester hours, or 6 quarter hours of instructional time over a minimum of 8 weeks; (2) have verified completion and placement rates meeting a minimum standard; and (3) provide training aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the state or local area in which the program is provided.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
Security After Sandy Act

Bill: 117-hr-5778
Sponsor: Rep. Kim, Andy [D-NJ-3]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Security After Sandy Act

 
This bill cancels and waives certain debts owed to the United States.
 
The bill cancels repayment for all uncollected amounts owed with respect to community disaster loans made by the federal government between January 1, 2006, and January 1, 2021, with respect to any major disaster declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
 
The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Small Business Administration shall waive a debt owed to the United States related to such assistance provided to an individual or household if (1) such debt owed is a result of an unauthorized use of funds for such assistance, and (2) the use of funds related to the same recovery for which the assistance was provided. Such debt may not be waived if it involves fraud by the debtor.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
Financial Fitness Act

Bill: 117-hr-5779
Sponsor: Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Consumer credit
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial literacy
Financial services and investments
Government information and archives
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Financial Fitness Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Education to create a personal finance education portal for voluntary use by recipients of federal financial aid. The portal must be on a centralized and publicly available website and include information on personal finance concepts, including core personal finance topics (e.g., earning, investing, and borrowing) and managing student loan repayment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
Disaster Equity and Fairness Act

Bill: 117-hr-5780
Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Disaster Equity and Fairness Act

 
This bill makes changes in the provision of federal disaster assistance to underserved communities and other specified recipients.
 

Underserved community
 means populations sharing a particular characteristic and geographic communities that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life.
 
Specifically, the bill increases the federal cost share to a local government or Indian tribal government in connection with a second or subsequent major disaster during any three-year period.
 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may provide assistance to a state, local government, or Indian tribal government to reimburse the cost of coordinating food delivery, production, and distribution in the event of a major disaster.
 
FEMA must provide direct technical assistance to eligible entities for applications and prioritize specified categories of communities, including underserved communities, those that have demonstrated a compelling need, and those that are exposed to increased hazards or vulnerabilities.
 
The bill increases the federal cost share for a recipient (1) that will use the assistance in, or for the benefit of persons who are members of, an undeserved community; or (2) who is in, or who is a member of, an underserved community.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
FIRE Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5782
Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Atmospheric science and weather
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Intergovernmental relations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency Act of 2021 or the FIRE Act

 
This bill addresses the federal government's approach to wildfires.
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes a public mitigation assistance applicant to relocate an eligible structure upon demonstrating that the structure is at risk from future damage and the relocation reduces the risk to the structure, is cost effective, and does not increase risk to adjacent structures.
 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the National Weather Service, must conduct a study on Red Flag Warnings and similar weather and notification methods to implement plans and actions prior to a wildfire that can limit the impact, duration, or severity of the fire.
 
The President must ensure that those providing counseling or case management services to victims of a major disaster are trained to address cultural competency.
 
FEMA must (1) conduct a study and develop a plan to address providing housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies when presented with challenges such as the lack of proof of ownership, and (2) seek to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study solutions to address the availability and affordability of insurance for wildfire perils and other related matters.
 
The bill allows Indian tribal governments to apply for grants for equipping, upgrading, and constructing state and local emergency operations centers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
Reaching Every Homeless Veteran Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5783
Sponsor: Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Reaching Every Homeless Veteran Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Labor, in administering homeless veterans reintegration programs, to (1) consider grant applications from entities in all states (to the extent practicable), and (2) conduct an outreach and education program in states where no entity has been awarded a grant to ensure communities are aware of homeless veterans reintegration programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
Flood Prevention Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-5784
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Flood Prevention Act of 2021

 
This bill makes the District of Columbia eligible to receive federal coastal zone management funding, including flood mitigation and prevention funds. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1159)
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
Help End Abusive Living Situations Act

Bill: 117-hr-5785
Sponsor: Rep. O'Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1]
Introduced: 2021-10-28 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: 

Help End Abusive Living Situations Act or the HEALS Act

 
This bill modifies factors the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must consider when awarding grants under the Continuum of Care Program, which provides funding for nonprofit providers and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families.
 
 Specifically, when awarding Continuum of Care grants, HUD must (1) consider the needs of survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; (2) consider transitional housing projects on an even basis with any other project; and (3) score applicants for grants without prioritizing or deprioritizing rapid-rehousing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, or short-term emergency shelter projects based solely on those project categories.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Introduced in House