hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Wildfire Resilient Communities Act

Bill: 117-s-2650
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Department of Agriculture
Executive agency funding and structure
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Wildfire Resilient Communities Act
 
 
This bill provides funding and sets forth provisions to address wildland fire management in certain at-risk communities that are within the vicinity of federal lands that are at high risk from wildfire.
 
The bill provides funding for specified federal agencies to carry out hazardous fuels reduction projects. These federal agencies shall prioritize projects that (1) are conducted in areas that are within or adjacent to at-risk communities or high value watersheds, have very high wildfire hazard potential, or are in fire regime I, II, or III; or (2) are designed to integrate and advance two or more of the goals established in a specified wildland fire management report to create fire-adapted communities, to restore and maintain resilient landscapes, and to achieve safe, effective fire response.
 
 The Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior shall furnish financial and technical assistance to at-risk communities that are adjacent to federal land, including through states, to assist such communities in planning and preparing for wildfire.
 
The bill makes permanent the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program. The bill removes the limits on the number of proposals that may be funded for ecological restoration treatments for priority forest landscapes under the program. The Forest Service may continue to select the number of proposals that are determined likely to receive adequate funding. 
 
The bill establishes the County Stewardship Fund for making payments to counties that have a contract for a stewardship contracting project on federal land within their boundaries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
SITE Act

Bill: 117-s-2651
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Streamlining Interstate Transmission of Electricity Act or the SITE Act

 
This bill establishes a process for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to authorize the construction, modification, and operation of interstate electric transmission facilities, including by exercising the right of eminent domain (the right of the government to take private property for public use).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act

Bill: 117-s-2652
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act

 
This bill specifically includes pharmacy services as part of covered home infusion therapy under Medicare, and specifies that certain payment components still apply regardless of whether or not a qualified supplier is physically present in the beneficiary's home. The bill also allows nurses and physician assistants to establish and review the plan of care for home infusion therapy. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2653
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Higher education
Housing and community development funding
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2021

 
This bill allows tax-exempt charitable or educational organizations to make collegiate housing and infrastructure grants to certain tax-exempt social clubs (e.g., college fraternities and sororities) that apply such grants to their collegiate housing property.
 
A 
collegiate housing and infrastructure grant 
is a grant to provide, improve, operate, or maintain collegiate housing property that may involve more than incidental social, recreational, or private purposes. The grant must be for purposes that would be permissible for a dormitory or other residential facility of the college or university with which the collegiate housing property is associated. The grant may not be used to provide physical fitness facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
September 11 Transparency Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2654
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

September 11 Transparency Act of 2021

 
This bill requires declassification reviews of certain documents related to investigations into the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
 
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Department of Justice, and the Central Intelligence Agency must complete reviews of certain documents by deadlines specified in the bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
EFCA Act

Bill: 117-s-2655
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Ensuring Forensic Care for All Victims Act or the EFCA Act

 
This bill establishes a demonstration program and requires other actions to increase access to generalist forensic services for patients who have experienced interpersonal violence. These services include medical forensic assessments, data and evidence collection, and related activities that meet the needs of both patients and law enforcement.
 
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants to institutions of higher education or Indian tribes for training health care providers to administer medical forensic assessments and treatments to patients who have experienced interpersonal violence.
 
Additionally, to increase access to and the quality of generalist forensic services, HHS must establish (1) a resource center for health care providers and community health aides, (2) regional learning collectives of states and hospitals, and (3) an online repository of best practices and other resources.
 
The bill also requires designated offices and agencies of HHS and the Department of Justice to annually report on the unmet need for and other issues related to generalist forensic services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Global Force Management Oversight Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2656
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Global Force Management Oversight Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense to annually report on the Global Force Management Allocation Plan and brief Congress on the contents of the reports.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Northern Mariana Islands Entrepreneurship Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2657
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Northern Mariana Islands Entrepreneurship Act of 2021

 
This bill expands eligibility for the Microloan Program of the Small Business Administration to include the Northern Mariana Islands.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
REAADI for Disasters Act

Bill: 117-s-2658
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Age discrimination
Aging
Building construction
Congressional oversight
Disability and health-based discrimination
Disability assistance
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Floods and storm protection
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing for the elderly and disabled
Housing supply and affordability
Indian social and development programs
Public contracts and procurement
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act or the REAADI for Disasters Act

 
This bill establishes programs and requirements to assist individuals with disabilities and older adults (age 50 or older) with disaster preparedness.
 
Among other provisions, the bill 
 
 
requires the establishment of an advisory committee that includes disabled individuals and older adults to oversee the use of funds made available by this bill;
 
allows states to contract with Centers for Independent Living to provide services and support to disabled individuals in preparing for hazards;
 
 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to carry out projects of national significance that, among other things, create opportunities for disabled individuals and older adults to directly contribute to disaster preparedness, recovery, and mitigation;
 
 modifies and expands the membership of the National Advisory Committee on Individuals with Disabilities and Disasters to ensure that it represents the diversity of the disabled and older adult communities; and 
 
establishes the Disability and Disaster Preparedness Advisory Commission to review settlement agreements involving potential violations of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 
 
 
The Government Accountability Office must study the compliance of federal agencies with such enactments in expending funds to support disabled individuals and older adults in responding to, recovering from, and mitigating disasters.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Advanced Energy Technologies and Grid Efficiency Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2659
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Advanced Energy Technologies and Grid Efficiency Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy (DOE) to research and report on matters relating to the integration of advanced energy technology (e.g., technology with zero or minimal greenhouse gas emissions) into the electric power grid. In addition, it requires DOE to provide support for such technology through grants or financial assistance agreements as specified by the bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2660
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act of 2021

 
This bill addresses the provision of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants to prevent and eliminate toxic substances, particularly in certain school environments.
 
The EPA is authorized make grants to Indian tribes (in addition to the current authority to provide grants to states) to establish and operate programs to prevent or eliminate unreasonable risks associated with a chemical substance or mixture of which the EPA is unlikely to address during the 24-month period after the grant is made.
 
The bill also authorizes the EPA to partner with the Department of Labor (with respect to enforcement of labor standards) to provide grants to states and Indian tribes to identify, prevent, or eliminate risks associated with the presence of a chemical substance or mixture in eligible facilities (i.e., public school facilities operated by a local educational agency, facilities operated by an early childhood education program, and center-based child care facilities operated by an eligible child care provider).
 
The EPA has permanent authority to provide grants to Indian tribes (in addition to the current authority to provide such grants to states) to (1) provide technical assistance to local educational agencies, early childhood education programs, and eligible child care providers to address environmental concerns in eligible facilities; and (2) develop and implement state and tribal programs to support the remediation of toxic substances in eligible facilities.
 
Under the bill, the EPA must also provide specified outreach and guidelines related to environmental hazards in eligible facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Smoke-Ready Communities Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2661
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Air quality
Building construction
Community life and organization
Emergency planning and evacuation
Environmental technology
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Health technology, devices, supplies
Lighting, heating, cooling

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Smoke-Ready Communities Act of 2021

 
This bill authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to air pollution control agencies to support the development and implementation of programs that support local communities in detecting, preparing for, communicating with the public about, or mitigating the environmental and public health aspects of wildfire smoke.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-09-07
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Industrial Finance Corporation Act

Bill: 117-s-2662
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Business investment and capital
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Economic development
Economic performance and conditions
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Financial services and investments
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Industrial policy and productivity
Manufacturing
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Performance measurement
Product development and innovation
Public-private cooperation
Small business
Technology transfer and commercialization
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Industrial Finance Corporation Act

 
 This bill establishes within the executive branch the Industrial Finance Corporation. The corporation must provide support for (1) manufacturing and supply chains in certain critical industries, (2) industries on the technological frontier, and (3) other economic objectives.
 
 The bill specifies the membership and structure of the corporation and authorizes the corporation to invest in projects, make loans, and manage programs to further the corporation's economic objectives. The corporation also has the power to purchase or lease property, enter contracts, borrow funds from the Department of the Treasury (up to a specified limit), and otherwise carry out its functions.
 
 A risk committee must develop and review the corporation's risk management policies and an audit committee must oversee the integrity of the corporation's finances. The bill also requires the corporation to develop a performance measurement system to evaluate and monitor projects and guide future projects. Further, the corporation must develop appropriate safeguards, policies, and guidelines to ensure that its projects supplement, rather than compete with, private sector supports.
 
 The corporation must periodically report on its projects and publish certain project-level information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
School MEALS Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2663
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2021 or the School MEALS Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes programs and revises requirements relating to direct certification processes for the National School Lunch Program. Direct certification allows schools to use data matching procedures to approve school meals without the need for applications for children who receive assistance under other programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).
 
Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture to provide grants and technical assistance for states and tribal organizations to improve their direct certification processes, including with respect to children who receive assistance under a food distribution program on Indian reservations.
 
The bill also expands the time frame for schools to elect and gather eligibility data for the Community Eligibility Provision that permits schools in high-poverty areas to serve free meals to all enrolled students without the need for applications.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
School Hunger Elimination Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2664
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

School Hunger Elimination Act of 2021

 
This bill revises requirements under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program of the Department of Agriculture, including by expanding mandatory direct certification of low-income children for free or reduced-price meals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Main Street Efficiency Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2665
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Military personnel and dependents
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Oil and gas
Public utilities and utility rates
Rural conditions and development
Small business
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Main Street Efficiency Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a grant program that provides incentives for small businesses to make energy efficiency upgrades.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Sanction and Stop Ransomware Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2666
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Sanction and Stop Ransomware Act of 2021

 
This bill addresses ransomware threats to national security.
 
Specifically, the bill 
 
 
requires the promulgation of mandatory cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure entities;
 
requires the instituting of regulatory requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges operating within the United States to reduce the anonymity of users and accounts suspected of ransomware activity;
 
deems ransomware threats to critical infrastructure a national intelligence priority component to the National Intelligence Priorities Framework; and 
 
authorizes monitoring of the internet, including the dark web, for evidence of a compromise to critical infrastructure.
 
 
The Department of State shall annually 
 
 
designate as a state sponsor of ransomware any country the government which has provided support for ransomware demand schemes (including by providing safe haven for individuals engaged in such schemes), and 
 
submit to Congress a report listing the designated countries.
 
 
The National Intelligence Agency shall submit a report to specified congressional committees on the implications of the ransomware threat to national security.
 
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) shall establish ransomware operation reporting capabilities to facilitate the submission of timely, secure, and confidential ransomware notifications by federal agencies and covered entities to CISA. In addition, CISA shall establish a public awareness campaign related to the cybersecurity services of the government.
 
The bill also establishes the Information System and Network Security Fund. Any amounts in the fund may be distributed to eligible entities for a specific network security purpose, including to enable network recovery from an event affecting network cybersecurity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2667
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: 

Making Essentials Available and Lawful (MEAL) Act of 2021

 
This bill repeals a lifetime ban that prohibits individuals convicted of certain offenses related to the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or assistance under programs funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants. Any state law that imposes conditions on eligibility for SNAP benefits or TANF assistance based on an individual's conviction of such an offense shall have no force or effect.

 
In addition, individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled to be released within 30 days shall qualify as individual households for purposes of SNAP eligibility. Under current law, unless specifically excepted, individuals residing in institutions do not constitute a household.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate