hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Marijuana Data Collection Act

Bill: 117-s-1456
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Alternative treatments
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Government studies and investigations
Hospital care
Medical research
Prescription drugs
Research administration and funding
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Marijuana Data Collection Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, and relevant state agencies, to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences in order to study the effects of marijuana legalization in states for medicinal or non-medicinal use.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Cover Crop Flexibility Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1458
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Agricultural insurance
Agricultural practices and innovations
Agricultural research
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Livestock
Natural disasters
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Cover Crop Flexibility Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies the federal crop insurance program to address the planting of cover crops following prevented planting.
 
Specifically, the bill allows a producer that is prevented from planting its first crop to plant a second crop and receive an indemnity equal to the full guarantee for the first crop if the second crop (1) is an approved cover crop, and (2) cannot be harvested for grain or other uses unrelated to livestock forage or conservation. Under current law, if a producer plants a second crop it can only get an indemnity worth at most 35% of the prevented planting guarantee for the first crop.
 
For a producer planting a cover crop following prevented planting, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) may provide separate prevented planting coverage factors that include preplanting costs and the cost of cover crop seed.
 
Further, the FCIC must conduct research and development regarding a policy to insure crops on fields that regularly utilize cover crops, including research to examine the extent that cover crops reduce risks of prevented planting and other crop insurance losses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S2359-2360; Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2360)
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California Lands Act

Bill: 117-s-1459
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Atmospheric science and weather
California
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal-Indian relations
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Historical and cultural resources
Hydrology and hydrography
Lakes and rivers
Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Motor vehicles
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Pedestrians and bicycling
Public-private cooperation
Religion
Right of privacy
Roads and highways
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California Lands Act or the PUBLIC Lands Act

 
This bill sets forth provisions concerning the restoration, economic development, and conservation of, and recreational access to, certain public lands in California.
 
The bill establishes 
 
 
the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area, 
 
the California Public Lands Remediation Partnership, 
 
the Trinity Lake and Del Norte County visitor centers, 
 
the Horse Mountain Special Management Area, 
 
the Elk Camp Ridge Recreation Trail, 
 
the Sanhedrin Special Conservation Management Area, and 
 
the Condor National Scenic Trail.
 
 
The bill designates 
 
 
specified federal lands as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, 
 
the North Fork Wilderness as the North Fork Eel River Wilderness, 
 
specified federal lands as potential wilderness areas, 
 
specified segments of certain rivers and creeks and of a specified river estuary as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, 
 
 the Machesna Mountain and the Fox Mountain Potential Wilderness Areas,
 
the Condor Ridge and Black Mountain Scenic Areas, and 
 
the San Gabriel National Recreation Area. 
 
 
Also, the bill 
 
 
authorizes the utilization of certain forest residues for research and development of biobased products that result in net carbon sequestration,
 
authorizes initiatives to restore degraded redwood forest ecosystems in the Redwood National Forest and state parks,
 
requires specified recreational studies and partnerships, and 
 
expands the boundaries of the Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2359)
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Community Broadband Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1460
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Public-private cooperation
State and local government operations
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Community Broadband Act of 2021

 
This bill prohibits states from blocking the provision of broadband by public providers, public-private partnership providers, or cooperatively organized providers. Further, public providers and state or local entities participating in a partnership must administer applicable ordinances and rules without discrimination against competing private providers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Transit to Trails Act

Bill: 117-s-1461
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air quality
Community life and organization
Environmental health
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Land use and conservation
Minority employment
Minority health
Monuments and memorials
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public transit
Public-private cooperation
Rural conditions and development
Transportation costs
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Transit to Trails Act 

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish the Transit to Trails Grant Program to award grants to certain governmental and private entities for projects that increase transportation access and mobility to public lands, inland and coastal waters, parkland, or monuments for critically underserved communities.
 
For example, DOT must (1) prioritize approving certain projects, such as projects that use low-or zero-emission vehicles and those that provide free or discounted rates for low-income riders; (2) develop transportation planning procedures for projects conducted under the program that are consistent with metropolitan and statewide planning processes; and (3) ensure that all new transportation connectors and routes developed under the program are accessible to people with disabilities.
 
The bill requires grant awards to be at least $25,000 and not more than $500,000.
 
Further, the bill requires publicized schedules and routes for transportation systems that are developed after the receipt of a grant under the program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Simplifying the Generic Drug Application Process Act

Bill: 117-s-1462
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Licensing and registrations
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Simplifying the Generic Drug Application Process Act

 
This bill removes a requirement for a generic drug maker to, in some instances, petition the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before seeking market approval for a generic drug.
 
Currently, if an applicant wishes to submit an abbreviated application (i.e., the type of application typically used to get market approval for a generic drug) for a drug that has a different dosage form or strength from an already-approved drug, the applicant must first petition the FDA for permission to submit the application. Under this bill, an applicant is no longer required to petition the FDA for permission in these instances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Modernizing Therapeutic Equivalence Rating Determination Act

Bill: 117-s-1463
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Government information and archives
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Modernizing Therapeutic Equivalence Rating Determination Act

 
This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide a therapeutic equivalence rating for certain new drug applications if the applicant requests such a rating. 
 
Upon request in the application, the FDA must provide such a rating for a new drug application that relies on information from studies not conducted by the applicant and that the applicant does not have a right to reference or use (commonly referred to as a 505(b)(2) application). The FDA must provide the rating no later than 30 days after the application's approval. 
 
(A drug is a therapeutic equivalent of another if they produce the same clinical effect and have the same safety profile. Typically, for certain generic drugs, the FDA rates the therapeutic equivalence of that generic drug to another drug, such as the brand name version. Currently, an applicant seeking approval of a drug through a 505(b)(2) application typically only receives an equivalence rating by requesting one from the FDA in a separate petition.)
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Student Loan Disclosure Modernization Act

Bill: 117-s-1464
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Student Loan Disclosure Modernization Act

 
This bill requires loan disclosure forms for federal student loans to be written in plain language, thus enabling borrowers to understand loan terms, total costs of loans, and estimated monthly repayments. Borrowers must acknowledge in writing that they have read the form before the loans are issued.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Railroad Crossing Elimination Act

Bill: 117-s-1465
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Noise pollution
Railroads
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Railroad Crossing Elimination Act

 
This bill establishes a competitive grant program within the Department of Transportation (DOT) for projects to improve highway-rail grade crossings. In carrying out the program, DOT must cooperate with the Federal Railroad Administration.
 
Specifically, DOT must award the grants to state, tribal, or local governments, public port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations, or a consortia of such entities. Grant recipients may use funds for planning and implementation of projects involving grade separation or closure, track relocation, or other means to improve the mobility of people and goods at highway-rail grade crossings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1467
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alternative treatments
Congressional oversight
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Medical research
Mental health
Neurological disorders
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct clinical trials of the effects of medical-grade cannabis on the health outcomes of covered veterans diagnosed with chronic pain and those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Covered veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system.
 
The trials must include a control group and an experimental group that are of similar sizes and structures and represent the demographics of the veteran population.
 
Data collected in the trials must be preserved to facilitate further research.
 
Under the bill, participation in the clinical trials does not affect a covered veteran's eligibility or entitlement to other VA benefits.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-23
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1468
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Mental health
Rural conditions and development
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), during FY2022, to establish and maintain three new centers of the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement (RANGE) Program in areas with interest from personnel and a need for additional mental health care for rural veterans. The RANGE Program serves veterans in rural areas who are experiencing mental illness.
 
The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study and report on whether the VA has sufficient resources to serve rural veterans who need mental health care that is more intensive than traditional outpatient therapy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1469
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child care and development
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Crimes against women
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Domestic violence and child abuse
Family services
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Mental health
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2021

 
 This bill modifies definitions relating to homeless individuals and homeless children or youth as used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to verify eligibility for HUD homeless assistance programs, including the Continuum of Care program. Specifically, the bill aligns these terms with the definitions of 
homeless
 used to verify eligibility for other federal assistance programs. The definitions are also amended to increase access to federal homeless programs by homeless children, youth, and families.
 
Additionally, the community-wide homeless management information system shall be made available to the public on HUD's website.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2360-2361)
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Accessible Voting Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1470
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Age discrimination
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Computer security and identity theft
Disability and health-based discrimination
Election Assistance Commission
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Federal-Indian relations
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Intergovernmental relations
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Accessible Voting Act of 

2021

 
This bill addresses voting accessibility for individuals with disabilities and older individuals. 
 
First, the bill establishes the Office of Accessibility within the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The office must serve as the advocate on behalf of voters with access needs, ensure state and local election officials are maintaining voting systems that meet Department of Justice accessibility standards, and make payments to states to implement the accessibility requirements outlined by the bill.
 
In addition, the office must establish and operate a National Resource Center on Accessible Voting to provide state and local election officials, poll workers, and volunteers with the information and technical assistance needed to provide accessible voting. The office must also work with state and local election officials to collect data and administer a public national voter accessibility website.
 
The bill requires each state to (1) ensure election websites are accessible and meet specified requirements, (2) designate a single office to provide information on federal elections to individuals with disabilities and older individuals, (3) notify the public of changes to voting practices, (4) expand access to absentee registration procedures and no-excuse mail-in absentee voting in federal elections, and (5) ensure all polling places and voter drop boxes are accessible.
 
The EAC must coordinate with specified agencies to make grants to eligible entities to study, test, and develop accessible voting options.
 
The bill also permanently reauthorizes and expands a Department of Health and Human Services grant program for increasing accessibility to polling places.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Spectrum Coordination Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1472
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
International organizations and cooperation
Radio spectrum allocation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Improving Spectrum Coordination Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to periodically update the Memorandum of Understanding on Spectrum Coordination, which establishes procedures to promote the efficient use of the radio spectrum, including related to joint spectrum planning and frequency coordination.
 
Among other updates, the FCC and the NTIA must (1) outline processes for addressing technical, procedural, and policy differences regarding frequency allocation and related conditions and standards; (2) create a process for the resolution of nonroutine policy disputes; (3) clarify the role of the NTIA; and (4) outline processes for spectrum planning and international spectrum coordination. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFEGUARD Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1473
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Foreign aid and international relief
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Judicial procedure and administration
Licensing and registrations
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Trade restrictions
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Safeguarding Human Rights in Arms Exports Act of 2021 or the SAFEGUARD Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes specified measures to prevent the sale, export, or transfer of defense articles or defense services to foreign countries for use in violation of international humanitarian law or internationally recognized human rights. 
 
These measures include (1) prohibiting arms sales to countries committing genocide or war crimes, (2) requiring a consideration of human rights practices and democratization in any foreign country to which an arms sale is contemplated, and (3) providing for congressional oversight of arms exports to foreign countries wherein certain human rights violations have occurred.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate