hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Diversify Act

Bill: 117-s-1780
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Preschool education
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: 

Diversifying by Investing in Educators and Students To Improve Outcomes For Youth Act or the Diversify Act

 
This bill revises the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program. The TEACH program awards grants to undergraduate and graduate students who commit to teaching in a high-need field and in an elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. 
 
First, the bill raises the maximum amount for TEACH grants.
 
Second, the bill allows TEACH grants to cover the full cost of attendance. Currently, these grants may be used only for tuition, fees, and on-campus housing. 
 
The bill allows teaching in a high-need early childhood education program to count toward service requirements for the program.
 
Next, the bill eliminates the process for converting a TEACH grant to a loan if a recipient does not complete the requirements of the program. Further, the bill prohibits the Department of Education (ED) from instituting or creating a monetary penalty for failure or refusal to complete the service requirement.
 
In addition, the bill requires ED to send an electronic certificate to grant recipients who have completed their service requirement.
 
The bill also exempts the TEACH program from sequestration, which is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Nutrition Improvement Act

Bill: 117-s-1781
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Food industry and services
Government studies and investigations
Military facilities and property
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
Nutrition and diet

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: 

Military Nutrition Improvement Act

 
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an assessment of the quality and nutrition of food available at military installations for members of the Armed Forces. The assessment must include specified elements, including a description of the extent to which data is being collected on the nutritional food options available, including the fat, sodium, and fiber content of hot line foods.
 
The GAO must brief Congress on the status of the assessment and submit a report on the assessment within one year after such briefing.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
TREES Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1782
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: 

Trees for Residential Energy and Economic Savings Act of 2021 
or the TREES Act of 2021

 
This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grant program for states, local governments, Indian tribes, and other entities to facilitate tree planting projects that reduce residential energy consumption. Under the program, DOE must award grants to facilitate the planting of at least 300,000 trees annually in residential neighborhoods.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Maintaining Access to Essential Services Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1783
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Appropriations
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Consumer credit
Electric power generation and transmission
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government lending and loan guarantees
Income tax exclusion
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Public utilities and utility rates
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: 

Maintaining Access to Essential Services Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes several loan programs to assist households with paying utility bills for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater management, energy (e.g., electricity, natural gas, or propane), and internet services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Under the programs, the utilities may apply for loans that are equal to the amount of the payment shortfall from their customers during the emergency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act

Bill: 117-s-1784
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Health
Health information and medical records
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Retail and wholesale trades
Right of privacy
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: 

Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act

 
 This bill revises the requirements for the verification of prescriptions related to the purchase of contact lenses. Specifically, online sellers of prescription contact lenses must provide consumers with a method to transmit a digital copy of their prescriptions to such sellers. Online sellers also must encrypt protected health information they send by email.
 
 Additionally, the bill prohibits any seller of prescription contact lenses from using telephone calls with an artificial or prerecorded voice (i.e., robocalls) to verify a consumer's prescription.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
End the Threat of Default Act

Bill: 117-s-1785
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: 

End the Threat of Default Act

 
This bill repeals the public debt limit, which applies to most debt held by the federal government. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Rescuing Every Contributor from Unwanted Recurrences (RECUR) Act

Bill: 117-s-1786
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Political advertising

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: 

Rescuing Every Contributor from Unwanted Recurrences (RECUR) Act

 
This bill requires certain disclosures for recurring political contributions or donations.
 
Specifically, the bill requires any person who is soliciting a recurring contribution or donation for a political committee, an independent expenditure, or an electioneering communication to receive the affirmative consent of the contributor or donor. This affirmative consent cannot be a passive action by the contributor or donor, such as failing to uncheck a prechecked box.
 
In addition, any person who accepts a recurring contribution or donation must (1) provide a receipt for the initial contribution or donation and for each recurrence that clearly and conspicuously discloses all material terms, (2) provide all information needed to cancel the recurring contribution or donation in each communication with the contributor or donor, and (3) immediately cancel recurring contributions or donations upon request of the contributor or donor.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
State Antitrust Enforcement Venue Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1787
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Competition and antitrust
Judicial procedure and administration
Jurisdiction and venue
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: 

State Antitrust Enforcement Venue Act of 2021

 
This bill limits the transfer and consolidation of antitrust cases that are brought by states in federal court. 
 
Current law generally permits federal civil cases that are related to be transferred to a single district court and consolidated for pretrial proceedings. However, under current law, antitrust cases brought by the federal government are exempt from transfer and consolidation. This bill adds to that exemption antitrust cases brought by states.

action_date: 2022-02-03
text: 

State Antitrust Enforcement Venue Act of 2021

 
This bill limits the transfer and consolidation of antitrust cases that are brought by states in federal court. 
 
Current law generally permits federal civil cases that are related to be transferred to a single district court and consolidated for pretrial proceedings. However, under current law, antitrust cases brought by the federal government are exempt from transfer and consolidation. This bill adds to that exemption antitrust cases brought by states.

action_date: 2022-06-14
text: 

State Antitrust Enforcement Venue Act of 2021

 
This bill limits the transfer and consolidation of antitrust cases that are brought by states in federal court. 
 
Current law generally permits federal civil cases that are related to be transferred to a single district court and consolidated for pretrial proceedings. However, under current law, antitrust cases brought by the federal government are exempt from transfer and consolidation. This bill adds to that exemption antitrust cases brought by states.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-06-15
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-06-15
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-06-15
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-06-14
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-06-14
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-06-14
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2935-2936; text: CR S2936)
action_date: 2022-02-03
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 261.
action_date: 2022-02-03
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-02-03
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring the IRS Act

Bill: 117-s-1788
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Appropriations
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of the Treasury
Executive agency funding and structure
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Inflation and prices
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Public contracts and procurement
Racial and ethnic relations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: 

Restoring the IRS Act

 
This bill provides additional appropriations after FY2021 for the expenses of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for taxpayer services, enforcement activities, and business systems modernization. 
 
The bill establishes new reporting requirements for certain banks or other financial institutions and increases enforcement penalties for accuracy-related underpayments of tax up to a maximum of 40% of the underpayment for taxpayers with taxable incomes greater than $5 million.
 
The IRS must report to Congress annually on plans to shift more of its auditing and enforcement assets toward high-income tax filers. The report must also include a tax gap analysis and a comprehensive analysis and description of whether there are any racial disparities in its enforcement activities or audits.
 
The bill also applies false claims rules to claims, records, or statements made by taxpayers whose gross income equals or exceeds $10 million for the taxable year, and the damages sustained by the government due to such false claims exceed $1 million.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Warren Cowles Grade Crossing Safety Act

Bill: 117-s-1789
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Inflation and prices
Railroads
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: 

Warren Cowles Grade Crossing Safety Act

 
This bill authorizes appropriations for FY2022 to carry out highway-rail grade crossing improvement projects, specifically projects for commuter rail and operators in high-ridership corridors.
 
The authorization level shall be adjusted for FY2023 and each subsequent fiscal year to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Secure Equipment Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1790
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Asia
China
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Foreign and international corporations
Government information and archives
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: 

Secure Equipment Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish rules stating that it will no longer review or approve any authorization application for equipment that is on the list of covered communications equipment or services. (Listed communications equipment or services are those that the FCC determines pose an unacceptable risk to national security or the security and safety of U.S. persons.)

action_date: 2021-12-17
text: 

Secure Equipment Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish rules stating that it will no longer review or approve any authorization application for equipment that is on the list of covered communications equipment or services. (Listed communications equipment or services are those that the FCC determines pose an unacceptable risk to national security or the security and safety of U.S. persons.)
 
The rules may not allow the FCC to retroactively review or revoke an equipment authorization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 214.
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-08-04
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
FAST Electricity Act

Bill: 117-s-1791
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2021-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Government lending and loan guarantees
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax credits
Industrial facilities
Manufacturing
Motor fuels

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: 

Fueling America's Security and Transportation with Electricity Act of 2021 or the FAST Electricity Act

 
This bill expands the tax credit for plug-in electric drive motor vehicles to include a 30% credit for additional electric transportation options capable of moving passengers, cargo, or property and powered by an integrated, on-board electric propulsion system. It also allows a credit for recharging and hydrogen refueling property and provides loan guarantees for transportation electrification domestic manufacturing facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to establish certain requirements for the small refineries exemption of the renewable fuels provisions under the Clean Air Act, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-1792
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2021-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Congressional oversight
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Government information and archives
Motor fuels
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: 
This bill revises requirements for exemptions given to small refineries of crude oil under the renewable fuel program, which requires transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
DOC Access Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1793
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2021-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Dental care
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Hearing, speech, and vision care
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: 

Dentist and Optometric Care Access Act of 2021 or the DOC Access Act
 
of 20

21

 
This bill prohibits private health insurance plans from setting rates for items and services, except for dental cleanings, provided by a doctor of optometry, of dental surgery, or of dental medicine for which the plan does not pay a substantial amount.
 
Additionally, an agreement between a plan and such a doctor for limited scope dental or vision benefits may last longer than two years only with the prior acceptance of the doctor for each term extension. Plans also may not restrict such a doctor's choice of laboratories or suppliers. 
 
Such doctors may elect to waive the application of the payment amount and choice of laboratories provisions of this bill.
 
The bill establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by a violation of this bill.
 
The bill does not supersede state laws regarding health insurers and dental or vision benefit plans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
IG Testimonial Subpoena Authority Act

Bill: 117-s-1794
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2021-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Evidence and witnesses
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: 

IG Testimonial Subpoena Authority Act

 
This bill gives inspectors general the authority to subpoena the in-person attendance and testimony of witnesses. If a witness refuses to obey, inspectors general may seek to enforce the subpoena in U.S. district court.
 
Inspectors general must notify the Department of Justice seven days before issuing a subpoena.
 
The Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall promulgate standards and provide training relating to the issuance of subpoenas, conflicts of interest, and any other matter deemed necessary to carry out this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-21
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act

Bill: 117-s-1795
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-05-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child care and development
Child health
Congressional oversight
Disability and health-based discrimination
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Education programs funding
Family relationships
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Higher education
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medical education
Medical research
Mental health
Minority health
Racial and ethnic relations
Research administration and funding
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Student aid and college costs
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: 

Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act

 
This bill establishes and expands programs to address racial and ethnic disparities in mental health.
 
Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants to establish interprofessional behavioral health care teams in areas with a high proportion of racial and ethnic minority groups. In addition, HHS may award grants to incorporate best practices and competencies to address mental health disparities in curricula for training social workers, psychologists, and other behavioral health professionals.
 
 
 
HHS must also promote behavioral and mental health and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions and substance use disorder through outreach to racial and ethnic minority groups. HHS must consult with appropriate advocacy groups and behavioral health organizations to develop a strategy for this outreach.
 
The bill also (1) reauthorizes the minority fellowship program to support the education of mental health professionals who provide services to racial and ethnic minorities, and (2) requires studies on mental health disparities and the effects of social media use on adolescents.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-05-24
text: Introduced in Senate