hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Summer Meals Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1170
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Child health
Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public-private cooperation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Summer Meals Act of 2021 

 
This bill revises provisions related to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), which provides meals to children and teens in low-income areas during the summer months when school is not in session. 
 
The bill redefines 
areas in which poor economic conditions exist
, where the SFSP may operate, as areas in which at least 40% (currently, 50%) of the children have been determined to be eligible for free or reduced price school meals under the school lunch and breakfast programs.
 
The bill reimburses service institutions (other than school food authorities) for up to one meal and one snack per child each day during after-school hours, weekends, and school holidays during the regular school calendar. Currently, such institutions are reimbursed for meals and snacks served to children over the summer months or to children who are on vacation under a continuous school calendar.
 
USDA must award competitive grants to service institutions to increase participation in the summer food service program for children who lack the ability to access a congregate feeding site through (1) innovative approaches to limited transportation, (2) mobile meal trucks, and (3) any other method or approach that does not require children to access a congregate feeding site.
 
 Service institutions that are participating in the summer food service program for children may serve up to three meals, or two meals and one snack, during each day of operation. Currently, this option is reserved for camps and service institutions that serve meals primarily to migrant children.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Investor Choice Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1171
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Financial services and investments
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Investor Choice Act of 2021

 
This bill prohibits broker-dealers and investment advisers from including mandatory arbitration, forum selection restrictions, or bans on class action suits in a customer or client agreement. Issuers of securities are also prohibited from mandating arbitration in a shareholder agreement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom to Move Act

Bill: 117-s-1172
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Criminal justice information and records
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Public transit
Public-private cooperation
State and local government operations
Transportation costs
Transportation employees
Transportation programs funding
User charges and fees
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Freedom to Move Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to award competitive five-year grants (Freedom to Move Grants) to states, local governments, transit agencies, and non-profit organizations in both rural and urban areas to cover the lost fare revenue for fare-free public transportation and improve public transportation.
 
Grants shall be used to support (1) implementing a fare-free transit program; and (2) efforts to improve public transportation, particularly in underserved communities, such as costs associated with efforts to provide more safe, frequent, and reliable bus service, including bus stop safety and accessibility improvements, and pedestrian and bike shelters.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Earn to Learn Act

Bill: 117-s-1173
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Congressional oversight
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Financial literacy
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Performance measurement
Student aid and college costs
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Earn to Learn Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a college matched-savings demonstration grant program, through which ED must award competitive grants to states and nonprofit organizations to provide certain low-income students with educational savings accounts (e.g., 529 plans).
 
Further, ED must (1) develop and make available to grant recipients certain tools, including a training platform, a program guide, an online data portal, and certain trainings (e.g., on college readiness); (2) ensure that participation in the grant program does not affect student eligibility for Federal Pell Grants; and (3) provide technical assistance.
 
Grant recipients must use funds to (1) select eligible students to participate in the grant program, (2) provide selected students with financial literacy education, (3) establish an educational savings account for each participating student and allow such students and their families to deposit funds in their account to save for attendance at an institution of higher education or an area career and technical education school, and (4) reserve matching funds for participating students. Additionally, grant recipients must ensure that participating students are entitled to withdraw funds from their accounts under certain circumstances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Sustainable Budget Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1174
Sponsor: Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Congressional operations and organization
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
House of Representatives
Legislative rules and procedure
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Sustainable Budget Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform within the legislative branch to identify policies to improve the fiscal situation in the medium term and achieve fiscal sustainability over the long term.
 
The commission must propose recommendations that (1) are designed to balance the budget, excluding interest payments on the debt, within 10 years in order to stabilize the ratio of the public debt to gross domestic product at an acceptable level; and (2) meaningfully improve the long-term fiscal outlook, including changes to address the growth of entitlement spending and the gap between projected federal revenues and expenditures.
 
Congress must consider the commission's recommendations using specified expedited legislative procedures. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
911 SAVES Act

Bill: 117-s-1175
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Emergency communications systems
First responders and emergency personnel
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services Act of 2021 or the 911 SAVES Act

 
This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget, by 30 days after the bill's enactment, to categorize public safety telecommunicators as a protective service occupation under the Standard Occupational Classification System.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Onshoring Essential Antibiotics Act

Bill: 117-s-1176
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug therapy
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health programs administration and funding
Manufacturing
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Onshoring Essential Antibiotics Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to up to three manufacturers of essential generic antibiotic drugs (or of the active pharmaceutical ingredient or key starting material for such a drug). Under the bill, an essential generic antibiotic drug is one that HHS deems to be medically necessary to have available at all times in adequate amounts. 
 
These grants may be used to (1) construct, expand, or upgrade a manufacturing facility in the United States; and (2) manufacture essential generic antibiotic drugs. HHS shall commission a report with (1) recommendations about which drugs should be prioritized in the grant program, and (2) an analysis of the expected effect of domestic drug manufacturing on drug costs to consumers. 
 
HHS may stockpile essential generic antibiotic drugs manufactured in the United States. 
 
The bill provides in funding for the grant program and for HHS to stockpile generic antibiotic drugs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
E Visa Integrity Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1177
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Economic performance and conditions
Financial services and investments
U.S. and foreign investments
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

E Visa Integrity Act of 2021 

 
This bill imposes additional requirements to acquire an E visa (for an investor or trader who is a national of a foreign country with a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States, or an Australian specialty worker). 
 
Specifically, if an alien became the national of a foreign country with a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States through a financial investment in that foreign country and the alien had not previously received an E visa, the alien must have been domiciled in that foreign country for a continuous period of at least three years at any point before applying for an E visa.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
RECRUIT Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1178
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business expenses
Employment taxes
Income tax credits
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Reserve Employers Comprehensive Relief and Uniform Incentives on Taxes Act of 2021 or the RECRUIT Act of 2021

 
This bill allows employers with less than 500 employees a new tax credit for 40% of the wages paid to a member of the National Guard or a reserve component of the Armed Forces. The employer may elect to claim a payroll tax credit for wages paid to such service members. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Canal Conveyance Capacity Restoration Act

Bill: 117-s-1179
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: California
Dams and canals
Earth sciences
Intergovernmental relations
Lakes and rivers
State and local government operations
Water resources funding
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Canal Conveyance Capacity Restoration Act

 
This bill authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to provide financial assistance for various projects in California to mitigate the sinking or settling of the ground (i.e., subsidence mitigation), specifically for projects related to the Friant-Kern Canal, the Delta-Mendota Canal, and certain parts of the San Luis Canal/California Aqueduct.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-25
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1987-1988)
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Choose Medicare Act

Bill: 117-s-1180
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Comprehensive health care
Consumer affairs
Employee benefits and pensions
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Income tax credits
Inflation and prices
Insurance industry and regulation
Medicare
Prescription drugs
Sex and reproductive health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Choose Medicare Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish public health insurance plans and addresses health insurance costs. Such public plans must be offered on health insurance exchanges and (1) meet the requirements of a qualified health plan; (2) cover benefits at the gold plan level; and (3) cover reproductive services, including abortions.
 
Additionally, the bill makes a series of changes related to health insurance costs, including
 
 
requiring employers to refer employees to health care navigators to assist with enrollment,
 
establishing an annual limit on out-of-pocket costs for services under Medicare,
 
providing HHS with the authority to negotiate prices under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program,
 
expanding the premium-assistance credit by benchmarking the credit amount to the second-lowest cost gold plan and increasing the income threshold for eligibility,
 
requiring qualified health plans to reduce cost sharing for low-income plan holders, 
 
providing funding for states to provide reinsurance to health insurance issuers and to assist individuals with out-of-pocket costs for plans offered through health insurance exchanges,
 
applying the premium rate-setting requirements to large group health plans, and
 
requiring HHS or states to take corrective actions to address unreasonable premium rates set by insurance issuers.
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
HOPE Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1181
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Aging
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Business investment and capital
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Economic development
Employment and training programs
Financial literacy
Food assistance and relief
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax credits
Libraries and archives
National and community service
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public contracts and procurement
Right of privacy
Rural conditions and development
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local taxation
Student aid and college costs
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Telephone and wireless communication
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment Act of 2021 or the HOPE Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes two Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment (HOPE) pilot projects to improve economic security for individuals who meet income or other requirements.
 
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development must collaborate on the projects. 
 
The first project provides awards to certain government entities to assist eligible individuals in establishing HOPE accounts through banks, credit unions, or governmental agencies. HOPE accounts must (1) provide access to specified financial services and information on public benefits, health insurance, and other topics; and (2) facilitate activities such as applying for government benefits and filing taxes. HHS must hold a competition to award contracts to private businesses and nonprofits to develop technology applications and other tools for HOPE accounts. 
 
The second pilot project provides grants that allow government and nonprofit organizations to enter voluntary agreements with eligible individuals to carry out long-term plans related to improving economic security and upward mobility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
SECURE F–35 Exports Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1182
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations
Asia
Aviation and airports
China
Congressional oversight
Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International law and treaties
Israel
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military operations and strategy
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Militias and paramilitary groups
Russia
Technology transfer and commercialization
United Arab Emirates

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Israel and United States Security Enhancement for F-35 Exports Act of 2021 or the SECURE F-35 Exports Act of 2021

 
This bill requires specified assessments and certifications related to the sale of F-35 aircraft to countries in the Middle East to ensure that the sale, export, or transfer of these aircraft does not present a significant danger of compromising the critical military and technological military advantage of Israel or the U.S. Armed Forces.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act.

Bill: 117-s-1183
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alternative treatments
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act

 
This bill provides guidance related to veterans and medical marijuana that shall be effective for five years.
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) a veteran to use, possess, or transport medical marijuana in accordance with applicable state or Native American tribal law; (2) a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physician to discuss with a veteran the use of medical marijuana as a treatment if the physician is in a state or on tribal land that authorizes such treatment; or (3) a VA physician to recommend, complete forms for, or register veterans for participation in a medical marijuana treatment program in accordance with applicable state or tribal law.
 
The bill requires the VA to report on (1) the effects of medical marijuana on veterans in pain; and (2) the relationship between state-approved medical marijuana treatment programs, program access, and opioid use and abuse reduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Screening Partnership Reform Act

Bill: 117-s-1184
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-04-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: 

Screening Partnership Reform Act

 
This bill revises the Screening Partnership Program of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes the operator of an airport to select a qualified private screening company with which the operator prefers the TSA enter into a contract for screening services at that airport.
 
The TSA must enter into a contract with a private screening company only if the cost of providing screening services at the airport is equal to or less than the cost to the federal government of providing the same screening services, and entering into the contract would not compromise aviation security or the effectiveness of the screening of passengers or property at the airport.
 
A private screening company may use screening supervisors who have been trained and certified at a Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to administer comparable on-site training and certification to private security screeners at an airport that is participating in the screening partnership program.
 
Finally, the bill requires a private screening company that is participating in the program to annually submit recommendations to the TSA on new approaches to screening processes and procedures that would enhance the screening of passengers and property at the airport.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-04-15
text: Introduced in Senate