hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Protect America's Paper for Recycling Act

Bill: 117-s-1376
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Protect America's Paper for Recycling Act

 
This bill modifies the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources to revise the definition of 
municipal solid waste
. 
 
The bill specifies that municipal solid waste does not include paper that is commonly recycled and that has been segregated from other solid waste, or solid waste that is collected as part of a system that does not provide for the separate collection of paper that is commonly recycled from residential solid waste. The bill includes exceptions for incidental and residual waste.
 
In the case of a facility that produces electricity both from municipal solid waste and other solid waste that is not a qualified energy resource (1) the facility is a qualified facility if it otherwise meets the requirements for qualified facilities, and (2) the credit only applies to the portion of the electricity produced from municipal solid waste.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the effective date for the limitation on colocation and administration of veterans educational assistance State approving agencies, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-1377
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Higher education
State and local government operations
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 
This bill extends until September 30, 2022, the effective date for a statutory provision that prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from recognizing a state department or agency as the State Approving Agency (SAA) if the department or agency is administered at or colocated with a university or university system that offers courses or programs of education that are subject to approval by the SAA for that state. (Generally, a SAA is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and approving courses and programs of education for veterans using their VA education benefits.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Animal Freedom from Testing, Experiments, and Research Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1378
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Mammals
Medical research
Research administration and funding
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Animal Freedom from Testing, Experiments, and Research Act of 2021 or the AFTER Act of 2021

 
This bill requires departments, agencies, or instrumentalities that operate federal research facilities or exhibit animals to promulgate regulations that facilitate and encourage the adoption of certain animals that are suitable for retirement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2227)
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1379
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Education programs funding
Employee hiring
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Racial and ethnic relations
Research administration and funding
Science and engineering education
Sex offenses
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Women's education
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act

 
This bill addresses sexual harassment in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by supporting research regarding sexual harassment and efforts to prevent and respond to sexual harassment.
 
This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or their consortia) to
 
 
expand research into the factors contributing to, and consequences of, sexual harassment affecting individuals in the STEM workforce, including students and trainees; and 
 
examine interventions for reducing the incidence and negative consequences of sexual harassment. 
 
 
The NSF must convene a working group to gather national data on the prevalence, nature, and implications of such harassment in institutions of higher education.
 
The NSF shall enter into agreements with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to (1) update a responsible conduct guide issued by the National Academies to include, among other things, evidence-based practices for fostering a climate that is intolerant of sexual harassment; and (2) study the influence of sexual harassment in institutions of higher education on the career advancement of individuals in the STEM workforce.
 
The National Science and Technology Council shall establish an interagency working group to coordinate the federal science agencies' efforts to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment involving grant personnel. 
 
The Office of Science and Technology Policy must develop policy guidelines for such agencies to prevent and respond to reports of sexual harassment and gender harassment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Clean Slate Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1380
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Evidence and witnesses

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Clean Slate Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes a framework for sealing records related to certain federal criminal offenses.
 
Courts must automatically seal records related to (1) a conviction for simple possession of a controlled substance or for any nonviolent offense involving marijuana, or (2) an arrest for an offense that does not result in a conviction. 
 
Additionally, an individual who meets certain criteria may petition to seal records related to a conviction for other nonviolent offenses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Every Child Connected Act

Bill: 117-s-1381
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Intergovernmental relations
State and local government operations
Telecommunication rates and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Every Child Connected Act

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modify the E-rate program, which allots broadband discounts to schools and libraries.
 
Specifically, the FCC must modify the program to (1) expand the eligible activities that qualify as being for educational purposes, (2) deem certain households in which students are participating in distance learning and are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals to be classrooms, and (3) provide that a school's eligibility shall not be diminished if it extends services obtained through the program to households with a child who is eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Abortion Providers Loan Elimination Act

Bill: 117-s-1382
Sponsor: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Abortion
Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Family planning and birth control
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Small business
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Wages and earnings
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Abortion Providers Loan Elimination Act

 
This bill makes abortion providers ineligible to receive a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program, which was established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19. 
 
This prohibition shall not apply to hospitals or entities that exclusively provide abortions (1) where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or (2) where the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother.
 
The Inspector General of the Small Business Administration must report on the number of paycheck protection loans made to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and to other abortion providers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Behavioral Intervention Guidelines Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1383
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Crime prevention
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Health promotion and preventive care
Higher education
Mental health
Right of privacy
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Behavioral Intervention Guidelines Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop best practices for establishing behavioral intervention teams in educational settings. These teams, comprised of experts, are responsible for identifying individuals who exhibit concerning behaviors and addressing associated behavioral health issues to prevent harm to the individual or others. HHS must also provide technical assistance on implementing these teams to elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
21st Century FREE Speech Act

Bill: 117-s-1384
Sponsor: Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
First Amendment rights
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Pornography
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

21st Century Foundation for the Right to Express and Engage in Speech Act or the 21st Century FREE Speech Act

 
This bill makes various changes to liability protections and requirements for providers and users of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company).
 
The bill replaces existing liability protections (sometimes referred to as Section 230 protection) related to content provided by third parties with more limited protections.
 
The bill provides some liability protection for third-party content, but the protection shall not apply to a provider or user who carries out certain affirmative acts, such as barring users from the service or restricting access to or availability of material. However, the protection shall apply if the action is taken in good faith to restrict access to or availability of obscene, unlawful, or other similarly objectionable material.
 
Additionally, the bill places specific requirements on common carrier technology companies, defined in the bill as providers that offer services to the public and have over 100 million active monthly users. These companies must
 
 
furnish their services to all persons upon request and in a manner that does not discriminate against or unfairly advantage any particular persons, class of persons, political or religious groups, or localities; and
 
publicly disclose their practices for moderating content, terminating accounts, and related matters.
 
 
Aggrieved individuals and state entities may sue to enforce these requirements, and the Federal Communications Commission must develop best practices for complying with the requirements.
 
The bill's provisions do not apply to designated areas of law, including criminal law and state law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Puppy Protection Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1385
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Mammals
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Puppy Protection Act of 2021

 
 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs
 
 
adequate housing, exercise, and veterinary care; 
 
appropriate and nutritious food; 
 
continuous access to potable water; and
 
 meaningful socialization with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day. 
 
 
The standards must also include requirements for breeders to use safe breeding practices and make all reasonable efforts to find humane placement for retired breeding dogs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S2227-2228)
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Roadside First Responders Act

Bill: 117-s-1386
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Accidents
Congressional oversight
First responders and emergency personnel
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government studies and investigations
Motor vehicles
Pedestrians and bicycling
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Protecting Roadside First Responders Act

 
This bill addresses transportation matters relating to Move Over laws and crash avoidance technology. Move Over laws are intended to ensure first responder and motorist safety by requiring motorists to change lanes or slow down when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle that is parked or otherwise stopped on a roadway.
 
Specifically, the bill requires
 
 
the Department of Transportation (DOT) to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to produce research findings on the efficacy of Move Over laws and related public awareness campaigns;
 
DOT to award grants to states to prevent death and injury from crashes involving vehicles striking vehicles and individuals stopped at the roadside;
 
DOT to implement rules to establish minimum performance standards with respect to crash avoidance technology and to require mandating crash avoidance technology on all new passenger and commercial motor vehicles; and
 
all federal fleet vehicles to have crash avoidance technology and, if such vehicles are used for emergency response activities, be equipped with digital alert technology.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S2228-2229)
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
PTC Elimination Act

Bill: 117-s-1387
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

PTC Elimination Act 

 
This bill repeals the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources (e.g., wind, biomass, trash, geothermal or solar energy facilities). The bill also expresses the sense of Congress that such credit should be allowed to expire and should not be extended.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1388
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business ethics
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Competition and antitrust
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Health care costs and insurance
Health information and medical records
Inflation and prices
Manufacturing
Prescription drugs
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 20

21

This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report about anticompetitive practices and other trends within the pharmaceutical supply chain that may impact the cost of prescription drugs. The FTC also must provide recommendations to increase transparency in the supply chain and prevent anticompetitive practices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Back to Work Bonus Act

Bill: 117-s-1389
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee hiring
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Personnel records
State and local government operations
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Back to Work Bonus Act

 
This bill permits states to provide a one-time lump sum payment, through July 1, 2021, to individuals who (1) were eligible for COVID-19 pandemic unemployment compensation during any week after enactment of this bill, and (2) are no longer eligible as a result of becoming thereafter reemployed. Payments of $1,200 shall be paid to individuals who work at least 30 hours and $600 to individuals who work at least 20 hours but less than 30. 
 
The payments are available for claimants (1) who are not employed by a government entity, (2) who return to work for at least four consecutive weeks, and (3) whose annual salary does not exceed $75,000. Before receipt of a payment, the individuals' employers must verify their hours and earnings.
 
Additionally, the bill (1) accelerates a scheduled increase in funding for reemployment services and eligibility assessments (RESEA), (2) allows states to use RESEA funds to serve all workers receiving unemployment benefits, and not just those most likely to exhaust their benefits; and (3) allows states to provide reemployment services to individuals receiving pandemic unemployment assistance and pandemic emergency unemployment compensation.
 
Finally, the bill reinstates the requirement that unemployment claimants certify they are able, available, and actively seeking work.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Youth Mental Health Services Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1390
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Educational guidance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Health technology, devices, supplies
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Youth Mental Health Services Act of 2021

 
This bill authorizes state and local educational agencies to use Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants to improve mental health services available to students. Specifically, it allows funds to be used for identifying and disseminating best practices for mental health first aid, emergency planning, coordination of services, and telehealth services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate
STANDUP Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1391
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-04-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Government information and archives
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Mental health
Minority education
Minority health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act of 20

21 or the STANDUP Act of 2021

 
This bill requires state, tribal, and local educational agencies that receive grant funding for priority mental-health needs, including through the Project AWARE State Education Agency Grant Program, to establish and implement evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training policies. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in coordination with the Department of Education, must provide educational agencies with best practices for these trainings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Introduced in Senate