hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Ending Qualified Immunity Act

Bill: 117-s-492
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Due process and equal protection
Government liability
Law enforcement officers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Ending Qualified Immunity Act

 
This bill eliminates the defense of qualified immunity in civil actions for deprivation of rights. 
Qualified immunity
 is a judicially created doctrine that protects government employees or those acting with state authority from being held personally liable for constitutional violations.
 
The bill provides that under the statute allowing a civil action alleging deprivation of rights under color of law, it shall not be a defense or immunity to any such action that (1) the defendant was acting in good faith or believed that his or her conduct was lawful at the time it was committed; (2) the rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution or federal laws were not clearly established at the time of their deprivation; or (3) the state of the law was such that the defendant could not reasonably have been expected to know whether his or her conduct was lawful.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the issuance of exempt facility bonds for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure.

Bill: 117-s-493
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Electric power generation and transmission
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax exclusion
Public utilities and utility rates
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 
This bill permits the use of tax-exempt facility bonds to fund zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. The bill defines 
zero emissions vehicles
 as any light- or heavy-duty vehicles that conform to the regulatory zero-emission vehicles standard or vehicles that produce zero exhaust emissions of any criteria pollutant or greenhouse gas under the Clean Air Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Green Bus Tax Credit Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-494
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Energy efficiency and conservation
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax credits
Motor carriers
Public transit

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Green Bus Tax Credit Act of 2021

 
This bill allows a manufacturer a zero-emission bus tax credit through 2026.
 
The credit is equal to 10% of the sales price of a zero-emission bus. The credit only applies to the first $1 million of a vehicle's sales price and to buses used primarily in the United States and its possessions.
 
The bill defines 
zero-emission bus
 as a motor vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating of not less than 14,000 pounds, is not powered or charged by an internal combustion engine, is propelled solely by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery or fuel cell, is designed to carry 15 or more passengers, and satisfies Buy America requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Prioritizing Help to Businesses Act

Bill: 117-s-495
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Foreign labor
Temporary and part-time employment
Unemployment
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Prioritizing Help to Businesses Act

 
This bill authorizes additional H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers in states with relatively low unemployment. Currently, such visas are capped nationally at 66,000 a year.
 
For positions in states that had a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.5% or lower in at least three of the six most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly reports issued in the previous fiscal half year, a certain number of H-2B visas may be issued that do not count against the 66,000 per year cap. For such exempted H-2B visas, a state may receive each year no more than 125% of the number of visas for aliens working in the state in the last completed fiscal year or 2,500, whichever is less.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S956)
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Student Loan Tax Relief Act

Bill: 117-s-496
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Student Loan Tax Relief Act

 
This bill modifies tax provisions allowing an exclusion from gross income for income arising from discharges of student loan debt after January 31, 2020. This includes loans for postsecondary educational expenses, private education loans, and loans made by tax-exempt educational organizations. 
 
The bill eliminates the temporary expiration date for the exclusion and the death or total and permanent disability requirement for a discharge. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 54, United States Code, to limit the authority to reserve water rights in designating a national monument.

Bill: 117-s-498
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails
State and local government operations
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 
This bill prohibits the President, in designating a national monument, from reserving any implied or expressed water rights associated with it.
 
Water rights for an associated national monument may only be acquired in accordance with the laws of the state in which the water rights are to be located.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-499
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Appropriations
Department of Health and Human Services
Executive agency funding and structure
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act of 2021

 
This bill expands the eligibility of taxpayers for the refundable tax credit for coverage under a qualified health plan and increases cost-sharing subsidies under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
SMARTWATCH Data Act

Bill: 117-s-500
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Genetics
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Stop Marketing And Revealing The Wearables And Trackers Consumer Health Data Act or the SMARTWATCH Data Act

 
This bill restricts the commercial use of identifiable personal health information derived from a smartwatch or similar consumer device. The Department of Health and Human Services must enforce these restrictions.
 
Specifically, an entity that collects personal health information from consumer devices may not transfer, sell, or otherwise allow domestic entities to access such information if the purpose is to increase profits or generate commercial value. However, the bill sets out certain exceptions to this prohibition, including where the consumer provided informed consent or where the information is necessary for specified business transactions.
 
Furthermore, an entity that collects personal health information derived from consumer devices may not allow foreign entities to access such information unless there are certain privacy and security protections in place.
 
In addition, any personal health information derived from a consumer device and received by health care providers, health plans, or their business associates is considered 
protected health information
 and thus subject to applicable federal privacy standards governing its use and disclosure.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Earmark Elimination Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-501
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Congress
Executive agency funding and structure
Government lending and loan guarantees
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Legislative rules and procedure
Public contracts and procurement
Senate
Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Earmark Elimination Act of 2021 

 
This bill establishes a point of order in the Senate against considering legislation that includes an earmark. 
 
An earmark is generally any congressionally directed spending, tax benefit, or tariff benefit that benefits a specific entity, state, locality, or congressional district other than through a statutory or administrative formula or competitive award process.
 
The point of order may be waived by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Senate. If the point of order is successfully raised and sustained, the earmark must be stricken from the legislation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
MAZE in Transit Act

Bill: 117-s-502
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air quality
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Public transit
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

More Access to ZEV Equipment in Transit Act or the
 
MAZE in Transit Act 

 
This bill modifies the definition of 
capital project
 to make zero-emission vehicle fueling technology projects eligible for federal funding. A 
zero-emission vehicle
 is defined as a low or no emission vehicle that produces no carbon or particulate matter.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
PARENTS Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-503
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Family relationships
Family services
Separation, divorce, custody, support
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Providing Adequate Resources to Enhance Needed Time with Sons and daughters Act of 2021 or the PARENTS Act of 2021

 
This bill expands the use of federal incentive payments to states under the Child Support Enforcement Program to include establishing agreements for how much time a child spends with each parent as agreed to by the parents under a child support or medical support order.
 
 Generally, the incentive payments program provides funding based on a state's performance measures related to (1) establishing paternity, (2) the number of cases with child support orders in place, (3) the collection of current and past-due support payments, and (4) cost-effectiveness.

action_date: 2021-07-27
text: 

Providing Adequate Resources to Enhance Needed Time with Sons and daughters Act of 2021 or the PARENTS Act of 2021

 
This bill expands the use of federal incentive payments to states under the Child Support Enforcement Program to include establishing agreements for how much time a child spends with each parent as agreed to by the parents under a child support or medical support order.
 
 Generally, the incentive payments program provides funding based on a state's performance measures related to (1) establishing paternity, (2) the number of cases with child support orders in place, (3) the collection of current and past-due support payments, and (4) cost-effectiveness.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S5110; text: CR S5110)
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S5110; text: CR S5110)
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-504
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental technology
Forests, forestry, trees
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government information and archives
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Infrastructure development
Land use and conservation
Motor carriers
Motor vehicles
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Public-private cooperation
Transportation programs funding
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Act of 2021
 
 
This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE), the Forest Service, and the National Park Service (NPS) to collaborate on a Green Spaces, Green Vehicles Initiative to facilitate the installation and use of zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure, including on land that is not National Forest System land or NPS land.
 
The agencies shall facilitate such installation and use, including by acquiring zero-emissions vehicles for the fleets of the Forest Service and the NPS.
 
For purposes of determining whether the acquisition of alternative fueled vehicles is practical for the fleet of the Forest Service or the NPS, DOE shall take into account the availability on National Forest System land or NPS land, as applicable, of zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act

Bill: 117-s-505
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Age discrimination
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Competition and antitrust
Consumer credit
Disability and health-based discrimination
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Housing discrimination
Labor-management relations
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act

 
This bill prohibits a predispute arbitration agreement from being valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of an employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights dispute.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Clean School Bus Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-506
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air quality
Atmospheric science and weather
Buy American requirements
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Department of Energy
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Infrastructure development
Motor carriers
Personnel records
Public contracts and procurement
State and local government operations
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Clean School Bus Act of 2021

 
This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish the Clean School Bus Grant Program in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Under the program, DOE must award grants for the replacement of existing diesel school buses with electric buses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Electric Vehicles for Underserved Communities Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-507
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Building construction
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Commuting
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Electric power generation and transmission
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Housing and community development funding
Housing supply and affordability
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Infrastructure development
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public housing
Public transit
Public utilities and utility rates
Rural conditions and development
Small business
State and local government operations
Urban and suburban affairs and development
User charges and fees
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Electric Vehicles for Underserved Communities Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to support the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities.
 
Specifically, DOE must establish an EV Charging Equity Program. Under the program, DOE must provide technical assistance and award grants to increase the deployment and accessibility of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in such communities.
 
If practicable, DOE must ensure that relevant programs promote electric vehicle charging infrastructure, support clean and multimodal transportation, provide improved air quality and emissions reductions, and prioritize the needs of such communities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to establish a working group on electric vehicles.

Bill: 117-s-508
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy research
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Government information and archives
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Manufacturing
Mining
Motor carriers
Public transit
Research and development
Roads and highways
Solid waste and recycling
Transportation costs
Transportation programs funding
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

This bill requires the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy to jointly establish a working group to make recommendations on the development, adoption, and integration of certain electric vehicles into U.S. transportation and energy systems. In addition, the working group must develop, electronically publish, and update a resource guide that provides information about electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
LINC to Address Social Needs Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-509
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Child care and development
Community life and organization
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Disability assistance
Employment and training programs
Food assistance and relief
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Low- and moderate-income housing
Mental health
Nutrition and diet
Public-private cooperation
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities to Address Social Needs Act of 2021 or the LINC to Address Social Needs Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to better integrate health care and social services using technology platforms and related infrastructure.
 
To receive a grant, a state or territory must enter into a partnership with nonprofits and similar organizations or tribal nations. These public-private partnerships must foster the use of technology platforms by providers and payors of health care and social services to improve cross-sector coordination. This includes developing funding models to make the platforms financially self-sufficient.
 
HHS must consult with stakeholders to develop data standards and guidelines for these grants, and the Government Accountability Office must evaluate the impact of the grants.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate