hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Generalized System of Preferences and Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Modernization Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3975
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Generalized System of Preferences and Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Modernization Act of 2021

 
This bill reauthorizes and revises specified U.S. trade programs and provisions.
 
Specifically, the bill extends through December 31, 2024, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which provides duty-free treatment to products imported from designated beneficiary countries. The bill makes various changes to the GSP, including by (1) adding human rights, environmental, and other criteria for designation as a beneficiary developing country; (2) requiring a review of laws relating to worker and gender rights; and (3) requiring a study on rules of origin and GSP utilization rates.
 
Additionally, the bill provides through December 31, 2023, and retroactively applies to 120 days before this bill's enactment, temporary duty suspensions or reductions to eligible imported products. This authorization is commonly known as the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB). The last version of the MTB was enacted in September 2018 and the temporary treatment for those products listed in the MTB expired on December 31, 2020.
 
The bill also extends the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016 for two future MTB cycles (one in 2022 and one in 2025). This extension allows the U.S. International Trade Commission to conduct the MTB petition, review, and recommendation process for those additional cycles.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
America Stands with Israel Act

Bill: 117-hr-3976
Sponsor: Rep. Budd, Ted [R-NC-13]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

America Stands with Israel Act

 
This bill authorizes the President to introduce U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities or to direct immediate transfer of defense articles or services to ensure the survival of Israel and its people from an existing or imminent threat. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
Iron Dome Reinforcement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3977
Sponsor: Rep. Budd, Ted [R-NC-13]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Iron Dome Reinforcement Act of 2021

 
This bill prohibits certain foreign assistance to the Palestinian Authority or the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) unless the Department of State certifies to Congress that the receiving entity (and its officials and agencies) has ceased paying compensation or benefits, other than benefits that are generally available to Palestinians, to the families of Palestinians killed in connection with committing an act of terrorism. 
 
The State Department shall periodically report to Congress on whether such requirements are being met. If they are not, foreign assistance that would have gone to the Palestinian Authority or the PLO shall be made available as assistance to Israel for its Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
Vaccine TROL Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3978
Sponsor: Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Civil actions and liability
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intellectual property
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Vaccine Targeting Rogue and Opaque Letters Act of 2021 or the Vaccine TROL Act of 2021 

 
This bill prohibits sending bad faith patent demand letters concerning a product relating to COVID-19 during the declared public health emergency.
 
A patent demand letter is a written communication claiming that the recipient may be liable for patent infringement. 
Bad faith
 means making knowingly false or misleading statements, making claims with reckless indifference for the truth, or omitting information with the intent to deceive. 
 
Bad faith representations shall include false or misleading claims about the sender's right to assert a patent and whether lawsuits have been filed. They also include making written demands for compensation for invalid patents or to demand compensation without identifying the ultimate parent entity of the letter sender.
 
Under this bill, a patent demand letter related to COVID-19 is presumed to have been sent in bad faith if the sender fails to respond within 10 business days of receiving a request by the letter recipient for (1) certain information required by this bill, or (2) the patent claim that the sender reasonably believes is being infringed. 
 
The sender shall have an affirmative defense that it acted in good faith by proving that its misstatements or omissions were unintentional and that it made an error in spite of procedures to avoid such errors. 
 
The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general may bring actions to enforce these provisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
Protecting Natural Gas Consumers from Overcharges Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3979
Sponsor: Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Protecting Natural Gas Consumers from Overcharges Act of 2021

 
This bill provides authority for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to establish a refund effective date and order refunds for natural gas rates that are unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or preferential.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
Advancing Facial Recognition Technology Act

Bill: 117-hr-3980
Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Advancing Facial Recognition Technology Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to study and report on the impact of facial recognition technology on U.S. businesses conducting interstate commerce.
 
Such study shall involve, among other things, (1) listing industry sectors that develop, promote, and use facial recognition technology and public-private partnerships focused on promoting the development, adoption, and use of such technology; (2) establishing a list of federal agencies asserting jurisdiction over such industry sectors and entities; (3) assessing risks and trends in the marketplace and supply chain of facial recognition technology; and (4) identifying potential harms to individuals related to the use of such technology.
 
Commerce must report to Congress the results of such study and any recommendations to promote the adoption of facial recognition technology. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
action_date: 2021-06-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
Senior Legal Hotline Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3981
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Aging
Lawyers and legal services
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Senior Legal Hotline Act of 2021

 
This bill permits the Administration on Aging to award competitive grants to certain nonprofit organizations or partnerships to establish or maintain statewide senior legal hotlines to provide free services to older individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3982
Sponsor: Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2021 

 
This bill exempts traditional large and premium cigars from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation and FDA-assessed user fees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
Responsible Practical Training Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3983
Sponsor: Rep. Cawthorn, Madison [R-NC-11]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Responsible Practical Training Act of 2021

 
This bill imposes limits on the Optional Practical Training program and addresses related issues. (The program provides an F-1 student visa holder temporary employment authorization before or after completion of the student's studies, or both. Currently, an eligible alien may receive up to 12 months of employment authorization under the program, with a 24-month extension available to certain individuals with degrees in certain fields related to science, technology, engineering, or math.)
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to issue regulations to (1) limit the program to six months and eliminate any extensions; and (2) exclude from the program any alien with a degree or working in a sensitive field, such as military-related fields. 
 
The Department of Labor must conduct a wage analysis of the Optional Practical Training program and Curricular Practical Training program. The analysis must include a determination as to whether the aliens in the programs received wages appropriate for the type and location of employment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
Holding the Chinese Communist Party Accountable for Infecting Americans Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3984
Sponsor: Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: California
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Civil actions and liability
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Federal appellate courts
Federal district courts
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government liability
Illinois
Infectious and parasitic diseases
International law and treaties
Judicial review and appeals
Jurisdiction and venue
New York City
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Holding the Chinese Communist Party Accountable for Infecting Americans Act of 2021

 
This bill allows foreign states to be sued in a U.S. court for physical or economic harms occurring in the United States as a result of COVID-19. (Typically, a foreign state is immune from lawsuits filed against it in a U.S. court.)
 
Specifically, a foreign state shall not have immunity from a lawsuit seeking damages for (1) the foreign state's spread of COVID-19, or (2) tortious acts intended to deliberately conceal or distort the existence or nature of COVID-19.
 
If the United States is in discussions with a foreign state that is seeking to resolve claims related to COVID-19 against the foreign state, the Department of Justice may intervene and seek a stay in a case filed under this bill involving the foreign state.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
Promoting Employment of Skilled Workers and Foster Youth Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3986
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Promoting Employment of Skilled Workers and Foster Youth Act of 2021

 
This bill expands the work opportunity tax credit to (1) allow the rehiring of certain construction industry employees participating in an apprenticeship program, and (2) include qualified pre-apprenticeship graduates and foster care transition youth as targeted group members for purposes of the credit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
American Business for American Companies Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-3987
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Corporate finance and management
Department of the Treasury
Foreign and international corporations
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

American Business for American Companies Act of 2021
 
 
This bill makes permanent and expands restrictions that prohibit federal agencies from awarding contracts to inverted domestic corporations. (Similar restrictions have historically been included in annual appropriations measures.)
 
Specifically, an agency may not award a contract for the procurement of property or services (including a defense contract) to (1) any foreign incorporated entity determined to be an inverted domestic corporation or any subsidiary of such entity, or (2) any joint venture more than 10% of which is held by such an entity or subsidiary.
 
 An 
inverted domestic corporation
 is a company that was previously incorporated in the United States or was a partnership in the United States but is now incorporated in a foreign country despite (1) a majority of the company being owned by the owners of the former domestic entity, or (2) management of the company primarily occurring in the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
MINDS Act

Bill: 117-hr-3988
Sponsor: Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health programs administration and funding
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Mental health
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Mental Health in International Development and Humanitarian Settings Act or the MINDS Act

 
This bill directs the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of State to integrate mental health and psychosocial support activities across all U.S. foreign assistance programs, with a particular focus on children and other vulnerable populations.
 
To facilitate this integration, the bill makes organizational changes at the USAID. It authorizes the USAID to appoint a coordinator to oversee and direct mental health and psychosocial support activities. The coordinator must ensure that these activities focus on children, adult caretakers and families, displaced populations, and other vulnerable groups. In addition, the bill establishes a working group comprised of representatives from every USAID bureau and the Department of State to coordinate interagency efforts related to, promote best practices for, and ensure sustainability and continuity of mental health and psychosocial support activities.
 
The USAID and the State Department must brief Congress about the amount of foreign assistance spending on mental health and psychosocial support activities and related matters.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-10
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
Defective Firearms Protection Act

Bill: 117-hr-3989
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Firearms and explosives
Product safety and quality

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Defective Firearms Protection Act

 
This bill permits the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue safety standards for firearms and firearm components. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
No PFAS in Cosmetics Act

Bill: 117-hr-3990
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cosmetics and personal care
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

No PFAS in Cosmetics Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue and finalize a rule to ban the use of intentionally added perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances in cosmetics. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
TELL Act

Bill: 117-hr-3991
Sponsor: Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Asia
China
Civil actions and liability
Computers and information technology
Consumer affairs
Foreign and international corporations
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Telling Everyone the Location of data Leaving the U.S. Act or the TELL Act

This bill requires online sellers or distributors of mobile applications that maintain and store information in China to conspicuously disclose to users that such information is stored in China and whether the information is accessible by the Chinese Communist Party or a Chinese state-owned entity. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in House