hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Respect for Workers Act

Bill: 117-s-1474
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Reserve System

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Respect for Workers Act 

 
This bill requires at least one member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to have experience supporting or protecting the rights of workers. This member is in charge of developing policy recommendations regarding the board's goal of maximum employment. (The board is made up of seven members that are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Members serve 14-year terms, with one term beginning every two years.) 
 
The bill also requires the board to discuss in their semiannual report the distributional effect of monetary policy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2361)
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Livestock Regulatory Protection Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1475
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Environmental regulatory procedures
Licensing and registrations
Livestock

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Livestock Regulatory Protection Act of 2021

 
This bill prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing permits under the Clean Air Act for any carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, water vapor, or methane emissions resulting from biological processes associated with livestock production.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-09-07
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S2361-2362; Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2361-2362)
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
SENIOR CARE Act

Bill: 117-s-1476
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Employment and training programs
Medicaid
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Supporting and Empowering the Nation to Improve Outcomes that Reaffirm Careers, Activities, and Recreation for the Elderly Act or the SENIOR CARE Act

 
This bill expands eligibility for the Medicaid Ticket to Work Program to include individuals who are 65 years of age or older. (Under the current program, states may establish a Medicaid buy-in option for working individuals with disabilities whose income exceeds the customary limits and who are between the ages of 16 and 64.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
DATA Act

Bill: 117-s-1477
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business records
Civil actions and liability
Computers and information technology
Consumer affairs
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Right of privacy
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Data and Algorithm Transparency Agreement Act or the DATA Act

 
This bill requires large websites and social networks that use algorithms for suggesting content to obtain express consent from their users before collecting or sharing their personal data. These websites must notify users of this requirement, including information about the type of data collected and the name of any third parties with which the data is shared.
 
The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and a private right of action against a violator of the bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
World Press Freedom Protection and Reciprocity Act

Bill: 117-s-1478
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign aid and international relief
Government information and archives
Human rights
International law and treaties
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
News media and reporting
Political movements and philosophies
Protest and dissent
Public participation and lobbying
Religion
Right of privacy
Rule of law and government transparency
Sanctions
Trade agreements and negotiations
Violent crime
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

World Press Freedom Protection and Reciprocity Act

 
This bill establishes requirements related to the protection and support of journalists and media personnel abroad.
 
Specifically, the President must establish a plan to (1) negotiate access for U.S. news and media organizations and their employees globally, and (2) work to enhance reciprocity for news and media organizations operating in the United States. The President may impose visa-blocking sanctions on any foreign person who is responsible for the jailing, killing, or torture of journalists or media personnel or significant efforts to harass or restrict the activities, terminate the visas, or threaten the safety of journalists or media personnel.
 
Identification statements required to be placed on informational materials distributed in the United States by an agent of a foreign principal on behalf of such principal must be labeled, marked, or stamped conspicuously at the top of the first page of such materials.
 
The annual country reports on human rights and development assistance and human rights and security assistance must include an assessment of freedom of expression with respect to electronic information in foreign countries.
 
Lastly, the bill establishes the Global Press Freedom Defense Fund to provide assistance to foreign journalists and media personnel who are victims of restrictions on the internationally recognized right to freedom of expression, including assistance to pay for legal and other related expenses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1479
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Child health
Child safety and welfare
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Income tax credits
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act of 2021

 
This bill allows owners of eligible dwelling units a new tax credit through 2024 for 50% of the lead hazard reduction activity costs for each such unit, up to an aggregate of $4,000 per unit. An 
eligible dwelling unit
 is any unit located in the United States that was placed in service before 1978. 
 
The bill (1) specifies the types of lead hazard reduction activity costs eligible for the credit, including risk assessment and abatement costs; and (2) limits the amount of the credit in any taxable year to $3,000 for specified abatement measures and $1,000 for interim lead control measures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Recognizing Military Service in PSLF Act

Bill: 117-s-1480
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Recognizing Military Service in PSLF Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Education to count each month for which a borrower's federal student loan payment was in deferment or forbearance during a period of active duty, including certain National Guard duty, as a qualifying payment for the purpose of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
 
Under current law, a borrower who is a service member is eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF program; however, if the borrower places their loan into deferment or forbearance while they are on active duty, that period of time does not count as a qualifying payment for the PSLF program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Pakistan-Afghanistan Economic Development Act

Bill: 117-s-1481
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
Business investment and capital
Business records
Congressional oversight
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Customs enforcement
Due process and equal protection
Economic development
Elementary and secondary education
Foreign and international corporations
Free trade and trade barriers
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Human rights
Industrial facilities
Intellectual property
International organizations and cooperation
Labor standards
Labor-management relations
Manufacturing
Pakistan
Poverty and welfare assistance
Property rights
Reconstruction and stabilization
Rule of law and government transparency
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Tariffs
Terrorism
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Pakistan-Afghanistan Economic Development Act

 
This bill allows for duty-free treatment for certain goods from designated Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in Afghanistan and the border regions of Pakistan.
 
Specifically, the bill allows the President to designate ROZs within Afghanistan or parts of Pakistan, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. The countries must, among other conditions (1) establish (or make continual progress toward establishing) a market-based economy, the rule of law, certain economic policies, a system to combat corruption and bribery, and the protection of core labor standards; and (2) eliminate barriers to trade and investment.
 
Additionally, the bill allows the President to provide duty-free treatment for certain textile and apparel products, as well as nontextile and nonapparel products, from a ROZ through September 30, 2031.
 
The bill sets forth requirements to prevent the unlawful transshipment of textile or apparel products. Further, it outlines customs procedures and enforcement.
 
Products from a ROZ in Afghanistan or Pakistan may continue to receive duty-free treatment only if the President certifies to Congress that the countries have complied with certain requirements, including that the countries must designate a labor official.
 
The President may withdraw, suspend, or limit the application of duty-free treatment under the bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Administrative Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1482
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Administrative Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2021

 
This bill provides statutory authority for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirement that federal agencies must submit at least one proposal for reducing direct spending before taking a discretionary administrative action that increases direct spending. Further, an agency must submit to the OMB its legal basis for concluding that a proposed administrative action is nondiscretionary and, therefore, not subject to this requirement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Child Abuse Death Disclosure Act

Bill: 117-s-1483
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Health and Human Services
Domestic violence and child abuse
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Indian social and development programs
Medical education
Mental health
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Child Abuse Death Disclosure Act

 
This bill requires states receiving child welfare grants to report specified information about child deaths from maltreatment. Specifically, multidisciplinary teams from within the child welfare system in each state must
 
 
make a finding concerning the causes of each child fatality during the annual review period;
 
submit such findings to the Child Death Review Case Reporting System;
 
develop recommendations to prevent future child deaths from maltreatment;
 
submit annual reports with this information to the state&rsquo;s governor and legislature; and
 
if the number of child deaths in a state exceeds an established threshold, submit a report to the Children&rsquo;s Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families.
 
 
Further, the Children&rsquo;s Bureau must promulgate rules establishing standardized definitions for states to use in such reporting.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Forage Fish Conservation Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1484
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Atlantic Ocean
Ecology
Fishes
Hunting and fishing
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Forage Fish Conservation Act
 
of 2021

 
This bill addresses the management and conservation of forage fish. 
 
The Department of Commerce must issue a definition for the term 
forage fish
. It must consider certain factors in defining such term, including whether a species covered by the definition (1) is at a low trophic level; (2) is generally small to intermediate-sized; (3) occurs in schools or other dense aggregations; (4) contributes significantly to the diets of other fish, marine mammals, or birds; and (5) serves as a conduit for energy transfer to species at a higher trophic level.
 
Commerce must also establish guidelines to assist regional fishery management councils in (1) developing a list of unmanaged forage fish areas and prohibiting the development of any new forage fish fisheries until the potential impacts of such fisheries have been assessed; and (2)setting annual catch limits for forage fish fisheries that assess, specify, and reduce such limits by the diet needs of other fish species and marine wildlife. 
 
The bill adds shad (American shad and hickory shad)and river herring (blueback herring and alewife)to the list of managed stocks for the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Linear Generator Parity Act

Bill: 117-s-1485
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Linear Generator Parity Act

 
This bill modifies the tax credit for investments in energy property to make qualified fuel cell property (certain fuel cell power plants) that uses an electromechanical process eligible for the credit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
ALERT Act

Bill: 117-s-1487
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime prevention
Criminal justice information and records
Domestic violence and child abuse
Education programs funding
Higher education
School administration
Sex offenses
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Accountability of Leaders in Education to Report Title IX Investigations Act or the ALERT Act

 
This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs to certify annually with the Department of Education that they have reviewed reports of misconduct by their employees involving domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The certification must include a confirmation that the IHE's president and board members involved in the review did not interfere with or influence investigations or dispositions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Hunger Prevention Act

Bill: 117-s-1488
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military personnel and dependents
Poverty and welfare assistance
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Military Hunger Prevention Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to pay a basic needs allowance to certain low-income members of the Armed Forces. Specifically, those eligible for the basic needs allowance are members who (1) have completed initial entry training, (2) have a gross household income that did not exceed an amount equal to 130% of the federal poverty guidelines of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and (3) do not elect to decline the allowance.
 
In situations where a household contains two or more eligible members, the bill specifies that only one allowance may be paid per year to one member they jointly elect.
 
The amount of the allowance must be the aggregate amount equal to 130% of the HHS federal poverty guidelines minus the gross household income of the covered member during the preceding year divided by 12.
 
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) of DOD must notify, in writing, individuals determined to be eligible for the allowance. The notice must include information regarding financial management and assistance programs administered by DOD for which the individuals are also eligible.
 
Individuals who seek to receive the allowance must submit specified information to DFAS.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
USTR Inspector General Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1489
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government studies and investigations
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Trade agreements and negotiations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

USTR Inspector General Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the President to appoint an Inspector General of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). 
 
Among other responsibilities, the Inspector General shall (1) conduct and supervise audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the USTR, (2) recommend policies for preventing and detecting fraud and abuse in those programs, and (3) provide a means for keeping the USTR and Congress informed about problems and deficiencies in those programs and operations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-1490
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Finance and Financial Sector
Financial literacy
Housing finance and home ownership
Life, casualty, property insurance

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies the discount given by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on single-family mortgage-insurance premium payments for first-time homebuyers who complete a financial-management counseling program. Under current law, the maximum premium amount for such homebuyers is 2.75% of the original insured principal obligation of the mortgage (compared to 3% for other homebuyers). The bill instead requires that the premium amount for such homebuyers be 25 basis points (0.25% of the original insured principal obligation of mortgage) lower than the amount otherwise established by the FHA. The bill also specifies that first-time homebuyers must complete the financial-management counseling program prior to applying for a mortgage or entering into a sales agreement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Remote Recreational Small Business Interruption Program Act

Bill: 117-s-1492
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-04-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Canada
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government lending and loan guarantees
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Outdoor recreation
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: 

Remote Recreational Small Business Interruption Program
 
Act

 
This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program to make forgivable loans to certain remote recreational businesses that are impacted by border closures due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Eligible remote recreational businesses must (1) have experienced a loss in revenue that is greater than 50% between March 1, 2020, and July 1, 2020, as compared with the same period in the previous year; and (2) show that the closure of the U.S.-Canada border restricted the ability of American customers to access the location of such businesses.
 
The maximum loan amount shall be equal to 75% of the business's FY2019 revenue, and the SBA shall forgive 100% of the value of such loan, less the amount the borrower received from (1) any other loan forgiveness program, or (2) any emergency advance under the economic impact disaster loan program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2021-04-29
text: Introduced in Senate