hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
PFAS Exposure Assessment and Documentation Act

Bill: 117-s-2555
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

PFAS Exposure Assessment and Documentation Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to include in various health evaluations an assessment of whether a member of the Armed Forces has been exposed to perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. In addition, DOD must establish a task force to address the effects of the release of PFAS from DOD activities.
 
The bill requires DOD to ensure that any periodic health assessment, physical assessment for recently separated members, pre-deployment medical examination, post-deployment medical examination, and post-deployment health reassessment provided to a member of the Armed Forces includes an evaluation of whether the member has been exposed to PFAS or was based or stationed at a military installation with a known or suspected release of PFAS during the period the member was there.
 
If any of the evaluations result in a positive determination of potential exposure to PFAS, DOD must provide blood testing during the evaluation. 
 
DOD must pay for blood testing to determine and document potential exposure to PFAS for former members of the Armed Forces or family members of such members who lived at a location identified by DOD as having a known or suspected PFAS release during the individuals' residency.
 
DOD must share results of the evaluations with the Department of Veterans Affairs and establish a registry of members of the Armed Forces who have been exposed to, or are suspected to have been exposed to, PFAS. Members may elect to be excluded from the registry.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act

Bill: 117-s-2556
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act

 
This bill revises payment rules and establishes several requirements relating to coverage of orthotics and prosthetics under Medicare. 
 
Specifically, the bill requires suppliers of orthotics and prosthetics to meet certain standards with respect to licensure and accreditation, physical facilities, and liability insurance. Orthotists and prosthetists may also issue written orders for commercial purposes that meet specified standards; such orders must be signed by the treating physician.
 
The bill also prohibits payment under Medicare for certain prosthetics and orthotics that are delivered via drop shipment (i.e., direct shipment to a beneficiary who has not received corresponding patient care from a health care practitioner).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require certain transportation projects to include a value-for-money analysis, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-2557
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 
This bill requires a value-for-money analysis as part of certain applications for financial assistance for transportation projects.
 
An applicant for assistance through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program and the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program must include the analysis if the project (1) has an estimated cost that exceeds $750 million, and (2) is carried out in a state that authorizes the use of public-private partnerships for transportation projects. The analysis must address, among other matters, the cost of using public funding versus private financing.
 
Additionally, the Department of Transportation must (1) report to Congress about the use of private financing for such transportation projects and the benefits of value-for-money analysis; and (2) issue guidance on performance benchmarks, risk premiums, and expected rates of return on private financing for transportation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
FAIR Meat Packing Act

Bill: 117-s-2558
Sponsor: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business expenses
Income tax credits
Livestock
Meat
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Feed America by Incentivizing Rural Meat Packing Act or the FAIR Meat Packing Act

 
This bill allows an investment tax credit through 2026 for 25% of the basis of each livestock processing facility property placed in service during the taxable year. The amount of the credit may not exceed $250,000 in any taxable year and is not available to taxpayers whose gross receipts exceed $100 million in a taxable year. 
 
The bill defines 
livestock processing facility
 as a facility that slaughters livestock (i.e., cattle, sheep, goats, bison, swine, and poultry) for processing into meat and meat products and participates in a meat and poultry inspection program, The facility must employ an average of fewer than 500 employees and include property used for the intake or storage of livestock, the disposal or management of livestock waste, or the packaging, handling, warehousing, or storage of meat products. 
 
The bill also allows a refundable income tax credit for the startup and organizational expenditures of livestock processing facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Deepfake Task Force Act

Bill: 117-s-2559
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Digital media
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Performance measurement
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Right of privacy
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Deepfake Task Force Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to temporarily establish the National Deepfake Provenance Task Force.
 
Comprised of federal and nonfederal stakeholders, the task force must address threats posed by digital content forgeries (i.e., digital audio, images, and text fabricated or manipulated using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other emerging technologies with the intent to mislead). The task force's activities include developing a plan to reduce the proliferation of digital content forgeries.
 
The task force terminates 90 days after submitting its final report.

action_date: 2022-05-24
text: 

Deepfake Task Force Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to temporarily establish the National Deepfake Provenance Task Force.
 
Comprised of federal and nonfederal stakeholders, the task force must address threats posed by digital content forgeries (i.e., digital audio, images, and text fabricated or manipulated using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other emerging technologies with the intent to mislead). The task force's activities include developing a plan to reduce the proliferation of digital content forgeries.
 
The task force terminates 90 days after submitting its final report.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-24
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 382.
action_date: 2022-05-24
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment. With written report No. 117-114.
action_date: 2022-05-24
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment. With written report No. 117-114.
action_date: 2021-08-04
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
HUD Inspection Reform and Capital Improvement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2560
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional elections
Congressional oversight
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Employee performance
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Housing and community development funding
Housing industry and standards
Low- and moderate-income housing
Merit Systems Protection Board
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

HUD Inspection Reform and Capital Improvement Act of 2021

 This bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to remove or reduce the pay of certain HUD employees for misconduct or performance. The bill also requires an entity receiving housing assistance payments for a dwelling unit to ensure that the unit is maintained to safe and sanitary conditions and authorizes HUD to take enforcement actions for failure to meet certain maintenance standards. Additionally, the bill provides for rental adjustments for certain properties receiving project-based rental assistance. Finally, the bill sets forth scoring and inspection frequency guidelines for properties receiving project-based rental assistance.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to provide that a land resource management plan or land use plan approved, amended, or revised under those Acts shall not be considered to be a continuing Federal agency action or constitute a discretionary Federal involvement or control for a distinct Federal purpose, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-2561
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Endangered and threatened species
Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 
This bill prohibits a land and resource management plan for a unit of the National Forest System or a land use plan for public lands from

 
being considered to be a continuing federal agency action, or 
 
constituting a discretionary federal involvement or control for a distinct federal purpose.
 
 
This makes certain consultation requirements related to endangered or threatened species inapplicable to such plans.

action_date: 2022-11-15
text: 
This bill addresses consultation after approval of certain land and resource management plans and land use plans.
 
Specifically, the bill provides that the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management shall not be required to reinitiate consultation under the Endangered Species Act on a completed land resource management plan or a completed land use plan that has no on-the-ground effects when
 
 
 a new species is listed or a new critical habitat is designated under that act, or 
 
new information reveals effects of such plan that may affect a species listed or critical habitat designated under that act in a manner or to an extent not previously considered.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 549.
action_date: 2022-11-15
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 117-198.
action_date: 2022-11-15
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 117-198.
action_date: 2022-07-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2021-10-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Choose Home Care Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2562
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Health care quality
Health technology, devices, supplies
Home and outpatient care
Medicare
Nursing

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Choose Home Care Act of 2021

 
This bill provides for coverage of home-based extended care services under Medicare. 
 
Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of services that are furnished to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes by home health agencies, including nursing care, meals and nutritional support, home medical supplies, nonemergency medical transportation, and care coordination. Coverage includes 30 days of post-hospital care and other periods of extended illness, as determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Home health agencies that provide such services may receive additional payments in accordance with a specified methodology.
 
The CMS may make payments for covered services furnished before 2022 during any period in which there is a public health emergency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Justice Programs through Science Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2563
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Improving Justice Programs through Science Act of 2021

 
This bill reestablishes the Science Advisory Board within the Department of Justice (DOJ). 
 
Specifically, it provides statutory authority for the board. Previously, the board was created in 2010 by DOJ and terminated in 2018.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect Collaboration for Healthier Forests Act

Bill: 117-s-2564
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Congressional oversight
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Insects
Judicial review and appeals
Pest management

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Protect Collaboration for Healthier Forests Act

 
This bill directs the Forest Service to establish an arbitration pilot program as an alternative dispute resolution process in lieu of judicial review for the arbitration of projects in Idaho, Montana, or Wyoming that
 
 
are developed through a collaborative process, are carried out under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, or are identified in a community wildfire protection plan;
 
have as a purpose hazardous fuels reduction or mitigation of insect or disease infestation; and 
 
are located in a wildland-urban interface.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act

Bill: 117-s-2565
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act

 
This bill requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a model that provides community-based palliative care and care coordination for high-risk Medicare beneficiaries and that may replace the Medicare Care Choices Model (currently set to expire on December 31, 2021). 
 
Under the new model, multi-disciplinary teams must provide coordinated, palliative care that is available 24-7 for Medicare beneficiaries with serious illnesses or injuries, such as cancer. The CMMI must evaluate the model by comparing patients participating in the model with those outside of the model in relation to specified metrics, including the election and duration of hospice care.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2566
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a model under which blood transfusions furnished to an individual receiving hospice care are paid separately from the hospice all-inclusive per diem payment under Medicare. The CMMI must evaluate the model by comparing patients participating in the model with those outside of the model in relation to specified metrics, such as hospital utilization and days of hospice care before the end of life.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Navigable Waters Protection Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2567
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Navigable Waters Protection Act of 2021

 
This bill enacts definitions that determine which bodies of water fall under the scope of the Clean Water Act and are thereby under federal jurisdiction. Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for the definitions related to the waters of the United States, commonly known as WOTUS, in regulations when the bill is enacted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Open Access Evapotranspiration Data Act

Bill: 117-s-2568
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Farmland
Government information and archives
Internet, web applications, social media
Land use and conservation
Scientific communication
Spacecraft and satellites
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Open Access Evapotranspiration Data Act

 
This bill directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to establish an Open Access Evapotranspiration (OpenET) Data Program under which the USGS shall provide for delivering satellite-based evapotranspiration data to advance the quantification of evaporation and consumptive water use. The bill defines 
Evapotranspiration
 as the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from soil and other surfaces and transpiration from plants.
 
As part of the program, the USGS shall 
 
 
provide data users with field-scale estimates of evapotranspiration data across large landscapes over certain periods of time, 
 
 enter into cooperative agreements with program partners (e.g., institutions of higher education, states, private sector entities, or nongovernmental organizations) to provide for the efficient and cost-effective administration of the program, and 
 
 provide nonreimbursable matching funding for programmatic and operational activities.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-06-07
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Border Health Security Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2570
Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arizona
Atmospheric science and weather
California
Canada
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intergovernmental relations
International organizations and cooperation
Latin America
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mexico
New Mexico
State and local government operations
Terrorism
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Border Health Security Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies the duties and activities of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission and the Canada-United States Pan-Border Public Health Preparedness Council and makes other changes to address health issues along the U.S. border.
 
Specifically, the commission must cooperate with the council where appropriate, and both the commission and the council must develop strategic plans, work plans, evaluations, and reports concerning their activities.
 
The Department of Health and Human Services must award grants to (1) eligible entities in border areas to address recommendations of the commission and the council to improve the health of border area residents; and (2) trauma centers, public health entities, and state, local, or tribal entities for infectious disease surveillance activities in border areas. In addition, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response may coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security in establishing a system that alerts clinicians and public health officials to emerging health threats in border areas.
 
The Government Accountability Office must evaluate commission and council activities every two years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Flying Tiger Flight 739 Act

Bill: 117-s-2571
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-07-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: 

Flying Tiger Flight 739 Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense to authorize inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in the District of Columbia of the names of the 93 soldiers who died on Flying Tiger Flight 739 when it crashed in the Pacific Ocean en route to Vietnam on March 16, 1962.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Introduced in Senate