hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Helping Heroes Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-622
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Helping Heroes Act of 2023

 
This bill implements programs and procedures related to the provision of support services for veterans and their families.
 
First, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must place at least one Family Coordinator at each of its medical centers and ensure adequate staffing and resources at each such medical center so the coordinators are able to carry out their duties. Family Coordinators must, among other duties, assess the needs of the families of veterans using evidence-based strategies and refer veterans to support resources.
 
The VA must also establish the Family Support Program to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive services to veterans who have a service-connected disability rated at 70% or more and eligible children (i.e., individuals who are under 18 years of age and are wards, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, or siblings of the eligible veteran). 
 
Next, the VA must conduct an outreach program to ensure eligible veterans who enrolled in the VA health care system, employees of the VA, and other entities are informed of the Family Support Program and the availability of Family Coordinators.
 
The VA must include information regarding supportive services available in the transition assistance curriculum for members of the Armed Forces who are being separated from active duty (and their families).
 
Finally, the VA must conduct an annual survey of disabled veterans and their families to identify and better understand the needs of such persons.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to exclude certain payments to aged, blind, or disabled Alaska Natives or descendants of Alaska Natives from being used to determine eligibility for certain programs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 118-s-623
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Disability assistance
Food assistance and relief
Indian claims
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 
This bill excludes certain settlement trust payments to an Alaska Native or descendant of an Alaska Native who is aged, blind, or disabled for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility for need-based federal programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). 

action_date: 2023-07-11
text: 
This bill excludes certain settlement trust payments to an Alaska Native or descendant of an Alaska Native who is aged, blind, or disabled for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility for need-based federal programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-12-20
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2024-12-20
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2024-12-20
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2024-12-19
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7218; text: CR S7218)
action_date: 2024-12-19
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2023-07-11
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 128.
action_date: 2023-07-11
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 118-56.
action_date: 2023-07-11
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 118-56.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act

Bill: 118-s-624
Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Congressional oversight
Family planning and birth control
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act

 
This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from awarding family planning grants to entities that perform abortions or provide funding to other entities that perform abortions. To receive a grant, an entity must certify it will refrain from those activities during the grant period.
 
The bill provides exceptions for abortions (1) in cases of rape or incest; or (2) when the life of the woman is in danger due to a physical disorder, injury, or illness. It also exempts hospitals unless they provide funds to non-hospital entities that provide abortions.
 
HHS must report annually on this prohibition.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-625
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2023

 
This bill modifies provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to whistleblower protections. Specifically, the bill
 
 
revises the standard for review of whistleblower awards in the Tax Court to require a
 de novo
 review standard (currently, the standard is abuse of discretion); 
 
exempts whistleblower awards from reductions due to budget sequestration; 
 
allows whistleblowers anonymity in proceedings before the Tax Court;
 
modifies the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) whistleblower report to require inclusion of a list and description of the top 10 tax avoidance schemes disclosed by whistleblowers;
 
requires the IRS to pay interest on whistleblower awards if not paid within one year of receipt of proceeds collected from whistleblower disclosures; and 
 
allows payment of the attorney fees of whistleblowers regardless of whether the whistleblower award was paid through the mandatory or the discretionary whistleblower award program.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer’s Act

Bill: 118-s-626
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Adult day care
Drug therapy
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health promotion and preventive care
Home and outpatient care
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare
Mental health
Minority health
Neurological disorders

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer's Act

 
This bill allows the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a Dementia Care Management Model that provides comprehensive care to Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
 
Under the model, participating health care providers receive payment under Medicare for comprehensive care management services that are provided to individuals with diagnosed dementia, excluding Medicare Advantage enrollees, hospice care recipients, and nursing home residents. Required services include medication management, care coordination, and health, financial, and environmental monitoring, as well as trainings and other support services for unpaid caregivers. Providers must furnish services through interdisciplinary teams and must ensure access to a team member or primary care provider 24-7. The CMMI must set payments and determine quality measures for the model in accordance with specified requirements. 
 
The bill also allows the CMMI to design a similar model under Medicaid.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Cancel the Coin Act

Bill: 118-s-627
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Cancel the Coin Act

 
This bill prohibits the Department of the Treasury from minting or issuing any coin, including platinum bullion coins and proof platinum coins, having a nominal or face value exceeding $200. In addition, Treasury is prohibited from depositing, and the Federal Reserve is prohibited from accepting, any platinum bullion coins or proof platinum coins to be applied to the Treasury's account.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Primary Care Enhancement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-628
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax deductions
Inflation and prices
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Primary Care Enhancement Act of 2023

 
This bill allows a medical expense tax deduction for direct primary care service arrangements and provides that participation in such arrangements does not disqualify patients from making tax deductible contributions to health savings accounts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
UNITED Act

Bill: 118-s-629
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Congressional-executive branch relations
Europe
Free trade and trade barriers
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations
United Kingdom

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Undertaking Negotiations on Investment and Trade for Economic Dynamism Act or the UNITED Act

 
This bill grants certain authorities to the President for entering into a comprehensive trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom (UK).
 
Specifically, the bill directs the President to seek to initiate negotiations with the UK regarding tariff and nontariff barriers affecting any industry, product, or service sector.
 
The bill authorizes the President to enter into a comprehensive trade agreement with the UK, with such authority expiring on March 1, 2025. Further, the President may proclaim a modification or continuance of any existing duty or continuance of existing excise or duty-free treatment to carry out an agreement, with certain limitations.
 
The bill also requires the President to consult with and notify Congress regarding the intention of the President to enter into an agreement or make a proclamation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Sustaining Our Democracy Act

Bill: 118-s-630
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Intergovernmental relations
State and local government operations
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Sustaining Our Democracy Act

 
This bill establishes and provides funds through FY2033 for the State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund for purposes of promoting election activities.
 
Specifically, the bill establishes the Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program, through which the Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation (also established by this bill) shall make allocations to states for carrying out democracy promotion activities. These activities include improving the administration of federal elections, recruiting and training nonpartisan election officials and poll workers, and increasing voting access.
 
The bill requires each state, in order to receive allocated funds, to (1) submit a plan for approval that describes how the state will distribute resources and carry out democracy promotion activities, and (2) establish uniform and nondiscriminatory state-based administrative complaint procedures.
 
 The bill prohibits states from using funds for certain activities, including any activity that diminishes the ability of any eligible voter to participate in the electoral process.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
UPHOLD Privacy Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-631
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Upholding Protections for Health and Online Location Data Privacy Act of 2023 or the UPHOLD Privacy Act of 2023

 
This bill restricts the collection, retention, use, and disclosure of personal health data by certain commercial entities (as well as individuals, nonprofits, and common carriers). The bill does not apply to health providers, insurance plans, or related business associates that are subject to the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
 
Specifically, commercial entities may not collect, retain, use, or disclose personal health data except (1) with the express written consent of the individual to whom such information relates, or (2) as is strictly necessary to provide a requested product or service. Such entities must (1) provide a reasonable means for individuals to access and delete their health data, and (2) maintain and publish a privacy policy disclosing their practices for handling personal health data.
 
Additionally, the bill prohibits commercial entities from using personal health data for commercial advertising.
 
The bill also prohibits the sale of location data to or by data brokers, including data volunteered by an individual, data derived from a medical center, data from a wearable fitness tracker, and data from web browsing history.
 
The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and by private civil actions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
ATF Transparency Act

Bill: 118-s-632
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Criminal justice information and records
Firearms and explosives
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

ATF Transparency Act

 
This bill modifies procedural requirements related to the transfer or making of firearms that are subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act (e.g., machine guns, short-barreled shotguns, and silencers).
 
The bill permits the transfer of a firearm if 90 days have elapsed since the application to transfer the firearm was filed, and the application has not been denied. Additionally, the bill establishes an administrative relief process with respect to an application to transfer that is denied. 
 
The bill permits the making of a firearm if 90 days have elapsed since the application to make the firearm was filed, and the application has not been denied.
 
Finally, the bill requires reports on firearms-related background check inquiries that remain unresolved after 90 days and the percentage of firearms-related background check inquiries related to the transfer of a firearm that were administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Everett Alvarez, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-633
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Everett Alvarez, Jr., Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023

 
This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr. in recognition of his service to the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S637-638)
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Crucial Communism Teaching Act

Bill: 118-s-634
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Civics education
Elementary and secondary education
Political movements and philosophies
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Crucial Communism Teaching Act

 
This bill directs the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to develop a civic education curriculum and oral history resources for high school students to promote understanding of certain political ideologies (e.g., communism and totalitarianism) that conflict with principles of U.S. democracy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-635
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Civil actions and liability
Health care quality
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act of 2023

 
This bill makes a medical practitioner who performs a gender-transition procedure on an individual who is less than 18 years of age liable for any physical, psychological, emotional, or physiological harms from the procedure for 30 years after the individual turns 18.
 
Additionally, if a state requires medical practitioners to perform gender-transition procedures, that state shall be ineligible for federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services.
 
Gender-transition procedures generally include certain surgeries or hormone therapies that change the body of an individual to correspond to a sex that is discordant with the individual's biological sex. They exclude, however, interventions to treat (1) individuals who either have ambiguous external biological sex characteristics or lack a normal sex chromosome structure, sex steroid hormone production, or sex steroid hormone action; (2) infections, injuries, diseases, or disorders caused by a gender-transition procedure; or (3) a physical disorder, injury, or illness that places an individual in imminent danger of death or impairment of a major bodily function.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act

Bill: 118-s-636
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Colorado
Congressional oversight
Dams and canals
Forests, forestry, trees
Government information and archives
Hunting and fishing
Indian lands and resources rights
Lakes and rivers
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Livestock
Motor vehicles
Outdoor recreation
Roads and highways
Water storage
Water use and supply
Watersheds
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act

 
This bill establishes the Dolores River National Conservation Area and the Dolores River Special Management Area in Colorado. 
 
A management plan must be developed for each area. The bill allows for the continued use of the areas by members of Indian tribes for traditional ceremonies and as a source of traditional plants and other materials.
 
The Department of the Interior shall establish the Dolores River National Conservation Area Advisory Council. 
 
Interior must manage the areas identified as Ponderosa Gorge in a manner that maintains its wilderness character, including certain restrictions on (1) road construction; (2) the use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, or mechanical transport; and (3) projects undertaken for the purpose of harvesting commercial timber.
 
The bill releases segments of the Dolores River inside the areas from further study for potential addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-05-22
text: Star Print ordered on the measure.
action_date: 2024-05-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 392.
action_date: 2024-05-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with amendments. With written report No. 118-176.
action_date: 2024-05-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with amendments. With written report No. 118-176.
action_date: 2023-12-14
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2023-07-12
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 118-285.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Child Labor Prevention Act

Bill: 118-s-637
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2023-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Labor standards
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: 

Child Labor Prevention Act

 
This bill extends the prohibitions against child labor to independent contractors and increases the penalties for violations of such laws.
 
Specifically, the bill expands the definition of an
 employer
 under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to include any person engaging an individual for the performance of work (including an independent contractor). The bill also expands the definition of 
work
 to include the performance of services for remuneration.
 
Further, the bill replaces the current maximum civil penalty of $11,000 for a violation of the child labor laws with a minimum civil penalty of $5,000 and a maximum of $132,270 (or, in the case of a violation that causes death or serious injury, $25,000 and $601,150, respectively). The civil penalties must be increased annually to match any percent increase in the Consumer Price Index.
 
Repeat or willful offenders may be fined not more than $50,000 and imprisoned for not more than 1 year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate