hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Resource Management PFAS Liability Protection Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1429
Sponsor: Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2023-05-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: 

Resource Management PFAS Liability Protection Act of 2023

 
This bill exempts the owner or operator of a solid waste management facility or a facility that processes compost for sale or distribution to the public from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) for releases of certain perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. 
 
Specifically, such exemption only applies if the release of a PFAS resulted from (1) the disposal or management of any residuals or byproduct of municipal solid waste in accordance with a permit, (2) the disposal or management of biosolids consistent with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, or (3) the application or processing of compost in accordance with state law.
 
Liability for damages or costs associated with the release of certain PFAS must not be precluded if an entity acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act

Bill: 118-s-1430
Sponsor: Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2023-05-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: 

Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act

 
This bill exempts specified water management entities from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) for releases of certain perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. Specifically, the entities covered under the bill are public water systems, publicly or privately owned or operated treatment works, municipalities with a stormwater discharge permit, political subdivisions or special districts of a state that act as a wholesale water agency, and contractors performing the management or disposal activities for such entities.
 
Under the bill, the exemption only applies if a specified entity transports, treats, disposes of, or arranges for the transport, treatment or disposal of PFAS consistent with applicable laws and during and following the conveyance or treatment of water under federal or state law, such as through the management or disposal of biosolids consistent with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
 
Liability for damages or costs associated with the release of certain PFAS must not be precluded if an entity acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Agency Accountability Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1431
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2023-05-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Fire Suppression PFAS Liability Protection Act

Bill: 118-s-1432
Sponsor: Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2023-05-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: 

Fire Suppression PFAS Liability Protection Act

 
This bill exempts entities from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) for certain releases of certain perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. Specifically, the bill applies to entities with a fire suppression system installed (or otherwise in use) in accordance with applicable fire codes that uses an aqueous film forming foam that contains PFAS.
 
Under the bill, the exemption only applies if the release of PFAS resulted from the lawful discharge of an aqueous film forming foam in connection with a fire suppression system that conforms to applicable fire codes and is compliant with the most recently approved engineering standards at the time of discharge.
 
Liability for damages or costs associated with the release of certain PFAS must not be precluded if an entity (1) acts with gross negligence or willful misconduct, or (2) continues to use an aqueous film forming foam agent in its fire suppression system five years after the date on which approved engineering standards were updated to no longer require the use of such foam.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Airports PFAS Liability Protection Act

Bill: 118-s-1433
Sponsor: Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2023-05-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: 

Airports PFAS Liability Protection Act

 
This bill exempts airport sponsors from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) for releases of certain perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. A sponsor is (1) a public agency that submits an application for financial assistance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) related to airport development and improvement, and (2) a private owner of a public-use airport that submits an application for financial assistance to DOT for the airport. Under the bill, a sponsor also includes a sponsor of the civilian portion of a joint-use airport or shared-use airport (i.e., airports owned by the government or military).
 
Under the bill, the exemption only applies if the release of PFAS resulted from the use of an aqueous film forming foam and the use was (1) required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and (2) carried out in accordance with applicable FAA standards and guidance
 
Liability for damages or costs associated with the release of certain PFAS must not be precluded if an entity acts with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the use of an aqueous film forming foam.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Corporate Responsibility for Child Labor Elimination Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1434
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced: 2023-05-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to conservation and landscape health.

Bill: 118-s-1435
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2023-05-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Department of the Interior
Environmental regulatory procedures
Land use and conservation
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: 
This bill requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to withdraw a proposed rule relating to conservation and landscape health and prohibits the BLM from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the proposed rule or any substantially similar rule.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Introduced in Senate
CHARGE Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1436
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2023-05-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health technology, devices, supplies
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: 

Critical Health Access Resource and Grant Extensions Act of 2023 or the CHARGE Act of 2023

This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits for homeless veterans, the VA's caregiver programs, and the administration of state homes.

The bill prohibits the VA from providing grants or per diem payments to entities (i.e., grant recipients or authorized entities that provide certain services to homeless veterans) for more than 12,000 transitional housing beds furnished by such entities on average each year.

For a three-year period, the bill increases the maximum rate of per diem payments provided by the VA to entities that furnish services and transitional housing to homeless veterans.

The bill also authorizes the VA, for a period of three additional years, to provide assistance to homeless veterans and veterans participating in the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. Additionally, the VA may collaborate with one or more organizations to manage the use of VA land for homeless veterans for living and sleeping.

The bill extends the waiver for occupancy rate requirements through FY2024 for state homes for purposes of receiving per diem payments from the VA.

The bill authorizes the VA to continue to provide to state homes medicines, personal protective equipment, medical supplies, and any other equipment, supplies, and assistance available to the VA.
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-12
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-217.
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Energy Security for Overseas Troops Act

Bill: 118-s-1437
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2023-05-03 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: 

Energy Security for Overseas Troops Act

This bill requires the Department of Defense to establish a program to assist partner country military forces in developing and maintaining military-wide transformational strategies for operational energy.

The purpose of this program is to promote the readiness of U.S. and partner country military forces for missions in a contested logistics environment by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and employing more diverse and renewable operational energy sources. (A contested logistics environment is one where U.S. or partner country military forces engage in conflict with an adversary that presents challenges in all domains and directly targets logistics operations, facilities, and activities.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Community Air Service Enhancement Act

Bill: 118-s-1438
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2023-05-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: 

Small Community Air Service Enhancement Act

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and revises the Small Community Air Service Development Program, a Department of Transportation (DOT) grant program designed to help small communities address air service and airfare issues.
 
The bill requires DOT to prioritize grants to communities that meet certain requirements, including where the assistance will be used to help restore scheduled passenger air service that has been terminated or significantly reduced. Under the current program, the air service must have been terminated. 
 
Further, DOT must solicit grant applications during a fiscal year when DOT has in excess of $5 million available to provide grants in that fiscal year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-05-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1439
Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2023-05-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: 

Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce, in coordination with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to establish a public-private partnership to accelerate the deployment of quantum applications and algorithms with near-term use cases by supporting demonstration and testing.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Transit to Trails Act

Bill: 118-s-1440
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-05-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: 

Transit to Trails Act 

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish the Transit to Trails Grant Program to award grants to certain entities (e.g., states, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations) for projects that increase transportation access and mobility to public lands, waters, parkland, monuments, or recreational opportunities for critically underserved communities.
 
A 
critically underserved community
 is (1) a community that can demonstrate it has inadequate, insufficient, or no park space or recreation facilities; (2) a community in which at least 50% of the population is not located within 1/2 mile of park space; or (3) an environmental justice community (i.e., a community with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or at-risk tribal and Indigenous communities that experiences, or is at risk of experiencing, a disproportionate burden of adverse human health or environmental effects).
 
Among other things, DOT must (1) prioritize the approval of certain projects, such as projects that use low-or no-emission vehicles and those that provide free or discounted rates for low-income riders; (2) develop transportation planning procedures for projects conducted under the program that are consistent with metropolitan and statewide planning processes; and (3) ensure that all new transportation connectors and routes developed under the program are accessible to people with disabilities.
 
The bill requires grant awards to be at least $25,000 and not more than $500,000.
 
Further, the bill requires publication of all schedules and routes for transportation systems that are developed with funds from a grant under the program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Accelerating Biomedical Innovation Act

Bill: 118-s-1441
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2023-05-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: 

Accelerating Biomedical Innovation Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish, through a consortium of institutions of higher education, a center to accelerate the development of advanced medical countermeasures. (These are certain medical products that may be used to diagnose, prevent, or treat conditions associated with chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats or emerging infectious diseases during public health emergencies.)
 
The center must work on drugs or devices that are selected by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency (BARDA). A drug or device is eligible for selection if it incorporates a novel technology (or uses an existing technology in a novel way) in a manner that substantially (1) furthers the development of a drug or device of interest, (2) fulfills an unmet need, or (3) develops the manufacturing process for a drug or device.
 
The bill also requires BARDA to coordinate with international partners to encourage global efforts to advance medical countermeasures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Scaling Community Lenders Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1442
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2023-05-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Community Development Financial Institutions Fund
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: 

Scaling Community Lenders Act of 2023 

 
This bill allows the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund to provide funds for guarantees, loan loss reserves, or other forms of credit to promote liquidity for Community Development Financial Institutions. The bill also removes matching requirements, establishes eligibility requirements and projects prioritization, and increases the cap on the allowed assistance available to an organization. 
 
The bill also allows the Emergency Capital Investment Fund to provide assistance for these purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-03-12
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting the Border from Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act

Bill: 118-s-1443
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2023-05-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
First Amendment rights

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: 

Protecting the Border from Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of State, the Department of Energy, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of Defense to develop a strategy for a unified posture on counter-unmanned aircraft systems capabilities and protections at certain facilities at or near a U.S. international border (generally, facilities or assets considered high-risk or a potential target and that are related to certain DHS or DOJ missions). 

action_date: 2023-10-03
text: 

Protecting the Border from Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of State, the Department of Energy, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of Defense to develop a strategy for a unified posture on counter-unmanned aircraft systems capabilities and protections at certain facilities at or near a U.S. international border (generally, facilities or assets considered high-risk or a potential target and that are related to certain DHS or DOJ missions). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-10-03
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 219.
action_date: 2023-10-03
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters without amendment. With written report No. 118-103.
action_date: 2023-10-03
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters without amendment. With written report No. 118-103.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Border Patrol Enhancement Act

Bill: 118-s-1444
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2023-05-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: 

Border Patrol Enhancement Act

 
This bill addresses various issues related to U.S. Border Patrol staffing. 
 
The bill establishes for the U.S. Border Patrol an authorized personnel level of 20,500 agents, which may be adjusted by the Department of Homeland Security using a validated personnel requirements determination model required by this bill. Specifically, the U.S. Border Patrol must complete a personnel requirements determination model and contract with a research entity to analyze the validity of the model.
 
The bill also provides for higher minimum pay rates for agents.
 
Furthermore, the U.S. Border Patrol must require agents, employees, and certain contract employees to participate in continuing education on various topics, including (1) the nonlethal use of force policies and de-escalation strategies; (2) identifying and responding to vulnerable populations, such as children and victims of human trafficking; and (3) relevant cultural, societal, racial, and religious training. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-12-09
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 670.
action_date: 2024-12-09
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 118-267.
action_date: 2024-12-09
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 118-267.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Stand Your Ground Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1445
Sponsor: Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK]
Introduced: 2023-05-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: 

Stand Your Ground Act of 2023

 
This bill establishes affirmative defenses for individuals who use (or threaten or attempt to use) force in the commission of certain federal criminal violations.
 
First, an individual is justified in using (or threatening or attempting to use) non-deadly force if the individual reasonably believes it is necessary to defend against an imminent use of unlawful force. An individual who is at risk of becoming a victim of a forcible felony does not have a duty to retreat before using force to act in self-defense.
 
Second, an individual is justified in using (or threatening or attempting to use) deadly force if the individual reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony. An individual who is at risk of becoming a victim of a forcible felony does not have a duty to retreat before using force to act in self-defense and may use any means necessary to defend himself or herself so long as the individual is not engaged in a criminal activity and is in a place where he or she has a right to be.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-05-04
text: Introduced in Senate