hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
WILD Act

Bill: 118-s-2395
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2023-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Africa
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Asia
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Mammals
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Reptiles
Smuggling and trafficking
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: 

Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act or the WILD Act

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and revises several conservation programs for wildlife species and their habitats, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program as well as programs that provide financial assistance for African elephants, Asian elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great apes, and marine turtles.

action_date: 2023-07-26
text: 

Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act or the WILD Act

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and revises several conservation programs for wildlife species and their habitats, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program as well as programs that provide financial assistance for African elephants, Asian elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great apes, and marine turtles.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-12-11
text: By Senator Carper from Committee on Environment and Public Works filed written report. Report No. 118-128.
action_date: 2023-12-11
text: By Senator Carper from Committee on Environment and Public Works filed written report. Report No. 118-128.
action_date: 2023-07-26
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 179.
action_date: 2023-07-26
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Carper without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-07-26
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Carper without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-07-26
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act

Bill: 118-s-2396
Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Introduced: 2023-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: 

Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act

 
This bill prohibits a debt collector from threatening a service member with a reduction of rank, revocation of their security clearance, or military prosecution in the course of collecting a debt. The Government Accountability Office must report on the impact of this prohibition on the timely delivery of information to service members, military readiness, and national security. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
WATCH Act

Bill: 118-s-2397
Sponsor: Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
Introduced: 2023-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: 

Worldwide Animal Testing Compliance and Harmonization Act of 2023 or the WATCH Act

This bill subjects foreign laboratories that receive federal funds and that conduct animal research to U.S. animal welfare regulations.

The National Institutes of Health must establish a process to inspect these laboratories on a quarterly basis to ensure compliance with U.S. animal welfare regulations, such as the use of animal care committees and evaluations of animal care and treatment. Laboratories that are found to be noncompliant, and that do not take appropriate corrective action, are subject to funding revocation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Impacts of Nuclear War Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2398
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2023-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: 

Health Impacts of Nuclear War Act of 2023

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to evaluate the consequences of the environmental impacts of nuclear war on human health and the ability of the United States to address these consequences.

Specifically, HHS must conduct a five-year research and preparedness program that addresses the environmental effects of explosions of nuclear weapons (e.g., vast quantities of soot) and the resulting impact on human health (e.g., increased cancer rates). HHS may implement the program directly, as well as through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements with nonprofits, nonprofit research institutions, or institutions of higher education.

Additionally, HHS must, in coordination with other specified agencies and stakeholders, assess the ability of U.S. health systems to respond to these health consequences and identify any critical gaps or uncertainties.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Artificial Intelligence and Biosecurity Risk Assessment Act

Bill: 118-s-2399
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2023-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Chemical and biological weapons
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: 

Artificial Intelligence and Biosecurity Risk Assessment Act

This bill requires the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response to assess the risks posed by artificial intelligence in developing novel pathogens, viruses, bioweapons, or chemical weapons and to address these risks through related initiatives and activities, such as by including the risk assessment in the National Health Security Strategy (a coordinated strategy among federal, state, and local entities to address public health emergencies).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Securing Gene Synthesis Act

Bill: 118-s-2400
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2023-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Genetics
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medical research
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: 

Securing Gene Synthesis Act

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue regulations to prevent the misuse of de novo gene synthesis products (i.e., manufactured gene products), including screening protocols for providers of these products. Federal agencies and entities that receive federal funds may only purchase such products from providers that comply with the screening protocols.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Enlist Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2401
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2023-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: 

Enlist Act of 2023

 
This bill authorizes certain non-U.S. nationals (
aliens
 under federal law) to enlist in the Armed Forces, including individuals who are beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. (DACA provides eligible individuals, generally individuals who unlawfully entered the United States as a child, with protection from deportation.)
 
Under this bill, a non-U.S. national may be eligible to enlist in the Armed Forces if the individual (1) is a beneficiary of DACA or a successor policy, even if a court terminates such a policy; (2) has temporary protected status; or (3) has an approved immigrant visa application but has been unable to adjust to lawful permanent resident status because a visa is not available (or the individual turned 21 years old before a visa became available). Furthermore, to be eligible to enlist under this bill, the individual must also (1) meet the security and suitability requirements related to enlistment; and (2) have been continuously physically present in the United States for five years, with certain exceptions.
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must stay removal proceedings against an individual who has enlisted under this bill if the individual (1) has served honorably in the Armed Forces, or (2) is a veteran and was not separated from service except under honorable conditions. 
 
If an individual has enlisted under this bill, DHS must consider the individual's honorable service in the Armed Forces when determining, for immigration purposes, whether the individual has good moral character. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Gateway to Careers Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2402
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2023-07-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: 

Gateway to Careers Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Labor to establish a career pathway partnership grant program to award grants to state workforce agencies to support partnerships between educational institutions and workforce development entities. The partnerships must use the subgrants to (1) carry out activities that support the development and implementation of career pathway programs, and (2) provide support services to students engaged in career pathway programs.
 
Labor must ensure an equitable geographic distribution of such grants, including to rural areas and other regions that have traditionally been underserved by regional economic development and industry or sector partnership activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Payroll Account Guarantee Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2403
Sponsor: Sen. Vance, J. D. [R-OH]
Introduced: 2023-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: 

Payroll Account Guarantee Act of 2023

This bill increases the amount of deposit insurance available to noninterest-bearing transaction accounts through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Under current law, deposits are generally insured up to $250,000.

Specifically, noninterest-bearing transaction accounts at smaller FDIC-insured depository institutions (i.e., those with less than $225 billion in assets) and at all NCUA-insured credit unions must be fully insured against losses. In addition, no fees may be levied against an institution or credit union for insurance under this bill. 
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
LOST Organs Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2404
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2023-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: 

Lost Opportunities to Supply Transplantable Organs Act of 2023 or the LOST Organs Act of 

2023

 
This bill requires the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to take specified actions related to the transportation of organs, including tracking and publicly reporting the status of organs in the transplant supply chain. (The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network is a public-private partnership that links the professionals involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening Pharmacy Access for Seniors Act

Bill: 118-s-2405
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2023-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: 

Strengthening Pharmacy Access for Seniors Act

This bill prohibits prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsors and pharmacy benefit managers from restricting access to any covered drug under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to a subset of their network pharmacies except for limited access drugs. 
Limited access drugs
 are those for which the Food and Drug Administration has restricted distribution to certain facilities or physicians or for which dispensing requires extraordinary special handling, coordination, or education that a network pharmacy cannot meet. 

PDP sponsors must annually report to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (1) a list of drugs that the PDP sponsor designated as limited access drugs, (2) the reasons for the designations, (3) information about relevant requirements for pharmacies with respect to these drugs, and (4) the types of pharmacies dispensing these drugs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S3461-3462)
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
PBM Oversight Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2406
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2023-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: 

PBM Oversight Act of 2023

This bill requires prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsors under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to report certain information about the involvement of affiliated committees in decisions about formularies.

Specifically, PDP sponsors that use formularies must report to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services the names and descriptions of committees that are affiliated with the PDP sponsor, or a contracted pharmacy benefit manager, that are authorized to change initial recommendations of the pharmacy and therapeutic committee about formularies. PDP sponsors must also report any formulary changes that were made by an affiliated committee and provide justifications for these decisions.

The Government Accountability Office must report on the use of these types of committees with respect to formularies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, including decision-making trends.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2407
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2023-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical research
Medicare
Mental health
Nutrition and diet
Physical fitness and lifestyle
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: 

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 

2023

 
This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. 
 
The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
IMPROVE Part D Regulations Act

Bill: 118-s-2408
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2023-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: 

Initiating Meaningful Patient Review Of Various Existing Part D Regulations Act or the IMPROVE Part D Regulations Act

This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct patient-focused listening sessions on how to improve the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Specifically, the CMS must conduct at least one listening session with beneficiaries, health care providers, and other stakeholders about ways to improve the Medicare prescription drug benefit, including with respect to the information, tools, and mechanisms available to beneficiaries for navigating coverage options and requirements. The CMS must consider potential regulatory changes in light of these sessions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
ROI of the Federal Reserve Act

Bill: 118-s-2409
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: 

Regular Order for Investments of the Federal Reserve Act or the ROI of the Federal Reserve Act

This bill establishes requirements for Federal Reserve System investments, accounting standards, and reports.

Under the bill, Federal Reserve banks are prohibited from purchasing Treasury bills with a term of maturity of more than three years and mortgage-backed securities. Federal Reserve banks are also prohibited from holding shares of common stock that are acquired on or after the date of enactment of this bill.

The Federal Reserve Board, Federal Reserve banks, and the Federal Open Market Committee must use generally accepted accounting principles and specified valuation methods in certain filings, reports, and audits.

Finally, the board and Federal Reserve banks must annually report to Congress on (1) the status of the middle class and the impact their policies and programs have had on the middle class, and (2) the impact their actions have had on small business lending and lines of credit since 2000.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Right-size the Federal Reserve Act

Bill: 118-s-2410
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: 

Right-size the Federal Reserve Act

This bill places restrictions on the Federal Reserve System, including by placing a cap on specified assets, eliminating a Federal Reserve Board facility, and setting forth conditions on bank reserve requirements.

The bill places a cap on the total aggregate assets of all Federal Reserve banks. Specifically, these assets must not amount to more than 10% of the U.S. gross domestic product. This cap takes effect 10 years after the bill’s enactment.

The bill also eliminates the Overnight Reverse Repurchase Facility, a board facility that conducts monetary policy through security repurchase agreements.

The board’s depository institution reserves requirements must not be lower than the reserve requirements as of March 25, 2020. The board and each Federal Reserve bank must annually report on certain interest payments to foreign-owned banks and financial institutions. 
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Rein in the Federal Reserve Act

Bill: 118-s-2411
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: 

Rein in the Federal Reserve Act

This bill requires regular reports from the Federal Reserve Board upon the initiation of a quantitative easing or tightening program or an emergency lending program. Further, without congressional authorization, the board must end the operation of any such program after a year. Congress is also authorized to disapprove of any such program. 
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
CRP Flexibility Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2412
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2023-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: 

Conservation Reserve Program Flexibility Act of 2023 or CRP Flexibility Act of 2023

This bill modifies the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to permit emergency haying during the primary nesting season to respond to drought or other emergencies. (Under current law, emergency haying is only permitted outside of the primary nesting season.)

Under CRP, the Department of Agriculture provides annual payments to agricultural producers to take highly erodible and environmentally sensitive land out of production and install resource-conserving practices. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S3462)
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
RINA

Bill: 118-s-2413
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: 

Regional Integration and Normalization Act of 2023 or RINA

 
This bill requires and authorizes actions to support the Abraham Accords and the Negev Forum. (The Abraham Accords are agreements to normalize or improve relations between Israel and four members of the Arab League: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. The Negev Forum is a framework for cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa involving several countries including Israel, Egypt, Morocco, and the United States.)
 
The bill establishes within the Department of State the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords, Negev Forum, and Related Integration and Normalization Fora and Agreements. The office's responsibilities include (1) leading diplomatic efforts to strengthen and expand the Negev Forum and the Abraham Accords, and (2) implementing U.S. policy to expand normalization within the Middle East and North Africa. 
 
The bill also authorizes activities related to the Abraham Accords and the Negev Forum, such as (1) expanding the participation of Negev Forum countries in the Middle East Desalination Research Center; (2) supporting interfaith dialogue between Abraham Accords countries, Negev Forum countries, and other relevant actors; (3) expanding educational and cultural exchange programs; and (4) authorizing grants for initiatives to facilitate scientific and industrial research cooperation between the relevant countries.
 
Furthermore, the bill establishes within the State Department the Young Middle East Leaders Initiative to build the capacity of young leaders in Negev Forum countries to address issues such as energy diversification, education and coexistence, and regional security. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate