hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Medical License Verification Act

Bill: 118-s-2684
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the economic impact and health outcomes associated with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Bill: 118-s-2686
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the economic impact and health outcomes of the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommend ways to improve future responses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting America's Property Rights Act

Bill: 118-s-2687
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Protecting America's Property Rights Act

This bill requires title insurance on conventional mortgages purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Specifically, these mortgages must be secured by real property and the priority of the mortgage lien must be insured by a title insurance company that is licensed and authorized to do business in the appropriate state, territory, or district.

The bill also prohibits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from implementing any new program without the approval of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), in addition to the approval of the Department of the Treasury as under current law. Approval from both is also required for any new activity, product, or type of risk.

FHFA must appear before Congress on a semiannual basis regarding new programs, activities, products, or types of risk. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act

Bill: 118-s-2688
Sponsor: Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act

This bill establishes a grant program to support behavioral health integration for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.

Specifically, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology must award grants to behavioral health care providers, including physicians, psychologists, and social workers, to support integration and coordination of services for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Authorized activities include purchasing or upgrading technology to meet specified federal certification standards for health information technology and to support integrated services with respect to screenings, treatment, and recovery.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the appointment of a Special Envoy for Belarus.

Bill: 118-s-2689
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Equal Employment for All Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2690
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
AI Labeling Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2691
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Portal for Appraisal Licensing Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2692
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Portal for Appraisal Licensing Act of 2023 

 
This bill establishes a central portal for real estate appraisers and real estate appraisal management companies to apply for and to renew certain licenses, certifications, and registrations. The portal must provide connectivity with state agencies and include the ability to pay fees. The Department of Justice must provide access to criminal history information to state officials for required background checks. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2693
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Families

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2694
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: District of Columbia
Federally chartered organizations
Lawyers and legal services

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act

Bill: 118-s-2695
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Employment and training programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Indian social and development programs
Intergovernmental relations
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act

 
This bill treats certain tribal law enforcement officers as federal law enforcement officers under specified circumstances.
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes the law enforcement officers of any Indian tribe that has contracted or compacted any or all federal law enforcement functions through a contract or compact entered into pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to enforce federal law within the tribe's jurisdiction if those officers meet certain qualifications. These qualifications include completing training and passing an adjudicated background investigation.
 
Further, the bill deems a tribal law enforcement officer who is acting under an authorized contract or compact as a federal law enforcement officer for the purposes of certain federal laws, including for injury and death, retirement, and pension benefits.
 
The Department of the Interior must (1) develop procedures for credentialing tribal officers to confirm these officers meet minimum certification standards and training requirements for Indian country peace officers, and (2) issue guidance to implement this bill.
 
 The bill also requires the Department of Justice to coordinate and provide oversight for its functions and programs to ensure a coordinated approach for public safety in Indian communities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-09-18
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2024-05-01
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-406.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
EQIP Water Conservation Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2696
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3763-3764)
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Clean Drinking Water for Rural Communities Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2697
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3764)
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Agricultural Emergency Relief Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2698
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural insurance
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Disaster relief and insurance
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Natural disasters

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Agricultural Emergency Relief Act of 2023

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an Emergency Relief Program to provide payments each crop year to producers that experience a qualified loss as a result of a disaster that occurred during the crop year. (Under current law, USDA provides payments under a temporary Emergency Relief Program for losses that occurred following disasters in 2020, 2021, or 2022.)

The bill defines a qualified loss as a loss incurred by a producer in a crop, trees, bushes, or vines as a consequence of a disaster (i.e., a drought, wildfire, hurricane, flood, derecho, excessive heat, excessive moisture, a winter storm, and a freeze event, including a polar vortex). Further, a qualified loss includes a loss incurred as a result of being prevented from planting a crop due to a disaster and a loss in the quality of a crop, trees, bushes, or vines due to a disaster or smoke exposure from a wildfire.

As a condition of receiving a payment under this program, a producer must purchase (for the next two years) Federal Crop Insurance or, if Federal Crop Insurance is not available, coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

An eligible producer under the program is an individual or entity that is eligible to receive assistance under a Farm Service Agency administered disaster assistance program. The bill specifies that a producer does not include a joint venture or a general partnership.
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3764-3765)
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Opioid RADAR Act

Bill: 118-s-2699
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
INDEX Act

Bill: 118-s-2700
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

INvestor Democracy is EXpected Act or the INDEX Act 

This bill establishes guidelines for passively managed funds (e.g., index funds) that vote shares on behalf of fund investors in proxy shareholder votes. Under the bill, these funds generally must vote shares on a proportional basis according to instructions from fund investors.

The bill establishes an exemption for routine matters and matters requiring approval of a majority of outstanding securities. Additionally, the bill establishes a safe harbor from these requirements for investment advisers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Housing for All Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2701
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Air quality
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child safety and welfare
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Commuting
Congressional oversight
Disability assistance
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Higher education
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Housing discrimination
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing for the elderly and disabled
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Infrastructure development
Interagency Council on Homelessness
Judicial procedure and administration
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Landlord and tenant
Libraries and archives
Low- and moderate-income housing
Mental health
Motor vehicles
Public housing
Racial and ethnic relations
Transportation programs funding
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3765)
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Voice for Farm Workers Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2702
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Voice for Farm Workers Act of 2023

This bill reauthorizes and expands the duties of the Farmworker Coordinator at the Department of Agriculture (USDA). (Part of the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, the coordinator identifies challenges faced by farmworkers and coordinates with USDA programs and other federal agencies to address the community’s needs.)

Specifically, the bill reauthorizes the position of Farmworker Coordinator through FY2029. Under the bill, the coordinator must

assess the effectiveness of USDA farmworker outreach programs,

develop and implement a plan to coordinate USDA farmworker outreach activities and services,

collaborate with USDA's agencies and offices on farmworker-related programmatic and policy decisions,

communicate to employers of farmworkers information about federal programs for employees,

identify research priorities to inform USDA farmworker-related research activities,

measure and analyze the outcomes of USDA farmworker programs and activities, and

recommend new initiatives and programs to USDA. 

Further, the bill expands the coordinator's existing duties to include (1) serving as a liaison to institutions of higher education and local educational agencies, and (2) consulting with community-based nonprofit organizations on areas such as technical skills and job training programs.

The bill also directs the coordinator to hire such staff as necessary to carry out the coordinator's activities. 
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3765)
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Our Farm and Food System Workforce Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2703
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Supporting Our Farm and Food System Workforce Act of 2023

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Office of the Farm and Food System Workforce to improve awareness of and access to USDA programs for farm and food system workers.

USDA must also establish the Farm and Food System Worker Advisory Committee. The advisory committee must include farm and food system workers, civil rights representatives, and representatives from nonprofit organizations, labor unions, and institutions of higher education. 

The bill further requires USDA to establish the Farm and Food System Workforce Interagency Council to facilitate interagency, cabinet-level leadership in planning, policymaking, coordination, and program development for services available to farm and food system workers. 

The advisory committee and interagency council must each submit an annual report to USDA and Congress that is publicly available on USDA's website. The annual reports must include recommendations for legislative or administrative action for the following year.

 
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3765-3766)
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2704
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023

This bill waives the adjusted gross income limitations for payments or benefits under specific Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance programs for a person or legal entity that derives a portion of their income from agriculture. (Currently, a person or entity is not eligible to receive certain benefits during a crop, fiscal, or program year if their average gross income exceeds $900,000.)

Specifically, in the case of an excepted payment or benefit, the adjusted gross income limitation is waived if 75% or more of the average adjusted gross income for the person or entity is derived from farming, ranching, or silviculture activities. These activities include agritourism, direct-to-consumer marketing of agricultural products, and the sale of agricultural equipment owned by such person or entity.

The bill applies to the USDA

Livestock Indemnity Program;

Livestock Forage Disaster Program;

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program;

Tree Assistance Program; and

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3766)
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
SEASONAL Act

Bill: 118-s-2705
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

State Executive Authority for Seasonal Occupations Needing Additional Labor Act or the SEASONAL Act

This bill authorizes additional H-2B (temporary nonagricultural worker) visas to be issued to employers in a state with unmet labor needs. (H-2B visas are subject to an annual numerical cap.) 

Under the bill, a state may request a particular number of H-2B visas if (1) employers have requested visas in excess of the numerical cap for that fiscal year, and (2) a state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has been 3.5% or less (in 9 of the most recent 12 quarters). The state must also certify that (1) there is a persistent, unmet need for labor within the state, an occupational category, or an Economic Development District; and (2) the additional H-2B visas will not displace existing members of the state’s workforce or negatively affect average wages. 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must issue the additional H-2B visas upon receiving a request that complies with this bill's requirements, to the extent that the receiving employers meet all the applicable requirements for such visas.

 Additionally, the bill requires DHS and the Department of Labor to annually report to Congress specified data about the bill's implementation, including the number of additional visas issued to each state. 

The bill sunsets four years after its enactment.
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3766-3767)
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements relating to drought prevention, preparedness, response, and mitigation, and for other purposes.

Bill: 118-s-2706
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into multiyear cooperative agreements with a policy research center to conduct research and education programs that focus on drought prevention, preparedness, response, and mitigation.

An eligible policy research center includes a state agricultural experiment station, college or university, or other public research institution or organization that has a history of providing objective, scientific information to federal agencies and the public to support and enhance efficient, accurate implementation of federal drought preparedness and drought response programs.

A center must also conduct research and education programs that concern the effect of public policies and trade agreements on (1) the farm and agricultural sectors; (2) the environment; (3) rural families, households, and economies; and (4) consumers, food, and nutrition.

In awarding agreements, USDA must give a preference to centers that have information, analysis, and research relating to drought mitigation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2707
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to address the limitations on Reid Vapor Pressure (a measure of gasoline's volatility) that are placed on gasoline during the summer ozone season. Specifically, the bill applies the waiver for Reid Vapor Pressure requirements that are applicable to gasoline blended with 10% ethanol (E10) to gasoline blended with up to 15% ethanol (E15). This change allows gasoline that is blended with 10% to 15% ethanol to be sold year-round.

The bill also modifies the renewable fuel program by directing the Environmental Protection Agency to return compliance credits to small refineries under certain circumstances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
DETOUR Act

Bill: 118-s-2708
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate