hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Medicare and Medicaid Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-842
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Dental care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Medicare and Medicaid Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of
 
2023

 
This bill provides for Medicare coverage of dental, vision, and hearing care. Coverage includes (1) routine dental cleanings and exams, basic and major dental services, emergency dental care, and dentures; (2) routine eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses; and (3) routine hearing exams, hearing aids, and exams for hearing aids. With respect to such care, the bill establishes special payment rules, limitations, and coinsurance requirements. 
 
The bill also increases the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for dental, vision, and hearing services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to authorize the use of funds for certain additional Carey Act projects, and for other purposes.

Bill: 118-s-843
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Dams and canals
Water resources funding
Water storage

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 
This bill expands eligibility for grants for rehabilitation and reconstruction projects for certain dams developed pursuant to the Carey Act provided that projects previously eligible for grants have received the necessary funding.

action_date: 2023-07-19
text: 
This bill expands eligibility for grants for rehabilitation and reconstruction projects for certain dams developed pursuant to the Carey Act provided that projects previously eligible for grants have received the necessary funding.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 142.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 118-68.
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 118-68.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act

Bill: 118-s-844
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act

 
This bill establishes a Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund for state and local emergency response groups.
 
Specifically, upon a declaration by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that a hazardous train event has occurred, the FRA must immediately award at least $250,000 from the emergency fund to one or more eligible groups (e.g., law enforcement agencies and fire departments). Additional amounts may be awarded, but may not exceed $3 million per hazardous train event. The FRA may declare a hazardous train event has occurred following a derailment or crash involving a train carrying hazardous materials, hazardous waste, or other materials that pose a threat to public health, safety, and the environment. 
 
Costs associated with a response to a hazardous train event that are eligible for reimbursement include (1) replacing damaged or contaminated equipment; (2) overtime pay for firefighters, law enforcement officers, or other emergency responders; and (3) retroactively covering these types of incurred costs after the event date.
 
The FRA must also (1) establish annual fees for shippers and carriers of hazardous materials by rail that have total annual collections of at least $10 million, and (2) deposit the fees into the reimbursement fund.
 
Further, the Department of Transportation must issue regulations requiring railroads that transport hazardous materials by train to provide county and local emergency response groups with (1) advanced warning of the train's load and timing, and (2) real-time location information on the train when it enters and exits the community's service area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Short on Competition Act

Bill: 118-s-845
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Short on Competition Act

 
This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide temporary authorization to import certain prescription drugs facing shortages or in a marginally competitive drug market. 
 
 Specifically, the FDA shall authorize importation of an eligible drug that is lifesaving, life-sustaining, or intended to treat or prevent a debilitating condition. To be eligible, a drug must (1) be facing a shortage, (2) require a prescription, (3) have received market authorization in certain foreign countries, and (4) have the same active ingredient as the drug for which there is a shortage in the United States. The drug's manufacturer must also seek FDA approval for the drug as a generic drug.
 
The import authorization shall be for three years or until the shortage no longer applies, whichever occurs first. Importation shall begin within 60 days of the FDA receiving an application that meets all of the applicable requirements. The FDA may deny importation of a drug for reasons related to safety or effectiveness.
 
Drugs in marginally competitive markets must be treated as being in a shortage for the purposes of this bill and for the purposes of expedited inspections and review. A drug is in a marginally competitive market if (1) there are fewer than five holders of approved applications for commercially available brand-name or generic versions of the drug, (2) the drug has been approved for at least 10 years, and (3) the patents on the drug's active ingredients have expired.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-846
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act of

 2023

 
This bill allows meat and poultry products inspected by State Meat and Poultry Inspection programs to be sold in interstate commerce. Under the inspection programs, the Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service allows states that meet certain requirements to inspect meat and poultry. 
 
The state-inspected products are currently limited to intrastate commerce, unless a state opts into a separate Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
International Children with Disabilities Protection Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-847
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Child health
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Disability and health-based discrimination
Family relationships
Family services
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

International Children with Disabilities Protection Act of 2023

 
This bill establishes the International Children with Disabilities Protection Program in the Department of State. 
 
Through the program, the State Department may provide grants to assist organizations of persons with disabilities and family members of children with disabilities in communicating about and advocating for policies that ensure the family inclusion and transition to independent living of children with disabilities.
 
The bill also authorizes the State Department to fund certain nongovernmental organizations to build the capacity to advance policies such as (1) creating rights protection programs for people with disabilities, and (2) promoting the development of advocacy skills and leadership abilities of people with disabilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 149.
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-07-13
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
PROSPECT Act

Bill: 118-s-848
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Adult education and literacy
Child care and development
Congressional oversight
Disability and health-based discrimination
Disability and paralysis
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Employee hiring
Family services
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Higher education
Performance measurement
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
State and local finance
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula
User charges and fees
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers Act or the PROSPECT Act

 
This bill establishes various grant programs to increase the supply of, and access to, high-quality, early-childhood care. Specifically, grants are established for
 
 
 planning and developing expanded access to free infant and toddler child care for student parents attending community college or minority-serving institutions;
 
providing free infant and toddler child care to such student parents, including developing on-campus child care centers that meet specified requirements;
 
training, mentorships, and technical support to community child care agencies and the professional development of licensed and unlicensed child care professionals; and
 
 
increasing the workforce pipeline of high-quality infant and toddler child care providers, particularly in locations with a low supply of affordable care.
 
 
The bill also revises the formula for providing federal matching funds to states providing child care assistance.
 
Further, the bill requires the Department of Education&rsquo;s college cost calculator to include information about the dependent care allowance with respect to the cost of attendance and financial aid.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish higher minimum rates of pay for certain law enforcement employees of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 118-s-849
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 
This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to establish higher minimum rates of pay for Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers under certain circumstances. The bill outlines the circumstances under which Interior may set this special rate of pay, such as a finding by Interior that recruitment or retention efforts are or likely to become significantly handicapped due to the remoteness of the area involved or the undesirability of the working conditions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Quality Defense Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-850
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Providing a Quality Defense Act of 2023 or the Quality Defense Act of 2023

 
This bill establishes grant programs and other resources to support the delivery of public defense services.
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to state and local governments, tribal organizations, public defender's offices, and assigned counsel programs for public defense. In particular, DOJ may award a grant for (1) developing, implementing, and updating a process for collecting certain data regarding public defense attorneys and panel attorneys; or (2) hiring additional public defense attorneys and for other activities (e.g., increasing compensation or establishing a loan assistance program for public defenders).
 
Additionally, DOJ must award grants to eligible entities (e.g., certain tax-exempt organizations and states) to provide a comprehensive educational program to public defenders and panel attorneys that offers ongoing training, support, and programming.
 
The bill directs the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Office for Access to Justice to conduct certain studies related to public defender and panel attorney caseloads and compensation.
 
The bill also authorizes DOJ to provide a state with an increase in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program funds in order to collect and submit certain data related to the legal representation of defendants in criminal cases.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Sentencing Commission Improvements Act

Bill: 118-s-851
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Executive agency funding and structure
Lawyers and legal services
U.S. Sentencing Commission

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Sentencing Commission Improvements Act

 
This bill adds one nonvoting member to the U.S. Sentencing Commission and requires the new member to be a public defender.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S829-831)
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
STOP CCP Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-852
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Sanction Transactions Originating from Pernicious Chinese Companies and Policies Act of 2023 or the STOP CCP Act of 202

3

 
This bill prohibits U.S. persons (generally individuals and entities subject to U.S. jurisdiction) from trading in publicly traded securities with certain ties to China and expands the list of Chinese entities subject to sanctions.
 
The bill prohibits the purchase or sale, or related transaction, of securities issued by any person that operates or has operated in the defense sector or the surveillance technology sector of the economy of China.
 
Further, the Department of the Treasury must expand the Non-Specially Designated Nationals Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control to include any entity that supports the Chinese military-industrial complex. (This list identifies individuals and entities subject to U.S. sanctions.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-853
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Health care quality
Health programs administration and funding
Medical education
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Performance measurement
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program for the purpose of improving safety and suicide care for veterans. The program must be implemented at five VA medical centers, including one that serves veterans in rural and remote areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-12
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-217.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFE Act

Bill: 118-s-854
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Secure America's Financial Exchanges Act or the SAFE Act 

 
This bill requires an issuer of securities, as a condition of listing its securities on a national exchange, to disclose (1) any financial support from China and the terms of any such support, and (2) whether any officer or director holds or previously held a position with the Chinese government or with the Chinese Communist Party.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
TICKER Act

Bill: 118-s-855
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Trading and Investing with Clear Knowledge and Expectations about Risk Act or the TICKER Act 

 
This bill requires the identification of consolidated variable interest entities on securities exchanges. Specifically, the symbol used on the exchange must identify these entities as consolidated variable interest entities. (A consolidated variable interest entity is a business structure where an investor holds a controlling interest in an entity through contractual agreements rather than having a majority of voting rights.) 
 
In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission must require brokers and dealers to warn investors in these entities that those investors may lack legal recourse with respect to these investments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
FAIR Contributions Act

Bill: 118-s-856
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Funding Affordable Internet with Reliable Contributions Act or the FAIR Contributions Act

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to study and report on the feasibility of funding the Universal Service Fund through contributions from edge providers (i.e., providers of online content or services, such as search engines).
 
The fund provides support for broadband and other telecommunications services to high-cost areas, schools and libraries, rural health care facilities, and the Lifeline program (an FCC program that provides a discount on phone and internet services for low-income consumers).
 
The report must consider (1) the type and size of firms and services on which contributions could be assessed, (2) equity issues related to current versus alternative systems for contributing to the fund, (3) the effect of any change to the contribution system on the telecommunications bills of consumers, and (4) the sustainability of the fund and how to ensure that fund disbursements are consistent and predictable over time.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
MONARCH Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-857
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Arizona
California
Government trust funds
Idaho
Insects
Nevada
Oregon
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Utah
Washington State
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Monarch Action, Recovery, and Conservation of Habitat Act of 2023 or the MONARCH Act of 2023

 
This bill provides support for the conservation of western monarch butterflies (the monarch butterfly population that overwinters along the coast of California and breeds across California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah). Specifically, the bill establishes the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund. The Department of the Interior must use amounts in the fund to provide grants for the conservation of such butterflies and other pollinators within the range of western monarch butterflies.
 
In addition, Interior must enter into an agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to facilitate updating and implementing the Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan, which was prepared by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Cameras in the Courtroom Act

Bill: 118-s-858
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Due process and equal protection
Judicial procedure and administration
Supreme Court
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Cameras in the Courtroom Act

 
This bill requires the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court unless it decides by majority vote that allowing such coverage in a particular case would violate the due process rights of any of the parties involved.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S831)
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate