hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-545
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2023

 
This bill expands protections for airline passengers with disabilities and requires air carriers to meet certain minimum accessibility standards. 
 
The Department of Transportation (DOT) must prescribe regulations setting minimum accessibility standards for new and existing aircraft, airport facilities, websites, and kiosks. The accessibility standards must address topics including
 
 
 boarding and deplaning equipment, including ensuring individuals can board and deplane an aircraft from their personal assistive devices (e.g., wheelchairs);
 
seating accommodations;
 
lavatories;
 
visually accessible announcements; and 
 
proper stowage of assistive devices in the cargo hold to prevent damage.
 
 
Existing aircraft have five years from the effective date of the regulations to comply with the standards. DOT must assess civil penalties against an air carrier for violations of these provisions and refer patterns of discrimination to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
 
DOT must also ensure that passengers with disabilities may (1) file a complaint with the agency in response to disability-related discrimination, and (2) receive assistance through a toll-free hotline or other electronic method.
 
Further, the bill authorizes DOJ and aggrieved passengers to bring civil actions for discrimination against an air carrier.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 118-s-547
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Libraries and archives
Military history
Racial and ethnic relations
Rhode Island
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-548
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act of 2023 

 
This bill establishes requirements related to U.S. international energy strategy.
 
Applications to export natural gas to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, Japan, and certain other countries must be granted on an expedited basis without modification or delay. 
 
The President must impose sanctions on a person (individual or entity) that provides certain equipment, investment, or services to the Russian government or related entities for constructing or servicing Russian energy export pipelines. 
 
The Department of State must report to Congress on a strategy to enhance the energy security of NATO member countries and increase U.S. energy exports to such countries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
DAIRY PRIDE Act

Bill: 118-s-549
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese To Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act or the DAIRY PRIDE Act

 
This bill prohibits the sale of any food that uses the market name of a dairy product (such as 
milk
, 
yogurt
, or 
cream cheese
) unless the food (1) is the milk of a hooved animal, (2) is derived from such milk, or (3) contains such milk as a primary ingredient.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Prioritizing Evidence for Workforce Development Act

Bill: 118-s-550
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Economic development
Economic performance and conditions
Employment and training programs
Labor market
Performance measurement
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Prioritizing Evidence for Workforce Development Act

 
This bill requires state workforce development plans to describe how the state will prioritize funding evidence-based programs that demonstrate positive outcomes for their target populations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Home Advantage for American Families Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-551
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Foreign property
Government information and archives
Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax credits
Low- and moderate-income housing
Real estate business
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Home Advantage for American Families Act
 
of 2023

 
This bill requires any foreign person involved in a transaction related to the sale of residential property located in any of the 15 largest metropolitan statistical areas by population to report to the Department of the Treasury information for identifying the person purchasing the property, the amount and source of the funds received by the seller, the date and nature of the transaction, and other information deemed necessary.
 
The bill also increases (1) from 15% to 30% the rate of withholding on sales proceeds of certain residential real property, and (2) the low-income housing tax credit state ceiling.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-552
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Caribbean area
Free trade and trade barriers
Haiti
Normal trade relations, most-favored-nation treatment
Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act of 2023

 
This bill extends through FY2035 the special duty-free rules for Haiti. It also extends through FY2035 the duty-free treatment provided for certain apparel products assembled in and imported from Haiti.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
HUD Health and Safety Accountability Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-553
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Housing industry and standards
Landlord and tenant
Lease and rental services
Public housing
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

HUD Health and Safety Accountability Act
 
of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make changes to policies and procedures applicable to HUD multifamily housing programs, including Section 8 project-based rental assistance (PBRA). 
 
 The bill requires management and occupancy reviews conducted by the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs to include specified graded factors, including (1) responsiveness to local code violations; and (2) remediation of health, sanitation, and structural integrity issues. 
 
Additionally, the bill establishes or changes requirements regarding 
 
 
local code enforcement response, 
 
HUD oversight of individual units that receive PBRA assistance,
 
 tenant surveys issued by performance-based contract administrators, and
 
the disclosure of program contact information to tenants. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
HUD Inspection Reform and Capital Improvement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-554
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional elections
Congressional oversight
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Employee performance
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Housing and community development funding
Housing industry and standards
Low- and moderate-income housing
Merit Systems Protection Board
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

HUD Inspection Reform and Capital Improvement Act of 2023

 
This bill establishes authorities and requirements for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding employee misconduct and performance, maintenance standards for properties, property inspections, and rent adjustments. 
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes HUD to remove or reduce the pay of certain HUD employees for misconduct or performance. 
 
The bill also requires an entity receiving housing assistance payments for a dwelling unit to ensure that the unit is maintained to safe and sanitary conditions. HUD is required to take enforcement actions for failure to meet certain maintenance standards. If the entity fails to fully correct all deficiencies, HUD may impose various penalties, including financial penalties, requiring the immediate replacement of the project management, the reduction of housing assistance payments, or the transfer of housing assistance payment contracts. 
 
Additionally, the bill provides for rent adjustments for certain properties receiving Section 8 project-based rental assistance, including certain properties that underwent a mortgage restructuring and were transferred to a different owner for failing to meet physical condition standards. 
 
The bill also sets forth scoring and inspection frequency guidelines for properties receiving project-based rental assistance.
 
Finally, HUD must publish an annual report on Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) inspections of properties assisted or insured under a HUD program, and the Government Accountability Office must publish recommended reforms and improvements to REAC inspections.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-555
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2023

 
This bill modifies access to Department of Agriculture disaster assistance programs and requires increased interagency cooperation in drought-related activities.
 
The bill specifies that state and federal grazing permit holders are eligible for the Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program. Further, emergency measures eligible for payments include new permanent measures, such as permanent water wells and pipelines. The bill also waives the 30-day comment period required for applications under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for emergency measures carried out during a drought emergency.
 
Modifications to the Livestock Forage Disaster Program allow for one monthly payment when a county has four consecutive weeks of a D2 rating (severe drought) and two payments for eight consecutive weeks of D2. Currently, one payment is available for eight consecutive weeks of D2.
 
 The bill expands coverage for honey bee producers under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) for losses caused by adverse weather or drought, such as transportation costs and reduced honey crops. Further, the bill requires the ELAP payment rate for honey bee producers to incorporate additional factors, such as per-hive and per-colony rates of loss.
 
The USDA must establish an interagency working group to improve the consistency and accuracy of U.S. Drought Monitor data. 
 
 Finally, the Farm Service Agency and the Forest Service must enter into a memorandum of understanding to better align their drought response activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S533-535)
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Combating Racist Training in the Military Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-556
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Constitution and constitutional amendments
Higher education
Military education and training
Military personnel and dependents
Racial and ethnic relations
Teaching, teachers, curricula
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Combating Racist Training in the Military Act of 2023

 
This bill prohibits the Armed Forces and academic institutions of the Department of Defense from promoting specified anti-American and racist theories (e.g., that any race is inherently superior or inferior to any other race). 
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits
 
 
 including anti-American and racist theories or materials in curricula, reading lists, seminars, workshops, trainings, or other educational or professional settings in a manner that could appear as sponsorship, approval, or endorsement;
 
contracting with, hiring, or otherwise engaging speakers, consultants, diversity trainers, and other persons for the purpose of advocating anti-American and racist theories;
 
compelling members of the Armed Forces to affirm or profess belief in anti-American and racist theories; and
 
segregating members of the Armed Forces by race in any setting, including educational and training sessions.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-557
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 202

3

 
This bill establishes restrictions and requirements for checkoff programs, which are programs overseen by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote and provide research and information for a particular agricultural commodity without reference to specific producers or brands. 
 
The bill prohibits boards established to carry out a checkoff program or a USDA order issued under a checkoff program from entering into a contract or agreement to carry out program activities with a party that engages in activities to influence any government policy or action that relates to agriculture.
 
 A board or its employees or agents acting in their official capacity may not engage in any
 
 
 act that may involve a conflict of interest; 
 
anticompetitive activity;
 
unfair or deceptive act or practice; or
 
act that may be disparaging to, or in any way negatively portray, another agricultural commodity or product. 
 
 
Upon approval of USDA, a board may enter directly into contracts and agreements to carry out generic promotion, research, or other activities authorized by law if the agreement or contract requires records accounting for the funds received to be submitted to the board. 
 
The board must meet specified requirements regarding the publication of budgets and disbursements of funds. 
 
The USDA Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office must conduct specified audits regarding checkoff programs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop CRT Act

Bill: 118-s-558
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Stop CRT Act

 
This bill grants Executive Order 13950 the force and effect of law, except with respect to elementary schools, secondary schools, or institutions of higher education. That order prohibits federal agencies and contractors from advancing specified policies or training related to race or sex.
 
The bill further prohibits the allocation of federal funds to an elementary school, secondary school, or institution of higher education that compels teachers or students to affirm certain race-based theories.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Fire Grants and Safety Act

Bill: 118-s-559
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Forests, forestry, trees
Temporary and part-time employment

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Fire Grants and Safety Act

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the U.S. Fire Administration, the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-12-09
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 669.
action_date: 2024-12-09
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment. With written report No. 118-266.
action_date: 2024-12-09
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with an amendment. With written report No. 118-266.
action_date: 2023-03-15
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFE TECH Act

Bill: 118-s-560
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Safeguarding Against Fraud, Exploitation, Threats, Extremism, and Consumer Harms Act or the SAFE TECH Act

 
This bill limits federal liability protection that applies to a user or provider of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company) for claims related to content provided by third parties.
 
Specifically, the bill applies the liability protection to claims arising from third-party speech rather than third-party information. Additionally, the liability protection shall not apply if a user or provider (1) accepts payment to make the speech available, or (2) creates or funds (in whole or in part) the speech. 
 
The bill changes legal procedures concerning the liability protection by (1) requiring a defendant in a lawsuit to raise the liability protection as an affirmative defense, and (2) placing the burden of proving that the defense applies on the defendant.
 
Some courts have held that the current liability protection bars claims for civil penalties and injunctive relief. The bill expressly excludes from the liability protection requests for injunctive relief arising from a provider's failure to remove, restrict access to, or prevent dissemination of material likely to cause irreparable harm. However, the bill protects a provider from liability for actions taken to comply with such injunctions.
 
Under current law, the liability protection does not apply to federal criminal law, intellectual property law, and other designated areas of law. The bill further specifies that the liability protection shall not apply to civil rights law; antitrust law; stalking, harassment, or intimidation laws; international human rights law; and civil actions for wrongful death.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-561
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2023-02-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Consumer affairs
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: 

Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act of 2023

 
This bill requires air carriers and ticket agents to offer full cash refunds for airline tickets if (1) an air carrier cancels or significantly delays a flight, or (2) a passenger cancels their ticket for a flight at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure time.
 
The bill permits air carriers and tickets agents to offer alternative forms of compensation, including credit or vouchers, provided that such offer is valid indefinitely, and the offer includes a clear and conspicuous notice of the passenger's right to a cash refund.
 
Additionally, the bill requires air carriers and ticket agents to disclose to passengers, prior to the sale of airline tickets, that they can cancel their tickets and receive a full refund.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-02-28
text: Introduced in Senate