hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2658
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act of 

2023

 
This bill prohibits courts from awarding damages to plaintiffs in civil actions using a calculation for projected future earning potential that takes into account a plaintiff's race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation.
 
The bill requires the Department of Labor to develop guidance for economists to develop future earnings tables that do not rely on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation. Additionally, Labor and the Department of Justice must develop guidance for states on how to calculate future earnings in state tort proceedings in a manner that is free of such biases. 
 
The Judicial Conference of the United States must report on damages awarded under federal law for personal injury, employment discrimination, tort damages, and cases involving protected classes of individuals sharing a common characteristic or identity who are legally protected against discrimination. The Administrative Office of the United States Courts must submit recommendations to ensure that future earnings calculations that take into account age and disability do not conflict with federal equal protection laws.
 
The bill requires the Federal Judicial Center to train federal judges on how to implement this bill.


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
Farmers’ Market and Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2659
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Farmers' Market and Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2023

This bill provides for increased support for farmers' markets.

This bill reauthorizes, and extends funding for, the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program through FY2028.The bill also (1) expands eligibility for the program by increasing the income limit, (2) increases the minimum individual benefit, and (3) removes the maximum individual benefit limit.

The bill extends the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program through FY2028 and increases the minimum and maximum individual benefits under the program.

Further, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must make loans, loan guarantees, and grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the construction of new farmers' markets or the improvement or rehabilitation of existing farmers' markets. The bill provides funding for these loans, loan guarantees, and grants through FY2029, with certain cost-sharing requirements.

Additionally, USDA must establish a pilot grant program to allow food banks to voluntarily contract with local farmers to grow produce for food bank programs as a way to promote local procurement of produce. The bill provides funding for the pilot program through FY2025.
 

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
Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act

Bill: 118-s-2660
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act

This bill establishes programs within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to restore and protect the Connecticut River Watershed located in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Specifically, the bill directs the FWS to establish a nonregulatory Connecticut River Watershed Partnership program to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration and protection activities within the watershed. It also directs the FWS to establish a grant program for restoration and protection activities in the watershed. States, tribal governments, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education may apply for the grants.
 

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
Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2661
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 2023

 
This bill establishes budget points of order in the House of Representatives and the Senate against considering provisions in appropriations legislation that contain changes in mandatory programs (CHIMPs) that would cause the amount available for obligation during the fiscal year from the Crime Victims Fund to be less than the annual average for the three previous fiscal years. 
 
A CHIMP is a provision that (1) would have been estimated as affecting direct spending or receipts if the provision were included in legislation other than an appropriations bill; and (2) results in a net decrease in budget authority in the current year or the budget year, but does not result in a net decrease in outlays over the period of the total of the current year, the budget year, and all fiscal years covered under the most recently adopted budget resolution.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Timber Innovation for Building Rural Communities Act

Bill: 118-s-2662
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Building construction
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Employment and training programs
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Forests, forestry, trees
Higher education
Manufacturing
Performance measurement
Product development and innovation
Public-private cooperation
Rural conditions and development
Vocational and technical education

Summary:

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
CONNECT Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2663
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:

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
Strengthening Taxpayer Recoveries Act

Bill: 118-s-2664
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
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 Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2665
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide its firefighters with medical testing and related services to detect, document, and prevent certain cancers. DOD firefighters may opt out of such testing or services.
 
DOD must document certain information related to the offered testing and services, but must ensure personally identifiable information is removed prior to analyzing the information. 
 
DOD may share data with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to increase the knowledge and understanding of cancer occurrences among firefighters.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
EPCS 2.0 Act

Bill: 118-s-2666
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
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
Sustainable Farms, Fibers, and Forests Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2667
Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Sustainable Farms, Fibers, and Forests Act of 2023

This bill includes support for sustainable fibers and agroforestry in the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP). This Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) program supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises, and value-added agricultural products.

Specifically, the bill includes sustainable fibers in the definition of 
food,
 allowing producers of sustainable fibers to access LAMP food and food system programs. Under the bill, 
sustainable fibers 
are fibers produced by farming operations that use sustainable cropping or grazing systems, including textile products from plant-based fibers, animal-based fibers and products, and natural dye products.

Further, the AMS grant selection process for regional food partnerships must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, diversity among the types of agricultural products, including sustainable fibers.

In addition, LAMP grants may be used for agroforestry, including demonstration infrastructure for farmer or landowner learning.
 

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
Fair Credit for Farmers Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2668
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Agricultural insurance
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Debt collection
Department of Agriculture
Rural conditions and development

Summary:

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
Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2669
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business records
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Consumer affairs
Currency
Digital media
Foreign and international banking
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2023

This bill applies existing anti-money laundering requirements to digital assets providers and facilitators. Specifically, the bill makes digital assets providers and facilitators 
financial institutions
 under the Bank Secrecy Act. Under the act, financial institutions must keep records, file disclosures, and report suspicious activity to federal regulators to aid in detecting money laundering and terrorist financing activities.

The bill also directs specified federal financial regulators to establish rules regarding digital assets. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) must require U.S. persons to report cryptocurrency transactions through foreign accounts of over $10,000. FinCEN must also require digital asset kiosk owners and administrators to submit and update every 90 days the physical addresses of the kiosks.

The Department of the Treasury must establish regulations to mitigate risks for financial institutions handling, using, or transacting business with (1) digital asset mixers, privacy coins, and other anonymity-enhancing technologies; and (2) digital assets that have been anonymized by these technologies.

Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission must establish risk examination and review processes for their respective anti-money laundering programs. 
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-02-01
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2024-01-11
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2023-10-26
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
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
Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act

Bill: 118-s-2670
Sponsor: Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
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.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
DRIVE Act

Bill: 118-s-2671
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-wheelers Act or the DRIVE Act

 
This bill prohibits the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from issuing any rule or regulation to require vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds and are operating in interstate commerce to be equipped with a speed limiting device set to a maximum speed. The FMCSA issued an advance notice of supplemental proposed rulemaking on this subject on May 4, 2022.


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
Improving Development and Distribution of Diagnostic Tests Act

Bill: 118-s-2672
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Improving Development and Distribution of Diagnostic Tests Act

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a strategic framework for making diagnostic tests available in the event of chemical, biological, or other threats, including public health emergencies involving infectious diseases.


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
Responding to the Energy Security Crisis in Ukraine and Europe (RESCUE) Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2673
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
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
CDFI Fund Transparency Act

Bill: 118-s-2674
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

CDFI Fund Transparency Act 

 
This bill requires annual congressional testimony from the Department of the Treasury regarding the operations of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. 


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
Backcountry Aviation Protection Act

Bill: 118-s-2675
Sponsor: Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Backcountry Aviation Protection Act

This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to revise regulations to allow a properly qualified pilot operating an aircraft to conduct a go-around, an inspection pass, a practice approach, or a qualified instrument approach without regard to minimum safe altitude standards. Under current regulations, a person may not operate an aircraft below certain minimum safe altitudes except when necessary for takeoff or landing. The regulation does not include exceptions for situations such as a go-around (i.e., an aborted landing) or a practice approach.

Beginning one year after the bill's enactment, if the FAA has not published final regulations as required by the bill, the FAA may not take an enforcement action against a person related to a go-around, inspection pass, or practice approach.

Under the bill, the FAA has the burden of proof with respect to enforcement actions to prove each element of the offense and the inapplicability of each exception to the offense.
 

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
Safe at Home Act

Bill: 118-s-2676
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Law

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
Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2677
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
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 Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Outbound Investment Transparency Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2678
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Outbound Investment Transparency Act of 2023

This bill requires U.S. persons to notify the Department of the Treasury when making investments in or engaging in other economic activity associated with North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran. This requirement applies to U.S. persons in certain sectors, including advanced semiconductors and microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and satellite-based communications. Covered activities that trigger the notification requirement include investing in an entity, establishing a venture or subsidiary, or acquiring certain positions in an entity in these countries.

U.S. persons must notify Treasury 14 days before engaging in a covered activity. However, if the covered activity is a secured transaction, notification must be provided not later than 14 days after the transaction. 

Specific information or documentary material provided to Treasury is not subject to public disclosure, with certain exceptions.

Treasury must at least annually report to Congress a summary of the notifications received under this bill.

The Department of State must engage with allied countries to coordinate protocols, procedures, and information sharing regarding these investments. The Department of Justice has the authority to enforce this bill. 
 

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
LEAD Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2679
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Transitioning Servicemember Food Security Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2680
Sponsor: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Safer Supervision Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-2681
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

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
Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act

Bill: 118-s-2682
Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act

This bill expands eligibility and flexibility under the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) of the Farm Service Agency (FSA). (TAP provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines damaged by natural disasters.)

The bill expands eligibility to include growers who produce biennial crops. The current program is limited to producers of annual crops. 

The bill also expands eligibility to include growers who experience tree mortality that exceeds normal mortality. Currently, mortality must exceed 15%.

Further, the bill exempts growers who derive at least 75% of their average adjusted gross income from farming, ranching, or silviculture activities from a limit on adjusted gross income. (Under current law, the limit prohibits a grower with an average adjusted gross income that exceeds $900,000 from being eligible for TAP.)

A grower may carry out any replacement and rehabilitation activities within 12 months of approval of the application for assistance or at such time as is necessary to ensure tree survival. Further, a grower may replant using an alternative (1) variety, (2) stand density, and (3) location than was used prior to the loss. 

Finally, the FSA must approve or deny an application (and notify the applicant) within 120 days of receiving the application. 
 

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
AMERICAN DRUGS Act

Bill: 118-s-2683
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-07-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: 

Accelerating Movement of Essential Rx Items to Create Access to National Drug Resources for US Government Services Act or the AMERICAN DRUGS Act

This bill generally limits coverage of generic drugs under federal health care programs to those that are manufactured domestically.

Specifically, the bill prohibits coverage of generic drugs that are manufactured in foreign countries under Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), TRICARE, and benefits provided by the Veterans' Administration. Coverage is permitted for foreign-made generic drugs if there are fewer than two other generic versions that are manufactured domestically or if the generic versions that are manufactured domestically are in shortage or soon to be discontinued. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must notify appropriate agencies about brand-name drugs that have at least two generic versions that are manufactured domestically and those that do not. 

The bill also allows the FDA to expedite the development and review of applications for generic versions of brand-name drugs that do not have at least two generic versions that are manufactured domestically.


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