hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Healthy SNAP Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1485
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Food assistance and relief
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Healthy SNAP Act of 2023

This bill amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to redefine the foods eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.

SNAP benefits may not be used for soft drinks, candy, ice cream, or prepared desserts, such as cakes, pies, cookies, or similar products.

Further, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must designate by regulation foods and food products to include in the SNAP definition of the term 
food
. USDA must consider food and products that (1) based on nutrition research, contain nutrients lacking in the diets of people in the United States; and (2) promote the health of the population served by SNAP, based on relevant nutrition science, public health concerns, and cultural eating patterns. USDA must also, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the fat, sugar, and salt content of the food and food products are appropriate. At least every five years, USDA must review and amend the list.

Prepared meals purchased with SNAP benefits must have nutritional values consistent with standards developed by USDA for the list of food and food products. 

A state agency may substitute different foods for food USDA designated under this bill, with USDA approval, so long as the foods are nutritionally equivalent; this is permitted to allow for different cultural eating patterns.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1486
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act of 2023

 
This bill addresses financial conflicts of interest of the President and Vice President and related ethics matters.
 
Specifically, the President and Vice President, not later than 30 days after assuming office, must submit to Congress and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) a disclosure of financial interests. Such disclosure must include the tax returns filed by or on behalf of the President and Vice President for the three most recent taxable years and each taxable year for which an audit is pending on the date the report is filed.
 
The President, the Vice President, the spouse of either, and any minor child of either shall divest of any financial interest posing a potential conflict of interest.
 
The OGE must submit to Congress, the President, and the Vice President an annual report regarding the financial interests of the President, the Vice President, the spouse of either, and any minor child of either.
 
The Department of Justice, the attorney general's office of any state, or any person aggrieved by a violation of divestiture requirements may seek declaratory or injunctive relief if the OGE is unable to issue a report indicating whether the President or Vice President is in substantial compliance or if there is probable cause to believe that either has not complied.
 
The bill sets forth provisions regarding (1) recusal of presidential appointees when the President is a party to a matter, (2) contracts by the President or Vice President, and (3) disclosure of tax returns of Presidents and candidates for President.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Election Administration from Interference Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1487
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Protecting Election Administration from Interference Act of 

2023

 
This bill revises preservation and retention requirements for federal election records. It also revises criminal penalties related to election records and the voting process.
 
Under current law, election officials must, for a period of 22 months from the federal election, retain and preserve all election-related records and papers. This bill extends the requirement to electronic records and electronic equipment.
 
Next, the bill directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to issue minimum standards and best practices for retaining and preserving records (including electronic records), papers, and electronic equipment, including protocols for observing their preservation, security, and transfer by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and a representative of each political party.
 
In addition, the bill revises the federal criminal offense related to election records or papers to include reckless disregard of election record requirements resulting in the theft, destruction, concealment, mutilation, or alteration of a record, paper, or electronic equipment.
 
Further, the bill allows DOJ to demand electronic records and electronic equipment be made available for inspection and generally prohibits DOJ from disclosing this information.
 
The bill allows DOJ and candidates for federal office to bring an action in a district court to compel compliance with election record requirements.
 
Finally, the bill extends criminal penalties related to voting interference to include intimidating, threatening, or coercing (or attempting to do so) an individual for processing or scanning ballots, tabulating, canvassing, or certifying voting results.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
EATS Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1488
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Enhance Access To SNAP Act of 2023 or the EATS Act of 2023

 
This bill expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for certain students.
 
Specifically, the bill removes the restriction on SNAP eligibility for students to allow otherwise eligible students who are attending institutions of higher education (IHEs) at least half time to participate in SNAP. Under current law, students 18-49 years old are restricted, with exceptions, from participating in SNAP. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 temporarily exempted some students from certain SNAP eligibility requirements; these temporary student exemptions are currently scheduled to expire after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023.
 
Further, the bill provides that students enrolled at least half time in a recognized school, training program, or IHE constitute individual 
households
 (not 
residents of
 
institutions
) and may be eligible for SNAP benefits. (Participation in SNAP is limited to households.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
National Task Force on the COVID-19 Pandemic Act

Bill: 118-s-1489
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

National Task Force on the COVID-19 Pandemic Act

 
This bill establishes a legislative task force to investigate the COVID-19 pandemic (including the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China) and make recommendations to improve preparedness for and responses to future public health emergencies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1490
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental technology
Government information and archives
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing industry and standards
Indian social and development programs
Low- and moderate-income housing
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act

Bill: 118-s-1491
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act

 
This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment with respect to certain pharmacist services that (1) are furnished by a pharmacist in a health-professional shortage area, and (2) would otherwise be covered under Medicare if furnished by a physician. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Shab-eh-nay Band Reservation Settlement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1492
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Shab-eh-nay Band Reservation Settlement Act of 

2023

 
This bill provides for the settlement of claims by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation relating to the Shab-eh-nay Band Reservation in northern Illinois. The reservation consists of 1,280 acres and, due to a sale in 1849, is currently occupied by the tribe and nontribe entities, including the State of Illinois, the Dekalb County government, and corporate entities.
 
In particular, the bill recognizes the tribe's ownership of 129 acres of land within the reservation. Further, the bill extinguishes the tribe's title to the remainder of the reservation.
 
Subject to appropriations, the bill requires the Department of the Interior to pay the tribe a specified amount as settlement of the tribe's claims for the tribe to promote economic development and land acquisition.
 
The tribe may use these settlement funds to acquire up to 1,151 acres of land within or near the reservation.
 
 The bill authorizes the tribe to enter into agreements with the State of Illinois and local governments. It requires land that is located within the boundaries of the reservation and owned by state and local governments to be managed to protect any human or cultural remains.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
9–8–8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act

Bill: 118-s-1493
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [I-AZ]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Emergency communications systems
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act

 
This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to undertake efforts to protect the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline from cybersecurity threats. (The lifeline is a three-digit number that connects callers in suicidal crisis or mental health distress to a national network of crisis centers.)
 
The bill also expands related reporting requirements. Specifically, the network administrator for the lifeline must report identified cybersecurity incidents and vulnerabilities to SAMHSA, and local and regional crisis centers that participate in the lifeline must report identified cybersecurity incidents and vulnerabilities to the administrator.
 
Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must conduct a study that evaluates cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities associated with the lifeline and report the findings to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
BUILD IT Act

Bill: 118-s-1494
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Arizona
Border security and unlawful immigration
California
Latin America
Materials
Mexico
New Mexico
Public contracts and procurement
Texas
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Border's Unused Idle and Lying Dormant Inventory Transfer Act or the BUILD IT Act

 
This bill requires the federal government to transfer, upon request, materials associated with the construction of a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border to the governments of the states along that border (i.e., Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas). The transferred materials must be used to construct, repair, or reinforce a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border.
 
The federal government must cancel any existing contracts relating to the maintenance and security of the materials if the cancellation is necessary to transfer the materials.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
HEAT Act

Bill: 118-s-1495
Sponsor: Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Heat pump Energy Assistance and Training Act or the HEAT Act

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an industrial heat pump program. Among other things, the program must provide technical support to farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses on (1) the use of industrial heat pumps, and (2) the availability of federal programs to assist in the adoption to using industrial heat pumps. An industrial heat pump is a vapor compression device that transforms low grade production waste heat by increasing the temperature of air or process fluid, such as water, to meet the heating needs of agricultural, industrial, or commercial processes.

The bill also amends USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to specifically include the purchase and installation of industrial heat pumps. Under REAP, USDA provides (1) loan guarantees and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements, and (2) loan guarantees to agricultural producers to purchase and install energy efficient equipment and systems for agricultural production and processing.

USDA must submit an annual report to Congress describing progress made in building awareness, creating materials, and providing support for farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses under the bill. 
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Service Reform Act

Bill: 118-s-1496
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Emergency Access to Insulin Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1497
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Business ethics
Business records
Competition and antitrust
Congressional oversight
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Indian social and development programs
Inflation and prices
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Manufacturing
Minority health
Performance measurement
Prescription drugs
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Retail and wholesale trades
Sales and excise taxes
State and local finance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Emergency Access to Insulin Act of 2023

 
This bill reduces the marketing exclusivity period for biological drug products from 12 to 7 years and establishes policies and programs designed to increase access to prescription insulin.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to states to create insulin card programs, which provide uninsured or underinsured individuals with insulin at no cost for specified time periods. Payments for insulin prescriptions made through the program must count toward an underinsured individual&rsquo;s health plan deductible or other out-of-pocket expenses required under the plan. Further, HHS must collect annual fees from insulin manufacturers, based on each manufacturer&rsquo;s market share, equal to the total estimated expenditures under the insulin grants program.
 
Subject to certain exceptions, the bill also establishes an excise tax on insulin manufacturers when the price of an insulin product spikes. The tax amount is a specified percentage of the revenue a manufacturer received as a result of the price spike. The tax amount increases in tiers based on the percentage of the price spike for that product.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Finish It Act

Bill: 118-s-1498
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Finish It Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit a plan (within 15 days after the bill is enacted) to utilize, transfer, or donate to states all existing excess border wall construction materials to construct a permanent physical barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border. If DOD delays in submitting or executing the plan, the travel budget of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy must be decreased by 1% for every two days of delay.
 
DOD must work with the Defense Logistics Agency to execute the plan until DOD is no longer incurring any costs to maintain, store, or protect the excess materials.
 
Any state requesting border wall construction materials must certify, in writing, that the materials will be used exclusively for the construction of a permanent physical barrier to stop illicit human and vehicle trafficking along the border. If a state does not use all such materials for the specified purpose within two years of receiving the materials, the state must pay the federal government an amount equal to the original purchase price of the materials.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
HALT Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1499
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Hastening Arms Limitations Talks Act of 2023 or the HALT Act of 2023

This bill prohibits making preparations for an explosive nuclear weapons test unless (1) the President details any change to the condition of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile from the previous year, and (2) Congress enacts a joint resolution approving the test.

Further, the bill declares it to be U.S. policy that the United States should lead international negotiations on specific arms-reduction measures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
SECURE IT Act

Bill: 118-s-1500
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Strengthening Election Cybersecurity to Uphold Respect for Elections through Independent Testing Act or the SECURE IT Act

 
This bill requires certain actions to strengthen the security of U.S. voting systems.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to conduct penetration testing (an evaluation method that enables researchers to search for vulnerabilities in a system) as part of the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of voting system hardware and software by accredited laboratories. 
 
Further, the National Institute of Standards and Technology must recommend entities to the EAC to carry out this penetration testing and the EAC must vote on the accreditation of any recommended entity.
 
The bill also directs the EAC to create a five-year pilot program for participating cybersecurity researchers to test for and disclose cybersecurity vulnerabilities in election systems.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Bank Service Company Examination Coordination Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1501
Sponsor: Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Bank Service Company Examination Coordination Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the coordination of state banking agencies with federal banking agencies in regulating and examining the activities of bank service companies. It also allows for the sharing of information related to examinations and regulations between federal and state agencies. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Teachers LEAD Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1502
Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 

Teachers Leading, Educating, Advancing, and Designing Act of 2023 or the Teachers LEAD Act of 

2023

 
This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to (1) award competitive grants to eligible entities (e.g., local educational agencies) to carry out teacher leadership programs, and (2) coordinate with the Department of the Interior to develop and implement a teacher leadership program plan for and award grants to Bureau of Indian Education schools. Further, ED may award planning grants to eligible entities to develop program proposals.
 
The Institute of Education Sciences must conduct an independent evaluation of grant activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the use of Department of Defense funds for adult cabaret performances.

Bill: 118-s-1503
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2023-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: 
This bill prohibits the use of Department of Defense funds or facilities for hosting, advertising, or otherwise supporting an adult cabaret performance (i.e., a performance that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, or male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to prurient interest).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2023-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate