hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Do No Harm Act

Bill: 118-s-1206
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Disability and health-based discrimination
Employee leave
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Health care coverage and access
Judicial procedure and administration
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Women's rights
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

Do No Harm Act

This bill prohibits the application of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) to specified federal laws or the implementation of such laws. Currently, RFRA prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest when using the least restrictive means.

Under the bill, RFRA is inapplicable to laws or the implementation of laws that

protect against discrimination or require the promotion of equal opportunity (e.g., the Civil Rights Act of 1964);

require employers to provide wages, other compensation, or benefits, including leave;

protect collective activity in the workplace;

protect against child labor, abuse, or exploitation; or

provide for access to, information about, referrals for, provision of, or coverage for any health care item or service.

The bill prevents RFRA from being used to deny (1) goods or services the government has agreed to provide to a beneficiary of or participant in a program or activity funded by a government contract, grant, agreement, or other award; or (2) a person's full and equal enjoyment of a government-provided good, service, benefit, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation.

In order for a person to assert a RFRA claim or defense in a judicial proceeding, the government must be a party to the proceeding. 
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1208
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2023 

 
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish standards for facilities holding non-U.S. nationals (
aliens
 under federal law) in its custody, phases out using non-DHS facilities for such purposes, and addresses related issues.
 
The standards must comply with the American Bar Association's Civil Immigration Detention Standards. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) must conduct periodic unannounced inspections of each facility and take various actions against noncompliant facilities, including imposing fines, cancelling contracts, and closing facilities. 
 
DHS must report to Congress any death of an individual in its custody within 24 hours and conduct an investigation within 30 days that identifies policy changes that could reduce the likelihood of such a death.
 
DHS may not contract with third parties to operate detention facilities or alternatives to detention programs and must terminate existing contracts within three years of the bill's enactment.
 
The bill establishes that OIG facility inspection reports and contracts for an outside entity to operate a detention facility are records available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. 
 
DHS must maintain certain information relating to immigration-related detention, including the detained individual's location and whether the individual was separated from family.
 
The bill provides for various requirements and procedures related to immigration-related detention, including (1) prohibiting DHS from detaining children, (2) imposing a presumption that a detained individual should be released, and (3) establishing that individuals in custody shall be subject to the least restrictive conditions. The bill also abolishes mandatory detention for asylum seekers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Tax Refund Protection Act

Bill: 118-s-1209
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 
 
Tax Refund Protection Act 

 
This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to certify or decertify (for incompetence or willful misrepresentation) the practice of tax return preparers and impose fees on such preparers. It also authorizes Treasury to require tax return preparers to provide disclosures to person receiving tax return preparation services and regarding refund anticipation payment arrangements. 
 
Treasury may impose a penalty on tax return preparers who fail to make required disclosures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
NBACC Authorization Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1210
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Chemical and biological weapons
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Department of Homeland Security
Emergency planning and evacuation
Executive agency funding and structure
First responders and emergency personnel
Homeland security
Internet, web applications, social media
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology assessment
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center Authorization Act of 2023 or the NBACC Authorization Act of 2023

 
This bill provides statutory authority for the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) in the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate.
 
The directorate must conduct a mission needs assessment of the NBACC.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1211
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2023

This bill credits certain individuals who provide at least 80 hours of care per month to dependent relatives without monetary compensation with up to five years of deemed wages (determined by a specified formula) for purposes of determining their Social Security benefit amounts. However, if an individual is otherwise entitled to a larger benefit amount, this provision shall not apply.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1212
Sponsor: Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Law

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2023

 
This bill allows a notary public commissioned under state law to remotely notarize electronic records and perform notarizations for remotely located individuals. The bill provides technical requirements for the notarizations, including the creation and retention of video and audio recordings and the use of communication technologies (i.e., video chat). 
 
Additionally, the bill requires U.S. courts and states to recognize notarizations&#8212;including remote notarizations of electronic records and notarizations of remotely-located individuals&#8212;that occur in or affect interstate commerce and are performed by a notary public commissioned under the laws of other states. 
 
The bill also allows a notary public to remotely notarize electronic records involving an individual located outside of the United States, subject to certain requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Training America’s Workforce Act

Bill: 118-s-1213
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

Training America's Workforce Act

This bill requires the Department of Labor to establish a process to recognize private sector or public sector entities as standards recognition entities to identify and perform oversight of industry-recognized apprenticeship programs for purposes of the National Apprenticeship Act.
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1271-1272)
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
RARE Act

Bill: 118-s-1214
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug therapy
Licensing and registrations
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

Retaining Access and Restoring Exclusivity Act or the RARE Act

 
This bill specifies that the seven-year market exclusivity period for drugs for rare diseases or conditions (i.e., orphan drug exclusivity period) prohibits the approval of the same drug for the same approved use or indication with respect to the disease or condition.
 
Current law grants a seven-year period of market exclusivity for an approved orphan drug, during which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may not approve an application from another manufacturer for the same drug for the same disease or condition. The FDA's regulations provide that this exclusivity is specific to the same approved use or indication of the drug, rather than all uses or indications, for the disease or condition. However, in 
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Becerra, 
a court held that exclusivity did extend to all uses or indications for the disease or condition.
 
The bill provides statutory authority for the FDA's regulations. 

action_date: 2023-06-22
text: 

Retaining Access and Restoring Exclusivity Act or the RARE Act

 
This bill specifies that the seven-year market exclusivity period for drugs for rare diseases or conditions (i.e., orphan drug exclusivity period) prohibits the approval of the same drug for the same approved use or indication with respect to the disease or condition.
 
Current law grants a seven-year period of market exclusivity for an approved orphan drug, during which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may not approve an application from another manufacturer for the same drug for the same disease or condition. The FDA's regulations provide that this exclusivity is specific to the same approved use or indication of the drug, rather than all uses or indications, for the disease or condition. However, in 
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Becerra, 
a court held that exclusivity did extend to all uses or indications for the disease or condition.
 
The bill provides statutory authority for the FDA's regulations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-06-22
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 109.
action_date: 2023-06-22
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Sanders without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-06-22
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Sanders without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-05-11
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
POWER Our Reservoirs Act

Bill: 118-s-1215
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Congressional oversight
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Public-private cooperation
Technology assessment
Water quality
Water storage

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

Protect Our Waters and Expand Renewables on Our Reservoirs Act or the POWER Our Reservoirs Act

 
This bill creates a framework for the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to pilot the use of floating solar panels at Reclamation and USACE project sites. Before launching the pilot programs, Reclamation and the USACE must separately analyze and report on expected costs, benefits, technical requirements, and overall feasibility.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 118-287.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1216
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Agricultural practices and innovations
Building construction
Congressional oversight
Education of the disadvantaged
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Forests, forestry, trees
Historic sites and heritage areas
Land use and conservation
Livestock
Natural disasters
Outdoor recreation

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 202

3

This bill authorizes various activities in connection with Civilian Conservation Centers, which are residential workforce development or training facilities for underserved youth that are operated by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

For example, the bill requires USDA and Interior to offer at Civilian Conservation Centers specialized training programs focused on (1) forestry and rangeland management, (2) wildland firefighting, or (3) any other topic related to the mission of the Forest Service or Interior or the public interest. The bill authorizes USDA and Interior to directly hire qualified individuals who have successfully completed a Civilian Conservation Center training program without regard to certain civil service hiring requirements.

Additionally, USDA and Interior must establish a pilot program to expand available housing for wildland firefighters, volunteers, partner crew members, interns, and other agency employees. To carry out the program, USDA and Interior must employ individuals who are enrolled in a training program at a Civilian Conservation Center.

USDA also may conduct career and technical training demonstration programs related to natural resource conservation, forestry, or wildland firefighting. 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Ending the Prescription Drug Kickback Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1217
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

Ending the Prescription Drug Kickback Act of 2023

 
This bill generally prohibits prescription drug manufacturers from providing rebates to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) or private health insurance plans.
 
Specifically, the bill eliminates the safe harbor for rebates, or other payments, provided to PBMs that are intended to influence the applicable cost-sharing tier of the drug (e.g., placing the drug in a more favorable formulary tier).
 
The bill further prohibits health insurance plans from receiving such rebates with respect to a prescription drug covered by the plan. Plans also must ensure PBMs do not receive any such rebates.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act

Bill: 118-s-1218
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act

 
This bill caps the price of drugs and biologics at the average price among certain countries.
 
Specifically, the retail list price of a drug or biologic in the United States may not exceed the average retail list price among Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must calculate the average price in these countries based on data that is submitted by manufacturers directly to HHS and on publicly filed materials from manufacturers. 
 
Manufacturers who violate the bill's price cap are subject to civil penalties.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Equity for People with Disabilities Act

Bill: 118-s-1219
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Disability and health-based discrimination
Disability and paralysis
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

Health Equity for People with Disabilities Act

 
This bill modifies certain grants available to health centers that offer primary health services to medically underserved populations to ensure that members of such populations with disabilities receive accessible health services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
U.S. and Pacific Islands Forum Partnership Act

Bill: 118-s-1220
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2023-04-19 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: 

 

U.S. and Pacific Islands Forum Partnership Act

 
This bill requires the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, a qualified individual to serve as Special Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum. (The Pacific Islands Forum is a regional political and economic policy organization with 18 member nations.) 
 
The Special Envoy may not concurrently serve as a U.S. ambassador to an individual country.
 
The Special Envoy shall represent the United States in its role as a dialogue partner to the Pacific Islands Forum. 
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-04-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting NEW BUSINESSES Act

Bill: 118-s-1221
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Supporting New Entrepreneurs and Workers By Undoing and Streamlining Inhibitors to Nascent Enterprises through Supporting Successful Efficiency Solutions Act or the Supporting NEW BUSINESSES Act

 
This bill requires the Small Business Administration to annually provide awards recognizing three state or local governments that implement innovative and effective policies or tools to streamline processes related to the formation of small business in their communities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in Senate
21st Century Entrepreneurship Act

Bill: 118-s-1222
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

21st Century Entrepreneurship Act

 
This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop a curriculum for volunteers with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) to teach underrepresented students (e.g., minority students, English learners, and children with disabilities) about entrepreneurship.
 
The SBA shall develop and implement a strategy to encourage partnerships between the SCORE program and community learning centers to teach this curriculum and, in developing the curriculum, collaborate with education specialists and groups with experience serving underrepresented children.
 
The SBA must submit a biennial report on partnerships between the SCORE program and community learning centers, the use of funds by the program, the number of students reached through the entrepreneurship curriculum, and plans for improving the curriculum.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act

Bill: 118-s-1223
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 
 

Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act

 
This bill makes changes to federal criminal laws related to various offenses, including bank robbery, carjacking, and certain federal drug offenses.
 
Among the changes, the bill 
 
 
makes conspiracy to commit bank robbery an offense under the federal bank robbery statute, which means violations carry a maximum prison term of up to 20 years; 
 
broadens the scope of prohibited conduct under the federal carjacking statute and increases statutory maximum penalties for offenses; and 
 
establishes enhanced criminal penalties for certain federal drug offenses involving the manufacture or distribution of candy-flavored controlled substances or similar products for minors. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in Senate