hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
America Grows Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1628
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2023-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: 

America Grows Act of 2023

 
This bill permanently funds several agencies that perform agriculture research. 
 
The bill provides specified funding for the following agencies within the Department of Agriculture:
 
 
the Agricultural Research Service,
 
the Economic Research Service,
 
the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and
 
the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
 
 
The bill exempts the funding from sequestration, which is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals. 
 
It also exempts the budgetary effects of the funding from the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) and the Senate PAYGO rule. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S1681)
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Hatch Act Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Act

Bill: 118-s-1629
Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced: 2023-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate
SOAR Act

Bill: 118-s-1630
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2023-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: 

Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act or the SOAR Act

 
This bill modifies requirements regarding special recreation permits for outfitting and guiding on federal recreational lands and waters, including by categorizing permits as transitional special recreation permits or as long-term permits.
 
The bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue two-year transitional special recreation permits to a recreation provider for a new or additional reoccurring recreation service. Interior or USDA must issue a long-term special recreation permit, with a term of 5 or 10 years, to a recreation provider who has held no less than two transitional permits (or similar permits) and meets performance criteria.
 
The departments may provide the flexibility to a permit holder to engage in another activity similar to the permitted activity under a permit.
 
The departments must establish a pilot program to offer a single joint special recreation permit or commercial use authorization for a multijurisdictional trip.
 
The bill requires the departments to evaluate and improve the process for issuing special recreation permits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1631
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2023-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1632
Sponsor: Sen. Vance, J. D. [R-OH]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Department of Transportation
Foreign and international corporations
Government information and archives
Industrial facilities
Manufacturing
Oil and gas
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2023

This bill expands the application, testing, and inspection requirements for a foreign manufacturer of cylinders used for transporting hazardous materials in the United States (e.g., compressed gas cylinders).

Current regulations require a foreign manufacturer to apply for approval from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) for testing such cylinders outside of the United States. The bill requires that, to obtain an approval, a foreign manufacturer must answer in their application specified questions, including whether the manufacturer is or has been subject to various civil or criminal penalties.

Further, DOT must establish a process for any interested party to request a reevaluation of an approval for a foreign manufacturer's cylinders to review the accuracy and safety of the manufacturer's actions.

DOT must also revise the foreign inspection regulations to

require that annual inspections of foreign manufacturers be carried out if DOT determines there is good cause;

specify that a refusal of inspection shall result in the loss of good standing;

allow DOT to request testing and production records and random sample testing; and

allow for the recovery of the costs of foreign inspections, including travel and time.

The bill limits an approval to one year; however, DOT may extend an approval for five years for a manufacturer who meets certain requirements.

On an annual basis, DOT must publish a list of approved foreign manufacturers of cylinders on the department's website.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1633
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2023

 
This bill recognizes service as a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943, and December 31, 1948, as active duty service. The active duty designation entitles qualifying individuals to certain benefits afforded to veterans, such as burial benefits (not including interment at Arlington National Cemetery) and honorary veteran status.
 
Under the bill, the Department of Defense (DOD) must issue individuals who served in the corps during the specified period a discharge from their service under honorable conditions if such a discharge is warranted based on the duration and nature of the service. 
 
Such individuals are not entitled to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits aside from those related to burials and memorials.
 
The bill also authorizes DOD to produce a service medal or other commendation, memorial plaque, or grave marker to honor the individuals. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Veterans Affairs Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Processing Claims Improvement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1635
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability assistance
Employment and training programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Mental health
Neurological disorders
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Processing Claims Improvement Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to update an ongoing, national training program for claims processors who review compensation claims for service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Such claims processors will be required to participate in the training at least once a year starting in their second year of being a VA claims processor.
 
The training program must be standardized at regional offices of the VBA and include instruction on stressor development and verification.
 
The VBA must establish a formal process to annually analyze training needs based on identified processing error trends. Additionally, the VBA must establish a formal process to conduct annual studies to help guide the national training program for claims processors.
 
Finally, the VBA must evaluate the guidance relating to PTSD to determine if updates are warranted to provide claims processors with better resources regarding best practices for claims processing, including specific guidance regarding development of claims involving compensation for service-connected PTSD.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act

Bill: 118-s-1636
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Home and outpatient care
Internet, web applications, social media
Medicare
Mental health
Rural conditions and development
Sound recording

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act

 
This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. 
 
Specifically, the bill permanently (1) removes geographic restrictions on originating sites (i.e., the location of the beneficiary), (2) allows the home of the beneficiary to serve as the originating site for all services, (3) allows federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner), and (4) expands coverage to include audio-only services for evaluation and management and behavioral health services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Combating BDS Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1637
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Israel
Public contracts and procurement
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

Combating BDS Act of 

2023

 
This bill allows a state or local government to adopt measures to divest its assets from entities using boycotts, divestments, or sanctions to influence Israel's policies. Such measures shall meet various requirements, including those related to written notice and comment. It also bars lawsuits against investment companies based solely on a company's decision to divest from entities that use boycotts, divestments, or sanctions to influence Israel's policies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Ballot Measures from Foreign Influence Act

Bill: 118-s-1638
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

Protecting Ballot Measures from Foreign Influence Act

 
This bill prohibits contributions or donations by foreign nationals in connection with state or local ballot initiatives or referenda.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Nutrition Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1639
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Empowering Law Enforcement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1640
Sponsor: Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

Empowering Law Enforcement Act of 2023

 
This bill addresses issues relating to immigration enforcement. 
 
The bill declares that state and local law enforcement have inherent authority to investigate and arrest individuals to assist federal immigration enforcement. (Currently, state and local law enforcement may take certain immigration enforcement actions upon entering into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.)
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must reimburse state and local law enforcement for the costs of holding or transporting a detained non-U.S. national (
alien
 under federal law). 
 
DHS may detain an individual beyond the removal period (generally the window in which DHS must remove an individual after a final order of removal) upon making certain certifications, such as certifying that the individual's release would threaten community safety. DHS may renew this certification every six months after giving the individual an opportunity to request a reconsideration. An individual challenging such detention may only do so by applying for a writ of habeas corpus. 
 
Certain individuals subject to mandatory detention may be held without time limitation while removal proceedings are pending. 
 
DHS must detain an individual who is present in the United States without lawful status if the individual has been convicted for driving while intoxicated. 
 
DHS must establish a process to determine whether an individual not subject to mandatory detention and who has tried to comply with a removal order should be detained or released with conditions.
 
The Department of Justice must include information about immigration law violations in the National Crime Information Center database.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
USPS Act

Bill: 118-s-1641
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

Upholding a Secure Postal System Act or the USPS Act

 
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to investigate nationwide patterns and instances of theft of mail and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) property and report to Congress.
 
Any such report must include a description of any measures that the USPS has in place to address, and recommendations on how the USPS and Congress can combat, such theft.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1642
Sponsor: Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Government lending and loan guarantees
Performance measurement
Rural conditions and development
Small towns

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2023

 
This bill merges the pilot ReConnect Loan and Grant Program with existing loans and grants provided by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to facilitate broadband access to rural areas that lack sufficient access to broadband. It also requires that any unobligated amounts available for the pilot program be transferred and made available, without further appropriations, to the merged program. The bill authorizes the merged program through FY2028.
 
The bill specifies the eligibility criteria and other requirements that apply to the merged program, some of which are the same as the criteria and requirements that currently apply to the pilot program (e.g., the required minimum upload and download speeds).
 
Further, the bill (1) eliminates the authority of USDA to make loan guarantees, and (2) authorizes USDA to make combinations of grants and loans.
 
The bill also requires that recipients of grants and loans participate in specified federal programs that assist low-income individuals access broadband and telecommunication services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Reclaiming the Solar Supply Chain Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1643
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Employee benefits and pensions
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government lending and loan guarantees
Industrial facilities
Labor-management relations
Manufacturing

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

Reclaiming the Solar Supply Chain Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program that awards grants and direct loans to support a solar component manufacturing supply chain. Under the program, DOE must award grants and loans to manufacturers and other eligible entities for (1) constructing new facilities that manufacture solar components; and (2) retooling, retrofitting, or expanding existing facilities that manufacture solar components.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1644
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

Veterans' True Choice Act of 2023

 
This bill allows covered veterans to receive coverage under TRICARE Select, a health care program of the Department of Defense (DOD). Veterans covered by this bill include those with service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those discharged from service due to disability, and those entitled to disability compensation.
 
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must reimburse DOD's costs of enrolling eligible veteran beneficiaries in the program.
 
A covered veteran may not concurrently receive hospital care or medical services from DOD and the VA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1645
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Government information and archives
Government liability
Judicial procedure and administration
Judicial review and appeals
Legal fees and court costs

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Gang Activity Reporting Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1646
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

Gang Activity Reporting Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Justice to report on gang activity, reporting, investigation, and prosecution. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1647
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text:  

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2023

 
This bill imposes sanctions targeting Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and any affiliate or successor groups.
 
The President must impose sanctions on foreign persons and on agencies or instrumentalities of foreign states that knowingly provide significant support or services to or are involved in a significant transaction with a senior member or supporter of the targeted groups.
 
The President must impose property-blocking restrictions on such persons and must impose two or more sanctions on such agencies or instrumentalities. Specifically, the agency or instrumentality may be (1) denied credit and services from the Export-Import Bank, (2) barred from purchasing certain controlled defense articles, (3) denied exports of items on the U.S. Munitions List, (4) prevented from receiving exports of certain goods or technology controlled for national security reasons, or (5) prohibited from receiving financing of more than $10 million from any U.S. financial institution. 
 
The President must periodically report to Congress a list of foreign governments that have repeatedly provided material support for the targeted groups' terrorist activities. The President shall bar these governments from receiving for one year (1) U.S. assistance, or (2) exports of controlled munitions. The Department of the Treasury must instruct U.S. leadership of international financial institutions to oppose providing assistance to an identified government for one year.
 
The bill provides for certain exceptions and waivers, such as for transactions that would serve U.S. national interests. 
 
The President must report to Congress and periodically provide briefings on other specified topics related to the targeted groups, such as the disposition of assets and group activities.

 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate
LICENSE Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-1649
Sponsor: Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2023-05-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Transportation
Employment and training programs
Licensing and registrations
Motor carriers

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: 

Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently Act of 2023 or the LICENSE Act of 2023 

This bill provides statutory authority for waivers of training, testing, and other requirements for commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) that were issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, this bill allows a state or third-party examiner who has maintained a valid CDL test examiner certification and has previously completed a CDL skills test examiner training course to administer the CDL knowledge test, so long as they have completed one unit of the CDL knowledge test training course.

The bill also allows a state to administer a driving skills test to any CDL applicant regardless of the applicant's state of domicile or where the applicant received driver training.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Introduced in Senate