hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To establish an Office of Colonia Affairs within the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

Bill: 118-hr-2740
Sponsor: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Arizona
California
Congressional oversight
Department of Agriculture
Executive agency funding and structure
New Mexico
Regional and metropolitan planning
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 
This bill establishes the Office of Colonia Affairs within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide information and resources about federal programs and funding for colonias. Colonias are economically distressed communities near the U.S.-Mexico border. Under the bill, a community must be determined to be a colonia by USDA on the basis of objective criteria, including the lack of a potable water supply, adequate sewage systems, and decent housing.
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
FIGHT Act

Bill: 118-hr-2742
Sponsor: Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Animals

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking Act or the FIGHT Act

 
This bill expands protections of animals provided under the Animal Welfare Act, including by prohibiting any (1) broadcasts from international, interstate, or intrastate sources of animal fighting ventures in the United States or U.S. territories; and (2) shipments or transport of certain mature roosters.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Fair Access to Banking Act

Bill: 118-hr-2743
Sponsor: Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Fair Access to Banking Act 

 
This bill places restrictions on certain banks, credit unions, and payment card networks if they refuse to do business with a person who complies with the law. Restrictions include prohibiting the use of electronic funds transfer systems and lending programs, termination of an institution's depository insurance, and specified civil penalties.
 
Banks and other specified financial institutions are allowed to deny financial services to a person only if the denial is justified by a documented failure of that person to meet quantitative, impartial, risk-based standards established in advance by the institution. This justification may not be based upon reputational risks to the institution. Banks may also deny services to a person who engaged in rude or harassing conduct toward an employee of the bank.
 
The bill establishes the right for a person to bring a civil action for a violation of this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Freedom from Government Competition Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-2744
Sponsor: Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Freedom from Government Competition Act of 2023

 
 This bill requires the federal government to procure from the private sector the goods and services necessary for the operations and management of government agencies.
 
Specifically, it requires each executive or military department or independent establishment to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of its authorized functions by procurement from private sources, with specified exceptions, such as where there is no private source capable of providing the good or service. 
The bill requires such private sector provision of goods and services to be performed through (1) the divestiture of federal involvement, (2) the award of a contract using competitive procedures, or (3) conducting a public-private competitive sourcing analysis in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) procedures and determining that using the private sector is in the best interest of the United States and provides the best value to the taxpayer.
 
An agency may utilize federal employees to provide goods or services previously provided by a private sector entity upon completion of a public-private competitive sourcing analysis and after determining that provision by federal employees provides the best value.
 
The OMB must carry out a study to evaluate the activities carried out in each agency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
HACT Act

Bill: 118-hr-2745
Sponsor: Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Law

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Homeland and Cyber Threat Act
 
or the HACT Act

 
This bill allows claims in federal or state court against foreign states that conduct or participate in cyberattacks against U.S. nationals. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Pueblo Jobs Act

Bill: 118-hr-2746
Sponsor: Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-3]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Pueblo Jobs Act

This bill requires the Department of the Army to close Pueblo Chemical Depot in Pueblo County, Colorado, not later than one year after the completion of the chemical demilitarization mission in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention Treaty. The Department of the Army must carry out the closure and related property management and disposal of the depot in accordance with the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990.

The bill authorizes the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation within the Department of Defense to make grants and supplement other federal funds to support closure and reuse activities of the depot.
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act

Bill: 118-hr-2748
Sponsor: Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act

 
 This bill revises the requirements for the verification of prescriptions related to the purchase of contact lenses. Specifically, online sellers of prescription contact lenses must provide consumers with a method to transmit a digital copy of their prescriptions to such sellers. Online sellers also must encrypt protected health information they send by email.
 
 Additionally, the bill prohibits any seller of prescription contact lenses from using telephone calls with an artificial or prerecorded voice (i.e., robocalls) to verify a consumer's prescription.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Efficient Grid Interconnection Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-2749
Sponsor: Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Efficient Grid Interconnection Act of 2023

 
This bill establishes requirements concerning (1) the equitable allocation of costs for electric grid upgrades; and (2) the deployment of grid enhancing technology or equipment that increases the capacity, efficiency, or reliability of a transmission facility or transmission system.
 
Specifically, it directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue regulations that require public electric utilities to allocate the cost of upgrades to the electric grid, such as upgrades to interconnect renewable generation projects, among all customers that benefit from the upgrades. In determining which parties benefit, FERC must consider all material benefits of the network upgrade, including environmental benefits and those that cannot be directly quantified.
 
 In addition, FERC must issue regulations that apply to regional transmission organizations, independent system operators, or transmission planning coordinators when they are processing requests to interconnect generation projects or energy storage projects to the electric grid. The regulations must require such organizations, operators, and coordinators to study deploying technology or equipment that increases the capacity, efficiency, or reliability of a transmission facility or transmission system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act

Bill: 118-hr-2750
Sponsor: Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act

 
This bill modifies requirements under the Federal Power Act to allow certain interstate or offshore wind transmission facilities to charge their customers fees that are commensurate with the estimated anticipated benefits provided by the facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-2751
Sponsor: Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Community Solar Consumer Choice Act of 2023

 
This bill sets forth provisions that support access to community solar energy and increases the allowable time period for a long-term contract between the General Services Administration (GSA) and a public utility.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to increase access to community solar energy programs for individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, states, local governments, and tribal governments. In addition, DOE must, to the extent practicable, expand existing grant, loan, and financing programs to include community solar programs.
 
Further, the bill modifies requirements under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 for electric utilities, including by requiring each electric utility to offer a community solar program that provides all ratepayers, including low-income ratepayers, equitable and demonstrable access to such program.
 
Finally, the bill allows the GSA to make a public utility contract for a period of up to 30 years. Currently, the GSA may make a public utility contract for up to 10 years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 118-hr-2752
Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Libraries and archives
Military history
Racial and ethnic relations
Rhode Island
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act

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


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Magaziner asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 2752, a bill originally introduced by Representative Cicilline, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Firearms Retailer Code of Conduct Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-2753
Sponsor: Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 
 

Firearms Retailer Code of Conduct Act of 2023

 
This bill establishes federal statutory requirements and prohibitions related to the sale or transfer of firearms and ammunition by licensed manufactures, importers, and dealers (i.e., federal firearms licensees, or FFLs) in the course of a firearms business.
 
Among the requirements, FFLs and their employees must complete a training course and be certified in the conduct of firearms transfers. Additionally, FFLs must comply with and display written protocols, maintain general business and liability insurance, and securely store each firearm in their inventory when the business is closed. 
 
The bill prohibits an FFL from transferring a firearm or ammunition to a straw purchaser, a gun trafficker, an individual who is intoxicated, or an individual who is at risk of harming themselves or others. Further, it prohibits an FFL from transferring a firearm or ammunition to an individual not paying in U.S. currency unless the identity of the individual matches the name on the payment method.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-2755
Sponsor: Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 
 
National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act of 2023 

 
This bill grants the National Taxpayer Advocate the authority to appoint counsel in the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate to report directly to the National Taxpayer Advocate.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-2756
Sponsor: Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act of 2023
 
This bill requires the Department of Defense to seek to expand military cybersecurity cooperation with the government of Taiwan. Such cooperation may include (1) efforts to protect military networks, infrastructure, and installations; and (2) cybersecurity training activities and exercises. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Puerto Rico Status Act

Bill: 118-hr-2757
Sponsor: Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Puerto Rico Status Act

 
This bill provides for a plebiscite to be held on November 2, 2025, to resolve Puerto Rico's political status.
 
Specifically, such plebiscite shall offer eligible voters a choice of independence, sovereignty in free association with the United States, or statehood.
 
The Puerto Rico State Elections Commission shall 
 
 
invite national and international election observers to ensure transparency and confidence in the electoral process, and
 
carry out a nonpartisan voter education campaign through traditional paid media and make available at all voting locations voter education materials related to the plebiscites.
 
 
All voter educational materials and ballots used to carry out this bill shall be made available in English and Spanish.
 
The bill sets forth transition and implementation provisions for each choice offered in the plebiscite.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-05-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs .
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Returning Worker Accountability Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-2758
Sponsor: Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Returning Worker Accountability Act of 2023
 
 
This bill makes various changes to the H-2B visa program (temporary nonagricultural services), including by requiring the Department of Homeland Security to use biometric data to vet workers to identify any aliases and vet any discovered aliases for issues relating to national security, criminal history, and inadmissibility.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Strategic Petroleum Reserve Transparency Act

Bill: 118-hr-2759
Sponsor: Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Strategic Petroleum Reserve Transparency Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Energy to report to Congress about any drawdown or sale of petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve that occurs five months before a regularly scheduled federal general election. The report must provide the reason for such drawdown or sale.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act

Bill: 118-hr-2760
Sponsor: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
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: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
SPARC Act

Bill: 118-hr-2761
Sponsor: Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13]
Introduced: 2023-04-20 in the House
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: 

Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care Act or the SPARC Act

 
This bill establishes student loan repayment programs to support the provision of specialty medical care in rural areas.
 
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) must carry out such a program for certain specialty medicine physicians who provide care in rural communities with shortages of such physicians. Physicians must agree to a period of obligated service and, for each year of such service, HRSA must pay one-sixth of the principal payment and interest on eligible loans up to a maximum cap of $250,000. Additionally, HRSA may carry out a similar loan repayment program for nonphysician specialty health care providers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-04-20
text: Introduced in House