hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to designate the mountain at the Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, as Devils Tower, and for other purposes.

Bill: 118-s-267
Sponsor: Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2023-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: 
This bill declares that the mountain at the Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming shall be known and designated as Devils Tower.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-268
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Child care and development
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: 

Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2023

 
 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide states and tribal entities with grants to increase access to licensed child care services.
 
 The grants may be used to develop and expand the child care workforce or child care facilities in locations with insufficient available child care. Specifically, grants cover 50% of the cost of programs to support the education and training of caregivers or projects to build, expand, or renovate child care facilities in these areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act

Bill: 118-s-269
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental education
Environmental regulatory procedures
Executive agency funding and structure
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health information and medical records
Licensing and registrations
Manufacturing
Marketing and advertising
Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor
Personnel records
Pest management
Product safety and quality
Right of privacy
State and local government operations
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: 

Protect America's Children from Toxic Pesticides Act

 
This bill amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for various purposes, including to modify definitions, cancel or limit the registration of certain pesticides and active ingredients, and create a cause of action for individuals for FIFRA violations. 
 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must immediately suspend the registration of any active ingredient or pesticide product that is banned or otherwise prohibited from entering the market by the European Union, one or more countries in the European Union, or Canada.
 
The EPA must not permit the continued sale or use of existing stocks of a pesticide with a suspended or canceled registration or that is vacated or set aside by judicial decree. 
 
The bill implements a reporting requirement and other protections related to farmworkers who are exposed to certain pesticide elements (e.g., active ingredients) that result in illness, injury, disability, or death. 
 
Among other elements, the bill also
 
 
creates a process by which an interested person may submit a rulemaking petition to designate an active ingredient or pesticide product as a dangerous pesticide;
 
requires entities that have been granted conditional pesticide registrations to satisfy the conditions of the registration within two years; 
 
limits the ability of the EPA to grant emergency exemptions for certain active ingredients or pesticide products;
 
cancels the registration of organophosphates, neonicotinoids, and paraquat;
 
requires the disclosure of inert ingredients in the ingredient statement for pesticide products; and
 
authorizes individuals to bring a civil action against the EPA for alleged failures to comply with provisions under FIFRA. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Farm System Reform Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-271
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: 

Farm System Reform Act of 2023

 
This bill places a moratorium on large concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs); expands country-of-origin labeling; and expands requirements in the livestock, poultry, and meat markets.
 
Specifically, under the bill, a large CAFO may not commence or expand operations and, after January 1, 2041, may not continue to operate.
 
Further, the Department of Agriculture must provide grants to eligible animal feed operation (AFO) owners to pay off related debt and to transition the property to alternative agriculture activities. 
 
Integrators (certain individuals or entities that enter into arrangements with contract growers to raise and care for livestock or poultry at an AFO) that exercise substantial operational control of an AFO are liable and subject to civil action for an AFO's operation, including for dead animal and manure disposal, and for the discharge of air and water pollutants.
 
 The bill also expands country-of-origin labeling requirements to include beef, pork, and dairy products. 
 
Further, the bill expands requirements and prohibitions under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 in order to increase competition and transparency in the livestock, poultry, and meat markets, including by
 
 
 prohibiting the use of 
forward contract
s (i.e., future livestock delivery to a packer) unless certain requirements are met, such as a firm base price and competitive bidding; 
 
 establishing that a minimum of 50%, with exceptions, of a covered packer's daily volume of livestock slaughter must be purchased through spot market sales (i.e., the negotiated purchase or sale of livestock that meets specific pricing, timing, and competitive bidding requirements) from nonaffiliated producers; and
 
 providing USDA with additional enforcement authorities over live poultry dealers.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-272
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: 

Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act of 2023

 
This bill establishes additional requirements for larger animal feeding operations (AFOs) owned or controlled by industrial operators and increases handling requirements for livestock and poultry.
 
Specifically, the bill establishes the Office of High-Risk AFO Disaster Mitigation and Enforcement within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and requires such industrial operators to register with the office and submit annual disaster mitigation plans (e.g., for public health emergencies and major disasters). In addition, industrial operators must pay annual disaster mitigation maintenance fees to the office and are liable for costs associated with disaster events or depopulation (the rapid destruction of animals in response to urgent circumstances).
 
 Industrial operators are restricted from using specified methods of depopulation; any person may sue an industrial operator or USDA over a violation. Further, USDA must establish depopulation standards that rapidly induce unconsciousness and death with minimal pain and distress.
 
The Department of Labor must enforce minimum labor standards for industrial operators regarding covered workers or affected contract growers in disaster mitigation events, including whistleblower protections and health insurance requirements. Further, industrial operators may not use incarcerated workers in these events.
 
The bill also includes provisions on the handling of livestock and poultry, such as
 
 
requiring USDA to set additional standards for animal transport;
 
including poultry in the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 and creating a USDA grant program to transition processing facilities to a different slaughter method;
 
requiring USDA to promulgate certain regulations regarding the humane treatment, euthanasia, and disposition of nonambulatory livestock; and
 
 terminating programs that allow for slaughter speeds that exceed existing limits or reduce the use of federal inspectors. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
United States Colored Troops Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 118-s-273
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Military history
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Racial and ethnic relations
Smithsonian Institution
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: 

United States Colored Troops Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to the African Americans who served with Union forces in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service during the Civil War.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act

Bill: 118-s-274
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2023-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child care and development
Congressional officers and employees
District of Columbia
Employee benefits and pensions
Employee leave
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Lawyers and legal services
Library of Congress
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Postal Regulatory Commission
Transportation employees
U.S. Postal Service

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: 

Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act

 
This bill provides paid family and medical leave to federal employees. 
 
Currently, federal employees are entitled to 12 weeks of administrative leave for one or more of the following reasons: (1) the birth of a child, (2) the adoption or foster care of a child, (3) the care of an immediate family member with a serious health condition, (4) inability to work due to a serious health condition, and (5) exigencies relating to an immediate family member's active duty service in the Armed Forces. However, of these reasons, employees are entitled to paid administrative leave only in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care of a child (i.e., parental leave).
 
The bill provides 12 weeks of paid administrative leave for any of these reasons, and specifies that this leave is in addition to any annual or sick leave to which employees are entitled.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2024

Bill: 118-s-275
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2023-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Internet, web applications, social media
Rural conditions and development
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: 

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a process to vet applicants for certain funding that supports affordable broadband deployment in high-cost areas, including rural communities.
 
Specifically, the process applies to applicants seeking funding under the high-cost universal service programs that provide competitive awards for broadband deployment.
 
As part of the process, the FCC must require applicants to provide a proposal for deploying the broadband network. The proposal must contain enough detail and documentation for the FCC to ascertain whether the applicant has the technical capabilities to deploy the proposed network and deliver services.
 
The FCC must evaluate proposals against reasonable and well-established technical standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-09-27
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2024-09-27
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2024-09-26
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2024-09-25
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6464; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6464)
action_date: 2024-09-25
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-08-01
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 473.
action_date: 2024-08-01
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2024-08-01
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2024-07-31
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Upholding the Law at Our Border Act

Bill: 118-s-276
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: 

Upholding the Law at Our Border Act

 
This bill requires the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to periodically investigate and report on immigration-related issues until there have been fewer than 35,000 apprehensions at the southwest border for three consecutive months.
 
When required, the reports must address certain issues, including (1) the vetting procedures applicable to non-U.S. nationals (
aliens
 under federal law) seeking entry into the United States who were apprehended along the southwest border, (2) the total number of individuals unlawfully present who have been processed and released into the United States, (3) the number of such individuals who have received parole, and (4) an audit of the parole applications.
 
The office must submit such reports (and provide briefings on the reports) to the President, Congress, DHS, and the Department of Justice. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-277
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2023-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: California
Federal-Indian relations
Gambling
Indian claims
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: 

Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 

2023

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to take approximately 721.12 acres of land in San Diego County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, if the tribe transfers title to that land to the United States. The land is made part of the Pala Indian Reservation.
 
The bill generally prohibits gaming on any of the land taken into trust.

action_date: 2023-03-21
text: 

Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 

2023

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to take approximately 721.12 acres of land in San Diego County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, if the tribe transfers title to that land to the United States. The land is made part of the Pala Indian Reservation.
 
The bill generally prohibits gaming on any of the land taken into trust.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 31.
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Schatz without amendment. With written report No. 118-2.
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Schatz without amendment. With written report No. 118-2.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S267)
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the United States Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code for particular communities, and for other purposes.

Bill: 118-s-278
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Florida
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: 
This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), by 270 days after its enactment, to designate a single, unique ZIP code for each of
 
 
Ocoee, Florida;
 
Miami Lakes, Florida; 
 
 Oakland, Florida; 
 
 Estero, Florida;
 
The Villages, Florida; and
 
Hollywood, Florida.
 
 
The USPS, by 270 days after the bill's enactment, must modify the boundaries of ZIP codes 33971 and 33905 so that any area within ZIP code 33971 as of the date of this bill's enactment that is within the city of Fort Myers, Florida, is redesignated as being within ZIP code 33905.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserving the Gulf Test Range to Ensure Military Readiness Act

Bill: 118-s-279
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: 

Preserving the Gulf Test Range to Ensure Military Readiness Act

 
This bill establishes a moratorium on energy development (e.g., offshore wind development) in specified areas of the Gulf of Mexico until June 30, 2032. 
 
Until that date, the Department of the Interior may not conduct certain energy development activities in any area east of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico. The moratorium also applies to other areas of the Outer Continental Shelf&#8212;the South Atlantic Planning Area, the Straits of Florida Planning Area, or any area west of the Military Mission Line in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning Area&#8212;if energy exploration, leasing, or development in that area has been identified as having any adverse effect on national security, military readiness, or the Department of Defense's testing capabilities.
 
However, Interior may issue leases in those areas for environmental conservation purposes, including the purposes of shore protection, beach nourishment and restoration, wetlands restoration, and habitat protection.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
BEST for Vets Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-280
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Health personnel
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: 

Better Examiner Standards and Transparency for Veterans Act of 2023 or the BEST for Vets Act of 2023

 
This bill provides that only health care professionals who are licensed and not barred from practice may furnish medical disability examinations under the Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program related to using contract physicians for disability examinations. Health care professionals include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-26
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-160.
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-281
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2023-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Crimes against property
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Firearms and explosives
Government information and archives
Intergovernmental relations
Law enforcement administration and funding
Sex offenses
State and local government operations
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: 

Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2023 

 
This bill requires certain state and local prosecutors to report data on criminal referrals and outcomes of cases involving murder or non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, or any offense involving the illegal use or possession of a firearm. 
 
The reporting requirement applies to state and local prosecutors in a jurisdiction that has 360,000 or more persons and receives funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. The report must contain data on
 
 
cases referred for prosecution,
 
cases the prosecutor declined to prosecute or refer for diversion, 
 
cases for which the prosecutor declined to reach a plea agreement, 
 
cases that resulted in a plea agreement or referral for diversion, and
 
offenses the prosecutor dids not prosecute due to an internal policy. 
 
 
If a state or local prosecutor complies with these requirements, the bill requires (1) the Department of Justice to give priority in disbursing Byrne JAG program funds to the local government served by the prosecutor, and (2) the local government to ensure that the prosecutor receives a portion of the funds. 
 
Additionally, the bill prohibits states and local governments from receiving funds under the Byrne JAG program if they have in effect a policy that prohibits the use of cash bail for a defendant in a case involving the illegal use or illegal possession of a firearm.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate