lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Environment — Conservation
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2015-11-19 00:00:00

Digital Coast Act

(Sec.4)This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a constituent-driven Digital Coast program. (This program currently exists under NOAA to provide data, tools, and training that communities use to manage their coastal resources.) The program must: (1) provide an online resource that integrates geospatial data, decision-support tools, training, and best practices to address coastal management issues and needs, and to enhance resilient communities, ecosystem values, and coastal economic growth and development; and (2) provide for the documentation, dissemination, and archiving of the data.

NOAA must focus on filling data needs and gaps for critical coastal management issues and support continued improvement in existing efforts to coordinate the acquisition and integration of key data sets needed for coastal management, and other purposes. NOAA may enter into financial agreements to carry out the program. NOAA may enter into contracts with private sector entities as may be necessary to collect, process, and provide remote sensing and other geospatial data and products.

Additionally, NOAA may establish public tools that are capable of tracking ocean and Great Lakes economy data for each coastal state.
Topic: Environment — Conservation
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2015-12-01 00:00:00

Beach Act of 2015

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise and reauthorize through FY2020 a grant program for monitoring, and notifying the public of, any pathogens in coastal recreation waters bordering public beaches.

The bill reauthorizes through FY2018 the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000.

The bill establishes requirements with respect to: (1) using rapid testing methods to detect unsafe levels of pathogens or pathogen indicators in those waters, and (2) notifying governmental agencies when pathogens exceed water quality standards. Those methods must provide testing results within four hours of receiving a sample. Communication with governments must occur within two hours of the receipt of the results of water quality samples.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must assess state and local compliance with coastal recreation water quality monitoring and notification legal requirements and grant conditions. The bill limits federal support of grants to non-compliant state or local governments. The Government Accountability Office must review the EPA's compliance assessments and corrective actions.

States with coastal recreation waters must adopt the most protective water quality criteria and standards practicable for pathogens.

The EPA must: (1) update the national list of beaches that are used by the public regardless of the presence of a lifeguard within 12 months and biennially thereafter (currently, periodically); (2) study the long-term impact of climate change on pathogenic contamination of coastal recreation waters; and (3) study the impacts of excess nutrients on coastal recreation waters.
Topic: Environment — Conservation
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2016-02-02 00:00:00

Everglades for the Next Generation Act

This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to authorize the Department of the Army, after completing an implementation report prepared for a project under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and without any further congressional authorization, to carry out: (1) any project identified in the Plan for which a project implementation report is completed that is in accordance with an integrated delivery schedule approved by the Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District, provided that the report is completed by five years after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) any group of projects under the Plan that the Corps determines will provide regional or watershed ecosystem or water supply benefits if constructed in accordance with a project implementation report approved by the Corps and the District by such date.
Topic: Environment — Conservation
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2016-03-17 00:00:00

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to allow a permittee under the Act to satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements for discharging dredged or fill material into the waters of the United States (permitted activity) by entering into a preservation lease with a state or Indian tribe whose wetlands are affected.

A preservation lease is an agreement under which a permittee leases wetlands or other aquatic sites on state or Indian land for the sole purpose of preserving the wetlands or other aquatic sites in an undisturbed state during the term of the lease to mitigate for a permitted activity. The term of the lease must not be less than the life of the permitted activity and must be adjusted to account for the cessation of the impacts caused by such activity.

If a permittee enters into a preservation lease and subsequently ceases to maintain the permitted activity, or seeks to abandon the permitted activity without a good faith transfer, the permittee must obtain a permit modification from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which may require restoration and rehabilitation of the area.
Topic: Environment — Conservation
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2016-05-26 00:00:00

Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship Act or the FUELS Act 

This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ease the application of the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule on certain farms.

The rule requires certain non-transportation-related facilities to prevent, prepare, and respond to oil discharges that may reach navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. Among other requirements, the rule requires those facilities to: (1) certify compliance with their SPCC plans; and (2) based on the plan, construct containment facilities that would hold the contents of aboveground oil storage tanks if they should spill.

The bill increases the oil storage thresholds that necessitate compliance with those requirements by raising the aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity thresholds for: (1) farms required to have an SPCC plan, (2) farms that self-certify their SPCC plan, and (3) farms that require a certification of their SPCC plan from a professional engineer.

The bill also raises the aboveground oil storage capacity of containers that must be included in calculating the aggregate aboveground storage capacity. The calculations of the aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity of a farm and the aboveground storage capacity of an individual oil tank on a farm must not include containers holding animal feed ingredients that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in livestock feed.
Topic: Environment — Conservation
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2016-06-08 00:00:00

Coastal Coordination Act of 2016

TITLE I--COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1972 AMENDMENTS

(Sec.101)This bill amends the findings in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA) about the national interest in coastal zones to include coastal resilience, tourism, and energy development. The revised findings also state that the participation and coordination of local governments are important to protecting state coastal interests.

(Sec. 103) The Coastal Resource Improvement Program under CZMA is expanded to add to its grant objectives the preservation or redevelopment of working waterfronts.

(Sec. 104) Interstate compacts are authorized for the management of state coastal zones and shared interstate resources. NOAA may provide mediation for disputes between a federal agency and a coastal state or two or more coastal states.

(Sec. 105) Objectives for coastal zone enhancement grants under CZMA are expanded to include interstate water resource and coastal management planning, policies to ensure sufficient state response to the environmental, economic, and social impacts of oil spills or other accidents, and maximizing the efficiency of processing permits for coastal zone activities.

(Sec. 106) NOAA is required to evaluate the National Estuarine Research Reserve System periodically to determine if any of the protected areas in the estuarine reserves should be expanded.

(Sec. 107) NOAA must submit to Congress a report summarizing any actions it takes in accordance with this bill for five consecutive fiscal years.

TITLE II--GULF OF MEXICO REGIONAL COORDINATION

(Sec.202) The purposes of this title are to: (1) expand and strengthen the cooperative voluntary efforts to conserve and restore the Gulf of Mexico; (2) recognize and enable the Gulf of Mexico Alliance as a coordinating entity; and (3) enable grant funding for coordination management, scientific research, conservation, and restoration activities.

(Sec.203)This title also authorizes eligible entities (i.e., a consortium of the five states that have a shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico), in consultation with NOAA, to develop strategies for the conservation and restoration of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and to develop and implement action plans to carry out such strategies.

TITLE III--COASTAL ZONE IMPACTS

(Sec.301)The bill amends the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act to add NOAA, the Department of Commerce, and any potentially impacted coastal state to the list of entities that can be consulted under the Act.Impacted coastal states may provide recommendations to mitigate impacts to fisheries, wildlife, and wildlife resources.
Topic: Environment — Conservation
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2016-06-29 00:00:00

This bill amends the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 to direct the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a comprehensive assessment and management plan to restore aquatic ecosystems in the North Atlantic coast region. (Current law requires the Corps to determine the feasibility of carrying out projects to restore such ecosystems.)
Topic: Environment — Conservation
Subject: Agriculture and food
Date: 2016-09-06 00:00:00

Improving Access to Farm Conservation Act of 2016

 This bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to exempt certain recipients of Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation assistance from specified reporting requirements. The bill exempts producers or landowners eligible to participate in any USDA conservation program from reporting requirements related to subawards, executive compensation, the Universal Identifier, and the System for Award Management.
Topic: Environment — Conservation
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2016-09-13 00:00:00

This bill requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, acting as chair of the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, to appoint a coordinator to work with appropriate governments to address harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-02-05 00:00:00

Department of Peace and Nonviolence Act - Establishes a Department of Peace and Nonviolence, which shall be headed by a Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the mission of the Department, including to: (1) hold peace as an organizing principle; (2) endeavor to promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights; and (3) develop policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict, and structured mediation of conflict. Establishes in the Department the Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Peace and Nonviolence, which shall provide assistance and make recommendations to the Secretary and the President concerning intergovernmental policies relating to peace and nonviolent conflict resolution. Transfers to the Department the functions, assets, and personnel of various federal agencies. Establishes a Federal Interagency Committee on Peace and Nonviolence. Establishes Peace Day. Urges all citizens to observe and celebrate the blessings of peace and endeavor to create peace on such day.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-02-15 00:00:00

Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President, if in the U.S. national interest, to furnish assistance to assist in stabilizing and reconstructing a country or region that is in, or is in transition from, conflict or civil strife. Requires specified pre-notification by the President before making assistance available. Limits: (1) program authority to FY2008-FY2010; and (2) annual fiscal year expenditures to $100 million. (Sec. 5) Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish within the Department of State an Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization. Sets forth Office functions. Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish: (1) a Response Readiness Corps (containing an active and standby component consisting of trained U.S. government personnel, including Department and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) employees) to provide stabilization and reconstruction activities in foreign countries or regions that are at risk, in, or are in transition from, conflict or civil strife; and (2) a volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps (authorizes such individuals' employment and training). Authorizes FY2007-FY2010 appropriations. Prohibits the establishment and deployment of any Civilian Reserve Corps from substantively impairing state and local capacity and readiness. Directs the Secretary to ensure the use of existing Department and USAID training and education programs. (Sec. 6) Authorizes: (1) the Secretary or the head of any U.S. agency, with respect to agency personnel, to extend to any individual assigned or deployed under this Act certain death gratuity, training, and travel benefits that are provided to Foreign Service members; and (2) the Secretary to accept detailees or assignments from other agencies and state or local employees on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to develop an interagency strategy to respond to reconstruction and stabilization operations. Sets forth strategy contents. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to report annually (for six years) to the appropriate congressional committees respecting implementation of this Act. Sets forth report requirements.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-03-01 00:00:00

Global Poverty Act of 2007 - Directs the President, through the Secretary of State, to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to further the U.S. foreign policy objective of promoting the reduction of global poverty, the elimination of extreme global poverty, and the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of people worldwide who live on less than $1 per day. Sets forth reporting requirements.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-06-07 00:00:00

Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007 - Defines "child soldier." Prohibits, with a national interest waiver, funds appropriated or otherwise made available for specified military and related areas from being obligated or otherwise made available to the government of a country identified by the Department of State as having governmental armed forces or government supported armed groups, including paramilitaries, militias, or civil defense forces, that recruit or use child soldiers. Directs the Secretary of State to notify any government so identified. Authorizes the President to reinstate assistance upon certifying to Congress that a government is implementing: (1) compliance measures; and (2) mechanisms to prohibit future use of child soldiers and to ensure that no children are recruited, conscripted, or otherwise compelled to serve as child soldiers. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to a country for international military education and training otherwise prohibited under this Act upon certifying to Congress that such assistance is for programs that implement measures to demobilize child soldiers and for programs to support professionalization of the military.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-06-20 00:00:00

Quadrennial Foreign Affairs Review Act - Directs: (1) the Secretary of State to submit every four years to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations a quadrennial foreign affairs and Department of State review; and (2) the Foreign Affairs Panel to submit to the Secretary a report responding to such review. Directs the Secretary to establish every four years a nonpartisan independent National Foreign Affairs Panel, which shall terminate 30 days after submission of its report.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-06-20 00:00:00

Strategic Communication Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to solicit from tax-exempt national security and foreign policy research organizations offers to establish a Center for Strategic Communication, and select one organization to establish such Center. Includes among Center duties: (1) provision of information and analysis to the Department of State, the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence on U.S. security and foreign policy issues; (2) development of U.S. communications strategies and monitoring techniques; (3) support of government-wide strategic communication through services provided on a cost-recovery basis; (4) contracting with private sector and academic entities; and (5) mobilization of nongovernment initiatives.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-07-12 00:00:00

Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2007 - Defines "child soldier." Prohibits, with a national interest waiver, funds appropriated or otherwise made available for specified military and related areas from being obligated or otherwise made available to the government of a country identified by the Department of State as having governmental armed forces or government supported armed groups, including paramilitaries, militias, or civil defense forces, that recruit or use child soldiers. Directs the Secretary of State to notify any government so identified. Authorizes the President to reinstate assistance upon certifying to Congress that a government is implementing: (1) compliance measures; and (2) mechanisms to prohibit future use of child soldiers and to ensure that no children are recruited, conscripted, or otherwise compelled to serve as child soldiers. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to a country for international military education and training otherwise prohibited under this Act upon certifying to Congress that such assistance is for programs that implement measures to demobilize child soldiers and for programs to support professionalization of the military.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-11-15 00:00:00

Prohibits the Secretary of State from making a contribution to any regularly assessed biennial budget of the United Nations unless the Secretary has: (1) confirmed with the Mayor of the City of New York that U.N. facilities located in the City are in full compliance with all fire, building, and safety codes; and (2) submitted to Congress a certification of confirmation.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-11-15 00:00:00

Defense Trade Controls Performance Improvement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) perform a strategic review and assessment of the U.S. export controls system; (2) provide for specified performance requirements respecting license applications to export or import United States Munitions List items; (3) ensure that the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls of the Department of State has the necessary staff and resources; (4) ensure that all items on the Missile Technology Control Regime Annex are subject to stringent government control. Requires that the Directorate establish a secure Internet-based system for tracking the progress of munitions list license applications. Directs the President, under specified conditions, to waive certain licensing requirements for exports of spare and replacement parts or components and related services of defense items exported to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. Sets forth Department of Commerce and Department of State export controls for civil aircraft products.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2008-05-15 00:00:00

Interagency Cooperation Commission Act - Establishes the Interagency Cooperation Commission to examine the long-term global challenges facing the United States and develop legislative and administrative proposals to improve interagency cooperation.Requires the Commission to: (1) address the role and impact in facilitating or impeding interagency cooperation of a variety of budgetary, planning, and operational factors; and (2) examine interdepartmental cooperation within the Department of Defense (DOD), including the common organizational structures, reference materials, and budget processes, and examine the value of such structures as models for broader government commonality. Lists as the subjects of required assessments: (1) past examples of successful and unsuccessful interagency cooperation; (2) the impact of the Goldwater-Nichols Act within DOD; (3) the effectiveness of current interagency structures and processes to engage in strategic planning and oversee and implement long-term United States policy in global affairs; (4) simulation-based assessments of global scenarios the United States may face in the long-term; and (5) the legal decision-making authority and resources needed in each department and at the highest levels of government to execute reforms proposed by the Commission.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: Commemorations
Date: 2007-03-23 00:00:00

Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Woodrow W. Keeble for acts of valor as an acting platoon leader during the Korean conflict.
Topic: International Affairs — General
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-05-23 00:00:00

Global Service Fellowship Program Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish and administer a Global Service Fellowship Program to fund fellowships to promote international volunteering opportunities as a means of building bridges across cultures, addressing critical human needs, and promoting mutual understanding. Sets forth Program provisions. Authorizes appropriations.