zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Global Food Security Act of 2013 - Directs the President to designate an individual to serve as the Special Coordinator for Food, Nutrition, and Agricultural Development to: (1) advise the President on global food security, nutrition security, and agricultural development; and (2) ensure coordination of related U.S. programs.

Makes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) the lead agency in implementing a comprehensive food security, nutrition security, and agricultural development strategy. Sets forth the elements of such strategy.

Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to revise bilateral agriculture, rural development, and nutrition assistance programs.

Date: 2013-07-25
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2013 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) implementation of the United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP) is paramount in improving the lives of women around the world and increasing global stability and prosperity, (2) Congress is committed to advancing NAP principles, and (3) the President should ensure NAP's implementation and coordinate with the international community to reaffirm global commitments to implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

States that it is U.S. policy to implement NAP.

 Directs the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to: (1) integrate gender goals into diplomatic and development efforts, and into agency guidance and contracting; (2) include gender in strategic and budget planning processes; and (3) review existing U.S. policies and programs on women and girls in foreign countries from a gender perspective.

Directs the heads of federal departments and agencies to ensure that NAP's tenets are incorporated into all programs related to: (1) conflict prevention, (2) humanitarian and disaster response, (3) conflict mediation, (4) peacekeeping, (5) post-conflict reconstruction, (6) institution building, and (7) democracy promotion.

Urges the Secretary to promote the inclusion of women in coordination and consultation with international partners.

Directs the Secretary, the Administrator, the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and representatives of other federal agencies to implement NAP and ensure relevant personnel training.

Directs the Secretary to facilitate the efforts of partner governments to improve women's participation in peace and security processes, conflict prevention, peace-building, transitional processes, and decision making institutions in conflict-affected environments.

Directs the Secretary and the Administrator to establish guidelines for overseas U.S. personnel to consult with specified stakeholders regarding U.S. efforts to: (1) prevent, mitigate, or resolve violent conflict; and (2) enhance the success of mediation and negotiation processes by ensuring women's meaningful participation.

Date: 2013-07-31
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 8, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) water and sanitation are critically important resources that impact many aspects of human life, and (2) the United States should be a global leader in helping provide sustainable access to clean water and sanitation for the world's most vulnerable populations.

(Sec. 3) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as added by the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005, to include the provision of safe hygiene among the goals of the program providing assistance for safe water and sanitation.

 (Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), or the Administrator's designee, to serve concurrently as the USAID Global Water Coordinator, and to:

 oversee USAID water, sanitation, and hygiene programs; lead the implementation and revision, at least once every five years, of USAID's portion of the Global Water Strategy; and expand USAID's program capacity in high priority countries. Directs the Secretary of State, or the Secretary's designee, to serve concurrently as the Department of State Special Advisor for Water Resources, and serve similar functions in the Department of State as the Global Water Coordinator does in USAID.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to ensure that USAID projects and programs are designed to achieve maximum impact and long-term sustainability by prioritizing countries based upon:

 the population using unimproved drinking water or sanitation sources; the number of children younger than five years of age who died from diarrheal disease; and the government's capacity and commitment to work with the United States to improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Directs the President to: (1) designate by October 1, 2015, at least 10 countries as high priority countries to be the primary recipients of U.S. government assistance under this Act during FY2016, and notify Congress of such designations; and (2) make new designations each year.

(Sec. 6) Directs the President, not later than October 1, 2017, October 1, 2022, and October 1, 2027, through the Secretary, the Administrator, and the heads of other federal departments and agencies, to submit a single government-wide Global Water Strategy to Congress that describes how the United States intends to:

 increase access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in high priority countries; improve the management of water resources and watersheds in such countries; and work to prevent and resolve intra- and trans-boundary conflicts over water resources in such countries. Requires: (1) the Global Water Strategy to include plans by USAID and the Department on how each entity carries out its responsibilities under this Act, and (2) the Administrator to develop for each high priority country a plan to increase access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Date: 2013-08-01
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Global Sexual and Reproductive Health Act of 2013 - Authorizes the President to provide assistance to: (1) support the achievement of universal access to sexual and reproductive health in developing countries and to ensure that individuals and couples can freely and responsibly determine the number, timing, and spacing of their children and have the means to do so; (2) reduce the incidence of unsafe abortion in developing countries and provide care for women experiencing injury or illness from complications of unsafe abortion; (3) ensure that sexual and reproductive health services are provided in developing countries at every phase of a humanitarian emergency; and (4) ensure access to sexual and reproductive health care for young people in developing countries.

Directs the President to implement a strategy to improve and create linkages among the various components of sexual and reproductive health to ensure that individual men and women are provided with a continuum of appropriate sexual and reproductive health services.

States that assistance under this Act shall: (1) promote coordination between and among donors, the private sector, nongovernmental and civil society organizations, and governments in order to support sexual and reproductive health programs in developing countries; and (2) be used for the conduct of formative research and to monitor and evaluate program effectiveness.

Date: 2013-09-27
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Solar Villages Initiative Act - Authorizes the President, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to provide assistance for renewable energy projects in developing countries to increase the availability of credit, savings, and other services to microfinance and microenterprise clients lacking full access to capital, training, technical assistance, and business development services.

 Gives priority to female-owned businesses.

Date: 2013-10-22
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Electrify Africa Act of 2015 

This bill directs the President to establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions, including renewable energy, to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth.

 The President is urged to: (1) establish an interagency working group to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy, and (2) use U.S. influence to leverage international support to promote the strategy.

 The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), and the Millennium Challenge Corporation are urged to prioritize efforts and assistance for power projects and markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to extend OPIC's issuing authority through September 30, 2018.

OPIC is temporarily authorized to issue local currency guarantees to African subsidiaries of foreign financial institutions to facilitate eligible investor lending for power projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

The President shall appoint and maintain an Inspector General in OPIC.

Date: 2015-06-23
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2015

This bill directs the President to:

 establish a five-year strategy to achieve, with target countries and donors, the goal of ending preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths globally and ensure healthy and productive lives within a generation; and provide assistance to implement the strategy. The President shall designate a current U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) employee serving in the Senior Executive Service or at the level of a Deputy Assistant Administrator or higher to serve concurrently as the Maternal and Child Survival Coordinator, who shall be responsible for:

 overseeing such strategy, and all U.S. government funds appropriated or used for international maternal and child health and nutrition programs. The U.S. government, through USAID and other relevant executive branch agencies, should identify and remove financial barriers to strengthen access to delivery systems for vulnerable and marginalized populations by leveraging public and private capital to expand delivery of interventions for maternal, newborn, and child health.

Date: 2015-10-07
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Obstetric Fistula Prevention, Treatment, Hope, and Dignity Restoration Act of 2015 

This bill authorizes the President to provide assistance, including through international organizations, national governments, and international and local nongovernmental organizations, to: (1) address the social and health issues that lead to obstetric fistula, and (2) support treatment of obstetric fistula.

Obstetric fistula occurs when a woman who is experiencing prolonged, obstructed labor and needs trained medical assistance for a safe delivery, usually a cesarean section, cannot get it. Such assistance shall promote the coordination facilitated by the International Obstetric Fistula Working Group.

Date: 2015-12-01
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: Health
Education for All Act of 2016

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to state that it is U.S. policy to work with partner countries and international and civil society organizations to achieve sustainable quality universal basic education by: (1) strengthening educational systems; (2) assisting developing countries to improve literacy, numeracy, and other basic skills; and (3) promoting education as the foundation for community development.

The President shall ensure that: (1) assistance is aligned with U.S. foreign policy and economic interests; and (2) priority is given to developing countries in which there is the greatest need and opportunity to expand universal access and improve learning outcomes and in which the assistance can produce a substantial impact on children, women, and vulnerable populations.

 The President shall: (1) submit to Congress by October 1, 2017, a comprehensive U.S. strategy to be carried out during FY2018 through FY2022 to promote quality basic education in partner countries; and (2) submit annual implementation reports.

The bill establishes within the United States Agency for International Development a Senior Coordinator of United States International Basic Education Assistance, who shall have primary responsibility for the oversight and coordination of U.S. resources and activities relating to the promotion of international basic education programs and activities.

Date: 2016-02-04
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Solar Villages Initiative Act

 This bill authorizes the President, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, to provide assistance for renewable energy projects in developing countries to increase the availability of credit, savings, and other services to microfinance and microenterprise clients lacking full access to capital, training, technical assistance, and business development services.

 In providing such assistance, the President shall give priority to empowering female-owned businesses.

Date: 2016-06-28
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2015

This bill directs the President to establish: (1) an inter-agency working group, led by the Child and Maternal Survival Coordinator at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); and (2) a 10-year strategy to achieve with partner countries and donors the goal of ending preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths by 2035.

The President shall designate a current USAID employee serving in the Senior Executive Service or at the level of a Deputy Assistant Administrator or higher to serve concurrently as the Maternal and Child Survival Coordinator, who shall be responsible for: (1) overseeing maternal and child health and nutrition funding managed by the Bureau of Global Health of USAID, and (2) leading the inter-agency working group.

The U.S. government, through USAID and other relevant executive branch agencies, shall develop a financing framework to leverage public and private capital to expand delivery of high-impact, evidence-based interventions for maternal, newborn, and child health.

Date: 2015-07-30
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Electrify Africa Act of 2015 

This bill directs the President to establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions, including renewable energy, to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth.

 The President may: (1) establish an interagency working group to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy, and (2) use U.S. influence to leverage international support to promote the strategy.

 The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), and the Millennium Challenge Corporation are urged to prioritize efforts and assistance for power projects and markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to extend OPIC's issuing authority through September 30, 2018.

OPIC should:

 simplify the application, approval, and post-approval processes for insurance, financing, investment, or reinsurance for power generation and distribution projects in sub-Saharan Africa for which total OPIC support is less than $20 million; prioritize its loan, guarantee, and insurance programs, and financial commitments in the areas of power generation, distribution, and off-grid power and lighting in sub-Saharan Africa, including through the use of an investment advisory council; and publish in an accessible digital format the amount, type, location, duration, and measurable results of its investments and financings. OPIC is temporarily authorized to: (1) issue local currency guarantees to African subsidiaries of foreign financial institutions to facilitate eligible investor lending for power projects in sub-Saharan Africa, and (2) make loans to eligible investors for power projects in sub-Saharan Africa for which total OPIC support does not exceed $50 million.

 Foreign corporations, partnerships, and other associations that are majority owned by one or more U.S. citizens or corporations, partnerships, or other associations shall be temporarily considered eligible investors for the sole purpose of receiving OPIC assistance for power projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

Date: 2015-08-04
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 18, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Electrify Africa Act of 2015 

(Sec. 3) This bill states that it is U.S. policy to partner with the governments of sub-Saharan African countries, international financial institutions, and African regional economic communities, cooperatives, and private sectors to:

 promote first-time access to power services for at least 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020; encourage the installation of at least 20,000 additional megawatts of electrical power in sub-Saharan Africa by 2020; promote reliable and affordable power in urban, rural, and under served areas; encourage necessary reforms to support electricity access projects and market-based power generation and distribution; promote policies to displace kerosene lighting with other technologies; promote an energy development strategy for sub-Saharan Africa that includes the use of oil, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal power; and promote the use of private financing and seek ways to remove barriers to private financing and assistance for projects, including through charitable organizations. (Sec. 4) The President shall: (1) establish a multiyear strategy to assist countries in sub-Saharan Africa implement national power strategies and develop an appropriate mix of power solutions to provide access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in order to reduce poverty and drive economic growth and job creation; and (2) ensure that the strategy remains responsive to local community concerns and technological innovation.

 The President may establish an interagency working group to coordinate the activities of U.S. government departments and agencies involved in carrying out the strategy.

(Sec. 5) The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation are urged to: (1) prioritize efforts and assistance for power projects and markets in sub-Saharan Africa; and (2) partner with other investors and local institutions, including private sector actors, to increase access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power.

(Sec. 6) The President should use U.S. influence at international bodies to advocate for:

 increasing investment in power sector and electrification projects in sub-Saharan Africa, addressing energy needs of individuals and communities where electricity grid access is impractical or cost-prohibitive, enhancing private sector coordination, and assisting sub-Saharan African governments to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to investment. (Sec. 7) Within three years the President shall transmit a strategy progress report to Congress which includes information regarding: (1) U.S. programs supporting policy and legislative changes leading to increased power generation and access in sub-Saharan Africa, and (2) power projects receiving U.S. government support.

Date: 2015-10-07
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Clean Cookstoves and Fuels Support Act 

This bill directs the Department of State to work to advance the goals of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.

 For working with the Alliance appropriations are authorized for the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Peace Corps.

Date: 2015-10-22
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Economic Growth and Development Act

This bill requires the President to: (1) establish a primary, interagency mechanism to assist the private sector in coordinating U.S. development programs with private sector investment activities; and (2) submit, annually, a strategy for the facilitation and coordination of private sector investments and activities for the purposes of development.

Such mechanism shall: (1) streamline and integrate private sector liaison, coordination, and investment promotion functions of U.S. development agencies; (2) facilitate the use of development and finance tools across such agencies to attract greater private sector participation in development activities; and (3) establish a single point of contact for the private sector for partnership opportunities with such agencies.

The Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) shall direct their policy teams to include private sector facilitation and coordination in all country, sector, and global development strategies.

 The State Department, USAID, and other relevant federal agencies shall ensure that analyses of rigorous, current constraints on growth and investment guide all such strategies.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Empower Burma Act of 2016

This bill directs the President to establish a multiyear strategy to encourage international efforts to promote sustainable economic development in Burma in order to reduce poverty, drive economic growth, and support democracy.

The President may establish an Interagency Working Group to coordinate the activities of U.S. agencies involved in carrying out such strategy.

The President should direct U.S. representatives to appropriate international bodies to advocate for increased economic development efforts in Burma.

The U.S. government should ensure that international development assistance projects that it supports in Burma:

 do not benefit entities on the list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (SDN list) or entities otherwise undermining peace in Burma, do not benefit the military, do not marginalize vulnerable populations or exclude any ethnic or religious communities, and promote good governance and meet internationally recognized labor standards. It is the sense of Congress that:

 preferential duty treatment should be extended to Burma as soon as Burma meets specified eligibility criteria; the Millennium Challenge Corporation should provide assistance to Burma as soon as Burma qualifies as an eligible country and enters into a Millennium Challenge Compact with the United States; and the President should not remove any entity from the SDN list without credible evidence that the entity is no longer participating in the activities for which it was listed and is not undermining peace in Burma.

Date: 2016-09-14
Topic: International Affairs (Developing Countries)
Subject: International affairs
Scientific Communications Act of 2007 - Directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a program for making grants to institutions to provide communications training to graduate students in order to improve the ability of scientists to interact with policymakers. Requires such program to be integrated with other NSF programs for the training of scientists, such as the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program. Requires recipients of grants under this Act to transmit annual reports to NSF describing the operations of the program funded by the grant.

Date: 2007-03-09
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Nanotechnology Innovation and Prize Competition Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to award prizes to eligible persons for achievement in one or more applications of nanotechnology for: (1) improvement of the environment, consistent with Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); (2) development of alternative energy that has the potential to lessen the dependence of the United States on fossil fuels; (3) improvement of human health, consistent with regulations promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); (4) development of consumer products; and (5) advancement in the field of nanoelectronics. Describes an eligible person as an individual who is: (1) a citizen or legal resident of the United States; (2) a member of a group that includes U.S. citizens or legal residents; or (3) an entity that is incorporated and maintains its primary place of business in the United States. Requires establishment of a board to administer and make awards under such program by: (1) holding a financial award competition and making an award to the first competitor to meet such criteria as the board shall establish; and (2) recognizing (without financial remuneration) an eligible person for superlative achievement in one or more of the nanotechnology applications described above. Authorizes the board to contract with a private organization to administer such a financial award competition. Prohibits the federal government from acquiring an intellectual property right in any product or idea by virtue of the submission of such product or idea in any such competition. Requires the board to submit annual reports to Congress on the nanotechnology award program established by this Act.

Date: 2008-07-30
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Space Commerce Act of 2008 - Amends the Technology Administration Act of 1998 to redesignate the Office of Space Commercialization, within the Department of Commerce, as the Office of Space Commerce and revise its functions.

Date: 2008-09-17
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Amends the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 to make a technical correction, to be effective on July 23, 2008, immediately after the enactment of the NET 911 Improvement Act of 2008.

Date: 2008-09-18
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Scott Gardner Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to share immigration information with the Attorney General. Requires a joint report from such officials to Congress on improving the performance of federal immigration databases to ensure the prompt entry of immigration information. Requires: (1) the director of each state and local law enforcement agency receiving federal incarceration funds under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to collect and report to the Secretary all immigration and DWI (driving while intoxicated) information collected in the course of normal duties; (2) such information to appear in the wanted person file of the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) database; and (3) state or local detention of an arrested flagged alien pending federal transfer. Amends INA to: (1) require the Secretary to reimburse the costs of training state and local law enforcement employees on federal immigration laws; and (2) authorize the apprehension and detention of an alien for DWI or a similar violation, as long as the alien is deportable on any other grounds or is an illegal alien. Requires each state motor vehicle administrator to share with the Secretary all information concerning aliens with records of DWI convictions or refusals to take sobriety tests. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a formula for the allocation of federal detention facilities for aliens.

Date: 2007-03-13
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Immigration
Human-Animal Hybrid Prohibition Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and to set penalties for: (1) creating or attempting to create a human-animal hybrid (a being with human and non-human tissue as specified in this Act); (2) transferring or attempting to transfer a human embryo into a non-human womb, or a non-human embryo into a human womb; or (3) transporting or receiving for any purpose a human-animal hybrid.

Date: 2007-11-15
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act or the CALM Act - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe a regulation that is limited to incorporating by reference, and making mandatory, the Recommended Practice: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television approved by the Advanced Television Systems Committee, so far as the recommended practice concerns the transmission of commercial advertisements by a television broadcast station, cable operator, or other multichannel video programming distributor. Allows the FCC to waive the regulation if obtaining the equipment to comply would result in financial hardship.

Date: 2009-02-13
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Innovative Technologies Investment Incentive Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a new business-related tax credit for 25% of the equity investment (i.e., stock and capital or profits interest) in a small business concern that is engaged in a high technology or biotechnology trade or business and employs an average of fewer than 500 employees in a taxable year. Establishes a national innovative technology investment credit limitation of $500 million.

Date: 2010-07-15
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Taxation
Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to list permissible sources of dogs and cats used by research facilities to include dogs and cats obtained: (1) from a licensed dealer; (2) from a publicly owned and operated pound or shelter that meets specified requirements; (3) by donation from a person who bred and raised the dog or cat or owned it for not less than one year; or (4) from a research facility licensed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Sets forth additional monetary penalties for related violations. Prohibits federal facilities from purchasing or otherwise acquiring dogs or cats for exhibition purposes (currently, for research, experimentation, or exhibition purposes) except from: (1) the operator of an auction that comports with legal requirements; or (2) a person holding a valid dealer or exhibitor license. Prohibits dealers from selling or otherwise providing any research facility (currently, any individual or entity) with random source dogs or cats unless specified certification requirements are met.

Date: 2009-10-21
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Animals
Amends the Act entitled "An Act Incorporating the Archaeological Institute of America" concerning the location of the principal office of the Archaeological Institute of America.

Date: 2011-11-01
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2013 - Requires each federal agency with extramural research expenditures of over $100 million to develop a federal research public access policy, following common procedures for the collection and depositing of research papers, that is consistent with, and that advances, the purposes of the agency.

Makes each federal research public access policy applicable to: (1) researchers employed by the federal agency whose works remain in the public domain, and (2) researchers funded by the agency. Specifies exclusions.

Requires each federal agency to submit an annual report on its federal research public access policy to specified congressional committees.

Date: 2013-02-14
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2013 - Establishes the position of Science Laureate of the United States.

Requires the President to appoint a Science Laureate on the basis of: (1) merit, particularly the ability of such individual to foster and enhance public awareness and interest in science and to provide ongoing significant scientific contributions; and (2) recommendations received by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) based on those factors.

Encourages each Science Laureate to continue his or her scientific work and directs the NAS to facilitate his or her duties.

Requires each Science Laureate to serve a term of one or two years.

Date: 2013-05-08
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2014 - Establishes the position of Science Laureate of the United States.

Requires the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to appoint a Science Laureate on the basis of merit, particularly the ability of such individual to foster and enhance public awareness and interest in science and to provide ongoing significant scientific contributions.

Encourages each Science Laureate to continue his or her scientific work and directs the NAS to facilitate his or her duties.

Limits the term of a Science Laureate to one year.

Date: 2014-03-06
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
American Space Technology for Exploring Resource Opportunities In Deep Space Act or the ASTEROIDS Act - Directs the President through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other appropriate federal agencies to

 facilitate the commercial exploration and utilization of asteroid resources to meet national needs; discourage government barriers to the development of economically viable, safe, and stable industries for the exploration and utilization of asteroid resources in outer space in manners consistent with the existing international obligations of the United States; promote the right of U.S. commercial entities to explore and utilize resources from asteroids in outer space, in accordance with such obligations, free from harmful interference, and to transfer or sell such resources; and develop the frameworks necessary to meet the international obligations of the United States.

Date: 2014-07-10
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Data Preservation Act of 2014 - Amends the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program Act of 2005 to reauthorize the Program for FY2015-FY2019.

Date: 2014-07-10
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2015

Requires each federal agency with extramural research expenditures of over $100 million to develop a federal research public access policy that is consistent with, and that advances, the purposes of the agency and that follows common procedures for the collection and depositing of research papers.

Makes each federal research public access policy applicable to: (1) researchers employed by the federal agency whose works remain in the public domain, and (2) researchers funded by the agency. Specifies exclusions.

Requires each federal agency to submit an annual report on its federal research public access policy to specified congressional committees.

Date: 2015-03-19
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Directs the President, acting through appropriate federal agencies, to:

 facilitate the commercial exploration and utilization of space resources to meet national needs; discourage government barriers to the development of economically viable, safe, and stable industries for the exploration and utilization of space resources in manners consistent with the existing international obligations of the United States; and promote the right of U.S. commercial entities to explore outer space and utilize space resources, in accordance with such obligations, free from harmful interference, and to transfer or sell such resources. Defines "space resource" as a natural resource of any kind found in place in outer space.

Directs the President to make recommendations to Congress for: (1) the allocation of responsibilities relating to the exploration and utilization of space resources among federal agencies, and (2) any authorities necessary to meet U.S. international obligations with respect to such exploration and resource utilization.

Declares that any asteroid resources obtained in outer space are the property of the entity that obtained them, which shall be entitled to all property rights to them, consistent with applicable federal law and existing international obligations.

States that a U.S. commercial space resource utilization entity:

 shall avoid causing harmful interference in outer space, and may bring a civil action in a U.S. district court for any action by another entity subject to U.S. jurisdiction causing harmful interference to its operations with respect to an asteroid resource utilization activity in outer space.

Date: 2015-03-19
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Geospatial Data Act of 2016

This bill establishes: (1) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the Federal Geographic Data Committee (the committee), which shall be the lead entity in the executive branch for the development, implementation, and review of policies, practices, and standards relating to geospatial data; and (2) in the executive branch the National Geospatial Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the committee. The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (as defined in this bill) shall ensure that geospatial data from multiple sources is available and easily integrated to enhance the understanding of the physical and cultural world. The committee shall prepare a strategic plan for the implementation of the infrastructure consistent with national security, national defense, and emergency preparedness program policies regarding data accessibility.

 The committee shall operate GeoPlatform, an electronic service that provides access to geospatial data and metadata for geospatial data.

 Agencies whose functions involve geospatial data shall implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related geospatial data activities appropriate to that agency's mission in support of the strategic plan for the infrastructure. Such agencies shall disclose each contract, cooperative agreement, grant, or other transaction that deals with geospatial data.

 Four years after enactment of this bill, federal funding shall not be made available for the collection, production, acquisition, maintenance, or dissemination of geospatial data that does not comply with applicable standards established by the committee.

The committee and agencies using geospatial data shall rely upon and use private individuals and entities for the acquisition of commercially available surveying and mapping and the provision of geospatial services, to the maximum extent practical.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act

 This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2019 the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009.

The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is a network of federal and regional entities that provide information about the nation's coasts and oceans, as well as the Great Lakes.

 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must: (1) serve as the lead federal agency for the implementation of the IOOS, and (2) establish an IOOS Program Office to oversees daily operations and coordination of the IOOS. The bill outlines the requirements for NOAA as the lead agency.

 The bill establishes a process for regional associations to certify their regional coastal observing systems.

 The Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology of the National Science and Technology Council must: (1) conduct an Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community Vulnerability Assessment on ocean acidification within a year and every five years thereafter; and (2) develop a plan to deploy ocean acidification sensors prioritized by the threat to coastal economies and ecosystems, gaps in data on ocean acidification, and research needs.

 The National Science Foundation's research on ocean acidification must include research on: (1) impacts of multiple stressors on ecosystems exhibiting hypoxia (a dead zone that is depleted of oxygen), harmful algal blooms (rapid accumulation of algae), or sediment delivery; and (2) the effects of those impacts combined with changes in ocean chemistry.

Date: 2016-11-15
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Next Generation Researchers Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Next Generation of Researchers Initiative in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to promote, provide, and improve opportunities for new researchers and earlier research independence. The initiative must: (1) coordinate with agencies, academic institutions, and others to improve and update existing information on the biomedical research workforce, and (2) take into consideration the recommendations of the National Academies of Sciences regarding the next generation of researchers and report on actions taken based on those recommendations.

(Sec. 3) The bill revises loan repayment programs for health professionals conducting research to increase the maximum repayment amount and to give the NIH the authority to expand eligibility for the programs based on workforce and scientific priorities.

The Government Accountability Office must report on NIH efforts to attract, retain, and develop emerging scientists.

Date: 2015-09-09
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Health
This bill amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016 to repeal, and deem never to have been enacted, the requirement that the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle service competitive procurements be open for award to all certified providers of such systems offering the best value to the government, regardless of the rocket engine's country of origin (including the Russian Federation), for the evolved expendable launch vehicle program.

Date: 2016-01-28
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Digital Security Commission Act of 2016

This bill establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on Security and Technology Challenges to assess, and make recommendations for policy and practice concerning, the issue of multiple security interests in the digital world, including public safety, privacy, national security, and communications and data protection, both now and throughout the next 10 years.

Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House and Senate majority leader (eight members), the minority leaders in the House and the Senate (eight members), and the President (one member) from among U.S. citizens with significant knowledge and primary experience in:

 cryptography, global commerce and economics, federal law enforcement, state and local law enforcement, consumer-facing technology sector, enterprise technology sector, the intelligence community, and the privacy and civil liberties community.

Date: 2016-02-29
Topic: Technology (Other)
Subject: Congress
Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 2007 - Extends: (1) the conservation reserve program; (2) the wetlands reserve program; (3) the conservation security program; (4) the grassland reserve program; (5) the environmental quality incentives program; (6) the wildlife habitat incentive program; (7) the agricultural management assistance program; Establishes: (1) the cooperative conservation partnership initiative; (2) the community forestry and open space conservation program; (3) an integrated pest management initiative; (4) a conservation initiative for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; (5) a conservation planning pilot program; and (6) a cooperative conservation educational assistance program. Authorizes a conservation loan guarantee program. Revises: (1) the farmland protection program; and (2) funding for the healthy forests reserve program. Revises and extends the biorefinery development program. Extends: (1) the energy audit and renewable energy development program; (2) the renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements program; (3) the Department of Agriculture bioenergy program; (4) biomass research and development; and (5) carbon cycle research. Extends: (1) the community food project grant program; (2) the farm-to-cafeteria program; (3) the women, infants, and children (WIC) farmers' market nutrition program; (4) the senior farmers' market nutrition program; and (5) farmers' market promotion program. Establishes: (1) a fruit and vegetable nutrition promotion program; (2) a food stamp fruit and vegetable electronic transfer pilot program; and (3) a farm viability program (currently, program authority is discretionary). Provides for Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture procurement of locally produced agricultural products. Extends: (1) the organic agriculture research and extension initiative; (2) education grant programs for Hispanic-serving institutions; (3) the value-added agricultural product market development grant program; and (4) and revises the national organic certification and transition cost share program.

Date: 2007-03-15
Topic: Agriculture (General)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from closing or relocating any Farm Service Agency office located in Appomattox, Virginia, or Lunenburg, Virginia.

Date: 2007-03-22
Topic: Agriculture (General)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from closing or relocating any Farm Service Agency (FSA) county or field office until at least one year after enactment of an omnibus law to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs for fiscal years after 2007.

Date: 2007-03-22
Topic: Agriculture (General)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Resource Conservation and Community Development Enhancement Act - Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to provide for a locally led planning process under the resource conservation and development program. Replaces the permanent authorization of appropriations with an annual obligation of specified amounts from the Commodity Credit Corporation for FY2008-FY2012.

Date: 2007-05-09
Topic: Agriculture (General)
Subject: Agriculture and food