cheaptrix/UnitedStatesSenateBillsAndSummaries huggingface dataset:
Transparency in Small Business Assistance Act

To increase oversight of small business assistance programs provided by the Small Business Administration. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Transparency in Small Business Assistance Act 2. Oversight of small business assistance programs (a) Definitions In this Act— (1) the terms Administration Administrator (2) the term small business concern 15 U.S.C. 632 (b) Oversight of small business assistance programs (1) In general The Administrator shall collect information from each small business concern that receives assistance from the Administration, including a loan, a loan guarantee, a grant, or counseling services. (2) Information to be collected The information collected under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) the operational status of each small business concern, to be collected 6 months after and 1 year after the date on which the small business concern receives assistance from the Administration; (B) if a small business concern is no longer operational, the reason for the closure of the small business concern; (C) the number of part-time employees and full-time employees that each small business concern employs, to be collected— (i) 6 months after the date on which the small business concern receives assistance from the Administration, and every 6 months thereafter, during the time the small business concern is receiving assistance from the Administration; and (ii) 6 months after and 1 year after the date on which the small business concern ceases to receive assistance from the Administration; and (D) if the Administration is unable to provide assistance to the small business concern, the number of referrals that the Administration makes to another assistance program within the Administration or to another Federal agency. (3) Report The Administration shall include the information collected under this subsection in the annual report required under section 10(a) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 639(a) (c) Effective date This Act shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Transparency in Small Business Assistance Act - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to collect, for specified periods, information from small businesses that receive SBA assistance, including a loan, loan guarantee, grant, or counseling services. Requires such information to include: (1) the operational status of the small business concern and, if it is no longer operational, the reason for closure; (2) the number of part- and full-time employees; and (3) the number of referrals that SBA makes to another federal assistance program if it is unable to provide assistance to the concern.
SAFE Act Confidentiality and Privilege Enhancement Act

To ensure access to certain information for financial services industry regulators, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the SAFE Act Confidentiality and Privilege Enhancement Act 2. Confidentiality of information shared between state and federal financial services regulators Section 1512(a) of the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 ( 12 U.S.C. 5111(a) or financial services industry

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) SAFE Act Confidentiality and Privilege Enhancement Act - Amends the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to extend to state and federal regulatory officials having financial services oversight authority (currently only those having mortgage oversight authority) access to any information provided to the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (or any system established by the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [CFPB]) without the loss of privilege or confidentiality protections provided by federal and state laws.
Small Business Lending Reauthorization Act of 2015

To establish authorization levels for general business loans for fiscal years 2015 and 2016. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Small Business Lending Reauthorization Act of 2015 2. General business loans authorization Section 20 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 631 (1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (f); and (2) by adding at the end the following: (g) Fiscal year 2015 For fiscal year 2015, the Administrator is authorized to make $20,500,000,000 in general business loans, as provided in section 7(a). (h) Fiscal year 2016 For fiscal year 2016, the Administrator is authorized to make $23,500,000,000 in general business loans, as provided in section 7(a). .

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Small Business Lending Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration to make general business loans in the amount of $20.5 billion for FY2015, and $23.5 billion for FY2016.
Emergency Information Improvement Act of 2015


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.) Emergency Information Improvement Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include broadcasting facilities within the definition of a &quot;private nonprofit facility&quot; that provides essential services of a governmental nature to the general public, and to include broadcast and telecommunications within the definition of &quot;critical services&quot; provided by such a facility, for purposes of eligibility for certain disaster assistance.
Truth in Settlements Act of 2015


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 21, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Truth in Settlements Act of 2015 Sets forth new requirements for the public disclosure of any covered settlement agreement entered into by a federal executive agency.&nbsp; (Sec. 2) Defines "covered settlement agreement" as a settlement agreement (including a consent decree) that: (1) is entered into by an executive agency, relates to an alleged violation of federal civil or criminal law, and requires the payment of not less than $1 million by one or more non-federal persons (entities not within the federal government); or (2) relates to the rulemaking process or an alleged failure of an executive agency to engage in such process and requires the payment of not less&nbsp;than $200,000 in attorney fees, costs, or expenses by an executive agency to a non-federal person. Requires agency heads to make publicly available on the agency website&nbsp;a copy of each covered settlement agreement entered into by the agency and a list for each agreement, which shall include: the names of the parties to the settlement&nbsp;agreement and the date of such agreement; a description of the claims that were settled under the agreement; the amount each party to the agreement is obligated to pay under the terms of the agreement and the total amounts required to be paid; for each settling party, the amount the settling party is obligated to pay that has been expressly specified as a civil or criminal penalty or fine and any amount expressly specified as not deductible for tax purposes; and a description of where amounts collected under the agreement will be deposited. Requires each agency to ensure that: (1) such information remains publicly available for not less than 5 years beginning on the date of the agreement, and (2) a copy of a covered settlement agreement remains publicly available for not less than 1 year beginning on such date or for not less than 5 years in the case of an agreement under which a non-federal person is required to pay at least $50 million. Exempts the provisions of a covered settlement agreement that are subject to a confidentiality agreement from disclosure. Directs an agency to issue a public statement explaining any determination that confidentiality of an agreement is required to protect U.S. interests. Requires agencies to submit an annual report indicating: how many covered settlement agreements the agency entered into during the previous fiscal year; how many of such agreements had terms or conditions that were required to be kept confidential; the total amount of attorney fees, costs, and expenses paid to non-federal persons under such agreements; and the number of such agreements between the agency and non-federal persons that involved regulatory action or regulatory changes during that fiscal year. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on how agencies determine whether the terms or existence of a settlement agreement will be treated as confidential.
West Coast Dungeness Crab Management Act

To make the authority of States of Washington, Oregon, and California to manage Dungeness crab fishery permanent and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the West Coast Dungeness Crab Management Act 2. Dungeness crab fishery management Section 203 of the Act entitled An Act to approve a governing international agreement between the United States and the Republic of Poland, and for other purposes Public Law 105–384 16 U.S.C. 1856 (1) by striking subsection (i); and (2) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (i).

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) West Coast Dungeness Crab Management Act (Sec. 2)This bill makes permanent the authority of Washington, Oregon, and California to adopt and enforce state laws governing fishing and processing in the exclusive economic zone adjacent to their state in any Dungeness crab fishery for which there is no fishery management plan in effect under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2015


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.) Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) This bill reauthorizes through December 31, 2019, provisions requiring the U.S. Postal Service to issue a special postage stamp for first-class mail that costs more than the regular first-class stamp to raise funds for breast cancer research. (Sec. 3) Agencies receiving these funds from the Postal Service must use them on breast cancer research.
Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2015


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on May 6, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to extend through FY2020 the authorization of appropriations for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) program. (Sec. 3) It requires the transfer to the general fund of the Treasury, no later than January 31, 2023, of all funds appropriated for the BVP program for FY2016-FY2020 that are not obligated on or before December 31, 2022. (Sec. 4) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that amounts made available to carry out the BVP program should be made available through the end of the fiscal year following the one for which the amounts are appropriated and should not be made available until expended. (Sec. 5) It prohibits the use of federal funds under another grant program to pay or defer the cost of the matching funds requirement for the BVP program. (Sec. 6) It requires a state, local, or tribal government that receives a BVP program grant to comply with BVP program requirements, to have a written policy requiring uniformed patrol officers to wear an armor vest or body armor, and to use the funds to purchase vests or body armor that meet performance standards established by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. (Sec. 7) The bill allows preferential consideration to a BVP program grant applicant from a jurisdiction that provides armor vests that are uniquely fitted to law enforcement officers, including individual female officers.
Adoptive Family Relief Act


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.) Adoptive Family Relief Act (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to declare that if an immigrant visa was issued on or after March 27, 2013, for a child who has been lawfully adopted, or who is coming to the United States to be adopted, by a U.S. citizen, any statutory immigrant visa fees relating to a renewal or replacement of such visa may be waived or refunded if: the child was unable to use the original immigrant visa during the period of its validity as a direct result of extraordinary circumstances, including the denial of an exit permit; and such inability was attributable to factors beyond the control of the adopting parent or parents.
Electronic Health Fairness Act of 2015


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on July 30, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Electronic Health Fairness Act of 2015 (Sec. 3) This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit, for a payment year after 2015, any patient encounter of an eligible professional occurring at an ambulatory surgical center from being treated as such an encounter in determining whether an eligible professional qualifies as a meaningful electronic health record (EHR) user. Terminates this prohibition three years after the Department of Health and Human Services determines, through notice and comment rulemaking, that certified EHR technology is applicable to the ambulatory surgical center setting.
E-Warranty Act of 2015


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 9, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.) E-Warranty Act of 2015 (Sec. 3) Amends the Magnuson-Moss Warranty--Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to revise its rules to allow manufacturers to satisfy requirements concerning the availability of written warranties on consumer products by making the terms accessible in a digital format on the manufacturer's Internet website. Requires the product, packaging, or product manual in the case of a warranty provided on a website in such manner to display to the consumer: (1) the website where the warranty terms can be obtained; and (2) a phone number, postal address, or other reasonable non-Internet based means of contacting the manufacturer to obtain and review such terms. Prohibits such Internet website warranties from satisfying any requirement that a warranty be made available prior to sale in a retail location, by catalog, or through door-to-door sales, unless the seller makes the warranty available, through electronic or other means, at the location of the sale before the purchase.
Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.) Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) Includes as a preference eligible for federal employment purposes a parent (currently, the mother only) of either an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the Armed Forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during the period beginning April 28, 1952, and ending July 1, 1955, or a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if: (1) the spouse of such parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (2) such parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or legally separated from his or her spouse.
Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act of 2015

To amend the Small Business Act to direct the task force of the Office of Veterans Business Development to provide access to and manage the distribution of excess or surplus property to veteran-owned small businesses. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act of 2015 2. Access to excess or surplus property for veteran-owned small businesses Section 32(c)(3)(B) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 657b(c)(3)(B) (1) in clause (v), by striking ; and (2) in clause (vi), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new clause: (vii) providing access to and managing the distribution of excess or surplus property owned by the United States to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the task force and the head of the applicable state agency (as defined in section 549 of title 40, United States Code). .

Summary: Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act of 2015 This bill amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to give access to and manage the distribution of U.S-owned surplus property, including foreign excess personal property returned to a state for handling as surplus property, to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the SBA and the head of the state agency for surplus properties.
Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act

To allow acceleration certificates awarded under the Patents for Humanity Program to be transferable. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act 2. Transferability of Acceleration Certificates (a) In general A holder of an acceleration certificate issued pursuant to the Patents for Humanity Program (established in the notice entitled Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program (b) Requirement An acceleration certificate transferred under subsection (a) shall be subject to any other applicable limitations under the notice entitled Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act (Sec. 2) This bill allows the holder or successor of an acceleration certificate issued pursuant to the Patents for Humanity Program (a pilot awards program established by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [USPTO] entitling awardees to accelerate certain USPTO proceedings for patented technologies addressing humanitarian needs among an impoverished population or for further research on humanitarian technologies) to transfer, including by sale, the entitlement to such certificate to another person.
United States Merchant Marine Academy Improvements Act of 2015


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.) United States Merchant Marine Academy Improvements Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) Authorizes the Administrator of the Maritime Administration to: (1)&nbsp; accept a gift of money from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc. in order to renovate Melville Hall on the campus of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and (2) enter into a contract with the Foundation for the Hall's operation.
Access to Community Care for Veterans Act of 2015

To amend the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to modify the distance requirement for expanded availability of hospital care and medical services for veterans through the use of agreements with non-Department of Veterans Affairs entities. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Access to Community Care for Veterans Act of 2015 2. Modification of distance requirement for expanded availability of hospital care and medical services for veterans through the use of agreements with non-Department of Veterans Affairs entities (a) In general Subparagraph (B) of section 101(b)(2) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 (B) resides more than 40 miles (calculated based on distance traveled) from a medical facility of the Department, including a community-based outpatient clinic, that is the closest such medical facility to the residence of the veteran that is able to provide to the veteran the hospital care or medical services that the veteran needs; . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to care and services provided under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 (c) Emergency designations (1) In general The amendment made by subsection (a) is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 4(g) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 ( 2 U.S.C. 933(g) (2) Designation in Senate In the Senate, the amendment made by subsection (a) is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 403(a) of S. Con. Res. 13 (111th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010.

Summary: Access to Community Care for Veterans Act of 2015 This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 regarding the veterans choice program to allow a veteran to access a non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility, including a community-based outpatient clinic, if the VA facility within 40 miles driving distance of the veteran's home does not offer the needed hospital or medical services.
Need-Based Educational Aid Act of 2015


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.) Need-Based Educational Aid Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 to extend through FY2022 the antitrust exemption that allows institutions of higher education that admit all students on a need-blind basis to enter or attempt to enter into agreements among themselves regarding the administration of need-based financial aid. The bill also, however, repeals the permission for these institutions to exchange through an independent third party, before awarding financial aid to any of the students, data submitted by the student, his or her family, or a financial institution on their behalf relating to assets, liabilities, income, expenses, the number of family members, and the number of the student's siblings in college, if each of the institutions is permitted to retrieve the data only once with respect to the student.
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.) Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as of December 1, 2015, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date. Directs the VA to publish the increased amounts in the Federal Register. Authorizes the VA to adjust administratively, consistent with the increases made by this Act, the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for a service-connected disability.