cheaptrix/UnitedStatesSentateAndHouseBillsAndSummaries huggingface dataset:
Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act


Summary: Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act This bill authorizes the holder of an acceleration certificate awarded under the Patents for Humanity program to transfer the certificate to another party. (The Patents for Humanity program recognizes patent owners, applicants, and licensees that use their inventions to meet humanitarian challenges. The winners each receive a certificate that can be used to accelerate certain U.S. Patent and Trademark Office proceedings, such as a patent application.)
East Africa Locust Eradication Act


Summary: Desert Locust Control Act This bill requires the President to establish an interagency working group to (1) coordinate the U.S. response to the ongoing desert locust outbreak in the East Africa region and its impact on food security and political stability, including in the context of restrictions relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019); (2) review the effectiveness of regional and multilateral efforts to eradicate the desert locust outbreak; and (3) develop and implement a plan to control the desert locust outbreak.
COVID-19 SCAM Act

To prohibit the use of telephone calls or text messages for unfair or deceptive acts or practices relating to COVID–19, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the COVID–19 Stop Calling Americans Maliciously Act COVID–19 SCAM Act 2. Prohibition on the use of telephone calls or text messages for unfair or deceptive acts or practices relating to COVID–19 (a) In general It shall be unlawful for any person to make or place a telephone call or send a text message to offer a good or service or make a solicitation if during such call or text message the person conveys materially misleading or inaccurate information relating to COVID–19 as part of such offer or solicitation. (b) Enforcement by Federal Trade Commission (1) In general A violation of subsection (a) shall be treated as a violation of a regulation under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B) (2) Powers of Commission The Commission shall enforce subsection (a) in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 41 (c) Text message defined The term text message 47 U.S.C. 227(e)(8)(C)

Summary: COVID&#8211;19 Stop Calling Americans Maliciously Act or the COVID&#8211;19 SCAM Act This bill prohibits telephone calls or text messages offering goods or services that convey misleading or inaccurate information relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) as part of such offer.
Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020


Summary: Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020 This bill addresses various housing issues in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency, including housing assistance programs and moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures. The bill authorizes additional housing assistance, including rental assistance, for (1) low-income individuals with families, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; (2) the elderly; (3) individuals with disabilities; and (4) rural renters. In addition, the bill establishes a 12-month moratorium on evictions covering all tenants, whereas the previously enacted moratorium covered only tenants of federally assisted properties. Similarly, the bill establishes a 12-month moratorium on foreclosures that covers all tenants, whereas the previously enacted moratorium covered only federally backed mortgages. The bill also establishes an automatic 60-day forbearance (i.e., suspension of mortgage payments) for a single-family mortgage that becomes delinquent by 60 days during the public health emergency. Under current law, the borrower must request a forbearance. This automatic forbearance also applies to certain reverse mortgages. The bill extends the maximum period of forbearance for multifamily mortgages from 90 days to 12 months. Additionally, the bill establishes a six-month moratorium on the repossession of personal property used as a dwelling. The bill also provides additional bankruptcy protections by (1) increasing the homestead exemption (generally, the equity in a residence that is protected from creditors in a bankruptcy proceeding) from $15,000 to $100,000, and (2) expanding eligibility for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Greener Transportation for Communities Act

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide exempt facility bonds for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Greener Transportation for Communities Act 2. Exempt facility bonds for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure (a) In general Section 142 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (14), by striking or (B) in paragraph (15), by striking the period at the end and inserting , or (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (16) zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. , and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (n) Zero-Emission vehicle infrastructure (1) In general For purposes of subsection (a)(16), the term zero-emission vehicle infrastructure (A) is used to charge or fuel zero-emissions vehicles, (B) is located where the vehicles are charged or fueled, (C) is of a character subject to the allowance for depreciation (or amortization in lieu of depreciation), (D) is made available for use by members of the general public, (E) accepts payment by use of a credit card reader, and (F) is capable of charging or fuel vehicles produced by more than one manufacturer (within the meaning of section 30D(d)(3)). (2) Inclusion of utility service connections, etc The term zero-emission vehicle infrastructure (3) Zero-emissions vehicle The term zero-emissions vehicle (A) a zero-emission vehicle as defined in section 88.102–94 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, or (B) a vehicle that produces zero exhaust emissions of any criteria pollutant (or precursor pollutant) or greenhouse gas under any possible operational modes and conditions. (4) Zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure located within other facilities or projects For purposes of subsection (a), any zero-emission vehicle infrastructure located within— (A) a facility or project described in subsection (a), or (B) an area adjacent to a facility or project described in subsection (a) that primarily serves vehicles traveling to or from such facility or project, shall be treated as described in the paragraph in which such facility or project is described. (5) Exception for refueling property for fleet vehicles Subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to property which is part of a unit which is used exclusively by fleets of commercial or governmental vehicles. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to obligations issued after December 31, 2020.

Summary: Greener Transportation for Communities Act This bill authorizes the&nbsp;use of tax-exempt facility bonds to fund zero-emission vehicle infrastructure used to charge or fuel zero-emissions vehicles. The bill defines zero-emissions vehicles as (1) any any light-duty vehicle or light-duty truck conforming to the applicable low-emission vehicle standard, or any heavy-duty vehicle with an engine conforming to such standard; or (2) vehicles that produce zero exhaust emissions of any criteria pollutant (or precursor pollutant) or greenhouse gas under any possible operational modes and conditions.
Child Care for Economic Recovery Act


Summary: Child Care for Economic Recovery Act DIVISION A--EMERGENCY CHILD CARE SUPPORT APPROPRIATIONS Emergency Child Care Support Appropriations Act, 2020 This division provides appropriations for emergency child care support for FY2020. TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY This title provides additional appropriations for Internal Revenue Service taxpayer services. TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES This title provides additional appropriations for the Social Services Block Grant program and the Child Care and Development Fund. TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS (Sec. 301) This title sets forth provisions governing FY2020 appropriations made by this bill and amounts designated as emergency requirements. DIVISION B--WORKER ACCESS TO CHILD AND FAMILY CARE Worker Access to Child and Family Care Act (Sec. 402) This section increases and makes refundable the child and dependent care tax credit. It adjusts for inflation the increased amounts of this credit for taxable years beginning after 2020. (Sec. 403) This section increases the tax exclusion for employer-paid dependent care assistance and adjusts the increased amounts for inflation for taxable years beginning after 2020. (Sec. 404) This section allows employers impacted by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic a payroll tax credit for 50% of qualified fixed expenses of child care facilities for each calendar quarter. Qualified fixed expenses means mortgage and rent obligations and utility expenses. (Sec. 405) This section allows employers a payroll tax credit for 30% of their qualified employee dependent care expenses in a calendar quarter. The amount of the credit for each employee may not exceed $2,500 for any calendar quarter. (Sec. 406) This section allows a carryover of unused benefits in a dependent care flexible spending arrangements to the next plan year. (Sec. 407) This section expands the employee retention tax credit to include the employment of domestic workers. (Sec. 408) This section increases funding for child care stabilization funds for FY2020-FY2024. (Sec. 409) This section increases funding for the family care expenses of essential workers (i.e., health sector employees, emergency response workers, child care workers, sanitation workers, and workers at a business serving the public during an emergency). (Sec. 410) Infrastructure Grants To Improve Child Care Safety Act of 2020 This section requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct an immediate needs assessment of the condition of child care facilities throughout the United States that determines the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic has created immediate infrastructure needs and the impact of the pandemic on such facilities. HHS may award grants to acquire,construct, renovate, or improve child care facilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and must grant priority in the use of grant funds to assist child care facilities primarily serving low-income populations, children under the age of five, the children of essential workers, and facilities closed during the pandemic.
Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2020

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements relating to the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act of 2020 2. Permitting the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements relating to the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) (9) Authority to waive telehealth requirements Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Secretary may waive any such provision for any area and time period specified by the Secretary. . 3. Making permanent the ability of federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to furnish telehealth services under the Medicare program Section 1834(m)(8) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(8) (1) in the header, by striking during emergency period (2) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking During Beginning on the first day of (3) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking during such emergency period 4. Clarification for fraud and abuse laws regarding technologies provided to beneficiaries Section 1128A(i)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7a(i)(6)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking ; or (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (K) the provision of technologies (as defined by the Secretary) on or after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, by a provider of services or supplier (as such terms are defined for purposes of title XVIII) directly to an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII, enrolled under part B of such title, or both, for the purpose of furnishing telehealth services, remote patient monitoring services, or other services furnished through the use of technology (as defined by the Secretary), if— (i) the technologies are not offered as part of any advertisement or solicitation; and (ii) the provision of the technologies meets any other requirements set forth in regulations promulgated by the Secretary. .

Summary: Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2020 This bill modifies requirements relating to coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Among other things, the bill authorizes the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services to generally waive coverage restrictions at any time and for any area. The bill also permanently allows federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner) for telehealth services.
Chai Suthammanont Remembrance Act of 2020


Summary: Chai Suthammanont Remembrance Act of 2020 This bill requires federal agencies to develop and disclose reopening plans that incorporate certain information before sending employees back to work during a public health emergency, such as the emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill requires an agency to post a reopening plan on its website at least 30 days before reopening a facility. Among other information, the plan must detail (1) the personal protective equipment (PPE) that the agency will provide to its employees; (2) protections for employees whose work requires them to be in nonfederal buildings, such as auditors; and (3) potential measures to reverse the reopening that still ensure the continuity of operations. Each agency's Office of the Inspector General must report on whether the agency has complied with this bill's requirements and whether the agency has provided adequate PPE for its employees.
To designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the "Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center".


Summary: This bill designates the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center or the Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center.
Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act


Summary: Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act This bill requires the Government Publishing Office (GPO) to establish and maintain a publicly available online portal containing copies of all congressionally mandated reports. A federal agency must submit a congressionally mandated report and specified information about the report to the GPO between 30 and 45 calendar days after submission of the report to either chamber or to any congressional committee or subcommittee. Upon the written request of the chair of a congressional committee or subcommittee to the GPO, a report submitted to that committee or subcommittee shall not be submitted or published on the portal. Federally chartered corporations and the Government Accountability Office are excluded from the requirements of this bill. The Office of Management and Budget must issue guidance to federal agencies on the bill's requirement for agencies to submit copies of congressionally mandated reports and related information to the GPO.
Improving College Affordability for our Guard and Reserve Act

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include all members of the Armed Forces in the definition of independent student 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving College Affordability for our Guard and Reserve Act 2. Definition of independent student Section 480(d)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087vv(d)(1) (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (I) as subparagraphs (F) through (J), respectively; and (2) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the following: (D) is a veteran of the Armed Forces (as defined in subsection (c)(1)); (E) is a member of the Armed Forces (including the National Guard or Reserve) without regard to whether such individual is serving on active duty; .

Summary: Improving College Affordability for our Guard and Reserve Act This bill authorizes all members of the Armed Forces&mdash;including reservists or those in the National Guard and regardless of their duty status&mdash;to claim independent student status when applying for federal financial aid. Currently, active duty service members and veterans of the Armed Forces may claim such independent student status.
RLF Act

To amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to provide for the release of certain Federal interests in connection with certain grants under that Act, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reinvigorating Lending for the Future Act RLF Act 2. Release of certain interests Section 601(d)(2) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3211(d)(2) (1) by striking the paragraph designation and heading and all that follows through The Secretary may (2) Release (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary may ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (B) Certain releases (i) In general On written request from a recipient of a grant under section 209(d), the Secretary shall release, in accordance with this subparagraph, any Federal interest in connection with the grant, if— (I) the request is made not less than 7 years after the final disbursement of the original grant; (II) the recipient has complied with the terms and conditions of the grant to the satisfaction of the Secretary; (III) any proceeds realized from the grant will be used for one or more activities that continue to carry out the economic development purposes of this Act; and (IV) the recipient includes in the written request a description of how the recipient will use the proceeds of the grant in accordance with subclause (III). (ii) Deadline (I) In general Except as provided in subclause (II), the Secretary shall complete all closeout actions for the grant by not later than 180 days after receipt and acceptance of the written request under clause (i). (II) Extension The Secretary may extend a deadline under subclause (I) by an additional 180 days if the Secretary determines the extension to be necessary. (iii) Savings provision Section 602 shall continue to apply to a project assisted with a grant under section 209(d) regardless of whether the Secretary releases a Federal interest under clause (i). .

Summary: Reinvigorating Lending for the Future Act or the RLF Act This bill reduces reporting requirements for recipients of Revolving Loan Fund grants, which provide funds to capitalize lending programs for businesses that cannot obtain traditional bank financing. Specifically, upon request by a qualifying grantee, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) must release any federal interest in a grant&#8212;thereby relieving the grantee of associated federal reporting requirements&#8212;if the request is made at least seven years after the final disbursement of the original grant. Currently, the EDA may release the federal interest in a grant beginning 20 years after the grant was awarded.
Don't Block LGBTQ Act of 2020

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit schools and libraries that receive universal service support from blocking internet access to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer resources, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Don’t Block LGBTQ Act of 2020 2. Access to LGBTQ resources under universal service schools and libraries program (a) In general Section 254(h) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 254(h) (1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); (2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: (7) Access to LGBTQ resources Notwithstanding subsection (l)(2), an elementary school, secondary school, or library may not receive services at discount rates under paragraph (1)(B) if such school or library (under an internet safety policy with respect to which certification is required under this subsection or otherwise) blocks internet access to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer resources. ; and (3) in paragraph (8) (as redesignated), by adding at the end the following: (J) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer resources The term lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer resources . (b) Conforming amendments to Communications Act of 1934 (1) Section 254 Section 254(h)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 254(h)(4) paragraph (7)(A) paragraph (8)(A) (2) Section 271 Section 271(g)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 271(g)(2) section 254(h)(5) section 254(h)(8)

Summary: Don't Block LGBTQ Act of 2020 This bill prohibits elementary schools, secondary schools, or libraries that receive discount rates for telecommunications services&nbsp;under the universal service support program from blocking internet access to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer resources. The bill does not prohibit schools or libraries from blocking content that is obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors.
Hong Kong Autonomy Act


Summary: Hong Kong Autonomy Act This bill imposes sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that materially contribute to China's failure to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy. Hong Kong is part of China but has a largely separate legal and economic system with protections for civil rights such as freedom of speech. This arrangement is enshrined in (1) the Joint Declaration, a 1984 treaty pertaining to the United Kingdom's transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China; and (2) the Basic Law, Hong Kong's constitutional document. The Department of State shall report annually to Congress information about (1) foreign individuals and entities that materially contributed to China's failure to comply with the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law; and (2) foreign financial institutions that knowingly conducted a significant transaction with such identified individuals and entities. An individual, entity, or financial institution may be excluded from this report for various reasons, such as to protect an intelligence source. The President shall impose property-blocking sanctions on an individual or entity named in a report,&nbsp;and visa-blocking sanctions on a named individual. The President shall impose various sanctions on a financial institution named in a report, such as prohibiting the institution from receiving loans from a U.S. financial institution. The President may waive or terminate the imposition of sanctions under this bill. Congress may override such a waiver or termination by passing a joint resolution of disapproval.
Peace Corps Commemorative Work Extension Act


Summary: Peace Corps Commemorative Work Extension Act This bill extends through January 24, 2028, the authority of the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation to establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to commemorate the mission of the Peace Corps and the ideals on which the Peace Corps was founded.
To provide for a regional center for security studies for the Arctic in the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

To provide for a regional center for security studies for the Arctic in the Department of Defense, and for other purposes. 1. Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies (a) Establishment required (1) In general The Secretary of Defense shall establish and administer for purposes of section 342 of title 10, United States Code, and other applicable provisions of law, a Department of Defense Regional Center for Security Studies for the Arctic. (2) Designation The Regional Center for Security Studies established and administered pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be known as the Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies (3) Location The Regional Center for Security Studies established and administered pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be located in such location in a non-contiguous State as the Secretary considers appropriate. (b) Sixth Regional Center for Security Studies Section 184(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (F) The Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies, located in a non-contiguous State. . (c) Acceptance of gifts and donations Section 2611(a)(2) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (F) The Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies. .

Summary: This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD)&nbsp;to establish and administer a DOD regional center for security studies for the Arctic, to be located in Alaska or Hawaii and known as the Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies.
Granny Pods Study Act of 2020

To require the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to conduct a study on temporary family health care structures. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Granny Pods Study Act of 2020 2. Study on temporary family health care structures (a) Study The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid shall conduct a study on provision of long term care to mentally or physically impaired individuals using temporary family health care structures. The study shall include: (1) An identification of the services currently covered by Medicare program or the Medicaid program that could reasonably be provided in a temporary family health care structure by a caregiver or a home health provider. (2) A determination of reasonable reimbursement rates for those services identified under paragraph (1) provided in a temporary family health care structure setting. (3) The cost differential between such rates and the rates for such services furnished in a nursing facility. (b) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with other Federal agencies, if appropriate, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the activities undertaken pursuant to subsection (a) and the results of the study conducted under such subsection. 3. Definitions For purposes of this Act: (1) Temporary family health care structure The term temporary family health care structure (A) is primarily assembled at a location other than its site of installation; (B) is limited to one occupant who shall be the mentally or physically impaired person; and (C) has no more than 300 gross square feet. (2) Long term care The term long term care (3) Caregiver The term caregiver (4) Mentally or physically impaired individual The term mentally or physically impaired individual

Summary: Granny Pods Study Act of 2020 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) to study the provision of certain long-term care services for physically or mentally impaired individuals through temporary family health care structures (also known as granny pods). Specifically, the CMS must (1) identify services that are already covered by Medicare or Medicaid that could be provided in temporary family health care structures by caregivers, (2) determine reasonable reimbursement rates for such services, and (3) provide the cost differential between such rates and the rates for services provided in nursing facilities. The bill defines temporary family health care structure as a transportable residential structure that helps a caregiver (i.e., adult relative) of an individual who is mentally or physically impaired to care for the individual. The structure must have been primarily assembled at a different location from&nbsp;where it is installed, may be no larger than 300 gross square feet, and must be limited to only one occupant (the individual in need of care).
COVID PREPARE Act of 2020


Summary: COVID Preparedness, Response, and Effective Planning for Advanced Requirements by the Executive Branch Act of 2020 or the COVID PREPARE Act of 2020 This bill requires federal agencies to submit to Congress plans for responding to any resurgence of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, each agency shall submit (1) an initial report detailing an action plan, informed by research and best practices learned from the onset of COVID-19 and previous presidentially declared emergencies, for addressing the needs and mitigating and eliminating the risks and challenges associated with any resurgence in COVID-19 cases; and (2) subsequent reports, on a quarterly basis until the President ends the declared emergency, that update the details submitted in the plan. The initial report shall include agency priorities for preparing for and responding to any resurgence; measurable goals specific to priorities and a time line for addressing each priority; anticipated challenges to addressing priorities and how the agency will address such challenges; how the agency will consult with Congress, the public, state and municipal governments, and relevant stakeholders while working remotely; and how the agency plans to issue relevant guidance to entities under the jurisdiction of the agency.
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 South 16th Street in Clarinda, Iowa, as the "Jessie Field Shambaugh Post Office Building".


Summary: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 South 16th Street in Clarinda, Iowa, as the "Jessie Field Shambaugh Post Office Building."
COMMS Act


Summary: Communications Outreach Media and Mail Standards Act or the COMMS ActThis bill renames the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards as the House Communications Standards Commission and expands the commission's authority with respect to regulating certain mass mailings of Members of the House of Representatives.
Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act


Summary: Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act This bill requires the Administrative Conference of the United States&nbsp;to create and maintain a database&nbsp;of specified information about fees awarded in certain court cases and adversarial administrative proceedings in which the United States is a party.
Global Electoral Exchange Act of 2019


Summary: Global Electoral Exchange Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the Department of State to establish a Global Electoral Exchange Program to promote sound election-administration practices around the world. The State Department may award grants to qualified, tax-exempt, U.S.-based organizations that have expertise and experience in relevant topics, such as election-system integrity. Grants may be used to design programs to bring relevant individuals, such as election administrators and poll workers, together to study and discuss election procedures. The State Department shall periodically report to Congress on the program's activities.
RURAL HELP Act of 2020

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on potential disparities in incurred costs for rural and urban hospitals under the inpatient prospective payment system and to authorize appropriate payment adjustments. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reviewing Urban and Rural Adjustments to Level Hospital Expenses and Lopsided Payments Act of 2020 RURAL HELP Act of 2020 2. Study on incurred costs disparities under IPPS; authorization of payment adjustments Section 1886(d)(5) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(5) (N) (i) Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall conduct a study to determine if, under the methodology for determining payments under paragraph (1)(A), and using both national and hospital-specific cost-to-charge ratios, costs incurred by hospitals located in rural areas by diagnosis-related group exceed those costs incurred by hospitals located in urban areas. (ii) Insofar as the Secretary determines through the study conducted under clause (i) that costs incurred by hospitals located in rural areas exceed those costs incurred by hospitals located in urban areas, the Secretary shall provide for an appropriate adjustment to payments under paragraph (1)(A) to reflect those higher costs for discharges occurring on or after October 1 of a year specified by the Secretary (but in no case later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph). .

Summary: Reviewing Urban and Rural Adjustments to Level Hospital Expenses and Lopsided Payments Act of 2020 or the RURAL HELP Act of 2020 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services to determine whether costs incurred by rural hospitals exceed costs incurred by urban hospitals under the Medicare inpatient prospective payment system and to adjust payments accordingly.
To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to replace the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the United States Capitol with a bust of Thurgood Marshall to be obtained by the Joint Committee on the Library and to remove certain statues from areas of the United States Capitol which are accessible to the public, to remove all statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in the United States Capitol, and for other purposes.


Summary: This bill provides for the removal of certain statues and busts from display in the Capitol. The bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to remove the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court chamber of the Capitol and replace it with a bust of Thurgood Marshall. The committee must remove the statues of Charles Brantley Aycock, John Caldwell Calhoun, and James Paul Clarke and the bust of John Cabell Breckinridge from areas of the Capitol accessible to the public. The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) must store the statues and bust until it arranges their return to the states that provided them. Additionally, the bill prohibits the display of statues in National Statuary Hall of persons who served as officers or voluntarily with the Confederate States of America or of the military forces or government of a state while it was in rebellion against the United States; requires the AOC to identify such statues and the committee to arrange for their transfer and deliverance from the Capitol to the Smithsonian Institution; requires the Smithsonian to follow its preexisting policies and procedures regarding the storage and display of such transferred statues; requires each statue to be returned to the providing state, including its ownership, if the state requests and agrees to pay any transportation-related costs; and permits a state that has a statue removed to replace the statue.
Cooperate with Law Enforcement Agencies and Watch Act of 2019


Summary: Cooperate with Law Enforcement Agencies and Watch Act of 2019 This bill limits a financial institution's liability for maintaining a customer account or a customer transaction in compliance with a written request by a federal, state, tribal, or local law enforcement agency. A federal or state agency may not take an adverse supervisory action against a financial institution with respect to maintaining an account or a transaction consistent with such a request.
STIFLE Act of 2020


Summary: Stopping Trafficking, Illicit Flows, Laundering, and Exploitation Act of 2020 or the STIFLE Act of 2020 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the illicit trafficking of people, money, and goods by transnational criminal organizations, terrorists, and others. The GAO must report on various topics related to illicit trafficking, including major trafficking routes and common methods of laundering proceeds. It must also provide recommendations for legislative or regulatory changes to combat trafficking or the laundering of proceeds from trafficking.
MFAR Transparency Act

To require the Comptroller General to submit to Congress a report on the impact of the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation, to limit the authority for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the MFAR Transparency Act 2. Reporting requirement relating to the Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation (a) Comptroller General report Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report that— (1) identifies the reporting requirements that are necessary to ensure that States comply with laws and regulations with respect to the financing of the non-Federal share of expenditures under State plans under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 (2) estimates the financial impact of the proposed rulemaking entitled, Medicaid Program; Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation (3) evaluate the impact of the proposed rulemaking described in paragraph (2) with respect to State and local budgets, including the impact of tax increases that would be necessary to maintain current funding for hospitals and nursing homes that receive payments from intergovernmental transfers (as of the date of enactment of this Act); and (4) identifies the impact of the proposed rulemaking described in paragraph (2) with respect to intergovernmental transfers of funds from units of government within a State and provider taxes paid authorized under section 1903(w) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(w) (b) Limitation of authority for the Secretary of Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services may not take any action (through promulgation of regulation, issuance of regulatory guidance, or other administrative action), unless the 116th Congress enacts a resolution that authorizes such action, to finalize or otherwise implement provisions contained in the proposed rulemaking described in subsection (a)(2).

Summary: MFAR Transparency Act This bill restricts the implementation of, and requires additional reporting with respect to, the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule titled Medicaid Program; Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation, published on November 18, 2019. The proposed rule establishes new reporting requirements for states with respect to supplemental payments and upper payment limits under Medicaid and generally modifies requirements relating to state Medicaid financing. The bill prohibits the CMS from finalizing or otherwise implementing the proposed rule without congressional authorization. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the fiscal impact of the proposed rule on health care facilities and state and local governments.
Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act


Summary: Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act This bill directs the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to act as the lead agency for coordinating and disseminating information on existing programs and assistance that may be used to help initiate, develop, and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for schools.
To provide for a COVID-19-related delay regarding annual limitation on cost-sharing for group health plans and individual and small group health insurance coverage.

To provide for a COVID–19-related delay regarding annual limitation on cost-sharing for group health plans and individual and small group health insurance coverage. 1. COVID–19-Related Delay Regarding Annual Limitation on Cost-Sharing for Group Health Plans and Individual and Small Group Health Insurance Coverage For a plan or policy year that begins on or after January 1, 2020, and prior to the first calendar year that begins on or after the date that is twelve months after the end of the public health emergency first declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on January 27, 2020, with respect to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus— (1) section 156.130(h) of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, as published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2020, shall not apply; and (2) with respect to a group health plan or an issuer of individual or small group health insurance coverage (as such terms are defined in section 2791 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–91

Summary: This bill delays until the first calendar year that is 12 months after the end of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency the application of the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) rule dated May 14, 2020. That rule allows private health insurance plans to decide whether support provided by a prescription drug manufacturer to cover a patient's costs for a drug counts toward the patient's annual out-of-pocket limit. The bill requires enforcement of the previous rule, which allows plans to exclude drug manufacturer support from a patient's annual out-of-pocket limit only if a generic version of the drug is available.
COVID Testing Transparency Act of 2020

To require the Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to submit reports regarding coronavirus testing data. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the COVID Testing Transparency Act of 2020 2. Data sharing Not later than 14 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and daily thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and make publicly available online, any data submitted to the Secretary pursuant to section 18115 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

Summary: COVID Testing Transparency Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publicly report, within 14 days, information about the results of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) tests that HHS receives from laboratories. HHS must&nbsp;update the information daily thereafter.
To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 180 West Main Street in Abingdon, Virginia, as the "H. Emory Widener, Jr., Federal Building and United States Courthouse".

To designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 180 West Main Street in Abingdon, Virginia, as the H. Emory Widener, Jr., Federal Building and United States Courthouse 1. Designation The Federal building and United States courthouse located at 180 West Main Street in Abingdon, Virginia, shall be known and designated as the H. Emory Widener, Jr., Federal Building and United States Courthouse 2. References Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Federal building and United States courthouse referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the H. Emory Widener, Jr., Federal Building and United States Courthouse

Summary: This bill designates the federal building and U.S. courthouse at 180 West Main Street in Abingdon, Virginia, as the &quot;H. Emory Widener, Jr., Federal Building and United States Courthouse.&quot;
Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act of 2019


Summary: Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act of 2019 This bill establishes in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a board to coordinate and integrate DHS's intelligence, activities, and policy related to its counterterrorism mission and functions. The board shall (1) advise the Secretary of DHS on the issuance of terrorism alerts, and (2) meet on a regular basis to discuss intelligence and coordinate ongoing threat mitigation efforts and departmental activities. The board's charter shall direct it to focus on the current threat environment and the importance of aligning departmental counterterrorism activities under the Secretary's guidance. The Secretary shall appoint a Coordinator for Counterterrorism within DHS who shall serve as the chair of the board and report on the board's status and activities.
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act


Summary: Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act This bill authorizes the allocation of certain funds for purposes related to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, requires the Department of State to develop a strategy for prioritizing efforts to increase disaster response and resilience in the Caribbean, and establishes monitoring and reporting requirements. Funds for carrying out the initiative shall be used for purposes that include (1) promoting citizen safety, security, and the rule of law in the Caribbean; (2) prioritizing efforts to combat corruption; and (3) promoting the rule of law in the Caribbean and countering influence from authoritarian regimes. The State Department shall develop a strategy that incorporates specific, measurable benchmarks demonstrating a prioritization of efforts to increase disaster response and resilience through carrying out specified coordination, resilience, and preparedness programs in beneficiary countries. The State Department must also submit an implementation plan that includes a timeline and stated objectives for such actions to be taken.
Saving Rural Hospitals from Closure Act

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to forgive the repayment, extend the timeline of repayment, and lower the interest rate of Medicare hospital accelerated payments made during the COVID–19 public health emergency, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Saving Rural Hospitals from Closure Act 2. Authorizing the forgiveness of repayment, extension of repayment, and lowering of interest rate of Medicare hospital accelerated payments made during the COVID–19 public health emergency Section 1815 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395g (1) in subsection (d), by inserting subject to subsection (f)(5), determination, (2) in subsection (f)(2)— (A) in subparagraph (C), by inserting subject to paragraph (5), the Secretary (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) (A) Upon the request of a hospital, the Secretary may forgive the repayment, extend the timeline of repayment described in subparagraph (C)(i), and lower the interest rate of any accelerated payment within 30 days of receiving such request if such a hospital experiences significant financial hardship. (B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), significant financial hardship .

Summary: Saving Rural Hospitals from Closure Act This bill modifies requirements for the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The program provides Medicare payments in advance to eligible providers experiencing claims or cash flow disruptions, such as during national emergencies; the program was specifically expanded in response to COVID-19 to encompass more types of providers, subject to certain recoupment and repayment provisions. The bill allows the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services to forgive repayment, extend the recoupment timeline, and lower applicable interest rates for hospitals experiencing significant financial hardship (e.g., impending bankruptcy).
Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2019


Summary: Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes grants that support state and local efforts to process DNA evidence in rape kits. Specifically, it reauthorizes through FY2024 the following: grants under the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program; grants to provide DNA training and education for law enforcement personnel, corrections personnel, and court officers; and grants under the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program.