cheaptrix/billsum-US_congress_and_house huggingface dataset:
Railway Inspection and Transparency Act

To require the periodic inspection of certain railroad facilities. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Railway Inspection and Transparency Act 2. Inspection of railroad facilities (a) Requirement The Federal Railroad Administration shall require each railroad carrier to arrange for an independent inspection by a professional engineer of— (1) all railroad bridges owned or leased by that railroad carrier at least once every 2 years; and (2) all railroad signals and switches owned or leased by that railroad carrier at least once every 6 months. (b) Documentation Each railroad carrier shall provide to the Federal Railroad Administration documentation of the results of inspections carried out under subsection (a). The Federal Railroad Administration shall make such documentation available to the public. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Independent inspection The term independent inspection (2) Professional engineer The term professional engineer (A) is currently registered as a professional engineer or structural engineer by a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States; and (B) has expertise in railroad operations. (3) Railroad carrier The term railroad carrier section 20102

Summary: Railway Inspection and Transparency Act - Directs the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to require each railroad carrier to arrange for an independent inspection by a professional engineer of: (1) all railroad bridges at least biennially, and (2) all railroad signals and switches at least semiannually. Requires: (1) each railroad carrier to provide inspection results to the FRA, and (2) the FRA to make those results available to the public.
To allow a credit against income tax for employers who pay their Federal contractor employees compensation lost by reason of the Federal Government shutdown.

To allow a credit against income tax for employers who pay their Federal contractor employees compensation lost by reason of the Federal Government shutdown. 1. Credit for employers who pay Federal contractor employees compensation lost by reason of shutdown (a) In general In the case of an employer whose employees provide services to the Federal Government in an applicable Federal building under a Federal contract, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by chapter 1 (b) Definitions For purposes of this section— (1) Applicable Federal building The term applicable Federal building (2) Shutdown payments (A) In general The term shutdown payments (B) Shutdown period The term shutdown period (c) Special rules For purposes of this section— (1) Treated as part of business credit The credit determined under subsection (a) shall be treated as a credit listed in section 38(b) for the taxable year (and not allowed separately under subsection (a)). (d) Termination This section shall not apply to any payments made in any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2014.

Summary: Allows an income tax credit to employers for shutdown payments to employees who provide services under a federal contract in a federal building used for official purposes by any office or entity over which the House Committee on Administration had jurisdiction during the 113th Congress. Defines "shutdown payments" as any payment made to an individual for wages the individual would have received if the individual were performing services for the employer under such contract during the period of October 1, 2013, through October 16, 2013, when the federal government was closed due to a lapse in appropriations.
Veterans Access to Care Act

To amend the Public Health Service Act to designate certain medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs as health professional shortage areas, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Access to Care Act 2. Designation of medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs as health professional shortage areas (a) HPSA Section 332(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254e(a)(1) and medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (including State homes, as defined in section 101(19) ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa) (b) Concurrent benefits (1) Scholarship program Section 338A(b) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254l(b) (A) in paragraph (3), by striking and (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) not be participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program under chapter 76 . (2) Debt reduction program Section 338B(b) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254l–1(b) (A) in paragraph (2), by striking and (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) not be participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program under chapter 76 . (c) Consultation In carrying out the National Health Service Corps Program under subpart II of part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254d et seq. section 101(19) (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Veterans Access to Care Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to designate medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) automatically as health professional shortage areas. Prohibits an individual from participating in both the VA's Health Professionals Education Assistance Program and the National Health Service Corps scholarship or loan repayment programs. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in carrying out the National Health Service Corps Program, to consult with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding health professional shortage areas that are VA medical facilities.
Prevent Russian Infiltration Act of 2013

To prohibit Department of State approval for the Russian space agency to build or operate a ground monitoring station in the United States unless such station does not raise counterintelligence or other national security concerns. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Prevent Russian Infiltration Act of 2013 2. Conditional prohibition on building or operating a Russian space agency ground monitoring station in the United States The Secretary of State may not approve a request by the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, to build or operate a ground monitoring station in the United States, including in any territory or possession of the United States, until the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the Director of National Intelligence jointly certify to Congress that any such proposed station does not raise counterintelligence or other national security concerns.

Summary: Prevent Russian Infiltration Act of 2013 - Prohibits the Secretary of State from approving a Russian space agency (Roscosmos) request to build or operate a ground monitoring station in the United States, including in any U.S. territory or possession, until the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense (DOD), and the Director of National Intelligence jointly certify to Congress that any such proposed station does not raise counterintelligence or other national security concerns.
Fairness in Obamacare Act of 2013

To clarify the application of all laws, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to the Federal Government and Congress, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fairness in Obamacare Act of 2013 2. Application of general laws to Executive Branch and Congress Congress and the Executive Branch are expressly and equally bound by any Federal law which is intended to be broadly enforced upon the American people. 3. Moving the President, Vice President, and appointed Federal workers into Exchange plans (a) In general Section 1312(d)(3)(D) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18032(d)(3)(D) (1) in the heading, by inserting and the President, Vice President, and appointed Federal workers Members of Congress (2) in clause (i)— (A) by striking and congressional staff , congressional staff, and the President, the Vice-President, and appointed Federal workers (B) by striking or congressional staff , staff member, President, Vice President, or appointed Federal worker (3) by adding at the end of clause (ii) the following new subclause: (III) Appointed Federal worker The term appointed Federal worker (aa) is employed in a position listed in sections 5312 through 5316 of title 5, United States Code (relating to the Executive Schedule); (bb) is a limited term appointee, limited emergency appointee, or noncareer appointee in the Senior Executive Service, as defined under paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively, of section 3132(a) of such title; or (cc) is employed in a position in the executive branch of the Government of a confidential or policy-determining character under schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations. . (b) Maintaining current FEHBP coverage of annuitants Nothing in the amendments made by subsection (a) shall be construed as affecting the continued coverage of annuitants under health benefits plans under chapter 89

Summary: Fairness in Obamacare Act of 2013 - Declares that Congress and the executive branch are expressly and equally bound by any federal law which is intended to be broadly enforced upon the American people. Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to restrict the health plans that the federal government may make available to Members of Congress, the President, the Vice President, and appointed federal workers to only those health plans that are created under PPACA or offered through a health care exchange. (Currently, this restriction applies to Members of Congress and congressional staff.) Defines "appointed federal worker" as an individual who is: (1) employed in a position listed in the Executive Schedule; (2) a limited term, limited emergency, or noncareer appointee in the Senior Executive Service; or (3) employed in an executive branch position of a confidential or policy-determining character under the regulations concerning excepted schedules. Prohibits such restrictions from affecting the continued coverage of annuitants in certain plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program in effect as of the enactment of this Act.
Protecting the Freedoms and Benefits for All Veterans Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to add a definition of spouse for purposes of veteran benefits that recognizes new State definitions of spouse. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting the Freedoms and Benefits for All Veterans Act 2. Definition of spouse for purposes of veteran benefits to reflect new State definitions of spouse (a) Spouse defined Section 101 (1) in paragraph (3), by striking of the opposite sex (2) by striking paragraph (31) and inserting the following new paragraph: (31) (A) An individual shall be considered a spouse (i) the marriage of the individual is valid in the State in which the marriage was entered into; or (ii) in the case of a marriage entered into outside any State— (I) if the marriage of the individual is valid in the place in which the marriage was entered into; and (II) (aa) the marriage could have been entered into in a State; or (bb) the marriage was valid in the place in which all parties to the marriage resided at the time the marriage was entered into. (B) In this paragraph, the term State . (b) Marriage determination Section 103(c) of such title is amended by striking according to in accordance with section 101(31) of this title.

Summary: Protecting the Freedoms and Benefits for All Veterans Act - Revises the definition of "surviving spouse" for purposes of veterans benefits provisions to eliminate the requirement that the person who was the spouse of a veteran at the time of the veteran's death be a person of the opposite sex. Considers an individual to be a "spouse" if: (1) the marriage is valid in the state in which it was entered into; or (2) in the case of a marriage entered into outside any state, the marriage is valid in the place in which it was entered into and could have been entered into in a state, or it was valid in the place in which all parties to it resided at the time it was entered into.
To prohibit the United States from following guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury regarding how multilateral development banks should engage with developing countries on coal-fired power generation, and for other purposes.

To prohibit the United States from following guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury regarding how multilateral development banks should engage with developing countries on coal-fired power generation, and for other purposes. 1. Prohibition on following guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury regarding how multilateral development banks should engage with developing countries on coal-fired power generation The Secretary of the Treasury shall direct the United States Executive Director at each multilateral development bank (within the meaning of section 1701(c)(4) of the International Development Institutions Act) to— (1) disregard the document issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, entitled Guidance for U.S. Positions on MDBs Engaging with Developing Countries on Coal-Fired Power Generation (2) not use the voice, vote, or influence of the United States to propose, advance, or implement any policy, strategy, procedure, or position set forth in that document.

Summary: Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to direct the U.S. Executive Director at each multilateral development bank to: (1) disregard the document entitled "Guidance for U.S. Positions on MDBs Engaging with Developing Countries on Coal-Fired Power Generation" and any other document issued subsequently by the Secretary that sets forth policies, strategies, procedures, or positions substantially similar to those set forth in that document; and (2) not use U.S. influence to propose, advance, or implement any policy, strategy, procedure, or position set forth in that document.
To revise the boundaries of certain John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System units.

To revise the boundaries of certain John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System units in North Carolina. 1. Replacement of John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System maps (a) In general The maps subtitled Lea Island Complex L07 Wrightsville Beach Unit L08, Masonboro Island Unit L09 Masonboro Island Unit L09 John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System 16 U.S.C. 3503(a) Lea Island Complex L07 Wrightsville Beach Unit L08, Masonboro Island Unit L09 Masonboro Island Unit L09 (b) Availability The Secretary of the Interior shall keep the replacement maps referred to in subsection (a) on file and available for inspection in accordance with section 4(b) of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act ( 16 U.S.C. 3503(b) December 1, 2014 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Revises the boundaries of the following units within the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System: Lea Island Complex L07, Wrightsville Beach Unit L08, and Masonboro Island Unit L09 in North Carolina; Sachuest Point Unit RI-04P, Easton Beach Unit RI-05P, Almy Pond Unit RI-06, and Hazards Beach Unit RI-07 in Rhode Island; Gasparilla Island Unit FL-70P in Florida; and Long Pond Unit SC-01 and Huntington Beach Unit SC-03 in South Carolina;
Utility Energy Service Contracts Improvement Act of 2013

To amend the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to provide guidance on utility energy service contracts used by Federal agencies, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Utility Energy Service Contracts Improvement Act of 2013 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) the Federal Government is the largest consumer of energy in the United States; (2) Federal agencies are expected to meet, by law, Executive order, and mandate, stringent energy efficiency and conservation targets; (3) the utility energy service contract (referred to in this section as UESC (4) the General Services Administration, which manages more than 9,600 Federal properties and is the lead agency for procuring utility services for the Federal Government, has determined that UESCs may extend beyond a 10-year period under the law; (5) the Federal Energy Management Program, which oversees the UESC program and is a principal office guiding agencies to use funding more effectively in meeting Federal and agency-specific energy and resource management objectives, has determined that UESCs may extend beyond a 10-year period under the law; (6) extensive precedent exists for Federal agencies to contract for energy saving services using contracts with term limits of more than 10 years but not to exceed 25 years; (7) a number of Federal agencies, contrary to congressional intent, have sought to limit UESC term limits to periods of less than 10 years; and (8) greater flexibility with UESCs will help reduce the operational cost of Federal agencies, ultimately saving money for taxpayers. 3. Utility energy service contracts Part 3 of title V of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act is amended by adding after section 553 ( 42 U.S.C. 8259b 554. Utility energy service contracts (a) In general Each Federal agency may use, to the maximum extent practicable, measures provided by law to meet energy efficiency and conservation mandates and laws, including through utility energy service contracts. (b) Contract period A utility energy service contract entered into by a Federal agency may have a contract period that extends beyond 10 years, but not to exceed 25 years. (c) Requirements The conditions of a utility energy service contract entered into by a Federal agency shall include requirements for measurement, verification, and performance assurances or guarantees of the savings. .

Summary: Utility Energy Service Contracts Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, with respect to promotion of the conservation and efficient use of energy and water, and the use of renewable resources, by the federal government, to authorize each agency to use measures provided by law to meet energy efficiency and conservation mandates and laws, including through utility energy service contracts. Authorizes such a contract to have a contract period that extends beyond 10 years, but prohibits such term from exceeding 25 years. Requires the contract conditions to include requirements for measurement, verification, and performance assurances or guarantees of the savings.
Eliminate the Commission to Nowhere Act of 2013

To terminate the Denali Commission, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Eliminate the Commission to Nowhere Act of 2013 2. Termination of Denali Commission (a) Termination The Denali Commission is terminated. (b) Transfers The authority of any Federal department or agency to transfer funds to the Denali Commission shall cease to be effective. (c) Repeals (1) The Denali Commission Act of 1998 ( 42 U.S.C. 3121 (2) Section 329(b) of division A of Public Law 105–277 (d) Conclusion of business The Secretary of Commerce shall take such actions as may be necessary and appropriate to conclude the outstanding affairs of the Denali Commission, including dispositions of personnel, assets, and obligations. (e) Limitation on statutory construction This section may not be construed to prevent the expenditure of any funds received before the effective date of this Act. Such funds shall be subject to the laws and regulations that would have applied to the funds if this section had not been enacted. 3. Effective date This Act shall take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Eliminate the Commission to Nowhere Act of 2013 - Terminates the Denali Commission (established to provide an annual work plan for rural and infrastructure development and job training in Alaska) and repeals the Denali Commission Act of 1998.
Minority Diabetes Initiative Act

To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to provide treatment for diabetes in minority communities. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Minority Diabetes Initiative Act 2. Grants regarding treatment of diabetes in minority communities Part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act 42 U.S.C. 254b et seq. 330M. Grants regarding treatment of diabetes in minority communities (a) In general The Secretary may make grants to public and nonprofit private health care providers for the purpose of providing treatment for diabetes in minority communities. (b) Recipients of grants The public and nonprofit private health care providers to whom grants may be made under subsection (a) include physicians, podiatrists, community-based organizations, health care organizations, community health centers, and State, local, and tribal health departments. (c) Scope of treatment activities The Secretary shall ensure that grants under subsection (a) cover a variety of diabetes-related health care services, including routine care for diabetic patients, public education on diabetes prevention and control, eye care, foot care, and treatment for kidney disease and other complications of diabetes. (d) Appropriate cultural context A condition for the receipt of a grant under subsection (a) is that the applicant involved agrees that, in the program carried out with the grant, services will be provided in the languages most appropriate for, and with consideration for the cultural backgrounds of, the individuals for whom the services are provided. (e) Outreach services A condition for the receipt of a grant under subsection (a) is that the applicant involved agrees to provide outreach activities to inform the public of the services of the program, and to provide offsite information on diabetes. (f) Application for grant A grant may be made under subsection (a) only if an application for the grant is submitted to the Secretary and the application is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section. (g) Authorization of appropriations For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2014 through 2019. .

Summary: Minority Diabetes Initiative Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to public and nonprofit private health care providers to provide treatment for diabetes in minority communities. Requires the Secretary to ensure that such grants cover a variety of diabetes-related health care services, including routine care for diabetic patients, public education on diabetes prevention and control, eye care, foot care, and treatment for kidney disease and other complications of diabetes.