cheaptrix/billsum-US_congress_and_house huggingface dataset:
Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act

To preserve access to public waters and maintain the vital role of States in fisheries management decisions. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act 2. Requirement of State approval of restriction of recreational or commercial fishing access to certain State or territorial waters (a) Approval required The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall not restrict recreational or commercial fishing access to any State or territorial marine waters or Great Lakes waters within the jurisdiction of the National Park Service or the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, respectively, unless those restrictions are developed in coordination with, and approved by, the fish and wildlife management agency of the State or territory that has fisheries management authority over those waters. (b) Marine waters defined In this section the term marine waters

Summary: Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce to obtain approval from the relevant fish and wildlife management agency of a state or territory before restricting fishing access to state or territorial marine waters that are within the jurisdiction of the National Park Service or the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, including coastal waters and estuaries.
Resettlement Accountability National Security Act of 2015

To suspend the admission into the United States of refugees in order to examine the costs of providing benefits to such individuals, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Resettlement Accountability National Security Act of 2015 2. Suspension of admission of refugees Beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security may not admit into the United States an alien under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1157 3. GAO study Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that includes, for the 10-year period preceding the date of the enactment of this Act, for aliens admitted into the United States under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1157 (1) The average duration for which such an alien received benefits under a program described in section 4. (2) The percentage of such aliens who received benefits under a program described in section 4. (3) The cost, per year, to each program described in section 4 for such aliens. (4) The number of such aliens who paid Federal income tax or Federal employment tax during the first year after being admitted to the United States. (5) The cost, per year, to the program described in paragraph (5) of section 4 for such aliens. (6) The number and percentage of such aliens who received benefits under a program described in section 4— (A) 2 years after being admitted to the United States; (B) 5 years after being admitted to the United States; and (C) 10 years after being admitted to the United States. (7) The cost, per year, to the Federal Government, to State governments, and to units of local government of providing other benefits and services, directly or indirectly, to such aliens. 4. Benefit programs described The programs described under this subsection are as follows: (1) The Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq. (2) The Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. (3) Disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 402 et seq. (4) The supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq. (5) Rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437f

Summary: Resettlement Accountability National Security Act of 2015 This bill prohibits the admission of refugees into the United States until Congress passes a joint resolution giving the Department of Homeland Security authority to resume admitting refugees. Requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on refugees who received benefits under any of the following programs: Medicare, Medicaid, disability insurance under title II of the Social Security Act, the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly the food stamp program), and section 8 rental assistance.
Waterway Safety Improvement Act of 2015

To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 with respect to the maximum cost of projects, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Waterway Safety Improvement Act of 2015 2. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that modifications to deep-draft, high-commercial-use channels, including bends and entrances, are sometimes necessary to ensure safety of navigation and efficient operations. 3. Maximum cost of projects Section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 ( 33 U.S.C. 2280 (c) Certain channels The Secretary may make modifications to deep-draft, high-commercial-use channels, including bends and entrances, necessary to ensure safe navigation and efficient operations with respect to those channels without regard to any other provision of this section. .

Summary: Waterway Safety Improvement Act of 2015 This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to authorize the Department of the Army to make modifications to deep-draft, high-commercial-use channels, including bends and entrances, as necessary to ensure safe navigation and efficient operations of such channels without regard to provisions of such Act regarding the maximum cost of water resources development and conservation projects.
Flood Insurance Integrity Act of 2015

To require the Government Accountability Office to conduct periodic reviews of the flood insurance rates and flood insurance rate maps under the national flood insurance program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Flood Insurance Integrity Act of 2015 2. GAO reviews regarding flood insurance rates and rate maps (a) Periodic review of rate tables During the 6-month period that begins 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act and every 4 years thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of the rate tables established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out the national flood insurance program under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 ( 42 U.S.C. 4011 et seq. (1) the chargeable premium rates for flood insurance coverage determined by such tables are actuarially sound, based on standard actuarial practices used in the private sector; and (2) such chargeable premium rates are sufficient to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the national flood insurance program. (b) Annual review of mapping process and rate maps During the 6-month period referred to in subsection (a) and annually thereafter, the Comptroller General, in consultation with the United States Geological Survey of the Department of the Interior, shall conduct a review of the process in effect at the time of such review for establishing and updating flood insurance rate maps under the national flood insurance program and shall make a determination of the degree of accuracy of such mapping process. (c) Reports For each review conducted pursuant to subsection (a) or (b), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Congress a report describing the results of the review and the determinations made pursuant to the review.

Summary: Flood Insurance Integrity Act of 2015 Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review every four years the rate tables established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for implementing the national flood insurance program under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, and determine whether: (1) the chargeable premium rates for flood insurance coverage determined by those tables are actuarially sound, based on standard actuarial practices used in the private sector; and (2) such chargeable premium rates are sufficient to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the national flood insurance program. Directs GAO to review annually the process for establishing and updating flood insurance rate maps and determine the degree of accuracy of the mapping process.
Reducing Tax Preparation Burdens for American Investments and Repairs Act

To require the Secretary of the Treasury to modify regulations to increase the amount of the de minimis safe harbor election for exemption from capital expenditures for taxpayers without certain financial statements. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reducing Tax Preparation Burdens for American Investments and Repairs Act 2. Increase in de minimis safe harbor election for exemptions from capital expenditures for taxpayers without certain financial statements (a) In general Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall modify Treasury Regulation section 1.263(a)–1(f) (26 C.F.R. 1.263(a)–1(f)) to increase the $500 de minimis rule for taxpayers without applicable financial statements to $2,500. (b) Effective date The revised regulations under this section shall apply to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.

Summary: Reducing Tax Preparation Burdens for American Investments and Repairs Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to amend Treasury regulations relating to the election of a taxpayer to expense in the current taxable year certain depreciable business assets that would otherwise be capitalized and depreciated over a period of time. Current regulations provide for a safe harbor rule that allows expensing of such assets that do not exceed $500 per invoice for taxpayers without applicable financial statements. This bill would increase the safe harbor threshold to $2,500 per invoice for such taxpayers for taxable years beginning after 2015.
To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prescribe an additional requirement for the designation of marine sanctuaries off the coast of Alaska.

To amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prescribe an additional requirement for the designation of marine sanctuaries off the coast of Alaska. 1. Limitation on authority to designate marine sanctuaries Section 303 of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1433 (1) in subsection (a), by striking The Secretary may Subject to subsection (c), the Secretary may (2) by adding at the end the following: (c) Limitation The Secretary may not designate as a national marine sanctuary any area of the marine environment off the coast of Alaska seaward of the high tide line unless an Act of Congress— (1) requires the Secretary to make such a designation; and (2) prescribes the boundaries of the area to be given such designation by the Secretary. .

Summary: This bill amends the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit the Department of Commerce from designating as a national marine sanctuary an area of the marine environment off the coast of Alaska seaward of the high tide line unless an Act of Congress requires Commerce to make the designation and prescribes the boundaries of the designated area.
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the volumetric excise tax credit for liquid fuel derived from natural gas through the Fischer-Tropsch process.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the volumetric excise tax credit for liquid fuel derived from natural gas through the Fischer-Tropsch process. 1. Volumetric excise tax credit for liquid fuel derived from natural gas through Fischer-Tropsch process (a) In general Section 6426(d)(2)(E) (1) by inserting or (2) by striking liquid fuel which meets liquid fuel which— (i) meets , and (3) by adding at the end, as amended by the preceding provisions of this section, the following new clause: (ii) is derived from natural gas through such process, . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to any sale or use for any period after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an alternative fuel excise tax credit for liquid fuel derived from natural gas through the Fischer-Tropsch process. The Fischer-Tropsch process is a collection of chemical reactions that converts a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons.
Fair Opportunities for American Manufacturers Act

To direct the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report regarding opportunities to equip certain foreign military entities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fair Opportunities for American Manufacturers Act 2. Opportunities to equip certain foreign military entities Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments and the Secretary of State, shall submit to Congress a report that describes— (1) efforts made to engage United States manufacturers with respect to opportunities to equip foreign military entities that receive assistance from the United States; (2) an assessment of the estimated expected cost, including in terms of training, upgrading equipment, and meeting specifications, to United States manufacturers that wish to provide such goods for foreign military use; and (3) any new plans or strategies to engage United States manufacturers with respect to such opportunities.

Summary: Fair Opportunities for American Manufacturers Act This bill directs the Department of Defense to report to Congress on: efforts to engage U.S. manufacturers regarding opportunities to equip foreign military entities that receive U.S. assistance; an assessment of the estimated cost, including training, upgrading equipment, and meeting specifications, to U.S. manufacturers that wish to provide such goods; and strategies to engage U.S. manufacturers regarding such opportunities.
Kids Before Cons Act

To prohibit the awarding of Federal Pell Grants to incarcerated individuals, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Kids Before Cons Act 2. Limitations on waivers for experimental sites Section 487A(b)(3) ( 20 U.S.C. 1094a(b)(3) (C) Limitations Nothing in subparagraph (B) or any other provision of this Act shall be construed to— (i) authorize the Secretary to waive the prohibition under section 401(b)(6) on awarding a Federal Pell Grant to an incarcerated individual or any other individual described in such section 401(b)(6); (ii) authorize the Secretary to waive the prohibition under 484(b)(5) on awarding a loan under this title to an incarcerated individual; or (iii) authorize the Secretary to award funds to institutions of higher education for providing postsecondary education to incarcerated individuals. . 3. Study on incarceration rates (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall— (1) carry out a study to determine whether the incarceration rates of students enrolled in a charter school or private school as a result of participation in a voucher program is lower than the incarceration rates of students enrolled in a traditional public school in the same geographic area with similar parent income levels; and (2) publish the results of such study on its publically available website. (b) Incarceration rates In comparing incarceration rates for purposes of subsection (a), the Secretary of Education— (1) may use incarceration rate data available from prior years; and (2) shall include a comparison of post-graduation incarceration rates of students described in subsection (a). (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Charter school The term charter school 20 U.S.C. 7221i (2) Other ESEA terms The terms elementary school parent secondary school State 20 U.S.C. 7801 (3) Private school The term private school (4) Voucher program The term voucher program

Summary: Kids Before Cons Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to limit waiver authority of the Department of Education (ED) under the Experimental Sites Initiative. Specifically, it prohibits ED from waiving statutory provisions that ban Pell Grant eligibility and federal financial aid for incarcerated students (e.g., as part of an experimental initiative to allow incarcerated students to receive Pell Grants for postsecondary education opportunities). The legislation also prohibits ED from awarding funds to an institution of higher education for providing such postsecondary education to incarcerated individuals. ED must conduct and make publicly available a study that compares incarceration rates of: (1) private or charter school students who receive vouchers, and (2) traditional public school students.
To increase the number of operational aircraft carriers.

To increase the number of operational aircraft carriers. 1. Increase in number of operational aircraft carriers (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) In light of the increased array of complex threats across the globe, the Navy is operating at maximum capacity, increasing deployment lengths, and decreasing maintenance periods in order to meet operational requirements. (2) Deployment lengths now frequently extend to 10 months, which places considerable strain on personnel, equipment, and platforms. (3) Upon return from deployment, units are often placed in surge status (4) An additional carrier strike group would give the Secretary of Defense greater flexibility in deploying naval forces as well as increase forward naval presence. It would also improve the health and long-term service life of the existing fleet by providing for longer maintenance and repair time. (b) Increase in number of carriers Section 5062(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 11 operational aircraft carriers 12 operational aircraft carriers (c) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (b) shall take effect on September 30, 2023.

Summary: This bill increases from 11 to 12 the number of operational aircraft carriers in the Navy.
Law Enforcement Torture Prevention Act of 2015

To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a criminal penalty for torture committed by law enforcement officers and others acting under color of law. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Law Enforcement Torture Prevention Act of 2015 2. Torture committed by law enforcement officers and others acting under color of law (a) In general Chapter 13 250. Torture committed by law enforcement officers and others acting under color of law (a) Whoever, acting under color of local, State, or Federal law, commits or attempts or conspires to commit torture shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 years, but if death results to any person from the offense, the offender shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life. (b) A person may be prosecuted, tried, or punished for an offense under this section at any time without limitation. (c) In this section— (1) the term torture (2) the term inflicting severe pain or suffering (A) causing or threatening to inflict severe pain or suffering; (B) the administration or application, or threatened administration or application, of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or the personality; (C) the threat of imminent death; (D) the threat that another person will imminently be subjected to death, severe physical pain or suffering, or the administration or application of mind-altering substances or other procedures calculated to disrupt profoundly the senses or personality; or (E) sexual assault or the threat of sexual assault, including by third party; the denial of necessary medical services. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 13 250. Torture committed by law enforcement officers and others acting under color of law. .

Summary: Law Enforcement Torture Prevention Act of 2015 This bill amends the federal criminal code to impose a prison term of up to 10 years on any person who, acting under color of law, commits, or attempts or conspires to commit, torture. If death results from such torture, the offender shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life. "Torture" is defined to mean intentionally inflicting severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, on a person for such purposes as obtaining from that person or another person information or a confession, punishing that person, or intimidating or coercing that person or another person, or for any reason based on discrimination, but does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in, or incidental to lawful sanctions.
Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide certain employees of Members of Congress and certain employees of State or local governmental agencies with access to case-tracking information of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act 2. Provision of access to case-tracking information (a) In general Chapter 59 5906. Provision of access to case-tracking information (a) In general (1) In accordance with subsection (b), the Secretary shall provide a covered employee with access to the case-tracking system to provide a veteran with information regarding the status of a claim submitted by such veteran, regardless of whether such employee is acting under a power of attorney executed by such veteran. (2) In providing a covered employee with access to the case-tracking system under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure— (A) that such access— (i) is provided in a manner that does not allow such employee to modify the data contained in such system; and (ii) does not include access to medical records; and (B) that each time a covered employee accesses such system, the employee must certify that such access is for official purposes only. (b) Privacy certification course The Secretary may not provide a covered employee with access to the case-tracking system under subsection (a)(1) unless the covered employee has successfully completed a certification course on privacy issues provided by the Secretary. (c) Treatment of disclosure The access to information by a covered employee pursuant to subsection (a)(1) shall be deemed to be— (1) a covered disclosure under section 552a(b) of title 5; and (2) a permitted disclosure under regulations promulgated under section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ( 42 U.S.C. 1320d–2 (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term case-tracking system (2) The term covered employee (A) an employee of a Member of Congress who assists the constituents of the Member with issues regarding departments or agencies of the Federal Government; or (B) an employee of a State or local governmental agency (including a veterans service officer) who, in the course of carrying out the responsibilities of such employment, assists veterans with claims for any benefit under the laws administered by the Secretary. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 5906. Provision of access to case-tracking information. .

Summary: Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide veterans' case-tracking information access to employees of a Member of Congress or of a state or local governmental agency assisting veterans with benefit claims. Directs the VA to ensure that such access does not: (1) allow the employee to modify the data in the case-tracking system, and (2) include access to medical records. Requires such employees to complete a certification course on privacy issues before receiving such access.