cheaptrix/billsum-US_congress_and_house huggingface dataset:
Missed Opportunities in Veterans Affairs Act of 2017

To amend title 38, United States Code, to require certain additional budgetary information to be included in the annual report submitted to Congress on the Department of Veterans Affairs. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Missed Opportunities in Veterans Affairs Act of 2017 2. Findings; sense of Congress (a) Finding Congress finds that the Department of Veterans Affairs was established to assists veterans and provide them with services, as necessary and as Congress sees fit. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) veterans should be provided ample access to the necessary resources that will help them reintegrate as civilians and continue to contribute positively to our society; (2) United States fiscal policy should ensure that there are always adequate resources to provide quality and timely support, services, and care for those who protect and serve the country; and (3) the Department of Veterans Affairs should provide an account of all denied funding that was requested to assist veterans programs concerning health care, research, career development, continued education, and for other purposes. 3. Additional budgetary information to be included in annual report on Department of Veterans Affairs Section 529 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by striking and (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3): (3) account for any denial of funding for the fiscal year for any construction project of the Department of Veterans Affairs or for any program aimed at helping veterans access resources, including health care, career support, resources for homeless veterans, and research on such issues; and .

Summary: Missed Opportunities in Veterans Affairs Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include in its annual report to Congress any denial of funding for a VA construction project or program aimed at helping veterans access resources, including health care, career support, resources for homeless veterans, and related research.
Missed Opportunities in Low Income Housing Act of 2017

To require the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to report on applications for tax credits under the low-income housing tax credit program that, in the preceding fiscal year, were approved but not allocated. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Missed Opportunities in Low Income Housing Act of 2017 2. Report on applications for low-income housing tax credit program that were approved but not allocated (a) In general Not later than December 31 of each fiscal year, the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service shall submit a report to the Congress on applications for tax credits under the low-income housing tax credit program that, in the preceding fiscal year, were approved but not allocated credits. (b) Contents Each report required by subsection (a) shall specify each of the following: (1) The number of applications for tax credits under the low-income housing tax credit program that were approved by State Housing Finance Agencies but not allocated credits. (2) The total number of apartment buildings, apartment units, single family dwellings, duplexes, and townhouses proposed in applications that were approved by State Housing Finance Agencies but did not receive an allocation of low-income housing tax credit program credits. (3) The total number of people who could have taken residency in units proposed by approved applications that did not receive tax credits. (c) Definitions In this Act: (1) The term low-income housing tax credit program

Summary: Missed Opportunities in Low Income Housing Act of 2017 This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service to report annually to Congress on applications for tax credits under the low-income housing tax credit program that, in the preceding fiscal year, were approved but not allocated credits.
Wage Adjustment for Veterans Student Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to include local government minimum wage requirements in determining the hourly minimum wage applicable for purposes of the work-study allowance under the educational assistance programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wage Adjustment for Veterans Student Act 2. Amount of work-study allowance under Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs (a) In general Paragraph (6) of section 3485(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (6) For the purposes of this subsection and subsection (e), the term applicable hourly minimum wages (A) The hourly minimum wage under section 6(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 ( 29 U.S.C. 206(a) (B) The hourly minimum wage under comparable law of the State in which the services are to be performed. (C) The hourly minimum wage under comparable law of the local government with jurisdiction over the area in which the services are to be performed. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a payment of work-study allowance made on or after January 1, 2019.

Summary: Wage Adjustment for Veterans Student Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay the higher of the federal, state, or local government minimum wage as a work-study allowance under the educational assistance programs. Currently, the VA must pay the higher of the state or federal minimum wage.
Fairness for Rural Veterans Act of 2017

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for priority in the award of State home facility grants to nursing homes and domiciliaries from States that the Secretary determines have a great or significant need for beds and which are located at least 100 miles away from the nearest existing State home facility. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fairness for Rural Veterans Act of 2017 2. Department of Veterans Affairs priority for State home facility grants Section 8135(c)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (H) as subparagraphs (E) through (I), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph (D): (D) An application for construction or acquisition of a nursing home or domiciliary from a State that the Secretary determines, in accordance with regulations under this subchapter, has a great or significant need for beds and which is located at least 100 miles away from the nearest existing State home facility. .

Summary: Fairness for Rural Veterans Act of 2017 This bill includes construction or acquisition of a nursing home or domiciliary that has a significant need for beds and is located at least 100 miles away from the nearest existing state home facility as a priority for Department of Veterans Affairs state home facility grants to nursing homes and domiciliaries.
RFG Modernization Act of 2017

To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, at the request of a Governor of a State, to waive the reformulated gasoline prohibitions and requirements under section 211(k) of the Clean Air Act with respect to the State or a portion of the State if the Administrator determines that the price of gasoline is excessively high. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the RFG Modernization Act of 2017 2. Waiver of reformulated gasoline requirements where the price of gasoline is excessively high (a) In general Subsection (k) of section 211 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7545 (1) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (11); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following: (10) Waivers (A) In general At the request of the Governor of a State, the Administrator may waive the prohibitions and requirements otherwise applicable under this subsection with respect to the State or a portion of a State if the Administrator determines that the price of gasoline in such State or portion is excessively high. (B) Considerations In making a determination described in subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall consider— (i) the price of a gallon of conventional gasoline, the price of a gallon of reformulated gasoline, and the difference between the two, both in raw dollars and as a percentage, in such State or portion; and (ii) such other factors as the Administrator determines appropriate. (C) Process On receipt of a request from a Governor for a waiver under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall— (i) issue such waiver if the Administrator finds that the standard described in subparagraph (A) is met; or (ii) publish an explanation of why such standard is not met. (D) Duration; renewal A waiver under this paragraph— (i) shall be for a period of not more than 42 days; and (ii) may be renewed. . (b) Technical correction Subparagraphs (E) and (F) of section 211(k)(11) of the Clean Air Act, as redesignated by subsection (a), are amended by moving the margins of such subparagraphs 2 ems to the right.

Summary: RFG Modernization Act of 2017 This bill amends the Clean Air Act to allow states to request a waiver of the reformulated gasoline requirements from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if the price of gasoline is excessively high. (Sale of reformulated gasoline is required in areas with high smog levels.) In making its determination, the EPA must consider the difference in price between conventional and reformulated gasoline. Waivers are not to exceed 42 days and may be renewed.
GI Bill Distance Learning Improvement Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make payments to individuals entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program who pursue a program of education solely through distance learning to be used to purchase computers. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the GI Bill Distance Learning Improvement Act 2. Additional payment to distance learners under Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for purchase of computer Section 3313 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (j) Additional amount for purchase of computers for distance learners (1) In general The Secretary shall make a one-time payment to an individual pursuing a program of education solely through distance learning on more than a half-time basis in an amount of $500 to be used for the purchase of a computer for use in pursuing such program of education. (2) Application To be eligible for a payment under this subsection, an individual shall submit to the Secretary an application containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require. .

Summary: GI Bill Distance Learning Improvement Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to make one-time payments to eligible individuals pursuing a program of education under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program solely through distance learning on more than a half-time basis for the puchase of a computer.
Small Business Emergency Disaster Bridge Loan Act of 2017

To amend the Small Business Act to provide guaranteed disaster loans to certain small business concerns, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Small Business Emergency Disaster Bridge Loan Act of 2017 2. Small business emergency bridge loan program Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 636(b) (16) Small business emergency bridge loan program (A) In general The Administrator may guarantee a bridge loan to a small business concern made by an eligible lender, if such small business concern was located within an area and during the time period with respect to which— (i) a major disaster was declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 (ii) the Administrator determined a disaster occurred. (B) Procedures Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, a bridge loan guarantee made under this paragraph shall be subject to the same requirements and procedures that are used to make loans pursuant to this subsection. (C) Use of funds A small business concern described in subparagraph (A) may apply to the Administrator— (i) for a bridge loan to repair or replace real property or property of the small business concern property damaged or destroyed by reason of such major disaster; or (ii) if such a small business concern has suffered substantial economic injury by reason of such major disaster, for a bridge loan to assist such a small business concern. (D) Rate The Administrator may guarantee not more than 95 percent of a bridge loan made under this paragraph. (E) Requirements A bridge loan guaranteed under this subsection— (i) may not exceed $50,000; (ii) shall be for a term of not more than 10 years; (iii) during the 6-month period beginning on the date on which the bridge loan is disbursed, the rate of interest on such loan shall be zero and the borrower shall not be required to make any payments on such bridge loan; and (iv) after such 6-month period, the rate of interest on such bridge loan shall be determined by the Administrator. (F) Underwriting An eligible lender shall use the procedures and forms of such eligible lender in making a bridge loan under this subsection. (G) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Bridge loan The term bridge loan (ii) Disaster loan program The term disaster loan program (iii) Eligible lender The term eligible lender 12 U.S.C. 4702(5) .

Summary: Small Business Emergency Disaster Bridge Loan Act of 2017 This bill amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to provide guaranteed bridge loans (i.e., loans made to small businesses while their applications for assistance under a disaster loan program are pending) to small businesses located in declared major disaster areas.
To amend the Small Business Act to require that community development block grant funds provided for the same purpose as assistance under certain disaster relief programs of the Small Business Act be used to repay such assistance, and for other purposes.

To amend the Small Business Act to require that community development block grant funds provided for the same purpose as assistance under certain disaster relief programs of the Small Business Act be used to repay such assistance, and for other purposes. 1. Use of certain disaster appropriations for repayment of certain disaster assistance provided by the Small Business Administration Section 7(f) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 636(f) (1) in the heading, by striking 7(b) certain (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) Community development block grant disaster relief funds (A) Loans included A covered entity affected by a major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act that received a loan pursuant to subsection (b) or subsection (a)(31)(H) may receive covered CDBG–DR funds, which funds may be used to repay the principal and any interest accrued on the loan or the amount of other assistance received. (B) Use of other disaster assistance As determined by the Administrator, a covered entity that receives covered CDBG–DR funds on or after the date of the enactment of this paragraph may use such covered CDBG–DR funds to repay the principal and any interest accrued on a loan or the amount of other assistance received under subsection (b). (C) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Covered CDBG–DR funds The term covered CDBG–DR funds (ii) Covered entity The term covered entity (I) with respect to a loan made under subsection (a)(31)(H), a small business concern; (II) with respect to a loan made under subsection (b)(1), a person; (III) with respect to a loan made under subsection (b)(2), a small business concern, private nonprofit organization, or small agricultural cooperative; and (IV) with respect to a loan made under subsection (b)(9), an eligible small business concern. .

Summary: This bill amends the Small Business Act to allow certain community development block grant disaster relief funds (CDBG-DR) to be used to repay certain Small Business Administration guaranteed disaster loans.
Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2017

To amend title 38, United States Code, to codify the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assign a disability rating of total to a veteran by reason of unemployability, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2017 2. Codification of individual unemployability (a) In general Chapter 11 section 1163 1164. Determination of total disability by reason of unemployability (a) In general Subject to subsection (b), for the purposes of this chapter, in the case of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, or service-connected disabilities, not rated as total, the Secretary may assign a disability rating of total to the veteran if the Secretary determines the veteran— (1) is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of, in part or in whole, a service-connected disability; and (2) has— (A) a service-connected disability rated at least 60 percent; or (B) two or more service-connected disabilities— (i) at least one of which is rated at least 40 percent; and (ii) that, combined, are rated at least 70 percent. (b) Additional authority of the Secretary To assign a disability rating of total The Secretary may assign a disability rating of total to a veteran who has a service-connected disability or disabilities described in subsection (a)(2)— (1) if the veteran maintains marginal employment; or (2) if— (A) the veteran maintains substantially gainful employment; and (B) the Secretary, considering the totality of circumstances (including total household medical expenses and the cost of living in the area in which the veteran resides), determines that such assignation is appropriate. (c) Prohibition on the consideration of certain factors In making any determination under subsection (a) or (b), the Secretary may not consider the following: (1) The age of a veteran. (2) The eligibility of a veteran for any retirement benefit, including any benefit under title II of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 401 (d) Definitions In this section: (1) The term marginal employment (2) The term substantially gainful employment . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 11 1164. Determination of total disability by reason of unemployability. . (c) Regulations Not later than 180 days after the effective date of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.

Summary: Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine a veteran with a service-connected disability has a total disability based on his or her ability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of the disability.
Small Scale LNG Access Act of 2017

To amend the Natural Gas Act to expedite approval of exports of small volumes of natural gas, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Small Scale LNG Access Act of 2017 2. Expedited approval of export of certain volumes of natural gas Section 3(c) of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717b(c) (1) by striking (c) For purposes of (c) Expedited application and approval process (1) Free trade agreements in effect For purposes of ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) Small-scale natural gas exports For purposes of subsection (a), any application for the exportation of natural gas in a volume that is equal to or less than 51,100,000,000 cubic feet per year of natural gas shall be— (A) deemed to be consistent with the public interest; and (B) granted without modification or delay. (3) Exclusions Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to any nation subject to sanctions imposed by the United States. .

Summary: Small Scale LNG Access Act of 2017 This bill amends the Natural Gas Act to state that an application under the Natural Gas Act for the exportation of natural gas that does not exceed 51.1 billion cubic feet per year shall be deemed to be consistent with the public interest and granted without modification or delay.
For the relief of Melecio Andazola-Morales.

For the relief of Melecio Andazola-Morales. 1. Permanent resident status for Melecio Andazola-Morales (a) In General Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (b) Adjustment of Status If Melecio Andazola-Morales enters the United States before the filing deadline specified in subsection (c), he shall be considered to have entered and remained lawfully and shall, if otherwise eligible, be eligible for adjustment of status under section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (c) Deadline for Application and Payment of Fees Subsections (a) and (b) shall apply only if the application for issuance of an immigrant visa or the application for adjustment of status is filed with appropriate fees within 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Reduction of Immigrant Visa Number Upon the granting of an immigrant visa or permanent residence to Melecio Andazola-Morales, the Secretary of State shall instruct the proper officer to reduce by 1, during the current or next following fiscal year, the total number of immigrant visas that are made available to natives of the country of the alien’s birth under section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (e) Denial of Preferential Immigration Treatment for Certain Relatives The natural parents, brothers, and sisters of Melecio Andazola-Morales shall not, by virtue of such relationship, be accorded any right, privilege, or status under the Immigration and Nationality Act

Summary: Provides for the relief of Melecio Andazola-Morales.
Natural Gas Pipeline Public Health Protection Act of 2017

To require certain holders of a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under the Natural Gas Act to suspend activities authorized by the certificate until violations relating to air quality are remediated, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Natural Gas Pipeline Public Health Protection Act of 2017 2. Suspension of certificate of public convenience and necessity in areas with pre-existing unsafe air pollutant levels (a) In general Where certified independent air quality testing demonstrates an existing violation of a national ambient air quality standard promulgated under section 109 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7409 42 U.S.C. 7412 (1) the covered holder shall suspend all activities authorized by the certificate of public convenience and necessity of the covered holder; and (2) the Commission may not issue any new certificate of public convenience and necessity under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act ( 15 U.S.C. 717f (b) Definition In this section, the term covered holder

Summary: Natural Gas Pipeline Public Health Protection Act of 2017 This bill suspends construction of natural gas facilities that have been issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission until violations relating to air quality are remediated. It applies to a holder of a certificate that has not commenced construction of a facility for which such certificate was issued within the previous two years.