cheaptrix/billsum-US_congress_and_house huggingface dataset:
HUBZone Expansion Act of 2015

To expand the HUBZone program for communities affected by base realignment and closure, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the HUBZone Expansion Act of 2015 2. Expanding HUBZone program for communities affected by base realignment and closure (a) In general Section 3(p)(5)(A)(i)(I) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 632(p)(5)(A)(i)(I) (1) in item (aa), by striking or (2) by redesignating item (bb) as item (cc); and (3) by inserting after item (aa) the following: (bb) pursuant to subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) of paragraph (3), that its principal office is located in a HUBZone described in paragraph (1)(E) (relating to base closure areas) (in this item referred to as the base closure HUBZone (AA) a HUBZone; (BB) the census tract in which the base closure HUBZone is wholly contained; (CC) a census tract the boundaries of which intersect the boundaries of the base closure HUBZone; or (DD) a census tract the boundaries of which are contiguous to a census tract described in subitem (BB) or (CC); or . (b) Period for base closure areas (1) Amendments (A) In general Section 152(a)(2) of title I of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 ( 15 U.S.C. 632 5 years 8 years (B) Conforming amendment Section 1698(b)(2) of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 ( 15 U.S.C. 632 5 years 8 years (2) Effective date; applicability The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall— (A) take effect on the date of enactment of this Act; and (B) apply to— (i) a base closure area (as defined in section 3(p)(4)(D) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 632(p)(4)(D) 15 U.S.C. 632(p)(1)(E) (I) section 152(a)(2) of title I of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 ( 15 U.S.C. 632 (II) section 1698(b)(2) of National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 ( 15 U.S.C. 632 (ii) a base closure area relating to the closure of a military instillation under the authority described in clauses (i) through (iv) of section 3(p)(4)(D) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 632(p)(4)(D)

Summary: HUBZone Expansion Act of 2015 This bill amends the Small Business Act to expand the HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) program of Small Business Administration loans to small businesses in HUBZone areas for communities affected by base realignment and closure. The expansion includes the areas that can be used by small businesses whose principal offices are located in base closure HUBZones, with at least 35% of their employees residing in: a HUBZone, a census tract in which the base closure HUBZone is wholly contained, a census tract that intersects the boundaries of the base closure HUBZone, or a census tract contiguous with these census tracts. HUBZone eligibility assistance for base closure areas is extended from five years to eight years after their closure.
Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act

To prohibit Federal funding for motorcycle checkpoints, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act 2. Grant restriction Notwithstanding section 153 of title 23, United States Code, the Secretary of Transportation may not provide a grant or any funds to a State, county, town, township, Indian tribe, municipality, or other local government that may be used for any program— (1) to check helmet usage; or (2) to create checkpoints that specifically target motorcycle operators or motorcycle passengers.

Summary: Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) from providing a grant or any funds to a state, county, town, township, Indian tribe, municipality, or other local government for any program to: (1) check motorcycle helmet use, or (2) create motorcycle checkpoints that specifically target motorcycle operators or motorcycle passengers.
RIVER Act

To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize hydroelectric production incentives and hydroelectric efficiency improvement incentives, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reliable Investment in Vital Energy Reauthorization Act RIVER Act 2. Hydroelectric production incentives Section 242(g) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15881(g) each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2015 each of fiscal years 2016 through 2025 3. Hydroelectric efficiency improvement Section 243(c) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 15882(c) each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2015 each of fiscal years 2016 through 2025

Summary: Reliable Investment in Vital Energy Reauthorization Act or the RIVER Act This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize through FY2025 the program of hydroelectric production incentives and incentive payments to the owners or operators of hydroelectric facilities at existing dams to make capital improvements directly related to improving efficiency.
FLARE Act

To require the Secretary of the Interior to issue regulations to prevent or minimize the venting and flaring of gas in oil and gas production operations in the United States, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fuel Loss Abatement and Royalty Enhancement Act FLARE Act 2. Regulations to prevent or minimize venting and flaring of gas (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall issue regulations under this Act— (1) to prevent or minimize the venting and flaring of gas in oil and gas production operations on Federal land onshore and offshore in the United States; and (2) to promote the capture and beneficial use or reinjection of gas in the operations referred to in paragraph (1). (b) Royalties A regulation issued under this section shall include provisions that treat gas that is flared or vented in operations under a lease under this Act as production for which royalty is required to be paid to the United States. (c) Limitation on application to existing leases Regulations issued under subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to production under a lease in effect on the date of enactment of this Act to the extent such application would constitute a breach of the terms of the lease by the United States. 3. Assessment of venting and flaring of gas in production operations in United States Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall— (1) assess the venting and flaring of gas in oil and gas production operations on Federal land onshore and offshore in the United States; and (2) submit to Congress a report on the venting and flaring of gas in oil and gas production operations on Federal land onshore and offshore in the United States, including an estimate of the volume of gas that is vented or flared in such operations each year. 4. Regulations The Secretary of the Interior shall issue regulations that define the terms vent venting flare flaring

Summary: Fuel Loss Abatement and Royalty Enhancement Act or the FLARE Act This bill requires the Department of the Interior to issue regulations to: (1) prevent or minimize the venting and flaring of gas in oil and gas production operations on federal land onshore and offshore in the United States, and (2) promote the capture and beneficial use or reinjection of gas in such operations. Such regulations shall also treat gas that is flared or vented in operations under a lease as production for which a royalty is required to be paid to the United States. The Government Accountability Office shall assess such venting and flaring and estimate the volume of gas vented or flared in such operations each year.
A bill to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the effects of forward capacity auctions and other capacity mechanisms.

To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the effects of forward capacity auctions and other capacity mechanisms. 1. GAO Capacity market impact study and report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall— (1) conduct a study of the effects of forward capacity auctions or other capacity mechanisms that have been established by Independent System Operators or Regional Transmission Organizations on— (A) consumer prices for electricity; (B) the installation of new electrical generation systems; (C) the preservation of existing electrical generation systems; and (D) competition in energy markets, including the potential for the use of undue market power or manipulation in the auctions; and (2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1), including an assessment of whether the auctions or capacity mechanisms are producing rates that are just and reasonable.

Summary: This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study the effects of forward capacity auctions or other capacity mechanisms established by Independent System Operators or Regional Transmission Organizations with respect to: consumer prices for electricity; installation of new electrical generation systems; preservation of existing electrical generation systems; and competition in energy markets, including the potential for the use of undue market power or manipulation in the auctions. The report to Congress on the study must assess whether the auctions or capacity mechanisms are producing rates that are just and reasonable.
A bill to amend the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to reauthorize Federal agencies to enter into long-term contracts for the acquisition of energy.

To amend the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to authorize Federal agencies to enter into long-term contracts for the acquisition of energy. 1. Contracts for federal purchases of energy 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. Long-term contracts for energy (a) In general Notwithstanding section 501(b)(1)(B) of title 40, United States Code, a contract for the acquisition of renewable energy or energy from cogeneration facilities for the Federal Government may be made for a period not to exceed 30 years. (b) Standardized energy purchase agreement Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, acting through the Federal Energy Management Program, shall publish a standardized energy purchase agreement setting forth commercial terms and conditions that agencies may use to acquire renewable energy or energy from cogeneration facilities. (c) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to assist agencies in implementing this section. .

Summary: This bill amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to allow federal agencies to contract for the acquisition of renewable energy or energy from cogeneration facilities for the federal government for up to 30 years. The Department of Energy's (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program must publish a standardized energy purchase agreement setting forth commercial terms and conditions that agencies may use to acquire that energy. DOE must also provide technical assistance to assist agencies in implementing the bill.
Federal Energy Savings Enhancement Act of 2015

To improve energy savings by the Department of Defense, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Federal Energy Savings Enhancement Act of 2015 2. Energy savings performance contracts (a) Agency payments Section 801(a)(2)(B) of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act ( 42 U.S.C. 8287(a)(2)(B) (1) by striking both utilities utilities, entities that supply, deliver, and transport fuel, (2) by inserting or fuel supply, delivery, or transport for utilities (b) Nonbuilding applications Section 801(a)(2) of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act ( 42 U.S.C. 8287(a)(2) (H) Nonbuilding applications A Federal agency may enter into an energy savings performance contract under this title for the purpose of reducing the costs of fuel supply, delivery, or transport for nonbuilding applications, including secondary savings. . (c) Definitions Section 804 of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act ( 42 U.S.C. 8287c (1) in paragraph (2)(A)— (A) in the matter preceding clause (i)— (i) by striking or wastewater treatment wastewater treatment, or fuel supply, delivery, or transport (ii) by inserting or nonbuilding applications federally owned facilities (B) in clause (ii), by striking or (C) in clause (iii), by inserting or (D) by adding at the end the following: (iv) the improved efficiency of fuel use in nonbuilding applications. ; (2) in the first sentence of paragraph (3), by inserting or for the purpose of reducing the cost of fuel supply, delivery, or transport for nonbuilding applications (3) by adding at the end the following: (5) Nonbuilding application The term nonbuilding application (A) any class of vehicles, devices, or equipment that— (i) is transportable under the power of the applicable vehicle, device, or equipment by land, sea, or air; and (ii) consumes energy from any fuel source for the purpose of— (I) that transportation; or (II) maintaining a controlled environment within the vehicle, device, or equipment; and (B) any federally owned equipment used to generate electricity or transport water. (6) Secondary savings (A) In general The term secondary savings (B) Inclusions The term secondary savings (i) energy and cost savings that result from a reduction in the need for fuel delivery and logistical support; (ii) personnel cost savings and environmental benefits; and (iii) in the case of electric generation equipment, the benefits of increased efficiency in the production of electricity, including revenues received by the Federal Government from the sale of electricity from the production. .

Summary: Federal Energy Savings Enhancement Act of 2015 This bill amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to authorize federal agencies to enter into energy savings performance contracts to reduce the costs of fuel supply, delivery, or transport for nonbuilding applications. Payments by agencies to entities that supply, deliver, or transport fuel under such contracts may not exceed the amounts the agencies would have paid entities without the contracts.
USE IT Act

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish an annual production incentive fee with respect to Federal onshore and offshore land that is subject to a lease for production of oil or natural gas under which production is not occurring, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the United States Exploration on Idle Tracts Act USE IT Act 2. Production incentive fee (a) Establishment (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the Secretary (2) Application The annual production incentive fee described in paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to land that is subject to a lease described in paragraph (1) that is— (A) in effect on the date on which final regulations are issued pursuant to this subsection; or (B) executed after that date. (b) Amount For each acre of land from which oil or natural gas is produced for less than 90 days in a calendar year, the amount of the fee shall be— (1) in the case of onshore land— (A) for each of the first 3 years of the lease, $4 per acre (in 2015 dollars); (B) for the fourth year of the lease, $6 per acre (in 2015 dollars); and (C) for the fifth year of the lease and each year thereafter for which the lease is otherwise in effect, $8 per acre (in 2015 dollars); and (2) in the case of offshore land— (A) for each of the third, fourth, and fifth years of the lease, $4 per acre (in 2015 dollars); (B) for the sixth year of the lease, $6 per acre (in 2015 dollars); and (C) for the seventh year of the lease and each year thereafter for which the lease is otherwise in effect, $8 per acre (in 2015 dollars). (c) Assessment and collection The Secretary shall assess and collect the fee established under this section. (d) Deposit Amounts received by the Secretary for the fee under this section shall be reserved for the Secretary for expenditures on inspection, enforcement, and permitting relating to oil and gas. (e) Regulations The Secretary may issue regulations to prevent evasion of the fee under this section.

Summary: United States Exploration on Idle Tracts Act or the USE IT Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to issue regulations to establish a specified graduated annual production incentive fee with respect to federal onshore and offshore lands subject to a lease for production of oil or natural gas under which production is not occurring. Amounts received for the fee shall be reserved for expenditures on inspection, enforcement, and permitting relating to oil and gas.
HOME Act

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a standard home office deduction. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Helping Our Middle-Class Entrepreneurs Act HOME Act 2. Standard deduction for business use of home (a) In General Subsection (c) of section 280A (7) Standard home office deduction (A) In general In the case of an individual who is allowed a deduction for the use of a home office because of a use described in paragraph (1), (2), or (4), notwithstanding the limitations of paragraph (5), if such individual elects the application of this paragraph for the taxable year, such individual shall be allowed a deduction equal to the standard home office deduction for the taxable year in lieu of the deductions otherwise allowable under this chapter for such taxable year by reason of such use. (B) Standard home office deduction For purposes of this paragraph, the standard home office deduction is the lesser of— (i) $1,500, or (ii) the gross income derived from the individual’s trade or business for which such use occurs. (C) Inflation adjustment In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2015, the dollar amount in subparagraph (B)(i) shall be increased by an amount equal to— (i) such dollar amount, multiplied by (ii) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting 2014 1992 Any increase determined under the preceding sentence shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $100. . (b) Effective Date The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014.

Summary: Helping Our Middle-Class Entrepreneurs Act or the HOME Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer who uses a residence to conduct a trade or business a standard tax deduction equal to the lesser of $1,500 or the taxpayer's gross trade or business income derived from the business use of such residence. Provides for an inflation adjustment to the standard deduction amount in calendar years beginning after 2015.
A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Secretary of Energy to consider the objective of improving the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels in carrying out research and development programs under that Act.

To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Secretary of Energy to consider the objective of improving the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels in carrying out research and development programs under that Act. 1. Fossil energy Section 961(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16291(a) (8) Improving the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels. .

Summary: This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Department of Energy to consider the objective of improving the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels when carrying out certain research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs in fossil energy.
A bill to clarify the treatment of carbon emissions from forest biomass, and for other purposes.

To clarify the treatment of carbon emissions from forest biomass, and for other purposes. 1. Carbon emissions from forest biomass In taking an action regarding air emissions from an energy source or facility that uses forest biomass, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall assume that forest biomass emissions do not increase overall carbon accumulations in the atmosphere if— (1) a Forest Inventory and Analysis of the Department of Agriculture that is current at the time the action is taken shows that forest carbon stocks in the United States are stable or increasing; or (2) the forest biomass is derived from mill residuals, harvest residuals, or forest management activities.

Summary: This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency, when taking an action regarding air emissions from an energy source or facility that uses forest biomass, to assume that forest biomass emissions do not increase overall carbon accumulations in the atmosphere if: (1) a Department of Agriculture's Forest Inventory and Analysis that is current at the time the action is taken shows that forest carbon stocks in the United States are stable or increasing; or (2) the forest biomass is derived from mill residuals, harvest residuals, or forest management activities.
Coal with Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2015

To authorize the Secretary of Energy to enter into contracts to provide certain price stabilization support relating to electric generation units that use coal-based generation technology. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Coal with Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2015 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) the high cost of installing and using technology to capture carbon dioxide from coal-fueled electric generating units can be mitigated by providing certainty, for a limited period of time, with respect to revenues from the sale of captured carbon dioxide; (2) the volatility of crude oil prices that determine the price paid for carbon dioxide creates uncertain market prices for carbon dioxide that is purchased and used to recover crude oil or for other beneficial purposes; (3) assistance to stabilize the price received for carbon dioxide captured during the use of coal provides a degree of certainty to debt providers and investors with respect to the revenues to be received from the sale of carbon dioxide; and (4) creating added certainty that captured carbon dioxide would receive a certain, agreed upon price for a limited period of time would help to ensure that carbon capture and storage technology would be developed and used. 3. Contracting authority of the Secretary (a) Definition of electric generation unit In this section, the term electric generation unit (b) Contracting authority Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy may enter into binding contracts on behalf of the Federal Government, the duration of which shall not exceed 25 years, with qualified parties to provide price stabilization support for electricity generated at an electric generation unit or carbon dioxide captured from an electric generation unit and sold to a purchaser for— (1) the recovery of crude oil; or (2) other purposes for which a commercial market exists.

Summary: Coal with Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2015 This bill authorizes the Department of Energy to enter into 25-year binding contracts that provide price stabilization support for electricity generated at either an electric generation unit (that uses coal-based generation technology) or carbon dioxide captured from such unit and subsequently sold to a purchaser for either crude oil recovery or other commercial market purposes.