cheaptrix/billsum-US_congress_and_house huggingface dataset:
Fairness to United States Distant Water Fishermen Act of 2016

To prohibit the use of funds to provide assistance to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency under the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fairness to United States Distant Water Fishermen Act of 2016 2. Prohibition on use of funds to provide assistance to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency under the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (a) Prohibition Funds made available to carry out chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2346 et seq. (b) Effective date This section takes effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and applies with respect to funds made available for any fiscal year— (1) in which a notice of intent to withdraw from the Treaty on Fisheries Between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America, done at Port Moresby on April 2, 1987, is submitted by the United States in accordance with Article 12.6 of such Treaty; or (2) in which such Treaty is not in effect with respect to the United States for any part of such fiscal year. 3. Prohibition on assistance to foreign countries that are parties to the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency Convention Funds made available to carry out chapter 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2347 et seq.

Summary: Fairness to United States Distant Water Fishermen Act of 2016 This bill prohibits certain economic support funds from being used to provide assistance to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency under the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. Certain military education/training funds may not be used to provide assistance to any foreign country that is a party to the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency Convention, signed at Honiara (Solomon Islands) on July 10, 1979.
Essex River Jobs and Recreation Act

To deauthorize portions of the project for navigation, Essex River, Massachusetts. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Essex River Jobs and Recreation Act 2. Essex River project (a) Deauthorization The portions of the project for navigation, Essex River, Massachusetts, authorized by the Act of July 13, 1892 (27 Stat. 88, chapter 158) and modified by the Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1121, chapter 425) (commonly known as the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899) and the Act of March 2, 1907 ( Public Law 59–168 (b) Description of project portions Beginning at a point N3056139.82 E851780.21, thence southwesterly about 156.88 feet to a point N3055997.75 E851713.67; thence southwesterly about 64.59 feet to a point N3055959.37 E851661.72; thence southwesterly about 145.14 feet to a point N3055887.10 E851535.85; thence southwesterly about 204.91 feet to a point N3055855.12 E851333.45; thence northwesterly about 423.50 feet to a point N3055976.70 E850927.78; thence northwesterly about 58.77 feet to a point N3056002.99 E850875.21; thence northwesterly about 240.57 feet to a point N3056232.82 E850804.14; thence northwesterly about 203.60 feet to a point N3056435.41 E850783.93; thence northwesterly about 78.63 feet to a point N3056499.63 E850738.56; thence northwesterly about 60.00 feet to a point N3056526.30 E850684.81; thence southwesterly about 85.56 feet to a point N3056523.33 E850599.31; thence southwesterly about 36.20 feet to a point N3056512.37 E850564.81; thence southwesterly about 80.10 feet to a point N3056467.08 E850498.74; thence southwesterly about 169.05 feet to a point N3056334.36 E850394.03; thence northwesterly about 48.52 feet to a point N3056354.38 E850349.83; thence northeasterly about 83.71 feet to a point N3056436.35 E850366.84; thence northeasterly about 212.38 feet to a point N3056548.70 E850547.07; thence northeasterly about 47.60 feet to a point N3056563.12 E850592.43; thence northeasterly about 101.16 feet to a point N3056566.62 E850693.53; thence southeasterly about 80.22 feet to a point N3056530.97 E850765.40; thence southeasterly about 99.29 feet to a point N3056449.88 E850822.69; thence southeasterly about 210.12 feet to a point N3056240.79 E850843.54; thence southeasterly about 219.46 feet to a point N3056031.13 E850908.38; thence southeasterly about 38.23 feet to a point N3056014.02 E850942.57; thence southeasterly about 410.93 feet to a point N3055896.06 E851336.21; thence northeasterly about 188.43 feet to a point N3055925.46 E851522.33; thence northeasterly about 135.47 feet to a point N3055992.91 E851639.80; thence northeasterly about 52.15 feet to a point N3056023.90 E851681.75; thence northeasterly about 91.57 feet to a point N3056106.82 E851720.59.

Summary: Essex River Jobs and Recreation Act This bill deauthorizes portions of the project for navigation, Essex River, Massachusetts, that do not lie within specified areas.
To amend chapter 77 of title 5, United States Code, to clarify certain due process rights of Federal employees serving in sensitive positions, and for other purposes.

To amend chapter 77 1. Amendments Section 7701 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and (2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following: (k) (1) An employee or applicant for employment appealing an action arising from a determination of ineligibility for a sensitive position may not be denied Board review of the merits of such determination if— (A) the position is not one that requires a security clearance or access to classified information; and (B) such action is otherwise appealable. (2) For purposes of this subsection, the term sensitive position 5 U.S.C. 7311 . 2. Effective date The amendments made by this Act shall apply to all appeals, without exception, that are pending on, or commenced on or after, the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: This bill provides for appellate review by the Merit Systems Protection Board for employees or applicants for employment who were determined ineligible for a sensitive position if: (1) such position does not require a security clearance or access to classified information, and (2) such determination is otherwise appealable.
To amend title 18, United States Code, to extend the coverage of the Federal prohibition against hate crimes in order to provide greater protections to persons who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

To amend title 18, United States Code, to extend the coverage of the Federal prohibition against hate crimes in order to provide greater protections to persons who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. 1. Extension of coverage of section 249 of title 18, United States Code Section 249(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking in subparagraph (b) or (2) by striking subparagraph (B).

Summary: Amends the federal criminal code to remove the requirement that a hate crime involve conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce.
No Welfare for Terrorists Act of 2016

To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to provide that certain convicted felons shall be ineligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the No Welfare for Terrorists Act of 2016 2. Disqualification of certain convicted felons Section 6(r)(1)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015(r)(1)(A) (1) in clause (iv) by striking or (2) in clause (v) by striking and or (3) by adding at the end the following: (vi) an offense under chapter 113B .

Summary: No Welfare for Terrorists Act of 2016 This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to make convicted terrorists ineligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).
POSTAL Act of 2015

To amend title 39, United States Code, to provide that the United States Postal Service may provide certain basic financial services, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Providing Opportunities for Savings, Transactions, and Lending Act of 2015 POSTAL Act of 2015 2. Authority for the Postal Service to offer certain financial services (a) In general Section 404(a) of title 39, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (7), by striking and (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (9) to provide basic financial services, including— (A) small-dollar loans; (B) alone, or in partnership with depository institutions (as defined under section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ( 12 U.S.C. 1813 (i) checking accounts and interest-bearing savings accounts; and (ii) services relating to international money transfers; (C) such other basic financial services as the Postal Service determines appropriate in the public interest; and (D) the creation of a Postal Card . (b) Technical and conforming amendment Section 404(e)(2) of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: The preceding sentence shall not apply to any financial service offered by the Postal Service under subsection (a)(9).

Summary: Providing Opportunities for Savings, Transactions, and Lending Act of 2015 [sic] or the POSTAL Act of 2015 [sic] This bill expands the specific powers of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to include the provision of basic financial services, including: (1) small-dollar loans; (2) checking accounts, interest-bearing savings accounts, and services relating to international money transfers, each of which may be provided by the USPS alone or in partnership with depository institutions and credit unions; (3) other basic financial services as appropriate in the public interest; and (4) the creation of a Postal Card that allows users to engage in such financial services.
To amend title 37, United States Code, to increase the maximum reimbursement amount authorized for travel expenses incurred by certain members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve to attend inactive duty training outside of normal commuting distances.

To amend title 37, United States Code, to increase the maximum reimbursement amount authorized for travel expenses incurred by certain members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve to attend inactive duty training outside of normal commuting distances. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rural Guard Act of 2016 2. Maximum reimbursement amount for Reservists’ travel expenses to attend inactive duty training outside of normal commuting distances Section 478a(c) of title 37, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking The amount (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amount ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) Higher reimbursement amount authorized The Secretary concerned may authorize, on a case-by-case basis, a higher reimbursement amount for a member under subsection (a) when the member— (A) resides— (i) in the same State as the inactive duty training location; and (ii) outside of an urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more, as determined by the Bureau of the Census; and (B) is required to commute to the inactive duty training location— (i) using an aircraft or boat on account of limited or nonexistent vehicular routes to the training location or other geographical challenges; or (ii) from a permanent residence located more than 75 miles from the training location. .

Summary: Rural Guard Act of 2016 This bill authorizes the removal, on a case by case basis, of the $300 cap on travel expense reimbursements to certain members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve who: (1) live in a rural area in the same state as the inactive duty training location; and (2) are required to travel to the inactive training location using a boat or aircraft due to limited or nonexistent vehicular routes, or from a permanent residence more than 75 miles from that location.
To amend section 203 of the Federal Power Act.

To amend section 203 of the Federal Power Act. 1. Clarification of facility merger authorization Section 203(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 824b(a)(1)(B) such facilities or any part thereof such facilities, or any part thereof, of a value in excess of $10,000,000 2. Notification for certain transactions Section 203(a) of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 824b(a) (7) (A) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Commission shall promulgate a rule requiring any public utility that is seeking to merge or consolidate, directly or indirectly, its facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, or any part thereof, with those of any other person, to notify the Commission of such transaction if— (i) such facilities, or any part thereof, are of a value in excess of $1,000,000; and (ii) such public utility is not required to secure an order of the Commission under paragraph (1)(B). (B) In establishing any notification requirement under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall, to the maximum extent practicable, minimize the paperwork burden resulting from the collection of information. . 3. Effective date The amendment made by section 1 shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. March 14, 2016 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: This bill amends the Federal Power Act with respect to the prohibition regarding mergers or consolidations by a public utility. Any merger or consolidation of a public utility whose value exceeds $10 million must first be authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In addition, FERC is required to promulgate a rule within 180 days that mandates any public utility seeking to merge or consolidate to notify FERC, within 30 days of transaction consummation, if the value of such merger or consolidation exceeds $1 million but is less than $10 million.
Fair Medicare Hospital Payments Act of 2016

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure fairness in Medicare hospital payments by establishing a floor for the area wage index applied with respect to certain hospitals. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the The Fair Medicare Hospital Payments Act of 2016 2. Ensuring fairness in medicare hospital payments (a) Hospital inpatient services Section 1886(d)(3)(E) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395www(d)(3)(E) (1) in clause (i), by striking clause (ii) or (iii) clause (ii), (iii), or (iv) (2) by adding at the end the following new clause: (iv) Area wage index floor (I) In general Subject to subclause (II), for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2016, the area wage index applicable under this subparagraph to any hospital which is not located in a frontier State (as defined in clause (iii)(II)) may not be less than 0.874. (II) Ensuring budget neutrality In order to ensure that the aggregate payments made under this subsection for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2017) are not greater than the aggregate payments that would have been made under this subsection for such fiscal year without the application of subclause (I), the Secretary shall establish pursuant to rulemaking a maximum area wage index to apply under this subparagraph to any hospital which is not located in a frontier State (as defined in clause (iii)(II)). . (b) Hospital outpatient department services Section 1833(t) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395l(t) (1) in paragraph (2)(D), by striking paragraph (19), the Secretary paragraphs (19) and (22), the Secretary (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (22) Floor on area wage adjustment factor for hospital outpatient department services (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), with respect to covered OPD services furnished on or after January 1, 2017, the area wage adjustment factor applicable under the payment system established under this subsection to any hospital outpatient department which is not located in a frontier State (as defined in section 1886(d)(3)(E)(iii)(II)) may not be less than 0.874. (B) Ensuring budget neutrality In order to ensure that the aggregate payments made under this subsection for a year (beginning with 2017) are not greater than the aggregate payments that would have been made under this subsection for such year without the application of subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall establish pursuant to rulemaking a maximum area wage adjustment factor to apply under the payment system established under this subsection to any hospital outpatient department which is not located in a frontier State (as defined in clause (iii)(II)). .

Summary: Fair Medicare Hospital Payments Act of 2016 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish, with respect to hospitals not located in a frontier state, a floor on the area wage adjustment factor for hospital inpatient and outpatient services covered under Medicare. (Such a floor already applies with respect to hospitals located in frontier states.)
To direct the Attorney General to reimburse State and local law enforcement agencies for costs incurred in carrying out law enforcement activities associated with the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes.

To direct the Attorney General to reimburse State and local law enforcement agencies for costs incurred in carrying out law enforcement activities associated with the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes. 1. Reimbursement for State and local law enforcement activities at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall make payments to State and local law enforcement agencies to reimburse such agencies for costs incurred in carrying out law enforcement activities associated with the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon, beginning on January 2, 2016, and ending on the date on which the occupation ends, as determined by the Attorney General. (b) Applications A State or local law enforcement agency seeking reimbursement under this section shall submit to the Attorney General an application at such time and in such manner as the Attorney General may reasonably require, which shall include the amount requested, and a description of how such amounts were expended by the agency in response to the situation described in subsection (a). (c) Amount A payment under this section shall be in the amount that the State or local law enforcement agency expended in excess of the agency’s budget for responding to a situation described in subsection (a). The Attorney General shall determine the amount of a payment under this section based on the information provided in the application by the State or local law enforcement agency. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this section limits the recovery to which a State or local law enforcement agency may be entitled in a civil action arising out of a situation described in subsection (a). (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. 2. Civil action If the Attorney General makes a payment under section 1, the Attorney General may bring a civil action against an individual who was a participant in the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon, during the time period described in subsection (a) in the appropriate district court of the United States in order to recover the costs of that payment.

Summary: This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reimburse state and local law enforcement agencies for costs associated with the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon. DOJ may file a civil action against an armed occupation participant to recover reimbursement costs.
Drinking Water Contamination Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2016

Making emergency supplemental appropriations to the Environmental Protection Agency to assist the State of Michigan and its residents impacted by the contaminated water crisis. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Drinking Water Contamination Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2016 2. Emergency Appropriation For an additional amount for fiscal year 2016 to the Environmental Protection Agency for making a grant to the State of Michigan to replace pipes, pipe fittings, and other drinking water infrastructure that are not lead free (as defined in section 1417(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300g–6(d) Provided Provided further

Summary: Drinking Water Contamination Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2016 This bill provides $1 billion in FY2016 supplemental appropriations to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for making a grant to the state of Michigan to replace pipes, pipe fittings, and other drinking water infrastructure that are not lead-free. The funds are designated as an emergency requirement, which exempts the funds from discretionary spending limits and other budget enforcement rules. The EPA must report monthly to Congress on the use of the funds.
Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act of 2016

To amend title 40, United States Code, to require that certain public buildings contain a lactation room for public use, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act of 2016 2. Lactation room in public buildings (a) Lactation room in public buildings Chapter 33 3317. Lactation room in public buildings (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Appropriate authority The term appropriate authority (2) Covered public building The term covered public building (3) Lactation room The term lactation room (A) is shielded from view; (B) is free from intrusion; and (C) contains a chair, a working surface, and, if the public building is otherwise supplied with electricity, an electrical outlet. (b) Lactation room required Except as provided in subsection (c), the appropriate authority of a covered public building shall ensure that the building contains a lactation room that is made available for use by a member of the public to express breast milk. (c) Exceptions A covered public building may be excluded from the requirement in subsection (b) at the discretion of the appropriate authority if— (1) the public building— (A) does not contain a lactation room for employees who work in the building; and (B) does not have a room that could be repurposed as a lactation room or a space that could be made private using portable materials, at a reasonable cost; or (2) new construction would be required to create a lactation room in the public building and the cost of such construction is unfeasible. (d) No unauthorized entry Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize an individual to enter a public building that the individual is not otherwise authorized to enter. . (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 33 3317. Lactation room in public buildings. . (c) Effective date This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act of 2016 This bill requires that certain public buildings that are open to the public and contain a public restroom provide a lactation room, other than a bathroom, that is hygienic and is available for use by a member of the public to express milk. The lactation room must be shielded from public view, be free from intrusion, and contain a chair, a working surface, and (if the building is supplied with electricity) an electrical outlet.