cheaptrix/billsum-US_congress_and_house huggingface dataset:
Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act of 2017

To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to designate certain entities as centers of excellence for domestic maritime workforce training and education, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act of 2017 2. Domestic maritime centers of excellence (a) Designation authority The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to designate community and technical colleges with a maritime training program and maritime training centers operated by or under the supervision of a State, if located in the United States along the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, or Great Lakes, as centers of excellence for domestic maritime workforce training and education. (b) Assistance (1) Types The Secretary may provide to an entity designated as a center of excellence under subsection (a)— (A) technical assistance; and (B) surplus Federal equipment and assets. (2) Technical assistance The Secretary may provide technical assistance under paragraph (1) to assist an entity designated as a center of excellence under subsection (a) to expand the capacity of the entity to train the domestic maritime workforce of the United States, including by— (A) admitting additional students; (B) recruiting and training faculty; (C) expanding facilities; (D) creating new maritime career pathways; and (E) awarding students credit for prior experience, including military service.

Summary: Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to designate state-operated maritime training centers and community and technical colleges with a maritime training program that are located in the United States along the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Artic Ocean, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, or Great Lakes as centers of excellence for domestic maritime workforce training and education. DOT may provide to such centers: (1) technical assistance to assist them in expanding their capacity to train the U.S. maritime workforce, and (2) surplus federal equipment and assets.
A bill to designate the area between the intersections of International Drive, Northwest and Van Ness Street, Northwest and International Drive, Northwest and International Place, Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, as "Liu Xiaobo Plaza", and for other purposes.

To designate the area between the intersections of International Drive, Northwest and Van Ness Street, Northwest and International Drive, Northwest and International Place, Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, as Liu Xiaobo Plaza 1. Designation of Liu Xiaobo Plaza (a) Designation of plaza (1) In general The area between the intersections of International Drive, Northwest and Van Ness Street, Northwest and International Drive, Northwest and International Place, Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, shall be known and designated as Liu Xiaobo Plaza (2) References Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the area referred to in paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be a reference to Liu Xiaobo Plaza. (b) Designation of address (1) Designation The address of 3505 International Place, Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia, shall be redesignated as 1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza. (2) References Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the address referred to in paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be a reference to 1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza. (c) Signs The Administrator of General Services shall construct street signs that shall— (1) contain the phrase Liu Xiaobo Plaza (2) be similar in design to the signs used by Washington, District of Columbia, to designate the location of Metro stations; and (3) be placed on— (A) the parcel of Federal property that is closest to 1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza (as redesignated by subsection (b)); and (B) the street corners of International Drive, Northwest and Van Ness Street, Northwest and International Drive, Northwest and International Place, Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia.

Summary: This bill designates as "Liu Xiaobo Plaza" the area between the intersections of International Drive Northwest and Van Ness Street Northwest and International Drive Northwest and International Place Northwest in Washington, DC.
A bill to extend the waiver of limitations with respect to excluding from gross income amounts received by wrongfully incarcerated individuals.

To extend the waiver of limitations with respect to excluding from gross income amounts received by wrongfully incarcerated individuals. 1. Extension of waiver of limitations with respect to excluding from gross income amounts received by wrongfully incarcerated individuals (a) In general Section 304(d) of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 ( 26 U.S.C. 139F 1-year 2-year (b) Technical correction Section 304(d) of such Act ( 26 U.S.C. 139F application of this Act application of this section (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect as if included in section 304 of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015.

Summary: This bill amends the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 to extend the waiver of limitations on credits or refunds related to the exclusion from gross income of certain civil damages, restitution, or other monetary awards received by wrongfully incarcerated individuals.
Veterans TEST Accessibility Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for pro-rated charges to entitlement to educational assistance under Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for certain licensure and certification tests and national tests, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans To Enhance Studies Through Accessibility Act of 2017 Veterans TEST Accessibility Act 2. Charge to entitlement for certain licensure and certification tests and national tests under Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program (a) Licensure and certification tests Subsection (c) of section 3315 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking shall be determined shall be pro-rated based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test. (b) National tests Section 3315A of such title is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) A national test that evaluates prior learning and knowledge and provides an opportunity for course credit at an institution of higher learning as so described. ; and (2) in subsection (c), by striking shall be determined shall be pro-rated based on the actual amount of the fee charged for the test. (c) Tests included Section 3452(b) of such title is amended in the last sentence— (1) by striking and national tests providing , national tests providing (2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: , and national tests that evaluate prior learning and knowledge and provides an opportunity for course credit at an institution of higher learning (d) Effective date The amendments made by this Act shall apply to a test taken after the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Veterans To Enhance Studies Through Accessibility Act of 2017 or the Veterans TEST Accessibility Act This bill permits veterans to get reimbursed under the Post-9/11 educational assistance program for an approved licensing, certification, or national test at a pro-rated amount based on such test's actual cost. (Current law requires that veterans be charged a whole month of entitlement to pay for any such test.) The bill provides that a national test that evaluates prior learning and knowledge and provides an opportunity for course credit at an institution of higher learning shall be eligible for such reimbursement.
Federal Register Printing Savings Act of 2017

To amend title 44, United States Code, to restrict the distribution of free printed copies of the Federal Register to Members of Congress and other officers and employees of the United States, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Federal Register Printing Savings Act of 2017 2. Restrictions on distribution of free printed copies of Federal Register to Members of Congress and federal employees (a) Restrictions Section 1506 of title 44, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking “The Administrative Committee” and inserting (a) Composition; Duties (2) in subsection (a)(4), by striking “the number of copies” and inserting “subject to subsection (b), the number of copies”; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (b) Restrictions on distribution of free printed copies to Members of Congress and officers and employees of the United States (1) Prohibiting subscription to printed copies without request Under the regulations prescribed to carry out subsection (a)(4), the Director of the Government Publishing Office may not provide a printed copy of the Federal Register without charge to any Member of Congress or any other office of the United States during a year unless— (A) the Member or office requests a printed copy of a specific issue of the Federal Register; or (B) during that year or during the previous year, the Member or office requested a subscription to printed copies of the Federal Register for that year, as described in paragraph (2). (2) Administration of subscriptions The regulations prescribed to carry out subsection (a)(4) shall include— (A) provisions regarding notifications to offices of Members of Congress and other offices of the United States of the restrictions of paragraph (1); (B) provisions describing the process by which Members and other offices may request a specific issue of the Federal Register for purposes of paragraph (1)(A); and (C) provisions describing the process by which Members and other offices may request a subscription to the Federal Register for purposes of paragraph (1)(B), except that such regulations shall limit the period for such a subscription to not longer than 1 year. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on January 1, 2018.

Summary: Federal Register Printing Savings Act of 2017 This bill bars the Government Publishing Office from furnishing a printed copy of the Federal Register without charge to any Member of Congress or any other office of the United States during a year unless: the Member or office requests a printed copy of a specific issue of the Federal Register; or during that year or the previous year, the Member or office requested a subscription to printed copies of the Federal Register for that year.
Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2017

To protect individuals who are eligible for increased pension under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the basis of need of regular aid and attendance from dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2017 2. Protection of individuals eligible for increased pension under laws administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs on basis of need for regular aid and attendance (a) Development and implementation of standards (1) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall work with the heads of Federal agencies, States, and such experts as the Secretary considers appropriate to develop and implement Federal and State standards that protect individuals from dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices relating to increased pension available to such individuals under chapter 15 (2) Submittal to Congress Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives the standards developed under paragraph (1). (b) Conditional recommendation by Comptroller General If the Secretary does not, on or before the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives standards that are developed under subsection (a)(1), the Comptroller General of the United States shall, not later than the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to such committees a report containing standards that the Comptroller General determines are standards that would be effective in protecting individuals as described in such subsection. (c) Study by Comptroller General Not later than 540 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall complete a study on standards implemented under this section to protect individuals as described in subsection (a)(1) and submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing the findings of the Comptroller General with respect to such study.

Summary: Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work with federal agencies, states, and experts to develop and implement federal and state standards that protect individuals who are eligible for increased pension for a non-service-connected disability or death or for service on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance from dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices. The Government Accountability Office must: (1) report standards that would be effective in protecting such individuals if the VA fails to submit such standards as required, and (2) complete a study on standards implemented under this bill.
Opportunity in Federal Construction Act

To require that certain prevailing wage determinations be made using representative statistical sample techniques. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Opportunity in Federal Construction Act 2. Wage determinations (a) In general Section 3142(b) of title 40, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting , acting through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Secretary of Labor (2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: , using surveys carried out by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that use proper representative statistical sampling techniques (b) Rulemaking The Secretary of Labor shall issue regulations to carry out the amendments made by subsection (a). 3. GAO report (a) Study Not later than one year after the effective date of the regulations issued pursuant to section 2(b), the Comptroller General of the United States shall commence a study of the implementation of such regulations. (b) Report The Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress containing the results of the study described in subsection (a).

Summary: Opportunity in Federal Construction Act This bill requires certain prevailing wage determinations for laborers and mechanics be made using representative statistical sample techniques. The Government Accountability Office shall study, and report on, the implementation of Department of Labor regulations to carry out the requirement of this bill..
Health Care Options for All Act

To allow individuals living in areas without qualified health plans offered through an Exchange to have similar access to health insurance coverage as Members of Congress and congressional staff. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Health Care Options for All Act 2. Access to coverage for individuals in areas without any available Exchange plans Part 2 of subtitle D of title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18031 1314. Access to coverage for individuals in areas without any available Exchange plans (a) In general (1) Coverage through DC SHOP Exchange Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall establish a mechanism to ensure that, for any plan year beginning on or after the date described in subsection (c), any individual described in paragraph (2) may enroll in health insurance coverage in the small group market through the Exchange operating in the District of Columbia, including the health insurance coverage that is available to Members of Congress and congressional staff (as defined in section 1312(d)(3)(D)). (2) Individual described An individual described in this paragraph is any individual who— (A) is eligible to purchase health insurance coverage through the Exchange operating in the State of residence of the individual; and (B) resides in a rating area or county in which the Secretary certifies that no qualified health plan is offered through an Exchange established under this title. (b) Premium assistance tax credits and cost-Sharing Any individual described in subsection (a)(2) who enrolls in health insurance coverage through the Exchange operating in the District of Columbia pursuant to subsection (a)(1) shall be eligible for any premium tax credit under section 36B (c) Date described The date described in this subsection is the date on which the Secretary establishes the mechanism under subsection (a)(1). .

Summary: Health Care Options for All Act This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that individuals eligible to purchase coverage through a health insurance exchange who reside where no exchange health plans are available may enroll in coverage offered in the small group market through the Washington, DC exchange.
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act

To modify the boundary of the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act 2. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site boundary modification Section 2 of Public Law 105–356 (1) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) as subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f), respectively; (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) Boundary modification The boundary of the historic site is modified to include the 7 residences on South Park Street in Little Rock, Arkansas, consisting of 1.47 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Central High School National Historic Site Proposed Boundary ; and (3) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking (1) The Secretary (1) In general The Secretary ; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking (2) The Secretary (3) Coordination The Secretary ; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Cooperative agreements for the preservation and interpretation of certain properties (A) In general The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with the owners of the 7 residences described in section 2(b), pursuant to which the Secretary may use appropriated funds to mark, interpret, improve, restore, and provide technical assistance with respect to the preservation and interpretation of the properties. (B) Inclusions An agreement entered into under subparagraph (A) shall include a provision specifying that no changes or alterations shall be made to the exterior of the properties subject to the agreement, except by the mutual agreement of the parties to the agreement. .

Summary: Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act This bill adjusts the boundary of the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in Arkansas to include the 7 residences on South Park Street in Little Rock, which consist of 1.47 acres of specified land. The Department of the Interior may enter into separate cooperative agreements with the owners of such residences to mark, interpret, improve, restore, and provide technical assistance for the preservation and interpretation of their properties. Such an agreement must include a provision specifying that no changes or alterations shall be made to the exterior of the properties except by mutual agreement.
A bill to ensure fair treatment in licensing requirements for the export of certain echinoderms.

To ensure fair treatment in licensing requirements for the export of certain echinoderms. 1. Exemption of exportation of certain echinoderms from permission and licensing requirements (a) Exemption Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall amend section 14.92 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify that— (1) fish or wildlife described in subsection (b) are fishery products exempt from the export permission requirements of section 9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1) (2) any person may engage in business as an exporter of fish or wildlife described in subsection (b) without procuring— (A) permission under section 9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1) (B) an export license under subpart I of part 14 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (b) Covered fish or wildlife The fish or wildlife referred to in subsection (a) are members of the phylum Echinodermata that are commonly known as sea urchins and sea cucumbers (including any products of those members of the phylum Echinodermata) that— (1) do not require a permit under part 16, 17, or 23 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); (2) (A) are harvested in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States; or (B) are processed in the United States; and (3) are— (A) exported for purposes of human or animal consumption; or (B) taken in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States or on the high seas for recreational purposes.

Summary: This bill: (1) exempts exporters of sea urchins and sea cucumbers that are designated as food for humans or animals or taken for recreational purposes from licensing requirements; and (2) requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to amend regulations concerning transporting wildlife to clarify that those sea urchins and sea cucumbers are fishery products exempt from the export permission requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Thus, those exporters will be exempted from: (1) inspections to ensure shipments of those fishery products do not contain endangered or threatened species, and (2) related inspection fees.