hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Consumer Protection and Rate Review Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3504
Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Comprehensive health care
Consumer affairs
Disability and health-based discrimination
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Insurance industry and regulation
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
 Consumer Protection and Rate Review Act of 2013 - Requires each state insurance commissioner to investigate and take appropriate actions on cases of inadequate notices of cancellations or conversions of health insurance coverage in the individual market that take effect on or after January 1, 2014. Requires that such a notice be treated as inadequate if it fails to: (1) contain information on obtaining health insurance coverage through an American Health Benefit Exchange under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), on the possible availability of assistance under PPACA towards payment of the premiums and cost-sharing for such coverage, and on the improved benefits for coverage through an Exchange, compared to coverage not offered through an Exchange; (2) be transparent by inappropriately steering individuals to more expensive plans provided by the cancelling issuer; or (3) otherwise comply with requirements of law.
 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to declare that federal requirements that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) review unreasonable premium increases in health care coverage shall not be construed to prohibit a state from imposing additional rate requirements on health insurance issuers that are more protective of consumers. Expands such review to include all rate increases, not only premium increases.
 
Directs the Secretary or the relevant state insurance commissioner (or state regulator) to take corrective actions to ensure that any excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory rates are corrected before, or as soon as possible after, implementation, including through mechanisms such as denying rates, modifying rates, or requiring rebates to consumers. Authorizes civil monetary penalties and ineligibility as a qualified health plan for failing to comply with any corrective action taken by the Secretary.
 
Requires the Secretary to determine whether the state insurance commissioner or regulator or the Secretary will undertake such corrective actions based on whether the state can adequately undertake such actions.
 
 Applies this Act to health plans grandfathered under PPACA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
TEACH Act

Bill: 113-hr-3505
Sponsor: Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Access Board
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Computers and information technology
Disability and paralysis
Education of the disadvantaged
Educational technology and distance education
Higher education

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
Technology, Equality and Accessibility in College and Higher Education Act or the TEACH Act - Directs the Access Board to develop accessibility guidelines for electronic instructional materials and related information technologies in institutions of higher education (IHEs).
 
Requires those guidelines to: (1) include performance criteria to ensure that electronic instructional materials and related information technologies are accessible to the blind and disabled; (2) be consistent with the standards for technical and functional performance criteria issued pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and (3) be, to the extent practicable, consistent with national and international accessibility standards for those materials and technologies.
 
Directs the Access Board to review and, as appropriate, amend the guidelines every three years to reflect technological advances or changes in electronic instructional materials and related information technologies.
 
Deems IHEs that use electronic instructional materials and related information technologies that comply with the guidelines to be in compliance with nondiscrimination provisions under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-01-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1672-1673)
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
Honor Our Fallen Heroes With Dignity Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3506
Sponsor: Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals
Military personnel and dependents
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
Honor Our Fallen Heroes With Dignity Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of the Army to permit visitors to leave on any gravesite or government-furnished marker located in section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery any item that: (1) does not present a safety or health concern, (2) is not permanently affixed to such marker, and (3) does not interfere with the normal operations and maintenance procedures of the Cemetery.
 
Requires the History Office of Arlington National Cemetery: (1) to collect, catalog, and store any other items left on a gravesite, headstone, or marker in section 60; and (2) at the end of each calendar month, to collect, catalog, and store all items left on gravesites, headstones, and government-furnished markers.
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-01-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2013-11-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1677)
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
21st Century Care for Military and Veterans Act

Bill: 113-hr-3507
Sponsor: Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-52]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Military medicine
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
21st Century Care for Military and Veterans Act - Permits the use of a telecommunications system to provide an item or service to current and former members of the uniformed services and their dependents under the TRICARE plan of health care benefits administered by the Department of Defense (DOD) and to veterans receiving health care benefits under plans administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-01-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2013-11-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the qualifications of hearing aid specialists of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-hr-3508
Sponsor: Rep. Duffy, Sean P. [R-WI-7]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
Authorizes the appointment of hearing aid specialists in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires an eligible person to: (1) hold an associate's degree in hearing instrument sciences or its equivalent from a college or university approved by the VA Secretary or have successfully completed an approved hearing aid specialist apprenticeship program, and (2) be licensed as a hearing aid specialist or its equivalent in a state.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit an annual report on timely access to hearing health services and on contracting policies with respect to providing hearing health services in non-VA facilities, and (2) update and reissue the VHA handbook entitled &quot;VHA Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Services&quot; to reflect the requirements of this Act. 

 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-03-27
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2013-11-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
SUCCESS Act

Bill: 113-hr-3510
Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
Stopping Unfair Collateral Consequences from Ending Student Success Act or the SUCCESS Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal a provision which makes persons convicted of drug offenses while receiving any grant, loan, or work assistance under title IV ineligible for that assistance for specified periods.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
Seniors' Health Care Choice Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3512
Sponsor: Rep. Heck, Joseph J. [R-NV-3]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
Seniors' Health Care Choice Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish: (1) a special enrollment period under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for an individual enrolled in COBRA (health insurance continuation benefits) continuation coverage who elected not to enroll under part B during the individual's initial enrollment period, and (2) a three-month open enrollment period starting with 2014 and recurring in the first three months of each subsequent year in which a Medicare Advantage (MA)-eligible individual under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice) may change his or her Medicare enrollment election.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act

Bill: 113-hr-3513
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Legal fees and court costs
Outdoor recreation
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act - Amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to prohibit the use or possession of body-gripping traps in the National Wildlife Refuge System. 
 
Imposes on persons who possess or use such traps in the System: (1) for a first offense, a civil fine of up to $500 for each body-gripping trap possessed or used; and (2) for subsequent offenses, a civil fine of up to $1,000 for each body-gripping trap possessed or used, imprisonment for up to 180 days, or both such a civil fine and imprisonment. 
 
Subjects to civil forfeiture any body-gripping traps that are possessed or used in violation of this Act, and any wildlife captured by the use of such traps, including the pelts and raw fur. 
 
Requires persons found to be in violation of such prohibition to pay all associated court costs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Enhancement Act

Bill: 113-hr-3514
Sponsor: Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Family relationships
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Enhancement Act - Expands the authority of members of the uniformed services to transfer their entitlement to educational assistance for service in the Armed Forces commencing on or after September 11, 2001, to allow former members to transfer such benefits to family members within five years after their discharge or release from military service. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1681)
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
Increased Age Limit for Post-9/11 Education Assistance Dependents Act

Bill: 113-hr-3515
Sponsor: Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Family relationships
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
Increased Age Limit for Post-9/11 Education Assistance Dependents Act - Increases from 26 to 29 years old the age after which a child may not use transferred educational assistance for service in the Armed Forces commencing on or after September 11, 2001.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1681)
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
Federal and State Insurance Exchange Access Fairness and Penalty Delay Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3517
Sponsor: Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Comprehensive health care
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Sales and excise taxes
State and local government operations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
Federal and State Insurance Exchange Access Fairness and Penalty Delay Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to delay the effective date of the penalty for failure to maintain minimum essential health insurance coverage to months beginning no earlier than 30 days after the end of an enrollment period extension required by this Act (a period of at least 90 days after a certification to Congress by the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] that the healthcare.gov website and a state exchange website are fully operational, or only the healthcare.gov website in the case of an individual residing in a state without a state exchange website).
 
Requires the Inspector General, in determining whether to make such certification, to consider monthly reports by the Comptroller General (GAO) on the progress of the websites in achieving such status.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
Restarting Local Economies Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3518
Sponsor: Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-15]
Introduced: 2013-11-15 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Economic development
Housing and community development funding
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: 
Restarting Local Economies Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to: (1) authorize the use of grants for economic adjustment for activities identified by communities, the economies of which are injured by the closure of a local government entity that had an economic development mission and left obligations related to economic development projects unfulfilled when closed; and (2) authorize the Secretary of Commerce to increase the federal share for a grant to up to 100% of the cost of a project that assists such a community.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-15
text: Introduced in House
Exempt Organization Simplification and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3520
Sponsor: Rep. Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [R-LA-3]
Introduced: 2013-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of the Treasury
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Judicial review and appeals
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax-exempt organizations
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-18
text: 
Exempt Organization Simplification and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require an organization that intends to operate as a tax-exempt social welfare organization to notify the Secretary of the Treasury of such intent with information as to its identity and purpose, (2) allow such an organization to seek a declaratory judgment concerning its status and classification as a tax-exempt organization, and (3) authorize the Secretary to disclose information for investigations of violations of internal revenue laws relating to unauthorized disclosure or inspection of tax information and unlawful acts of revenue officers or agents. 
 
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to study and report on the process used for determining how Internal Revenue Service (IRS) enforcement cases are selected and processed.
 
Prohibits any IRS officer or employee from using a personal email account to conduct official business.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2013-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-18
text: Introduced in House
IRS Accountability Act

Bill: 113-hr-3523
Sponsor: Rep. Kingston, Jack [R-GA-1]
Introduced: 2013-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Department of the Treasury
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Public contracts and procurement
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-18
text: 
IRS Accountability Act - Directs the Inspector General for Tax Administration of the Department of the Treasury to conduct annual audits of employees and service contractors of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to determine compliance with prohibitions against willful failure to file tax returns or willful understatement of tax liability. Terminates the employment or contract relationship of a service contractor who has willfully failed to file a tax return or who has willfully understated tax liability and debars such service contractor from the procurement process for five years. Prohibits the IRS from entering into a contract with a service contractor unless such contract provides for tax compliance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2013-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-18
text: Introduced in House