hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Small Business Fairness in Health Care Act

Bill: 113-s-2205
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2014-04-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Comprehensive health care
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Sales and excise taxes
Small business
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Temporary and part-time employment

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: 
Small Business Fairness in Health Care Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, as amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), to: (1) exempt a small business concern, as defined by the Small Business Act, from the PPACA employer mandate to provide employees with minimum essential health care coverage; and (2) redefine "full-time employee," for purposes of such mandate, as an employee who is employed on average at least 40 (currently, 30) hours a week.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Let Me Google That For You Act

Bill: 113-s-2206
Sponsor: Sen. Coburn, Tom [R-OK]
Introduced: 2014-04-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Economic performance and conditions
Executive agency funding and structure
General science and technology matters
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Scientific communication

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: 
Let Me Google That For You Act - Repeals the National Technical Information Act of 1988, effective one year after the enactment of this Act (thus abolishes the National Technical Information Service [NTIS]). 
 
Directs: (1) the Secretary of Commerce, the Archivist of the United States, the Comptroller General (GAO), and the Commissioner of Social Security to consult with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to determine if any NTIS function is critical to the U.S. economy; (2) the Comptroller General to determine which of any such critical functions are not being carried out by any other agency or instrumentality of the federal government; and (3) the Secretary of Commerce, prior to the effective date of this Act, to submit to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Finance a written certification that all NTIS operations have been terminated. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require all political committees to notify the Federal Election Commission within 48 hours of receiving cumulative contributions of $1,000 or more from any contributor during a calendar year, and for other purposes.

Bill: 113-s-2207
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2014-04-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional elections
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: 
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the requirement of a 48-hour notification of a campaign contribution of $1,000 or more to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and certain other officials by the principal campaign committee of a candidate for federal office.
 
Applies this requirement, with certain additions, but for reporting exclusively to the FEC, to any political committee regarding cumulative contributions of $1,000 or more from any contributor during a calendar year.
 
(Currently, a candidate's principal campaign committee is required to give a written 48-hour notification to the Secretary of the Senate or the FEC, and the Secretary of State, as appropriate, after the receipt of any contribution of $1,000 or more by any authorized committee of such candidate after the 20th day, but more than 48 hours before, any election.)
 
Treats any amount transferred by a joint fundraising committee established by a candidate's authorized committee to any other authorized committee of that candidate as a contribution by the joint fundraising committee to such authorized committee (and thus subject to the 48-hour notification requirement). 
 
Requires Senate candidates to file designations, statements, and reports directly with the FEC (instead of via the Secretary of the Senate, as currently required).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Money Remittances Improvement Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2208
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2014-04-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business records
Department of the Treasury
Federal officials
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Intergovernmental relations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: 
Money Remittances Improvement Act of 2014 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to compliance with reporting requirements for monetary instrument transactions of financial institutions, to rely upon examinations conducted by a state supervisory agency of a category of financial institution if: (1) the category is required to comply with federal requirements, or (2) the state supervisory agency examines the category for compliance with federal requirements.
 
Instructs the Secretary to consult with state supervisory agencies when issuing rules to implement this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Syrian War Crimes Accountability Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2209
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2014-04-03 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Chemical and biological weapons
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
International law and treaties
Middle East
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Syria
United Nations
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: 
Syrian War Crimes Accountability Act of 2014 - States that Congress: (1) condemns the ongoing violence, use of chemical weapons, targeting of civilian populations, and systematic gross human rights violations carried out by government of Syria and pro-government forces under the direction of President Bashar al-Assad, as well as abuses committed by extremist groups and other combatants involved in the civil war in Syria; (2) supports the people of Syria seeking democratic change; (3) urges all parties to the conflict to halt attacks on civilians; (4) calls on the President to support efforts in Syria and on the part of the international community to ensure accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict; and (5) calls for a United Nations (U.N.) Security Council investigation into gross violations of human rights and war crimes committed during the Syrian conflict.
 
Direct the Secretary of State to report to Congress regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2372-2373)
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Introduced in Senate
School Food Modernization Act

Bill: 113-s-2210
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2014-04-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government lending and loan guarantees
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance
School administration
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: 
School Food Modernization Act - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to issue loan guarantees to local educational agencies (LEAs) or school food authorities administering or operating a school lunch program, tribal organizations, or consortia of such entities to finance the construction, remodeling, or expansion of infrastructure or the purchase of durable equipment that will facilitate their provision of healthy meals through the school lunch program.
 
 Requires the Secretary to give a preference to applicants that demonstrate a substantial or disproportionate need for food service infrastructure or durable equipment. Prohibits a loan guarantee from covering more than 80% of a loan's principal.
 
Requires the Secretary to establish fees for the loan guarantee program that: (1) are sufficient to cover the federal government's administrative costs in operating the program, and (2) may be based on the risk premium associated with the particular loan or loan guarantee.
 
Directs the Secretary to award competitive matching grants to assist LEAs or school food authorities administering or operating a school lunch program, tribal organizations, or consortia of such entities in purchasing the durable equipment and infrastructure they need to serve healthier meals and improve food safety. 
 
Requires the Secretary to give grant priority to applicants that: (1) have identified and are reasonably expected to meet an unmet local or community need, and (2) are located in states that have enacted funding measures to assist them with such purchases.
 
Prohibits such a grant from covering more than 80% of the total cost of the durable equipment and infrastructure.
 
Directs the Secretary to award competitive matching grants to experienced third-party training institutions to provide school food service personnel with the training and technical assistance they need to meet updated school lunch program nutrition standards.
 
Prohibits such a grant from covering more than 80% of the total cost of the training and technical assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2164-2165)
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Introduced in Senate
At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2211
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2014-04-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Medicaid

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: 
At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act of 2014 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require state Medicaid plans to: (1) prohibit the state from terminating (but allow it to suspend) enrollment under the state plan for medical assistance for an eligible juvenile because he or she is an inmate of a public institution; (2) require the state to restore enrollment automatically to such an individual upon his or her release, and take all steps necessary to ensure the enrollment is effective immediately upon release, unless the individual no longer meets eligibility requirements; and (3) require the state to process any application for medical assistance submitted by, or on behalf of, a juvenile inmate notwithstanding that he or she is an inmate. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Introduced in Senate
CFPB Improvement Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2212
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2014-04-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Department of the Treasury
Financial Stability Oversight Council
Financial services and investments

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: 
 CFPB Improvement Act of 2014 - Amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to authorize the Chairperson of the Financial Stability Oversight Council to issue a stay of, or set aside, any regulation issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) upon the affirmative vote of the majority of Council members (currently, two-thirds), excluding the Director. .
 
Requires the Council, upon the petition of a member agency of the Council, to set aside a final regulation prescribed by the CFPB if the Council decides that such regulation is inconsistent with the safe and sound operations of U.S. financial institutions. (Currently the Council is merely authorized, upon petition, to set aside a final regulation if it would put the safety and soundness of the U.S. banking system or the stability of the U.S. financial system at risk.)
 
Repeals: (1) the prohibition against Council set-aside of a regulation after expiration of a specified time period, and (2) mandatory dismissal of a petition if the Council has not issued a decision within such time period.
 
Requires the CFPB Director, when prescribing a rule under federal consumer financial laws, to consider its impact upon the financial safety or soundness of an insured depository institution.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Consumer Financial Protection Commission Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2213
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2014-04-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Appropriations
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Consumer affairs
Consumer credit
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Reserve System
Federal officials
Financial services and investments

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: 
Consumer Financial Protection Commission Act of 2014 - Amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, title X of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, to replace the position of Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) with a five-member Commission whose members are appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
 
Prohibits the Chair of the Commission from making requests for estimates related to appropriations without the prior approval of the Commission.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2014-04-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Obamacare Taxpayer Bailout Protection Act

Bill: 113-s-2214
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2014-04-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Comprehensive health care
Government lending and loan guarantees
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: 
Obamacare Taxpayer Bailout Protection Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, with respect to the program of risk corridors (under which a qualified health plan offered in the individual or small group market is required to participate in a payment adjustment system based on the ratio of the allowable costs of the plan to the plan's aggregate premiums), to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that payments to and from a plan are provided for in amounts necessary to reduce to zero the cost to the government of carrying out the program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Eliminating Improper and Abusive IRS Audits Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2215
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2014-04-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Department of the Treasury
Employee leave
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Housing finance and home ownership
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: 
Eliminating Improper and Abusive IRS Audits Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the maximum amount of civil damages for which Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officers or employees shall be liable for reckless, intentional, or negligent disregard of internal revenue laws and extend the period for bringing a claim for such damages; (2) increase the penalties against federal officers and employees for violations of internal revenue laws and for unauthorized inspection or disclosure of tax returns and return information; (3) extend the period in which taxpayer property that has been wrongfully levied upon may be returned and the period for bringing suit for a wrongful tax levy; (4) increase civil fines for unauthorized disclosures of tax return information; (5) prohibit the consideration by the IRS Office of Appeal on appeal of any issue that was not within the scope of the initial determination; (6) prohibit a tax lien against a taxpayer's principal residence unless a written determination is made that all other property of the taxpayer, if sold, is insufficient to pay the tax liability and the lien will not create an economic hardship for the taxpayer; (7) require the termination of an IRS employee for disproportionate scrutiny of an organization applying for tax-exempt status based on the ideology expressed in the name or purpose of the organization; (8) allow a declaratory judgment with respect to the initial or continuing classification of a tax-exempt social welfare organization; and (9) require the Inspector General for Tax Administration of the Department of the Treasury to review any IRS criteria for selection of tax returns for examination or audit, assessment or collection of deficiencies, criminal investigation or referral, refunds for amounts paid, or any heightened scrutiny or review to determine whether such criteria discriminates against taxpayers on the basis of race, religion, or political ideology and to consult with the IRS on recommended amendments to such criteria. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2196-2197)
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect Small Business Jobs Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2216
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2014-04-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: 
Protect Small Business Jobs Act of 2014 - Requires a federal agency, before any enforcement action is taken on any sanction on a small business for any violation of a rule or pursuant to an adjudication, to: (1) notify the small business that it may be subject to a sanction at the end of a six-month grace period following such notification; (2) delay further action for 15 days after such notification; (3) defer further action for the six-month period (allowing an additional three-month period upon application by the small business demonstrating reasonable good-faith efforts to remedy the violation or other conduct giving rise to the sanction); (4) make a further determination at the end of the applicable grace period as to whether the small business would still be subject to the sanction; and (5) upon a negative determination, waive the sanction. Makes the grace period inapplicable with respect to a violation that puts anyone in imminent danger, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Renders any sanction imposed in violation of the requirements of this Act as having no force or effect.
 
Requires: (1) federal agencies to report annually to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman on the implementation of the requirements of this Act, and (2) the Ombudsman to include such information in a currently-required annual report to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Mental Health Review Board Improvement Act

Bill: 113-s-2217
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2014-04-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Military personnel and dependents
Neurological disorders
Personnel records

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: 
Military Mental Health Review Board Improvement Act - Requires any medical advisory opinion issued to a civilian board for the correction of a military record, with respect to a current or former member of the Armed Forces diagnosed while serving in the Armed Forces as experiencing a mental health disorder, to include the opinion of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist if the request for the correction of the records concerned relates to a mental health disorder. 
 
Requires any physician on a board for review of a discharge or dismissal of certain former members of the Armed Forces, who after deployment were diagnosed as experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury, or as having a mental health disorder, to have training on mental health issues connected with PTSD or traumatic brain injury (as applicable), or special training on mental health disorders.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2014-04-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Subnational Visa Waiver Program Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2218
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2014-04-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2014-04-08
text: 
Subnational Visa Waiver Program Act of 2014 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make a territory or region eligible for designation as a visa waiver program country if it is accorded treatment under a particular U.S. law different from that accorded to the country of which it is a part.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-04-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2014-04-08
text: Introduced in Senate