hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Border Patrol Pay Reform Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3463
Sponsor: Rep. Chaffetz, Jason [R-UT-3]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Customs enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Labor standards

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: 
Border Patrol Pay Reform Act of 2013 - Sets forth additional requirements relating to the rates of pay and terms of employment for U.S. Border Patrol agents (i.e., federal employees who detect and prevent illegal entry and smuggling of aliens, commercial goods, narcotics, weapons, or contraband into the United States).
 
Requires Border Patrol agents to elect each year to: (1) be assigned to either a specified level one or level two border patrol rate of pay governing regular rates of pay and overtime work requirements, or (2) decline both levels. Expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) should ensure that not more than 10% of agents stationed at a location decline to be assigned to either the level 1 or level 2 border patrol rate of pay. Empowers CBP, without limitation, to require agents to perform overtime work in accordance with agency needs, including if needed in the event of a local or national emergency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
Commercial Vessel Discharges Reform Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3464
Sponsor: Rep. LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Coast guard
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Marine and inland water transportation
Marine pollution
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: 
Commercial Vessel Discharges Reform Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to prohibit a permit from being required under such Act for a discharge incidental to the normal operation of a covered vessel.
 
Defines a "covered vessel" to mean every description of watercraft, or other artificial contrivance used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, that is engaged in commercial service and that is: (1) less than 79 feet in length; or (2) a fishing vessel, regardless of length.
 
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) determine, within one year, the discharges incidental to the normal operation of a covered vessel for which it is reasonable and practicable to develop best management practices to mitigate adverse impacts on the waters of the United States; and (2) review such determination every five years. 
 
Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, in consultation with the Administrator, to promulgate regulations on the use of best management practices for discharges incidental to the normal operation of a covered vessel that the Administrator determines are reasonable and practicable.
 
Prohibits, upon the promulgation of such regulation, the owner or operator of a covered vessel from operating in, or discharging such discharge into, navigable waters, if the owner or operator of the vessel is not using such practices. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2013-11-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
No Political Funds for Personal Use Act

Bill: 113-hr-3466
Sponsor: Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional elections
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: 
No Political Funds for Personal Use Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 with respect to the use of campaign contributions to apply the prohibition against the conversion to personal use of contributions accepted by candidates also to contributions accepted by political committees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
Reciprocal Market Access Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3467
Sponsor: Rep. Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY-25]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Free trade and trade barriers
Government studies and investigations
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: 
Reciprocal Market Access Act of 2013 - Prohibits the President from agreeing to the reduction or elimination of the existing rate of duty on any product in order to carry out a trade agreement with a foreign country until the President certifies to Congress that: (1) the United States has obtained that country's reduction or elimination of tariff and nontariff barriers and policies and practices with respect to U.S. exports of any product that has the same physical characteristics and uses as the product for which the President seeks to modify its rate of duty, and (2) any violation of the trade agreement is immediately enforceable by withdrawal of the duty modification until the President certifies to Congress that the United States has obtained the country's reduction or elimination of the tariff or nontariff barrier or policy or practice.
 
Requires the withdrawal of such a modification in specified circumstances determined by the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center until the President makes such a certification to Congress.
 
Requires the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), with respect to any proposed trade agreement that seeks a modification that would reduce or eliminate an existing duty on any product in order to carry out a trade agreement with a foreign country, to investigate the possible market access opportunities for similar U.S. exports to that country if such barriers and policies are modified or eliminated.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
SERV Act

Bill: 113-hr-3469
Sponsor: Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-49]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Elementary and secondary education
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Military education and training
Public contracts and procurement
Small business
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: 
Support Earned Recognition for Veterans Act or the SERV Act - Excludes from the definitions of &quot;active duty,&quot; &quot;active duty for training,&quot; and &quot;inactive duty training,&quot; for veteran benefit or employment preference purposes, any service performed at a preparatory school of a service academy by a student who is not otherwise a member of the Armed Forces. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Tax Credit Extension Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3473
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax credits
Inflation and prices
Medical research

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: 
Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Tax Credit Extension Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the authority to invest in and allocate credit amounts for a qualifying therapeutic discovery project (a project that is designed to: (1) treat or prevent diseases by conducting pre-clinical activities, clinical trials, and clinical studies or by carrying out research projects to approve new drugs or other biologic products; (2) diagnose diseases or conditions to determine molecular factors related to diseases or conditions; or (3) develop a product, process, or technology to further the delivery or administration of therapeutics). Extends the $1 billion allocation for such credit for each 2-year period beginning after 2013 and provides for a biennial inflation adjustment to such allocation amount after 2015.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
Cruise Vessel Consumer Confidence Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3475
Sponsor: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Accidents
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Competition and antitrust
Consumer affairs
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Federal Maritime Commission
Government studies and investigations
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Judicial procedure and administration
Marine and inland water transportation
Transportation employees
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: 
Cruise Vessel Consumer Confidence Act of 2013 - Amends federal shipping law to authorize the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to investigate, on its own initiative or upon receiving a complaint, whether the sale of a ticket to a cruise vessel passenger by a cruise vessel owner is: (1) an unfair or deceptive practice, or (2) an unfair method of competition.
 
Requires the FMC, in cases of an affirmative determination, to order the owner to cease such sales. Authorizes the FMC to impose a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for owners who violate such orders.
 
Makes it an unfair or deceptive practice for an owner that fails to make certain written disclosures before offering to sell a ticket to a passenger.
 
Makes it an unfair or deceptive practice for an owner offering to sell a ticket to a passenger via the Internet (electronic ticket) to require that the ticket purchaser provide a printed version of that ticket if the purchaser is able to provide appropriate identification at the time of travel.
 
Directs the FMC to establish a process to ensure that a passenger with a ticket for a vessel whose initial departure or final disembarkment is delayed for more than 24 hours is reimbursed by the owner in an amount that is equal to: (1) the lesser of half the ticket price or $500, if the delay is between 24 and 48 hours; or (2) the full price of the ticket, if the delay is 48 hours or more.
 
Requires a cruise vessel owner to: (1) submit a customer service plan to the FMC, (2) incorporate it into the ticket contract of that owner, and (3) make both of them easily available on the owner's website.
 
Directs the FMC to establish a process for passengers to report complaints to the FMC.
 
Authorizes the FMC to establish, adjust, and collect fees in ticket prices to fund implementation of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
Middle Class College Tuition Tax Credit Expansion Act

Bill: 113-hr-3476
Sponsor: Rep. Israel, Steve [D-NY-3]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Educational technology and distance education
Higher education
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: 
Middle Class College Tuition Tax Credit Expansion Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits with a new American Opportunity Tax Credit that: (1) allows an increased income tax credit for the qualified tuition and related expenses of a student who is carrying at least one half of a normal course load, (2) increases the income threshold for reductions in the credit amount based upon modified adjusted gross income, (3) allows a lifetime dollar limitation on such credit of $25,000 for all taxable years, and (4) makes 50% of the credit refundable. Allows an exclusion from gross income of any amount received as a Federal Pell Grant. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
Veterans Legal Support Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3477
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Department of Veterans Affairs
Education programs funding
Executive agency funding and structure
Lawyers and legal services
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: 
Veterans Legal Support Act of 2013 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide support to at least one university law school program that is designed to provide legal assistance to veterans. 
 
Allows programs of university law schools which may receive support under this Act to include those that assist veterans with: (1) filing and appealing claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and (2) such other civil, criminal, and family legal matters as considered appropriate. 
 
Permits the support provided to a program to include financial support. 
 
Limits the total amount of financial support provided in any fiscal year to $1 million. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1643-1644)
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3478
Sponsor: Rep. Salmon, Matt [R-AZ-5]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Detention of persons
Federal preemption
State and local government operations
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2013 - Entitles any person who is not otherwise prohibited by federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a knife to transport a knife from any place where such person may lawfully possess, carry, or transport such a knife to any other place where such person may lawfully do so: (1) by motor vehicle if the knife is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment or is in a locked container, glove compartment, or console; or (2) by other means over land or through water or the air if the knife is in a locked container. 
Allows any knife or tool designed for enabling escape in an emergency incorporating a blunt tipped safety blade, a guarded blade, or both for cutting safety belts to be carried in the passenger compartment without being secured in a locked container, glove compartment, or console, except in the passenger cabin of aircraft whose passengers are subject to airport screening procedures of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-01-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
Small Business Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3479
Sponsor: Rep. Thornberry, Mac [R-TX-13]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Bankruptcy
Civil actions and liability
Department of the Treasury
Employee performance
Federal appellate courts
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government liability
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Jurisdiction and venue
Legal fees and court costs
Right of privacy
Small business
Specialized courts
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: 
Small Business Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow businesses with average annual gross receipts of not more than $50,000 that prevail in an administrative or court proceeding involving the determination, collection, or refund of tax, interest, or penalty to recover their costs incurred in such proceedings; (2) increase the amount of civil damages against Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officers or employees for reckless, intentional, or negligent disregard of internal revenue laws and extend from two to five years the period for bringing a claim for damages; (3) increase the penalties against federal officers or employees for unlawful acts in connection with internal revenue laws and for unauthorized disclosures or inspections of tax returns; and (4) allow a taxpayer whose interest abatement claim does not exceed $50,000 to elect to bring a small tax case petition in U.S. Tax Court.
 
Prohibits ex parte communications between officers in the IRS Office of Appeals and other IRS employees with respect to matters pending before such officers and employees. 
 
Authorizes new alternative dispute resolution procedures for taxpayer disputes with the IRS.
 
Extends to three years: (1) the period in which taxpayer property that has been wrongfully levied upon may be returned, and (2) the period for bringing suit against the United States for a wrongful tax levy.
 
Authorizes the waiver of the fee for establishing an installment agreement for payment of tax for certain low-income taxpayers who agree to make electronic debit payments. 
 
 Allows a taxpayer seeking review of a claim for innocent spouse relief or of a collection case in U.S. Tax Court a 60-day suspension of the period for filing a petition for such review when the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has issued an automatic stay in a bankruptcy case involving the taxpayer's claim.
 
Allows de novo review in U.S. Tax Court of any determination by the IRS with respect to a claim for equitable innocent spouse relief. 
 
Prohibits the IRS Office of Appeals from considering or deciding any new issue in an internal appeal that is not within the scope of the initial determination made in a taxpayer's case. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
No Taxpayer Money for Corporate Campaigns Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-3480
Sponsor: Rep. Tsongas, Niki [D-MA-3]
Introduced: 2013-11-13 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Appropriations
Corporate finance and management
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Political advertising
Public participation and lobbying

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: 
No Taxpayer Money for Corporate Campaigns Act of 2013 - Prohibits: (1) the use of federal funds received by any entity, other than a natural person, to advocate the election or defeat of a political candidate or to engage in any lobbying activity; (2) use such funds for voter registration or get-out-the-vote activities; or (3) donate such funds to any entity that advocates for the election or defeat of a political candidate or engages in lobbying activities. Exempts from this ban the use of funds by an entity for an activity specifically authorized by federal law, rule, or regulation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-01-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2013-11-13
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-13
text: Introduced in House
Protecting Individual Liberties and States' Rights Act

Bill: 113-hr-3483
Sponsor: Rep. Polis, Jared [D-CO-2]
Introduced: 2013-11-14 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Firearms and explosives
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2013-11-14
text: 
Protecting Individual Liberties and States' Rights Act - Amends the federal criminal code to modify the definition of a "crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year" for purposes of firearms prohibitions to specifically exclude any offense pertaining to marijuana that occurs in a state if the conduct constituting the offense is lawful under the law of the state. 
 
Provides that the prohibition against knowingly selling or otherwise disposing of a firearm or ammunition to any person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance, and the prohibition against such a person transporting, possessing, or receiving a firearm or ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce, shall not apply with respect to a sale or other disposition to, or the transportation, possession, or receipt by, a person if: (1) the controlled substance is marijuana, (2) the possession of marijuana is lawful under the law of the state, and (3) the person is a resident of the state.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-01-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2013-11-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2013-11-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-11-14
text: Introduced in House