hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Land-Based Marine Debris Reduction Act

Bill: 114-hr-1960
Sponsor: Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-17]
Introduced: 2015-04-22 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental regulatory procedures
Manufacturing
Marine pollution
Solid waste and recycling
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: 

Land-Based Marine Debris Reduction Act 

 
This bill declares national goals of no increase in the generation of solid waste sent to landfills, no increase in the flow of human-created marine debris into the ocean, and recycling of at least 50% of the municipal solid waste stream by the end of 2020 and 65% by the end of 2030.
 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must report on: (1) municipal solid waste generation, waste management methods, and progress in meeting the goals; (2) leakage paths of marine debris into the ocean; and (3) the costs and difficulties in closing landfills.
 
The EPA must develop a list of categories of commonly used products and packaging that are discarded into the municipal solid waste stream and determine with respect to the products or packaging in each category: (1) the percentage of recovered materials used in their manufacture; (2) the source reduction and recovery efficiency; (3) the percentage that is recycled upon discard and the percentage that is littered; and (4) the life cycle environmental effects associated with them, compared to alternatives.
 
The EPA must identify categories to be targeted for regulatory action. Regulations may require manufacturers to use recovered materials in the product or packaging.
 
The EPA and the Department of Commerce must develop a voluntary system of packaging standards with respect to materials contained within the packaging and the recyclability of the packaging upon discard. The standard has to provide that packaging that meets the standards be eligible to use a label indicating compliance for promotional and educational purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
Climate Change Education Act

Bill: 114-hr-1961
Sponsor: Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-17]
Introduced: 2015-04-22 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental health
Environmental technology
Government information and archives
Higher education
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: 

Climate Change Education Act 

 
 This bill declares that the evidence for human-induced climate change is overwhelming and undeniable.
 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must establish a Climate Change Education Program to:
 
 
 broaden the understanding of human-induced climate change, possible consequences, and potential solutions;
 
 apply the latest scientific and technological discoveries to provide learning opportunities to people of all ages;
 
conduct a national information campaign to help people understand and promote implementation of new technologies, programs, and incentives related to energy conservation, renewable energy, and greenhouse gas reduction; and
 
 inform the public of impacts to human health and safety as a result of climate change.
 
 
NOAA must establish a grant program for climate change education. This grant program must be included in the Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2015-04-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1962
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Introduced: 2015-04-22 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Building construction
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental technology
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government trust funds
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Infrastructure development
Intergovernmental relations
Labor standards
Libraries and archives
Noise pollution
Public contracts and procurement
Solid waste and recycling
State and local finance
Wages and earnings
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: 

Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2015

 
 Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into cooperative agreements with states to establish state and multistate infrastructure banks that make loans to local educational agencies, public libraries, and charter schools or their developers to construct or renovate public elementary or secondary schools and public libraries. Requires loans also to community learning centers to connect and improve broadband services, and to educational service agencies for building or repairing elementary schools, secondary schools, or other school facilities that provide free public education.
 
Grants congressional consent to states for interstate compacts to establish multistate infrastructure banks.
 
Directs the Secretary to make grants to such banks to provide initial capital for such loans.
 
Requires states to contribute from nonfederal sources at least 25% of the amount of each federal capitalization grant made to the state and contributed to the bank.
 
Lists types of projects eligible for such bank loans.
 
Requires borrowers to use, to the maximum extent practicable, green construction or renovation practices that are consistent with: (1) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating standards, (2) Energy Star standards, (3) Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) criteria, (4) Green Building Initiative environmental design and rating standards (Green Globes), or (5) equivalent standards adopted by the entities that have jurisdiction over them.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
FLEET Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1963
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Introduced: 2015-04-22 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Energy efficiency and conservation
Motor vehicles
Oil and gas
Postal service
Public contracts and procurement
Public utilities and utility rates
U.S. Postal Service

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: 

Federal Leadership in Energy Efficient Transportation Act of 2015 or the FLEET Act of 2015
 
 
Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to expand the definition of "energy or water conservation measure" under such Act to include, in the case of a contract in which the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is a party: (1) the purchase or lease of low emission and fuel efficient vehicles; (2) the upgrade of USPS vehicles to increase average fuel economy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions; or (3) the construction or maintenance of infrastructure to support such vehicles, including electric vehicle charging stations. Expands the program of agency incentives for conserving energy to include in utility incentive programs measures to support the use of low emission and fuel efficient USPS vehicles.
 
Prohibits USPS from awarding a contract for a vehicle, or purchasing or leasing a vehicle for use by USPS, including a passenger car, light truck, or medium or heavy-duty vehicle, unless the vehicle meets certain minimum carbon dioxide emissions standards and average fuel economy standards. 
 
Prohibits USPS from meeting the requirements of this Act by: (1) reducing the frequency of mail delivery, (2) closing post offices or postal distribution facilities, (3) taking any action to restrict or diminish a collective bargaining agreement or eliminate or reduce employee benefits, or (4) entering into a contact with a private company to perform duties that are currently performed by postal employees who are bargaining unit employees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
Air Traffic Controllers Hiring Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1964
Sponsor: Rep. Hultgren, Randy [R-IL-14]
Introduced: 2015-04-22 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Employee hiring
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Higher education
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: 

Air Traffic Controllers Hiring Act of 2015

 
Directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in appointing individuals to the position of air traffic controller, to give preference to:
 
 
an individual who has successfully completed air traffic controller training and graduated from an institution participating in the Collegiate Training Initiative program (the program) and who has received from the institution either an appropriate recommendation or an endorsement certifying that the individual would have met the requirements in effect as of December 31, 2013, for an appropriate recommendation;
 
a qualified individual who is eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment;
 
a qualified individual who is an eligible veteran maintaining aviation experience obtained in the course of the individual's military experience;
 
a preference eligible veteran; and
 
a qualified individual maintaining practical air traffic control experience obtained at civilian installations of the Department of Defense, FAA air traffic control facilities, or contract towers of the FAA.
 
 
Allows the FAA to consider additional applicants only after completing consideration of such preferred applicants.
 
Provides that a preferred applicant shall not be subject to any biographical assessment as part of FAA hiring practices that apply to applicants for the position of air traffic controller. Directs the FAA to revise its hiring practices to eliminate the use of any biographical assessment that unduly disqualifies applicants. Provides for reconsideration of individuals who applied in response to the FG-01 vacancy announcement of February 10, 2014, who were disqualified on the basis of such an assessment.
 
Requires (currently, allows) the FAA to maintain the program by making new agreements and continuing existing agreements with institutions of higher education under which the institutions prepare students for the position of air traffic controller.
 
Directs the FAA to take into consideration any training initiatives for air traffic controllers that are locally developed at institutions of higher education participating in the program for use in establishing best practices nationwide.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
Small Company Disclosure Simplification Act

Bill: 114-hr-1965
Sponsor: Rep. Hurt, Robert [R-VA-5]
Introduced: 2015-04-22 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business investment and capital
Business records
Competition and antitrust
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Financial services and investments
Government studies and investigations
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: 

Small Company Disclosure Simplification Act 

 
 Exempts emerging growth companies and issuers with total annual gross revenues of less than $250 million from the requirements to use Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) for financial statements and other mandatory periodic reporting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Allows such companies, however, to elect to use XBRL for such reporting.
 
Directs the SEC to: (1) analyze the costs and benefits to such issuers of the requirements to use XBRL for financial statements and other mandatory periodic reporting; and (2) report to certain congressional committees on the results of such analysis as well as on progress in implementing XBRL reporting within the SEC, and use of XBRL data by the SEC and by investors.

action_date: 2016-01-28
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Small Company Disclosure Simplification Act 

 
 (Sec. 2) This bill exempts emerging growth companies and issuers with total annual gross revenues of less than $250 million from the requirement to use Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) for financial statements and other mandatory periodic reporting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Such companies, however, may elect to use XBRL for such reporting.
 
(Sec. 3) The SEC shall: (1) analyze the costs and benefits to such issuers of the requirement to use XBRL for financial statements and other mandatory periodic reporting; and (2) report to certain congressional committees on the results of such analysis as well as on progress in implementing XBRL reporting within the SEC, and use of XBRL data by the SEC and by investors.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 302.
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Reported by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 114-399.
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Reported by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 114-399.
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 11.
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-04-29
text: Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Prior to Referral.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps Act

Bill: 114-hr-1966
Sponsor: Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]
Introduced: 2015-04-22 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Animal and plant health
Employment and training programs
Fires
Floods and storm protection
Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Unemployment
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: 

21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps Act 

 
 Authorizes the President, in order to relieve widespread unemployment, restore depleted natural resources in the United States, and advance public works programs, to establish a Civilian Conservation Corps to employ unemployed or underemployed U.S. citizens in the construction, maintenance, and carrying on of works of a public nature, such as forestation of U.S. and state lands, prevention of forest fires, floods, and soil erosion, and construction and repair of National Park System paths and trails.
 
Authorizes the President to extend Corps activities to state- and private-owned lands to prevent and control forest fires and floods and attacks of forest tree pests and diseases.
 
Requires the President, based on certain criteria, to give preference to the employment of additional persons in the Corps in the following order: (1) unemployed Armed Forces veterans (including Reserve members); (2) unemployed U.S. citizens who have exhausted their unemployment compensation; (3) unemployed U.S. citizens who are eligible for unemployment compensation immediately before employment in the Corps, including any additional compensation or extended compensation; and (4) other unemployed or underemployed U.S. citizens.
 
Authorizes the President to provide housing and transportation for Corps employees. Prohibits discrimination in the hiring of Corps employees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
Ocean Acidification Innovation Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1967
Sponsor: Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6]
Introduced: 2015-04-22 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Food industry and services
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Public contracts and procurement
Research administration and funding
Seafood

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: 

Ocean Acidification Innovation Act of 2015

 
 Amends the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 to authorize any federal agency with a representative serving on the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification, either individually or in cooperation with other agencies, to carry out a program to award prizes competitively under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 for the purpose of stimulating innovation to advance the nation's ability to understand, research, or monitor ocean acidification or its impacts or to develop management or adaptation options for responding to ocean acidification.
 
Grants priority to establishing programs that address communities, environments, or industries that are in distress due to the impacts of ocean acidification. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
Restrain the Judges on Marriage Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1968
Sponsor: Rep. King, Steve [R-IA-4]
Introduced: 2015-04-22 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Federal appellate courts
Federal district courts
Intergovernmental relations
Judicial review and appeals
Jurisdiction and venue
Marriage and family status
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
State and local government operations
Supreme Court

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: 

Restrain the Judges on Marriage Act of 2015

 
Amends the federal judicial code to deny federal courts jurisdiction to hear or decide any question pertaining to the interpretation, or the validity under the Constitution, of: (1) any type of marriage, (2) the provision of the Defense of Marriage Act declaring that no state shall be required to give effect to any marriage between persons of the same sex under the laws of any other state, or (3) this Act.
 
Prohibits federal funds from being used for: (1) litigation in federal courts on such questions, or (2) enforcement of federal court orders or judgments on such questions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
Promote Workforce Development for the Advancement of Manufacturers Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1970
Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2015-04-22 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Income tax credits
Manufacturing
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: 

Promote Workforce Development for the Advancement of Manufacturers Act of 2015

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow manufacturing employers located in the United States a business-related tax credit for the manufacturing training expenses of their employees. Includes within the definition of "manufacturing training expenses" related course work, certification testing, and essential skill acquisition.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Introduced in House