hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Stop Meth Labs and Enhance Patient Access Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3968
Sponsor: Rep. Guinta, Frank C. [R-NH-1]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Business records
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Government information and archives
Prescription drugs
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Stop Meth Labs and Enhance Patient Access Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to revise the standard used by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to determine whether to exempt a scheduled listed chemical product from certain applicable requirements. (A scheduled listed chemical product is a nonprescription drug product that contains ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine.)
 
Currently, the DEA may exempt retail sales of a scheduled listed chemical product from certain requirements (e.g., daily sales limits) if the product cannot be used to illegally manufacture methamphetamine. This bill allows the DEA to exempt retail sales of a scheduled listed chemical product from such requirements if it is not practical by processes known to be employed by clandestine laboratory operators to use the product to illegally manufacture methamphetamine. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-11-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Housing Our Heroes Act

Bill: 114-hr-3970
Sponsor: Rep. Israel, Steve [D-NY-3]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Government trust funds
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Housing Our Heroes Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin a three-year pilot grant program to assess the feasibility of awarding grants to eligible entities to purchase and renovate abandoned homes for homeless veterans. 
 
Eligible entities are: (1) veterans service agencies and organizations, (2) homeless organizations, and (3) other nongovernmental organizations. 
 
The Veterans Homelessness Grant Fund is established in the Treasury.
 
The VA shall give grant priority to communities with the greatest need of homeless services, and may give grant priority to achieve geographic grant distribution.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
SERV Act

Bill: 114-hr-3971
Sponsor: Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-49]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 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: 2015-11-05
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: 2015-12-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2015-11-05
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: 2015-11-05
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: 2015-11-05
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: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Honoring our Returning Veterans and Service Members Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3972
Sponsor: Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Mental health
Military medicine
Military operations and strategy
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Honoring our Returning Veterans and Service Members Act of 2015
 
 
This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop jointly a methodology that identifies which members of the Armed Forces and veterans are at high risk of suicide.
 
DOD and the VA shall use this information to: (1) identify which units that were deployed in support of a post-September 11, 2001, contingency operation have a disproportionately high rate of suicide and suicide attempts, and (2) provide additional mental health preventative and treatment resources for veterans who were so deployed. 
 
The use of such information is restricted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2015-11-05
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: 2015-11-05
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: 2015-11-05
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: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
AFFIRM Act

Bill: 114-hr-3973
Sponsor: Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural insurance
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Assisting Family Farmers through Insurance Reform Measures Act or the AFFIRM Act 

 
This bill amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reduce federal crop insurance payments and disclose details regarding subsidies. 
 
The bill prohibits premium subsidies: (1) for additional coverage for any person or legal entity that has an average adjusted gross income that exceeds $250,000, (2) that exceed $40,000 per year for any person or legal entity, or (3) for policies that are based on the actual market price of an agricultural commodity at the time of harvest.
 
The bill establishes an annual cap on total reimbursements for administrative and operating costs of crop insurance providers that begins at $900 million for 2015 and is adjusted for inflation in each subsequent year. The overall rate of return for insurance providers is capped at 8.9%. 
 
The bill eliminates a requirement that any renegotiated Standard Insurance Agreement (SRA) be budget-neutral. (The SRA is an agreement between USDA and the private companies that administer the federal crop insurance program that specifies details such as administrative and operating expense reimbursements and risk sharing. Eliminating the budget neutrality requirement permits USDA to use the renegotiation of the SRA to achieve savings.) 
 
USDA must annually disclose to the public specified details regarding the recipients and amounts of federal crop insurance subsidies. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3975
Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax credits
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for first-time homebuyers, to: (1) allow a veteran of the Armed Forces a tax credit for 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence purchased prior to January 1, 2018; (2) allow an additional credit for the cost, not exceeding $8,000 in a taxable year, of installing special fixtures or movable facilities in a residence to accommodate a disability of the veteran; and (3) require a recapture of credit amounts if the veteran sells such residence within 36 months after purchasing it.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Enlisted Legal Assistance Act

Bill: 114-hr-3976
Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Lawyers and legal services
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Enlisted Legal Assistance Act

 
This bill requires the Secretary of the department concerned to provide personal civil legal assistance to: 
 
 
an active duty member of the Armed Forces in pay grades E-1 through E-5 and his or her dependents; and 
 
a survivor who was a dependent of the member at the time of the member's death, except that survivor eligibility shall be determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Trash Reduction Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3977
Sponsor: Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Retail and wholesale trades
Sales and excise taxes
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Trash Reduction Act of 2015

 
 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require retailers to pay a $0.10 excise tax on each carryout bag provided to a consumer. A &quot;carryout bag&quot; means a bag of any material, commonly plastic or kraft paper, which is provided to a consumer at the point of sale to carry or cover purchases, merchandise, or other items. Reusable bags and certain other bags used for specified purposes are exempt from such tax. 
 
The bill allows retailers who establish a qualified plastic carryout bag recycling program a rebate for each recyclable bag used by the retailer.
 
The bill establishes the Carryout Bag Trust Fund to hold tax revenues generated by this Act and directs the Department of the Treasury to make payments from such Trust Fund for the qualified plastic carryout bag recycling program and to the Land and Water Conservation Fund established by the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must study and report to Congress on the effectiveness of this Act in reducing the use of carryout bags and encouraging recycling of such bags.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.
action_date: 2015-11-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Ensuring Fair Access to Veterans Healthcare Act

Bill: 114-hr-3978
Sponsor: Rep. Lujan Grisham, Michelle [D-NM-1]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Hospital care
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Ensuring Fair Access to Veterans Healthcare Act

 
This bill establishes in the Veterans Health Administration an Office of the Ombudsman, which shall:
 
 
investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of patients receiving medical care or hospital services at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility (covered patients) that relate to action, inaction, or decisions made by VA employees that may adversely affect such patients; 
 
assist covered patients in finding patient advocates, veterans service organizations, or other similar entities to advocate for their health, safety, welfare, and rights;
 
ensure that covered patients have regular and timely access to Office services; 
 
administer the reporting system provided for by this Act; and 
 
provide training to local ombudsmen and volunteers. 
 
 
The Office shall establish a reporting system to collect and analyze complaint data in order to determine how to resolve significant VA medical facility problems.
 
Each VA medical facility shall have a local ombudsman responsible for carrying out the duties of the Office at such location. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 38, United States Code, to include local government minimum wage requirements in determining the hourly minimum wage applicable for purposes of the work-study allowance under the educational assistance programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Bill: 114-hr-3979
Sponsor: Rep. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM-3]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Labor standards
Student aid and college costs
Temporary and part-time employment
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 
This bill revises the applicable hourly minimum wage for the work-study allowance under Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs to the minimum wage to be the highest one under: 
 
 
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, 
 
 comparable law of the state in which the services are to be performed, or 
 
comparable law of the local government with jurisdiction over the area in which the services are to be performed.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Veterans Freedom of Healthcare Act

Bill: 114-hr-3980
Sponsor: Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability and paralysis
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Hospital care
Mental health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Veterans Freedom of Healthcare Act

 
This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to make the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Choice Program permanent. (The program allows the furnishing of hospital care and medical services to eligible veterans through agreements with non-VA entities.)
 
Program eligibility requirements are revised.
 
 The VA shall ensure that veterans enrolled in the health care system, particularly those with service-connected disabilities rated 50% or greater, are able to receive: 
 
 
 health care at VA medical facilities within certain wait-time goals; and 
 
 the highest degree of care possible, with an emphasis on maintaining the highest degree of quality in treating ailments unique to or prevalent among the veteran population, including mental health services. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
Family Cord Blood Banking Act

Bill: 114-hr-3982
Sponsor: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Blood and blood diseases
Cell biology and embryology
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax deductions
Organ and tissue donation and transplantation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Family Cord Blood Banking Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat the cost of private umbilical cord blood or tissue, or placental blood or tissue, banking services as a medical care expense for purposes of the tax deduction for medical expenses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
BOSS Act

Bill: 114-hr-3983
Sponsor: Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-52]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Economic development
Government studies and investigations
Performance measurement
Research administration and funding
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Building Opportunity for Student Startups Act or the BOSS Act

 
This bill directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study on the role of incubators and accelerators in the commercialization of federally funded research and regional economic development.
 
The study shall: (1) include an examination of metrics for comparing startups that have, and startups that have not, completed incubator or accelerator programs; (2) include the role of incubators and accelerators in developing regional innovation clusters; and (3) identify best practices in the structure, goals, operation, management, and funding mechanisms of leading incubators and accelerators.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in House