hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to require air carriers to provide all flight attendants with scheduled rest periods of at least 10 consecutive hours between duty periods and to comply with fatigue management plans for flight attendants that have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Bill: 114-s-3421
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 
This bill requires air carriers to provide a 10-hour rest period to a flight attendant who is scheduled to a duty period of up to 14 hours. Current regulations generally mandate a nine-hour rest period but allow an eight-hour rest period under certain circumstances.
 
Air carriers must comply with specified fatigue risk management plan requirements, subject to civil penalties.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Private Prison Information Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3422
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Private Prison Information Act of 2016

 
 This bill specifies that a record related to a non-federal prison, correctional, or detention facility must be considered a federal agency record for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). 
 
A non-federal prison, correctional, or detention facility must disclose information under FOIA unless the information is exempt from disclosure or the disclosure is prohibited by law. 
 
The term &quot;non-federal prison, correctional, or detention facility&quot; means: (1) a private prison, correctional, or detention facility; or (2) a state or local prison, jail, or other correctional or detention facility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Gold Star Families Forever Stamp Act

Bill: 114-s-3423
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Gold Star Families Forever Stamp Act

 
This bill directs the Postmaster General to provide for the issuance of a forever stamp to honor the sacrifices of families who have lost a loved one who was a member of the Armed Forces in combat.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prevent the avoidance of tax by insurance companies through reinsurance with non-taxed affiliates.

Bill: 114-s-3424
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the taxable income of a life insurance company or other insurance company: (1) any non-taxed reinsurance premium; (2) any additional amount paid by an insurance company with respect to the reinsurance for which such non-taxed reinsurance premium is paid; and (3) any return premium, ceding commission, reinsurance recovered, or other amount received by an insurance company with respect to the reinsurance for which such non-taxed reinsurance premium is paid. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the depreciation rules for property used predominantly within an Indian reservation, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-3425
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the special depreciation rules for property used predominantly within an Indian reservation and to permit a taxpayer to revoke an election to exclude any class of property from the rules for any taxable year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Homeowner Foreclosure Reduction Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3426
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing supply and affordability
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Homeowner Foreclosure Reduction Act of 2016 

 
This bill requires the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and the Federal Housing Administration to permit certain nonprofit organizations and local governments to match the highest bids during sales of pools of certain nonperforming loans. 
 
An entity that purchases a pool of loans under this bill may not foreclose on any of the occupied properties that secure loans in the pool during the 12-month period following the purchase. 
 
The entity must also ensure that, within four years of the settlement date, at least 50% of the loans in the pool result in: 
 
 
a modified loan that meets specified requirements regarding the loan-to-value ratio, performance over a six-month period, fees and prepayment requirements, and the interest rate; 
 
 a short sale of the property that secures the loan to an owner-occupant; 
 
 holding the property that secures the loan for rental for a period of not less than three years, where the rental is affordable to a household with an annual income at or below the area median income; 
 
 gifting the property that secures the loan to a land bank, a nonprofit organization, or a state or local government, with additional funds provided for demolition and maintenance; or 
 
 sale of the loan or the property that secures the loan to a nonprofit organization. 
 
 
If the entity purchases a pool that contains a loan secured by a vacant property, the entity must ensure that the servicer of the loan: (1) does not release the lien on the property, and (2) maintains the property in accordance with generally acceptable maintenance standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3427
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental health
Environmental regulatory procedures
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Manufacturing
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Toxic Substances Control Act by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) identify and assess the importation, sale, and uses of, and exposures to, asbestos; and (2) impose requirements that permanently eliminate the possibility of human or environmental exposure to asbestos.
 
The bill allows the President to exempt any use of asbestos from the requirements if: (1) the use is necessary to protect national security interests, (2) no reasonable alternative to the asbestos use exists for the intended purpose, and (3) the use of asbestos will not result in an unreasonable risk to health or the environment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Protection of Military Airfields from Wind Turbine Encroachment Act

Bill: 114-s-3428
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Aviation and airports
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits
Military facilities and property

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Protection of Military Airfields from Wind Turbine Encroachment Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make new wind facilities located near certain military installations ineligible for the tax credits for: (1) electricity produced from renewable resources, and (2) investments in qualified small wind energy property. 
 
The bill applies to facilities that are originally placed in service after the date of enactment of this bill and are located within a 30-mile radius of: (1) an airfield or airbase that is under the jurisdiction of a military department and in active use; or (2) an air traffic control radar site, weather radar site, or aircraft navigation aid that is owned or operated by the Department of Defense and is a permanent land-based structure at a fixed location. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6230)
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Survival from Disaster Act

Bill: 114-s-3429
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Small Business Survival from Disaster Act

 
This bill postpones from December 1, 2016, until December 1, 2018, the effective date of final rule of the Department of Labor revising income thresholds for determining overtime pay for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer (&quot;white collar&quot;) employees exempt from regular minimum wage and overtime pay requirements with respect to any states in which, after August 14, 2016, the President has declared that a major disaster exists. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Bureau of Land Management Foundation Act

Bill: 114-s-3430
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Coal
Department of the Interior
Ecology
Executive agency funding and structure
General public lands matters
Historical and cultural resources
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Mammals
Mining
Oil and gas
Outdoor recreation
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Soil pollution
Water quality
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Bureau of Land Management Foundation Act

 
 This bill establishes the Bureau of Land Management Foundation as a charitable, nonprofit organization to encourage, accept, obtain, administer, and use private gifts of money, devises, and bequests of real and personal property for the benefit of, or in connection with, the activities and services of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 
 
The foundation shall conduct and encourage programs and activities that support:
 
 
educational, technical, scientific, and other assistance or activities to support the management of BLM lands with regard to wild free-roaming horses and burros, fish and wildlife and their habitats, National Conservation Lands, and recreation, cultural, and historic resources; and 
 
activities that support the reclamation and remediation of specified abandoned mine lands, specified orphaned oil and gas well sites, or public lands impacted by development connected to mineral exploration and development activities. 
 
 
Reclamation activities are to include the remediation of soil and water contamination; the restoration of wildlife habitat in order to restore the natural, scenic, historic, cultural, and ecological values of those areas; or promotion of the areas' economic potential.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Scleroderma and Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3431
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Scleroderma and Fibrosis Research Enhancement Act of 2016

 
This bill requires the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) to establish the National Commission on Scleroderma and Fibrosis Research. (Scleroderma and fibrosis are connective tissue conditions that cause hardening or scarring of skin and organs.)
 
The commission must develop a long-term, comprehensive plan for scleroderma and fibrosis research. The plan must: (1) prioritize research that has cross-cutting value and requires coordination across NIH, and (2) include specific steps for implementation of the research.
 
The commission must establish working groups to make research recommendations for the various organs and systems impacted by fibrotic illness.
 
The commission must be terminated not later than two years after establishment.
 The NIAMS must create the Scleroderma and Fibrosis Working Group to oversee and assist with implementation of the long-term plan.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Solitary Confinement Reform Act

Bill: 114-s-3432
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Assault and harassment offenses
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Justice
Disability and paralysis
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
HIV/AIDS
Health personnel
Intergovernmental relations
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
State and local government operations
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Solitary Confinement Reform Act

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish standards for the use of solitary confinement at federal prisons. 
 
It limits the use of solitary confinement to situations that meet certain criteria, including that the confinement is limited to the briefest term and the least restrictive conditions practicable. It also prohibits, with limited exceptions, solitary confinement of inmates who are younger than 18 years of age, disabled, pregnant, or recently pregnant.
 
The bill requires the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to establish a transitional process for inmates in solitary confinement, requires inmates in solitary confinement to receive comprehensive mental health evaluations, and requires BOP employees to complete training on mental illness and the psychological effects of solitary confinement. 
 
 It establishes, within the BOP, an Office of the Civil Rights Ombudsman. The office must be headed by a Civil Rights Ombudsman appointed by the Attorney General.
 
The BOP must annually assess and report on the use of solitary confinement.
 
 The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance must establish and administer a solitary confinement resource center.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6231-6235; text of measure as introduced: CR S6232-6235)
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
CLEAR Act

Bill: 114-s-3433
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Department of Labor
Executive agency funding and structure
Policy sciences
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Comprehensive Labor Evaluation and Research Act or the CLEAR Act

 
This bill establishes in the Department of Labor an Office of Labor Evaluation and Research to collaborate with federal agencies to ensure that evaluations of labor issues meet evidence-based research standards and that the results are disseminated in forms that are usable or adaptable by practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and the public. 
 
Labor must appoint a Chief Evaluation Officer as the head of the office to: (1) manage and conduct scientifically valid evaluation and research of labor issues, (2) assist in establishing and refining structures for programs and activities, (3) measure impacts of programs, (4) carry out data analytics to strengthen management, (5) solicit stakeholder recommendations, (6) identify long-term priority topics, (7) coordinate activities with other federal agencies, and (8) disseminate information to stakeholders. 
 
The Chief Evaluation Officer must maintain a Clearinghouse for Labor Evaluation and Research that: (1) reviews whether labor evaluations and research meet evidence-based research standards; (2) promotes accessibility and public awareness of results that meet the standards; (3) encourages the use of reviewed evaluations and research to inform policies, programs, and activities; (4) assesses the quality of evaluations that examine the effectiveness of particular programs; and (5) acts to synthesize evaluations and research within a topic area, highlight gaps in literature, and identify areas for further research. 
 
The Chief Evaluation Officer may award grants, enter contracts and cooperative agreements, and provide technical assistance to Labor agencies and other entities to carry out this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Violence Against Women Veterans Act

Bill: 114-s-3434
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Domestic violence and child abuse
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Sex offenses
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Violence Against Women Veterans Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a program to assist veterans who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault in accessing benefits from the VA, including by coordinating access to medical treatment centers, housing assistance, and other benefits. The VA shall carry out the program in partnership with specified health care or other service providers that serve domestic violence or sexual assault victims.
 
The VA may: (1) conduct training for community-based domestic violence or sexual assault service providers on identifying veterans who have been victims, coordinating with local VA service providers, and connecting veterans with appropriate VA housing, mental health, medical, and other financial assistance or benefits; and (2) provide assistance to service providers to ensure veterans access to domestic violence and sexual assault emergency services.
 
The VA may establish local coordinators to provide outreach under such program and ensure that each coordinator is knowledgeable about:
 
 
the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault, including safety concerns, legal protections, and the need for confidential services; 
 
veteran eligibility for VA services and benefits relevant to recovery from domestic violence and sexual assault; and 
 
local community resources addressing domestic violence and sexual assault. 

 
Each coordinator shall assist domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers in providing services to veterans. 
 
The VA shall: (1) establish a national task force to develop a comprehensive national program to address domestic violence and sexual assault among veterans, and (2) conduct a national baseline study to examine the scope of the problem of domestic violence and sexual assault among veterans and spouses of veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3435
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and Provider Equity Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act and title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to:
 
 
establish, extend, reinstate, or modify various Medicare payment adjustments for rural hospitals;
 
establish a capital infrastructure revolving loan program for rural medical facilities;
 
allow authorized physician assistants to order hospice care under Medicare;
 
establish Medicare coverage for specified mental health counselor services and marriage and family therapist services;
 
create a grant program for state offices of rural health; and
 
modify other provisions related to rural medical facilities. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect Family Farms and Businesses Act

Bill: 114-s-3436
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 

Protect Family Farms and Businesses Act 

 
This bill prohibits proposed Internal Revenue Service regulations published on August 4, 2016, relating to restrictions on liquidation of an interest with respect to estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes from taking effect. The bill prohibits funds from being used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the proposed regulations or any substantially similar regulations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate