hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Cuban Airport Security Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3289
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2016-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Caribbean area
Congressional oversight
Cuba
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Transportation
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Employee hiring
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations
International law and treaties
Latin America
Law enforcement officers
Service animals
Terrorism
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: 

Cuban Airport Security Act of 2016

 
This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to report to Congress on specified aspects of security measures at Cuban airports that: (1) are served by U.S. aircraft operators, or (2) serve as last point of departure locations for foreign air carriers. The Government Accountability Office shall submit to Congress an audit of the report.
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall establish agreements with the Government of Cuba to allow:
 
 
the Federal Air Marshal Service to conduct missions on regularly scheduled passenger air flights between the United States and Cuba, and 
 
TSA inspectors to access all areas of last point of departure airports in Cuba to assess security. 

 
No agreement dated on or after January 1, 2016, to expand air flights between the United States and Cuba may be permitted until: (1) the required report and audit have been submitted, (2) the required agreements have been established, and (3) specified hiring and training requirements have been met.
 
DHS, rather than the Department of Transportation, shall: (1) assess the effectiveness of security standards at foreign airports, and (2) take other specified actions if an airport fails to maintain effective security measures. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Servicemembers' Zika Protection Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3290
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2016-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: 

Servicemembers' Zika Protection Act of 2016

 
This bill makes Department of Defense (DOD) funds available for: (1) the deployment of insect repellant and other appropriate measures for members of the Armed Forces and DOD civilian personnel stationed in or deployed to areas affected or that may soon be affected by the Zika virus inside and outside the United States, and (2) the treatment for insects at military installations located in such areas.
 
DOD also shall provide support to foreign governments for treatment for insects at foreign military installations in such areas outside the United States where Armed Forces and DOD civilian personnel are stationed. 
 
DOD shall submit a strategy to counter Zika should it become a long-term issue to members of the Armed Forces.
 
DOD may transfer funds to and among DOD accounts for: (1) operations to counter or control Zika, and (2) research and testing of Zika-related medical items.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Bill of Rights

Bill: 114-s-3291
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2016-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: 

Small Business Bill of Rights 

 
This bill modifies tax provisions, regulatory requirements, and legal procedures that affect small businesses. 
 

Bringing Business Back Act of 2016 

 
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax exclusion for certain income attributable to real property in areas that meet criteria regarding unemployment, poverty, or other signs of distress. 
 
The bill temporarily reduces the capital gains tax on certain small business stock, increases the deduction for start-up expenditures, and exempts small businesses from tax increases. 
 
Federal agencies must review existing and proposed regulations that affect small businesses using specified criteria. Certain new small business regulations must expire after seven years, unless they are renewed. 
 

Death Tax Repeal Act of 2016 

 
The bill repeals the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes and makes permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and the lifetime gift tax exemption. It also extends or makes permanent several tax credits and deductions related to energy efficiency. 
 
With respect to the legal process, the bill establishes requirements and limitations for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce. 
 
The bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to permit verifications under the E-Verify program to be provided by telephone. 
 
The bill amends the Small Business Act to modify policies regarding goals for participation of small businesses in procurement contracts and the bundling of contracts. 
 
It also establishes criminal penalties for making false statements regarding status as a small business concern or compliance with the Small Business Act to obtain, retain, or complete a federal contract.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
STOP Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3292
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2016-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: 

Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act of 2016 or the STOP Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to make the Postmaster General or Postmaster General designee, including a person holding a valid customs broker's license, the importer of record for non-letter class mail imported into the United States.
 
The term &quot;non-letter class mail&quot; means any product of the U.S. Postal Service or a Universal Postal Union designated operator that is provided pursuant to:
 
 
the Universal Postal Union's Parcel Post Regulations and Final Protocol; or
 
the Universal Postal Union's Letter Post Regulations and Final Protocol, except small letters, as in effect upon enactment of this bill.
 
 
The bill amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to impose a duty of $1 on each item of non-letter class mail imported into the United States.
 
The bill amends the Trade Act of 2002 to direct the Department of the Treasury to require the Postmaster General to provide for the advanced electronic transmission to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of certain information on non-letter class mail imported into the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5370-5373)
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation investment income held in certain funds.

Bill: 114-s-3293
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2016-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: 
This bill amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to transfer investment and interest income from the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Water Rights Development Fund and Operation and Maintenance Fund to the tribes for use in accordance with the Water Rights Development Fund and Operation and Maintenance Fund.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5373)
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Mandatory BRACC Act

Bill: 114-s-3294
Sponsor: Sen. Coats, Daniel [R-IN]
Introduced: 2016-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: 

Mandatory Bureaucratic Realignment and Consolidation Commission Act of 2016 or the Mandatory BRACC Act 

 
This bill establishes within the legislative branch a Mandatory Bureaucratic Realignment and Consolidation Commission to review all direct spending by the federal government and identify changes in law to reduce direct spending. The commission may also review offsetting receipts and discretionary appropriations.
 
The commission must submit to Congress a report including recommendations and proposed legislation to reduce direct spending, such that: 
 
 
 total spending is gradually reduced during FY2018-FY2027, 
 
 total spending does not exceeded total revenues by FY2027 and for each succeeding year, and
 
 direct spending does not exceed 50% of total spending by FY2027 and for each succeeding year. 
 
 
Congress must consider the commission's proposal using specified expedited legislative procedures. 
 
If a bill to achieve the commission's recommendations is not enacted, the President must order a sequestration to enforce specified limits on the growth of spending. A sequestration is not required if: (1) the Office of Management and Budget determines that, as a result of reductions in budgetary resources required by this bill, total spending for the previous year did not exceed revenues; or (2) changes in law have been enacted that will achieve the requirements for the commission's proposal. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3295
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2016-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: 

National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2016

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to work with a consortium, including the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats or acts of terrorism.
 
DHS may work with such a consortium to assist its national cybersecurity and communications integration center to:
 
 
provide training to state and local first responders and officials, develop curriculums, and provide technical assistance; 
 
conduct cross-sector cybersecurity training and simulation exercises for state and local governments, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and private industry; 
 
help states and communities develop cybersecurity information sharing programs; and 
 
help incorporate cybersecurity risk and incident prevention and response into existing state and local emergency plans and continuity of operations plans. 
 

 
DHS's authority to carry out this bill terminates five years after its enactment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5373)
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Protection from ObamaCare Monopolies Act

Bill: 114-s-3296
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2016-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: 

Protection from ObamaCare Monopolies Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the requirement to maintain minimum essential health coverage any individual residing in a county with fewer than two health insurance issuers offering qualified health plans on an exchange. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 618.
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Relief from Obamacare Mandate Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3297
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2016-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: 

Relief from Obamacare Mandate Act of 2016 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to exempt individuals with certain premium increases from the requirement under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to maintain minimum essential health coverage. 
 
The exemption applies to any individual for any month during a year that the individual resides in a state in which the average premium for self-only or family coverage under the second lowest cost silver plans within the state has increased by more than 10% from the prior year. 
 
The bill also requires the cost of annual deductibles to be taken into account in applying the exemption for individuals who cannot afford coverage. 
 
The bill repeals provisions added to the IRC by PPACA that: (1) restrict payments from health savings accounts (HSAs), Archer medical savings accounts (MSAs), and health flexible spending and reimbursement arrangements for medications to prescription drugs and insulin only (thus allowing payments for over-the-counter medications); (2) impose a $2,500 limitation on salary reduction contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement under a cafeteria plan; and (3) impose an additional tax on HSA and Archer MSA distributions not used for qualified medical expenses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 619.
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Carl's Law

Bill: 114-s-3298
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2016-09-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: 

Carl's Law

 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the label of a drug containing an opioid to prominently state that the drug contains an opioid and addiction to the drug is possible. (Opioids are drugs with effects similar to opium, such as certain pain medications.)

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-09-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act

Bill: 114-s-3299
Sponsor: Sen. Ayotte, Kelly [R-NH]
Introduced: 2016-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: 

Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to:
 
 
notify air carriers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening personnel of TSA's 3-1-1 Liquids Rule Exemption guidelines allowing baby formula, breast milk, and juice on aircraft; and 
 
include training on all special procedures under TSA's travel guidelines for TSA security screening personnel.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3300
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2016-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: 

Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2016 

 
This bill: (1) ratifies and modifies the Hualapai Tribe water rights settlement agreement negotiated between the tribe, the United States, Arizona, and others; and (2) satisfies the claims of the tribe for water rights and injury to water rights under all law with respect to the Hualapai land.
 
The bill enumerates the tribe's water rights in the Bill Williams, Colorado, and Verde River basins. The tribe may divert, use, and store the tribe water from the Central Arizona Project, but the tribe must pay charges associated with the delivery of the water as well as the tribe's water project costs.
 
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) must plan, design, and construct the Hualapai Water Project, which must be designed to divert, treat, and convey no less than 3,414 acre-feet per year of water from the Colorado River for municipal, commercial, and industrial uses on the Hualapai Reservation. Reclamation must convey to the tribe title for the project once it is substantially complete.
 
The bill establishes the: (1) Hualapai Water Project Account for constructing the project; and (2) Hualapai OM&R Trust Account for the operation, maintenance and replacement charges associated with the project.
 
The Department of the Interior must accept certain parcels of land to hold in trust for the benefit of the tribe. In the future, land located outside the boundaries of the reservation may only be taken into trust by the United States for the benefit of the tribe through an act of Congress.
 
The bill outlines: (1) waivers, releases, and retentions of claims by the tribe and the United States under the settlement agreement; and (2) a limited waiver of sovereign immunity by the United States and the tribe with respect to certain claims.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-539.
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Relief from Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3301
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2016-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: 

Small Business Relief from Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Small Business Act with respect to Small Business Administration disaster assistance to expand the definition of &quot;disaster&quot; to include the onset of transmissible diseases for which the federal government issues a public health advisory or declaration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-15
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5471-5473)
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Emergency Response Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3302
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2016-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Emergency Response Act of 2016

 
This bill establishes and provides funds for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emergency Response Fund. The CDC may use this fund when emergency operations are activated in response to a public health emergency or potential public health emergency. Funds may be used to detect, prepare for, or respond to public health threats domestically and abroad.
 The CDC may not use amounts over a specified threshold in a fiscal year until 30 days after it notifies Congress and the President of its plan to use those amounts. A joint resolution of Congress may prohibit the CDC from using those amounts.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5473)
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Social Security Fairness for Firefighters and Police Officers Act

Bill: 114-s-3303
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2016-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Law enforcement officers
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: 

Social Security Fairness for Firefighters and Police Officers Act

 
This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to exempt firefighters and law enforcement officers with at least five years of service from the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination provisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act

Bill: 114-s-3304
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2016-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care quality
Mental health
Performance measurement
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Telephone and wireless communication
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: 

No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop: 
 
 
a quality assurance document for carrying out the toll-free Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), including at backup call centers; and 
 
a plan to ensure that each telephone call, text message, and other communication received by the VCL, including at backup call centers, is answered in a timely manner by a person, consistent with the guidance established by the American Association of Suicidology.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
VERIFI Act

Bill: 114-s-3305
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2016-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: 

Verifying Electronically the Receipt of In-Home Care For Individuals Act or the VERIFI Act

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the use of electronic visit verification systems for certain services under the Medicare program. An "electronic visit verification system" is a system under which care-related visits are electronically verified with regard to: (1) the type and date of service, (2) the individual receiving the service, (3) the individual providing the service, (4) the location of service delivery, and (5) the time the service begins and ends.
 
A home health agency must have such a system in place for home health services as a condition of participation in the Medicare program.
 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall establish standards for the systems and must consult with agencies to ensure that such standards: (1) are minimally burdensome, (2) account for existing best practices and electronic visit verifications systems already in use, and (3) require that the systems are conducted in accordance with specified legal requirements related to privacy and security.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate