hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Residue Entries and Streamlining Trade Act

Bill: 114-s-989
Sponsor: Sen. Coats, Daniel [R-IN]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

Residue Entries and Streamlining Trade Act

 
This bill amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to exempt from duty treatment the residue of bulk cargo contained in instruments of international traffic previously exported from the United States.
 
The following terms are defined:
 
 
&quot;residue&quot; means material of bulk cargo, of no or de minimis value, that remains in an instrument of international traffic after a certain amount of the bulk cargo is removed;
 
&quot;bulk cargo&quot; means cargo that is unpackaged and is in either solid, liquid, or gaseous form; and 
 
&quot;instruments of international traffic&quot; means certain reusable containers or holders (i.e. lift vans, cargo vans, shipping tanks, skids, pallets, caul boards, and cores for textile fabrics) arriving (whether loaded or empty) for use in the shipment of merchandise in international traffic, as well as any additional articles that the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection designates as instruments of international traffic.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Breaking Down Barriers to Innovation Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-990
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Government studies and investigations
Intellectual property

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

Breaking Down Barriers to Innovation Act of 2015

 
Revises procedures established under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act for the Librarian of Congress to conduct an administrative rulemaking every three years to determine whether to exempt certain noninfringing uses of a copyrighted work from the statutory prohibition on circumventing a technological measure controlling access to a particular class of work.
 
Requires the Librarian, when evaluating whether to allow an administrative exemption, to consider the impact of the circumvention prohibition on: (1) any reduction in the availability for use of copyrighted works; (2) repairs, recycling, or other fair uses when applied to copyrighted works, as well as access to information not subject to copyright protection; (3) accessibility of works and technologies for persons with disabilities; and (4) security research.
 
Prohibits the Librarian from placing the burden of proof on the proponent of an exemption. Requires consideration of the totality of the evidence. 
 
Allows the Librarian to make administrative exemption determinations through rulemaking proceedings outside of the three-year review process if it is substantially likely that users of a copyrighted work are, or are likely to be in the succeeding three-year period, adversely affected by virtue of the prohibition in their ability to make noninfringing uses.
 
Requires the Librarian to automatically renew for an ensuing three-year period any exemptions granted under a rulemaking unless, as a result of changed circumstances, it is unlikely that users are adversely affected by the prohibition. 
 
Establishes a presumption that users are likely to be adversely affected if a technological measure inhibits noninfringing uses that improve accessibility of works or technologies for persons with disabilities.
 
Expands existing statutory exceptions by removing certain restrictions and conditions that apply to permissible circumventions for:
 
 
reverse engineering to achieve interoperability of an independently created computer program with other programs;
 
encryption research on copies, phonorecords, performances, or displays of a published work;
 
activities to prevent the collection or dissemination of personally identifying information about a natural person; or
 
authorized security testing on computer systems or networks.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act

Bill: 114-s-992
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Forests, forestry, trees
Government liability
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Outdoor recreation
Solid waste and recycling
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act 

 
 This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to facilitate the construction and expansion of public target ranges by: (1) authorizing a state to pay up to 90% of the costs of acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range; (2) authorizing a state to elect to allocate 10% of a specified amount apportioned to it from the federal aid to wildlife restoration fund for those costs; (3) limiting the federal share of those costs under such Act to 90%; and (4) requiring amounts provided for those costs under such Act to remain available for expenditure and obligation for five fiscal years.
 
The United States shall be shielded from any civil action or claim for money damages for injury to or loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by an activity occurring at a public target range that is funded by the federal government pursuant to such Act or located on federal land, except to the extent provided under the Federal Tort Claims Act with respect to the exercise or performance of a discretionary function. 
 
The bill urges the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to cooperate with state and local authorities and other entities to carry out waste removal and other activities on any federal land used as a public target range to encourage its continued use for target practice or marksmanship training.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act

Bill: 114-s-996
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Poverty and welfare assistance
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act 

 
 Directs the Internal Revenue Service to establish a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program (VITA grant program) for the development, expansion, or continuation of volunteer tax preparation programs to assist low-income taxpayers and members of underserved populations. 
 
Establishes the National Center to Promote Quality, Excellence, and Evaluation in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Requires such Center to: (1) promote the adoption of a universally accessible volunteer training platform for the preparation of federal income tax returns, (2) provide technical assistance to tax return preparation program managers, (3) identify and disseminate best practices related to tax site management, (4) support outreach and marketing efforts, and (5) provide evaluation of programs and activities funded under this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2297)
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Veterans Affairs Construction, Accountability, and Reform Act

Bill: 114-s-997
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Building construction
Colorado
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Construction, Accountability, and Reform Act

 
This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the Aurora medical facility project to replace the VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado.
 
 The Secretary may not pay any bonus during FY2015-FY2016.
 
If the project to replace the VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, is not completed by September 30, 2016, the Secretary may not pay any bonus until the date on which the Secretary certifies to Congress that such major medical facility project is fully operational. The aggregate amount of subsequent fiscal year bonuses is capped through FY2024.
 
The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the Army for the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the design, contract, construction management, and other similar services for the Aurora project.
 
The Secretary is prohibited from carrying out any major medical facility project. 
 
The Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, shall carry out all major medical facility projects for the Department. 
 
The Government Accountability Office shall review the Secretary's management of the Aurora project.
 
The Secretary must notify Congress at least 120 days (currently at least 30 days) before obligating funds for major medical facility projects that exceed authorized amounts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in Senate
American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-998
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Government studies and investigations
Legislative rules and procedure
Manufacturing
Tariffs
U.S. International Trade Commission

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2015 

 
 It is the sense of Congress that it should consider a miscellaneous tariff bill not later than 180 days after the USITC and the Department of Commerce issue reports on any proposed duty suspensions and reductions. 
 The appropriate congressional committees shall establish, and publish on their publicly available websites, a process for the submission and consideration of legislation for proposed duty suspensions and reductions as well as a miscellaneous tariff bill including them, consistent with certain requirements. 
 The USITC shall report to Congress, by May 1, 2018, and May 1, 2020, on the effects of such suspensions and reductions on the U.S. economy. 
 The exercise of functions under this title shall not be subject to judicial review. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Lending Reauthorization Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1001
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

Small Business Lending Reauthorization Act of 2015

 
This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration to make specified general business loans for FY2015-FY2016.

action_date: 2015-06-10
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Small Business Lending Reauthorization Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration to make general business loans in the amount of $20.5 billion for FY2015, and $23.5 billion for FY2016.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-26
text: By Senator Vitter from Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship filed written report. Report No. 114-268.
action_date: 2016-05-26
text: By Senator Vitter from Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship filed written report. Report No. 114-268.
action_date: 2015-06-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 111.
action_date: 2015-06-10
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Vitter without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2015-06-10
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Vitter without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2015-04-23
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1002
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Higher education
Housing and community development funding
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2015

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-exempt charitable or educational organizations to make collegiate housing and infrastructure improvement grants to certain tax-exempt social clubs (e.g., college fraternities and sororities) which apply such grants to their collegiate housing property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Trade Adjustment Assistance Enhancement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1003
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Employment and training programs
Government information and archives
Higher education
Licensing and registrations
Performance measurement
Trade adjustment assistance
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

Trade Adjustment Assistance Enhancement Act of 2015

 
 Amends the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 to repeal the declaration that trade adjustment assistance (TAA) program requirements in effect as of February 13, 2011, under the Trade Act of 1974 shall apply to petitions for certification to apply for TAA for workers, firms, and farmers that are filed before January 1, 2014. 
 
 Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend through June 30, 2021: 
 
 
the TAA program, and 
the reemployment trade adjustment assistance (RTAA) program. 
 
 
Makes funds available for FY2015-FY2021 for training of adversely affected workers as well as (through June 30, 2021) reemployment and case management services. 
 
Reauthorizes appropriations: 
 
 
through June 30, 2021, for the TAA program for workers; and 
for FY2015-FY2021 for the TAA program for firms and farmers. 
 
 
 Revises and replaces core indicators of performance with primary indicators of performance. Adds among other factors the percentage and number of workers receiving TAA benefits who are in:
 
 
unsubsidized employment, and 
an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary schooling credential or employment and who are achieving measurable gains in skills toward that credential or employment. 
 
 
 Specifies criteria the Department of Labor must use to determine the eligibility of workers to apply for TAA if no determination has been made, upon enactment of this Act, as to whether to certify a group of workers or firms as eligible pursuant to a petition filed between January 1, 2014, and enactment of this Act. Requires the Department to reconsider any determination made before enactment of this Act not to certify such workers or firms, and to certify them as eligible if they meet the specified requirements.
 
 Increases from 52 to 65 additional weeks of TAA payments in a 78-week period the length of additional time permissible to complete training. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure:CR S2296-2297))
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Coverage Tax Credit Extension Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1005
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

Health Coverage Tax Credit Extension Act of 2015

 
This bill extends the tax credit for health insurance costs of a taxpayer and qualifying family members through 2019. The tax credit for health insurance costs is a refundable tax credit equal to 72.5% of the cost of qualified health coverage paid by an eligible individual [defined as an individual who is receiving a trade adjustment allowance, is eligible for the alternative trade adjustment assistance program, or is over age 55 and receives pension benefits from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)].
 
The bill requires a taxpayer to make an election to have the tax credit apply for any eligible coverage month during a taxable year. An eligible coverage month is a month in which an eligible individual is covered by qualified health insurance, does not have other specified coverage, and is not imprisoned. 
 
The bill also directs the Departments of the Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Labor and the PBGC to conduct a public outreach, including on the Internet, to inform individuals eligible for the tax credit for health insurance costs on the extension of such credit and the availability of the election to claim such credit retroactively for coverage months beginning after December 31, 2013. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Positive Train Control Safety Act

Bill: 114-s-1006
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-04-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Accidents
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of Transportation
Emergency communications systems
Fires
Government information and archives
Oil and gas
Railroads
Roads and highways
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: 

Positive Train Control Safety Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to extend the deadline, in one-year increments, for implementation of positive train control systems if full implementation by the existing deadline will likely be infeasible due to circumstances beyond the control of the applicant, and other certain other criteria are met.
 
Each Class I railroad carrier, and each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation, must submit annual progress reports to DOT on the status of fits implementation plan.
 
Such plans shall now be required for any such carrier or entity governing operations on a main line over which 20 or more tank cars loaded with petroleum crude oil, ethanol, or other Class 3 material are transported.
 
DOT shall assess electromagnetic spectrum needs and availability for implementing positive train control systems.
 
Applicable railroad carriers shall establish a confidential close call reporting system program subject to DOT regulations.
 
 A railroad carrier providing commuter rail passenger transportation on high density commuter railroad lines, when performing a required inspection, shall:
 
 
at least once each two weeks traverse each line by vehicle or inspect each main line on foot, and
 
at least once each month traverse and inspect each siding by vehicle or by foot.
 
 
DOT shall:
 
 
study the effectiveness of positive train control and related technologies on reducing collisions at highway-rail grade crossings; and 
 
promulgate regulations to require that on-track safety programs, whenever practicable and consistent with other safety requirements and operational considerations, include requiring implementation of redundant signal protection, such as shunting, for maintenance-of-way work crews who depend on a train dispatcher to provide signal protection.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure:CR S2252-2253)
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act of 1992 to rename a site of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.

Bill: 114-s-1007
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2015-04-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Historic sites and heritage areas
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Ohio
Parks, recreation areas, trails

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-20
text: 
Amends the Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act of 1992 to rename the John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers Aviation Center, part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio, as the &quot;John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum.&quot;

action_date: 2016-09-08
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 
(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act of 1992 to rename the John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers Aviation Center, part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio, as the &quot;John W. Berry, Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 621.
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 114-346.
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 114-346.
action_date: 2016-07-13
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2016-06-15
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-502.
action_date: 2015-04-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-04-20
text: Introduced in Senate