hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Fresh Start Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4410
Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Government information and archives
Intergovernmental relations
Law enforcement administration and funding
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Fresh Start Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to allow an individual convicted of a nonviolent criminal offense to file a petition for expungement of the record of such conviction. It allows expungement if such individual: (1) has never been convicted of any criminal offense other than the nonviolent offenses committed in a single criminal episode that includes the offense for which expungement is sought; (2) has fulfilled all requirements of the sentence of the court, including payment of all fines, restitution, or assessments and completion of terms of imprisonment and probation; and (3) has remained free (if required by the court's sentence) from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance for at least one year.
 
 The Department of Justice must maintain an unaltered nonpublic copy of expunged criminal records, to be disclosed for limited purposes to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies.
 
The bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase by 5% grant funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to states that implement expungement procedures substantially similar to the procedures enacted by this Act. It decreases such grant funding by 5% for states that fail to adopt expungement procedures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E86)
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project.

Bill: 114-hr-4411
Sponsor: Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Licensing and registrations
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 
This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon the request of the licensee for FERC project numbered 12737 (Gathright Hydroelectric Project, Alleghany County, Virginia), to extend the time period during which the licensee is required to commence the construction of the project for up to three consecutive two-year periods from the date of the expiration of the extension originally issued by FERC.

action_date: 2016-03-14
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 authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend by six years the time period during which Jordan Hydroelectric Limited Partnership is required to commence construction on the Gathright Hydroelectric Project located in Alleghany County, Virginia.
 
In addition, FERC is authorized to reinstate the construction license if it is expired.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-15
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1311)
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H1311)
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4411.
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1311)
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Mr. Whitfield moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2016-02-25
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-02-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-02-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project.

Bill: 114-hr-4412
Sponsor: Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Licensing and registrations
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 
This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend by six years the time period during which Jordan Hydroelectric Limited Partnership is required to commence construction on the Flannagan Dam and Reservoir Hydroelectric Project located in Dickenson County, Virginia.
 
In addition, FERC is authorized to reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

action_date: 2016-03-14
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 authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend by six years the time period during which Jordan Hydroelectric Limited Partnership is required to commence construction on the Flannagan Dam and Reservoir Hydroelectric Project located in Dickenson County, Virginia.
 
In addition, FERC is authorized to reinstate the construction license if it is expired.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-15
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1311)
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H1311)
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4412.
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1311-1312)
action_date: 2016-03-14
text: Mr. Whitfield moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2016-02-25
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-02-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-02-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
Fairness to United States Distant Water Fishermen Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4413
Sponsor: Rep. Hunter, Duncan D. [R-CA-50]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Foreign aid and international relief
International law and treaties
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military education and training
Pacific Ocean

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Fairness to United States Distant Water Fishermen Act of 2016

 
This bill prohibits certain economic support funds from being used to provide assistance to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency under the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. 
 
Certain military education/training funds may not be used to provide assistance to any foreign country that is a party to the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency Convention, signed at Honiara (Solomon Islands) on July 10, 1979.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E84)
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
Improving Notification for Clean and Safe Drinking Water Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4414
Sponsor: Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Improving Notification for Clean and Safe Drinking Water Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require public water systems to notify their customers of lead concentration levels in drinking water that exceed lead limits under national primary drinking water regulations.
 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must notify the public within 15 days of the lead levels exceeding those limits if the public water system or the state does not notify the public.
 
The EPA may notify the public or the local or state health department of the result of lead monitoring conducted by a public water system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
Early Pell Promise Act

Bill: 114-hr-4415
Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Food assistance and relief
Government information and archives
Higher education
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Early Pell Promise Act

 
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Department of Education to carry out a program of grants to state educational agencies under which a student who is in eighth grade and is eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act may be provided a commitment to receive a Federal Pell Grant early in the student's academic career.
 
Pursuant to such a commitment, the student shall receive a Pell Grant during the first two years of attendance at an institution of higher education (IHE) as an undergraduate if the student:
 
 
files the FAFSA form during the senior year of secondary school and the succeeding year, and
 
enrolls at the IHE not later than three years after receiving a secondary school diploma or after release from the Armed Forces.
 
 
A student may not receive the early Pell Grant for a succeeding year if the expected family contribution for either year is more than twice the threshold amount for Pell Grant eligibility for that year.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
Essex River Jobs and Recreation Act

Bill: 114-hr-4417
Sponsor: Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Lakes and rivers
Massachusetts
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Water resources funding

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Essex River Jobs and Recreation Act

 
This bill deauthorizes portions of the project for navigation, Essex River, Massachusetts, that do not lie within specified areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
To amend chapter 77 of title 5, United States Code, to clarify certain due process rights of Federal employees serving in sensitive positions, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-4418
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Due process and equal protection
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Merit Systems Protection Board

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 
This bill provides for appellate review by the Merit Systems Protection Board for employees or applicants for employment who were determined ineligible for a sensitive position if: (1) such position does not require a security clearance or access to classified information, and (2) such determination is otherwise appealable. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E81-82)
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
No Welfare for Terrorists Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4420
Sponsor: Rep. Poliquin, Bruce [R-ME-2]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Food assistance and relief
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

No Welfare for Terrorists Act of 2016 

 
This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to make convicted terrorists ineligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
Colonel Charles Young Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 114-hr-4421
Sponsor: Rep. Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-13]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Military history
Military personnel and dependents
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Ohio

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Colonel Charles Young Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal to Colonel Charles Young in recognition of his pioneering U.S. Army career during exceptionally challenging times. 
 
Following its award, the medal shall be given to the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio.
 
It is the sense of Congress that the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center should make the gold medal received available for display or loan so that it may be displayed elsewhere, particularly at other locations associated with Colonel Young's life.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
POSTAL Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4422
Sponsor: Rep. Richmond, Cedric L. [D-LA-2]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Executive agency funding and structure
Financial services and investments
Postal service
U.S. Postal Service

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Providing Opportunities for Savings, Transactions, and Lending Act of 2015 [
sic
] or the POSTAL Act of 2015 [
sic
]

 
This bill expands the specific powers of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to include the provision of basic financial services, including: (1) small-dollar loans; (2) checking accounts, interest-bearing savings accounts, and services relating to international money transfers, each of which may be provided by the USPS alone or in partnership with depository institutions and credit unions; (3) other basic financial services as appropriate in the public interest; and (4) the creation of a Postal Card that allows users to engage in such financial services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4423
Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Atmospheric science and weather
Birds
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy research
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Licensing and registrations
Mammals
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology assessment
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2016

 
This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out a research and development program to: (1) improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and capacity of wind energy generation; (2) optimize the design and adaptability of wind energy systems to the broadest practical range of atmospheric conditions; and (3) reduce the cost of permitting, construction, operation, and maintenance of wind energy systems.
 
DOE must also conduct a wind energy technology validation and market transformation program for demonstrating and validating new wind energy technologies with the potential to be cost-competitive for land-based, offshore, and distributed applications.
 
DOE must conduct a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities to reduce barriers to the widespread adoption of wind power. The program must support developing new wildlife impact mitigation technologies to reduce the potential impacts of wind energy facilities on wildlife species. 
 
DOE must maintain a wind energy incubator program to support innovative technologies that are not represented in a significant way in DOE's current portfolio of wind energy research activities or in current technology roadmaps.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
Rural Guard Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4424
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military education and training
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Rural conditions and development
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Rural Guard Act of 2016

 
This bill authorizes the removal, on a case by case basis, of the $300 cap on travel expense reimbursements to certain members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve who: (1) live in a rural area in the same state as the inactive duty training location; and (2) are required to travel to the inactive training location using a boat or aircraft due to limited or nonexistent vehicular routes, or from a permanent residence more than 75 miles from that location.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in House
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 East Powerhouse Road in Collegeville, Minnesota, as the "Eugene J. McCarthy Post Office".

Bill: 114-hr-4425
Sponsor: Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6]
Introduced: 2016-02-02 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Members of Congress
Minnesota
Postal service
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 East Powerhouse Road in Collegeville, Minnesota, as the "Eugene J. McCarthy Post Office."
action_date: 2016-07-29
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 East Powerhouse Road in Collegeville, Minnesota, as the "Eugene J. McCarthy Post Office."

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-29
text: Became Public Law No: 114-205.
action_date: 2016-07-29
text: Became Public Law No: 114-205.
action_date: 2016-07-29
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2016-07-29
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2016-07-19
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2016-07-19
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2016-07-15
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5192-5193)
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5192-5193)
action_date: 2016-05-24
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2016-05-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-05-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2932)
action_date: 2016-05-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2932)
action_date: 2016-05-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4425.
action_date: 2016-05-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2932-2933)
action_date: 2016-05-23
text: Mr. Walker moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 114-205