hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
DME Access and Stabilization Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2312
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicaid
Medicare
Public contracts and procurement
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

DME Access and Stabilization Act of 2015

 
This bill amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to modify provisions relating to payment for durable medical equipment (DME) under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. (DME includes certain medically necessary equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, and hospital beds.)
 
With respect to DME furnished in areas that are not competitive acquisition areas, current regulations require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) to phase in, over a two-year period, Medicare payment adjustments using information from competitive acquisition programs. (Through such programs, payment amounts for each area are determined based on competitive bids submitted by suppliers, rather than according to an established fee schedule.) The bill codifies this requirement and specifies that CMS shall adjust fee schedule amounts to the lesser of: (1) a specified percentage of the regional amount; and (2) the amount that would otherwise be determined according to the fee schedule, with specified adjustments. 
 
In determining Medicare payment adjustments for areas that are not competitive acquisition areas, CMS shall solicit stakeholder input and take into account several specified factors.
 
CMS may not establish a ceiling on competitive bids submitted for DME that is less than the amount that would otherwise be paid under Medicare.
 
The Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman shall evaluate the impact of the competitive acquisition program on beneficiary health status and health outcomes.
 
The bill limits federal Medicaid reimbursement rates to states for DME to the rates that would be paid for such items under Medicare.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Philanthropic Facilitation Act

Bill: 114-s-2313
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Business investment and capital
Business records
Department of the Treasury
Government information and archives
Income tax deductions
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Judicial review and appeals
Sales and excise taxes
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Philanthropic Facilitation Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand the definition of, and requirements relating to, "program-related investments" made by private foundations to for-profit entities to further certain charitable purposes; (2) allow a judicial determination (i.e., declaratory judgment) as to whether investments in any entity qualify as program-related investments; (3) require expanded reporting by for-profit entities that receive program-related investments of their gross income, expenses, disbursements, and other information; and (4) allow public inspection of any petition seeking a determination that an investment by a private foundation is a program-related investment and of any information reported by organizations receiving program-related investments. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Temporary Judgeship Conversion Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2314
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Alabama
Arizona
California
Federal district courts
Florida
Judges
Kansas
Missouri
New Mexico
North Carolina
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Temporary Judgeship Conversion Act of 2015

 
This bill converts certain temporary U.S. district court judgeships to permanent judgeships in specified U.S. judicial districts in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the requirements for reissuance of veterans benefits in cases of misuse of benefits by certain fiduciaries to include misuse by all fiduciaries, and to improve oversight of fiduciaries, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-2316
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reissue veterans benefits to a beneficiary in all cases of fiduciary misuse. 
 
The VA shall pay the beneficiary or the successor fiduciary an amount equal to the misused benefits. 
 
 VA access to fiduciary-held financial accounts shall be increased by requiring any fiduciary to authorize the VA to obtain any financial record held by an institution regarding the fiduciary or the beneficiary whenever the VA determines that such record is necessary: 
 
 
for the administration of a VA program; or 
 
to safeguard the beneficiary's benefits against neglect, misappropriation, embezzlement, or fraud.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-29
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-707.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Minority-Serving Institution Fairness Act

Bill: 114-s-2317
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Education programs funding
Higher education
Minority education

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Minority-Serving Institution Fairness Act

 
This bill amends titles III (Institutional Aid) and V (Developing Institutions) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to permit an eligible minority-serving institution of higher education (IHE) to concurrently receive grant funds under more than one of the following programs: (1) the Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions program; (2) the Strengthening Native American-serving, Nontribal Institutions program; (3) the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions program; and (4) the Hispanic-Serving Institutions program.
 
At least 35% of grant funds awarded under each program must be awarded to IHEs that are not eligible to concurrently receive funds under more than one program.
 
An eligible minority-serving IHE is a Hispanic-serving institution, Alaska Native-serving or Native Hawaiian-serving institution, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, or a Native American-serving nontribal institution.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund for 10 years, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-2318
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Outdoor recreation
State and local finance
Water use and supply
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 
This bill extends the authorization of appropriations for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) through FY2025. 
 
Appropriations deposited into the LWCF shall be allocated in the ratio of 60% and 40% for state and federal purposes, respectively.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934.

Bill: 114-s-2319
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Budget deficits and national debt
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 
This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require any deposits that the Federal Communications Commission may require for the qualification of bidders in a system of competitive bidding for spectrum licenses to be deposited directly in the Treasury instead of in an interest bearing account at a financial institution. The bill removes a provision that requires the interest accrued to such a financial institution account to be dedicated for the sole purpose of deficit reduction. 
 
The deposits of successful bidders must be credited to the deposit fund of the Treasury, unless existing exceptions apply. 

action_date: 2016-08-30
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 Communications Act of 1934 to require any deposits that the Federal Communications Commission may require for the qualification of bidders in a system of competitive bidding for spectrum licenses to be deposited directly in the Treasury instead of in an interest bearing account at a financial institution. The bill removes a provision that requires the interest accrued to such a financial institution account to be dedicated for the sole purpose of deficit reduction. 
 
The deposits of successful bidders must be credited to the deposit fund of the Treasury, unless existing exceptions apply. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 579.
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/14/2016 without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/14/2016 without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2015-12-09
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Universal Savings Account Act

Bill: 114-s-2320
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Income tax exclusion
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Universal Savings Account Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow for the establishment of Universal Savings Accounts. These Accounts shall be tax-exempt and may be opened by any individual who is at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Contributions to these Accounts must be in cash and may not exceed $5,500 (adjusted annually for inflation) in any calendar year. Distributions from a Universal Savings Account are excluded from the gross income of the account holder for income tax purposes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Working Moms Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2321
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Labor standards
Wages and earnings
Women's employment
Women's health
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Supporting Working Moms Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to extend the requirement that certain employers provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child to bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity employees or outside salesmen who are exempt from federal labor laws that limit the number of hours in a workweek.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Driver Fatigue Prevention Act

Bill: 114-s-2322
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Labor standards
Motor carriers
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Driver Fatigue Prevention Act

 
 This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to apply its maximum hours requirements to over-the-road bus drivers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2323
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Immigration status and procedures
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015

 
The bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the eligibility of certain foreign nationals to purchase and possess firearms in the United States.
 
Current law prohibits firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national (i.e., alien) who is: (1) unlawfully present in the United States, or (2) lawfully present under a nonimmigrant visa (e.g., tourist visa). The prohibitions do not apply in certain circumstances. 

 
This bill expands the prohibition to bar firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national who was lawfully admitted to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. 

 
The prohibitions do not apply to a foreign national lawfully admitted under the Visa Waiver Program if that foreign national is a government official or law enforcement officer, or possesses a hunting license. Additionally, such foreign national may apply for a Department of Justice waiver to allow firearm possession. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8164)
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act

Bill: 114-s-2326
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Federal-Indian relations
Monuments and memorials
U.S. history
Washington State
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act

 
This bill redesignates the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Washington state as the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. 
 
The bill also establishes, as a unit of the National Park System, the Medicine Creek Treaty National Memorial within the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to commemorate the location of the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854 between the U.S. government and leaders of the Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, and Squaxin Island Indian Tribes. 
 
The Department of the Interior must: (1) establish the boundaries of the Medicine Creek Treaty National Memorial and to provide for its administration and interpretation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and (2) coordinate with representatives of the Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, and Squaxin Island Indian Tribes in providing for that interpretation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8165)
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Foster EITC Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2327
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Income tax credits
Inflation and prices
Marriage and family status
Poverty and welfare assistance
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax treatment of families
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Foster EITC Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the earned income tax credit by: (1) making permanent the increase in the rate of such credit for taxpayers with three or more children, (2) increasing the credit for taxpayers with no qualifying children, (3) reducing the qualifying age for such credit for certain childless individuals (from age 25 to age 21) and for youth formerly in foster care (from age 25 to age 18), (4) imposing new reporting requirements for youth in foster care who have attained age 16, and (5) revising eligibility rules relating to married individuals living apart and qualifying children claimed by another family member.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFE Check Act

Bill: 114-s-2330
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Firearms and explosives
International organizations and cooperation
Licensing and registrations
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Strict Alien Firearm Enforcement Check Act or the SAFE Check Act

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the background check requirements for certain nonimmigrant aliens to purchase firearms in the United States.
 
Current law permits a licensed gun dealer to transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person, including a nonimmigrant alien lawfully admitted to the United States without a visa, if a submitted background check remains incomplete after three business days.
 
This bill adds a provision to prohibit a licensed gun dealer from completing a firearm transfer to a nonimmigrant alien lawfully admitted without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program prior to completion of a background check.
 
Additionally, it requires such background check to review records maintained by the International Criminal Police Organization (i.e., Interpol) and the country that issued the alien's passport.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
SCRA Rights Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2331
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

SCRA Rights Protection Act of 2015 

 
 This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to make any predispute arbitration agreement invalid or unenforceable against a servicemember, or a servicemember and the servicemember's spouse jointly, with respect to any controversy subject to such Act.
 
A servicemember's waiver of any SCRA rights and protections shall be effective only if made after a specific dispute has arisen and the dispute is identified in the waiver.
 
A representative of members of an aggrieved class, or a member of such class, may bring a private civil action for a violation of any SCRA rights or protections.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8165)
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Child Protection Improvements and Electronic Life and Safety Security Systems Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2332
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2015-11-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aging
Child care and development
Child safety and welfare
Criminal justice information and records
Disability and paralysis
Personnel records
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: 

Child Protection Improvements and Electronic Life and Safety Security Systems Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to direct the Department of Justice to: (1) establish policies and procedures to streamline the process of obtaining state and national criminal history background checks on covered individuals, and (2) establish a criminal history review program to provide covered entities with reliable and accurate information on the criminal history of a covered individual.
 
It defines "covered entity" as any business or organization that: (1) provides, or licenses, certifies, or coordinates individuals or organizations to provide, care, care placement, supervision, treatment, education, training, instruction, or recreation to children; or (2) is in the electronic life and safety security systems industry. 
 
It defines "covered individual" as an individual who: (1) has, seeks to have, or may have unsupervised access to vulnerable populations (i.e., elderly, disabled, and children) served by a covered entity; (2) is employed by or volunteers with, or seeks to be employed by or volunteer with, a covered entity; (3) owns or operates, or seeks to own or operate, a covered entity; or (4) is an employer or employee in the electronic life and safety security systems industry.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in Senate