hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
HUBZone Expansion Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1266
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Economic development
Government lending and loan guarantees
Military facilities and property
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 

HUBZone Expansion Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Small Business Act to expand the HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) program of Small Business Administration loans to small businesses in HUBZone areas for communities affected by base realignment and closure
.

 
The expansion includes the areas that can be used by small businesses whose principal offices are located in base closure HUBZones, with at least 35% of their employees residing in:
 
 
 a HUBZone,
 
a census tract in which the base closure HUBZone is wholly contained,
 
 a census tract that intersects the boundaries of the base closure HUBZone, or
 
 a census tract contiguous with these census tracts.
 
 
HUBZone eligibility assistance for base closure areas is extended from five years to eight years after their closure.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2761-2762)
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
RIVER Act

Bill: 114-s-1270
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 
 
Reliable Investment in Vital Energy Reauthorization Act or the RIVER Act

 
This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to reauthorize through FY2025 the program of hydroelectric production incentives and incentive payments to the owners or operators of hydroelectric facilities at existing dams to make capital improvements directly related to improving efficiency. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
FLARE Act

Bill: 114-s-1271
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of the Interior
Energy efficiency and conservation
Government studies and investigations
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 

Fuel Loss Abatement and Royalty Enhancement Act or the FLARE Act

 
This bill requires the Department of the Interior to issue regulations to: (1) prevent or minimize the venting and flaring of gas in oil and gas production operations on federal land onshore and offshore in the United States, and (2) promote the capture and beneficial use or reinjection of gas in such operations. 
 
Such regulations shall also treat gas that is flared or vented in operations under a lease as production for which a royalty is required to be paid to the United States.
 
The Government Accountability Office shall assess such venting and flaring and estimate the volume of gas vented or flared in such operations each year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the effects of forward capacity auctions and other capacity mechanisms.

Bill: 114-s-1272
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Competition and antitrust
Congressional oversight
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy prices
Government studies and investigations
Public utilities and utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 
This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study the effects of forward capacity auctions or other capacity mechanisms established by Independent System Operators or Regional Transmission Organizations with respect to: 
 
 
 consumer prices for electricity; 
 
 installation of new electrical generation systems;
 
 preservation of existing electrical generation systems; and 
 
 competition in energy markets, including the potential for the use of undue market power or manipulation in the auctions. 
 
 
The report to Congress on the study must assess whether the auctions or capacity mechanisms are producing rates that are just and reasonable.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening America's Bridges Act

Bill: 114-s-1273
Sponsor: Sen. Ayotte, Kelly [R-NH]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Government trust funds
Income tax credits
Roads and highways
Rural conditions and development
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax treatment of families
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 

Strengthening America's Bridges Act

 
This bill establishes in the Treasury the Strengthening America's Bridges Fund to furnish amounts to the Department of Transportation to make grants to states for the repair or maintenance of any bridges classified as deficient in the National Bridge Inventory.
 
The Internal Revenue Code is amended with respect to the requirement that taxpayers claiming the refundable portion of the child tax credit include on their tax returns the name and taxpayer identification number (e.g., Social Security number) of their qualifying child. Any such credit is disallowed to any taxpayer that fails to include such a name and tax identification number on his or her tax return.
 
Amounts equivalent to the increase in revenues from this child tax credit amendment are appropriated to the Fund for such grants.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to reauthorize Federal agencies to enter into long-term contracts for the acquisition of energy.

Bill: 114-s-1274
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Energy efficiency and conservation
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Lighting and heating
Lighting, heating, cooling
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 
This bill amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to allow federal agencies to contract for the acquisition of renewable energy or energy from cogeneration facilities for the federal government for up to 30 years.
 
The Department of Energy's (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program must publish a standardized energy purchase agreement setting forth commercial terms and conditions that agencies may use to acquire that energy.
 
DOE must also provide technical assistance to assist agencies in implementing the bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act

Bill: 114-s-1275
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Industrial facilities
Manufacturing
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 

Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a Financing Energy Efficient Manufacturing Program to provide grants to establish or expand programs to finance energy efficiency retrofit, onsite clean and renewable energy, smart grid systems, and alternative vehicle fleet projects for industrial businesses. 
 
DOE must establish a process to identify financing opportunities for manufacturing and industrial business with asset portfolios across multiple states.
 
Grant recipients must give a higher priority to those programs that: (1) leverage private and nonfederal sources of funding, and (2) aim to expand the use of energy efficiency project financing using private sources of funding.
 
Grant recipients must also collect, share, and report on data resulting from programs carried out under this bill. DOE must incorporate the data into appropriate DOE databases, with provisions for the protection of confidential business data. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Energy Savings Enhancement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1277
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 

Federal Energy Savings Enhancement Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to authorize federal agencies to enter into energy savings performance contracts to reduce the costs of fuel supply, delivery, or transport for nonbuilding applications. Payments by agencies to entities that supply, deliver, or transport fuel under such contracts may not exceed the amounts the agencies would have paid entities without the contracts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Lease Sale Act

Bill: 114-s-1278
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alaska
Arctic Ocean
Arctic and polar regions
Employment and training programs
Energy revenues and royalties
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 

Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Lease Sale Act 

 
This bill requires the Department of the Interior to conduct oil and gas lease sales in the Cook Inlet Planning Area, and in the portion of the Beaufort Planning Area located within three nautical miles of the seaward boundary of Alaska. 
 
Oil and gas leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act shall have an initial 20-year lease period (extendable for an additional 20 years) if they are located in the portion of the Beaufort Planning Area or Chukchi Planning Area beyond three nautical miles of the seaward boundary of the State of Alaska.
 
The bill establishes, for FY2016-FY2026, a scheme for revenue allocation between the Treasury and the state of Alaska for specified purposes, including workforce development relating to oil and gas infrastructure and, for FY2027 and beyond, certain related activities of coastal political subdivisions.
 
Interior must also include in any leasing program at least three lease sales in each of the Beaufort Planning Area and the Chukchi Planning Area.
 
The North Slope Science Initiative under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 shall now include the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. 
 
Interior must enter into cooperative agreements with the Northwest Arctic Borough and the NANA Regional Corporation to coordinate efforts, share resources, and fund projects. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
United States Exploration on Idle Tracts Act

Bill: 114-s-1280
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of the Interior
Energy revenues and royalties
Oil and gas
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 

United States Exploration on Idle Tracts Act or the USE IT Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to issue regulations to establish a specified graduated annual production incentive fee with respect to federal onshore and offshore lands subject to a lease for production of oil or natural gas under which production is not occurring.
 
Amounts received for the fee shall be reserved for expenditures on inspection, enforcement, and permitting relating to oil and gas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Helping Our Middle-Class Entrepreneurs Act

Bill: 114-s-1281
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax deductions
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 

Helping Our Middle-Class Entrepreneurs Act or the HOME Act
 
 
 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer who uses a residence to conduct a trade or business a standard tax deduction equal to the lesser of $1,500 or the taxpayer's gross trade or business income derived from the business use of such residence. Provides for an inflation adjustment to the standard deduction amount in calendar years beginning after 2015.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Secretary of Energy to consider the objective of improving the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels in carrying out research and development programs under that Act.

Bill: 114-s-1282
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Energy research
Oil and gas
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 
This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Department of Energy to consider the objective of improving the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide produced from fossil fuels when carrying out certain research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs in fossil energy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal certain programs, to establish a coal technology program, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1283
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy research
Environmental technology
Performance measurement
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 
This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal: (1) the coal and related technologies program; (2) the carbon capture research, development and demonstration program; and (3) the Clean Coal Power Initiative.
 
In lieu of those programs the Department of Energy (DOE) shall establish a coal technology program encompassing: (1) research and development, (2) large-scale pilot projects, and (3) demonstration projects. 
 
 DOE must develop performance standards that include: 
 
 
ensuring reliable, low cost power from new and existing coal plants;
 
addressing carbon dioxide emissions through high efficiency platforms and carbon capture from new and existing coal plants;
 
support flexible baseload operations for new and existing applications of coal generation; and
 
validate geologic storage of large volumes of anthropogenic sources of carbon dioxide and the infrastructure needed to support a carbon dioxide use and storage industry.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to clarify the treatment of carbon emissions from forest biomass, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1284
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Forests, forestry, trees

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 
This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency, when taking an action regarding air emissions from an energy source or facility that uses forest biomass, to assume that forest biomass emissions do not increase overall carbon accumulations in the atmosphere if: (1) a Department of Agriculture's Forest Inventory and Analysis that is current at the time the action is taken shows that forest carbon stocks in the United States are stable or increasing; or (2) the forest biomass is derived from mill residuals, harvest residuals, or forest management activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Coal with Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1285
Sponsor: Sen. Heitkamp, Heidi [D-ND]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy prices
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 

Coal with Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2015

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Energy to enter into 25-year binding contracts that provide price stabilization support for electricity generated at either an electric generation unit (that uses coal-based generation technology) or carbon dioxide captured from such unit and subsequently sold to a purchaser for either crude oil recovery or other commercial market purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Appeals Assistance and Improvement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1286
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2015-05-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Federal appellate courts
Government studies and investigations
Judicial review and appeals
Lawyers and legal services
Specialized courts
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: 

Veterans Appeals Assistance and Improvement Act of 2015

 
This bill directs the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to establish a financial assistance program to provide legal and other assistance without charge for veterans and other persons seeking Court review who are unable to afford legal representation costs. (Programs include case screening and referral, training for attorney and related personnel, and facilitation of pro bono representation by members of the bar and law school clinical and other programs.) 
 
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall establish a financial assistance program to provide legal and other assistance without charge to veterans and other persons seeking review by the Board of Veterans' Appeals who are unable to afford legal representation costs. 
 
The Court and the VA shall each carry out such programs through an interagency agreement with the Legal Services Corporation. The Corporation may receive a reimbursable payment from the Court or VA for providing such financial assistance. Funds may not be used for the payment of attorney's fees.
 
VA shall provide for the expeditious treatment by the Board of any claim that: (1) is remanded to VA by the Court, or (2) has been pending before the Board for eight years or more.
 
The Government Accountability Office shall review the processing of appeals of VA decisions regarding service-connected disability and dependency and indemnity compensation claims.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-05-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1287
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2015-05-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical education
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Public-private cooperation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-12
text: 

Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2015

 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus infection surveillance, education, and testing programs.
 
Requires HHS to establish a national system regarding HBV and HCV infections, with its goals being to:
 
 
determine the prevalence of infections,
 
increase the number of individuals tested and made aware of their status,
 
develop and disseminate public information and education programs,
 
improve the training of health professionals, and
 
provide referrals for counseling and medical treatment and ensure the provision of follow-up services.
 
 
Directs HHS to determine the populations that are considered at high risk for HBV or HCV infection.
 
Requires HHS to develop benchmarks for activities conducted under the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis.
 
Directs HHS to establish and support public-private partnerships that facilitate HBV and HCV surveillance, education, screening, testing, and linkage to care programs.
 
Requires the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to convene the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force every three years to review its recommendation for HBV and HCV screening.
 
Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide certain veterans with an HBV and HCV risk assessment, and, as needed, an evaluation and information regarding their need for treatment, vaccination, or other therapy.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-05-12
text: Introduced in Senate