hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Innovation Act

Bill: 114-hr-4066
Sponsor: Rep. Grayson, Alan [D-FL-9]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Energy research
Nuclear power
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology assessment
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Nuclear Innovation Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out a program for enhancing the U.S. capability to develop new reactor technologies through high-performance computation modeling and simulation techniques. Such program shall coordinate with relevant federal agencies through the National Strategic Computing Initiative while taking into account specified objectives.
 
DOE shall also carry out a program to:
 
 
enable the testing and demonstration of reactor concepts proposed and funded by the private sector, and
 
leverage the technical expertise of relevant federal agencies and national laboratories to minimize the time required to enable construction and operation of privately funded experimental reactors at national laboratories or other DOE-owned sites. 
 
 
These reactors shall operate to:
 
 
enable physical validation of novel reactor concepts;
 
resolve technical uncertainty and increase practical knowledge relevant to safety, resilience, security, and functionality of first-of-a-kind reactor concepts; and 
 
generate research and development to improve nascent technologies. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
Promote Startups Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4068
Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Corporate finance and management
Income tax deductions
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Promote Startups Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the maximum tax deduction for business start-up expenditures from $5,000 to $15,000 and to increase the deduction for the organizational expenditures of corporations from $5,000 to $10,000. The bill also increases the ceilings for such expenditures over which the amount of the tax deduction is reduced. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
No Guns for Terrorists Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4069
Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

No Guns for Terrorists Act of 2015

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly sell or transfer a firearm to a known or suspected terrorist, as determined by the Department of Justice. (The Federal Bureau of Investigation administers the Terrorist Screening Center, which maintains the Terrorist Screening Database - the U.S. government's consolidated database of individuals known or reasonably suspected to be involved in terrorist activities.)



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
Emergency Flood Response Act

Bill: 114-hr-4070
Sponsor: Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-9]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency communications systems
Floods and storm protection
Water resources funding

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Emergency Flood Response Act

 
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish and carry out a pilot program to assist flood response efforts at state and federal regional levels in response to a levee failure or potential levee failure.
 
FEMA may award grants to up to 10 eligible entities to: (1) establish or maintain a flood emergency fund, and (2) ensure a unified command system organizational framework for emergency flood activities. An "eligible entity" is a levee maintaining agency or unit of local government that is responsible for emergency flood response efforts.
 
Funds awarded under this bill may be used for emergency flood activities, including prompt emergency action to prevent levee failure, close levee breaks, make relief cuts and dewater flooded areas, and otherwise physically limit the extent, depth, and duration of flood waters in the event of a levee failure. Funds awarded may not be used if the emergency flood activity is required by law to be performed by the Corps of Engineers and the Corps immediately exercises its authority.
 
FEMA shall ensure that, following an expenditure of funds from a grantee's flood emergency fund, the grantee will seek all available state and federal disaster assistance reimbursements for such expenditures and deposit the reimbursements in the fund. The federal share of the cost of a flood emergency activity carried out using grant funds made available under this Act may not exceed 50%.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
Give our Seniors and Veterans the COLA they Deserve Act

Bill: 114-hr-4071
Sponsor: Rep. Poliquin, Bruce [R-ME-2]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Government buildings, facilities, and property
Inflation and prices
Military personnel and dependents
Social security and elderly assistance
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Give our Seniors and Veterans the COLA they Deserve Act

 
This bill directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell buildings owned by the federal government that are not utilized. GSA must identify all such buildings and sell them not later than five years after they have been identified. The bill exempts buildings that have been set aside for preservation or historic purposes.
 
The bill requires the net revenues from the sale of such buildings to be made available to increase the cost-of-living adjustments to: (1) social security retirement benefits, and (2) retirement benefits for members and former members of the Armed Forces.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
To remove a restriction that prohibits the use of Federal funds to pay for maintenance of the memorial to honor Tomas G. Masaryk in the District of Columbia.

Bill: 114-hr-4072
Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Czech Republic
District of Columbia
Europe
Monuments and memorials
Slovakia
World history

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 
This bill repeals a restriction prohibiting the use of federal funds for maintenance of the memorial to honor Tomas G. Masaryk on federal land in the District of Columbia.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
Child Protection Improvements Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4073
Sponsor: Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
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: 2015-11-18
text: 

Child Protection Improvements 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 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 provides, or licenses, certifies, or coordinates individuals or organizations to provide care, care placement, supervision, treatment, education, training, instruction, or recreation to vulnerable populations including elderly persons, disabled persons, and children.
 
It defines "covered individual" as an individual who: (1) has, seeks to have, or may have unsupervised access to vulnerable populations served by a covered entity; (2) is employed by or volunteers with, or seeks to be employed by or volunteer with, a covered entity; or (3) owns or operates, or seeks to own or operate, a covered entity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to collect data regarding foreign travel, or repatriation, to the country of nationality or last habitual residence by an alien admitted to the United States as a refugee, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-4074
Sponsor: Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect data, and report annually to Congress, regarding instances in which an alien admitted to the United States as a refugee returns temporarily or permanently: (1) to the country of the alien's nationality at the time of such admission; or (2) in the case of an alien having no nationality at the time of such admission, to the country in which the alien last habitually resided prior to such admission.
 
The bill prohibits DHS from admitting aliens into the United States as refugees until Congress passes a joint resolution giving DHS authority to resume admitting such aliens.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
Cosmetic Modernization Amendments of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4075
Sponsor: Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-32]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer affairs
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Federal preemption
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Licensing and registrations
Manufacturing
Product safety and quality
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Cosmetic Modernization Amendments of 2015

 
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to set forth provisions governing the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) regulation of cosmetics, including requiring the registration of manufacturing establishments and the submission of a cosmetic and ingredient statement for each cosmetic. The FDA must publish a list of registered establishments and a list of cosmetics and their ingredients.
 
Cosmetic manufacturers, packers, and distributors must report to the FDA any serious and unexpected adverse events likely caused by a cosmetic. Cosmetic labels must include contact information to report a serious adverse event.
 
The FDA may establish principles and standards for good manufacturing practices for cosmetics. A cosmetic may not be sold if it presents a significant risk of serious adverse health consequences because it was not manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practices.
 
Certain ingredients are deemed safe for use in cosmetics unless restricted by the FDA. The FDA must establish a program to evaluate the safety of cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients.
 
The FDA must establish and maintain a National Cosmetic Regulatory Databank that contains submitted information on cosmetics. Confidential business and trade secret information may be disclosed only to state agencies that request this information for good cause.
 
The FDA may establish exemptions to requirements so that implementation and compliance is cost-effective.
 
Color additives that the FDA has not listed as suitable and safe but that are generally recognized as safe may be used in cosmetics.
 
States and local governments may not establish or continue in effect specified requirements relating to cosmetics.
 Cosmetics may only be imported from registered establishments that have submitted a cosmetic and ingredient statement.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
TREAT Act

Bill: 114-hr-4076
Sponsor: Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Drug therapy
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Medicaid
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

The Reforming and Expanding Access to Treatment Act or the TREAT Act

 
This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow federal payment for qualified substance use disorder services furnished to inmates in public institutions under state Medicaid programs. "Qualified substance use disorder services" include medication or behavioral treatment administered to eliminate, mitigate, treat, or cure an individual's substance abuse disorder or use or abuse of drugs.
 
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shall not establish, maintain, or implement any policy that restricts its statutorily authorized provision or support of substance abuse treatment for incarcerated individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
Medicare Established Provider Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4077
Sponsor: Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Department of Health and Human Services
Health information and medical records
Licensing and registrations
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Medicare Established Provider Act of 2015
 
 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a system for designating providers that represent a low risk of submitting fraudulent Medicare claims as "established providers" for purposes of applying for special treatment in the claim review process.
 
To qualify as an established provider, a provider must demonstrate that, within a specified timeframe: (1) at least 90% of Medicare claims submitted by the provider were determined to be eligible for full or partial payment, and (2) the provider appealed at least 90% of all Medicare claims that were not initially determined to be eligible for payment.
 
HHS may withhold payment for a Medicare claim made by an established provider only if a final determination has been made that the claim is ineligible for payment. If such a final determination is made, the provider shall repay such payment electronically and within a specified timeframe.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
Give States a Chance Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4078
Sponsor: Rep. Yoho, Ted S. [R-FL-3]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Government studies and investigations
Immigration status and procedures
Intergovernmental relations
Iraq
Middle East
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
State and local government operations
Syria

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Give States a Chance Act of 2015

 
This bill authorizes the governor of any state in which it is proposed to place or resettle as a refugee an alien meeting certain criteria to refuse such placement or resettlement if the governor: 
 
 
has not properly been informed of the intended sponsorship process for the refugee, 
 
has determined that the proposed location for the refugee within the state is inappropriate because the proportion of refugees and comparable entrants in that location's population is too high, or 
 
is not reasonably satisfied that the refugee does not post a security threat. 
 
 
A covered refugee may not be admitted to the United States until the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) certifies to Congress that he or she is not a U.S. security threat. 
 
A &quot;covered refugee&quot; is any alien applying for U.S. refugee admission who: 
 
 
is a national or resident of Iraq or Syria, 
 
has no nationality and whose last habitual residence was in Iraq or Syria, or 
 
has been present in Iraq or Syria at any time on or after March 1, 2011. 
 
 
The Inspector General of DHS shall review 20% of all certifications made each fiscal year. 
 
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shall ensure that each covered refugee receives a thorough background investigation before admission. A covered refugee may not be admitted until the FBI certifies that such an investigation has been done.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in House
Secure Refugee Process Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4079
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Government studies and investigations
Immigration status and procedures
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Secure Refugee Process Act of 2015

 
This bill declares that no alien shall be admitted as a refugee: 
 
 
whose identity has not been satisfactorily established pursuant to Department of Homeland Security procedures, which shall address any insufficient, conflicting, or unreliable information, including biographic and biometric data that is unresolved at the time of admission; and 
 
 if, by the time of admission, the alien's identity has not been checked against specified federal records or databases to determine any national security, criminal, or other grounds on which the alien may be inadmissible. 
 
 
An alien may only be admitted as a refugee after DHS certifies that all provisions of this Act have been complied with and that the alien has not been firmly resettled in a safe third country.
 
DHS shall report to Congress monthly regarding the total number of refugee applicants of special interest and the number of such applicants whose applications were denied. 
 
The Inspector General of DHS shall conduct an annual risk-based review of a sampling of certifications and report its findings to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House