hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Decade for the People of African Descent Act

Bill: 114-hr-4649
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2016-02-29 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Africa
Commemorative events and holidays
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Racial and ethnic relations

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: 

Decade for the People of African Descent Act

 
This bill establishes within the Department of State an Office on the International Decade for People of African Descent which shall be headed by an Ambassador-at-Large for the International Decade for People of African Descent.
 
 The State Department, with the assistance of the Ambassador-at-Large, shall establish an Internet site containing major international documents relating to the International Decade for People of African Descent. 
 
It is the sense of Congress that: 
 
 
U.S. diplomatic missions in countries may promote the International Decade for People of African Descent; and 
 
in allocating or recommending the allocation of funds or the recommendation of candidates for programs and grants, U.S. diplomatic missions should give consideration to those programs, initiatives, and candidates deemed to assist in the promotion of the International Decade for People of African Descent.
 
 
The bill also establishes the U.S. Commission on the International Decade for People of African Descent, which shall: (1) promote the International Decade for People of African Descent; and (2) make policy recommendations to the President, the State Department, and Congress regarding matters involving the International Decade for People of African Descent.
 
It is the sense of Congress that there should be within the Executive Office of the President a Special Adviser to the President on the International Decade for People of African Descent, to serve as liaison with the Ambassador-at-Large for the International Decade, the commission, Congress, and nongovernmental organizations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Introduced in House
Preserving Patient Access to Post-Acute Hospital Care Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4650
Sponsor: Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]
Introduced: 2016-02-29 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health facilities and institutions
Hospital care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: 

Preserving Patient Access to Post-Acute Hospital Care Act of 2016

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to delay by two additional years the application of negative payment adjustments under the "25-percent rule" to certain long-term care hospitals and satellite facilities. This rule reduces payments to a long-term care facility that admits proportionately more patients from any single hospital.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Introduced in House
Digital Security Commission Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4651
Sponsor: Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
Introduced: 2016-02-29 in the House
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional operations and organization
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Digital media
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Law enforcement administration and funding
Right of privacy
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: 

Digital Security Commission Act of 2016

 
This bill establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on Security and Technology Challenges to assess, and make recommendations for policy and practice concerning, the issue of multiple security interests in the digital world, including public safety, privacy, national security, and communications and data protection, both now and throughout the next 10 years.
 
Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House and Senate majority leader (eight members), the minority leaders in the House and the Senate (eight members), and the President (one member) from among U.S. citizens with significant knowledge and primary experience in:
 
 
 cryptography,
 
global commerce and economics,
 
federal law enforcement,
 
state and local law enforcement,
 
the consumer-facing technology sector,
 
the enterprise technology sector,
 
the intelligence community, and 
 
the privacy and civil liberties community.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs, 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: 2016-02-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs, 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: 2016-02-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs, 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: 2016-02-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs, 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: 2016-02-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Introduced in House
Clarity in Lending for Education and Repayment Act

Bill: 114-hr-4652
Sponsor: Rep. Takai, Mark [D-HI-1]
Introduced: 2016-02-29 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: 

Clarity in Lending for Education and Repayment Act or the CLEAR Act

 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise federal student loan repayment plan options for new borrowers of Direct Loan (DL) program loans issued on or after July 1, 2016.
 
Specifically, the bill terminates several existing repayment plan options, including the graduated, extended, income-contingent, and income-based repayment plans. It retains the existing standard repayment plan and establishes a new revised pay-as-you-earn repayment plan that, among other things, caps monthly payments at 10% of discretionary income and sets a 20-year maximum repayment period.
 
A new borrower of a DL program subsidized Stafford, unsubsidized Stafford, PLUS, or consolidation loan issued on or after July 1, 2016, must enroll in the standard or revised pay-as you earn repayment plan.
 
The Department of Education must consult with students, family members, institutions of higher education, and other experts to improve the required disclosures with respect to federal Direct Loans.
 
Finally, the bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from an individual's gross income the amount of federal student loans discharged due to the death or disability of the student.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2016-02-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2016-02-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2016-02-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Introduced in House
Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4653
Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Introduced: 2016-02-29 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Alternative and renewable resources
American Samoa
Buy American requirements
Caribbean area
Congressional oversight
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Environmental regulatory procedures
Environmental technology
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Guam
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Housing and community development funding
Hydrology and hydrography
Low- and moderate-income housing
Metals
Natural disasters
Northern Mariana Islands
Prescription drugs
Public contracts and procurement
Securities
State and local finance
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands
Wages and earnings
Water quality
Water resources funding
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: 

Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to reauthorize the Act through FY2021.
 
The bill sets forth requirements concerning Safe Drinking Water Act State Revolving Fund (SRF) projects, including mandates for the use of bond sales, mandates to produce goods in the United States, and mandates to provide prevailing wages to laborers and mechanics.
 
The bill makes changes to provisions that states must include in their Intended Use Plans, including data on variances, exemptions, and persistent violations.
 
The bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide additional assistance to public water systems that serve disadvantaged communities.
 
The bill increases the portion of SRF funds that states may reserve to provide technical assistance to public water systems.Additionally, the bill increases the funds that may be reserved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
 
The EPAmust:(1)study the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in drinking water sources, (2)establish requirements for electronic submission of compliance monitoring data by public water systems, (3)collect data on best practices for administration of SRF programs, (4)implement a certification program for effective water leak control technology, (5)develop a strategic plan for assessing and managing the risks of drought to drinking water, (6)establish a grant program to assist water systems in improving drinking water resiliency and sustainability, and (7)establish a grant program to remove lead service lines from public water systems.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-02-29
text: Introduced in House
Keeping Communities Safe through Treatment Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4654
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
Introduced: 2016-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug therapy
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Law enforcement administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: 

Keeping Communities Safe through Treatment Act of 2016

 
This bill directs the Department of Justice to establish a pilot program to provide grants to law enforcement agencies in designated high intensity drug trafficking areas for programs to divert low-level drug offenders to drug treatment programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a minimum automatic extension of certain Federal tax deadlines in the case of Federally declared disasters.

Bill: 114-hr-4655
Sponsor: Rep. Palazzo, Steven M. [R-MS-4]
Introduced: 2016-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a 90-day minimum automatic extension of tax deadlines applicable to individuals and businesses affected by a federally-declared disaster.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
Stop Postal Closures Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4656
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Introduced: 2016-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government studies and investigations
Performance measurement
Postal service
Small business
U.S. Postal Service

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: 

Stop Postal Closures Act of 2016

 
This bill prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from: (1) closing or consolidating any postal facility without the approval of the Postal Regulatory Commission, or (2) closing or consolidating any postal facility or carrying out any network rationalization activity until the Commission has certified that the USPS has met the national service standards that were in effect on July 1, 2012, and that are reinstated by this Act.
 
For purposes of such prohibitions, "postal facility" means a USPS facility that is primarily involved in the preparation, dispatch, or other physical processing of mail but does not include: (1) any post office, station, or branch; or (2) any facility used only for administrative functions.
 
 Before making a determination to close or consolidate a postal facility, the USPS must conduct an area mail processing study, which includes: (1) a plan to reduce the capacity of the facility without closing it; and (2) an analysis of the effects of the closure or consolidation on the community, on small businesses, and on specified postal services to individuals. 
 
 If the USPS makes a determination to close or consolidate a postal facility after completing such study, it shall: (1) provide specified notice to Congress, the Commission, the public, and each person in the zip code served by such facility; (2) conduct at least three meetings to receive public comments; and (3) publish a justification of such determination. The Commission shall have 90 days to approve or disapprove the closure or consolidation.
 
 The Commission shall determine annually if the USPS is meeting the national service standards for market-dominant products. If the Commission finds that the USPS is not meeting such standards, it may recommend corrective actions and reasonable performance targets. The Postmaster General shall respond within 60 days after receiving such recommendations on how the USPS will change operations to achieve them. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4657
Sponsor: Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]
Introduced: 2016-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Canada
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Jurisdiction and venue
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: 

Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to allow the United States to prosecute certain U.S. employees who engage in conduct in Canada that would constitute a federal criminal offense if the conduct had occurred in the United States. This bill applies to employees, contractors, and grantees of a U.S. department or agency other than the Department of Defense who are stationed in Canada pursuant to a border security initiative.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to decrease the distance away from home required for a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces to be eligible for the above-the-line deduction for travel expenses.

Bill: 114-hr-4658
Sponsor: Rep. Poliquin, Bruce [R-ME-2]
Introduced: 2016-03-01 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Income tax deductions
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce from 100 miles to 50 miles the distance from home requirement for the tax deduction of the travel expenses of a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces. 
 
The bill requires the Department of Defense to report to Congress on the travel costs of members of reserve components.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on 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: 2016-03-01
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on 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: 2016-03-01
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on 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: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
For the relief of Myung Mok Bae and Kei Za Ryu Bae.

Bill: 114-hr-4659
Sponsor: Del. Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [D-GU-At Large]
Introduced: 2016-03-01 in the House
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Provides for the relief of Myung Mok Bae and Kei Za Ryu Bae.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (E254)
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-01
text: Introduced in House
Jobs for Veterans Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4660
Sponsor: Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-2]
Introduced: 2016-03-02 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax credits
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-02
text: 

Jobs for Veterans Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an increased work opportunity tax credit for employers who hire veterans who have been certified as discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, and who begin work for the employer after December 31, 2015, and before January 1, 2020. This increased credit is in addition to any work opportunity tax credit allowed to a veteran with a service-connected disability.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2016-03-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-02
text: Introduced in House
Parent PLUS Loan Improvement Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4661
Sponsor: Rep. Fudge, Marcia L. [D-OH-11]
Introduced: 2016-03-02 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs
User charges and fees
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-02
text: 

Parent PLUS Loan Improvement Act of 2016

 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the applicable terms and conditions with respect to Federal Direct PLUS Loans to parent borrowers (i.e., parent PLUS loans).
 
Specifically, it reduces the interest rate and eliminates the origination fee for a parent PLUS loan disbursed on or after July 1, 2016.
 
 The Department of Education must ensure, prior to disbursement, that a parent PLUS loan borrower receives counseling that includes comprehensive information on the terms, conditions, and responsibilities with respect to the loan.
 
The bill makes a parent PLUS loan eligible for the income-contingent and income-based repayment plans. Additionally, it makes a consolidation loan that repays parent PLUS loan eligible for the income-based repayment plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2016-03-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2016-03-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-02
text: Introduced in House