hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Independent Contractor Tax Fairness and Simplification Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2483
Sponsor: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3]
Introduced: 2015-05-20 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Contracts and agency
Department of the Treasury
Employment taxes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: 

Independent Contractor Tax Fairness and Simplification Act of 2015 

 
 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth criteria for classifying a worker as an employee or an independent contractor.
 
Prohibits: (1) any retroactive assessment of employment tax, except with respect to certain skilled workers, for tax periods after December 31, 1978, unless the employer had no reasonable basis for not treating a worker as an employee, and (2) the issuance, after the enactment of this Act, of Treasury regulations with respect to the employment status of any individual for purposes of the employment tax.
 
Establishes safe harbor provisions upon which a service recipient or payor may rely in classifying a service provider as an independent contractor rather than as an employee where the service provider: (1) incurs significant financial responsibility for providing and maintaining equipment and facilities to perform work under a contract; (2) incurs unreimbursed expenses or risks income fluctuations because remuneration is directly related to sales or other output rather than solely to the number of hours actually worked or expenses incurred; (3) is compensated on factors related to the work performed and not solely on the basis of hours or time expended; and (4) substantially controls the means and manner of performing the contract services, the specifications of the service recipient or payor, and any additional contractual requirements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: Introduced in House
Stop Birth Tourism Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2484
Sponsor: Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-48]
Introduced: 2015-05-20 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Immigration status and procedures
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: 

Stop Birth Tourism Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize a consular officer or the Secretary of State to require that a nonimmigrant B-visa alien (temporary tourist or business visitor) provide a certification from a health care provider that the alien is not pregnant, or, if the alien is pregnant, regarding the status of the pregnancy. 
 
Such an alien who is pregnant and likely to give birth in the United States is inadmissible.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: Introduced in House
Stop Deducting Damages Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2486
Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]
Introduced: 2015-05-20 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Life, casualty, property insurance

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: 

Stop Deducting Damages Act of 2015

 
 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) deny a tax deduction for any amount paid or incurred for compensatory or punitive damages in connection with any judgment in, or settlement of, any action against a government; and (2) include in gross income any amount paid as insurance or otherwise due to liability for punitive damages.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-20
text: Introduced in House
Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act

Bill: 114-hr-2487
Sponsor: Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8]
Introduced: 2015-05-21 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Public-private cooperation
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: 

Julian Woods Yellow Ribbon Program Expansion Act

 
This bill includes under the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program (public-private contributions for educational assistance in addition to post-9/11 educational assistance) the child or spouse of an individual who, on or after September 11, 2001, dies in the line of duty while serving on active duty (Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship recipients).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2488
Sponsor: Rep. Rothfus, Keith J. [R-PA-12]
Introduced: 2015-05-21 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Medicare
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: 

Medicare Beneficiary Preservation of Choice Act of 2015

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand and modify enrollment and disenrollment options for Medicare Advantage (MA) eligible individuals. Specifically, the bill extends the annual period in which an individual enrolled in MA may elect to instead receive benefits under the original Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) program as well as elect to change qualified prescription drug coverage. Furthermore, any MA-eligible individual (whether or not enrolled in MA) may once per period change a previous election with respect to receiving benefits through MA or Medicare FFS, including changing from one MA plan to another. Unsolicited marketing during this period is prohibited.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-05-21
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: 2015-05-21
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: 2015-05-21
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: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2489
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
Introduced: 2015-05-21 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Buy American requirements
Dams and canals
Disaster relief and insurance
Metals
Public contracts and procurement
Water resources funding

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: 

Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2015

 
 Amends the National Dam Safety Program Act to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a program to provide grant assistance to states for use in rehabilitating publicly-owned dams that fail to meet minimum safety standards of the state or an Indian tribe and pose an unacceptable risk to the public (deficient dams).
 
Sets forth provisions regarding procedures for grant awards and fund allocation. Requires FEMA to: (1) require a state to provide an assurance that the owner of the dam to be rehabilitated has developed and will carry out a maintenance plan during the expected life of the dam, (2) require a recipient of a grant under this Act to comply with requirements applicable to contributions of federal funds under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and (3) develop a risk-based priority system for identifying deficient dams for which such grants may be made. Limits the federal share of rehabilitation costs to 75%. 
 
Prohibits grant funds from being used to: (1) rehabilitate a federal dam, (2) perform routine operation or maintenance, (3) modify a dam to produce hydroelectric power, (4) increase water supply storage capacity, or (5) make any other modification that does not also improve dam safety.
 
Conditions the receipt of grants by a state upon the state following specified requirements applicable to contracts for architectural and engineering services when entering into contracts for services relating to dam rehabilitation. Provides that such contracts shall not be considered to confer a proprietary interest upon the United States. 
 
Prohibits funds from being obligated for a project under this Act unless the steel, iron, and manufactured goods used for the project are produced in the United States. Authorizes waivers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
Bertie's Respect for National Cemeteries Act

Bill: 114-hr-2490
Sponsor: Rep. Barletta, Lou [R-PA-11]
Introduced: 2015-05-21 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals
Criminal justice information and records
Pennsylvania
Sex offenses
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: 

Bertie's Respect for National Cemeteries Act

 
This bill requires the appropriate federal official to take every reasonable action, including by searching public records, to ensure that a person who will be interred in a cemetery in the National Cemetery Administration or in Arlington National Cemetery is not ineligible for such interment by reason of having been convicted of a federal or state capital crime or a tier III sex offense.
 
The bill applies the requirement of the Alicia Dawn Koehl Respect for National Cemeteries Act for a written notice of a disqualifying felony conviction with respect to any interment or memorialization conducted, either before or after enactment of that Act.
 
The Department of Veterans Affairs shall: (1) disinter the remains of George E. Siple from Indiantown Gap National Cemetery (Pennsylvania); (2) notify his next of kin of the impending disinterment; and (3) upon disinterment, relinquish the remains to the next of kin or, if the next of kin of record is unavailable, arrange for the appropriate disposition of the remains.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2015-06-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2015-06-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3766-3767)
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
Our Communities, Our Choices Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2491
Sponsor: Rep. Olson, Pete [R-TX-22]
Introduced: 2015-05-21 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Border security and unlawful immigration
Child safety and welfare
Department of Homeland Security
Detention of persons
Government information and archives
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Human trafficking
Immigration status and procedures
Intergovernmental relations
Public contracts and procurement
Public participation and lobbying
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: 

Our Communities, Our Choices Act of 2015

 
Amends the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to require consultation with state and local elected officials and a public hearing before awarding grants or contracts to provide non-federal housing facilities for unaccompanied alien children.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Secretary of the Army to provide for modification of certain Federal water resources development projects on the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-2492
Sponsor: Rep. Graham, Gwen [D-FL-2]
Introduced: 2015-05-21 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Alabama
Aquatic ecology
Endangered and threatened species
Florida
Georgia
Government studies and investigations
Hunting and fishing
Lakes and rivers
Water storage
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: 
Directs the Department of the Army to operate the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint federal water resources projects on the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia in a manner that ensures the maintenance of freshwater flows.
 
Defines "freshwater flows" to mean the quality, quantity, timing, and variability of freshwater flows required to: (1) support and reestablish the ecological integrity of the rivers, commercial and recreational fisheries dependent on freshwater flows into Apalachicola Bay and adjacent waters, and thriving and diverse fish, wildlife, and plant populations having species composition, diversity, adaptability, and functional organization similar to those found prior to construction of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint projects; (2) restore and recover species that are endangered, threatened, or at risk; and (3) prevent significantly harmful adverse impacts to the Chattahoochee and Apalachicola River ecosystems.
 
Requires the Army to: (1) complete the ongoing revision of the water control manuals for such projects and issue revised manuals that ensure the maintenance of freshwater flows; (2) ensure that operational modifications needed to maintain freshwater flows are achieved while providing system-wide balance in conservation storage through the maintenance of water levels within the same action zone for each of the project reservoirs; (3) enter into an arrangement for the National Academy of Sciences to carry out an independent peer review of each revised manual; and (4) obtain written approval from the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Geological Survey of each manual developed before a final manual may be issued.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
Wounded Warrior Service Dog Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2493
Sponsor: Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
Introduced: 2015-05-21 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Disability and paralysis
Disability assistance
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Neurological disorders
Service animals
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: 

Wounded Warrior Service Dog Act of 2015
 
Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly establish the K-9 Companion Corps program for the awarding of grants to assist nonprofit organizations in establishing, planning, designing, and/or operating programs to provide assistance dogs to certain members of the Armed Forces and veterans who have certain disabilities. Defines &quot;assistance dog&quot; to mean a dog specifically trained to perform physical tasks to mitigate the effects of such a disability, except that such term does not include a dog specifically trained for comfort or personal defense.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2015-06-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' 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: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' 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: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' 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: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
TIGER Grants for Job Creation Act

Bill: 114-hr-2495
Sponsor: Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]
Introduced: 2015-05-21 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional oversight
Department of Transportation
Executive agency funding and structure
Infrastructure development
Public transit
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: 

TIGER Grants for Job Creation Act 

 
This bill provides $7.5 billion in supplemental FY2016 appropriations to the Department of Transportation for National Infrastructure Investments under a competitive grant program known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. The bill permits the funds to remain available through FY2021. 
 
The funding provided by this bill is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Emergency spending is exempt from limits on discretionary spending and other budget enforcement rules. The funding is only available if the President subsequently designates the amount as an emergency and submits the designation to Congress. 
 
The funding is also exempt from sequestration under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
NEPA Reciprocity Act

Bill: 114-hr-2497
Sponsor: Rep. Denham, Jeff [R-CA-10]
Introduced: 2015-05-21 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Railroads
Roads and highways
State and local government operations
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: 

NEPA Reciprocity Act

 
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a program to eliminate duplicative environmental reviews and approvals under state and federal law for rail and highway transportation projects. Authorizes a state to use state environmental review and approval laws and procedures, consistent with certain requirements, in lieu of federal environmental laws and regulations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2015-05-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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: 2015-05-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Introduced in House