hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Trade Enforcement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-758
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2015-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Free trade and trade barriers
Government studies and investigations
Intellectual property
Manufacturing
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Trade agreements and negotiations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: 

Trade Enforcement Act of 2015

 
Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to establish within the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) an Interagency Trade Enforcement Center to:
 
 
serve as the primary forum within the federal government for coordinating with specified agencies the enforcement of U.S. trade rights under international trade agreements and of U.S. trade remedy laws; 
 coordinate among the USTR, other agencies with trade-related responsibilities, and the intelligence community the exchange of information related to potential violations of international trade agreements by foreign trading partners of the United States; and 
conduct outreach to U.S. workers, businesses, and other interested persons to foster greater participation in the identification and reduction or elimination of foreign trade barriers and unfair foreign trade practices.
 
Establishes in the Center the position of a Director, who shall be the Deputy USTR for Trade Enforcement to head the Trade Enforcement Division, as well as a Deputy Director and an Intelligence Community Liaison. 
 
Establishes within the Office of the USTR a Chief Manufacturing Negotiator to conduct trade negotiations and enforce trade agreements relating to U.S. manufacturing products and services.
 
Makes it the principal functions of the Deputy USTR for Trade Enforcement to:
 
 
ensure that U.S. trading partners comply with trade agreements to which the United States is a party, and
 
assist the USTR in investigating and prosecuting disputes before the World Trade Organization and pursuant to other bilateral or regional trade agreements to which the United States is a party.
 
 
Makes it the principal function of the Chief Manufacturing Negotiator to act as a vigorous advocate on behalf of this country's manufacturing interests.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1587-1588)
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Expedited Consideration of Cuts, Consolidations, and Savings Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-759
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2015-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: 

Expedited Consideration of Cuts, Consolidations, and Savings Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to establish expedited procedures for congressional consideration of legislation to carry out recommendations included in the Office of Management and Budget's annual Cuts, Consolidations, and Savings report. The report lists proposals included in the President's budget to cut, consolidate, or otherwise produce savings from mandatory and discretionary spending programs. The authority provided by this bill terminates on the date of the sine die adjournment of Congress during 2018. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Communications Commission Collaboration Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-760
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2015-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Government information and archives
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Lawyers and legal services
Public participation and lobbying

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: 

Federal Communications Commission Collaboration Act of 2015

 
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow a bipartisan majority of Commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), notwithstanding a specified open meeting provision, to hold a meeting that is closed to the public to discuss official business if: (1) no agency action is taken, (2) each person present is an FCC Commissioner or employee or a member or person on the staff of a joint board or conference to which the FCC has referred a matter, and (3) an attorney from the FCC's Office of General Counsel is present. 
 
Defines &quot;bipartisan majority&quot; as a group of at least three Commissioners that includes: (1) for each political party of which any Commissioner is a member, at least one Commissioner who is a member of such political party; and (2) if any Commissioner has no political party affiliation, at least one unaffiliated Commissioner. 
 
Requires public disclosure of the meeting, attendees, and matters discussed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Access to Care Act

Bill: 114-s-761
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2015-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Medical education
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: 

Veterans Access to Care Act

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to automatically designate medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as health professional shortage areas.
 
 Individuals may not participate in both the VA's Health Professionals Education Assistance Program and the National Health Service Corps scholarship or loan repayment programs.
 
The Department of Health and Human Services, in carrying out the National Health Service Corps Program, must consult with the VA regarding health professional shortage areas that are VA medical facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Innovation in Surface Transportation Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-762
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2015-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air quality
Economic development
Government information and archives
Pedestrians and bicycling
Public transit
Railroads
Roads and highways
Rural conditions and development
State and local government operations
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: 

Innovation in Surface Transportation Act of 2015

 
 Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with state transportation departments, to establish an innovation in surface transportation program.
 
Requires states to make competitive grants for innovative surface transportation projects to eligible entities, including local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, tribal governments, private providers of public transportation, nonprofit transportation organizations, port authorities, joint power authorities, freight rail providers, and local rail authorities.
 
Requires each state (including the governor and state department of transportation) to establish an innovation in surface transportation selection panel to formulate criteria for selecting projects.
 
Requires a state to reserve certain percentages of federal funds apportioned for the national highway performance, the highway safety improvement, the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement, surface transportation, and transportation alternatives programs in order to fund related projects under state innovative surface transportation grants.
 
Authorizes states to reserve a certain percentage of such funds for a fiscal year to meet specific requests for project application support from eligible rural local governments. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Trauma Systems and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act

Bill: 114-s-763
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2015-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: 

Trauma Systems and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize trauma care programs through FY2020. 
 
Grants for pilot projects of innovative models of emergency care and trauma systems can be allocated up to half of the remaining funds for trauma care after allocations for improvement of emergency medical services in rural areas and administrative purposes.
 
State plans for emergency medical services are required to include the national standards and requirements of the American Burn Association for verified burn centers.
 The Department of Health and Human Services must update the model plan for designation of trauma centers and for triage, transfer, and transportation policies, taking into account standards from the American Burn Association.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1588)
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to appropriately determine the budgetary effects of energy savings performance contracts and utility energy service contracts.

Bill: 114-s-765
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2015-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Energy efficiency and conservation
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Legislative rules and procedure
Public contracts and procurement
Public utilities and utility rates
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: 
This bill provides directions to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for determining the budgetary effects of energy savings performance contracts and utility energy service contracts. 
 
Under an energy savings performance contract, a private party agrees to fund energy-efficient upgrades for a federal facility, and the federal agency agrees to pay the private party from reductions in the agency's energy costs. Under a utility energy service contract, the services and equipment are provided by a utility. 
 
In scoring legislation that modifies the authority to enter into the contracts or the scope, terms, or use of the contracts, CBO must: (1) record all budgetary effects during the first year in which the authority or modification becomes effective, (2) calculate the cost and savings on a net present value basis by adding market risk over the useful life of the services or product to the discount rate required by the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, and (3) classify the effects to be changes in spending subject to the availability of appropriations. 
 
CBO currently scores the authority to enter into the contracts as a form of mandatory spending rather than discretionary spending that is subject to the appropriations process. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Let Seniors Work Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-767
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2015-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Employment taxes
Social security and elderly assistance
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: 

Let Seniors Work Act of 2015 

 
 Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate the payroll tax for individuals who have attained retirement age, and (2) remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which a beneficiary may earn (earnings test) without incurring a reduction in benefits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Steve Gleason Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-768
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Medicare
Neurological disorders

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: 

Steve Gleason Act of 2015

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover as durable medical equipment any eye tracking and gaze interaction accessories for speech generating devices furnished to individuals with a demonstrated medical need for them.
 
Payment for speech generating devices or accessories shall be made on a rental basis, or in a lump-sum amount for the purchase of the item, without a cap on the amount.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network Act

Bill: 114-s-769
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2015-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Historic sites and heritage areas
Land use and conservation
Railroads
Roads and highways

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: 

Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network Act

 
This bill exempts improvements to, maintenance, rehabilitation, or operation of railroad or rail transit lines (but not stations) that are in use or were historically used for the transportation of goods or passengers from federal policies and requirements for the preservation of public park and recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites. This permits such activities without the necessity to: (1) demonstrate there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of such land, and (2) plan to minimize harm to a historic site.
 
The Secretary of Transportation (DOT) may make a finding of de minimis impact on such preservation as a result of mitigation undertaken pursuant to a review of a transportation program or project pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act.
 
Any rail project that requires DOT approval shall be subject to specified environmental project development procedures.
 
Any environmental impact statement, categorical exclusion, or other decision relating to a transportation project that is issued by a DOT agency under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 shall be available to any rail project to which that statement, exclusion, or decision reasonably applies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Escambia County Land Conveyance Act

Bill: 114-s-770
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2015-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Florida
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Outdoor recreation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: 

Escambia County Land Conveyance Act

 
Authorizes Escambia County, Florida, to convey its interest in any part of the former Santa Rosa Island National Monument land that was conveyed to it by the federal government in 1947 to any person or entity, without restriction. 
 
Prohibits any person or entity holding a leasehold interest in such land from being required to involuntarily accept a fee interest to such land in place of the leasehold interest. 
 
 Allows Escambia County to convey any interest in any part of such land that is within the jurisdictional boundaries of Santa Rosa County, Florida, to such county. 
 
Permits Santa Rosa County or any other person to whom such county reconveys such land to reconvey any part of it. Requires any proceeds from the conveyance of such land by either county to be considered windfall profits that shall revert to the United States.
 
 Instructs Escambia County and Santa Rosa County to preserve those areas of the land conveyed under this Act that, as of the enactment of this Act, are dedicated for conservation, preservation, public recreation access, and public parking. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-496.
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Manufacturing Universities Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-771
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2015-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Higher education
Manufacturing
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Science and engineering education
Small business
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: 

Manufacturing Universities Act of 2015

 
Authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish a program to designate up to 25 institutions of higher education as U.S. manufacturing universities that are to be awarded funds over a four-year period.
 
Requires an institution applying for such program to submit a plan describing its engineering programs, its relationship to manufacturing industries, and its ability to positively impact local and regional economic development. 
 
Requires NIST to recommend adaptations to certain Small Business Act programs to assist small businesses that collaborate with such universities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Democracy Restoration Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-772
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2015-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Law enforcement administration and funding
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: 
 
Democracy Restoration Act of 2015

 
 Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility. Provides for enforcement of, and remedies for violations of, this Act.
 
Prohibits this Act from being construed to prohibit a state from enacting any state law that affords the right to vote in any election for federal office on terms less restrictive than those terms established by this Act. Declares that the rights and remedies established by this Act shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law and shall not supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or the National Voter Registration Act. 
Sets forth requirements for state and federal notification of individuals of the restoration of their voting rights. 
Prohibits any state, local government, or other person from receiving or using any federal funds to construct or improve a place of incarceration unless that person has in effect a program to notify each U.S. citizen incarcerated in that person's jurisdiction, upon release from such incarceration, of that individual's rights under this Act.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-773
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2015-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Disability and health-based discrimination
Education programs funding
Government information and archives
Higher education
Racial and ethnic relations
School administration
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: 

Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2015

 
Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each institution of higher education (IHE) participating in a title IV program (except a foreign school) to include in its annual security report a statement of policy regarding harassment that includes: (1) a prohibition of harassment of students by other students, faculty, and staff; (2) a description of its programs to prevent harassment; (3) a description of the procedures that students should follow if harassment occurs; and (4) a description of the procedures it will follow once an incident of harassment has been reported.
 
Defines &quot;harassment&quot; to include certain conduct undertaken through technological means that limits a student's ability to benefit from the IHE's programs, or creates a hostile or abusive educational environment at the school.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to IHEs to initiate, expand, or improve programs to: (1) prevent the harassment of students; (2) provide counseling or redress services to students who have been harassed or accused of subjecting other students to harassment; and (3) train students, faculty, or staff to prevent harassment or address harassment if it occurs.
 
Directs the Secretary to publish a report of best practices for combating harassment at IHEs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate