hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Middle School STEP Act

Bill: 114-s-1609
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Public-private cooperation
Rural conditions and development
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Middle School Technical Education Program Act or the Middle School STEP Act 

 
 Directs the Department of Education to:
 
 
 create a pilot program for career and technical education exploration programs, and 
 
award grants to eligible partnerships (local educational agencies, area career and technical education schools, educational service agencies, and other organizations) to develop a middle school career and technical education exploration program that transition to career and technical education programs of study.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4301-4302)
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe Skies Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1612
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Labor standards
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Safe Skies Act of 2015 

 
 Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT), not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act, to modify a specified DOT final rule relating to flightcrew member duty and rest requirements so that the requirements under that rule apply to all-cargo flightcrew members to the same extent they apply to air passenger flightcrew members.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to convene a panel of citizens to make a recommendation to the Secretary regarding the likeness of a woman on the ten dollar bill, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1613
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Currency
U.S. history
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 
This bill amends the Federal Reserve Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to convene a panel of private citizens to advise and make recommendations regarding the likeness of a woman to appear on the face of $10 federal reserve notes.
 
 Requires the Secretary and the panel to consider and weigh input from the American people.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act

Bill: 114-s-1614
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Aging
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement administration and funding
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act 

 
 Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services and Elder Justice) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to the highest courts of states to conduct demonstration programs that: (1) assess adult guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, including the appointment and the monitoring of the performance of court-appointed guardians and conservators; and (2) implement changes deemed necessary as a result of the assessments, such as requiring background checks for all potential guardians and conservators, and establishing systems that enable electronic filing and review of the annual accountings and other required conservatorship and guardianship filings.
 
Requires the highest court of a state awarded such a grant to collaborate with the state's own Unit on Aging and its Adult Protective Services agency in conducting the demonstration program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Domestic Refugee Resettlement Reform and Modernization Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1615
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Foreign labor
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Human rights
Immigrant health and welfare
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Unemployment
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Domestic Refugee Resettlement Reform and Modernization Act of 2015

 
 Requires the Government Accountability Office to study the effectiveness of the Office of Refugee Resettlement's domestic refugee resettlement programs. 
 
Requires the Office of Refugee Resettlement to: (1) ensure that refugee assistance is provided to qualifying refugees who are secondary migrants; (2) report to Congress regarding states experiencing departures and arrivals due to secondary migration; and (3) expand the Office's data analysis, collection, and sharing activities to include data on mental and physical medical cases, housing needs, and refugee employment.
 
Requires the Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services to provide refugee resettlement guidance to appropriate national, state, and local entities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
DHS IT Duplication Reduction Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1620
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Government studies and investigations
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

DHS IT Duplication Reduction Act of 2015

 
Directs the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report on: 
 
 
 the number of information technology systems at DHS;
 
 the number of such systems exhibiting duplication or fragmentation (i.e., where there are two or more systems or programs that deliver similar functionality to similar user populations);
 
a strategy for reducing such duplicative systems, including an assessment of potential cost savings; and
 
a methodology for determining which system should be eliminated when there is duplication or fragmentation. 

 

action_date: 2016-04-28
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

DHS IT Duplication Reduction Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report on: 
 
 
 the number of information technology systems at DHS;
 
 the number of such systems exhibiting duplication or fragmentation (i.e., where there are two or more systems or programs that deliver similar functionality to similar user populations);
 
a strategy for reducing such duplicative systems, including an assessment of potential cost savings; and
 
a methodology for determining which system should be eliminated when there is duplication or fragmentation. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-28
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 454.
action_date: 2016-04-28
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 114-247.
action_date: 2016-04-28
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 114-247.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Ending Mobile and Broadband Welfare Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1621
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Telecommunication rates and fees
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Ending Mobile and Broadband Welfare Act of 2015

 
Prohibits a commercial mobile service or Internet access service provider from receiving universal service support for the provision of such service through the Federal Communications Commission's Lifeline program, which provides discounts on monthly telephone service to qualifying low-income consumers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Act

Bill: 114-s-1623
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Historic sites and heritage areas
Historical and cultural resources
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Act

 
This bill establishes the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area in the state of Washington. 
 
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation shall be the local coordinating entity for the Heritage Area, and shall prepare and submit a management plan for it.

action_date: 2016-08-30
text: 

Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Act

 
(Sec. 3) This bill establishes the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area in the state of Washington. 
 
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation shall be the local coordinating entity for the Heritage Area, and shall prepare and submit a management plan for it.
 
(Sec. 5) The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation shall not use federal funds made available under this bill for the acquisition of real property or any interests in real property. 
 
(Sec. 7) The bill makes specific disclaimers relating to private property and federal, state, local, and tribal regulatory protections.
 
Nothing in this bill alters, modifies, diminishes, or extinguishes any Indian tribe's treaty rights within the Heritage Area. 
 
(Sec. 9) The bill authorizes appropriations. The federal cost share of any activity carried out under this bill shall be 50% of its total cost. 
 
The authority of the Department of the Interior to furnish assistance under this bill terminates 15 years after enactment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 582.
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/14/2016 with amendments. With written report No. 114-310.
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/14/2016 with amendments. With written report No. 114-310.
action_date: 2016-07-13
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2016-06-15
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-502.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act

Bill: 114-s-1624
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Motor vehicles
Sports and recreation facilities

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the classification, for depreciation purposes, of any motorsports entertainment complex as seven-year property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require a report on the location of C-130 Modular Airborne Firefighting System units.

Bill: 114-s-1625
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Congressional oversight
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 
This bill requires the Department of the Air Force to report to Congress on the locations of C-130 Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) units. 
 
The report shall include: 
 
 
a list of MAFFS units and their utilization rates,
 
a future force allocation determination in order to achieve such units' most efficient use, and
 
an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of modifying the MAFFS program to enhance firefighting capabilities.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4302)
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Human Rights Accountability Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1627
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Human rights

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Human Rights Accountability Act of 2015

 
This bill requires that 5% of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available for a fiscal year for the Department of State's diplomatic and consular programs (and not designated for worldwide security protection) be withheld from obligation for every 30 days the Department's human rights report is late.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to preserve the current amount of basic allowance for housing for certain married members of the uniformed services.

Bill: 114-s-1628
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 
This bill prohibits any reduction in the amount of basic housing allowance, as of September 30, 2015, for a member of the uniformed services who is married to another member of the uniformed services, unless the member and the member's spouse: (1) undergo a permanent change of station requiring a change of residence, or (2) move into or commence living in on-base housing.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4302)
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
PLUS Act

Bill: 114-s-1630
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Labor-management relations
Legal fees and court costs
Marine and inland water transportation
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Transportation employees

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Preventing Labor Union Slowdowns Act of 2015 or the PLUS Act

 
This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 to make it an unlawful labor practice for a labor organization or its agents while representing, or seeking to represent, employees engaged in maritime employment to engage in a labor slowdown at any time, including when a collective-bargaining agreement is in effect.
 
In cases where a labor organization has committed a violation, the National Labor Relations Board shall:
 
 
revoke the organization's exclusive recognition or certification to represent the employees in the bargaining unit, or
 
take other appropriate disciplinary action.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Keep Our Pension Promises Act

Bill: 114-s-1631
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax exclusion
Land transfers
Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Keep Our Pension Promises Act 

 
This bill repeals the elimination of the pension anti-cutback provisions under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014. The anti-cutback provisions prohibit reductions in pension benefits to participants in multiemployer pension plans. 
 
The bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow a plan sponsor of an eligible multiemployer plan to petition the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation for a partition of a financially-troubled pension plan. PBGC is required to establish a legacy fund to cover the administrative and benefit costs resulting from a partition.. 
 
The bill amends the federal bankruptcy code to assign first claim priority to pension obligations under ERISA. 
 
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a limit of $1 million on the exemption of the gain from the exchange of real property in a like kind exchange, (2) prohibit the use of like kind exchanges for collectibles, (3) establish estate valuation rules for certain transfers of nonbusiness assets, and (4) limit estate tax discounts for certain individuals with minority interests in a business acquired from a decedent.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Celebrating the First Woman in Congress Currency Act

Bill: 114-s-1633
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Currency
House of Representatives
Members of Congress
U.S. history
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Celebrating the First Woman in Congress Currency Act

 
This bill amends the Federal Reserve Act to prohibit Federal Reserve Notes from bearing the likeness of any woman other than that of Jeannette Rankin until after the date upon which Federal Reserve Notes bearing her likeness are first printed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1634
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Competition and antitrust
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Railroads
Surface Transportation Board
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2015

 
Amends the Clayton Act to grant the United States exclusive authority to bring suit for injunctive relief against any common carrier that is not a rail common carrier and that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Surface Transportation Board (STB). This covers motor carriers, water carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and pipeline carriers.
 
Declares that, in any civil action against a rail common carrier, the U.S. district court shall not be required to defer to the primary jurisdiction of the STB.

Empowers the Federal Trade Commission to regulate, and engage in antitrust enforcement regarding, collective rate agreements and certain transactions, including railroad mergers and acquisitions.
 
Permits treble damages against common carrier railroads in antitrust suits to parties injured by antitrust violations without regard to whether such railroads have filed rates or whether a complaint challenging rates has been filed.
 
Amends federal transportation law to terminate the exemptions from antitrust laws for collective ratemaking agreements.
 
Requires the STB, when reviewing a proposed agreement, to take into account its impact upon shippers, consumers, and affected communities.
 
Exempts from antitrust law the pooling of railroad cars approved by the STB or its predecessor agency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Just Google It Act

Bill: 114-s-1636
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2015-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Economic performance and conditions
Executive agency funding and structure
General science and technology matters
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Public contracts and procurement
Scientific communication

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: 

Just Google It

 Act

 
 Repeals the National Technical Information Act of 1988, effective one year after the enactment of this Act (thus abolishes the National Technical Information Service [NTIS]). 
 
Directs: (1) the Secretary of Commerce, the Archivist of the United States, the Comptroller General, and the Commissioner of Social Security to consult with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to determine if any NTIS function is critical to the U.S. economy; and (2) the Comptroller General to determine which of such critical functions are not being carried out by any other federal agency. Authorizes: (1) the Secretary of Commerce to transfer such critical functions to another office of the Department of Commerce, excluding any fee-based services offered by the NTIS; and (2) the General Services Administration or any federal agency receiving critical fee-based services from an NTIS contractor to enter into a new contract to continue such services. Terminates all other NTIS functions.
 
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to certify that all NTIS operations have been terminated. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) transfer all unexpended balances in the NTIS Revolving Fund to the Treasury general fund for the purpose of deficit reduction, and (2) dissolve such Fund.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate