hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify and make permanent bonus depreciation.

Bill: 114-s-1660
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Forests, forestry, trees
Fruit and vegetables
Horticulture and plants
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Inflation and prices
Motor vehicles

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the additional 50% depreciation allowance, known as bonus depreciation, for depreciable business property (i.e., qualified property) placed in service after December 31, 2014. The term "qualified property" is modified to include qualified improvement property, in lieu of qualified leasehold improvement property, which is defined as any improvement to an interior portion of a building that is nonresidential real property if such improvement is placed in service after the date such building was first placed in service. The bill also increases by $8,000 (with an annual inflation adjustment after 2015) the maximum allowable depreciation deduction for a passenger automobile (i.e., any 4-wheeled vehicle that is manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways and is rated at 6,000 pounds unloaded gross vehicle weight or less). 
 
Also made permanent, for taxable years ending after December 31, 2014, is the election to increase the alternative minium tax credit limitation in lieu of bonus depreciation. 
 
The bill allows an additional depreciation allowance for any specified plant that is planted, or grafted to a plant that has already been planted, by the taxpayer in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's farming business. The term "specified plant" means: (1) any tree or vine that bears fruits or nuts, and (2) any other plant that will have more than one yield of fruits or nuts and that generally has a period of more than two years from the time of planting or grafting to the time at which such plant begins bearing fruits or nuts. This allowance is applicable to specified plants planted or grafted after December 31, 2014. 
 
Finally, the bill prohibits the entry of the budgetary effects of this Act on any PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Access to Independent Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1661
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Insurance industry and regulation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 

Access to Independent Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2015

 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to exclude remuneration paid for licensed independent insurance producers from administrative costs for purposes of calculating the medical-loss ratio of a health insurance plan. 
 
Defines "independent insurance producer" to mean an insurance agent or broker, insurance consultant, benefit specialist, limited insurance representative, and any other person required to be licensed under state law to sell, solicit, negotiate, service, effect, procure, renew, or bind policies of insurance coverage or offer advice, counsel, opinions, or services related to insurance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area Amendment Act

Bill: 114-s-1662
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Historic sites and heritage areas
Illinois
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 
This bill amends the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 to add Livingston County, the city of Jonesboro in Union County, and the city of Freeport in Stephenson County in Illinois to the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. 

action_date: 2016-09-06
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 to add Livingston County, the city of Jonesboro in Union County, and the city of Freeport in Stephenson County in Illinois to the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 589.
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 114-316.
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 114-316.
action_date: 2016-07-13
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without 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: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Robert Matava Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1663
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aging
Census and government statistics
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Law enforcement administration and funding
Marketing and advertising
Sex offenses
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 

Robert Matava Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to expand the prohibition on telemarketing fraud to include "telemarketing or email marketing" fraud. It expands the definition of telemarketing or email marketing to include measures to induce investment for financial profit, participation in a business opportunity, or commitment to a loan.
 
The legislation applies enhanced criminal penalties to telemarketing or email marketing fraud that targets or victimizes persons over age 55. It also expands the fraud offenses subject to enhanced penalties to include health care fraud.
 
The Department of Justice (DOJ) must identify, collect, and publish data annually related to the incidence of elder abuse. The Department of Health and Human Services must provide for publication data on the number of elder abuse cases referred to adult protective services.
 
The bill requires DOJ to establish a grant program for states to develop, establish, and operate programs to improve the response to, investigation of, and prosecution of elder abuse cases. DOJ must also provide information, training, and technical assistance to help states and local governments investigate, prosecute, prevent, and mitigate the impact of elder abuse, exploitation, and neglect.
 
It grants congressional consent to any two or more states to enter into cooperative agreements or compacts to promote and to enforce laws to promote the safety and well-being of elders. The legislation requires the State Justice Institute to submit legislative proposals to Congress to facilitate such agreements and compacts.
 
The Government Accountability Office must review and report findings on the financial cost of elder abuse and exploitation to the federal government.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Military and Veterans Education Protection Act

Bill: 114-s-1664
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Higher education
Medical education
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 

Military and Veterans Education Protection Act

 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require proprietary institutions of higher education to derive at least 10% of their revenue from sources other than federal educational assistance, or risk becoming ineligible for title IV funding. Federal educational assistance includes title IV federal student aid and federal educational assistance for military personnel and veterans. Currently, this so-called 90/10 rule requires proprietary institutions to derive at least 10% of their revenue from sources other than title IV federal student aid, but it allows federal educational assistance for military personnel and veterans to count toward the 10%. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Child Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention Act

Bill: 114-s-1665
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Crimes against children
Domestic violence and child abuse
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Mental health
Preschool education
School administration
Sex offenses
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 

Child Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention Act

 
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to: (1) authorize the use of grants to local educational agencies for carrying out child sexual abuse awareness and prevention programs and activities, (2) establish periodic evaluation requirements for such grant programs and activities, and (3) establish principles of effectiveness applicable to these grant programs and activities as well as to those aimed at reducing the impact of domestic violence on schoolchildren.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the limitation on the election to accelerate the AMT credit in lieu of bonus depreciation for 2015 and 2016, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1666
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Business investment and capital
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Public contracts and procurement
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2016 the special depreciation allowance for business assets (bonus depreciation), and (2) increase the limitation on the election to accelerate the alternative minimum tax credit in lieu of bonus depreciation for 2015 and 2016.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the special rules for accident and health plans of certain governmental entities, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1667
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax exclusion
State and local government operations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the exclusion from gross income of payments from an accident or health plan, to: (1) make the exclusion for payments to a beneficiary other than a spouse or dependent child applicable to plans established by or on behalf of a state or political subdivision thereof; and (2) define a "qualified taxpayer," for purposes of the exclusion, as an employee or the spouse, dependent, or child (under age 27) of an employee.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoration of America's Wire Act

Bill: 114-s-1668
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Gambling
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 

Restoration of America's Wire Act

 
Amends provisions of the federal criminal code, commonly known as the Wire Act, to provide that the prohibition against using a wire communication facility for the transmission of bets or wagers, wagering information, or wagering proceeds shall: (1) apply to any bet or wager (currently, to bets or wagers on any sporting event or contest); and (2) include any transmission over the Internet carried interstate or in foreign commerce. 
 
States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt any state law prohibiting gambling or to alter, limit, or extend: (1) the relationship between the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 and other federal laws currently in effect, (2) the ability of a state licensed lottery or state licensed retailer to make on-premises retail lottery sales or to transmit information ancillary to such sales, (3) the ability of a state licensed gaming establishment or a tribal gaming establishment to transmit information assisting in the placing of a bet or water on the physical premises of the establishment, or (4) the relationship between federal laws and state charitable gaming laws. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
TRUCK Safety Reform Act

Bill: 114-s-1669
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Department of Transportation
Government information and archives
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Motor carriers
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 

Trucking Rules Updated by Comprehensive and Key Safety Reform Act or the TRUCK Safety Reform Act

 
This bill requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): (1) at least every five years, to conduct a comprehensive review of its rules, regulations, regulatory guidance, and enforcement policies; and (2) within 24 months after completion of each review, to amend its regulations and enforcement policies to ensure that they are consistent and uniform. If the FMCSA determines that guidance it has issued has not been incorporated into a regulation, such guidance shall cease to be effective 24 months after the conclusion of such review unless FMCSA reissues it.
 
The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall publish in the Federal Register on the date of issuance all newly issued or reissued regulatory guidance and interpretations regarding commercial motor vehicle safety regulations.
 
The FMCSA shall conduct a formal notice and comment process when issuing medical guidance but may use informal rulemaking when issuing medical guidance that is directly related to a public health emergency.
 
The FMCSA: (1) when analyzing the impact of regulations and enforcement policies, shall specify how it will evaluate future rules and shall allow stakeholders to comment on why performance-based targets would be preferable to a proposed regulation; and (2) before promulgating any new regulation, shall include within its cost-benefit analysis a wider selection and scope of motor carriers. 
 
The FMCSA, before promulgating a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that is reasonably likely to lead to the promulgation of a major rule, shall:
 
 
 issue an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that identifies the compelling public concern for a potential regulatory action and requests public comment on alternatives; 
 
 determine whether a negotiated rulemaking is necessary; or 
 
 otherwise publish a request for comment in the Federal Register.
 
 
The FMCSA shall:
 
 
 respond to all statutory requirements for rulemaking; 
 
 prioritize stakeholder petitions based on the likelihood of safety improvements; 
 
 formally respond to a petition within six months after it is submitted; and 
 
 post and maintain an inventory of all petitions received, including information about their disposition, on a publicly accessible website.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1670
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of State
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Legal fees and court costs
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Mental health
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 

Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2015

 
Amends the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize FY2016-FY2017 appropriations to: 
 
 
the Department of Health and Human Services for grants to domestic treatment centers for the costs of services in the rehabilitation of victims of torture (including treatment of both physical and psychological effects), social and legal services, and research and training of health care providers outside of treatment centers or programs; and 
 
the President for grants to foreign treatment centers and programs for activities designed to treat victims for the physical and psychological effects of torture. 
 
 
Directs the U.S. Agency for International Development to support indigenous foreign treatment centers and programs for torture victims in order to increase their capacities to train other local health care providers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
National Forest Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1671
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Federally chartered organizations
Forests, forestry, trees

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 

National Forest Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the National Forest Foundation Act to authorize the Department of Agriculture to provide for each of FY2016-FY2018 matching funds for certain administrative and project expenses incurred by the National Forest Foundation. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-16
text: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Commercial Driver Act

Bill: 114-s-1672
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Motor carriers
State and local government operations
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 

Commercial Driver Act

 
This bill directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to establish a test program to allow states to enter into interstate compacts with contiguous states, approved by the governor of each state, to standardize the requirements for drivers operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. 
 
A commercial driver's license issued by one state participating in a compact shall be recognized as valid in every state participating in the compact. 
 
Nothing in this Act may be construed to limit or change the authority to operate in interstate commerce for drivers over age 21, including by setting the minimum age requirement to receive a Class A commercial driver's license at age 18.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Plum Island Conservation Act

Bill: 114-s-1675
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2015-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Agricultural research
Animal and plant health
Congressional oversight
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government studies and investigations
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Medical research
New York State
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: 

Plum Island Conservation Act
 
 
This bill amends the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 to repeal provisions requiring the sale of federal property and assets supporting the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York. 
 
The bill requires DHS, in conjunction with other specified agencies, to submit a report to Congress, including: (1) recommendations for transferring jurisdiction over Plum Island from DHS to another federal agency, and (2) an analysis of remediation responsibilities, costs associated with assuming jurisdiction over Plum Island, the timing of the transfer, and the need for legislation to execute the transfer. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate