hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3306
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2016-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Abortion
Civil actions and liability
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: 

Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit a physician from knowingly performing a dismemberment abortion. It provides a definition of the term &quot;dismemberment abortion.&quot;
 
A physician who performs a dismemberment abortion is subject to a criminal fine, up to two years in prison, or both, unless the dismemberment abortion was necessary to save the mother's life.
 
 A woman or a parent of a minor who undergoes a dismemberment abortion may file a civil action for damages against an individual who violates this bill.
 
The legislation bars the criminal prosecution of a woman who undergoes a dismemberment abortion for conspiracy to violate the provisions of this bill, for being a principal or an accessory after the fact, or for concealment of felony.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to avoid duplicative annual reporting, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-3307
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2016-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax deferral
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Labor to cooperate to modify specified returns required for deferred compensation plans and other employee benefit plans to permit all members of a group of plans to file a single aggregated annual return or report satisfying the requirements of both the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). 
 
The requirement applies to a group in which all of the plans: 
 
 
 are individual account plans or defined contribution plans; 
 
 have the same trustee, the same one or more named fiduciaries, the same administrator, and plan years beginning on the same date; and 
 
 provide the same investments or investment options to participants and beneficiaries. 
 
 
The bill also specifies that, for the purposes of applying the numerical limitations related to the electronic filing of returns for deferred compensation plans, each plan for which information is provided on the return must be treated as a separate return. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Spending Act

Bill: 114-s-3308
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2016-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Medicare
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: 

Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Spending Act

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit Medicare Prescription Drug Plan sponsors from retroactively reducing payment on clean claims submitted by pharmacies. (A "clean claim" is a Medicare claim that is free of defects such as incomplete documentation.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Environmental and Economic Benefits Restoration Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3310
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2016-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Ecology
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Indian lands and resources rights
Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
Pest management
Public-private cooperation
State and local government operations
Water quality
Water use and supply
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: 

Environmental and Economic Benefits Restoration Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to direct the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a landscape-scale restoration program to provide financial and technical assistance for landscape-scale restoration projects on state, political subdivision, and private forest lands that maintain or improve benefits from trees and forests on such lands.
 
The program shall: 
 
 
address the national private forest conservation priorities specified under the Act; and 
 
enhance public benefits from trees and forests, as identified in a state-wide assessment and a long-term state-wide forest resource strategy under the Act.
 
 
The program shall also have one or more objectives, including to:
 
 
protect or improve water quality or quantity;
 
reduce wildfire risk;
 
protect or enhance wildlife habitat, consistent with wildlife objectives established by the applicable state fish and wildlife agency;
 
improve forest health, including addressing native, nonnative, and invasive pests; or
 
enhance opportunities for new and existing markets in which the production and use of wood products strengthens local and regional economies. 
 
 
USDA shall establish a measurement system to measure the results of landscape-scale restoration projects assisted under this bill.
 
USDA shall allocate from the amounts made available under this bill:
 
 
50% for the competitive process for distributing funds for landscape-scale restoration projects; and
 
50% proportionally to states to maximize the achievement of the restoration program's objectives and to address the highest national priorities, as identified in state-wide assessments and long-term state-wide forest resource strategies.
 
 
The bill amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to allocate funds and use specified authorities of the USDA or of the Department of the Interior, as appropriate, to assist cross-boundary hazardous fuel reduction and wildfire mitigation programs.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
CO-OP Consumer Protection Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3311
Sponsor: Sen. Sasse, Ben [R-NE]
Introduced: 2016-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: 

CO-OP Consumer Protection Act of 2016

 
 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from penalties for failing to purchase and maintain minimum essential health care coverage individuals whose coverage under a plan offered by a qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer receiving funds through the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan program was terminated. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Responsible Disposal Reauthorization Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3312
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2016-09-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Colorado
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Radioactive wastes and releases

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: 

Responsible Disposal Reauthorization Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 to extend through FY2048 authorization for the Department of Energy to operate the Cheney disposal cell in Mesa County, Colorado.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-22
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-509.
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-09-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Burma Strategy Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3313
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2016-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: 

Burma Strategy Act of 2016

 
This bill authorizes FY2017 appropriations for assistance to Burma to: (1) support civil society organizations and strengthen anti-corruption efforts, (2) implement a specified democracy and human rights strategy, (3) support refugee-assistance organizations operating in Thailand, (4) promote ethnic reconciliation, and (5) reduce the military's position in the economy. 
 
Funds may not be provided to: (1) the military of Burma or any individual or organization credibly alleged to have committed gross violations of human rights, or (2) any individual or organization that advocates violence against ethnic or religious groups and individuals in Burma. The bill provides for a U.S. national security waiver.
 
The Department of the Treasury shall instruct the U.S. executive director of each international financial institution to use U.S. influence to support only those projects in Burma that meet specified accountability, social and cultural, environmental and natural resource, and indigenous peoples protections. 
 
 
Foreign military sales funds are made available for English language training for Burma's military under the Defense Language Institute English Language Center. 
 
The Department of State may establish an exchange program between military and civilian personnel of Burma and their counterparts in: (1) countries that are strengthening a democratic form of government and demonstrating civilian oversight of the military, or (2) North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries. 
 
The President may designate a private, nonprofit organization as the Win Tin Burma-American Enterprise Fund to receive financial assistance and support under this bill. No military-owned enterprises are eligible for fund participation. 
 
The U.S. Trade Representative is urged to: (1) help Burma achieve eligibility for the generalized system of preferences, and (2) urge other countries to support such eligibility. 
 
The State Department shall submit a strategy to promote transparency and good governance in Burma's jadeite, ruby, and gemstones sector. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act

Bill: 114-s-3314
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2016-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: 

Smithsonian American Latino Museum Act

 
This bill establishes a museum to be known as the Smithsonian American Latino Museum in the Smithsonian Institution. 
 
The Arts and Industries Building of the Smithsonian Institution, which is located on the National Mall in Washington, DC, including a new underground annex facility, is designated as the location of the museum. 
 
The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution may plan and construct the museum and may prepare a plan of action for the museum. 
 
The Secretary of the Interior and the Board of Regents shall enter into an agreement that allows for the construction of the underground annex facility by the Board in a manner that is harmonious with, and protects the open space and visual sight lines of, the National Mall. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Second Division Memorial Modification Act

Bill: 114-s-3315
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2016-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
Conflicts and wars
District of Columbia
Iraq
Middle East
Military history
Monuments and memorials
North Korea
South Korea
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: 

Second Division Memorial Modification Act

 
This bill authorizes the Second Indianhead Division Association, Inc. Scholarship and Memorials Foundation to place three benches honoring the members of the Second Infantry Division killed in the Cold War in Korea, the War in Iraq, and the War in Afghanistan at the Second Division Memorial located in President's Park in the District of Columbia. 
 
No federal funds may be used for these modifications or augmentations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-22
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-509.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Advancing Conservation and Education Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3316
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2016-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Forests, forestry, trees
Idaho
Intergovernmental relations
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Military facilities and property
Mining
Montana
Monuments and memorials
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oregon
Parks, recreation areas, trails
South Dakota
State and local government operations
Utah
Washington State
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: 

Advancing Conservation and Education Act of 2016

 
 This bill allows the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming (western states) to relinquish state land grant parcels wholly or primarily within eligible areas and select, in exchange, public land within the state.
 
The bill defines &quot;eligible areas&quot; as lands within the outer boundaries of units or components of the National Park, National Wilderness Preservation, National Wildlife Refuge, or National Landscape Conservation Systems, areas identified by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of the Department of the Interior as having wilderness characteristics, certain designated lands within the National Forest System or administered by the BLM, and sentinel landscapes designated by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, or Interior.
 
 Interior shall create a process for the relinquishment of such parcels. 
 
 A western state may select, and Interior may convey, lands that are mineral in character. 
 
 The overall value of the state land grant parcels and the public land to be conveyed shall be equal. 
 
The bill sets forth requirements regarding hazardous materials on land conveyed, water rights, and grazing permits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-22
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-509.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the further extension or establishment of national monuments in the State of Utah except by express authorization of Congress.

Bill: 114-s-3317
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2016-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Utah

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: 
This bill prohibits any further extension or establishment of national monuments in Utah except by express authorization of Congress. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-22
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-509.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Accountability Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3318
Sponsor: Sen. Perdue, David [R-GA]
Introduced: 2016-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Appropriations
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Reserve System

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: 

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Accountability Act of 
 
2016

 
This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to change the source of funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from Federal Reserve System transfers to annual appropriations. Under current law, the transfers from the Federal Reserve System permit the CFPB to be funded outside of the annual appropriations process. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 627.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to appoint a harmful algal bloom coordinator.

Bill: 114-s-3319
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2016-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: 
This bill requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, acting as chair of the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, to appoint a coordinator to work with appropriate governments to address harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Ensuring Health Care Opportunities Act

Bill: 114-s-3320
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2016-09-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: 

Ensuring Health Care Opportunities Act

 
This bill waives certain health insurance benefit requirements in states with a county where only one health insurer offers individual coverage. In these states, health plans are not required to provide essential health benefits to be offered in the individual or small group market or through the health insurance exchange. (Plans offered in the individual market or through an exchange fulfill the requirement for individuals to maintain minimum essential coverage.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Empowering States' Rights To Protect Consumers Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3321
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2016-09-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Consumer credit
Interest, dividends, interest rates

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: 

Empowering States' Rights To Protect Consumers Act of 2016

 
 This bill amends the Truth In Lending Act to limit the annual percentage rate applicable to any consumer credit transaction (other than a residential mortgage transaction), including any associated fees, to the maximum rate permitted by the laws of the state in which the consumer resides.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide an exemption to the individual mandate to maintain health coverage for certain individuals residing in service areas with no health insurance issuers offering plans on an Exchange, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-3322
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2016-09-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: 
This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to exempt from the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage individuals who reside in areas where a health plan is not available through the health insurance exchange. Such individuals may remain enrolled in a short term health plan as long as a health plan is not available through the exchange.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: Introduced in Senate
State-Owned Entity Transparency and Accountability Reform Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3323
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2016-09-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Law

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: 

State-Owned Entity Transparency and Accountability Reform Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the federal judicial code to allow U.S. courts to hear cases against a foreign state's corporate affiliates under the exception to foreign sovereign immunity that subjects a foreign state's commercial activities to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts.
 
In determining whether a U.S. court has jurisdiction to hear a case based on the commercial activity of a foreign state, a commercial activity of an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state is attributable to any corporate affiliate of the agency or instrumentality that: (1) directly or indirectly owns a majority of shares of the agency or instrumentality, and (2) is also an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5723-5724)
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Combat Sexual Harassment in Housing Act

Bill: 114-s-3324
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2016-09-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crimes against women
Housing discrimination
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: 

Combat Sexual Harassment in Housing Act

 
This bill amends the Fair Housing Act to identify certain unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in or around a dwelling that is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to constitute a discriminatory housing practice based on hostile environment sexual harassment. Such conduct consists of: (1) an unwelcome touching of a sexual nature or groping; or (2) any other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is intended to be coercive, threatening, or intimidating. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2016-09-14
text: Introduced in Senate