hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4278
Sponsor: Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10]
Introduced: 2015-12-16 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Firearms and explosives
Law enforcement administration and funding
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: 

Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act of 2015
 
This bill authorizes the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to make grants to states, local governments, or gun dealers to conduct gun buyback programs. The BJA may distribute smart prepaid cards for use by a state, local government, or gun dealer to compensate individuals who dispose of firearms.
 
Additionally, the bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to use or accept a smart prepaid card in the acquisition or transfer of a firearm or ammunition. A violator is subject to a fine, up to two years in prison, or both.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disclose certain information to State controlled substance monitoring programs.

Bill: 114-hr-4279
Sponsor: Rep. Walorski, Jackie [R-IN-2]
Introduced: 2015-12-16 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health information and medical records
Military personnel and dependents
Prescription drugs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (which currently is simply authorized) to disclose information about a veteran or dependent to a state controlled substance monitoring program to the extent necessary to prevent misuse and diversion of prescription medicines.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (CR H9378)
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Colonel Philip Conran of the United States Air Force for acts of valor during the Vietnam War.

Bill: 114-hr-4280
Sponsor: Rep. Capps, Lois [D-CA-24]
Introduced: 2015-12-16 in the House
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: 
Provides for the relief of retired Colonel Philip Conran.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Introduced in House
Charitable Giving Privacy Protection Act

Bill: 114-hr-4281
Sponsor: Rep. Rothfus, Keith J. [R-PA-12]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Right of privacy
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Charitable Giving Privacy Protection Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from requiring or accepting the Social Security account numbers of donors of charitable donations from donee organizations when such organizations are providing substantiation of such donations. The IRS may require the use of an identifier other than a Social Security account number. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
Catalyst Theory Restoration Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4282
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-17]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Judicial procedure and administration
Legal fees and court costs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Catalyst Theory Restoration Act of 2015

 
 This bill defines "prevailing party" for purposes of determining the meaning of provisions in federal laws, federal regulations, or any judicial or administrative rules that provide for recovery of attorney's fees to include a party whose pursuit of a nonfrivolous claim or defense was a catalyst for a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the opposing party that provides any significant part of the relief sought. 
 
The bill prohibits this Act from altering special eligibility criteria: (1) established for prevailing defendants, or (2) contained in statutes that expressly limit or qualify who may be considered a prevailing party for purposes of that statute.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
Consumers REBATE Act

Bill: 114-hr-4283
Sponsor: Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-9]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Oil and gas
Sales and excise taxes
Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Consumers Rebate to ban Emissions and Boost AlTernative Energy Act or the Consumers REBATE Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose as of January 1, 2017, an excise tax on the production or importation of a taxable carbon substance (i.e., coal, oil, and natural gas), payable by the producer, miner, or importer of such substance. The tax does not apply to exports of a taxable carbon substance. 
 
The bill requires the Department of the Treasury to: (1) impose carbon equivalency fees on imports of goods containing or produced using a taxable carbon substance; and (2) make quarterly payments, from the amounts deposited pursuant to imposition of the carbon excise tax, to lawful residents of the United States with a valid social security number. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
Prevent Terrorism from Entering our Prisons Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4285
Sponsor: Rep. Fincher, Stephen Lee [R-TN-8]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Government studies and investigations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Political movements and philosophies
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Prevent Terrorism from Entering our Prisons Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to screen federal prison volunteers for known and suspected terrorist connections, using Federal Bureau of Investigation files and volunteers' social media accounts.
 
DOJ must take appropriate action if a volunteer's screening raises questions about terrorist connections. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
Campaign Transparency Act

Bill: 114-hr-4286
Sponsor: Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Campaign Transparency Act

 
This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to:
 
 
eliminate the dollar amount thresholds for mandatory reporting of the identity of persons making contributions (generally in the aggregate amount or value in excess of $200 within the calendar year or election cycle) to political committees in federal elections; and
 
so require reporting the identification of all persons making contributions within the calendar year or election cycle to such committees, regardless of the amount.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4287
Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Sales and excise taxes
State and local taxation
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2015

 
 This bill prohibits states or local governments from imposing any new discriminatory tax on or with respect to mobile services, mobile service providers, or mobile service property for five years after the enactment of this Act. A &quot;new discriminatory tax&quot; is a tax imposed on mobile services, providers, or property that is not generally imposed on other types of services or property, or that is generally imposed at a lower rate, unless such tax was imposed and actually enforced prior to the enactment date of this Act.
 
The bill grants jurisdiction to federal district courts to provide injunctive and other appropriate relief to prevent, restrain, or terminate any acts in violation of this Act. 
 
The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report on the impact of: (1) state and local taxes on mobile services, providers, or property on the costs consumers pay for mobile services; and (2) the prohibition in this Act against discriminatory mobile services taxes on such costs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
FEMA Help and Education for Local Partners Act (FEMA HELP Act)

Bill: 114-hr-4288
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Intergovernmental relations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 

FEMA Help and Education for Local Partners Act (FEMA HELP Act)

 
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish and convene a multi-agency federal disaster assistance team to work and coordinate with state, local, tribal, and territorial leaders to develop a comprehensive approach to disaster recovery by using a full range of federal program funding resources through collaboration among FEMA, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Highway Administration, the Small Business Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Department of Defense, the Army Corps of Engineers, and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.
 
FEMA shall: (1) ensure that each coordinating officer is trained in a range of applicable disaster recovery funding programs across the team members, and (2) establish and publish guidelines and criteria for making and communicating decisions regarding funding eligibility and requirements for disaster recovery personnel across the team members. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1814)
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
To provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Tanana Tribal Council located in Tanana, Alaska, and to the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation located in Dillingham, Alaska, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-4289
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2015-12-17 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alaska
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Indian lands and resources rights
Indian social and development programs
Land transfers
Minority health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey to the Tanana Tribal Council in Tanana, Alaska, all interest of the United States in and to certain property (including all land, improvements, and appurtenances) containing 11.25 acres, in the village of Tanana for use in connection with health and social services programs. 
 
HHS shall convey to the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation in Dillingham, Alaska, all interest of the United States in and to certain property included in the Dental Annex Subdivision (including all land, improvements, and appurtenances) containing 1.474 acres more or less, also for use in connection with health and social services programs. 
 
Neither the Tanana Tribal Council nor the Corporation shall be liable for soil, surface water, groundwater, or other contamination resulting from the disposal, release, or presence of environmental contamination, including oil or petroleum products, or hazardous substances on any of the properties.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2015-12-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Introduced in House
Puerto Rico Emergency Financial Stability Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4290
Sponsor: Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-12]
Introduced: 2015-12-18 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Caribbean area
Civil actions and liability
Debt collection
Financial crises and stabilization
Government lending and loan guarantees
Puerto Rico
State and local finance
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: 

Puerto Rico Emergency Financial Stability Act of 2015

 
This bill grants a temporary stay (until April 1, 2016, with specified exceptions) of any litigation, liens, or other collection actions to recover debts owed by the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and allows relief from such stay only in limited circumstances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR  H10695)
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Introduced in House
SAFER Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4291
Sponsor: Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42]
Introduced: 2015-12-18 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Immigration status and procedures
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Iraq
Middle East
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Syria
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: 

Secure Accountability for Emigres and Refugees Act of 2015 or the SAFER Act of 2015

 
This bill requires that, before the U.S. refugee admission of a covered alien, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall ensure that such person: 
 
 
has passed a lie detector test; 
 
has submitted to DHS biometric identification information, including DNA, which DHS has compared against all relevant databases and determined that the person has no known history of terrorist activity; and 
 
does not pose a threat to U.S. national security based on a background check that includes a review of the person's Internet interactions, including social media services. 
 
 
&quot;Covered alien&quot; means an alien applying for U.S. refugee admission who: (1) is a national of Iraq or Syria, (2) has no nationality and whose last habitual residence was in Iraq or Syria, or (3) has been present in Iraq or Syria at any time on or after March 1, 2011.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Introduced in House
Synchronization & Nonadherence Correction (SYNC) Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4292
Sponsor: Rep. Noem, Kristi L. [R-SD-At Large]
Introduced: 2015-12-18 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Immunology and vaccination
Medicaid
Medical research
Medicare
Mental health
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: 

Synchronization & Nonadherence Correction (SYNC) Act of 2015

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to research and test methods for improving medication adherence. "Medication adherence" refers to the taking of medications according to their prescribed dosage, time, frequency, and direction.
 
Research activities shall include the development of annual statistics related to medication adherence for patients with chronic diseases and mental health conditions treated under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program.
 
HHS shall implement innovative health care delivery models to test: (1) the efficacy of "synchronization," which refers to the coordination of medication refills such that a patient's medications are refilled according to the same schedule; and (2) 90-day fills at retail pharmacies for the first prescription of maintenance drugs that treat chronic diseases and mental health conditions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Introduced in House
To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to increase the rest periods of flight attendants to the same rest periods of pilots.

Bill: 114-hr-4295
Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2015-12-18 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Transportation employees
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: 
This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration to increase the rest periods for flight attendants to ensure that a flight attendant scheduled to a duty period of 14 hours or less is given a scheduled rest period of at least 10 consecutive hours.
 
The scheduled duty period may be reduced to at least 9 consecutive hours if the flight attendant is provided a subsequent rest period of at least 11 consecutive hours that: (1) is scheduled to begin within 24 hours after the beginning of the reduced rest period, and (2) occurs between the completion of the scheduled duty period and the commencement of the subsequent duty period.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Introduced in House
Youth Exchange Support Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4296
Sponsor: Rep. Bishop, Rob [R-UT-1]
Introduced: 2015-12-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Elementary and secondary education
Income tax deductions
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: 

Youth Exchange Support Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from $50 to $400 per month the amount of the charitable contribution tax deduction for taxpayers who provide housing and support to a student enrolled in an educational program. This increased amount is adjusted for inflation for taxable years beginning after 2016. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Introduced in House