hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act

Bill: 114-s-2146
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-10-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Criminal justice information and records
Immigration status and procedures
Intergovernmental relations
Law enforcement administration and funding
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: 

Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act

 
This bill prohibits a sanctuary jurisdiction from receiving grants under the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, the Community Oriented Policing Services Program, and the Community Development Block Grant Program. A sanctuary jurisdiction is a state or political subdivision that has a policy or practice in effect that: (1) prohibits or restricts information sharing about an individual's immigration status, or (2) prohibits compliance with a lawfully issued detainer request or notification of release request. 
 
The Department of Justice (DOJ) must terminate grant funding 30 days after DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determine, notify, and publish the states and political subdivisions that are sanctuary jurisdictions. 
 
A state or political subdivision that complies with a detainer is deemed to be an agent of DHS. The bill authorizes such agent to take actions to comply with the detainer. It also limits the liability of such agent if the actions taken complied with the detainer. 
 
The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase from two years to five years the maximum prison term for an alien who reenters after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed. 
 
It establishes a 10-year maximum prison term for an alien who reenters after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed on 3 or more prior occasions. 
 
It establishes a five-year mandatory minimum prison term for an alien who reenters after being removed following a conviction for an aggravated felony or following two or more prior convictions for illegal reentry. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-20
text: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 45. Record Vote Number: 280. (consideration: CR S7323; text: CR S7323)
action_date: 2015-10-20
text: Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S7314-7323, S7323-7332)
action_date: 2015-10-19
text: Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S7290-7302)
action_date: 2015-10-08
text: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S7249; text: CR S7249)
action_date: 2015-10-08
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S7249; text: CR S7249)
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 252.
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Pension Accountability Act

Bill: 114-s-2147
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Pension Accountability Act
 
 
This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to revise rules for voting on the suspension of pension benefits under multiemployer plans in endangered or critical status. The bill changes the voting procedure for suspending plan benefits to provide that a suspension shall go into effect unless a majority of plan participants and beneficiaries who cast a vote (currently, a majority of all plan participants and beneficiaries) reject the suspension. The bill also eliminates the authority of the Department of the Treasury, in the case of systemically important plans, to override a vote of plan participants to reject a suspension. A plan is systemically important if projected financial assistance to the plan will exceed $1 billion if suspensions are not implemented. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2148
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Government trust funds
Health programs administration and funding
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Protecting Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2015

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) prevent 2016 increases to Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles for enrollees, and (2) authorize federal funding to offset the corresponding reduction in aggregate monthly premiums.
 
Under current law, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must annually determine the monthly actuarial rate upon which Part B premiums and deductibles are based. The bill temporarily freezes that rate at the 2015 level for enrollees, effectively preventing increases to premiums and deductibles for those enrollees in 2016. (Current law already protects Part B enrollees whose benefits are deducted from their Social Security benefits from premium increases that would result in a smaller Social Security check.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2149
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Education programs funding
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
School administration
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Higher Education Opportunity Act and the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to use a standardized financial aid offer form that meets specified requirements. 
 
The Department of Education (ED) must develop a standard format for financial aid offer forms based on recommendations from representatives of students, students' families, institutions of higher education, secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer groups. 
 
The form must include specified details and disclosures regarding: 
 
 
 the cost of attendance; 
 
aid that does not need to be repaid; 
 
 the net price that a student or family is estimated to pay; 
 
 work study assistance; 
 
 types and amounts of loans, including monthly repayment amounts; 
 
 sources for additional information; 
 
 deadlines and the process for accepting financial aid; 
 
 the academic period covered by the aid; 
 
 default rates; 
 
 private loans;
 
scholarships; and 
 
the terms and conditions of federal financial aid. 
 
 
ED must: (1) test the form with representatives of students, students' families, institutions of higher education, secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer groups; and (2) use the results to develop the final form. 
 
Each institution of higher education that receives federal financial assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965 must use the standard form when offering financial aid to students. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Net Price Calculator Improvement Act

Bill: 114-s-2150
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Government information and archives
Higher education
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Net Price Calculator Improvement Act

 
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish the minimum requirements for the net price calculator that an institution of higher education (IHE) receiving federal funds under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Act must include on its website. (An IHE's net price is the average yearly price actually charged to first-time, full-time undergraduate students receiving student aid at the school after deducting such aid.)
 
 
 
 
It authorizes the Department of Education to develop a universal net price calculator that enables users to answer one set of questions and receive net prices for any IHE that is required to have a net price calculator.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Family Health Care Accessibility Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2151
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Government liability
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Family Health Care Accessibility Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to deem a health professional volunteer providing primary health care to an individual at a community health center or through programs or events carried out by a center to be an employee of the Public Health Service for purposes of any civil action that may arise from providing services to patients. For a volunteer to be covered by this liability protection, the Department of Health and Human Services must approve the center's application to sponsor the volunteer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Provider Payment Sunshine Act

Bill: 114-s-2153
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Business records
Government information and archives
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicaid
Medical ethics
Medicare
Nursing

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Provider Payment Sunshine Act

 
This bill amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to expand reporting requirements related to the transparency of physician ownership or investment interests.
 
Under current law, a manufacturer of drugs, devices, or medical supplies that are covered under Medicaid or Medicare must regularly report on any payment or transfer of value by the manufacturer to a &ldquo;covered recipient,&rdquo; defined as either a physician who is not an employee of the manufacturer or a teaching hospital. The bill expands the definition of &ldquo;covered recipient&rdquo; to also include any of the following practitioners who is not an employee of the manufacturer: (1) a physician assistant, (2) a nurse practitioner, (3) a clinical nurse specialist, (4) certified registered nurse anesthetist, or (5) a certified nurse-midwife.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Elimination of Double Subsidies for the Hardrock Mining Industry Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2154
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax deductions
Mining

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Elimination of Double Subsidies for the Hardrock Mining Industry Act of 2015

 
 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow the percentage depletion allowance for hardrock mines located on land currently subject to the general mining laws, or on land patented under such laws.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2155
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: California
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas
Oregon
Pacific Ocean
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Department of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in any area of the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of California, Oregon, or Washington.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Wildfire and Emergency Airspace Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2156
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Forests, forestry, trees

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Wildfire and Emergency Airspace Protection Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly launch a drone for recreational purposes that recklessly interferes with disaster response or firefighting efforts. 
 
The legislation does not affect the use of drones launched for agricultural purposes. 
 
Violators are subject to a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-10
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-635.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFE DRONE Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2157
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Fires
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Safety for Airports and Firefighters by Ensuring Drones Refrain from Obstructing Necessary Equipment Act of 2015 or the SAFE DRONE Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly operate a drone in a restricted area. A "restricted area" is an area that is:
 
 
within a two-mile radius of a hub airport or an ongoing firefighting operation, or
 
subject to a temporary flight restriction issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. 
 
 
The prohibition does not apply to government operations in response to a fire or emergency.
 
Violators are subject to fines, up to one year in prison, or both. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
PTC Elimination Act

Bill: 114-s-2158
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

PTC Elimination Act 

 
This bill repeals the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources (e.g., wind, biomass, trash, geothermal or solar energy facilities). The bill also expresses the sense of Congress that such credit should be allowed to expire and should not be extended. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Women's Public Health and Safety Act

Bill: 114-s-2159
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Medicaid

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Women's Public Health and Safety Act

 
This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow a state to exclude from participation in the state's Medicaid program a provider that performs an abortion, unless: (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or (2) the woman suffers from a physical issue that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. (Under current law, a state plan for medical assistance must provide that any individual eligible for medical assistance may obtain required services from any provider qualified to perform them.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Enlistment Opportunity Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2160
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Citizenship and naturalization
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Military Enlistment Opportunity Act of 2015

 
Amends citizenship and residency qualifications for enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces to permit enlistment of additional persons who: (1) have resided continuously in a lawful status in the United States for at least two years, or (2) possess an employment authorization document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under requirements of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy entitled Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
 
 Requires authorized enlistees who are not citizens or other nationals of the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence to be adjusted to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence under an exception to specified provisions of Immigration and Nationality Act. (Such enlistees need not establish that they entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972, or comply with other specified requirements.)
 
Directs DHS to rescind such adjusted status if the person is separated from the armed forces under other than honorable conditions before the person served for a period or periods aggregating five years.
 
Deems any person who has received an award from the U.S. Armed Forces for engagement in active combat or active participation in combat to have satisfied specified naturalization requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2161
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Africa
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Liberia

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 

Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2015 

 
 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to adjust to permanent resident status a qualifying Liberian national who: (1) has been continuously present in the United States between January 1, 2013, through the date of status adjustment application; or (2) is the spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of such an alien.
 
 Adjustment applications must be filed not later than one year after the date of enactment of this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S7221)
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the secure rural schools and community self-determination program and to make permanent the payment in lieu of taxes program and the land and water conservation fund.

Bill: 114-s-2164
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2015-10-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government trust funds
Hunting and fishing
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Property tax
Rural conditions and development
State and local finance
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: 
This bill extends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Program through FY2025 at FY2011 funding levels. This Program provides payments to state jurisdictions to compensate for the cost of providing services in tax-exempt federal lands within such jurisdictions. Payments under such Act for FY2016 and each fiscal year thereafter shall be exempt from direct spending reductions under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 
 
The bill eliminates the fiscal year limitation on funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Program. This Program compensates local governments for tax revenue lost due to tax-exempt federal lands within their boundaries. 
 
The bill amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to make permanent the authorization for the Land and and Water Conservation Fund. Amounts in such Funds remain available for expenditure to carry out such Act without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation. Not less than 1.5% the annual authorized funding amount under such Act shall be made available for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal public land for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 54, United States Code, to permanently authorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Bill: 114-s-2165
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2015-10-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land use and conservation
Outdoor recreation
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-08
text: 
 Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to make permanent the authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-19
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 270.
action_date: 2015-10-08
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2015-10-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Timely Mental Health for Foster Youth Act

Bill: 114-s-2166
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2015-10-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-08
text: 

Timely Mental Health for Foster Youth Act

 
This bill amends part B (Child and Family Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act with respect to state plans for the ongoing oversight and coordination of health care services for children in a foster care placement.
 
An initial mental health screening of any child in foster care must be completed within 30 days after the child enters into foster care. In the case of any child for whom a mental health issue is identified in such initial screening, a comprehensive assessment of the child's mental health must be completed within 60 days after the child's entry into foster care.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-10-08
text: Introduced in Senate