hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act

Bill: 114-s-2019
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2015-09-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Competition and antitrust
Contracts and agency
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Intellectual property
Judicial review and appeals
Marketing and advertising
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-09
text: 

Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act

 
This bill amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to authorize the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate a proceeding against parties to any agreement resolving or settling a patent infringement claim in connection with the sale of a drug. Such an agreement, with specified exceptions, is presumed to have anticompetitive effects and is a violation of this Act if the filer of an abbreviated new drug (generic) application receives anything of value and agrees to limit or forego research, development, manufacturing, marketing, or sales of the generic drug. 
 
An agreement is exempted if the only consideration granted to the generic manufacturer is: (1) the right to market the generic drug prior to the expiration of any statutory exclusivity, (2) a payment for reasonable litigation expenses, and (3) a covenant not to sue on any claim that the generic drug infringes a patent. 
 
An entity subject to an FTC enforcement order may petition for the order be reviewed in federal court. Civil penalties are imposed for violations of this Act.
 
This bill amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to require a brand name manufacturer and generic manufacturer to submit to the FTC any other agreements the parties enter into within 30 days of entering into an agreement related to the manufacturing, marketing, sale, or exclusivity period of a drug.
 
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to forfeit the 180-day exclusivity period for a generic drug if the FTC or a court decides that an agreement violated this Act.
 
The FTC is granted exclusive authority to litigate matters relating to anticompetitive practices in connection with the sale of generic drugs. The FTC may not commence enforcement actions (other than cease and desist requests) more than six years after the FTC is notified of an agreement. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-22
text: Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-09-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-09-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2020
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2015-09-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Employee benefits and pensions
Employment and training programs
Government studies and investigations
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Military education and training
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-09
text: 

Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act of 2015

 
 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business-related tax credit for up to $5,000 for the training of a qualified individual in a qualified apprenticeship program or a qualified multi-employer apprenticeship program. The bill defines a "qualified individual" as an individual who: (1) is an apprentice participating in a qualified apprenticeship program or a qualified multi-employer apprenticeship program, (2) has been employed in either program for a period of at least seven months that ends within the taxable year, and (3) is not a highly compensated employee or a seasonal worker.
 
 The bill defines "qualified apprenticeship program" as a program that: (1) provides qualified individuals with on-the-job training and instruction for a qualified occupation (i.e., a skilled trade occupation in a high-demand mechanical, technical, health care, or technology field); (2) is registered with the Office of Apprenticeship of the Department of Labor; and (3) maintains records relating to the qualified individual. A "qualified multi-employer apprenticeship program" is a program in which multiple employers are required to contribute and that is maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements.
 
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a premature distribution, without penalty, from a tax-qualified retirement plan to an employee who is serving as a mentor. A "mentor" is defined as a working individual who: (1) has attained age 55; (2) works reduced hours and engages in mentoring activities for at least 20% of such hours; and (3) is responsible for the training and education of employees or students in an area of expertise for which such individual has a professional credential, certificate, or degree. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-09-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of special pension for Medal of Honor recipients, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-2022
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2015-09-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: 
This bill increases the special monthly pension for living Medal of Honor recipients.
 
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall not make an annual pension increase for such recipients, effective December 1, 2016, if the increased monthly pension under this Act takes effect before such date. If the VA does not make the December 1, 2016 increase, however, annual increases shall resume as of December 1, 2017.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-242.
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2023
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2015-09-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Business records
Canada
Civil actions and liability
Competition and antitrust
Congressional oversight
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Indian social and development programs
Inflation and prices
Intellectual property
Manufacturing
Medicaid
Medicare
Military medicine
Minority health
Prescription drugs
Public contracts and procurement
Research and development
Retail and wholesale trades
Trade agreements and negotiations
Trade restrictions
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: 

Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015

 
This bill amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to modify provisions related to the affordability of prescription drugs under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Specifically, the bill: 
 
 
requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid to negotiate lower prices on behalf of beneficiaries for drugs covered under Medicare Part D; 
 
accelerates closure of the Medicare Part D coverage gap known as the &quot;donut hole,&quot; under which beneficiaries who have reached a certain level of yearly drug costs become fully responsible for any additional drug costs up to a certain limit; 
 
requires drug manufacturers to issue rebates for prescription drugs dispensed to eligible low-income individuals under Medicare or Medicaid; and 
 
expands the application of certain prescription drug rebate requirements under Medicaid to include rebates for generic drugs. 

 
The bill also amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to: (1) allow the importation by individuals of prescription drugs from Canada and, potentially, other countries; and (2) establish certain conditions on the award of market exclusivity with respect to drugs. Specifically, a drug manufacturer's market exclusivity shall be terminated if the manufacturer commits, or fails to report, a drug-related violation such as misbranding, illegal marketing, or fraud.
 
In addition, the bill amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to: (1) establish restrictions on certain anticompetitive patent settlements known as &quot;pay-for-delay&quot; agreements, which effectively block generic drug competition; and (2) allow the Federal Trade Commission to initiate proceedings to enforce these restrictions against any parties to such a settlement.

The bill also requires drug manufacturers to produce and share annual reports containing specified information related to domestic and foreign sales.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Fort Frederica National Monument Boundary Expansion Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2024
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2015-09-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Georgia
Historic sites and heritage areas
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Military history
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: 

Fort Frederica National Monument Boundary Expansion Act of 2015

 
 Expands the boundary of the Fort Frederica National Monument on Saint Simon Island, Georgia. Increases the maximum number of acres that may be included in the monument from 250 to 525 acres.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Introduced in Senate
National Oceans and Coastal Security Act

Bill: 114-s-2025
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2015-09-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Climate change and greenhouse gases
Energy revenues and royalties
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Great Lakes
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Land transfers
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Oil and gas
Pollution liability
Seashores and lakeshores
Tax-exempt organizations
Water quality
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: 

National Oceans and Coastal Security Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Commerce and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to establish the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund as a tax exempt fund for supporting programs and activities to protect, conserve, and restore ocean and coastal resources and coastal infrastructure. 
 
Donations from a foreign government may not be deposited into the fund.
 
Commerce must prioritize projects that have non-federal partners sharing the project costs.
 
According to a specified allocation formula, the Foundation must award a minimum percentage of funds as grants to eligible coastal states while awarding a lesser percentage of funds to entities including states, Indian tribes, regional bodies, associations, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions.
 
The bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require the President to ensure that a certain percent of offshore energy revenues are deposited into the fund.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Nuclear Waste by Our Lakes Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2026
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2015-09-10 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Canada
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government studies and investigations
Great Lakes
International organizations and cooperation
Lakes and rivers
Nuclear power
Radioactive wastes and releases
Water quality
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: 

Stop Nuclear Waste by Our Lakes Act of 2015

 
This bill directs the Department of State to request that the International Joint Commission: 
 
 
review the long-term impacts of the location of the Deep Geological Repository (proposed by the Ontario Power Generation for disposal of 7 million cubic feet of low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste at the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant in Kincardine, Ontario), including an examination of the conclusions reached in the Environmental Assessment Report of the Joint Review Panel, and whether those conclusions would adequately protect Lake Huron and the other Great Lakes from the risks posed by the operation of the Deep Geological Repository for low and intermediate-level nuclear waste; and 
 
issue a report on the Commission's findings to the governments of the United States and Canada. 
 
 
If Canada decides to dispose permanently of high-level nuclear waste at a site in close proximity to the Deep Geological Repository or another site in the Great Lakes Basin the Department shall: 
 
 
 request the Commission to study the risks to the Great Lakes Basin of storing high-level nuclear waste in close proximity to the Deep Geological Repository or another site in the Great Lakes Basin, and 
 
 bring the matter before the Commission. 
 
 
The Department shall undertake negotiations with Canada to: 
 
 
delay the final decision on the Deep Geologic Repository until after the Commission delivers the report required by this Act, 
 
delay any final decision to store high-level nuclear waste in close proximity to the Deep Geological Repository or another site in the Great Lakes Basin until after the Commission conducts the study required by this Act, and 
 
consent to bringing the matter of such disposal of high-level nuclear waste before the Commission.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Trafficking in Fentanyl Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2027
Sponsor: Sen. Ayotte, Kelly [R-NH]
Introduced: 2015-09-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: 

Stop Trafficking in Fentanyl Act of 2015

 
 This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to modify the drug quantity thresholds that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for a defendant who manufactures, distributes, or possesses with intent to distribute fentanyl. 
 
Specifically, the bill reduces from 400 to 20 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 100 to 5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a 10-year or 20-year mandatory minimum prison term for high-level first-time or repeat offenders. It also reduces from 40 to 2 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 10 to 0.5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a 5-year or 10-year mandatory minimum prison term for low-level first-time or repeat offenders. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2028
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2015-09-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Congressional oversight
Credit and credit markets
National Credit Union Administration

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: 

Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 2015
 
 
 Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to prohibit an insured credit union from making any member business loan that would result in the total amount of such loans outstanding at that credit union at any one time exceeding either: (1) 1.75 times the actual net worth of the credit union, or (2) 12.25% of the total assets of the credit union.
 
Authorizes the National Credit Union Administration Board to approve an application by an insured credit union to make one or more member business loans that would result in a total amount of such loans outstanding at any one time of up to 27.5 % of the total assets of the credit union, if the credit union meets specified safety and soundness criteria. Prohibits an insured credit union that has made such a member business loan but that is not well capitalized from making any new member business loans until it becomes well capitalized and obtains Board approval.
 
Directs the Board to develop a tiered approval process, including lending standards, under which an insured credit union gradually increases the amount of member business lending in a manner that is consistent with safe and sound operations.
 
Directs the Government Accountability Office to study the status of member business lending by insured credit unions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2015-09-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Shirley Constantino Tan.

Bill: 114-s-2029
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-09-15 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: Provides for the relief of Shirley Constantino Tan.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6653-6654; text of measure as introduced: CR S6654)
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Advancing Targeted Therapies for Rare Diseases Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2030
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2015-09-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug therapy
Genetics

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: 

Advancing Targeted Therapies for Rare Diseases Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit the Food and Drug Administration to allow the sponsor of a new drug or biological product for the treatment of a rare, serious condition to rely upon information submitted for an approved medication that uses the same technology. For a sponsor to be eligible to rely upon submitted information: (1) the sponsor must have developed, or have a right of reference to, the relied upon information; and (2) the new medication must use nucleic acids (e.g., DNA) or similar chemicals, or must affect a disease-causing protein variant (e.g., the protein that causes cystic fibrosis).
action_date: 2016-04-05
text: 

Advancing Targeted Therapies for Rare Diseases Act of 2016

 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit the Food and Drug Administration to allow the sponsor of a new drug or biological product for the treatment of a rare, serious condition to rely upon information submitted for an approved medication that uses the same technology. For a sponsor to be eligible to rely upon submitted information: (1) the sponsor must have developed, or have a right of reference to, the relied upon information; and (2) the new medication must use nucleic acids (e.g., DNA) or similar chemicals, or must affect a disease-causing product of a mutated gene (e.g., the protein that causes cystic fibrosis).

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-05
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 416.
action_date: 2016-04-05
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Alexander with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-04-05
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Alexander with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-02-09
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: Introduced in Senate
American Soda Ash Competitiveness Act

Bill: 114-s-2031
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2015-09-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Mining
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: 

American Soda Ash Competitiveness Act

 
 Sets at 2%, for a five-year period, the royalty rate on the quantity or gross value of the output of sodium compounds and related products at the point of shipment to market from federal land.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-368.
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: Introduced in Senate
National Bison Legacy Act

Bill: 114-s-2032
Sponsor: Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]
Introduced: 2015-09-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Mammals
National symbols

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: 

National Bison Legacy Act

 
This bill adopts the North American bison as the national mammal of the United States.

action_date: 2015-12-03
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

National Bison Legacy Act

 
This bill adopts the North American bison as the national mammal of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2015-12-07
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2015-12-03
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8426)
action_date: 2015-12-03
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S8426)
action_date: 2015-12-03
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8426)
action_date: 2015-12-03
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8426)
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-09-15
text: Introduced in Senate