hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Pell for Performance Act

Bill: 114-hr-4808
Sponsor: Rep. Salmon, Matt [R-AZ-5]
Introduced: 2016-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Student records

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: 

Pell for Performance Act

 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the Federal Pell Grant program.
 
Specifically, if a Pell Grant recipient fails to complete an education program within the maximum timeframe for completion, then the Pell Grants received for such program convert to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan and are subject to repayment, in accordance with applicable terms and conditions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
Political Intelligence Transparency Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4809
Sponsor: Rep. Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY-25]
Introduced: 2016-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Commodities markets
Congressional operations and organization
Federal officials
Financial services and investments
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Members of Congress
Public participation and lobbying
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: 

Political Intelligence Transparency Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to require the disclosure of political intelligence activities, particularly relating to information useful for analyzing securities or commodities markets.
 
Political intelligence consultants or their employing organizations must register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives and make quarterly reports on political intelligence activities.
 
Persons or entities that make an oral or written political intelligence contact with a covered legislative branch or executive branch official must, on the official's request: (1) state whether such person or entity is registered under the LDA, (2) identify the client on behalf of whom the contact is made, and (3) state whether such client is a foreign entity and make any related disclosures.
 
The federal criminal code is amended to subject to a fine and/or imprisonment certain former officers, employees, and elected officials of the executive and legislative branches who knowingly make any communication to, or appearance before, any officer or employee of a federal or District of Columbia agency or court in violation of certain permanent or temporary restrictions and with the intent to gain information for use in: (1) analyzing securities or commodities markets, or (2) informing investment decisions in those markets.
 
The bill excludes from such prohibition any communication made by a representative of a media organization to gather and disseminate news and information to the public.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2016-04-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
U.S.-Israel Security Cooperation Act

Bill: 114-hr-4810
Sponsor: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Introduced: 2016-03-17 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Israel
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military procurement, research, weapons development

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: 

U.S.-Israel Security Cooperation Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to carry out research, development, test, and evaluation activities on a joint basis with Israel to establish directed energy capabilities to detect and defeat ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, mortars, and improvised explosive devices. 
 
Activities carried out pursuant to such authority shall be conducted in a manner that protects sensitive information and U.S. and Israeli national security interests. 
 
DOD's Missile Defense Agency shall be lead agency in carrying out these activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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: 2016-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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: 2016-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4811
Sponsor: Rep. Takai, Mark [D-HI-1]
Introduced: 2016-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Economic performance and conditions
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Research administration and funding
Rural conditions and development
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: 

Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act to authorize the 12 federal agencies on the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, which includes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to carry out, either individually or cooperatively, prize competitions that promote coral reef research and conservation. The prize competitions should be designed to help the United States achieve its goal of developing new and effective ways to advance the understanding, monitoring, and sustainability of coral reef ecosystems. 
 
Priority is given to establish programs that address communities, environments, or industries that are in distress due to the decline or degradation of coral reef ecosystems.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2016-03-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2016-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2016-03-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to enter into an agreement with the Harriet Tubman Statue Commission of the State of Maryland for the acceptance of a statue of Harriet Tubman for display in a suitable location in the United States Capitol.

Bill: 114-hr-4812
Sponsor: Rep. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD-8]
Introduced: 2016-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Art, artists, authorship
Congressional tributes
Joint Committee on the Library
Maryland
Racial and ethnic relations
U.S. Capitol
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: 
This bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to enter into an agreement with the Harriet Tubman Statue Commission of the State of Maryland under which the Commission shall provide, and the Joint Committee shall accept, a statue of Harriet Tubman.
 
After receiving the statue, the Joint Committee on the Library shall place it in a suitable permanent location in the U.S. Capitol.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
ABLE Age Adjustment Act

Bill: 114-hr-4813
Sponsor: Rep. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD-8]
Introduced: 2016-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Disability and paralysis
Income tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: 

ABLE Age Adjustment Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to qualified ABLE programs, to increase the threshold for eligibility for such programs from age 26 to age 46. (Tax-favored ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
No Budget, No Pay Act

Bill: 114-hr-4814
Sponsor: Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]
Introduced: 2016-03-17 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Congressional oversight
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Members of Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: 

No Budget, No Pay Act 

 
This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a house of Congress that has not agreed to a budget resolution for FY2017 by April 15, 2016, as required by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 
 
Salaries are withheld from April 16, 2016, until the earlier of the date that the house of Congress agrees to a budget resolution or the last day of the 114th Congress. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Introduced in House
Birmingham Civil Rights National Historical Park

Bill: 114-hr-4817
Sponsor: Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]
Introduced: 2016-03-21 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alabama
Historic sites and heritage areas
Racial and ethnic relations
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: 

Birmingham Civil Rights National Historical Park

 
This bill establishes the Birmingham Civil Rights National Historical Park in Birmingham, Alabama, to: (1) preserve and interpret its civil rights history; and (2) coordinate its preservation, catalyze economic revitalization, and facilitate interpretive efforts by government, private, or nonprofit entities.
 
The Department of the Interior shall administer the park. Interior must also complete a general management plan in consultation with the city of Birmingham.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2016-03-22
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E356)
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4818
Sponsor: Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3]
Introduced: 2016-03-21 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Hunting and fishing
Land use and conservation
Outdoor recreation
Sales and excise taxes
State and local finance
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: 

Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to make it one of the purposes of the Act to extend financial and technical assistance to the states for the promotion of hunting and recreational shooting.
 
The bill also prescribes a formula for the allocation of funds apportioned to a state that may be used for any activity or project to recruit or retain hunters and recreational shooters.
 
Amounts apportioned to the states from any taxes on pistols, revolvers, bows, and arrows may be used for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment. 
 
The funds apportioned to a state for wildlife restoration management may be used for related public relations.
 
If a state has not used all of the tax revenues apportioned to it for firearm and bow hunter education and safety program grants, it may use its remaining apportioned funds for the enhancement of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment. 
 
Up to $5 million of the revenues covered into wildlife restoration fund in the Treasury from any tax imposed for a fiscal year on the sale of certain bows, arrows, and archery equipment shall be available to the Department of the Interior exclusively for making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
HEALTHIER Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4819
Sponsor: Rep. Duncan, John J., Jr. [R-TN-2]
Introduced: 2016-03-21 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Poverty and welfare assistance
Rural conditions and development
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: 

Health for Each American Less fortunate Through Help from medical professionals In Every Rural and impoverished area Act of 2016 or the HEALTHIER Act of 2016

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to states with a volunteer health care provider law that permits a volunteer to provide health care services without being licensed in the state if the volunteer is licensed in another state.
 The law must: (1) require the services to be provided in a rural or impoverished area and to be within the scope of practice of the provider in the state, and (2) prohibit the services from being provided for more than seven consecutive days.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1814)
action_date: 2016-03-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2016-03-21
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: 2016-03-21
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: 2016-03-21
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: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
Promoting National Service and Reducing Unemployment Act

Bill: 114-hr-4821
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2016-03-21 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Appropriations
Corporation for National and Community Service
Executive agency funding and structure
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
National and community service

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: 

Promoting National Service and Reducing Unemployment Act 

 
This bill provides FY2016 supplemental appropriations to the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) for: 
 
 
Operating Expenses, 
 
 Salaries and Expenses, and 
 
 the Office of Inspector General. 
 
 
The CNCS must: (1) use the funds to increase the number of national service positions approved under the National and Community Service Act of 1990, and (2) give preference to programs which propose to use full-time national service positions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E346)
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
Public Employee Pension Transparency Act

Bill: 114-hr-4822
Sponsor: Rep. Nunes, Devin [R-CA-22]
Introduced: 2016-03-21 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Securities
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: 

Public Employee Pension Transparency Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny tax benefits relating to bonds issued by a state or political subdivision during any period in which such state or political subdivision is noncompliant with specified reporting requirements for state or local government employee pension benefit plans. 
 
The bill requires plan sponsors of a state or local government employee pension benefit plan to file with the Secretary of the Treasury a report for each plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2017, setting forth: 
 
 
 a schedule of the funding status of the plan;
 
 a schedule of contributions by the plan sponsor for the plan year;
 
 alternative projections for each of the next 60 plan years of the cash flows associated with the current plan liability;
 
 a statement of the actuarial assumptions used for the plan year;
 
 a statement of the number of plan participants who are retired or separated from service and are either receiving benefits or are entitled to future benefits and those who are active under the plan;
 
 a statement of the plan's investment returns;
 
 a statement of the degree to which unfunded liabilities are expected to be eliminated;
 
 a statement of the amount of pension obligation bonds outstanding; and
 
 a statement of the current cost of the plan for the plan year.
 
 
The Secretary shall develop model reporting statements and create and maintain a public website, with searchable capabilities, for purposes of posting pension plan information required by this Act.
 
The bill grants the United States an exemption from liability for any current or future shortfall in any state or local government employee pension plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
Bringing Entertainment Artists to the States (BEATS) Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4823
Sponsor: Rep. Trott, David A. [R-MI-11]
Introduced: 2016-03-21 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Canada
Foreign labor
Performing arts
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: 

Bringing Entertainment Artists to the States (BEATS) Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prescribe special procedures for the nonimmigrant entry of P-2 visa Canadian citizens (artists or entertainers participating in a government approved reciprocal exchange program).
 
Such persons may, after U.S. admission and without filing an amended petition, alter or add to the dates and venues of performances listed in the original petition, provided that the altered or additional performances constitute no more than one third of the originally listed performances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
Taxpayers Second Amendment Protection Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-4824
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Todd [R-IN-9]
Introduced: 2016-03-21 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Law enforcement administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: 

Taxpayers Second Amendment Protection Act of 2016

 
This bill prohibits a federal official or entity from restricting, or imposing a condition on, the lawful possession, storage, or use of a firearm by an individual who is assisted under a federal or federally funded program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-21
text: Introduced in House
U.S.-India Defense Technology and Partnership Act

Bill: 114-hr-4825
Sponsor: Rep. Holding, George [R-NC-13]
Introduced: 2016-03-22 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
India
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military command and structure
Military operations and strategy
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Technology transfer and commercialization
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-22
text: 

U.S.-India Defense Technology and Partnership Act

 
This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S.-India defense partnership is vital to regional and international stability and security, and (2) the President should take action to formalize India's status as a U.S. major partner.
 
The President should coordinate with India annually to develop military contingency plans for addressing threats to mutual security interests.
 
The President shall: (1) annually assess the extent to which India possesses strategic operational capabilities to execute military operations of mutual interest to the United States and India; and (2) ensure that such assessment is used in reviewing applications to sell or export defense articles, defense services, or technical data. 
 
The Arms Export Control Act is amended to extend special foreign military sales status to India.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2016-03-22
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1499)
action_date: 2016-03-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-22
text: Introduced in House