hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Investing in Student Success Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3432
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Todd [R-IN-9]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Contracts and agency
Federal preemption
Financial services and investments
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Student aid and college costs
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

Investing in Student Success Act of 2015

 
This bill authorizes an individual (i.e., a student) and another person (i.e., an investor) to enter an income-share agreement (ISA) in which the student agrees to pay a percentage of future income, for a specified period of time, in exchange for funds to pay for postsecondary educational expenses. 
 
An ISA that complies with specified terms and conditions and meets certain disclosure requirements is a valid, binding, and enforceable contract and is not subject to state laws that limit interest rates or regulate assignments of future income. 
 
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to include an ISA as a qualified education loan (a qualified education loan is not dischargeable in bankruptcy), but it prohibits a tax deduction for interest paid on an ISA (interest paid on a qualified education loan is tax deductible). 
 
Payments to a student under an ISA are not includible as: (1) gross income for tax purposes, or (2) income or assets for federal financial aid eligibility purposes under the Higher Education Act of 1965. 
 
The bill amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to exclude as an investment company any person whose business substantially consists of making ISAs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Financial Services, 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: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Financial Services, 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: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Financial Services, 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: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and Financial Services, 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: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
PORTS Act

Bill: 114-hr-3433
Sponsor: Rep. Reichert, David G. [R-WA-8]
Introduced: 2015-07-31 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: California
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Labor-management relations
Marine and inland water transportation
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Oregon
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
State and local government operations
War and emergency powers
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: 

Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments Act of 2015 or the PORTS Act

 
This bill amends the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 to extend to labor slowdowns occurring at U.S. ports the President's authority to appoint a board of inquiry into the issues involved.
 
State and territorial governors shall have authority to request the President to appoint a board of inquiry if a slowdown, or a threatened or an actual strike or lock-out, occurring at one or more U.S. ports will, if continued, imperil national or state health or safety. 
 
If the President does not appoint a board of inquiry within 10 days after receiving a request, the governor who made the request may appoint one to report on the dispute to the governor and the President, although without recommendations. Supplemental reports are also authorized. Boards of inquiry are limited to one that may appointed for each dispute during a 90-day period.
 
Governors may also petition for injunctions against such labor or management actions affecting ports in their states or territories. 
 
The National Labor Relations Board, for each dispute, shall take not more than one secret ballot for the same employees in any 30-day period.
 
The Government Accountability Office shall study the West Coast ports slowdown to:
 
 
study the economic impact of the slowdowns and congestion caused by the negotiations on the nation as a whole as well as each port,
 
review steps taken by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to resolve the dispute,
 
identify steps FMCS and the Administration could have taken sooner to facilitate an agreement, and
 
determine what legislative changes could strengthen these tools and result in more timely intervention.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Introduced in House
Commonsense Permitting for Job Creation Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3434
Sponsor: Rep. Hurt, Robert [R-VA-5]
Introduced: 2015-07-31 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aquatic ecology
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Industrial facilities
Licensing and registrations
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: 

Commonsense Permitting for Job Creation Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise requirements for permit guidelines applicable to the designation of disposal sites for discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. Those guidelines may not prohibit the designation of a disposal site due to the lack of a final site plan because there is not an identified end user, industry, or industrial classification for the site. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Introduced in House
LEAP Act

Bill: 114-hr-3435
Sponsor: Rep. Reed, Tom [R-NY-23]
Introduced: 2015-07-31 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: 

Leveraging and Energizing America's Apprenticeship Programs Act or the LEAP Act

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business-related tax credit of $1,500 for hiring an apprentice who has not attained age 25 at the close of the taxable year or $1,000 for an apprentice who has attained age 25. Allows such credit for no more than two taxable years with respect to any apprentice. Defines "apprentice" as an employee who is employed in an officially-recognized apprenticeable occupation pursuant to an apprentice agreement registered with the Office of Apprenticeship of the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor or a recognized state apprenticeship agency. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Introduced in House
To provide discretionary authority to an immigration judge to determine that an alien parent of a United States citizen child should not be ordered removed, deported, or excluded from the United States.

Bill: 114-hr-3436
Sponsor: Rep. Serrano, Jose E. [D-NY-15]
Introduced: 2015-07-31 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Child safety and welfare
Crimes against women
Family relationships
Human trafficking
Immigration status and procedures
Judicial procedure and administration

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, in the case of an alien subject to removal, deportation, or exclusion and who is the parent of a U.S. citizen child, to authorize an immigration judge to decline to order such removal if the judge determines that action to be against the child's best interests. 
 
States that such discretion shall not apply to an alien when the judge determines that the alien: (1) is excludable or deportable on security grounds, or (2) has engaged in sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking in persons.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Secretary of Defense to provide for the inclusion of the names of certain members of the Armed Forces on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Bill: 114-hr-3439
Sponsor: Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-48]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Accidents
Asia
Aviation and airports
California
Conflicts and wars
District of Columbia
Monuments and memorials
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Defense to provide for the inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the District of Columbia of the names of those members of the Armed Forces who died in transit to or from a covered combat zone during the Vietnam conflict, including the members who died in the Loma Ridge plane crash in California on June 25, 1965.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in House
Fusion Innovation Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3440
Sponsor: Rep. Grayson, Alan [D-FL-9]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Energy research
Government studies and investigations
Nuclear power
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 

Fusion Innovation Act of 2015

 
Directs the Office of Science of the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a Fusion Innovation Initiative, under which the Office shall issue a competitive, merit-reviewed funding opportunity announcement to solicit proposals for engineering designs for innovative fusion energy systems, including upgrades to existing facilities, which have the potential to demonstrate net energy production not later than seven years after the start of construction.
 
Requires a recipient to submit the design within 18 months after receiving funding.
 
Directs the Office to assign top priority to, and provide expedited financial support for, relevant construction activities for any design that the Office determines merits support.
 
Directs DOE to establish open, transparent processes to share unclassified resources and information that will accelerate the advancement of fusion energy technologies among researchers from the National Laboratories (specified DOE-owned laboratories), institutions of higher education, and the private sector.
 
Directs the Office to: (1) establish processes to make unclassified, proprietary simulation codes relevant to the development of a fusion energy system, that are controlled by a National Laboratory, available to researchers from other National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, and the private sector; (2) support shared platforms for the co-development of simulation codes for fusion energy systems among such researchers; and (3) establish a process for fusion researchers from the National Laboratories to serve limited-term residencies at private sector companies working to advance fusion technologies.
 
Directs DOE to submit a report assessing its capabilities to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded fusion prototypes with up to 20 megawatts thermal output and related demonstration facilities at DOE-owned sites.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in House
Accurate Education for Prenatal Screenings Act

Bill: 114-hr-3441
Sponsor: Rep. Herrera Beutler, Jaime [R-WA-3]
Introduced: 2015-08-04 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Genetics
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Summary:
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: 

Accurate Education for Prenatal Screenings Act

 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop, implement, and maintain two programs, one to educate patients and one to educate health care providers regarding:
 
 
 the purposes and definitions of cell-free DNA prenatal screenings; 
 
 the reasons for patients and providers to consider such screenings;
 
 the conditions such screenings may detect;
 
 the risks and benefits of, and alternatives to, the various methods of administering such screenings and prenatal diagnostic testing;
 
 the possible results of such screenings and the accuracy of such results; 
 
 the need for diagnostic testing, and counseling by a genetics professional, for patients whose screenings yield positive, abnormal, or indeterminate results; and 
 
 the need for communication of results to patients and appropriate follow-up per guidelines established by medical professional societies.
 
 
Requires each program to provide materials that:
 
 
 contain information that is peer-reviewed, balanced, accurate, and up-to-date; 
 
 enable the respective target audience to understand the available options with regard to such screenings, other prenatal screenings, and diagnostic tests; 
 
 promote the informed consent of, and enhance the decision-making processes of, the respective target audience before and after such screenings; 
 
 contain information that appropriately addresses the diversity of the patient population; and 
 
 contain contact information for relevant services and support organizations for patients. 
 
 
Requires CDC to submit annual reports regarding:
 
 
the development and implementation of such programs; 
 
 the accessibility of each program to, and the adoption of each program by, its respective target audience; and 
 
 CDC's efforts to ensure that providers and patients receive the materials created pursuant to this Act.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-08-04
text: Introduced in House
Women's Health Accountability Act

Bill: 114-hr-3443
Sponsor: Rep. Ellmers, Renee L. [R-NC-2]
Introduced: 2015-09-08 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Family planning and birth control
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: 

Women's Health Accountability Act

 
This bill prohibits federal family planning funding from being made available to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., and its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, and clinics until Congress reviews the report described below.
 Within two years, the Government Accountability Office must report on all medical items and services offered in the facilities of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., and its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, and clinics.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House
Medicaid and CHIP Territory Fraud Prevention Act

Bill: 114-hr-3444
Sponsor: Rep. Pitts, Joseph R. [R-PA-16]
Introduced: 2015-09-08 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: American Samoa
Caribbean area
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Guam
Medicaid
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: 

Medicaid and CHIP Territory Fraud Prevention Act

 
This bill amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to exclude certain payments from ceilings on the amounts of Medicaid payments made to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Specifically, the bill excludes certain payments made to these territories for the establishment and operation of Medicaid fraud control units. 
 
The bill also makes a technical amendment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House
Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) Accountability Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3445
Sponsor: Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
Introduced: 2015-09-08 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Bahrain
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Protest and dissent
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: 

Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) Accountability Act of 2015

 
This bill prohibits the U.S. government from selling or transferring to Bahrain specified weapons and crowd control items until the Department of State certifies that Bahrain has fully implemented all 26 recommendations set forth in the 2011 Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House
Simplifying Financial Aid for Students Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3446
Sponsor: Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-35]
Introduced: 2015-09-08 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: 
 

Simplifying Financial Aid for Students Act of 2015
 
 
 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to provide for the use of tax information from the second preceding tax year (the "prior, prior year") to determine a student's financial aid eligibility. It requires data sharing between the Internal Revenue Service and ED, pursuant to taxpayer consent. 
 
 The bill also increases from $23,000 to $30,000 the adjusted gross income threshold used to determine whether a student qualifies for an automatic zero expected family contribution (EFC) in the calculation of such student's financial need. A dependent student is eligible for an automatic zero EFC if the student's parents have adjusted gross income up to $30,000. An independent student with non-spouse dependents is eligible for a zero EFC if the student and spouse have adjusted gross income up to $30,000. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House
Cecil the Lion Endangered and Threatened Species Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3448
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2015-09-08 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Customs enforcement
Endangered and threatened species
Hunting and fishing
Trade restrictions
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: 

Cecil the Lion Endangered and Threatened Species Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit: (1) taking endangered or threatened species within the United States or U.S. territorial seas as trophies, or (2) importing such trophies.
 
Any person seeking to import a fish or wildlife trophy must submit documentation establishing that the trophy was taken before the enactment of this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend honorary citizenship to otherwise qualified noncitizens who enlisted in the Philippines and died while serving on active duty with the United States Armed Forces during certain periods of hostilities, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-3449
Sponsor: Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3]
Introduced: 2015-09-08 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Asia
Citizenship and naturalization
Conflicts and wars
Military personnel and dependents
Philippines

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend posthumous citizenship to an otherwise qualified noncitizen who enlisted, reenlisted, extended enlistment, or was inducted into the U.S. Armed Forces in the Philippines and died as a result of such active duty service during the period September 1, 1939-December 31, 1946.
 
The executive department under which a person served shall determine whether the person satisfied the requirements for posthumous citizenship.
 
Specified naturalization and other posthumous benefit provisions shall not apply to the surviving spouse, child, or parent of such a person.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-09-16
text: Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security Discharged.
action_date: 2015-09-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-08
text: Introduced in House