hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Safe and Secure Drinking Water Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-243
Sponsor: Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental health
Environmental regulatory procedures
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 

Safe and Secure Drinking Water Act of 2015

 
This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and publish within 90 days a health advisory including recommendations on: (1) the level of microcystins (toxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae) in drinking water that is safe for human consumption; (2) feasible treatment techniques and other means for achieving a safe level; and (3) standardized procedures for testing for microcystins in drinking water. 
 
Until the EPA makes a determination on whether to regulate microcystins in drinking water, it must report on: (1) the status of the determination, (2) the steps taken by the EPA to promote testing of drinking water for microcystins in areas that have been affected by harmful algal blooms, and (3) an analysis of available treatment techniques and other means for addressing microcystins in drinking water. The EPA must submit the report within 120 days and every year thereafter.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 38, United States Code, to codify certain existing provisions of law relating to effective dates for claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-245
Sponsor: Rep. Abraham, Ralph Lee [R-LA-5]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government information and archives
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 
Describes an &quot;informal claim&quot; for a veterans' benefit as a communication in writing requesting a determination of entitlement or evidencing a belief in entitlement to such benefit that is submitted by a claimant, or an authorized party on the claimant's behalf, in a format other than on an application form submitted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires an informal claim to also indicate an intent to apply for an identified benefit.
 
Requires the Secretary to:
 
 
provide a claimant who submits an informal claim with an application form on which to submit a formal claim;
 
maintain in the claimant's claim file a dated copy of the letter accompanying that application form; and
 
consider an application to have been filed, for benefit purposes, on the date on which an informal communication relating to such benefit is submitted, unless the claimant fails to file the application form within 180 days after the Secretary provides that form.
 
 
Requires an informal request for increasing or reopening a claim to be accepted and treated in the same manner as a formal claim.
 
Defines a &quot;reasonably raised claim&quot; for a veterans' benefit as evidence of an entitlement to such benefit that is not explicitly raised in a claim but is logically placed at issue upon a sympathetic reading of the claim and the record developed with respect to the claim.
 
Directs the Secretary to identify, address, and adjudicate reasonably raised claims that are placed at issue in the course of addressing or adjudicating any claim, including evidence relating to entirely separate conditions never identified as part of a formal claim.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-27
text: Committee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
To improve the response to victims of child sex trafficking.

Bill: 114-hr-246
Sponsor: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Crime prevention
Crimes against children
Criminal justice information and records
Human trafficking
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Law enforcement administration and funding
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 
Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to include among the required uses of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's annual grant to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children operation of a cyber tipline to provide online users and electronic service providers an effective means of reporting Internet-related child sexual exploitation in the area of child sex trafficking, including child prostitution (currently, in the area of child prostitution).

action_date: 2015-01-27
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 
Amends the Missing Children's Assistance Act to include among the required uses of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's annual grant to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children operation of a cyber tipline to provide online users and electronic service providers an effective means of reporting Internet-related child sexual exploitation in the area of child sex trafficking, including child prostitution (currently, in the area of child prostitution).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-28
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-27
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 - 0 (Roll no. 48). (text: CR 1/26/2015 H553)
action_date: 2015-01-27
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-01-27
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 - 0 (Roll no. 48).(text: CR 1/26/2015 H553)
action_date: 2015-01-27
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H617-618)
action_date: 2015-01-26
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2015-01-26
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 246.
action_date: 2015-01-26
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H553-555)
action_date: 2015-01-26
text: Mr. Walberg moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
Maya Angelou Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 114-hr-247
Sponsor: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion
Subjects: Art, artists, authorship
Congressional tributes
Literature
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Racial and ethnic relations
Smithsonian Institution

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 

Maya Angelou Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Maya Angelou in recognition of her achievements and contributions to American culture and the civil rights movement.
 
Requires the medal to be given to the Smithsonian Institution. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution make it available for display, particularly at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, or for loan as appropriate, particularly to locations associated with Angelou's life.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
American Job Protection Act

Bill: 114-hr-248
Sponsor: Rep. Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [R-LA-3]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 

American Job Protection Act 

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal provisions added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requiring certain employers who have a workforce of 50 or more full-time employees to provide health insurance coverage for their employees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian tribes, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-249
Sponsor: Rep. Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Federal-Indian relations
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 
Amends the Indian Reorganization Act to make it applicable to all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of when any tribe became recognized. (This effectively overrules the Supreme Court's decision in 
Carcieri v. Salazar, 
which held that the Secretary of the Interior could not take land into trust for a specified tribe because that tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction when the Act was enacted.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
Families of Fallen Servicemembers First Act

Bill: 114-hr-250
Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appropriations
Cemeteries and funerals
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Executive agency funding and structure
Housing finance and home ownership
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 

Families of Fallen Servicemembers First Act 

 
This bill provides a permanent appropriation for the payment of death gratuities and related benefits to survivors of deceased members of the uniformed services during a period of lapsed appropriations. 
 
The bill provides the appropriations at the rate and under the conditions provided for the most recent fiscal year for which an Act making appropriations for the uniformed services has been enacted. 
 
The appropriations are provided during a period of lapsed appropriations, in which appropriations are unavailable due to the absence of the timely enactment of an Act or joint resolution providing appropriations or continuing appropriations for the death gratuity and related benefits. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
Comprehensive Homes for Heroes Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-252
Sponsor: Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Building construction
Congressional oversight
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Energy efficiency and conservation
Executive agency funding and structure
Housing and community development funding
Housing industry and standards
Housing supply and affordability
Low- and moderate-income housing
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public housing
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 

Comprehensive
 
Homes for Heroes Act of 2015

 
Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure veterans' access to HUD housing and homeless assistance programs, (2) coordinate all HUD programs and activities relating to veterans, and (3) serve as a HUD liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
 
Directs the HUD Secretary to provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veterans' families (families with incomes not exceeding 50% of the area median income).
 
Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) make housing rental vouchers available to all homeless veterans, regardless of medical condition; and (2) include veterans in public housing planning.
 
Excludes veterans' benefits from income for purposes of HUD assisted housing rental determinations.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) make grants to nonprofit entities for technical assistance in sponsoring HUD housing projects for veterans, and (2) report annually to specified congressional committees and the VA Secretary on HUD activities relating to veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
Incentivize Growth Now In Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-253
Sponsor: Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-17]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Business investment and capital
Income tax exclusion
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 

Incentivize Growth Now In Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs Act of 2015

 
This bill creates tax-exempt small business start-up accounts to pay for the start-up expenses (defined as expenses for investigating the creation or acquisition of an active trade or business) of a business that does not employ more than 50 full-time employees during a taxable year. Cash contributions to such accounts are allowed up to the lesser of $10,000 or the amount of compensation includible in the taxpayer's gross income for the taxable year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
Support Our Startups Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-254
Sponsor: Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-17]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 

Support Our Startups Act of 2015

 
This bill allows the increased tax deduction amount for business start-up expenses (defined as expenses for investigating the creation or acquisition of an active trade or business) for taxable years beginning in 2015 or 2016. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
Next Generation American Manufacturing Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-255
Sponsor: Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-17]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Building construction
Economic performance and conditions
Income tax credits
Industrial facilities
Manufacturing

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 

Next Generation American Manufacturing Act of 2015

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the purchase (during a specified period of between 5 and 10 years based on the incentive needed with respect to each product) of new products certified as assembled in the United States and consisting of at least 60% of components assembled or otherwise arising in the United States.
 
Establishes the 21st Century American Manufacturing Commission to conduct research to designate products eligible for such tax credit. 
 
Allows certain start-up companies that are headquartered in the United States a tax credit for up to 25% of their costs for the construction of a manufacturing facility and for the purchase of specialized equipment for use at such facility. Defines a "start-up company" as any corporation or partnership that: (1) first has both gross receipts and qualified research expenses in a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2012; or (2) has both gross receipts and qualified research expenses in fewer than three taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, and before January 1, 2018. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
Creating Jobs From Innovative Small Businesses Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-256
Sponsor: Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-17]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Financial services and investments
Income tax credits
Research and development
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 

Creating Jobs From Innovative Small Businesses Act of 2015
 
 
 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a general business tax credit of 20% of the amount paid to acquire an equity investment in a qualified research intensive small business concern. Defines "qualified research intensive small business concern" as a small business concern that employs an average of fewer than 500 employees during a year and devotes at least 50% of its gross expenditures to research and experimentation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
To provide for United States participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-257
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: International organizations and cooperation
Political movements and philosophies

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of State to facilitate the U.S. readmission and participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and to pay related annual membership expenses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
Half in Ten Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-258
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Child safety and welfare
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Community life and organization
Department of Health and Human Services
Disaster relief and insurance
Economic performance and conditions
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Performance measurement
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public-private cooperation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 

Half in Ten Act of 2015

 
 Establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services a Federal Interagency Working Group on Reducing Poverty, which shall develop a National Strategy to reduce the number of persons living in poverty in America in half within 10 years after release of the 2014 Census Report on Income and Poverty in the United States: 2013. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit for expenses for household and elder care services necessary for gainful employment.

Bill: 114-hr-259
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13]
Introduced: 2015-01-09 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Adult day care
Income tax credits
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Tax treatment of families

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a new tax credit for employment-related expenses necessary to care for a dependent of a taxpayer who has attained age 50, including expenses for household services and for the care of the dependent, including respite care and hospice care. Limits the amount of such credit to $3,000 for the care of one dependent and $6,000 for the care of two or more dependents of the taxpayer in a taxable year. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-09
text: Introduced in House