hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Working Families Flexibility Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-465
Sponsor: Rep. Roby, Martha [R-AL-2]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Department of Labor
Employee leave
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government studies and investigations
Labor standards
Labor-management relations
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 

Working Families Flexibility Act of 2015

 
 Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to authorize private employers to provide compensatory time off to private employees at a rate of 1 1/2 hours per hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required. Authorizes an employer to provide compensatory time only if it is in accordance with an applicable collective bargaining agreement or, in the absence of such an agreement, an agreement between the employer and employee.
 
Prohibits an employee from accruing more than 160 hours of compensatory time. Requires an employee's employer to provide monetary compensation, after the end of a calendar year, for any unused compensatory time off accrued during the preceding year.
 
Requires an employer to give employees 30-day notice before discontinuing compensatory time off.
 
Prohibits an employer from intimidating, threatening, or coercing an employee in order to: (1) interfere with the employee's right to request or not to request compensatory time off in lieu of payment of monetary overtime compensation, or (2) require an employee to use such compensatory time.
 
Makes an employer who violates such requirements liable to the affected employee in the amount of the compensation rate for each hour of compensatory time accrued, plus an additional equal amount as liquidated damages, reduced for each hour of compensatory time used.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress every three years on: (1) the extent to which employers provide compensatory time off and employees opt to receive it; (2) the number of complaints filed by an employee with the Secretary of Labor alleging a violation of the requirements as well as enforcement actions commenced by the Secretary on behalf of an aggrieved employee; (3) the disposition of such complaints and actions; and (4) any unpaid wages, damages, penalties, injunctive relief, or other remedies sought by the Secretary in connection with such actions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
To prohibit the Central Intelligence Agency from using an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry out a weapons strike or other deliberately lethal action and to transfer the authority to conduct such strikes or lethal action to the Department of Defense.

Bill: 114-hr-466
Sponsor: Rep. Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Department of Defense
Executive agency funding and structure
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Military operations and strategy

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 
Prohibits any officer or employee of, or contractor or detailee to, the Central Intelligence Agency from using an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry out a weapons strike or other lethal action.
 
Requires the President to transfer all authority to use such a vehicle to conduct such strikes or lethal action to the Department of Defense.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and in addition to the Committee on Armed 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: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and in addition to the Committee on Armed 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: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and in addition to the Committee on Armed 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: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-472
Sponsor: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Crime prevention
Department of Justice
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Law enforcement officers
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 

Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015

 
 Amends the federal criminal code to require the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to issue oleoresin capsicum spray to: (1) any Bureau officer or employee employed in a prison that is not a minimum or low security prison who may respond to an emergency situation in such prison; and (2) such additional prison officers and employees as the Director deems appropriate, subject to specified requirements.
 
Requires any such officer or employee to complete a training course before being issued such spray and annual training on the use of such spray. 
 
Authorizes Bureau officers and employees issued such spray to use it to reduce acts of violence committed by prisoners and prison visitors against themselves, other prisoners and visitors, and Bureau officers and employees.
 
Directs the Comptroller General, not later than three years after the date on which the Director begins to issue oleoresin capsicum spray to Bureau officers and employees, to submit to Congress a report that includes: (1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of issuing such spray on reducing crime in such prisons and acts of violence committed by prisoners against themselves and others, (2) an evaluation of the advisability of issuing such spray, and (3) recommendations to improve the safety of Bureau officers and employees in prisons.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-474
Sponsor: Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Homelessness and emergency shelter
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 

Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015

 
Extends through FY2020 the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) homeless veterans reintegration programs. (Those programs provide job training, counseling, and placement services to homeless veterans to expedite their reintegration into the labor force.)
 
Makes eligible for participation in those programs: (1) homeless veterans, (2) veterans who are participating in the VA supported housing program for which rental assistance is provided under the United States Housing Act of 1937, and (3) veterans who are transitioning from being incarcerated.

action_date: 2015-05-18
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) Extends through FY2020 the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) homeless veterans reintegration programs. (Those programs provide job training, counseling, and placement services to homeless veterans to expedite their reintegration into the labor force.)
 
(Sec. 3) Makes eligible for participation in those programs: (1) homeless veterans, (2) veterans who are participating in the VA supported housing program for which rental assistance is provided under the United States Housing Act of 1937, and (3) veterans who are transitioning from being incarcerated.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3258-3259)
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3258-3259)
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 474.
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3258-3259)
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Mr. Wenstrup moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-03-24
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2015-02-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
GI Bill Education Quality Enhancement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-476
Sponsor: Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Intergovernmental relations
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 

GI Bill Education Quality Enhancement Act of 2015

 
Deems specified education programs to be approved for veterans' education benefit purposes if a state approving agency determines that they qualify. Authorizes a state approving agency, or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) acting in the role of a state approving agency, to approve other accredited programs for such purposes.
 
Continues to allow state approving agencies to establish additional criteria (other than those set forth in current law) for the approval of nonaccredited courses, but requires VA to determine that such criteria are necessary and treat public, private, and proprietary for-profit educational institutions equitably.
 
Prohibits VA from including flight training fees in the in-state tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education (IHEs) that are covered by post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance. Requires post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance for flight training programs at public IHEs to be determined in the same manner as such assistance for education programs pursued at non-public or foreign IHEs is determined.
 
Directs VA to conduct an annual compliance survey of educational institutions and training establishments offering courses approved for veterans' education benefits if at least 20 individuals who are eligible for such benefits are enrolled in any such course. (Currently, an annual compliance survey of each institution offering such courses must be conducted if at least 300 beneficiaries are enrolled or if any such course does not lead to a standard college degree.) Authorizes VA to waive the annual survey for institutions or establishments that have a record of compliance. Requires VA to conduct a biennial survey of each educational institution and training establishment that offers courses approved for veterans' education benefits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-03-24
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2015-02-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
To extend the authority to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion and his service.

Bill: 114-hr-477
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
District of Columbia
Europe
Military history
Military personnel and dependents
Monuments and memorials
United Kingdom

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 
Extends through May 8, 2018, the authority provided by the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 for the establishment of a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor Brigadier General Francis Marion and his service during the Revolutionary War. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
Protecting Children from Electronic Cigarette Advertising Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-478
Sponsor: Rep. Esty, Elizabeth H. [D-CT-5]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child health
Civil actions and liability
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Federal preemption
Marketing and advertising
Retail and wholesale trades
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 

Protecting Children from Electronic Cigarette Advertising Act of 2015

 
Prohibits electronic cigarette advertisements that appeal to children younger than 18 years of age in states in which the sale of an electronic cigarette to such children is prohibited by federal or state law. Bars electronic cigarette advertisements, promotions, or marketing in those states in a manner that is: (1) known, or should be known, to contribute toward initiating or increasing the use of electronic cigarettes by children under 18; or (2) determined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to affect or appeal to such children regardless of when or where the advertising, promotion, or marketing occurs.
 
Defines &quot;electronic cigarette&quot; as an electronic device that delivers nicotine, flavor, or other chemicals via a vaporized solution to a user inhaling from the device, including any component, liquid, part, or accessory. Excludes Food and Drug Administration-approved tobacco cessation or therapeutic products from such definition.
 
Sets forth authority for: (1) the FTC to enforce violations as an unfair or deceptive act or practice, and (2) states to bring civil actions on behalf of residents threatened or adversely affected by such a violation.
 
Establishes a civil penalty to be available in state actions that is calculated by multiplying the number of days that a person is not in compliance with such prohibition by an amount up to $16,000, adjusted annually for inflation.
 
Allows the FTC to intervene and appeal in state actions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
American Jobs Matter Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-479
Sponsor: Rep. Esty, Elizabeth H. [D-CT-5]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 

American Jobs Matter Act of 2015

 
Requires an executive agency to include the effects on employment within the United States (a jobs impact statement) in the evaluation factors that must be considered in each solicitation for competitive proposals for contracts in excess of $1 million for the procurement of: (1) manufactured goods, (2) goods or services listed in a required report of industrial base capabilities, or (3) any item procured as part of a major defense acquisition program. 
 
Allows an offeror's jobs impact statement to include a guarantee that jobs created or retained in the United States will not be moved outside the United States after award of the contract unless doing so is required to provide the goods or services stipulated in the contract or is in the best interest of the federal government. 
 
Requires each agency to: (1) assess, annually, the accuracy of such a statement submitted by an offeror awarded a contract; and (2) track the number of jobs created or retained during the performance of such contract. Allows the agency, if the number of jobs created or retained falls short of agency estimates, to consider this as a factor that affects a contractor's past performance in the award of future contracts. 
 
Requires: (1) the Secretary of Defense to report annually on the frequency of use within the Department of Defense of jobs impact statements in the evaluation of competitive proposals, and (2) revision of the Department of Defense Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
Housing America's Workforce Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-480
Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Government studies and investigations
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing supply and affordability
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 

Housing America's Workforce Act of 2015
 
 
 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business-related tax credit for up to 50% (100% for small business employers) of the qualified housing expenses paid for the benefit of their employees. Defines &quot;qualified housing expenses&quot; to include homeownership assistance and rental assistance. Limits the amount of such credit to the lesser of $10,000 or 6% of an employee's home purchase price, or up to $5,000 for rental assistance. Excludes from employee gross income the value of employer-paid housing assistance.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award grants in FY2015-FY2017, on a competitive basis, to nonprofit housing organizations or local governments for certain costs, including operating costs and technical assistance costs, of employer-assisted housing programs. Requires the Secretary to establish a national clearinghouse, including a website, to provide information about employer-assisted housing programs to federal, state, and local governments and other interested entities. 
 
Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of employer-assisted housing programs and provide the Secretary with an interim report by January 1, 2018, and final report by December 31, 2019. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on 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: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on 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: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on 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: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
Long-Term Unemployed Hiring Incentive Act

Bill: 114-hr-481
Sponsor: Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee hiring
Income tax credits
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 

Long-Term Unemployed Hiring Incentive Act 

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow through December 31, 2017, a work opportunity tax credit for hiring a qualified long-term unemployed individual. Defines "qualified long-term unemployed individual" as any individual certified by the designated local agency as: (1) having exhausted, as of the hiring date, all rights to regular compensation under federal or state law; (2) having no rights to regular compensation with respect to the most recent week ending before the hiring date; and (3) not receiving compensation under the unemployment compensation law of Canada. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-483
Sponsor: Rep. Takai, Mark [D-HI-1]
Introduced: 2015-01-22 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Asia
Citizenship and naturalization
Conflicts and wars
Family relationships
Immigration status and procedures
Philippines
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: 

Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2015

 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from worldwide or numerical limitations on immigrant visas the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under the Immigration Act of 1990 or other specified federal law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-22
text: Introduced in House