hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Workforce Health Improvement Program Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2296
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health promotion and preventive care
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Physical fitness and lifestyle
Sports and recreation facilities
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Workforce Health Improvement Program Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax exclusion of the value of on-premises employer-provided athletic facilities. The bill provides for an exclusion from the gross income of an employee for: (1) the value of any on-premises employer-provided athletic facility; and (2) so much of the fess, dues, or other membership expenses paid by an employer on behalf of an employee, but not exceeding $900 per employee per year. The bill sets forth an expanded definition of &quot;athletic or fitness facility,&quot; which specifies that the health or fitness component of such a facility cannot be incidental to its overall function and purpose.
 
The bill also allows an employer to claim a tax deduction for the fees, dues, or membership expenses paid to an athletic or fitness facility on behalf of an employee. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8081)
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act

Bill: 114-s-2297
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Licensing and registrations
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicare
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish an Advance Directive Certification Program. Under the program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall grant accreditation to advance directive vendors that meet specified accreditation criteria.
 
CMS shall establish procedures for an eligible beneficiary to register the adoption of a certified advance directive under the program. Beneficiary registration in the program shall be optional, but each eligible beneficiary who adopts and registers a certified advance directive shall receive a one-time incentive payment.
 
CMS shall provide for related education and outreach.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Mens Rea Reform Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2298
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Evidence and witnesses

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Mens Rea Reform Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish a default intent (state of mind)standardfor a federal criminal offense, unless the provision of law that defines such offense specifically provides otherwise.
 
A federal criminal offense conviction under the default standard requires proof beyond a reasonable doubtthat a defendant acted intentionally and willfully with respect to each element of the offense.If a state of mind is not specified for an element of the offense, it must be shown that the defendant acted willfully. A person who acts &quot;willfully&quot; does so with the knowledge that the conduct is unlawful. The bill sets forth certain exceptions where the default standard shall not apply.
 
Additionally, the bill requires that when a provision of lawidentifies an intentstandard but does not specify which elements of the offense the standard applies to, the identified standard must apply to all elements of the offense.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-20
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Trade Enforcement Improvement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2299
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Customs enforcement
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Manufacturing
Tariffs
Trade restrictions
U.S. International Trade Commission
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Trade Enforcement Improvement Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to direct the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to consider expanded factors when determining whether imports of merchandise receiving a countervailable subsidy from an exporting country substantially weaken the remedial effect of any countervailing duty order. These factors shall include:
 
 
an increase in the U.S. market share of those imports after the filing by domestic manufacturers or unions of a petition for remedies,
 
an increase in underselling of the domestic like product by the frequency or magnitude of such imports after the filing of the petition, and 
 
a weakening of the industry of the domestic like product after the petition filing.
 
 
The ITC shall consider the same expanded factors when determining whether imports of merchandise at less than fair value substantially weaken the remedial effect of any antidumping duty order.
 
The ITC may determine that a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury if imminent future imports of subject merchandise will likely render the industry's performance materially worse than it would otherwise have been.
 
The Department of Homeland Security may publish semiannually in the Federal Register a list of any producer, manufacturer, supplier, seller, exporter, or other person located outside the U.S. customs territory to which the ITC has issued a penalty claim for customs violations involving fraud.
 
These violations include any practices aiding or abetting the transshipment, through a country not the country of origin, of textile, apparel, or any goods subject to antidumping or countervailing duty orders, in a manner concealing their true origin or permitting evasion of import quotas or duties.
 
 The President may publish an annual list of countries:
 
 
in which illegal activities have occurred involving transshipped goods or activities designed to evade U.S. quotas or duties; and
 
whose governments fail to demonstrate a good faith effort to cooperate with U.S. authorities in halting such activities.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2300
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Government studies and investigations
Immigration status and procedures
Iraq
Middle East
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Syria
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015 or the American SAFE Act of 2015

 
This bill requires that, in addition to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) screening, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shall take all actions necessary to ensure that each covered alien receives a background investigation before U.S. refugee admission. 
 
A &quot;covered alien&quot; is any alien applying for U.S. refugee admission who: 
 
 
is a national or resident of Iraq or Syria, 
 
has no nationality and whose last habitual residence was in Iraq or Syria, or 
 
has been present in Iraq or Syria at any time on or after March 1, 2011. 
 
 
A covered alien: 
 
 
may not be admitted as a refugee until the FBI certifies to DHS and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) that he or she has received a background investigation sufficient to determine whether the alien is a U.S. security threat; and 
 
may only be admitted to the United States after DHS, with the unanimous concurrence of the FBI and the DNI, certifies to Congress that he or she is not such a threat. 
 
 
The Inspector General of DHS shall conduct annual risk-based reviews of all certifications. 
 
DHS shall report monthly to Congress on the total number of admission applications for which a certification was made and the number of covered aliens for whom such a certification was not made for the preceding month. The report shall include for each covered alien for whom a certification was not made the concurrence or nonconcurrence of each person whose concurrence was required by the certification.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2301
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Allergies
Chemistry
Consumer affairs
Department of Health and Human Services
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government information and archives
Grain
Nutrition and diet

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require the front of food packages to bear a nutrition label that complies with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. The bill specifies principles for such regulations, including that there should be a standard, easily understood symbol system for calorie and nutrient information.
 
Only under specified conditions may the front of a food package include: (1) descriptions of whole grain content, (2) the term &quot;wheat&quot; or &quot;whole wheat,&quot; or (3) a reference to a characterizing ingredient.
 
If a food contains added coloring, non-caloric sweetener, or flavoring, that fact must be stated on the front of the package.
 
The FDA must regulate food labels that make claims about the mechanism by which a nutrient affects the body. Food manufacturers must substantiate health claims on a label upon request from the FDA. Labeling regarding trans fat and cholesterol is restricted. The FDA must establish a level of added sugars above which a food is disqualified from making health claims on the label.
 
Regarding food labels, the FDA must: (1) regulate use of &quot;natural,&quot; (2) prohibit use of &quot;healthy&quot; on certain foods, and (3) establish formatting requirements for ingredient lists.
 
Food labels must include the percent of recommended daily calories and daily added sugars per serving. Labels must disclose the amount of added sugars in teaspoons and grams.
 
Foods containing caffeine must be labeled with the amount.
 
Sesame is added to the list of major food allergens.
 
The names of major food allergens in nonpackaged food offered for sale at retail must be on a sign adjacent to the food.
 
Food manufacturers and importers must submit to the FDA for publication the information to be included on a food's label and keep this information updated.
 &quot;Artificial&quot; and &quot;synthetic&quot; are defined for purposes of the FFDCA.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2302
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Africa
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Immigration status and procedures
Iraq
Libya
Middle East
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Somalia
Syria
Terrorism
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
Yemen

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Terrorist Refugee Infiltration Prevention Act of 2015

 
This bill prohibits the U.S. refugee admission of an alien who is a national of, has habitually resided in, or is claiming refugee status due to events in any country containing terrorist-controlled territory (Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and any other Department of State-designated country). 
 
Such an alien may be admitted to the United States as a refugee if the alien: 
 
 
satisfies refugee admission requirements;
 
is a member of a group that has been designated by the State Department or by an Act of Congress as a victim of genocide (and such group does not pose a risk to U.S. security); 
 
has undergone the highest level of security screening of any category of traveler to the United States, including full multi-modal biometrics; and 
 
the State Department, the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) certify that such alien is not a threat to U.S. national security.
 
 
These requirements shall not apply to the U.S. refugee admission of an alien who: (1) provided substantial assistance to the United States, and (2) would face a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury because of that assistance if not admitted to the United States. 
 
The State Department may designate as a country containing terrorist-controlled territory any country containing territory that is controlled, in substantial part, by a foreign terrorist organization to the exclusion of that country's recognized government. 
 
The State Department shall maintain and continually update a list of: (1) the countries containing terrorist-controlled territory, and (2) groups identified as victims of genocide.
 
An alien may not be admitted into the United States under this Act solely based on his or her assertions, and DHS shall substantiate any such assertions with the State Department, DOD, the FBI, and the DNI. 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to exempt the Department of Defense and other national security agencies from sequestration.

Bill: 114-s-2303
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget deficits and national debt
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Department of State
Director of National Intelligence
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 
This bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to exempt national security agencies from sequestration, which is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals. 
 
The exemption applies to the Department of Defense, each element of the intelligence community, the Department of State, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Nuclear Security Administration. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Tribal Early Childhood, Education, and Related Services Integration Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2304
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2015-11-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Child care and development
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Minority education
Preschool education
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: 

Tribal Early Childhood, Education, and Related Services Integration Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program to support tribal early childhood education demonstration projects. Funding for projects is through existing programs that have a purpose consistent with the purpose of the demonstration program. HHS may waive certain provisions of law, policy, or procedure related to the programs providing funding for projects.
 
Demonstration projects must be: (1) carried out by an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a consortium with a tribe or tribal organization as its primary member; (2) designed around new approaches that address tribal community needs and improve early childhood education and services; and (3) focused on Native culture, culturally based early childhood education, and related services.
 
HHS must make grants to demonstration projects to: (1) build or upgrade facilities for early childhood care and development, and (2) reimburse early childhood educators who fulfill a period of obligated service for costs associated with obtaining early childhood certification or credentials.
 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise federal student loan forgiveness and loan cancellation for teachers to increase the maximum amounts of loan forgiveness and cancellation that may be provided to early childhood teachers in programs operated by Indian tribes or serving a large percentage of Indian children. Cancellation of student loans for public service is expanded to include service in Indian prekindergarten, child care programs, or early childhood learning and development centers.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-27
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2016-04-06
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-287.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Carbon Capture Improvement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2305
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Climate change and greenhouse gases
Income tax exclusion
Industrial facilities
Manufacturing
Oil and gas
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Carbon Capture Improvement Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the issuance of tax-exempt facility bonds for the financing of qualified carbon dioxide capture facilities A qualified carbon dioxide capture facility is a facility that captures or stores carbon dioxide from coal, natural gas, biomass, and other industrial sources. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Bosnia and Herzegovina-American Enterprise Fund Act

Bill: 114-s-2307
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Business investment and capital
Corporate finance and management
Economic development
Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
Public-private cooperation
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Bosnia and Herzegovina-American Enterprise Fund Act

 
This bill authorizes the President to designate a private, nonprofit organization as the Bosnia and Herzegovina-American Enterprise Fund to promote the private sector, job creation, and creation of a middle class in Bosnia and Herzegovina.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8163, S8163-8164)
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A PLUS Act

Bill: 114-s-2310
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Intergovernmental relations
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act or the A PLUS Act
 
 
This bill allows each state to receive federal elementary and secondary education funds on a consolidated basis and manage the funds to advance the educational policy of the state. States must submit to the Department of Education a declaration of intent no less than every five years. 
 
Each declaration must be formulated by a combination of specified state officials or by referendum and must list the programs for which consolidated funding is requested. States may use such funds for any educational purpose permitted by state law, but must make certain assurances that they will use fiscal control and fund accounting procedures, abide by federal civil rights laws, advance educational opportunities for the disadvantaged, and use federal funds to supplement rather than supplant state funding. 
 
Each declaration state shall: (1) inform the public about its student achievement assessment system; (2) report annually on student progress toward the state's proficiency standards by specified student groups; and (3) provide for the equitable participation of private school children and teachers in the same manner as provided for under current law. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8164)
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2311
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Bringing Postpartum Depression Out of the Shadows Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to make grants to states to establish, expand, or maintain culturally competent programs for maternal depression screening and treatment. HRSA must give priority to states proposing to expand or enhance screening for maternal depression in primary care settings.
 
Activities eligible for funding: (1) must include providing to health care providers training and resources, including information on maternal depression screening, treatment, and follow-up support, and linkages to community-based resources; and (2) may include enabling real-time psychiatric consultation to aid in the treatment of pregnant and postpartum women, conducting a public awareness campaign, funding start-up costs, and establishing linkages with and among community-based resources.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in Senate