hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-6331
Sponsor: Rep. Gabbard, Tulsi [D-HI-2]
Introduced: 2016-11-16 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Economic performance and conditions
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Research administration and funding
Rural conditions and development
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: 

Coral Reef Sustainability Through Innovation Act of 2016

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


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Introduced in House
National Hate Crimes Hotline Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-6332
Sponsor: Rep. Israel, Steve [D-NY-3]
Introduced: 2016-11-16 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Hate crimes
Law enforcement administration and funding
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: 

National Hate Crimes Hotline Act of 2016

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to: (1) private, nonprofit entities to establish and operate a national, toll-free telephone hotline and an Internet website to assist victims of hate crimes; and (2) state and local law enforcement entities for educational and training programs on solving hate crimes and establishing dialogues with members of at-risk communities.
 
Additionally, the bill directs DOJ to establish a grant program for local organizations to establish or expand programs that provide services to victims of hate crimes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Introduced in House
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to the accreditation of osteopathic residency training programs for purposes of graduate medical education payments under the Medicare program.

Bill: 114-hr-6333
Sponsor: Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-3]
Introduced: 2016-11-16 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Aging
Education programs funding
Health programs administration and funding
Medical education
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to modify, with respect to graduate medical education (GME) payments under the Medicare program, provisions related to "approved medical residency training programs" by: (1) specifying that such programs include osteopathic community residency training programs; and (2) replacing the requirement for such programs to include certain postgraduate training in geriatric medicine with a requirement for approval by a certified accrediting body.
 
Under current law, a "foreign medical graduate" is generally a resident who was not a graduate of a school that meets the standards for accreditation by one of several specified accreditors. (Foreign medical graduates are subject to certain examination requirements for purposes of being counted as residents with respect to Medicare GME payments.) The bill alters this definition such that a "foreign medical graduate" is a resident who is not a graduate of an accredited school.
 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must certify at least two accrediting bodies for the purpose of accrediting medical residency training programs in allopathic and osteopathic medicine.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a grant program to assist eligible entities in carrying out programs to replace lead service lines for schools and solder that is not lead free used in the plumbing for schools, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-6334
Sponsor: Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]
Introduced: 2016-11-16 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Child health
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: 
This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a grant program to help schools and day cares in replacing service lines and solder that are not lead free. The program may fund activities for identifying the location and condition of the service lines and solder.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Introduced in House
Retirement Security Preservation Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-6335
Sponsor: Rep. Tiberi, Patrick J. [R-OH-12]
Introduced: 2016-11-16 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax deferral

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: 

Retirement Security Preservation Act of 2016 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the nondiscrimination requirements for certain defined benefit retirement plans that limit participation or certain features to a closed class, such as individuals who were hired before a certain date. 
 
(Under current law, the plans may not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees and must meet minimum participation requirements.) 
 
The bill applies only to a defined benefit plan that: (1) closed before September 21, 2016; or (2) was in effect for at least five years when it closed and did not substantially increase the coverage or value of the benefits, rights, or features for the closed class during the five-year period before it closed, except as the result of certain business acquisitions or mergers. 
 
Such a plan meets the nondiscrimination requirements if it: (1) satisfies certain testing rules for the year that the class closes and the two succeeding plan years, and (2) is not amended in a discriminatory manner after the class is closed. 
 
A defined contribution plan that offers additional contributions or benefits to a closed class whose benefits under a defined benefit plan have been reduced or eliminated meets the nondiscrimination requirements if: (1) the group receiving the contributions or benefits satisfies certain testing rules for the year in which the group is closed and for two subsequent plan years, and (2) the plan is not amended in a discriminatory manner. 
 
A defined benefit plan that is either closed or has ceased benefit accruals for all participants (frozen plan) satisfies the minimum participation requirements if the plan met the requirements when it was closed or frozen. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Introduced in House
B-CROP Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-6336
Sponsor: Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
Introduced: 2016-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: 

Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act of 2016 or the B-CROP Act of 2016 

 
This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to include grants in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides loans and loan guarantees for broadband telecommunications services in rural areas. 
 
In making grants, loans, or loan guarantees under the program, USDA must give the highest priority to applicants that offer to provide broadband service to the greatest proportion of unserved rural households or rural households that do not have the minimum acceptable level of residential broadband service. 
 
USDA must then give priority to projects to serve rural communities that: 
 
 
 have a population of less than 10,000 permanent residents, 
 
 are experiencing out-migration, 
 
 have a high percentage of low-income residents, and 
 
 are isolated from other significant population centers. 
 
 
A grant may not exceed 50% of the development cost of the project. USDA may increase the limit to 75% for projects that serve a remote or low-income area that does not have access to broadband service from any provider. 
 
The bill sets forth reporting requirements for recipients of the grants, loans, or loan guarantees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 49, United States Code, with respect to the definition of urbanized area, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-6337
Sponsor: Rep. Weber, Randy K., Sr. [R-TX-14]
Introduced: 2016-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: 
This bill revises the term &quot;urbanized area&quot; with respect to public transportation improvement projects to also treat areas as an urbanized area if the Department of Commerce determines that:
 
 
the area was designated in a previous decennial census as an urbanized area,
 
the area was not designated in the most recent decennial census as an urbanized area as the result of a natural disaster that caused the area's population to fall below 50,000 people, and
 
the most recent annual estimate of the Bureau of the Census estimates the area's population to be restored to 50,000 or more people.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
OPEN Act

Bill: 114-hr-6338
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-17]
Introduced: 2016-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: 
 
Openness in Political Expenditures Now Act or OPEN Act 

 
 This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require a corporation that submits regular, periodic reports to its shareholders to include in each such report specified information on disbursements it has made for certain political activity (including independent expenditures and electioneering communications) during the period covered by the report. The amount of disbursements reported, however, is limited to the amount that equals or exceeds the applicable threshold for the covered political activity.
 
 &quot;Applicable threshold" for a disbursement is defined as: (1) $250 for an independent expenditure, (2) $10,000 for an electioneering communication or another kind of communication meeting specified criteria, and (3) the amount of the applicable limitation on contributions in effect for payment of dues or other amounts to a trade association or to a tax-exempt social welfare organization.
 
 A Corporation reporting such expenditures shall: (1) file a statement about them with the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), and (2) post on its website (if any) a hyperlink from its homepage to this statement on the EAC website.
 
 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax exemption for a social welfare organization if: (1) its expenditures for the taxable year for covered political activity exceed the lesser of 10% of its total expenditures or $10 million, or (2) its governing instrument does not effectively prohibit its expenditures for a covered political activity from exceeding these thresholds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
To limit the use of the Judgement Fund to settle any lawsuit arising under section 1342 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-6339
Sponsor: Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
Introduced: 2016-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: 
This bill prohibits the Judgment Fund from being used to make payments for any compromise settlement in connection with any proceeding brought against the government under the risk corridor program established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (The Judgment Fund is a permanent and indefinite appropriation to pay judgments against the United States, including awards, compromise settlements, and related interest and costs. The risk corridor program is a mechanism that adjusts payments to health plans based on the ratio of the allowable costs of the plan to the plan's aggregate premiums.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
Presidential Accountability Act

Bill: 114-hr-6340
Sponsor: Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]
Introduced: 2016-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Corporate finance and management
Financial services and investments
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: 

Presidential Accountability Act

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for the President or Vice President to personally and substantially participate in official matters that affect their financial interests, unless the financial interests are held in a blind trust or the President or Vice President discloses the financial interests and receives an exemption. 
 
It imposes criminal penalties&#8212;a prison term, a fine, or both&#8212;on a President or Vice President who commits the offense. It also authorizes civil penalties and injunctions. 
 
Additionally, a violation constitutes a high crime and misdemeanor (i.e., grounds for impeachment) under Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution.
 
Finally, the bill prohibits the President or Vice President from entering into contracts with the U.S. government. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2016-12-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
Review the Rule Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-6341
Sponsor: Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2]
Introduced: 2016-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Digital media
Jurisdiction and venue

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: 

Review the Rule Act of 2016

 
This bill delays the effective date of an amendment to rule 41 (Search and Seizure) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure adopted by the U.S. Supreme Court and transmitted to Congress for review on April 28, 2016. (The amendment allows a federal magistrate judge to issue a warrant to use remote access to search computers and seize electronically stored information located inside or outside that judge's district in specific circumstances.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act

Bill: 114-hr-6342
Sponsor: Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-3]
Introduced: 2016-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: 

Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act

 
This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to establish a prohibition on the use of exotic or wild animals in performances (e.g., circus, ride, carnival, or parade) of a traveling animal act. The prohibition does not apply to the use of animals in: (1) zoos; (2) aquariums; (3) research facilities; (4) film, television, or advertising, if the performance is not before a public studio audience; or (5) rodeos. The prohibition also does not apply to domestic animals or farm animals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
Farmers Markets for Food Deserts Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-6343
Sponsor: Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]
Introduced: 2016-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: 

Farmers Markets for Food Deserts Act of 2016 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income amounts received by the taxpayer from the sale of locally and regionally produced agricultural products to members of the general public at a fixed location (other than a retail store) in an underserved community. (Underserved communities are located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited access to fresh locally or regionally grown foods.) 
 
The bill also amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to specify that grants or other assistance provided under the Farmers' Market and Local Food Promotion Program may be used to pay any fees associated with obtaining a permit to sell locally and regionally produced agricultural products at a farmers' market located in an underserved community. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Introduced in House