hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act

Bill: 114-s-2461
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2016-01-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Energy research
Licensing and registrations
Nuclear power
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: 

Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act

 
This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise the objectives for the civilian nuclear energy research and development programs of the Department of Energy (DOE). 
 
DOE shall carry out a specified program to enhance U.S. capabilities to develop new reactor technologies and related systems technologies through high-performance computation modeling and simulation techniques. 
 
DOE shall: (1) determine the mission need for a versatile reactor-based fast neutron source, which shall operate as a national user facility; and (2) submit a plan to Congress for establishment of such a facility. 
 
DOE may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to establish a National Nuclear Innovation Center that: 
 
 
enables the testing and demonstration of reactor concepts to be proposed and funded by the private sector,
 
establishes and operates a database to store and share data and knowledge on nuclear science between federal agencies and private industry, and 
 
establishes capabilities to develop and test reactor electric and nonelectric integration and energy conversion systems. 
 
 
DOE shall submit to Congress three alternative 10-year budget plans for civilian nuclear energy research and development. 
 
The NRC shall report to Congress on: 
 
 
the extent to which it is capable of licensing advanced reactor designs developed under this bill by the end of a specified four-year period, and 
 
any organizational or institutional barriers it will need to overcome to be able to license such designs. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Make Student Grants Truly Tax-Free Act

Bill: 114-s-2462
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2016-01-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
Elementary and secondary education
Income tax exclusion
Iraq
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: 

Make Student Grants Truly Tax-Free Act

 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax exclusion for scholarships to include amounts received: (1) through a scholarship or fellowship grant program administered by the Secretary of Education that is based on financial need, including a Federal Pell Grant; (2) as an Iraq and Afghanistan Service grant under the Higher Education Act of 1965; or (3) as a TEACH Grant under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening Forgiveness for Public Servants Act

Bill: 114-s-2463
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2016-01-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Health personnel
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Law enforcement officers
Military personnel and dependents
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: 

Strengthening Forgiveness for Public Servants Act

 
 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education (ED) to cancel 15%, 15%, 20%, 20%, and 30% of the amount a borrower owes after 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 years of public service employment, respectively, on a William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan made after this bill's enactment. (Currently, the balance of a borrower's Direct Loan is canceled if the borrower is not in default and has made 120 monthly payments on such loan while employed as a public service employee.)
 
The bill: (1) requires borrowers availing themselves of such loan cancellation to submit an employment certification form that includes self-certification of employment and employer certification of employment dates, and (2) places the borrower's loan in deferment during the period in which the borrower is employed in an eligible public service job if the borrower submits such form to ED.
 
If a portion of a loan is canceled for any year, the interest on such loan for such year shall be canceled.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Life at Conception Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2464
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2016-01-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Abortion
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Genetics

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: 

Life at Conception Act of 2016

 

 
This bill declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual comes into being. 
 
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child, a prohibition on in vitro fertilization, or a prohibition on use of birth control or another means of preventing fertilization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-26
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 353.
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2016-01-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15 Rochester Street in Bergen, New York, as the Barry G. Miller Post Office.

Bill: 114-s-2465
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2016-01-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
New York State
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15 Rochester Street in Bergen, New York, as the Barry G. Miller Post Office.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-27
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2016-05-27
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2016-05-27
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2016-05-26
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3377; text as passed Senate: CR S3377)
action_date: 2016-05-26
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S3377; text as passed Senate: CR S3377)
action_date: 2016-05-25
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 486.
action_date: 2016-05-25
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-05-25
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-05-25
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Notification for Clean and Safe Drinking Water Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2466
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2016-01-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: 

Improving Notification for Clean and Safe Drinking Water Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require public water systems to notify their customers of lead concentration levels in drinking water that exceed lead limits under national primary drinking water regulations.
 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must notify the public within 15 days of the lead levels exceeding those limits if the public water system or the state does not notify the public.
 
The EPA may notify the public or the local or state health department of the result of lead monitoring conducted by a public water system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Patient Safety Improvement Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2467
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2016-01-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Drug therapy
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Hospital care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicaid
Medical research
Medicare
Surgery and anesthesia

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: 

Patient Safety Improvement Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and stakeholders, to develop a framework to improve the consistency and reliability of hospital data on health care-associated infections. AHRQ must establish a pilot program to test collection and reporting of health care-associated infections data by additional health facilities. 
 
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must support: (1) state-based collaboratives implementing infection prevention, control, and surveillance; and (2) state medical boards that require health care professionals to complete coursework or training in patient safety topics.
 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require participating hospitals to: (1) transmit information about a patient's infection to the patient and the patient's other health care providers, and (2) require new members of a participating hospital's board to receive training on patient safety topics.
 
The CDC must: (1) issue an electronic form for providers to use to transmit information about infections, and (2) support and conduct antibiotic stewardship activities. 
 
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services must require that acute care hospitals report antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance.
 Patient safety organizations may collect patient-reported information. AHRQ must research best practices for enabling this collection of information and establish a public website to access data from the network of patient safety databases.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFETY Act

Bill: 114-s-2468
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2016-01-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Government studies and investigations
Indian social and development programs
Minority education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: 

Safe Academic Facilities and Environments for Tribal Youth Act or the SAFETY Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to carry out a Tribal School Construction Demonstration Program to award grants to Indian tribes for the construction of replacement tribal schools. The program provides additional funding and opportunities for tribes to construct schools. Tribes on the Interior priority list for construction of tribal schools receive the highest priority for a grant under this program.
 
This bill amends the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 to revise the grant program for construction at tribal colleges and universities. The bill eliminates the requirements for Interior to identify the need for construction and tribal colleges and universities to provide matching funds. Restrictions on grant amounts and the use of constructed facilities are removed.
 
This bill amends the Housing Act of 1949 to authorize the Department of Agriculture to award grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal housing entities for the construction or renovation of housing in rural areas for educators at Indian schools and schools where at least 25% of the students are Indian.
 
The Bureau of Indian Education and the Office of Management and Budget must develop a 10-year plan to bring up to good condition certain Bureau of Indian Education school facilities.
 The Government Accountability Office must report on Impact Aid for construction provided to local education agencies impacted by military dependent children and children who reside on Indian lands.

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: 2016-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.

Bill: 114-s-2469
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2016-01-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Firearms and explosives
Manufacturing
Product safety and quality

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: This bill amends the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act to repeal provisions that prohibit state or federal civil actions or administrative proceedings from being brought against firearm or ammunition manufacturers, sellers, importers, dealers, or trade associations for criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm by the person bringing the action or a third party.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-01-27
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to repeal the provision permitting the use of rocket engines from the Russian Federation for the evolved expendable launch vehicle program.

Bill: 114-s-2470
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2016-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement
Russia
Spacecraft and satellites
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: 
This bill amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016 to repeal, and deem never to have been enacted, the requirement that the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle service competitive procurements be open for award to all certified providers of such systems offering the best value to the government, regardless of the rocket engine's country of origin (including the Russian Federation), for the evolved expendable launch vehicle program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
401(Kids) Education Savings Account Modernization Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2471
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2016-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Elementary and secondary education
Employee benefits and pensions
Government information and archives
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: 

401(Kids) Education Savings Account Modernization Act of 201
6
 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) limit the requirement for an income-based reduction in allowable contributions to a Coverdell education savings account to an individual who is the custodial parent of an account beneficiary (thus exempting non-custodians of the beneficiary from such reduction), (2) increase the annual contribution limit for such accounts, (3) allow the use of such an account to pay home school expenses, and (4) allow tax-free rollovers of amounts in a Coverdell education savings account to a Roth individual retirement account. 
 
The Department of Education shall establish a website (to be known as 401Kids.gov) to provide free information on tax-favored education savings accounts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
American Savings Account Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2472
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2016-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Department of Labor
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Income tax deferral
Income tax exclusion
Self-employed

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: 

American Savings Account Act of 2016 

 
This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to establish a new retirement option for all employees and self-employed individuals to be known as the American Savings Account Fund. This fund operates in a manner similar to the Thrift Savings Fund, which is available to federal employees. 
 
The bill establishes an American Savings Account Board of Directors to establish policies for fund investment and management. The Board shall select or establish a list of investment funds and options similar to those in the Thrift Savings Fund, among which participants may choose. 
 
The Board shall establish an American Savings Account Fund Advisory Council to advise the Board on matters relating to investment policies. 
 
The American Savings Account Fund is tax-exempt and contributions to, or distributions from, it are excludible from gross income. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Express Appeals Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2473
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2016-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability and paralysis
Evidence and witnesses
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: 

Express Appeals Act
 
of 2016

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) carry out a five-year pilot program to provide the option of an alternative appeals process to determine appeals of claims for disability compensation more quickly, and (2) inform claimants about such program.
 
Appeals filed under the pilot program are described as &quot;fully developed appeals.&quot;
 
A claimant may elect to file a fully developed appeal by filing with the VA: (1) a notice of disagreement along with the claimant's written election to have the appeal determined under the pilot program, (2) all evidence that the claimant believes is needed for the appeal, and (3) a statement of the argument in support of the claim. 
 
 A claimant who elects the pilot program may elect to revert to the standard appeals process at any time. Such reversion, however, shall be final.
 
 Such a claimant or an electing claimant who is later determined to be ineligible for the pilot program shall revert to the standard appeals process without any penalty other than the loss of docket number. 
 
The VA shall transfer jurisdiction over a fully developed appeal directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
 
The Board shall: 
 
 
maintain fully developed appeals on a separate docket; 
 
hear fully developed appeals in the order received; 
 
decide not more than one fully developed appeal for each four traditional appeals decided, though this ratio may be adjusted for fairness purposes beginning one year after the pilot program begins; and 
 
decide each fully developed appeal within one year of a claimant's filing the notice of disagreement.
 
 
A claimant may not submit or identify to the Board any new evidence relating to a fully developed appeal after filing such appeal unless the claimant reverts to the standard appeals process. 
 
The Board shall establish an office to develop necessary federal records, independent medical opinions, and new medical exams. 
 
The Board may not provide hearings for fully developed appeals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-558.
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2016-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Treatment of Israel in Product Labeling Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2474
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Customs enforcement
Department of the Treasury
Gaza Strip
Israel
Middle East
West Bank

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Fair Treatment of Israel in Product Labeling Act of 2016

 
This bill requires that, for goods produced or originating in the areas known as the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, proper markings for country of origin include: (1) Israel, (2) Product of Israel, (3) Made in Israel, (4) West Bank, (5) Gaza, (6) Gaza Strip, (7) West Bank/Gaza, or (8) West Bank/Gaza Strip. 
 
Neither the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, nor any competent official of another federal department or agency shall prohibit the use of any such markings for purposes of country of origin marking requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Courts of Appeals Modernization Act

Bill: 114-s-2475
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Federal appellate courts
Government studies and investigations
Judicial procedure and administration

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Federal Courts of Appeals Modernization Act

 
This bill establishes a Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals to: (1) study the present division of the U.S. courts of appeals, with particular references to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and (2) submit to the President and Congress recommendations for changes in circuit boundaries or structure for the expeditious and effective disposition of the caseload of such courts.
 
The commission shall be composed of five members appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate