hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Employee Health Care Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-158
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Comprehensive health care
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

Employee Health Care Protection Act of 2015

 
Permits a health insurance issuer that had in effect health insurance coverage in the group market on any date during 2013 to continue offering that coverage through 2018 outside of a health care exchange established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Treats that coverage as a grandfathered health plan for purposes of an individual meeting the requirement to maintain minimum essential health coverage.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to improve the operation of the Department of Homeland Security's Unmanned Aircraft System Program.

Bill: 114-s-159
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Arizona
Aviation and airports
Border security and unlawful immigration
California
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Homeland Security
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Latin America
Mexico
New Mexico
Public contracts and procurement
Smuggling and trafficking
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 
Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fully utilize surveillance and detection capabilities developed or used by federal agencies to enhance the functioning and operational capability to conduct continuous and integrated manned or unmanned monitoring, sensing, or surveillance of 100% of the southern border of the United States. 
 
Prohibits DHS from procuring any additional unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) until it provides written certification that it successfully operated its current UAS fleet at least 23,000 hours during the preceding calendar year. Excepts the procurement of unmanned aircraft that do not weigh more than 150 pounds.
 
Requires DHS to: (1) use the best available radar and surveillance technology to increase awareness of illegal border activities along the southern border and to identify gaps in surveillance capabilities; and (2) consult with the Department of Defense to identify best practices that could be used by DHS to improve the security of the southern border.
 
Directs DHS to report biannually on: 
 
 
the number of UAS flight hours required, planned, and flown to provide persistent surveillance along the southern border and the number of flight hours cancelled; 
 
the number of UAS flight hours planned in support of any federal or state agency; 
 
performance measures regarding the number of hours flown, subjects detected, and apprehensions and illicit drug seizures assisted; and 
 
the accumulated cost associated with the UAS Program. 

 
Terminates this Act five years after its enactment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act

Bill: 114-s-160
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: First responders and emergency personnel
Forests, forestry, trees
Government liability
Land use and conservation
Life, casualty, property insurance
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

Good Samaritan Search and Recovery Act 

 
 Directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement a process to provide eligible organizations and individuals expedited access to federal land to conduct good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, which are searches for one or more missing individuals believed to be deceased at the time that the search is initiated. 
 
Sets forth procedures for the approval or denial of requests made by eligible organizations or individuals to carry out a good Samaritan search-and-recovery mission. 
 
Requires Interior and USDA to develop search-and-recovery focused partnerships with search-and-recovery organizations to coordinate good Samaritan search-and-recovery missions, and expedite and accelerate mission efforts for missing individuals. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-380.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Paying a Fair Share Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-161
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Employment taxes
Income tax deductions
Income tax rates
Inflation and prices
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax reform and tax simplification

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

Paying a Fair Share Act of 2015

 
 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million to pay a minimum tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year (tentative fair share tax). Establishes the amount of such tax as the excess (if any) of the tentative fair share tax over the excess of: (1) the sum of the taxpayer's regular tax liability, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) amount, and the payroll tax for the taxable year; over (2) certain tax credits. Provides for a phase-in of such tax. Requires an inflation adjustment to the $1 million income threshold for taxable years beginning after 2016.
 
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should enact tax reform that repeals unfair and unnecessary tax loopholes and expenditures, simplifies the tax system, and makes sure that the wealthiest taxpayers pay a fair share of taxes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Offshoring Prevention Act

Bill: 114-s-162
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Foreign and international corporations
Income tax credits
Taxation of foreign income

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

Offshoring Prevention Act
 
 
 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include in foreign base company income, for purposes of determining the foreign trade income of controlled foreign corporations, imported property income. Defines "imported property income" as, with certain exceptions, income attributable to property manufactured outside of the United States and imported for sale into the United States. Provides for a separate application of limitations on the foreign tax credit for imported property income.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Avonte's Law Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-163
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Disability and paralysis
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency communications systems
First responders and emergency personnel
Health information and medical records
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Hereditary and development disorders
Law enforcement administration and funding
Neurological disorders
School administration

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

Avonte's Law Act of 2015

 
 Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to law enforcement agencies to: (1) reduce the risk of injury and death relating to the wandering characteristics of some individuals with autism and other disabilities, and (2) safeguard the well-being of individuals with disabilities during interactions with law enforcement.
 
Requires grant awards to be used to: (1) provide education and resources to law enforcement agencies, first responders, schools, clinicians, and the public in order to reduce the risk of wandering by such individuals, help to identify signs of abuse in such individuals, increase their personal safety and survival skills, and facilitate effective communication with individuals who have communication-related disabilities; (2) provide training and emergency protocols for school administrators, staff, and families; (3) provide response tools and training for law enforcement and search-and-rescue agencies, including tracking technology; or (4) provide response tools and training to law enforcement agencies in order to recognize and respond to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 
Directs the Attorney General to establish standards and best practices relating to the use of tracking technology to monitor children with autism and other disabilities. Requires each law enforcement agency that receives a grant to comply with any such standards and best practices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-164
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act of 2015 or the FAIR Act

 
 Increases by 3.8% in FY2016 the rate of basic pay for federal employees under the statutory pay systems (relating to the General Schedule, the U.S. Foreign Service, and the Veterans Health Administration) and for prevailing rate employees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Regulatory Responsibility for our Economy Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-168
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Judicial review and appeals
Public participation and lobbying

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

Regulatory Responsibility for our Economy Act of 2015

 
 Sets forth general requirements for the federal regulatory system, including the protection of public health, welfare, safety, and the environment, the promotion of predictability in the regulatory process, and the consideration of benefits and costs of regulations. 
 
Requires federal agencies to: (1) propose or adopt regulations only upon a reasoned determination that the benefits of such regulations justify their costs; (2) tailor regulations to impose the least burden on society and to maximize economic and other benefits; (3) involve the public and parties affected by regulations in the regulatory process; (4) develop regulatory actions that promote innovation, flexibility, and objectivity; and (5) consider methods to promote retrospective analysis of rules that may be outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome, and develop plans for reviewing on a periodic basis significant regulation actions (i.e., those having an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or otherwise adversely affecting the economy). 
 
Provides for judicial review of any agency action required under this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S203-204)
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
No Tax Write-offs for Corporate Wrongdoers Act

Bill: 114-s-169
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Competition and antitrust
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Life, casualty, property insurance

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

No Tax Write-offs for Corporate Wrongdoers Act

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) deny a tax deduction for any amount paid or incurred for punitive damages in connection with any judgment in, or settlement of, any legal action; and (2) include any amount paid as punitive damages in gross income for income tax purposes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S204-205)
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-170
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Child health
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2015

 
Makes a child eligible for medical care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) eligible for such care until the child's 26th birthday, regardless of the child's marital status.
 
Makes such provision inapplicable before January 1, 2016, to a child who is eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored health care plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for coverage under the beneficiary travel program of the Department of Veterans Affairs of certain disabled veterans for travel in connection with certain special disabilities rehabilitation, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-171
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Neurological disorders
Transportation costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 
Authorizes payment under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiary travel program of travel expenses in connection with the medical examination, treatment, or care of a veteran with vision impairment, a spinal cord injury or disorder, or double or multiple amputations whose travel is in connection with care provided through a VA special disabilities rehabilitation program, if such care is provided: (1) on an inpatient basis, or (2) while a veteran is provided temporary lodging at a VA facility in order to make such care more accessible.
 
Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans committees on the travel program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Access to Appropriate Immunizations for Veterans Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-172
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Veterans Affairs
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

Access to Appropriate Immunizations for Veterans Act of 2015

 
Includes within authorized preventive health services available to veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) immunizations against infectious diseases, including each immunization on the recommended adult immunization schedule established by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
 
Requires the inclusion, in an annual report from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on VA preventive health services, of programs conducted to ensure that veterans have received each immunization on such immunization schedule at the appropriate time.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop and implement quality measures and metrics to ensure that veterans receiving VA medical services receive each immunization at the time indicated on the schedule. Requires statistics related to such quality measures and metrics to be included in the annual report described above. Provides deadlines for the publication and implementation of the measures and metrics.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-03
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-201.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to modify the definition of "antique firearm".

Bill: 114-s-173
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Government information and archives
Historical and cultural resources
Licensing and registrations
Sales and excise taxes
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 
Modifies the definition of &quot;antique firearm&quot; under the federal criminal code and the Internal Revenue Code to cover any firearm manufactured in or before the calendar year that is 100 years before the year in which a determination is made as to whether the firearm is an antique firearm (currently, any firearm manufactured in or before 1898).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Economic Development Through Tribal Land Exchange Act

Bill: 114-s-175
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: California
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

Economic Development Through Tribal Land Exchange Act

 
 Provides for the disposition of four parcels of land in California.
 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 41.15 acres designated as Morongo lands to Lloyd L. Fields in exchange for 41.15 acres owned by Fields to be held in trust for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. 
 
Grants an easement to the city of Banning for a public right-of-way in exchange for 1.21 acres of land to be held in trust for the Tribe. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
W21

Bill: 114-s-176
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-01-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Arizona
Atmospheric science and weather
California
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Colorado
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Fishes
Floods and storm protection
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing industry and standards
Idaho
Kansas
Land transfers
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
Research administration and funding
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Washington State
Water quality
Water resources funding
Water storage
Water use and supply
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: 

Water in the 21st Century Act or W21

 
This bill establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a WaterSense program to identify, label, and promote water efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services. 
 
This bill establishes a program to provide financial incentives for consumers to purchase and install products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services labeled under the WaterSense program. 
 
The EPA is required to make grants to owners or operators of water systems to address any ongoing or forecasted impact of climate change on a region's water quality or quantity.
 
The Department of the Interior may: (1) provide financial assistance to water projects in specified states, including projects for water recycling, water infrastructure, enhanced energy efficiency, desalination, and water storage and conveyance; and (2) transfer to nonfederal entities title to any reclamation projects or facility in need of rehabilitation that are authorized before enactment of this Act. 
 
The U.S. Geological Survey must establish an open water data system to advance the availability, timely distribution, and widespread use of water data and information for water management, education, research, assessment, and monitoring purposes. 
 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2020 the Water Desalination Act of 1996 and water resources research and technology institutes under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984. 
 
After receiving a request from a nonfederal sponsor, the
 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must review the operation of a reservoir and, if appropriate, update the water control manual to incorporate improved weather and runoff forecasting methods. 
 
The EPA is required to develop voluntary national drought resilience guidelines relating to preparedness planning and investments for water users and providers. 
 
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must prepare a salmon drought plan for California. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-01-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an above-the-line deduction for child care expenses, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-180
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2015-01-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Child care and development
Income tax deductions
Tax treatment of families

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-16
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize their tax deductions a deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) for their employment-related expenses incurred in caring for a child under the age of 13 or a child who is physicaly or mentaly incapable of self care (qualifying child). Limits the dollar amount of such deduction in a taxable year to $7,000 for taxpayers with one qualifying child or $14,000 for taxpayers with two or more qualifying children. Allows an annual inflation adjustment to such amounts for taxable years beginning after 2015. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-01-16
text: Introduced in Senate