hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Reorganization Plan Codification and Complements Act

Bill: 114-s-58
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Accidents
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Emergency planning and evacuation
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Licensing and registrations
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Nuclear power
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Reorganization Plan Codification and Complements Act
 
 
Codifies and expands the Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1980 governing administration of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 
 
Identifies as functions that remain vested in the NRC: (1) approval of the distribution of appropriated funds according to programs and purposes proposed by the Executive Director for Operations, and (2) functions concerned with policy formulation, rule making, orders and adjudications. 
 
Revises provisions of such Reorganization Act regarding: (1) the appointment and replacement of NRC officers and employees, (2) the role of the NRC Chairman, (3) the scope of the emergency authority of the NRC Chairman, and (4) NRC reporting procedures.
 
Sets forth NRC policy with respect to: (1) certification of documents transmitted to Congress, (2) time limits for review of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board decisions and actions, (3) allegations of wrongdoing on the part of the NRC Chairman, and (4) approval of international travel requests by NRC members. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to reject the final 5-year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for fiscal years 2012 through 2017 of the Administration and replace the plan with a 5-year plan that is more in line with the energy and economic needs of the United States.

Bill: 114-s-59
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 
Deems the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2010-2015, issued by the Secretary of the Interior, to be the final oil and gas leasing program for the period FY2015-FY2020.
 
Considers the Secretary to have issued a final environmental impact statement to the FY2013-FY2018 oil and gas leasing program in accordance with certain requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 
 
Excludes Lease Sales 214, 232, and 239, from the FY2015-FY2020 final oil and gas leasing program.
 
Declares that this Act does not affect restrictions on oil and gas leasing under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit aliens who are not lawfully present in the United States from being eligible for postsecondary education benefits that are not available to all citizens and nationals of the United States.

Bill: 114-s-60
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Civil actions and liability
Higher education
Immigration status and procedures
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 
Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to prohibit unlawful aliens from being eligible for any postsecondary education benefit unless every citizen and national of this country is eligible to receive that benefit in no less of an amount, duration, or scope. (This replaces a prohibition against a state's offering unlawful aliens postsecondary benefits on the basis of their residence in the state that are more generous than those offered citizens or naturals of this country without regard to their state residence.)
 
Allows any citizen or national who is enrolled at a postsecondary educational institution that is alleged to have violated that prohibition to bring a civil action against any state official overseeing the institution to obtain appropriate relief, attorneys' fees, and court costs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Kisatchie National Forest Land Conveyance Act

Bill: 114-s-61
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers
Louisiana

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Kisatchie National Forest Land Conveyance Act

 
Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to sell specified federal land in Winn Parish, Louisiana. Requires USDA to sell a portion of that land to Collins Camp Properties for the Collins Campsites.
 
Requires sale proceeds to be used for the acquisition of lands and interests in the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-16
text: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-62
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crimes against property
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Labor-management relations
Organized crime
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2015

 
Amends the Hobbs Act to exempt from provisions that prohibit obstructing, delaying, or affecting commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce by robbery or extortion and threatening physical violence to any person or property in furtherance of a plan or purpose to interfere with commerce by threats or violence, any conduct that: (1) is incidental to otherwise peaceful picketing during the course of a labor dispute; (2) consists solely of minor bodily injury, or minor damage to property, or threat or fear of such minor injury or damage; and (3) is not part of a pattern of violent conduct or of coordinated violent activity. Subjects such conduct to prosecution only by the appropriate state and local authorities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Safety for Our Schoolchildren Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-63
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Crimes against children
Criminal justice information and records
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
School administration
Sex offenses
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Safety for Our Schoolchildren Act of 2015

 
Requires states and local educational agencies (LEAs): (1) to obtain a Federal Bureau of Investigation background check on individuals prior to offering them employment as school employees; and (2) if the check identifies them as sexual predators, to report their application to local law enforcement.
 
Prohibits states or LEAs from hiring individuals as: (1) school employees if they have been convicted of a crime of violence or other felony; or (2) school bus drivers if they have been convicted of, or pled guilty to, drunk driving or a serious moving violation.
 
Withholds funds available to states for planning and administration and to LEAs as subgrants under part A of title II (Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, if they violate such prohibitions or fail to take such actions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Drug Free Families Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-64
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Drug Free Families Act of 2015

 
 Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require state TANF programs to implement a program to test TANF applicants and recipients for illegal drug use.
 
Requires state TANF programs to deny assistance to individuals who test positive for illegal drugs and individuals convicted of drug-related crimes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Moving to Work Charter Program Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-65
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Housing and community development funding
Low- and moderate-income housing
Public contracts and procurement
Public housing

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Moving to Work Charter Program Act of 2015

 
 Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to enter into charter contracts, beginning in FY2014, with up to 250 public housing agencies administering the public housing program or the section 8 housing assistance program under the United States Housing Act of 1937. 
 
States that such charter contracts shall: (1) supersede and have a term commensurate with any annual contributions contract between a public housing agency (PHA) and the Secretary, and (2) provide that a participating PHA shall receive capital and operating assistance allocated to it under specified laws.
 
Exempts charter contracts from the requirements of the United States Housing Act of 1937, except those for payment of wages prevailing in the community and the demolition and disposition of public housing.
 
Requires a charter contract to provide that a PHA: (1) may combine section 8 low-income assistance and Public Housing Capital and Operating Fund assistance and use it for housing assistance and related services for activities under this Act; (2) shall ensure that at least 75% of the families assisted are very low-income families; (3) shall establish a reasonable rent policy designed to encourage employment, self-sufficiency, and home ownership by participating families; and (4) meet specified additional requirements.
 
Directs the Secretary to appoint a federal advisory committee to assess and develop a demonstration program to test standards, criteria, and practices for a national public housing agency accreditation system or other evaluation system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit any regulation regarding carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions reduction in the United States until China, India, and Russia implement similar reductions.

Bill: 114-s-66
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Asia
China
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
India
Russia

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 
This bill prohibits the head of any federal agency from implementing or enforcing any regulations, proposals, or actions establishing any carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions reductions until the Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Information Administration, and Department of Commerce certify in writing that China, India, and Russian have proposed, implemented, and enforced measures requiring substantially similar reductions.
 
Any regulation, proposal, or action that requires those emission reductions and that is in effect before this certification is made is nullified.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Voter Integrity Protection Act

Bill: 114-s-68
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Immigration status and procedures

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Voter Integrity Protection Act 

 
 Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make voting in a federal election (unless otherwise provided for under the federal criminal code) by an alien who is unlawfully in the United States an aggravated felony and a deportable offense.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require that the Government give priority to payment of all obligations on the debt held by the public and payment of Social Security benefits in the event that the debt limit is reached.

Bill: 114-s-69
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Securities
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 
Declares that, in the event the debt of the federal government reaches the statutory limit, the authority of the Department of the Treasury to pay with legal tender the principal and interest on debt held by the public, and the authority of the Commissioner of Social Security to pay monthly Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act, shall take priority over all other obligations incurred by the government.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to direct the General Accountability Office to conduct a full audit of hurricane protection funding and cost estimates associated with post-Katrina hurricane protection.

Bill: 114-s-70
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Alabama
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Louisiana
Mississippi
Natural disasters

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 
Directs the Government Accountability Office, in coordination with the National Academy of Engineering, to conduct and submit to Congress a full audit of hurricane protection funding and cost estimates associated with post-Katrina hurricane protection. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Government Neutrality in Contracting Act

Bill: 114-s-71
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Labor-management relations
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Government Neutrality in Contracting Act 

 
 Directs the head of any federal agency that awards or obligates funds for any construction contract, or that awards grants, provides financial assistance, or enters into cooperative agreements for construction projects, to ensure that bid specifications, project agreements, or other controlling documents do not: (1) require or forbid a bidder, offeror, contractor, or subcontractor to enter into or adhere to agreements with a labor organization with respect to that construction project or another related construction project; or (2) otherwise discriminate against such a party because it did or did not become a signatory or otherwise adhere to such an agreement. 
 
Allows exemptions to avert an imminent threat to public health or safety or to serve national security. Allows additional exemptions for certain projects. 
Directs the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement this Act with respect to the applicable federal contracts.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding School Choice Act

Bill: 114-s-72
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Expanding School Choice Act

 
Amends part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow states to allocate school improvement grant funds among their local educational agencies (LEAs) on the basis of the number of children aged 5 through 17 whose family income lies below the federal poverty level and who are enrolled in the public and state-accredited private schools within each LEA's geographic jurisdiction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Local Control of Education Act

Bill: 114-s-73
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Intergovernmental relations
School administration
State and local government operations
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Local Control of Education Act 

 
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to prohibit the federal government from directly or indirectly mandating, directing, controlling, incentivizing, or conditioning federal support on a state's, local educational agency's (LEA's), or school's adoption of:
 
 
 the Common Core State Standards, any other academic standards common to a number of states, or any statewide or nationally recognized content standards; or 
 
 any assessment, instructional content, or curriculum aligned to, or based on, specific academic standards.
 
 
Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to make those prohibitions applicable to grants awarded under the Race to the Top program for innovations and reforms in elementary and secondary education.
 
Prohibits the Secretary of Education from conditioning the provision of a statutory or regulatory waiver under the ESEA on a state, LEA, Indian tribe, or school adopting any specific instructional content, academic standard, assessment, curriculum, or program of instruction. Makes that prohibition applicable to future and previously issued waivers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Dependent Care Savings Account Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-74
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Aging
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Child care and development
Disability and paralysis
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Dependent Care Savings Account Act of 2015

 
 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish tax-exempt dependent care savings accounts to pay the employment-related expenses of caring for a dependent of the taxpayer, (2) allow a deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) of up to $5,000 in a taxable year for cash contributions to such accounts, (3) set forth rules for the tax treatment of account distributions and for excess contributions to an account, and (4) impose a tax on employers who fail to make comparable contributions to a dependent savings account for all participating employees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Education Tax Fraud Prevention Act

Bill: 114-s-75
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Higher education
Income tax credits
Student aid and college costs
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Education Tax Fraud Prevention Act

 
 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require: (1) individuals who claim a tax credit for qualified tuition and related expenses under the Hope Scholarship or the Lifetime Learning tax credit to include their social security numbers on their tax returns, and (2) the educational institutions of such individuals to provide their employer identification numbers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Investment Savings Access After Catastrophes Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-76
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Louisiana
Mississippi
Natural disasters

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Investment Savings Access After Catastrophes Act of 2015

 
 Defines "Hurricane Isaac disaster area" for purposes of this Act as any parish or county of Louisiana or Mississippi in an area in which a major disaster has been declared before September 10, 2012, under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of Hurricane Isaac.
 
Provides for tax preferences in the Hurricane Isaac disaster area, including: (1) suspension of limitations on the tax deduction for personal casualty losses, (2) an extension of the carryback period for net operating losses, and (3) tax-free distributions from a retirement plan made on or after August 26, 2012, and before September 11, 2014, to an individual whose principal place of abode on August 26, 2012, was located in the Hurricane Isaac disaster area and who sustained an economic loss due to Hurricane Isaac.
 
Rescinds unobligated funds in an amount equal to the reduction in revenues resulting from the enactment of this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Patient Choice Restoration Act

Bill: 114-s-77
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Comprehensive health care
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: 

Patient Choice Restoration Act

 
This bill repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Provisions of law amended by those Acts are restored as if those Acts had never been enacted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate