hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Write the Laws Act

Bill: 114-s-1575
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2015-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Congressional-executive branch relations
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Legislative rules and procedure
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-15
text: 

Write the Laws Act

 
Prohibits an Act of Congress from containing any delegation of legislative powers, whether to: (1) any component within the legislative branch, (2) the President or any other member of the executive branch, (3) the judicial branch, (4) any agency, (5) any quasi-public agency, (6) any state or state instrumentality, or (7) any other organization or individual.
 
Excludes from the meaning of delegation of legislative powers the issuance of presidential proclamations, the issuance of rules or regulations governing the internal operation of federal agencies, or the making of conditions upon agency grants or contracts.
 
Prohibits the promulgation or putting into effect of any new presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation, or any change to an existing presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation governing, limiting, imposing a penalty on, or otherwise regulating any activity of any individual or entity, other than a federal officer or employee, unless it is authorized by an Act of Congress that complies with this Act.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to identify to Congress all statutes enacted within 90 days after enactment of this Act that contain any delegation of legislative powers prohibited by it.
 
Denies any force or effect to any Act of Congress, presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation that is noncompliant with this Act. Prohibits any legal, equitable, regulatory, civil, or criminal action from being brought under such an Act, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation.
 
Grants persons aggrieved by the action of any executive branch officer or employee the right to bring an action against the United States to seek appropriate relief, including an injunction against enforcement of any Act of Congress, presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation that is noncompliant with this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate
East Rosebud Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

Bill: 114-s-1577
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2015-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees
Montana
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-15
text: 

East Rosebud Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

 
 Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specified river segments of the East Rosebud Creek in Montana as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 

action_date: 2016-08-30
text: 

East Rosebud Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

 
 (Sec. 3) This bill amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specified river segments of the East Rosebud Creek in Montana as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 
 
Nothing in this bill creates a protective perimeter or buffer zone outside of the designated boundary of the designated river segments. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 581.
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/14/2016 with amendments. With written report No. 114-309.
action_date: 2016-08-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski under authority of the order of the Senate of 07/14/2016 with amendments. With written report No. 114-309.
action_date: 2016-07-13
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2016-03-17
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-496.
action_date: 2015-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4140)
action_date: 2015-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Clean Vehicle Corridors Act

Bill: 114-s-1581
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2015-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Commuting
Government information and archives
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Intergovernmental relations
Motor fuels
Roads and highways
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: 

Clean Vehicle Corridors Act 

 
 Requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to: 
 
 
 designate at least five Clean Vehicle Corridors along federal highways, interstates, or other contiguous highways after consulting with specified agencies; and 
 
 encourage the addition of cleaner alternative fuel options and other supporting infrastructure along the corridors and the inclusion of existing and private facilities in the corridor.
 
 
Defines &quot;cleaner alternative fuels&quot; to include: 
 
 
 compressed natural gas, 
 
 liquefied natural gas, 
 
 liquefied petroleum gas (also known as propane), 
 
plug-in electric, 
 
 advanced biofuels, and 
 
 hydrogen.
 
 
Authorizes DOT to provide waivers of statutory restrictions for cleaner alternative fuel projects and vehicles along Clean Vehicle Corridors.
 
Requires DOT to: 
 
 maintain a publicly accessible website containing information and resources for corridors;
 
 identify best practices and case studies of communities and complementary programs that have successfully promoted cleaner alternative fuel use in consultation with federal agencies, tribes, states, and Clean Cities;
 
 identify existing technical and financial mechanisms available to promote the development of cleaner alternative fuel infrastructure; and 
 
 collaborate with the Department of Energy (DOE) and all relevant Clean Vehicle Corridor stakeholders to collect data on cleaner alternative fueling station usage patterns. 
 
 
Authorizes: 
 
 two or more contiguous states to enter into an interstate compact to establish Clean Vehicle Corridor partnerships to facilitate planning for and siting of necessary facilities within those states; and 
 
 DOT, in consultation with DOE, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency, to provide technical assistance to interstate compact partnerships. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserving American Homeownership Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1582
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2015-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Financial services and investments
Government studies and investigations
Housing finance and home ownership
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Real estate business

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: 

Preserving American Homeownership Act of 2015

 
 Requires the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Federal Housing Commissioner each to establish a pilot program to encourage the use of shared equity mortgage modifications designed to return greater net present value to investors than other loss-mitigation activities, including foreclosure.
 
Requires a shared equity mortgage modification to:
 
 
reduce by specified action the loan-to-value ratio of a covered mortgage to 100% or less within 3 years; 
reduce the interest rate if such a reduction of principal would not result in an affordable reduced monthly payment; 
reduce to a specified amount any periodic payment the homeowner is required to make; 
require the homeowner to pay the investor, upon refinancing or selling the real property securing a covered mortgage, up to 50% of the amount of the equity value of the real property, subject to certain conditions; 
be designed to deliver maximal net present value to the investor; 
be based on specified factors; and
 
require disclosure to the homeowner, before entering into the shared equity mortgage modification, of the estimated net present value of the equity sharing interest to be determined under this Act. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize the expansion of an existing hydroelectric project.

Bill: 114-s-1583
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2015-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alaska
Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Lakes and rivers
Licensing and registrations
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: 
 This bill amends the special-use permit for the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Project in Alaska to authorize the construction, operation, and maintenance of a tunnel and associated facilities and activities for the Upper Hidden Basin Diversion. 
 
The tunnel and associated facilities shall be subject to terms and conditions in any amendment to a license issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

action_date: 2015-12-16
text: 
(Sec. 1) This bill authorizes the licensee for the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC] project number 2743) to occupy up to 20 acres of federal land to construct, operate, and maintain the Upper Hidden Basin Diversion Expansion without further authorization of the Department of the Interior or under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
 
This is the expansion of the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Project described in the Upper Hidden Basin Grant Application dated July 2, 2014, as submitted by Kodiak Electric Association, Inc., to the Alaska Energy Authority Renewable Energy Fund Round VIII. 
 
The Expansion must meet the terms and conditions contained in any amendment to a license which may be issued by FERC subsequent to its environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 330.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-185.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-185.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2015-10-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-381.
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4204-4205)
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act

Bill: 114-s-1584
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Motor fuels

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: 

Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act

 
This bill amends the Clean Air Act to repeal the renewable fuel standard, which requires transportation fuel sold in the United States to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel. 
 
The bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal a requirement that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency assess and report to Congress on the impact of the renewable fuel program on environmental issues, resource conservation issues, and the growth and use of cultivated invasive or noxious plants and their impact on the environment and agriculture.
 
The bill also nullifies certain regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations relating to the renewable fuel standard. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue an order continuing a stay of a hydroelectric license for the Mahoney Lake hydroelectric project in the State of Alaska, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1585
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2015-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alaska
Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Lakes and rivers
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: 
This bill directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon the request of the licensee of FERC project 11393, to continue the current stay of the license.
 
 Upon subsequent licensee request, but no later than 10 years after enactment of this Act, FERC shall: (1) lift the stay of the license, and (2) make the license's effective date the one upon which the stay is lifted. 
 
Also upon licensee request, FERC shall extend for up to 3 consecutive 2-year periods the time period during which the licensee must commence project construction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4205-4206)
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Great Lakes Water Protection Act

Bill: 114-s-1586
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2015-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Government trust funds
Great Lakes
Pollution liability
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: 

Great Lakes Water Protection Act 

 
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to prohibit a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) from discharging untreated or partially treated sewage into the Great Lakes or a tributary of the Great Lakes when the discharge is the result of the POTW intentionally diverting waste streams to bypass any portion of a treatment facility. A bypass is allowed if: (1) it is unavoidable to prevent loss of life, personal injury, or severe property damage, there is no feasible alternative, and the treatment works provides notice; or (2) it does not cause effluent (waste) limitations to be exceeded and is for essential maintenance to ensure efficient operation of the treatment facility. 
 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must work with relevant states to create requirements for providing immediate notice to the public about discharges.
 
The EPA must establish procedures to ensure that permits issued to POTWs under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System include requirements to comply with this bill. 
 
This bill establishes a maximum civil penalty of $100,000 per day for violations of the bill occurring on or after January 1, 2035. The penalties must be deposited into the Great Lakes Cleanup Fund, which is established by this bill. The Fund must be used for improving wastewater discharges.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Authority for the Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Act

Bill: 114-s-1587
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2015-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Iraq
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
Syria
Terrorism
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: 

Authority for the Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Act

 
This bill authorizes the President to use the U.S. Armed Forces for three years against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), any closely related successor entity, or associated persons or forces.
 
This bill shall also constitute the sole statutory authority for U.S. military action against ISIL, superseding any prior authorization for the use of military force against ISIL.
 
The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 is repealed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4206)
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Mental Health in Schools Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1588
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2015-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Child health
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Health programs administration and funding
Mental health
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: 

Mental Health in Schools Act of 2015

 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise a community children and violence program to assist local communities and schools in applying a public health approach to mental health services, including by: (1) revising eligibility requirements for a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement; and (2) providing for comprehensive school mental health programs that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, trauma-informed, and age appropriate. Requires a comprehensive school mental health program funded under this Act to assist children in dealing with trauma and violence. Makes only a partnership between a local educational agency and at least one community program or agency that is involved in mental health eligible for funding.
 
Requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop a fiscally appropriate process for evaluating grant program activities, including the development of: (1) guidelines for the submission of program data by recipients; and (2) outcome measures to be applied by recipients in evaluating programs, including student and family measures and local educational measures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Pregnancy Discrimination Amendment Act

Bill: 114-s-1590
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2015-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Employment discrimination and employee rights
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Women's employment
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-17
text: 

Pregnancy Discrimination Amendment Act

 
Amends provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that protect against pregnancy discrimination in the workplace to provide for women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions to be treated the same for all employment-related purposes as any other persons who are applicants for employment with, or employees of, the same employer in work that is performed under similar working conditions and who are not so affected but are similar in their temporary ability or inability to work.
 
Makes such treatment applicable to existing prohibited categories of employment discrimination on the basis of sex or because of sex.
 
Prohibits this treatment from permitting a labor organization to cause an employer to commit an unlawful employment practice against an employee in violation of such provisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1591
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2015-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Department of the Interior
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Temporary and part-time employment

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-17
text: 

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act of 2015

 
Makes an employee of a land management agency serving under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service eligible to compete for a permanent appointment in the agency or any other agency if: (1) the original appointment was competitive, (2) the employee has served under one or more time-limited appointments totaling more than 24 months without a break of two or more years, and (3) the employee's performance has been at an acceptable level. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to clarify the description of certain Federal land under the Northern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership Act of 2005 to include additional land in the Kaibab National Forest.

Bill: 114-s-1592
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2015-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Arizona
Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-06-17
text: 
Amends the Northern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership Act of 2005 to include as &quot;certain land located within the Kaibab National Forest&quot; to be conveyed to the Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership approximately 25 acres of land at the Gila and Salt River Meridian, Coconino County.

action_date: 2015-12-16
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 
Amends the Northern Arizona Land Exchange and Verde River Basin Partnership Act of 2005 to include as &quot;certain land located within the Kaibab National Forest&quot; to be conveyed to the Yavapai Ranch Limited Partnership approximately 25 acres of land at the Gila and Salt River Meridian, Coconino County.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 331.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 114-186.
action_date: 2015-12-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 114-186.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2015-10-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-490.
action_date: 2015-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4251)
action_date: 2015-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate