hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act

Bill: 114-hr-1667
Sponsor: Rep. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY-At Large]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of the Interior
Endangered and threatened species
Government information and archives
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act 

 
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, to make publicly available on the Internet the best scientific and commercial data available that are the basis for the determination of whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species, including each proposed regulation for the listing of a species.
 
The departments are prohibited from making the information publicly available when: (1) the public disclosure of the information is prohibited by state law relating to the protection of personal information, and (2) the state makes a request to a department to withhold the information. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
Save Our Water Act

Bill: 114-hr-1668
Sponsor: Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-4]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Endangered and threatened species
Lakes and rivers
Natural disasters
State and local government operations
Water storage
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

Save Our Water Act

 
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) to suspend during droughts the application of the ESA to water releases from water storage facilities by federal and state agencies in a navigable river basin.
 
The bill prohibits a state from enforcing ESA requirements in an area of the state in which a suspension applies, but does not affect the authority of a state to carry out and enforce its own laws.
 
The bill does not prohibit any release of water from a water storage facility under the ESA if a relevant authority certifies that such release will not cause harm to the economy and no water conservation measures will be required to be taken by any water users as a result of such release.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-22
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2362)
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
Judgment Fund Transparency Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1669
Sponsor: Rep. Stewart, Chris [R-UT-2]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Government information and archives
Government liability

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

Judgment Fund Transparency Act of 2015 

 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to disclose details after payments are made from the Judgment Fund. The Judgment Fund is a permanent and indefinite appropriation to pay judgments against the United States, including awards, compromise settlements, and related interest and costs.
 
Unless the disclosure is prohibited by law or a court order, Treasury must make available to the public on a website:
 
 
the name of the agency or entity whose actions gave rise to the claim or judgment,
 
the plaintiff or claimant,
 
the counsel for the plaintiff or claimant,
 
the amount paid,
 
a description of the facts that gave rise to the claim, and
 
the name of the agency that submitted the claim. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2016-11-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-04-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
Enterprise Secondary Reserve Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1673
Sponsor: Rep. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN-7]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Corporate finance and management
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Housing finance and home ownership

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

Enterprise Secondary Reserve Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 to direct the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to: (1) establish for any government sponsored enterprise (GSE, including the Federal National Mortgage Association [Fannie Mae] and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation [Freddie Mac]) operating in conservatorship a secondary reserve fund, and (2) deposit in it from any GSE revenues an amount equal to its required minimum capital level. 
 
The GSE must hold secondary reserve fund amounts in escrow until the Director uses them according to this Act or until the fund is abolished.
 
The Director shall: (1) decide whether to use funds held in the secondary reserve of a GSE operating in conservatorship if the GSE's losses will exceed other available amounts, and (2) abolish any secondary reserve upon dissolution of the GSE's conservatorship.
 
Any amounts remaining in a secondary reserve upon abolishment shall revert first to meet the GSE's capital requirements and then to its earnings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1674
Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 
 
Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2015 
 
 Amends the federal bankruptcy code to limit the non-dischargeability, except in cases of undue hardship, of educational loans to those made, insured, or guaranteed by a governmental unit, or made under any program funded by a governmental unit or any program for which substantially all of the funds are provided by a nonprofit institution (thus allowing the discharge of private educational loan indebtedness without the need to show an undue hardship).

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E446)
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
Weekends Without Hunger Act

Bill: 114-hr-1676
Sponsor: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

Weekends Without Hunger Act

 
Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture, subject to the availability of appropriations, to implement a pilot program providing commodities, on a competitive basis, to nonprofits for the provision of nutritious food to at-risk school children on weekends and during extended school holidays during the school year. (At-risk school children are those who participate in the school lunch program and reside in an area served by a school in which at least 50% of the students receive free or reduced price meals under the school lunch or breakfast programs.)
 
Includes elementary and secondary schools, school food authorities, food banks or pantries, homeless shelters, and other Secretary-approved emergency feeding agencies as eligible nonprofit recipients of such commodities.
 
Requires commodity recipients to satisfy safe food storage, handling, and delivery standards established by the Secretary.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) complete an interim evaluation of the pilot program by November 30, 2018, and (2) submit a final report to Congress by December 31, 2020, that contains an evaluation of such program and any recommendations the Secretary may have for legislative action.
 
Authorizes appropriations for the pilot program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
Dental Insurance Fairness Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1677
Sponsor: Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-4]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Dental care
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

Dental Insurance Fairness Act of 2015

 
 Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to prescribe certain health care coverage value requirements for dental benefits under self-insured group health plans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
National Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Resilience and Security Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1678
Sponsor: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Geography and mapping
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Spacecraft and satellites
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

National Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Resilience and Security Act of 2015

 
Directs the Department of Defense to provide for the establishment of a reliable land-based positioning, navigation, and timing system to complement and back up the global positioning system (GPS) to ensure the availability of uncorrupted or non-degraded signals for military and civilian users if GPS signals are corrupted, degraded, unreliable, or otherwise unavailable.
 
Requires the system to: (1) be wireless, terrestrial, and wide-area; (2) provide a precise, high-power 100 kilohertz signal; (3) be able to penetrate underground and inside buildings; (4) take advantage of existing, unused government long-range navigation system (LORAN) infrastructure and work in concert with enhanced long-range navigation systems (eLORAN); and (5) incorporate private sector expertise. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
Bakken Crude Stabilization Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1679
Sponsor: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Oil and gas
Railroads
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

Bakken Crude Stabilization Act of 2015

 
This bill authorizes Bakken crude oil to be transported by rail only if it has a Reid vapor pressure of not more than 9.5 pounds per square inch (the maximum volatility set by the New York Mercantile Exchange for crude oil futures contracts).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
VA Construction, Accountability, and Reform Act

Bill: 114-hr-1681
Sponsor: Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Building construction
Colorado
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

VA Construction, Accountability, and Reform Act

 
This bill authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the major medical facility project to replace the VA Medical Center in Denver, Colorado (Aurora Project).
 
 The Secretary may not pay any bonus during FY2015-FY2016. If the Aurora Project is not completed by September 30, 2016, the Secretary may not pay any bonus until the date on which the Secretary certifies to Congress that such Project is fully operational. The aggregate amount of subsequent fiscal year bonuses is capped through FY2024.
 
 The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary of the Army for the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the design, contract, construction management, and other similar services for the Aurora Project. 
 
The bill prohibits the VA Secretary from carrying out a major medical facility project and requires the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to carry out all major medical facility projects for the VA.
 
 The Government Accountability Office shall review the Secretary's management of the Aurora Project.
 
 The Secretary must notify Congress at least 120 days (currently, at least 30 days) before obligating funds for major medical facility projects that exceed authorized amounts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
National Jazz Preservation, Education, and Promulgation Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1682
Sponsor: Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-13]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays
Elementary and secondary education
Historical and cultural resources
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Music
Sound recording
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

National Jazz Preservation, Education, and Promulgation Act of 2015 

 
 Establishes a National Jazz Preservation Program and a National Jazz Appreciation Program, to be carried out by the Smithsonian Institution through the National Museum of American History, to: (1) preserve knowledge and promote education about jazz, and (2) further the appreciation of jazz music throughout the nation. 
 
Requires the Smithsonian Institution to: (1) record audio and video interviews with leading jazz artists; (2) acquire, preserve, and interpret jazz artifacts; (3) continue to recognize Jazz Appreciation Month; (4) establish collaborative agreements with specified entities for the sharing of such artifacts; and (5) encourage, consult with, and engage in capacity building with community-based and regional organizations with the potential to establish jazz archival collections. 
 
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow certain funds to be made available under the Act for programs to promote jazz education, which may include: (1) a Jazz Artists in the Schools program; (2) a program for the development of lesson plans and other educational materials about jazz, the distribution of such materials, and teacher training on jazz education; and (3) an Ambassadors of Jazz program. 
 
Requires the Smithsonian Institution to establish a series of jazz performances at Smithsonian affiliates throughout the nation that provides broad geographic access to jazz and supports public appreciation for the diversity of jazz music.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
United States Coast Guard Commemorative Coin Act

Bill: 114-hr-1683
Sponsor: Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Coast guard
Currency
Department of Homeland Security
Military history
Military personnel and dependents
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Transportation employees

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

United States Coast Guard Commemorative Coin Act

 
 Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue in commemoration of the United States Coast Guard: (1) $5 gold coins, (2) $1 silver coins, and (3) half-dollar clad coins. 
 
Requires the design of such coins to be emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the Coast Guard, and its role in securing our nation since 1790. 
 
Prescribes design requirements. 
 
Restricts the issuance of such coins to the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2018.
 
Prescribes the sale price of the coins and coin surcharges. Requires such surcharges to be paid by the Secretary to the National Coast Guard Museum Association to help finance the design and construction of the National Coast Guard Museum.
 
Directs the Secretary to ensure that minting and issuing coins under this Act will not result in any net cost to the federal government.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1685
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Rodney [R-IL-13]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Homeland Security
Disaster relief and insurance
Economic performance and conditions
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Poverty and welfare assistance
Sales and excise taxes
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act of 2015

 
 Requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to amend the rules concerning the factors it considers when evaluating a governor's request for a major disaster declaration to provide that, with respect to the evaluation of the need for public assistance: (1) specific weighted valuations shall be assigned to the estimated cost of the assistance (10%), localized impacts (40%), insurance coverage in force (10%), hazard mitigation (10%), recent multiple disasters (10%), programs of other federal assistance (10%), and economic circumstances (10%); and (2) FEMA shall consider the economic circumstances of both the local economy of the affected area (including the local assessable tax base and local sales tax, median income, and poverty rate) and the state economy (including the unemployment rate).
 
Requires such rules to provide that, with respect to the evaluation of the severity, magnitude, and impact of the disaster and the evaluation of the need for assistance to individuals: (1) specific weighted valuations shall be assigned to concentration of damages (20%), trauma (20%), special populations (20%), voluntary agency assistance (10%), insurance (20%), average amount of individual assistance by state (5%), and economic considerations (5%); and (2) FEMA shall consider the economic circumstances of the affected area (including the local assessable tax base and local sales tax, median income, and poverty rate).
 
Makes such rules applicable to any disaster for which a governor requested a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and was denied on or after January 1, 2012.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1686
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
Introduced: 2015-03-26 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health care coverage and access
Medicare
Nutrition and diet

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: 

Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of 2015

 
 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend Medicare coverage to medical nutrition therapy services for people with pre-diabetes and risk factors for developing type-2 diabetes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-03-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-03-26
text: Introduced in House