hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Farm to School Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-569
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2015-02-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Aquaculture
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Public contracts and procurement
Seafood

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: 

Farm to School Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to reauthorize the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Farm to School Program through FY2021 and modify the program. The program currently provides grants and technical assistance to schools, state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, agricultural producers, and nonprofit entities to improve access to local foods in schools. 
 
The bill makes schools participating in the Summer Food Service Program for children, the early care and afterschool portions of the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the School Breakfast Program eligible to participate in the program. It also permits USDA to provide land-grant colleges and universities with grants, research, and technical assistance under the program. 
 
The purposes for grants awarded under the program are expanded to include agricultural literacy and nutrition education. The bill requires USDA to provide technical assistance, research, and information to increase awareness of and participation in farm to school programs among agricultural producers.
 
In awarding grants, USDA must improve local food procurement and distribution options for agricultural producers and eligible schools. USDA is permitted to fund projects that include innovative approaches to aggregation, processing, transportation, and distribution. 
 
The bill establishes new limitations on the amount and duration of grants.
 
The bill also establishes reporting requirements and limits funds that may be used for administrative costs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1120-1121; text of measure as introduced: CR S1121)
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a penalty for knowingly selling advertising that offers certain commercial sex acts.

Bill: 114-s-572
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2015-02-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crimes against children
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Human trafficking
Marketing and advertising
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: 

Stop Advertising Victims of Exploitation Act of 2015 or the SAVE Act of 2015

 
 Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly: (1) advertising commercial sex acts involving a minor or an individual engaged in such an act through force, fraud, or coercion; or (2) benefitting financially or otherwise from such advertising knowing that the individual involved was a minor or victim of force, fraud, or coercion.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: Introduced in Senate
General Aviation Pilot Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-573
Sponsor: Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
Introduced: 2015-02-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Licensing and registrations
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: 

General Aviation Pilot Protection Act of 2015

 
 Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue or revise FAA medical certification regulations to ensure that an individual may operate as a pilot of a covered aircraft without regard to any medical certification or proof of health requirement otherwise applicable under federal law if the flight meets certain criteria and the individual: (1) possesses a valid state driver's license, (2) complies with applicable medical requirements associated with that license, (3) is transporting five or fewer passengers, and (4) is operating under visual or instrument flight rules.
 
Defines &quot;covered aircraft&quot; as an aircraft that: (1) is not authorized under federal law to carry more than six occupants, and (2) has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of no more than 6,000 pounds.
 
Prohibits the Administrator from taking enforcement action against a pilot of a covered aircraft for not holding a valid third-class medical certificate if the pilot and the flight meets such requirements, unless the Administrator has published final regulations in the Federal Register.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Leveraging and Energizing America's Apprenticeship Programs Act

Bill: 114-s-574
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2015-02-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congressional agencies
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government Publishing Office (GPO)
Government information and archives
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: 

Leveraging and Energizing America's Apprenticeship Programs Act or the LEAP Act

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business-related tax credit of $1,500 for hiring an apprentice who has not attained age 25 at the close of the taxable year or $1,000 for an apprentice who has attained age 25. Allows such credit for no more than two taxable years with respect to any apprentice. Defines "apprentice" as an employee who is employed in an officially-recognized apprenticeable occupation pursuant to an apprentice agreement registered with the Office of Apprenticeship of the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor or a recognized state apprenticeship agency. 
 
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to coordinate with the heads of federal and independent agencies to: (1) determine which government publications could be available on government websites and no longer printed, (2) devise a strategy to reduce overall government printing costs over the 10-year period beginning with FY2015, (3) establish government-wide guidelines on employee printing, and (4) issue guidelines for publicly disclosing information about the publication of government documents.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-02-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Encouraging Employee Ownership Act

Bill: 114-s-576
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

 Encouraging Employee Ownership Act
 
 
Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to revise regulations to require an issuer to furnish investors with additional specified disclosures regarding compensatory benefit plans if the aggregate sales price or amount of securities sold during any consecutive 12-month period exceeds $10 million (currently $5 million), indexed for inflation every five years. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-24
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-577
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Environmental regulatory procedures
Motor fuels

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program by eliminating the annual renewable fuel standard that requires 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be blended into transportation fuel by 2022.
 
The bill would not affect the separate requirements for the following renewable fuels that are not corn starch ethanol: advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, or biomass-based diesel.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-578
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Home and outpatient care
Medicare
Nursing

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act of 2015

 
 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise conditions of and limitations on payment for home health care services.
 
Allows payment for home health services to Medicare beneficiaries by: (1) a nurse practitioner, (2) a clinical nurse specialist working in collaboration with a physician in accordance with state law, (3) a certified nurse-midwife, or (4) a physician assistant under a physician's supervision.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1163-1164)
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-582
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Abortion
Appropriations
Assault and harassment offenses
Comprehensive health care
Consumer affairs
Crimes against women
Employee benefits and pensions
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Income tax credits
Sex offenses
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2015

 
This bill prohibits federal funds, including funds in the budget of the District of Columbia, from being expended for abortion or health coverage that includes coverage of abortion. Abortions are eligible for federal funding only in cases of rape or incest, or where a physical condition endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed. Currently, federal funding of abortion and health coverage that includes abortion is prohibited, with the same exceptions.
 
Health care provided in a federal health care facility or by a federal employee may not include abortions that are ineligible for federal funding.
 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow premium assistance tax credits or health insurance tax credits for qualified health plans that cover abortions ineligible for federal funding.
 
This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Office of Personnel Management to ensure that multi-state qualified health plans offered on health insurance exchanges do not cover abortions ineligible for federal funding.
 
A qualified health plan's coverage of abortion must be disclosed to enrollees at the time of enrollment and must be prominently displayed in marketing materials, comparison tools, or any summary of benefits and coverage made available by the plan issuer, a health insurance exchange, or the Department of Health and Human Services. The amount of a plan's premium that is attributable to coverage of abortions ineligible for federal funding must be disclosed in material where the premium is disclosed. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Better Efficiency and Administrative Simplification Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-584
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medicare
Performance measurement
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

Better Efficiency and Administrative Simplification Act of 2015 

 
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow individuals the option to receive the Medicare Summary Notice (explanation of benefits) electronically.
 
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) apply a similar option to other Medicare statements and notifications, and (2) provide such Medicare Summary Notice and any other such statements and notifications on a more frequent basis than is otherwise required under Medicare.
 
Extends from at least once every 5 years to at least once every 10 years the application of competitive procedures when the contract of a Medicare administrative contractor comes up for renewal. 
 
Directs the Secretary, to the extent possible without compromising the process for entering into and renewing contracts with Medicare administrative contractors (MACs), to make available to the public the performance of each MAC with respect to requirements and measurement standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
American Natural Gas Security and Consumer Protection Act

Bill: 114-s-585
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Department of Energy
Economic performance and conditions
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy prices
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Licensing and registrations
Manufacturing
Oil and gas
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

American Natural Gas Security and Consumer Protection Act 

 
Amends the Natural Gas Act to prohibit exporting natural gas from the United States to a foreign country without first having secured an order of the Secretary of Energy (DOE) authorizing the exportation. 
 
Allows DOE to: (1) authorize such exportation after determining that it is consistent with the public interest, and (2) modify the export application as DOE determines necessary.
 
Requires the Secretary to issue: (1) an environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 on such an order, and (2) a summary of an analysis on the impact of extraction of exported natural gas upon the environment in those communities where the natural gas is extracted.
 
Directs DOE to promulgate final regulations to establish the processes for determining whether a proposed exportation of natural gas from the United States to a foreign country is in the public interest.
 
Exempts any export authorization order from the EIS and public interest requirements if the natural gas would be exported solely to meet certain requirements of: (1) the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, (2) the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or (3) the Trading with the Enemy Act. Authorizes DOE, furthermore, to issue such orders without modification or delay after receiving an application.
 
States that this Act does not affect certain authority under the Natural Gas Act regarding the importation or exportation of natural gas to a nation with which a free trade agreement is in effect.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act

Bill: 114-s-586
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Department of Health and Human Services
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Executive agency funding and structure
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission Act

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the National Diabetes Clinical Care Commission to evaluate and recommend solutions regarding better coordination and leveraging of federal programs that relate to supporting appropriate clinical care for people with pre-diabetes, diabetes, and the chronic diseases and conditions that are complications of or caused by diabetes. 
 
The duties of the Commission include:
 
 
evaluating HHS programs regarding the utilization of preventive health benefits,
 
identifying current activities and critical gaps in federal efforts to support clinicians in providing integrated care,
 
making recommendations regarding the development and coordination of federally funded clinical practice support tools,
 
recommending clinical pathways for new technologies and treatments,
 
evaluating and expanding education and awareness to health care professionals regarding prevention of diabetes, and
 
reviewing and recommending appropriate methods for outreach and dissemination of educational resources.
 
 
The Commission must submit an operating plan to HHS and Congress within 90 days of its first meeting.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
BEST Practices Act

Bill: 114-s-587
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Medical education
Medical research
Military education and training
Military medicine

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

Battlefield Excellence through Superior Training Practices Act or the BEST Practices Act

 
Requires the Department of Defense (DOD), no later than: (1) October 1, 2018, to develop, test, and validate human-based training methods for training members of the Armed Forces in the treatment of combat trauma injuries, with the goal of replacing live animal-based training methods; and (2) October 1, 2020, to use only use human-based training methods for such purposes. 
 
Prohibits the use of animals in such training after the latter date, but permits DOD to exempt a particular command or training method from human-based training method requirements for up to one year if the human-based methods will not provide an educationally equivalent or superior substitute for live animal-based training methods. Allows exemption periods to be renewed.
 
Requires DOD to submit an annual report to Congress regarding the development and implementation of the human-based training methods, including the justifications for any exemptions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Detergent PACS Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-588
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Consumer affairs
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Product safety and quality

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

Detergent Poisoning And Child Safety Act of 2015 or the Detergent PACS Act of 2015

 
Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish safety standards for liquid detergent packets to protect children who are younger than five years of age from injury or illness.
 
 Directs the CPSC to establish such standards by promulgating a rule or adopting voluntary ASTM International standards.
 
Provides for any final rule that is promulgated to include: (1) requirements for special packaging and warning labels, (2) standards to make the color and design of packets less attractive to children, and (3) liquid composition standards to make the consequences of exposure less severe. 
 
Requires the rule or standards to be treated as consumer product safety standards under the Consumer Product Safety Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1164-1165)
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Defending Our Great Lakes Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-589
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Dams and canals
Fishes
Floods and storm protection
Great Lakes
Illinois
Indiana
Lakes and rivers
Marine and inland water transportation
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi River
New York State
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Water quality
Water storage
Watersheds
Wisconsin

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

Defending Our Great Lakes Act of 2015

 
This bill requires federal agencies to take immediate actions to prevent the upstream transfer of aquatic nuisance species from the Mississippi River basin to the Great Lakes basin through the Brandon Road Lock and Dam site. The actions must place a special focus on Asian carp species and other aquatic nuisance species of concern to the Great Lakes referred to in the Great Lakes Mississippi River Interbasin Study conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 
 
The Army Corps must implement measures to improve the site to prevent the upstream transfer of Asian carp and other aquatic nuisance species swimming through the lock and dam, including by constructing an engineered channel in the approach to the site from the Mississippi River direction.
 
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must implement all appropriate measures around the site on the Illinois River to prevent the upstream transfer of swimming and floating aquatic nuisance species, with a focus on Asian carp species.
 
 Federal entities must take actions for the long-term prevention of the transfer of aquatic nuisance species between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes basins, including through the Chicago Area Waterway System. The Army Corps must design, engineer, and construct flood mitigation and water quality measures on the Chicago Area Waterway System related to preventing such transfer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-591
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Economic development
Financial services and investments
Income tax credits
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2015

 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the new markets tax credit, (2) provide for an inflation adjustment to the limitation amount for such credit after 2014, and (3) allow an offset against the alternative minimum tax for such credit (determined with respect to qualified equity investments initially made after the enactment of this Act).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate