hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to exclude power supply circuits, drivers, and devices designed to be connected to, and power, light-emitting diodes or organic light-emitting diodes providing illumination or ceiling fans using direct current motors from energy conservation standards for external power supplies.

Bill: 114-s-2476
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Energy
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Lighting and heating
Lighting, heating, cooling

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 
This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to exclude from energy conservation standards for external power supplies any power supply circuit, driver, or device designed to power certain light-emitting diodes or to power ceiling fans using direct current motors. The Department of Energy may prescribe energy conservation standards for that equipment no earlier than one year after the date on which a test procedure has been prescribed by using its authority to improve the energy efficiency of electric motors and pumps and other industrial equipment.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Circuit Court of Appeals Restructuring and Modernization Act

Bill: 114-s-2477
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2016-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Alaska
Arizona
California
Federal appellate courts
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Judges
Judicial procedure and administration
Montana
Nevada
Northern Mariana Islands
Oregon
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: 

Circuit Court of Appeals Restructuring and Modernization Act

 
This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into: (1) a new Ninth Circuit, to be composed of California, Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Mariana Islands; and (2) a newly established Twelfth Circuit, to be composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
 
The President must appoint five additional judges for the new Ninth Circuit and two additional temporary judges for the former Ninth Circuit. 
 
The bill designates the locations where the new circuits are to hold regular sessions. 
 
 The Circuit Executive and the Clerk of the Court of the Twelfth Circuit shall be located in Phoenix, Arizona.
 
The bill distributes active circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to the new circuits. Senior circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit may elect their circuit assignment. 
 
The bill authorizes the temporary assignment of circuit and district judges of the former Ninth Circuit between the new circuits. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
SAVINGS Act

Bill: 114-s-2478
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2016-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Financial services and investments
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Securities
State and local taxation
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: 

Save Access to a Valuable Investment Needed to Generate Savings Act of 2016 or the SAVINGS Act
 
 
This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to allow: (1) an individual taxpayer to use a portion or all of a tax refund to purchase U.S. savings bonds in paper form for the taxpayer or for any individual designated by the taxpayer; or (2) an option for a tax return that allows for the gifting of such bonds and that serves individuals who rarely, if ever, have held a bank account and individuals who lack access to the Internet. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding Access to Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Act

Bill: 114-s-2479
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2016-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: 

Expanding Access to Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Act

 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act and revises the Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to require a state receiving grant funds for a prescription drug monitoring program to make relevant prescription information available to all individuals authorized by the state to prescribe controlled substances, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Intern Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2480
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2016-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Age discrimination
Disability and health-based discrimination
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Temporary and part-time employment

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: 

Federal Intern Protection Act of 2015

 
This bill extends protections against discrimination in a federal workplace based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability to interns (individuals who perform uncompensated voluntary service in a federal agency to earn credit awarded by an educational institution or to learn a trade or occupation) and applicants for internships.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Everglades for the Next Generation Act

Bill: 114-s-2481
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2016-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Everglades
Florida
Water quality
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: 

Everglades for the Next Generation Act

 
This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to authorize the Department of the Army, after completing an implementation report prepared for a project under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and without any further congressional authorization, to carry out: (1) any project identified in the Plan for which a project implementation report is completed that is in accordance with an integrated delivery schedule approved by the Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District, provided that the report is completed by five years after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) any group of projects under the Plan that the Corps determines will provide regional or watershed ecosystem or water supply benefits if constructed in accordance with a project implementation report approved by the Corps and the District by such date.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Cyber Command Employment Personnel Training Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2482
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2016-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Department of Defense
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: 

Cyber Command Employment Personnel Training Act of 2016

 
This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide training to DOD employment personnel on matters relating to recruitment and retention of employees at the United States Cyber Command who: (1) carry out human resources management functions or who write hiring and pay guidance, or (2) are employed in supervisory positions or have responsibilities relating to the hiring of individuals for such positions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act

Bill: 114-s-2483
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2016-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Congressional districts and representation
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Government information and archives
House of Representatives
Members of Congress
State and local courts
State and local government operations
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: 

Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act

 
This bill prohibits a state that has been redistricted after an apportionment from being redistricted again until after the next apportionment of Representatives, unless the state is ordered by a court to conduct such a subsequent redistricting in order to: (1) comply with the U.S. Constitution, or (2) enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
 
Redistricting must be conducted through a plan developed by the independent redistricting commission established in the state, or if such plan is not enacted into law, the redistricting plan selected by the state's highest court or developed by a U.S. district court.
 
The bill prescribes requirements for: (1) establishment of a state independent redistricting commission (including provisions for holding each of its meetings in public and maintaining a public Internet website); (2) development of a redistricting plan (including soliciting and considering public comments) and its submission to the state legislature (with public notice of plans at least seven days prior to such submission); (3) selection of a plan, under specified conditions, by the state's highest court or the U.S. district court for the district in which the capital of the state is located; (4) special rules for redistricting conducted under a federal court order; and (5) Election Assistance Commission payments to states for carrying out redistricting.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
CONNECT for Health Act

Bill: 114-s-2484
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2016-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health care costs and insurance
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Indian social and development programs
Medicare
Minority health
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: 

Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act or the CONNECT for Health Act

 
This bill amends titles XI (General Provisions) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand and modify the use of telehealth and remote patient monitoring services under Medicare.
 
The bill establishes a telehealth and remote patient monitoring services "bridge" demonstration waiver program, through which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall waive certain limitations as a condition of Medicare payment to eligible providers of telehealth services.
 
CMS shall also waive such limitations as a condition of Medicare payment for telehealth services with respect to providers participating in qualifying alternative payment models. 
 
With regard to individuals with certain chronic conditions, telehealth services shall be covered under Medicare as medical and other health services, rural health clinic services, or federally qualified health center (FQHC) services, as the case may be.
 
A Medicare beneficiary determined to have end stage renal disease (ESRD) and receiving home dialysis may elect to receive certain required monthly ESRD-related visits via telehealth if the beneficiary receives an in-person examination at least once every three months.
 
For purposes of Medicare payment for telehealth services: (1) a rural health clinic or FQHC may serve as a distant site whose clinician furnishes such services, and (2) certain requirements for originating sites shall not apply with respect to specified stroke-related services or to specified Native American health service facilities.
 
A Medicare Advantage (MA) plan may use telehealth services to provide benefits under the original Medicare fee-for-service program option. Specified limitations are waived with regard to such services furnished under an MA plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
North Korea and Iran Sanctions Act

Bill: 114-s-2485
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2016-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Asia
Congressional oversight
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International law and treaties
Iran
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
North Korea
Nuclear weapons
Sanctions
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: 

North Korea and Iran Sanctions Act

 
This bill requires the President to reinstate immediately all sanctions against Iran that were waived or suspended by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (agreed to at Vienna July 14, 2015) if the Director of National Intelligence certifies that Iran has acquired, or is attempting to acquire, nuclear weapons technology from North Korea.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Electronic Warfare Capabilities Enhancement Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2486
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2016-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Military command and structure
Military operations and strategy
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: 

Electronic Warfare Capabilities Enhancement Act of 2016

 
This bill permits the use of appropriations authorized for electromagnetic spectrum warfare systems and electronic warfare in order to develop and field electromagnetic spectrum warfare systems and electronic warfare capabilities. 
 
The Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 is amended to include electronic warfare programs in the rapid acquisition authority program.
 
Electronic warfare is military action involving the use of electromagnetic and directed energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum or to attack the enemy, and includes electromagnetic spectrum warfare, which encompasses military communications and sensing operations that occur in the electromagnetic operational domain.
 
The Department of Defense shall delegate to the senior electronic warfare executive the authority to review and validate all Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System documents for electronic warfare acquisition programs.
 
The Electronic Warfare Executive Committee shall submit to the congressional defense committees a strategic plan with measurable and timely objectives to achieve its mission according to specified metrics.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Wichita Project Equus Beds Division Authorization Extension Act

Bill: 114-s-2488
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2016-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Kansas
Lakes and rivers
Water resources funding
Water storage
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: 

Wichita Project Equus Beds Division Authorization Extension Act

 
This bill amends the Wichita Project Equus Beds Division Authorization Act of 2005 to extend for ten years the authority of the Department of the Interior to carry out the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project, Kansas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Judicial Administration and Improvement Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-2490
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2016-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Alaska
Arizona
California
Federal appellate courts
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Judges
Judicial procedure and administration
Montana
Nevada
Northern Mariana Islands
Oregon
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: 

Judicial Administration and Improvement Act of 2016

This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into: (1) a new Ninth Circuit, to be composed of California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands; and (2) a newly established Twelfth Circuit, to be composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. 
The bill designates locations where the new circuits are to hold regular sessions. 
 
The bill distributes active circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to the new circuits. Circuit judges and senior circuit judges currently stationed in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, or Nevada may elect their circuit assignment. For each circuit judge in regular service who elects to be assigned to the new Ninth Circuit, the President shall appoint one additional circuit judge for the Twelfth Circuit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Children's Head Start Intervention for Life and Development Act

Bill: 114-s-2491
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2016-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Education programs funding
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Preschool education
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: 

Children's Head Start Intervention for Life and Development Act

 
This bill amends the Head Start Act to establish five-year, nonrenewable grants for eligible entities to carry out Head Start programs in communities affected by the pollution of water by lead or a toxic pollutant in an event declared by the President to be an emergency.
 
In awarding these grants, the Department of Education shall give priority to eligible entities in partnerships with child care providers that are providing child care services at the time of the enactment of this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Encouraging Americans to Save Act

Bill: 114-s-2492
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2016-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax credits
Income tax deferral

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: 

Encouraging Americans to Save Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax credit for retirement savings contributions to: (1) make such credit refundable; (2) allow individual taxpayers (excluding dependents and full-time students) who have attained age 18 as of the close of the taxable year a credit for 50% of their retirement savings contributions up to $1,000; (3) increase the maximum income threshold for determining eligibility for the credit; and (4) allow direct deposit of credit amounts into the taxpayer's retirement savings vehicle (e.g., MyRA or Roth IRA account). 
 
The Department of the Treasury shall educate taxpayers on the benefits of the credit for retirement savings contributions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to expand eligibility for hospital care and medical services under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to include veterans who are age 75 or older, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-2493
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2016-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Aging
Health care coverage and access
Hospital care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: 
This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to extend hospital and medical services under the Veterans Choice Program to veterans who are 75 years or older.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair RATES Act

Bill: 114-s-2494
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2016-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Public utilities and utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: 

Fair Ratepayer Accountability, Transparency, and Efficiency Standards Act or the Fair RATES Act 

 
This bill amends the Federal Power Act to permit a party to seek a rehearing and subsequent judicial review of any rate change filed by a public utility that takes effect without the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issuing an order making such change effective. (Public utilities must give FERC and the public a 60-day notice before a proposed rate change can take effect.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Social Security Beneficiary 2nd Amendment Rights Protection Act

Bill: 114-s-2495
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2016-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Mental health
Poverty and welfare assistance
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: 

Social Security Beneficiary 2nd Amendment Rights Protection Act

 
This bill amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to prohibit any determination by the Commissioner of Social Security with respect to an individual, including one that OASDI and SSI benefits to which that individual is entitled shall be paid to a representative payee, from being considered to be a determination that the individual has been adjudicated as a mental defective to make it unlawful for the individual to engage in the shipment or transport of firearms or ammunition or receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate