hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Social Security Identity Defense Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1323
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2015-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Crime prevention
Criminal justice information and records
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: 

Social Security Identity Defense Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the disclosure of tax return information in cases of identity theft, to require the Department of the Treasury to: (1) disclose to the holder of a valid social security account number that there is reason to believe that there has been a fraudulent use of such account number; and (2) disclose to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) such social security account number, that there is reason to believe that such account number has been fraudulently used in the employment context, and the taxpayer identity information of the individual who was assigned such account number. 
 
The bill authorizes the FBI and DOJ to disclose taxpayer information to appropriate federal, state, and local law enforcement officials solely for purposes of carrying out criminal investigations or prosecutions.
 
The bill also imposes new criminal and civil penalties for tax-related identity theft and misappropriation of tax identification numbers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic in Newark, Ohio, as the Daniel L. Kinnard Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic.

Bill: 114-s-1325
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2015-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Health facilities and institutions
Home and outpatient care
Military personnel and dependents
Ohio
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: 
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic in Newark, Ohio, as the &quot;Daniel L. Kinnard Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Synthetic Abuse and Labeling of Toxic Substances Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1327
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2015-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Evidence and witnesses
Marketing and advertising

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: 

Synthetic Abuse and Labeling of Toxic Substances Act of 2015 or the SALTS Act

 
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to authorize evidence related to the following factors to be considered in determining whether a controlled substance analogue was intended for human consumption: 
 
 
the marketing, advertising, and labeling of the substance; 
 
the known efficacy or usefulness of the substance for the marketed, advertised, or labeled purpose; 
 
the difference between the price at which the substance is sold and the price at which the substance it is purported to be or advertised as is normally sold; 
 
the diversion of the substance from legitimate channels and the clandestine importation, manufacture, or distribution of the substance; and
 
whether the defendant knew or should have known that the substance was intended to be consumed by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other immediate means. 

 
Declares that the existence of evidence that a substance was not marketed, advertised, or labeled for human consumption shall not preclude the government from establishing, based on all the evidence, that the substance was intended for human consumption.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
On-the-Job Training Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1328
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2015-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: 

On-the-Job Training Act of 2015 

 
 Amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to authorize the Secretary of Labor to: 
 
 
 make discretionary grants to states, local boards, and federally-recognized tribal organizations for adult on-the-job training or dislocated worker on-the-job training programs; and 
 
 use up to 10% of funds authorized under this Act to make grants to such entities for developing on-the-job training programs, including providing capacity building activities for local staff.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to remove the use restrictions on certain land transferred to Rockingham County, Virginia, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1329
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2015-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Child care and development
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: 
Amends federal law authorizing Rockingham County, Virginia, to use specified land transferred by the United States for a child care center to remove that use restriction.


Legislative actions:
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: 2015-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2851)
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1330
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2015-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Consumer credit
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: 

Freedom from Discrimination in Credit Act of 2015

 
Amends the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to expand the categories of prohibited discrimination when extending credit to include discrimination on account of sexual orientation or gender identity. (Currently, such discrimination in credit is prohibited only on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex or marital status, or age.)
 
Provides for such Act to apply whether the basis for certain prohibited forms of discrimination is actual or perceived. 
 
Defines: (1) "gender identity" as the gender-related identity, appearance, or mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of an individual with or without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth; (2) "person" as a natural person, corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, trust, estate, partnership, cooperative, or association; and (3) "sexual orientation" as homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Meat and Poultry Recall Notification Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1332
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2015-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Meat
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: 

Meat and Poultry Recall Notification Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, the Egg Products Inspection Act, and the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to authorize the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue a mandatory recall of contaminated meat, poultry, and egg products. Under current law, recalls are voluntary actions taken by food companies. 
 
The bill modifies the definition of &quot;adulterated&quot; used for recalls to include a food product that bears or contains a pathogen or contaminant associated with serious illness or death. 
 
If USDA determines that food violates a food safety law and there is a reasonable probability that the food, if consumed, would present a threat to public health, USDA must: (1) notify consumers and public health officials, and (2) provide the company with an opportunity to take voluntary actions.
 
If the company refuses to carry out voluntary actions within the time period and in the manner prescribed by USDA, USDA is authorized to control and possess the food, recall the food, and take other mandatory actions necessary to prevent its distribution. 
 
In the case of a recall, USDA must provide affected retailers with a notice containing the product information of each product subject to the recall, and the retailers must post the notice or notify consumers using a customer card system. 
 
The bill establishes procedures, including civil and criminal penalties, to enforce this bill and other food safety laws. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Therapeutic Hemp Medical Access Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1333
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2015-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: 

Therapeutic Hemp Medical Access Act of 2015

 
 Amends the Controlled Substances Act to exclude cannabidiol and cannabidiol-rich plants: (1) from the definition of &quot;marihuana,&quot; and (2) from treatment as a controlled substance under such Act. 
 
Defines: (1) &quot;cannabidiol-rich plant&quot; to mean the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant with a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis; (2) &quot;cannabidiol&quot; to mean the substance cannabidiol, as derived from a cannabidiol-rich plant; and (3) &quot;tetrahydrocannabinol concentration&quot; to mean the percent of the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol content per dry weight of any part of the plant Cannabis sativa L. or per volume of weight of marihuana product, or the combined percent of the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid in any part of the plant Cannabis sativa L., regardless of moisture content.
 
Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict any activities related to the use, production, or distribution of marihuana in a state in which such activities are legal under state law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
SPOT Act

Bill: 114-s-1337
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2015-05-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board
Right of privacy
Specialized courts

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: 

Strengthening Privacy, Oversight, and Transparency Act or the SPOT Act

 
Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to expand the functions of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) to include reviews of legislation, regulations, policies, and executive branch actions relating to foreign intelligence.
 
Allows intelligence community employees, contractors, or detailees to submit to the PCLOB a whistleblower complaint or information believed to be related to a privacy or civil liberties concern. Permits the PCLOB to: (1) investigate such complaints, or (2) transmit such complaints to any other executive agency or the congressional intelligence committees.
 
Authorizes the PCLOB to subpoena persons (other than agencies and elements of the executive branch) to produce documentary or testimonial evidence. (Currently, the PCLOB submits a request for the Attorney General to issue a subpoena.) 
 
Permits the PCLOB, at the direction of the majority of its members, to exercise the authority of the PCLOB chairman to appoint and fix compensation of PCLOB staff when the position of chairman is vacant. 
 
Provides for members of the PCLOB to serve in a full-time capacity. Removes exceptions to the requirement that members continue to serve after the expiration of their term of office until a successor has been appointed and qualified. Revises the compensation of the PCLOB chairman, members, and staff.
 
Directs the Attorney General to fully inform the PCLOB about government activities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA), including by providing to the PCLOB copies of: (1) FISA reports submitted to Congress; and (2) FISA court decisions, orders, and opinions that include significant construction or interpretation of FISA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Small HyDRO Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1338
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 

Small Hydropower Dependable Regulatory Order Act of 2015 or the Small HyDRO Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Federal Power Act to prescribe the licensing procedures for a project that: (1) does not alter the existing flowrate of the body of water the project is on, and (2) either has a power production capacity not exceeding 5 megawatts or is used to power a nonpowered dam.
 
The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that a license shall be issued following application. 
 
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) shall resolve any conflict over environmental analyses that may arise between it and any other federal or state agency. 
 
Licenses shall be issued for a term of 10 years.
 
FERC must approve or disapprove a license application within 180 days of its receipt.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to permanently authorize the special immigrant nonminister religious worker program.

Bill: 114-s-1339
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Religion
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make the special immigrant non-minister religious worker program permanent. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
COAL Reform Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1340
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Coal
Department of the Interior
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Mining
Public contracts and procurement
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 

Coal Oversight and Leasing Reform Act of 2015 or the 

COAL Reform Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to repeal the requirement that the Department of the Interior offer under a deferred bonus lease payment system at least 50% of total acreage offered for coal leasing in any one year.
 
 Any independent consultants used by Interior for lease sales shall be subject to a nondisclosure agreement and any other confidentiality requirements. 
 
Licensees must certify the accuracy of exploration data they submit.
 
A proposed lease sale may not be held until Interior determines, and includes in a formal appraisal report, the fair market value of the coal to be extracted.
 
Interior must: (1) make publicly available appraisal reports, individual and total lease sales, high bids, royalty payments, and related revenues; and (2) find that a proposed coal leasing modification would not result in revenue reduction. 
 
The total area of coal leasing modifications is reduced from 960 to 160 acres. 
 
Interior shall prepare, periodically revise, and maintain a coal leasing program consisting of a schedule of proposed lease sales indicating the size, timing, and location of leasing activity that will best meet national needs for the five-year period following approval or reapproval of the program.
 
 Annual lease rentals must be for at least $100 per acre, adjustable every 5 years. 
 
Lease terms are reduced from 20 to 10 years. A lease which is not producing in commercial quantities shall be terminated at the end of 5 years.
 
The minimum lease royalty is increased from 12.5% of the value of the coal to 18.75%. 
 
BLM shall promulgate regulations for inspections and enforcement of coal operations, including oversight of state inspection and enforcement programs by its Washington, D.C. office. BLM may also assess civil penalties for noncompliance. 
 
There shall be a moratorium on new coal lease sales until this Act has been implemented. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study and issue a report that quantifies the energy savings benefits of operational efficiency programs and services for commercial, institutional, industrial, and governmental entities.

Bill: 114-s-1342
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Energy efficiency and conservation
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government studies and investigations
Industrial facilities

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 
This bill requires the Department of Energy to study and issue a report that quantifies the energy savings benefits of operational efficiency programs and services for commercial, institutional, industrial, and governmental entities, including federal agencies. Those programs and services use information and communications technologies to operate buildings and equipment in the optimum manner at the optimum times.
 
The report must recommend methodologies or protocols for utilities, utility regulators, and federal agencies to evaluate, measure, and verify energy savings from operational efficiency programs and services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to maintain a project to improve hurricane forecasting, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1343
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Atmospheric science and weather
Natural disasters
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 
This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to maintain a project to improve hurricane forecasting. The project's goal is to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts and warnings in order to reduce loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy, with a focus on: (1) improving the prediction of rapid intensification and track of hurricanes, (2) improving the forecast and communication of storm surges from hurricanes, and (3) incorporating risk communication research to create more effective watch and warning products.
 
The National Weather Service must develop a plan for that project that details the specific research, development, and technology transfer activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to achieve that goal.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to clarify that nonprofit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity can accept donated mortgage appraisals, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1344
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Housing finance and home ownership
Real estate business
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 
Amends the Truth in Lending Act with respect to the compensation of fee appraisers to state that, in the case of an appraisal for which the appraiser voluntarily does not receive a fee, the appraiser is not, and shall not be construed to be, with respect to the donated appraisal, a fee appraiser subject to appraisal independence requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Access to Quality Diabetes Education Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1345
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Drug therapy
Health promotion and preventive care
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 

Access to Quality Diabetes Education Act of 2015 

 
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to recognize state-licensed or -registered certified diabetes educators or state-licensed or -registered health care professionals who specialize in teaching individuals with diabetes to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to manage the individual's diabetic condition and are certified as a diabetes educator by a recognized certifying body.
 
Directs the Government Accountability Office to study the barriers that exist for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes in accessing diabetes self-management training services under the Medicare program.
 
Requires the Director of the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality of the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a series of recommendations on effective outreach methods to educate primary care physicians and other health care providers as well as the public about the benefits of diabetes self-management training. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate