hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-670
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2015-03-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Evidence and witnesses
Firearms and explosives
Government information and archives
Historical and cultural resources
Licensing and registrations
Military personnel and dependents
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: 

Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of 2015

 
Provides a 90-day amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record any firearm acquired before October 31, 1968, by a veteran while a member of the Armed Forces stationed outside the continental United States. Grants such an individual limited immunity under the federal criminal code and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the acquisition, possession, transportation, or alteration of such firearm before or concurrent with such registration. Extends such immunity to a veteran who attempts to register a qualifying firearm outside of the amnesty period if the veteran surrenders the firearm within 30 days after being notified of potential criminal liability for continued possession.
 
Requires the Attorney General to provide clear notice of, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out an outreach program and develop a communications strategy to provide veterans information regarding, the amnesty and registration period. 
 
Requires the Attorney General to: (1) transfer each firearm qualifying as a curio or relic that has been forfeited to the United States to the first qualified museum that requests it, and (2) publish information identifying each such firearm that is available to be transferred to a museum. Prohibits the Attorney General from destroying any such firearm that has been forfeited until five years after the forfeiture. Requires that any firearm transferred to a qualified museum be registered to the transferee.
 
Makes a prohibition against transfer or possession of a machine-gun inapplicable to a transfer to or by, or possession by, a museum that is open to the public and incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under applicable state law.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Computer Science Education and Jobs Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-671
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2015-03-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Science and engineering education
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: 

Computer Science Education and Jobs Act of 2015

 
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to define "computer science" as the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including the study of computing principles, computer hardware, software design, computer applications, and the impact of computers on society.
 
Redesignates &quot;core academic subjects&quot; as &quot;priority subjects&quot; and makes computer science a priority subject.
 
Includes computer science teachers in professional development activities.
 
Requires the Secretary of Education to give a priority in awarding advanced placement incentive program grants to entities focused on expanding access to advanced placement computer science programs.
 
Requires state: (1) plans for school improvement to describe how the state will consider including computer science in its academic standards, accountability system, and assessments; and (2) report cards to describe the 10 most in-demand occupations in the state and how the subjects being taught to public school students in the state are exposing them to the knowledge and skills that are, or will be, in demand.
 
Requires computer science teachers to be highly qualified by the end of the 2016-2017 school year.
 
Includes computer science in the program awarding grants to partnerships between states, institutions of higher education (IHEs), and high-need local educational agencies to: (1) train and recruit mathematics and science teachers, and (2) develop more rigorous science and mathematics curricula.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive five-year grants to IHEs to: (1) develop courses that prepare undergraduate students to teach elementary and secondary school computer science, and (2) develop and fund teacher mentoring programs to support new computer science teachers.
 
Amends the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 to include informatics and computer science majors and professionals in the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (the Program recruits and prepares science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors and professionals to become mathematics and science teachers).
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Winding Down ObamaCare Act

Bill: 114-s-673
Sponsor: Sen. Sasse, Ben [R-NE]
Introduced: 2015-03-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Income tax credits
Medicaid
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: 

Winding Down ObamaCare Act

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require health insurers to offer at least 18 months of continuation coverage to enrollees who lose their health insurance coverage or federal premium assistance as a result of the Supreme Court's decision in 
King v. Burwell
. Continuation coverage must be the same as an enrollee's coverage at the time of the decision, unless the health insurer modifies coverage for all similar enrollees. Individuals must elect continuation coverage within 60 days of the decision.
 
Health insurers cannot raise premiums during the period of continuation coverage.
 
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cannot enter into a new contract with a state to provide the state with technology from the federal health insurance exchange.
 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a new tax credit for individuals with continuation coverage that is equal to 65% of the amount paid for continuation coverage, with the percentage decreasing by 5% each month after six months. The Department of the Treasury must pay advance payments on the tax credit. 
 This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to prohibit HHS from waiving state Medicaid plan requirements in order to allow a state to undertake a demonstration project unless HHS establishes project spending limits that are reviewed by actuaries.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: Introduced in Senate
21st Century Women's Health Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-674
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2015-03-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Advisory bodies
Assault and harassment offenses
Cancer
Child health
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Department of Health and Human Services
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Family planning and birth control
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Higher education
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medicaid
Medical education
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Minority health
Nursing
Research administration and funding
Sex and reproductive health
Sex offenses
Sexually transmitted diseases
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: 

21st Century Women's Health Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to allow the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for family planning service projects, expansion of family planning preventive health services, and training of nurse practitioners specializing in women's health care.
 
This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require state Medicaid programs to offer free preventive care, including contraceptives.
 
A hospital cannot receive federal funds unless it promptly provides information about emergency contraception to any woman arriving at the hospital who is a victim of sexual assault. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration must develop and disseminate information on emergency contraception. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must study sexual assault survivors' access to emergency contraception.
 
The PHSA is amended to establish an Office of the Ombudsperson on Women's Health in HHS to handle complaints involving HHS regarding women's health services and to study the adequacy of health plan provider networks for women's health services.
 
HHS must coordinate a national public education campaign regarding preventive health services for women and families.
 
HHS must award states grants to establish maternal mortality review committees to investigate pregnancy-related deaths.
 
The National Institutes of Health must organize a national workshop on severe maternal morbidity.
 To eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes, HHS must conduct research, expand access to services that improve maternity care, and compare and implement interventions for reducing disparities.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Global Democracy Promotion Act

Bill: 114-s-677
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Foreign aid and international relief
Health promotion and preventive care
International organizations and cooperation
Public participation and lobbying
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: 

Global Democracy Promotion Act 

 
Declares that foreign nongovernmental organizations: (1) shall not be ineligible for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 solely on the basis of health or medical services (including counseling and referral services) provided by them with non-U.S. government funds if such services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided, and would not violate U.S. federal law if provided in the United States; and (2) shall not be subject to requirements relating to the use of non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying activities other than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations receiving such assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
English Language Unity Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-678
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2015-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Citizenship and naturalization
Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: 

English Language Unity Act of 2015

 
Establishes English as the official language of the United States. 
 
Requires naturalization ceremonies and official functions of the U.S. government, subject to exceptions, to be conducted in English. 
 
Declares that all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of U.S. laws.
 
Allows a person injured by a violation of this Act to obtain relief, including a declaratory judgment, in a civil action. 
 
Declares that English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with U.S. laws. Requires any ambiguity in U.S. laws to be resolved in accordance with the rights retained by the people and the powers reserved to states under the Bill of Rights.
 
Directs the Department of Homeland Security to issue a proposed rule for uniform testing of the English language ability of candidates for naturalization based upon the principles that: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States; and (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Quality Data, Quality Healthcare Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-679
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2015-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Medical research
Medicare
Performance measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: 

Quality Data, Quality Healthcare Act of 2015

 
 Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the use of certain data by qualified public or private entities to evaluate the performance of service providers and suppliers under Medicare insurance programs.
 
Authorizes a qualified entity to: (1) use Medicare data, and information derived from service provider and supplier performance evaluations, for additional non-public analyses; or (2) provide or sell such data and analyses to specified health care-related entities for non-public use (including for purposes of assisting service providers and suppliers to develop and participate in quality and patient care improvement activities, particularly development of new models of care).
 
Conditions such authorization upon a data use agreement between a qualified entity and a specified health care-related entity under which the latter: (1) may not re-sell such data or analyses, and (2) shall comply with the qualified entity's privacy and security policies in using such data or analyses.
 
Prescribes a civil money penalty for unauthorized use of data and analyses.
 
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide Medicare claims data to qualified clinical data registries for purposes of linking it with clinical outcomes data and performing and disseminating risk-adjusted, scientifically valid research to support quality improvement.
 
Prohibits a qualified clinical data registry from reporting publicly any claims data thus made available that individually identifies a service provider or supplier without prior consent.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Maha Dakar.

Bill: 114-s-680
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2015-03-09 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: Provides for the relief of Maha Dakar.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-681
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2015-03-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia
Conflicts and wars
Disability and paralysis
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: 

Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2015

 
 Includes as part of the Republic of Vietnam its territorial seas for purposes of the presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure by veterans to certain herbicide agents while in Vietnam. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-13
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-182.
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-03-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-682
Sponsor: Sen. Donnelly, Joe [D-IN]
Introduced: 2015-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing industry and standards
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Real estate business
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: 

Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2015

 
Amends the Truth in Lending Act to revise the exclusion from the meaning of "mortgage originator" of any employee of a retailer of manufactured homes who does not for compensation or gain take residential mortgage loan applications, for compensation or gain offer or negotiate terms of a residential mortgage loan, or advise a consumer on loan terms (including rates, fees, and other costs).
 
Excludes from the meaning of "mortgage originator," instead, any retailer of manufactured or modular homes or its employees unless the retailer or its employees receive compensation or gain for engaging in certain activities in excess of any compensation or gain received in a comparable cash transaction.
 
Revises the definition of "high cost mortgage."


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-04-16
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-684
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2015-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Dental care
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government studies and investigations
Lawyers and legal services
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public-private cooperation
Separation, divorce, custody, support
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: 

Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 2015 

 
Increases the per diem payment for transitional housing assistance for homeless veterans who are placed in housing that will become permanent upon the termination of such assistance to a maximum of 150% of the per diem rate authorized for veterans receiving domiciliary care in state homes.
 
Allows services for which a homeless veteran receives a grant under the comprehensive service programs to include furnishing care for a dependent.
 
Authorizes the the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into partnerships with public or private entities to provide legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness.
 
Revises VA authority to provide dental care to veterans receiving certain other assistance through the VA to include those veterans receiving assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937.
 
Repeals the September 30, 2013, sunset on the authority of the VA and the Department of Labor to carry out a program of referral and counseling for veterans who are at risk of homelessness and are transitioning from certain institutions, including penal institutions.
 
 Extends supportive services assistance for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing.
 
Directs the VA to: (1) assess and measure the capacity of programs for which entities receive grants or per diem payments to assist homeless veterans, and (2) use such information to ensure that such programs effectively serve the needs of such veterans. Requires a VA report on activities under such programs. (Current law requires annual reports.)
 
Requires a Comptroller General study of VA assistance to homeless veterans.
 
Repeals the requirement for annual VA reports on assistance to homeless veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-03
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-201.
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Autocycle Safety Act

Bill: 114-s-685
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Transportation
Energy efficiency and conservation
Motor vehicles
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: 

Autocycle Safety Act

 
This bill defines &quot;autocycle&quot; as a motor vehicle with three wheels, an enclosed occupant compartment, and a steering wheel, which meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
 
Specified interim automotive and motorcycle safety standards apply to autocycles until at most three years after enactment of this Act, by which time the Secretary of Transportation shall issue appropriate final rules, interpretations, and test procedures.
 
Automotive fuel standards also apply to autocyles.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a limitation on certain aliens from claiming the earned income tax credit.

Bill: 114-s-686
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2015-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Foreign labor
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Income tax credits
Marriage and family status
Poverty and welfare assistance
Social security and elderly assistance
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax treatment of families
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny the earned income tax credit to an alien who has been granted deferred action from removal in any taxable year in which such alien was not lawfully present in the United States or not authorized to work. The bill requires the Commissioner of Social Security to provide the Internal Revenue Service with information on social security account numbers granted to aliens under the deferred action from removal program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1386-1387)
action_date: 2015-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate