hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
America Votes Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3364
Sponsor: Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional elections
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government information and archives
State and local government operations
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

America Votes Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to permit an individual required to present identification as a condition for voting in a federal election to meet the requirement by presenting the appropriate state or local election official with a sworn written statement, signed by the individual under penalty of perjury, attesting to the individual's identification and that he or she is registered to vote in the election. Allows an individual desiring to vote by mail to submit such a statement with the ballot.
 
Requires any state subject to this identification requirement to: (1) prepare a pre-printed version of the statement which includes a blank space for an individual to provide a name and signature, (2) make copies of the pre-printed version available at polling places for election officials to distribute to individuals who desire to vote in person, and (3) include a copy of the pre-printed version with each blank absentee or other ballot transmitted to an individual who desires to vote by mail.
 
Prohibits a state from requiring an individual who presents or submits such a sworn written statement to cast a provisional ballot in the election. 
 
Excepts first-time voters registering by mail from application of this Act.
 
Requires states requiring an individual to present identification as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot in a federal election to include the use of a sworn written statement in voting information posted at polling places.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Teach Our Teachers Act

Bill: 114-hr-3366
Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

Teach Our Teachers Act

 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify provisions of the teacher loan forgiveness program. 
 
Specifically, the legislation reduces from five to three years the period of service a full-time teacher must complete consecutively to be eligible for forgiveness under the Federal Family Education Loan or Direct Loan program. It also increases from $5,000 to $17,500 the amount of available loan forgiveness for an elementary or secondary school teacher in any subject. (Currently, forgiveness up to $17,500 is only available for a full-time secondary school math or science teacher or for a special education teacher.) 
 
The bill eliminates the prohibition on counting the same qualifying service for both the teacher and the public service loan forgiveness programs. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Back to Basics Job Creation Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3368
Sponsor: Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Poverty and welfare assistance
Self-employed
Small business
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

Back to Basics Job Creation Act of 2015

 
 This bill amends title XX (Block Grants to State for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible entities to assist low-income individuals and individuals who have been unemployed for at least three months in developing self-employment opportunities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Flexibility to Innovate for College Affordability Act

Bill: 114-hr-3372
Sponsor: Rep. Love, Mia B. [R-UT-4]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Education
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Legislative rules and procedure
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

Flexibility to Innovate for College Affordability Act 

 
This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish the Higher Education Regulatory Reform Task Force to review, report on, and make recommendations to reduce, federal regulatory requirements for institutions of higher education (IHEs). 
 
ED must publish the Higher Education Regulatory Reform Report; the President must submit a legislative proposal to implement its recommendations; and Congress must consider legislation to enact such recommendations under expedited procedures. 
 
Additionally, this bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand ED's waiver authority under the Experimental Sites Initiative.
 
Specifically, it authorizes ED to waive title IV statutory and regulatory requirements to allow participating IHEs to award federal student aid: (1) above the annual maximum amount to students whose academic workload exceeds a full-time academic workload; and (2) to students enrolled in remedial or competency-based programs, students or potential students who incur costs (e.g., test fees) for prior learning assessments, and high school students enrolled in a postsecondary education program. A participating IHE must demonstrate that a waiver reduces the total cost of attendance for such students.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to review certain whistleblower complaints.

Bill: 114-hr-3373
Sponsor: Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to review each covered whistle blower complaint that is filed with the Office of the Special Counsel during the previous calendar quarter.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3374
Sponsor: Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Child care and development
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2015

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse up to $1,000 monthly to a veteran participating in a vocational rehabilitation program for the cost of child care provided by a licensed provider if the veteran: (1) is the child's sole caretaker, and (2) would not otherwise be able to afford such child care.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to extend the period during which a firearms licensee is required to wait for a response from the national instant criminal background check system before being allowed to transfer a firearm to a prospective transferee.

Bill: 114-hr-3375
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Firearms and explosives
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to lengthen from 3 to 14 business days the submitted background check completion period that must elapse before a licensed gun dealer is permitted to transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person whose background check remains incomplete. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
To authorize States to carry out bridge construction, maintenance, repair, and replacement projects using previously allocated surface transportation funds that are identified as being excess or inactive, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-3376
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Intergovernmental relations
Roads and highways
State and local finance
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 
This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to permit states to carry out bridge projects using previously allocated funds that have been identified as being excess or inactive. The projects may include operational improvements, capital and operating costs, environmental measures, and transportation control measures. The funds will remain available for three years after the year in which this bill is enacted. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3377
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Adult day care
Aging
Child care and development
Disability and paralysis
Family relationships
Social security and elderly assistance
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2015

 
This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act with respect to determining entitlement to and the amount of any monthly benefit, including any lump-sum death payment, payable under OASDI on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any individual. Wages shall be deemed to have been paid (according to a specified formula) during each month in which the individual was engaged for at least 80 hours in providing care to a dependent relative without monetary compensation for up to five years of such service. This bill is not applicable in the case of any monthly benefit or lump-sum death payment if a larger benefit or payment would be payable without its application. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-08-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women's Services Act

Bill: 114-hr-3378
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Abortion
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer affairs
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Marketing and advertising

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women's Services Act

 
Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate rules to prohibit, as an unfair and deceptive act or practice, a person from advertising with the intent to deceptively create the impression that: (1) such person is a provider of abortion services if such person does not provide such services, or (2) such person is not a provider of abortion services if such person does provide such services.
 
Defines "abortion services" as providing surgical and non-surgical procedures to terminate a pregnancy, or providing referrals for such procedures.
 
Sets forth the enforcement authority of the FTC, including with respect to nonprofit organizations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1165)
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Airplane KITS Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3379
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Allergies
Aviation and airports
Child health
Department of Transportation
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

Airplane Kids In Transit Safety Act of 2015 or the Airplane KITS Act of 2015

 
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to initiate a rulemaking to ensure that aircraft medical kits contain appropriate medication and equipment to meet the emergency medical needs of children, including an epinephrine auto-injector.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Child Performers Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3383
Sponsor: Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Child safety and welfare
Civil actions and liability
Crimes against children
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Labor standards
Performing arts
Sex offenses
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

Child Performers Protection Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise the application of child labor requirements and prohibitions with respect to child performers to specify new limitations on the number of hours such children may be employed at the place of employment.
 
An employer or contractor may not: (1) employ any child performer unless a trust meeting specified requirements has been established on the child performer's behalf and the employer has obtained the account number of the trust account or other proof of its existence; or (2) compensate a child performer in any form besides cash wages, exclusive of board, lodging, or facilities.
 
Any employment or contracting of a child performer that is not in accordance with such limitations and requirements shall be treated as oppressive labor.
 
Certain work hour restrictions shall not apply to child performers employed in a live theatrical production.
 
Any individual in a supervisory role with respect to a child performer shall be liable for unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex against a child performer whether or not the individual is employed by or contracted by a covered employer or contractor.
 
Any child performer aggrieved by unlawful harassment on the basis of sex, or the performer's parent or guardian, may bring a civil action in any federal court of competent jurisdiction to recover equitable relief and compensatory and punitive damages, costs, and attorneys fees.
 
The employer of an individual who is alleged to have engaged in unlawful harassment on the basis of sex against a child performer shall conduct an internal review of its policies and procedures for protecting child performers and ensuring appropriate compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Quiet Communities Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3384
Sponsor: Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Congressional oversight
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Environmental technology
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Noise pollution

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

Quiet Communities Act of 2015

 
This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reestablish an Office of Noise Abatement and Control and reauthorizes the Office's activities through FY2020. 
 
The responsibilities of the Office must include: (1) promoting the development of effective state and local noise control programs, (2) carrying out a national noise control research program, (3) carrying out a national noise environmental assessment program, (4) establishing regional technical assistance centers to assist state and local noise control programs, (5) assessing the effectiveness of the Noise Control Act of 1972, and (6) conducting related outreach and educational activities. The Office must emphasize noise abatement approaches that rely on local and state activities, market incentives, and coordination with other agencies.
 
Using funds made available to the Office, the EPA must carry out a study of airport noise. 
 
The bill amends the Noise Control Act of 1972 to expand the quiet communities grant program to include grants for establishing and implementing training programs on use of noise abatement equipment and implementing noise abatement plans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
American Pipeline Jobs and Safety Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3385
Sponsor: Rep. Nolan, Richard M. [D-MN-8]
Introduced: 2015-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Buy American requirements
Metals
Pipelines
Solid waste and recycling
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: 

American Pipeline Jobs and Safety Act of 2015

 
 Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to prescribe minimum safety standards to require gas or hazardous liquid pipelines constructed or replaced after enactment of this Act to be made of steel that: (1) is produced in the United States, and (2) originates from (or in the case of recycled steel is combined with) iron ore and taconite mined and processed in the United States (Buy America requirements).
 
Authorizes DOT to waive such requirements if certain conditions are met.
 
Requires DOT inspection and testing of intrastate gas pipelines not covered by a state pipeline safety program certification or a state pipeline safety agreement to include direct, pre-installation testing of such pipelines for quality verification.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
action_date: 2015-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-29
text: Introduced in House