hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Safe Roads Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3536
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [D-GA-4]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Motor carriers
Motor vehicles
Roads and highways
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

Safe Roads Act of 2015

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to prescribe minimum motor vehicle safety standards requiring commercial motor vehicles to be equipped with a forward collision avoidance and mitigation braking system.
 
The term "forward collision avoidance and mitigation braking system" means a system on a motor vehicle that:
 
 
alerts the driver of an obstacle; and
 
if necessary to avoid or mitigate a collision with the obstacle, automatically applies the vehicle's brakes.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
action_date: 2015-09-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2015-09-17
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: 2015-09-17
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: 2015-09-17
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: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Metropolitan Weather Hazards Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3538
Sponsor: Rep. Pittenger, Robert [R-NC-9]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Atmospheric science and weather
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

Metropolitan Weather Hazards Protection Act of 2015

 
This bill directs the Department of Commerce to: (1) maintain and operate at least one Doppler weather radar site within 55 miles of each city in the United States with a population of more than 700,000, and (2) ensure that each such radar is available to the office of the National Weather Service that provides services to that city. 
 
Commerce shall ensure that each such radar conforms with the same standards that apply to radars operated by Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including standards relating to the use of dual-polarization technology or other technologies included in Weather Surveillance Radar, 1988, Doppler (WSR-88D) radars.
 
When determining the location for construction of a radar meeting the requirements of this Act, Commerce shall consider nearby counties that have populations over 130,000 and do not otherwise have radar beam coverage below 10,00 feet from such Doppler radars.
 
Commerce shall report to Congress on the Doppler weather radar sites that need to be constructed or acquired to meet this Act's requirements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Reinvigorating Antibiotic and Diagnostic Innovation Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3539
Sponsor: Rep. Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [R-LA-3]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Health technology, devices, supplies
Income tax credits
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

Reinvigorating Antibiotic and Diagnostic Innovation Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for 50% of the clinical testing expenses for: (1) infectious disease products that are intended to treat a serious or life-threatening infection, including one caused by an antibacterial or antifungal resistant pathogen or a qualifying pathogen listed by the Department of Health and Human Services as having the potential to pose a serious threat to public health; and (2) in-vitro diagnostic devices that identify in less than four hours the presence, concentration, or characteristics of a serious or life-threatening infection. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Farm to Table Safety Act

Bill: 114-hr-3540
Sponsor: Rep. Cárdenas, Tony [D-CA-29]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural education
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

Farm to Table Safety Act

 
 This bill amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to modify the food safety education program authorized in the Act. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to: (1) include farm workers in the program, and (2) expand the scope of the program to include practices that prevent bacterial contamination of food, methods of identifying sources of food contamination, and other means of decreasing food contamination. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Full Employment Federal Reserve Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3541
Sponsor: Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-13]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Economic performance and conditions
Federal Reserve System
Inflation and prices
Monetary policy
Temporary and part-time employment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

The Full Employment Federal Reserve Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Federal Reserve Act with respect to the duty of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to promote maximum employment and stable prices.
 
The bill defines &quot;maximum employment&quot; as an economy with an unemployment rate of at most 4% that generally includes a labor market in which median wages are rising with worker productivity, job seekers can find work, and involuntary part-time work is at a minimum.
 
The Board and the FOMC are also directed to promote a stable rate of inflation (instead of stable prices) as part of long run growth.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Early Learning Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3542
Sponsor: Rep. Delaney, John K. [D-MD-6]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Government trust funds
Income tax rates
Preschool education

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

Early Learning Act of 2015

 
This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to make annual awards from the Early Education Trust Fund, established in this bill, to state pre-kindergarten agencies according to a formula based on pre-kindergarten enrollment in the state. To be eligible for an award, a state must provide assurances that: (1) the award will be used only to support pre-kindergarten programs, (2) the state will not expend less for pre-kindergarten programs in the award period than it did in the previous year, and (3) each resident in the state who is four years old on October 1 of the award year has the opportunity to enroll in a free pre-kindergarten program.
 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a surtax, equal to 1.5% of a taxpayer's adjusted gross income as exceeds $500,000, to support the fund. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Safer Officers and Safer Citizens Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3544
Sponsor: Rep. Hahn, Janice [D-CA-44]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Employee leave
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Performance measurement
Photography and imaging
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 
 
 
 
Safer Officers and Safer Citizens Act of 2015
 
 
This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance to award matching grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes to purchase body-worn cameras. 
 
The Bureau of Justice Assistance must give preference to grant applications from jurisdictions that: (1) have comprehensive policies and procedures related to implementation of a body-worn camera program, (2) have high percentages of officers without access to body-worn cameras, (3) have violent crime rates above the national average, and (4) agree to submit metrics on the use of body-worn cameras. 
 
To offset the cost, it requires the Office of Personnel Management to issue regulations to limit administrative leave for federal employees to 20 days per year, unless approved individually by the agency head. The Office of Management and Budget must ensure each agency adjusts the number of authorized full-time equivalent employees to reflect lower personnel requirements due to increased available work hours per employee. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2015-09-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1313)
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Corrosive Drywall Remediation Act

Bill: 114-hr-3545
Sponsor: Rep. Jolly, David W. [R-FL-13]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Building construction
Housing and community development funding
Income tax credits
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

Corrosive Drywall Remediation Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer a tax credit for the cost of repairing damage to a personal residence or household appliance due to corrosive drywall. 
 
The bill amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to allow community development grants under such Act to pay for activities necessary to remove or remedy the use of corrosive drywall installed in housing during construction or rehabilitation that occurred between 2001 and 2009.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Big Cat Public Safety Act

Bill: 114-hr-3546
Sponsor: Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Trade restrictions
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

Big Cat Public Safety Act

 
This bill amends the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to prohibit any person from breeding or possessing any live animal of any prohibited wildlife species (i.e., any live species of lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species). Breeding means facilitating propagation or reproduction (whether intentionally or negligently), or failing to prevent propagation or reproduction. The bill extends forfeiture provisions to fish, wildlife, or plants that are bred or possessed. 
 
The bill revises the list of entities that are exempt from Lacey Act prohibitions to include: 
 
 
institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; 
 
 certain facilities that have an active written contract with an Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan or Taxon Advisory Group for breeding prohibited wildlife species; 
 
persons who do not allow the transportation and display of prohibited wildlife species off-site; 
 
current owners of animals that were born before this bill's enactment if the animals are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service within 180 days; and
 
 certain traveling circuses that hold Class C licenses under the Animal Welfare Act.
 
 
Entities exempt from Lacey Act prohibitions must require that current owners and circuses not allow direct contact between the public and the prohibited wildlife species.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Lawrence J. Hackett Jr. Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Fairness Act

Bill: 114-hr-3547
Sponsor: Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Asia
Birth defects
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Neurological disorders
South Korea
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

Lawrence J. Hackett Jr. Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Fairness Act

 
Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a task force to assess and make recommendations about the care and compensation that should be provided to veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange, their spouses, and multiple generations of their offspring.
 
Requires the task force to make recommendations: 
 
 
to establish the Agent Orange Illness Compensation Program to provide an exposed veteran or eligible survivor a lump sum payment for the veteran's injury, illness, or death; 
 
for the establishment of a national outreach and education campaign to communicate information about Agent Orange exposures and health conditions to veterans who are affected by incidents of toxic exposures and their families; 
 
for compensation and health care for individuals with Spina Bifida, birth defects, or other illnesses who are the children or descendants of members of the Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or in or near the demilitarized zone in Korea during certain time periods determined by the task force; and 
 
for the establishment of a unified policy to deal with the consequences of exposure to hazardous materials in the military.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
TRACE Act

Bill: 114-hr-3548
Sponsor: Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Business expenses
Congressional oversight
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Transportation costs
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

Transparency Requirements for Agency Conferences and Events Act or the TRACE Act

 
This bill requires the head of a federal agency who is hosting a conference or sending an agency employee to a conference to submit to the relevant congressional committee, not later than 30 days before the conference, a report that includes: (1) an itemized statement of the cost of attending the conference, including the total cost; (2) the total cost to the agency hosting the conference; (3) the names of keynote speakers; (4) a list of conference attendees; (5) the location of the conference; (6) a summary of the purposes and goals of the conference; and (7) a conference itinerary. Defines &quot;conference&quot; as a meeting, retreat, seminar, symposium, training, or other event that involves travel for 50 or more attendees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
VA Billing Accountability Act

Bill: 114-hr-3549
Sponsor: Rep. Kline, John [R-MN-2]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Debt collection
Hospital care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

VA Billing Accountability Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to waive the requirement that a veteran make copayments for medications, hospital care, nursing home care, and medical services if: 
 
 
an error committed by the VA or a VA employee was the cause of delaying copayment notification to the veteran, and 
 
the veteran received such notification later than 120 days (18 months in the case of a non-VA facility) after the date on which the veteran received the care or services.
 
 
In requiring a veteran to make a copayment for care or services provided at a VA or a non-VA medical facility the VA shall notify the veteran not later than 120 days (18 months in the case of a non-VA facility) after the date on which the veteran received the care or services. If the VA does not provide notification by such date it may not collect the payment, including through a third-party entity, unless the veteran is provided with:
 
 
information about applying for a waiver and establishing a payment plan with the VA, and 
 
opportunity to make a waiver or establish a payment plan.
 
 
The VA shall review and improve its copayment billing internal controls and notification procedures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2015-09-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
Civil Justice Tax Fairness Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-3550
Sponsor: Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5]
Introduced: 2015-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Income tax exclusion
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

Civil Justice Tax Fairness Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) an exclusion from gross income for amounts received on account of a judgment or settlement resulting from a claim of unlawful discrimination, (2) income averaging for backpay and frontpay amounts received from such claims, and (3) an exemption from the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for any tax benefit resulting from the income averaging of amounts received from an unlawful discrimination claim.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Introduced in House