hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Consumer Protection and Choice Act

Bill: 114-hr-4018
Sponsor: Rep. Ross, Dennis A. [R-FL-15]
Introduced: 2015-11-16 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Consumer credit
Credit and credit markets
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Licensing and registrations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: 

Consumer Protection and Choice Act

 
This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a deferred presentment transaction except as provided under this Act. 
 
A "deferred presentment transaction" is one in which currency or other payment is provided to a consumer in exchange for a consumer's check or other payment instrument and an agreement that such check or payment instrument shall be held for a deferment period prior to presentment, deposit, or redemption.
 
If the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) determines that a state has in effect a law that provides for the licensing of deferred presentment providers and the regulation of deferred presentment transactions, and that meets the requirements specified by this Act, any CFPB regulations concerning such transactions and providers shall not apply in such state. 
 
Such a state law must: 
 
 
require a provider to be licensed by the state;
 
establish a transaction database; 
 
require a provider to verify through such database that a consumer entering into such a transaction does not have an outstanding transaction; 
 
require a provider to report immediately to such database information about each transaction entered into and each transaction paid or settled;
 
require that a transaction agreement be in writing and allow the consumer to rescind the agreement within the first 24 hours; 
 
require a transaction agreement to limit the interest and fees to no more that 10% of the transaction amount, the processing fee to $5, the transaction amount to $500, and the duration of the transaction to no less than 7 days and no more than 31 days; and 
 
allow a 60-day grace period after the contractual repayment date for a consumer to repay the amount due, subject to early termination if a consumer fails to complete a course with a consumer credit counseling agency.
 
 
The bill makes these changes effective 24 months after enactment and prohibits the CFPB from establishing or enforcing any regulation governing deferred presentment transactions or payday loans during such period.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Introduced in House
Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4019
Sponsor: Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28]
Introduced: 2015-11-16 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Licensing and registrations
Mammals
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: 

Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to prohibit taking, importing, or exporting the killer whale (orcinus orca) species, or any product that contains that species, for public display purposes.
 
The bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit any person from artificially inseminating or breeding that species for exhibition purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.
action_date: 2015-11-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2015-11-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Introduced in House
Next Generation High Schools Act

Bill: 114-hr-4020
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
Introduced: 2015-11-16 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Minority education
School administration
Science and engineering education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: 

Next Generation High Schools Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Education to award competitive, five-year grants to local educational agencies or charter schools that partner with specified institutions and intermediaries to provide high school students with challenging academic and career-related learning opportunities. Applicants must assure that school improvement funds will be allocated to eligible high schools in amounts that are proportionate to those schools' share of low-income students.
 
"Eligible high schools" are those that: (1) serve a population of students of which at least 65% are from low-income families; (2) have a graduation rate at or below 67%, excepting new high schools; (3) do not receive school improvement funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (4) are identified by their state as low-performing.
 
Grantees must use grant funds to:
 
 
develop and implement partnerships to help schools prepare students to apply academic concepts to real world challenges; 
 
implement an early warning indicator system in eligible high schools and feeder middle schools to identify struggling students; 
 
offer support and credit recovery opportunities for struggling students at the grantee's secondary schools or in other appropriate settings; 
 
provide drop-out recovery or re-entry programs; 
 
offer evidence-based programs and supports related to the transition from middle school to high school; and 
 
provide high school leaders, staff, students, and families with information concerning graduation requirements, postsecondary admission requirements, the availability of financial assistance, labor markets, and other programs and services to improve the prospects of traditionally underserved students. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Introduced in House
Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4021
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
Introduced: 2015-11-16 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Computers and information technology
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Rural conditions and development
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: 

Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to modify grant funding related to education technology and innovation.
 
The Department of Education shall award matching grants to states to strengthen state and local technological infrastructure and professional learning that supports digital learning.
 
Grant funds are allocated among states in proportion to each state's share of school improvement funds under the ESEA. 
 
States must use at least 90% of their grant funds to award subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs), which shall use: (1) at least 40% of those funds to support the acquisition of technology that addresses their technology infrastructure and access needs; and (2) at least 40% of those funds to provide digital age professional learning opportunities for teachers, principals, school leaders, paraprofessionals, library and media personnel, specialized instructional support personnel, technology coordinators, and administrators.
 
To carry out grant and subgrant activities, including the purchase of technology, states may form purchasing consortia with other states, and LEAs may form purchasing consortia with other LEAs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Introduced in House
National Labor Relations Board Reform Act

Bill: 114-hr-4022
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
Introduced: 2015-11-16 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Judicial review and appeals
Labor-management relations
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: 

National Labor Relations Board Reform Act

 
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to revise requirements with respect to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), and the process for appellate review.
 
Increases NLRB membership from five to six. Requires three members to represent each of the two major political parties and, beginning January 1, 2020, each of the two members whose terms expire on the same date to represent a different major political party.
 
Requires: (1) four NLRB members to constitute a quorum at all times, and (2) any NLRB determination to be approved by a majority of the members present.
 
Specifies tenure, including staggered terms, of NLRB members.
 
Sets forth judicial review procedures for any person subject to a complaint issued or authorized by the OGC.
 
Sets the compensation rate for each NLRB member, in addition to the OGC, at level IV of the Executive Schedule and the Chairman of the NLRB, as under current law, at level III.
 
Requires the NLRB to issue a final order reviewing an appeal of a report of an administrative law judge or decision of a regional director within one year after the report or decision; but if the NLRB does not issue a final order within that time, allows any party to the case to move to discharge it. Deems, upon such a motion, the report or the decision to be a final agency action. Prohibits the NLRB from taking further action on the matter.
 
Reduces authorized appropriations to carry out the Act for each of the succeeding two fiscal years to 80% of the average amount authorized for the prior two fiscal years if, two years after enactment of this Act, the NLRB has failed to issue a final order on more than 90% of the cases pending on (or filed on or after) the date of enactment.
 
Extends such reduced authorization of appropriations if after four years the NLRB has failed to issue a final order on more than 90% of the cases pending on (or filed on or after) the date that is two years after the date of enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1629)
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Introduced in House
Clean Up the Code Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4023
Sponsor: Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1]
Introduced: 2015-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Europe
Forests, forestry, trees
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Horticulture and plants
Intellectual property
Marriage and family status
National symbols
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Switzerland

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: 

Clean Up the Code Act of 2015

 
This bill repeals provisions of the federal criminal code relating to the: (1) transportation of water hyacinths; (2) unauthorized application of a theft prevention decal or device to a motor vehicle; (3) fraudulent display of the 4-H club emblem; (4) commercial use of the Swiss Confederation coat of arms; (5) unauthorized use of the &quot;Smokey Bear&quot; character or name, the &quot;Woodsy Owl&quot; character, name, or slogan, or the &quot;Golden Eagle Insignia&quot;; (6) interstate transportation of dentures; and (7) receipt of compensation after marriage by federal employees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Discharged.
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act

Bill: 114-hr-4024
Sponsor: Rep. Cook, Paul [R-CA-8]
Introduced: 2015-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: California
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: 

Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to: (1) quitclaim to the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District in California approximately 327 acres of identified federal land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and (2) in exchange for such land accept from the Conservation District a conveyance of approximately 310 acres of its land.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
To prohibit obligation of Federal funds for admission of refugees from Syria, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-4025
Sponsor: Rep. Ross, Dennis A. [R-FL-15]
Introduced: 2015-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Immigration status and procedures
Middle East
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Syria

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: 
This bill prohibits the obligation of federal funds for the U.S. refugee admission of any alien: (1) whose country of nationality is Syria, or (2) who has no nationality but who last habitually resided in Syria. 
 
Such prohibition shall terminate only upon the approval in the House of Representatives and in the Senate of a resolution of termination.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
Nondiscriminatory Transportation Screening Act

Bill: 114-hr-4026
Sponsor: Rep. Black, Diane [R-TN-6]
Introduced: 2015-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Criminal justice information and records
Firearms and explosives
Licensing and registrations
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: 

Nondiscriminatory Transportation Screening Act or the TSA Act

 
This bill requires a concealed handgun license to be treated as a verifying identity document for purposes of aircraft passenger security screening as part of the secure flight program.
 
The bill prohibits the federal government from collecting or storing information about an individual relating to such a license.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security.
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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: 2015-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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: 2015-11-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4027
Sponsor: Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
Introduced: 2015-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business education
Business investment and capital
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Higher education
Marketing and advertising
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Small Business Administration
Small business
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: 

Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2015

 
 This bill amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Women's Business Ownership to address issues concerning specified disciplines required for starting, operating, and increasing a small business.
 
The Office must work with SBA officials and collaborate with non-SBA entities to ensure that the work of the women's business center program:
 
 
 maximizes taxpayer dollars, and
 
coordinates effectively with and is not duplicative of other federal and private sector programs.
 
 
The mission of the Office is to assist women entrepreneurs in starting, growing, and competing in global markets by providing quality support with access to capital, access to markets, job creation, growth, counseling, and training in a specified manner.
 
The SBA must:
 
 
 provide annual programmatic and financial examination training for women's business center representatives,
 
award grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements related to the training, and
 
develop plans for a professional development training program for women's business centers and for a women's business center accreditation program.
 
 
The SBA may provide up to $250,000 per project year of financial assistance to eligible entities to conduct projects designed to provide training and counseling meeting the needs of women, especially socially and economically disadvantaged women.
 
The SBA, upon request by a recipient organization, may waive for a fiscal year (but no more than two consecutive fiscal years) the requirement to obtain matching non-federal funds for the organization's technical assistance and counseling activities carried out using financial assistance under the program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
IDEA High Cost Pool Funding Act

Bill: 114-hr-4028
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Introduced: 2015-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Special education

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: 

IDEA High Cost Pool Funding Act

 
This bill amends the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) to establish additional grants for the purpose of assisting states in addressing the needs of high-need children with disabilities. The bill establishes limitations on grant amounts and how grant funds may be used.
 
To be eligible to receive such a grant, a state shall: (1) provide matching funds equal to at least 25% of the grant amount; and (2) provide any information that the Department of Education may require, as specified by the bill.
 
A state may request a waiver of certain grant requirements that are incompatible with aspects of the state's governmental structure.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
Pension Accountability Act

Bill: 114-hr-4029
Sponsor: Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
Introduced: 2015-11-17 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: 

Pension Accountability Act
 
 
This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to revise rules for voting on the suspension of pension benefits under multiemployer plans in endangered or critical status. The bill changes the voting procedure for suspending plan benefits to provide that a suspension shall go into effect unless a majority of plan participants and beneficiaries who cast a vote (currently, a majority of all plan participants and beneficiaries) reject the suspension. The bill also eliminates the authority of the Department of the Treasury, in the case of systemically important plans, to override a vote of plan participants to reject a suspension. A plan is systemically important if projected financial assistance to the plan will exceed $1 billion if suspensions are not implemented. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-11-17
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: 2015-11-17
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: 2015-11-17
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: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-17
text: Introduced in House