hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
E-Prize Competition Pilot Program Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1346
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Electric power generation and transmission
Energy prices
Lighting and heating
Lighting, heating, cooling
Technology assessment
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 

E-Prize Competition Pilot Program Act of 2015 

 
This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish for a limited time: (1) a prize competition for the development and demonstration of technology that reduces by at least 25% the cost of electricity or space heat in high-cost regions; and (2) a Competition Board to award a maximum of 4 prizes of not more than $1 million each. 
 
Funds for the awards shall be available from the Energy Technology Commercialization Fund. 
 
The Competition Board must use prescribed criteria to evaluate competing technologies. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
ROAD Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1348
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: North Carolina
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 

Route to Opportunity And Development Act of 2015 or the ROAD Act of 2015

 
 Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, as amended, to revise the high priority Raleigh-Norfolk Corridor of the National Highway System between Raleigh, North Carolina, and Norfolk, Virginia, to include Rocky Mount, Williamston, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2935)
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1350
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Emergency planning and evacuation
Government trust funds
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Hunting and fishing
Infrastructure development
Law enforcement administration and funding
Licensing and registrations
Marine and inland water transportation
Motor carriers
Outdoor recreation
Public transit
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Roads and highways
Rural conditions and development
Sales and excise taxes
Transportation employees
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 

Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 to extend through July 31, 2015, the authorization, including authorized amount of appropriations, for:
 
 
federal-aid highway programs generally,
 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration highway safety programs, and 
 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration programs.
 
 
The authorization of appropriations for programs under the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act is also extended through July 31, 2015.
 
The bill extends through the same date the authorization and apportionment of appropriations for formula grants, including those for rural areas, public transportation, and bus and bus facilities.
 
Appropriations are authorized through that date for hazardous materials emergency preparedness and training grants.
 
Expenditure authorities of the Internal Revenue Code are also extended through July 31, 2015, for the Highway, Sport Fish Restoration and Boating, and Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Funds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 85.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act

Bill: 114-s-1351
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Firearms and explosives
Licensing and registrations
Military personnel and dependents
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 

Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act

 
 Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) allow licensed firearms importers, manufacturers, dealers, or collectors (licensees) to sell or deliver any firearm (currently, rifles or shotguns) to a resident of a state other than the state in which the licensee is located or temporarily located if the licensee meets with the purchaser to complete the sale or delivery and the transaction complies with the laws of the state in which the transfer is conducted and the purchaser's state of residence; and (2) eliminate the requirement that a licensee must conduct business at a gun show only in the state that is specified on the licensee's license. 
 
Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the sale or other disposition of a firearm or ammunition: (1) between licensed firearms dealers at any location in any state; or (2) by a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to an unlicensed person at a temporary location in any state. 
 
Amends definitions for federal firearms provisions to: (1) revise the definition of a &quot;member of the Armed Forces on active duty&quot; to include a member (or member's spouse) who is a resident of the state in which such person maintains legal residence or in which the member maintains a place of abode from which the member commutes each day to the permanent duty station; and (2) provide that an officer or employee of the United States (other than a member of the Armed Forces) stationed outside the United States for a period exceeding one year, or a spouse residing with such an officer or employee, is a resident of the state in which the person maintains legal residence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Ensuring Access to Justice for Claims Against the United States Act

Bill: 114-s-1353
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Government liability
Judicial review and appeals
Jurisdiction and venue

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 

Ensuring Access to Justice for Claims Against the United States Act

 
Amends the federal judicial code with respect to the jurisdiction of federal courts over civil actions pending in, or on appeal from, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (USCFC) when the plaintiff also has pending in another federal court a civil action that includes a claim against the United States (or an agency or officer of the United States) arising from the same set of operative facts.
 
 Requires the court presiding over the action that was filed later to stay the later action until the action that was filed first is no longer pending. (Currently, the USCFC is prohibited from having jurisdiction of any claim in which the plaintiff has pending in any other court any suit or process against the United States or any person who was acting or professing to act under the authority of the United States.)
 
Provides an exception to the requirement to stay the later action if: (1) the parties in each of the actions agree; or (2) in exceptional circumstances the court finds, upon the motion of any party, that termination or modification of the stay is necessary to preserve material evidence or to prevent irreparable prejudice to that party.
 
Provides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit with jurisdiction of an appeal from an interlocutory order terminating or modifying such a stay.


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

Bill: 114-s-1354
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health personnel
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 

Medicare Patient Access to Hospice Act of 2015 

 
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to recognize attending physician assistants as attending physicians to serve hospice patients. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 until July 31, 2015, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1357
Sponsor: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Business records
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 
Amends the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to extend until July 31, 2015, expiring provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) concerning: (1) FISA court orders approving roving electronic surveillance, (2) requests for FISA court orders that allow the government to require the production of business records and other tangible things for foreign intelligence and international terrorism investigations, and (3) a revised definition of &quot;agent of a foreign power&quot; that allows surveillance of individual non-U.S. persons who engage in international terrorism or preparatory activities (commonly referred to as the &quot;lone wolf&quot; provision). (Currently, such provisions are scheduled to expire on June 1, 2015.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-23
text: Motion by Senator McConnell to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on the motion to proceed to the measure (Record Vote No. 195) entered in Senate. (consideration: CR S3314)
action_date: 2015-05-23
text: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 45 - 54. Record Vote Number: 195. (consideration: CR S3314; text: CR S3314)
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S3201; text: CR S3201)
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S3201; text: CR S3201)
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 86.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act

Bill: 114-s-1358
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2015-05-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia
Cemeteries and funerals
Conflicts and wars
Laos
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: 

Hmong Veterans' Service Recognition Act

 
Authorizes burial in any open national cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration of the remains of any individual: (1) who was naturalized pursuant to the Hmong Veterans' Naturalization Act of 2000 and who resided in the United States at the time of death; or (2) who the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines served with a special guerrilla unit or irregular forces operating from a base in Laos in support of the U.S. Armed Forces between February 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, and who, at the time of death, resided in the United States and was a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2936-2937)
action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the limitation on liability for passenger rail accidents or incidents under section 28103 of title 49, United States Code, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1360
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2015-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Accidents
Civil actions and liability
Life, casualty, property insurance
Railroads
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: 
This bill revises the limitation on passenger rail transportation liability to increase from $200 million to $500 million, adjusted annually for inflation, the aggregate allowable awards to all rail passengers, against all defendants, for all claims, including any for punitive damages, arising from a single accident or incident.
 
The Department of Transportation (DOT) must consider, within two years after enactment of this Act, whether to:
 
 
make any needed additional adjustments to the liability cap; and
 
establish or adjust mandatory coverage for Amtrak, any high-speed railroad authority or operator, any commuter authority or operator, any rail carrier, or any state (listed entities).
 
 
The total minimum liability coverage Amtrak must maintain for claims through insurance and self-insurance shall increase from $200 million per accident or incident to $500 million, unless DOT, by regulation, determines that a different minimum level of financial responsibility is necessary or sufficient to satisfy claims.
 
DOT may make a grant to Amtrak or another listed entity as a reasonable reimbursement, considering ability to meet increased costs and impacts on safety and service, to offset any incremental increase in the cost of insurance resulting from this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and improve the Indian coal production tax credit.

Bill: 114-s-1361
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2015-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Coal
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits
Indian lands and resources rights

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for producing electricity from an Indian coal production facility, to eliminate: (1) the requirement that such a facility be placed in service before January 1, 2009, and (2) the limitation on the period during which such coal is required to be produced and sold. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2973)
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to submit to Congress a report assessing the capability of the Department of Energy to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded fusion and fission reactor prototypes and related demonstration facilities at sites owned by the Department of Energy.

Bill: 114-s-1363
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2015-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Energy research
Nuclear power
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: 
Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to report on its capabilities to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded fusion and fission reactor prototypes up to 20 megawatts thermal output and related demonstration facilities at DOE-owned sites.
 
Prescribes report contents, including: (1) potential sites capable of hosting research, development, and demonstration of prototype reactors and related facilities; (2) long-term project costs; and (3) issues relating to potential cases of demonstration reactors up to 2 gigawatts of thermal output.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicaid Generic Drug Price Fairness Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1364
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2015-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Medicaid
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: 

Medicaid Generic Drug Price Fairness Act of 2015

 
This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to increase the amount of rebate with respect to each generic drug in the manner that the rebate for a dosage form and strength of a single source drug or an innovator multiple source drug is increased, except as provided in special application rules, including a special rule for certain noninnovator multiple source drugs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the charter of the Gold Star Wives of America to remove the restriction on the federally chartered corporation, and directors and officers of the corporation, attempting to influence legislation.

Bill: 114-s-1366
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2015-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Federally chartered organizations
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: 
This bill amends the charter of the Gold Star Wives of America corporation to remove the prohibition on the corporation or a director or officer contributing to, supporting, or participating in any political activity or in any manner attempting to influence legislation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
SIGMA Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1368
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2015-05-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Accounting and auditing
Comprehensive health care
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Income tax credits
Medicaid
Performance measurement
Religion
Sales and excise taxes
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: 

Special Inspector General for Monitoring the ACA Act of 2015 or the SIGMA Act of 2015

 
Establishes the Office of the Special Inspector General for Monitoring the Affordable Care Act to conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations of the implementation and administration of programs and activities established under, and payment system changes made by, the Affordable Care Act (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010). Requires the Special Inspector General to be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
 
Requires the Special Inspector General to appoint an Assistant Inspector General for Auditing and an Assistant Inspector General for Investigations.
 
Places the Special Inspector General under the supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services, but prohibits federal agencies involved in implementing or administering the Affordable Care Act from preventing or prohibiting the Special Inspector General from initiating, carrying out, or completing any audit or investigation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Helping Schools Protect Our Children Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1369
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-05-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Crimes against children
Domestic violence and child abuse
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
School administration
Sex offenses
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: 

Helping Schools Protect Our Children Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include the training of school personnel to recognize child sexual abuse among the uses of grants to states and subgrants to local educational agencies and partnerships under the Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3062; text of measure as introduced: CR S3062)
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Support for Bridges Act

Bill: 114-s-1370
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2015-05-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: 

Support for Bridges Act

 
This bill decreases from 63.7% to 49% the amount of a state's base apportionment of federal-aid highway funds slated for the national highway performance program. The bill also increases from 29.3% to 44% the state's apportionment for the surface transportation program (including federal-aid highway bridge construction and rehabilitation).
 
A state's obligation to commit for off-system bridges a specified amount of its apportionment of surface transportation block grant program funds shall continue for FY2016 and each ensuing fiscal year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Inclusive Prosperity Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-1371
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2015-05-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Financial services and investments
Government information and archives
Income tax credits
Sales and excise taxes
Securities
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: 

Inclusive Prosperity Act of 2015

 
 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose an excise tax on the transfer of ownership in certain securities (covered transaction), including any share of stock in a corporation, any partnership or beneficial interest in a partnership or trust, any note, bond, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness (excluding tax-exempt municipal bonds), or derivative financial instruments; (2) impose a penalty on taxpayers who fail to include a covered transaction on their tax return or information statement; and (3) allow an individual taxpayer whose modified adjusted gross income does not exceed $50,000 ($75,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns) a tax credit for the amount of tax paid on covered transactions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Introduced in Senate