hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
SMASH Act

Bill: 114-s-3039
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2016-06-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Emergency planning and evacuation
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Insects
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Pest management

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: 

Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act or the SMASH Act

 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend through FY2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants for mosquito control programs. The grant program is expanded so that grants may be used to address emerging, infectious mosquito-borne diseases and to improve existing control programs. The CDC must give preference to applicants that have: (1) a public health emergency due to a mosquito-borne disease, or (2) a control program that is consistent with existing state preparedness plans. The requirement for matching funds may be waived if the area covered by a grant applicant has an extreme need due to the size or density of the human population, the size or density of the mosquito population, or the severity of the mosquito-borne disease.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Muhammad Ali Voluntary Service Act

Bill: 114-s-3041
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2016-06-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Employment discrimination and employee rights
Military personnel and dependents
Selective Service System

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: 

Muhammad Ali Voluntary Service Act

 
This bill repeals the Military Selective Service Act.
 
No person may be denied a right, privilege, benefit, or employment position under federal law on the grounds that the person failed to present himself for and submit to registration under the Military Selective Service Act before its repeal by this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Justice for Servicemembers Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3042
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2016-06-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Merit Systems Protection Board
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: 

Justice for Servicemembers Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the Uniformed Services Employment Rights Act of 1994 to: (1) consider procedural protections or provisions under such Act concerning employment and reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services to be a right or benefit subject to the protection of such Act, and (2) make any agreement to arbitrate a claim under such provisions unenforceable unless all parties consent to arbitration after a complaint on the specific claim has been filed in court or with the Merit Systems Protection Board, and all parties knowingly and voluntarily consent to have that particular claim subjected to arbitration.
 
Consent shall not be considered voluntary when a person is required to agree to arbitrate an action, complaint, or claim alleging a violation of such provisions as a condition of future or continued employment, advancement in employment, or receipt of any right or benefit of employment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Faster Care for Veterans Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3043
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2016-06-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health information and medical records
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: 

Faster Care for Veterans Act of 2016

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin an 18-month pilot program in at least three Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) under which veterans use an Internet website to schedule and confirm appointments at VA medical facilities.
 
The pilot program's duration may be extended and the number of VISNs may be increased.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Deterring Undue Enforcement by Protecting Rights of Citizens from Excessive Searches and Seizures Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3045
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2016-06-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Civil actions and liability
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Due process and equal protection
Evidence and witnesses
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Lawyers and legal services
Legal fees and court costs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: 

DUE PROCESS Act of 2016 or the Deterring Undue Enforcement by Protecting Rights of Citizens from Excessive Searches and Seizures Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions related to federal civil forfeiture cases. Specifically, the bill:
 
 
raises the evidentiary standard in such cases from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence";
 
with respect to property owners who are indigent, provides for the appointment of counsel;
 
provides for recovery of attorney's fees with respect to settled claims in which the claimant prevails;
 
adds notice requirements; and
 
expedites and otherwise modifies certain procedures.

 
The Department of Justice must: (1) annually audit federal civil forfeiture cases, and (2) establish a publicly available database with respect to seizures in such cases.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3723)
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Introduced in Senate
STURDY Act

Bill: 114-s-3046
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2016-06-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child safety and welfare
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Product safety and quality

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: 

Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth Act or the STURDY Act

 
 This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to promulgate a final consumer product safety standard for free-standing clothing storage units (furniture items referred to as, or that may contain, a chest, door chest, chest of drawers, dresser, or bureau) to protect children from tip-over-related death or injury, unless the CPSC determines that a voluntary ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International standard adequately protects children and is likely to be complied with by furniture manufacturers.
 
If an ASTM standard meets the CPSC's requirements, the standard shall be treated as a consumer product safety rule.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act

Bill: 114-s-3049
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2016-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Historical and cultural resources
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
New Mexico
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Water quality
Watersheds
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-10
text: 

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act

 
This bill designates specified lands in New Mexico administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of the Department of the Interior as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
 
Such wilderness areas shall also be administered as components of the National Landscape Conservation System. 
 
The bill designates approximately 100 acres of specified BLM land in New Mexico as a potential wilderness area, upon which Interior shall permit only those uses already permitted. When specified conditions have been met, this area shall be incorporated into the Robledo Mountains Wilderness. 
 
The bill releases from further review for designation as wilderness the public land in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, administered by the BLM and not designated as wilderness.
 
The bill withdraws the Potrillo Mountains Complex from the Potrillo Mountains Wilderness; it closes a specified route from public access, making it available only for administrative and law enforcement uses, including border security.
 
 In implementing a management plan for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in New Mexico, Interior shall include a watershed health assessment to identify opportunities for watershed restoration. 
 
Any land or interest that is within specified state trust land acquired by the United States shall become part of the monument. 
 
Interior shall convey to the state of New Mexico specified BLM land in exchange for specified parcels of state trust land within the monument.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-22
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-509.
action_date: 2016-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3050
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2016-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government liability
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-10
text: 

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016

 
This bill prohibits government officials from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement resolving a civil action on behalf of the United States that provides for a payment to any person or entity other than the United States. The bill provides exceptions for payments that remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment or that constitute payment for services rendered in connection with the case.
 
Government officials or agents who violate this prohibition may be removed from office or required to forfeit to the government any money they hold for such purposes to which they may otherwise be entitled.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3051
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2016-06-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Mammals
Mental health
Neurological disorders
Service animals
Veterans' medical care
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: 

Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act of 2016

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, to carry out a five-year pilot program under which the VA shall provide a service dog and veterinary health insurance to a veteran who: 
 
 
is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder rated at a severity level of 3 or 4 on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5),
 
has completed an evidence-based treatment and remains significantly symptomatic, 
 
served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001,
 
 has not experienced satisfactory improvement in symptoms after being treated with evidence-based therapies. 
 
 
 The VA shall enter into contracts with appropriate providers that are certified by Assistance Dogs International or a similar organization for the procurement of service dogs and training of such dogs and their recipients.
 
The provision of a service dog shall be done in addition to other types of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and shall not replace established treatment modalities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Transplant Coverage Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3052
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2016-06-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Organ and tissue donation and transplantation
Surgery and anesthesia
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: 

Veterans Transplant Coverage Act of 2016

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide for an operation on a live donor to carry out a transplant procedure for an eligible veteran notwithstanding that the live donor may not be eligible for VA health care.
 
The VA shall furnish to such a donor any care or services that may be required before and after conducting such procedure.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Bill: 114-s-3053
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2016-06-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Firearms and explosives
Hate crimes
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: 

Hate Crimes Prevention Act

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit firearm sale or transfer to and receipt or possession by an individual who has: (1) been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor hate crime, or (2) received from any court an enhanced hate crime misdemeanor sentence.
 
 The term "convicted in any court of a misdemeanor hate crime" means a conviction for a misdemeanor offense that has, as an element, that the conduct was motivated by hate or bias because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person.
 
 The term "received from any court an enhanced hate crime misdemeanor sentence" means the imposition of an enhanced sentence for a misdemeanor that involves violence and is based, in whole or in part, on conduct motivated by hate or bias because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-06-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserving Civil Rights Heritage Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3054
Sponsor: Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS]
Introduced: 2016-06-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Mississippi
Protest and dissent
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-14
text: 

Preserving Civil Rights Heritage Act of 2016

 
This bill requires the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of significant civil rights sites, including:
 
 
the former home of Medgar Evers in Jackson, Mississippi; 
 
 the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Sumner, Mississippi;
 
 the site of Bryant's Store in Money, Mississippi; 
 
the former office of Dr. Gilbert in Biloxi, Mississippi; and
 
 the Old Neshoba County Jail in Philadelphia, Mississippi. 
 
 
Interior must submit its recommendations to Congress after evaluating the suitability and feasibility of designating each site as a unit of the National Park System and considering other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation by federal, state, or local governments or private or nonprofit organizations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-06-14
text: Introduced in Senate
CREATES Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3056
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2016-06-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Licensing and registrations
Prescription drugs
Product development and innovation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-14
text: 

Creating and Restoring Equal Access to Equivalent Samples Act of 2016 or the CREATES Act of 2016

 
This bill permits the developer of a drug or biological product to bring a civil action against the license holder of an approved medication alleging that the license holder: (1) declined to make available sufficient quantities of the approved medication for the developer's testing; or (2) failed to agree on, or refused to allow the developer to join, a single, shared system of elements to assure safe use (ETASU) of the medication. (Under current law, a generic version of a medication with ETASU must join the brand name medication's system of ETASU unless the developer of the generic has a waiver from the Food and Drug Administration.) The bill does not apply to medications for which there is a shortage, unless the shortage will not be promptly resolved.
 
In a civil action regarding the availability of sufficient quantities of a medication, it is an affirmative defense that the license holder: (1) is not manufacturing or marketing the medication and does not have access to a supply of the medication to make available, or (2) sells the medication without restrictions through other entities and the developer can purchase sufficient quantities of the medication from those entities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-21
text: Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. Hearings held.
action_date: 2016-06-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3862-3863)
action_date: 2016-06-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act

Bill: 114-s-3057
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2016-06-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-14
text: 

Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from requiring a tax-exempt organization to include in annual returns the name, address, or other identifying information of any contributor. 
 
The bill includes exceptions for: (1) required disclosures regarding prohibited tax shelter transactions; and (2) contributions by the organization's officers, directors, or five highest compensated employees (including compensation paid by related organizations). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2016-06-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require that certain information relating to terrorism investigations be included in the NICS database, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-3058
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2016-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Firearms and explosives
Retail and wholesale trades
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-15
text: 
This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to include in the national instant criminal background check system (i.e., the NICS database) information about an individual who is or has been under a federal terrorism investigation.
 
A federal department or agency must submit to DOJ information about such individual. 
 
Additionally, if a licensed gun dealer requests a background check on a prospective gun buyer who is or has been under a federal terrorism investigation, then the NICS database must notify the appropriate division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the request and the pending firearm transfer. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Health Care Relief Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3060
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2016-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Income tax exclusion
Small business
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-15
text: 

Small Business Health Care Relief Act 

of 2016

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), and other laws to exempt qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) from certain requirements that apply to group health plans. 
 
A qualified small employer HRA is offered by employers that have fewer than 50 full-time employees and do not offer group health plans to any of their employees. A qualified small employer HRA must: 
 
 
 be provided on the same terms to all eligible employees of the employer; 
 
 be funded solely by the employer without salary reduction contributions; 
 
 provide, after an employee provides proof of coverage, for the payment or reimbursement of medical expenses of the employee and family members; and 
 
 limit annual payments and reimbursements to specified dollar amounts. 
 
 
HRAs that meet these requirements are not considered group health plans and are exempt from various requirements that apply to group health plans, including coverage and cost-sharing requirements. (Under current law, employers that sponsor group health plans that do not meet specified requirements are subject to an excise tax.) 
 
Coverage and payments under a qualified HRA are excluded from gross income, unless the employee does not have minimum essential coverage for the month in which the medical care was provided.
 
Employers offering a qualified HRA must notify employees in advance regarding permitted benefits and report benefit information on W-2 forms and to health exchanges. 
 
The bill sets forth requirements for determining whether an employee covered under an HRA is also eligible for premium subsidies under PPACA. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3985)
action_date: 2016-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate