hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Preserving American Access to Information Act

Bill: 114-s-2121
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2015-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: 

Preserving American Access to Information Act 

 
This bill directs: (1) the President to take appropriate actions to enhance the authority and capacity of the National Declassification Center under Executive Order 13526, or any successor executive order, to promote a government-wide strategy for the declassification of information; (2) the National Declassification Center to provide for consultation between the Center's advisory panel and the public on a regular basis; (3) federal agencies to make efforts to identify and designate historically valuable records during the initial classification process to ensure preservation and timely access to such records following eventual declassification; (4) the Public Interest Declassification Board to submit reports to Congress on pilot programs to assess the feasibility and advisability of mechanisms to improve the current declassification capabilities of such agencies; and (5) the Public Interest Declassification Board to review the rules of the Senate and the House of Representatives regarding the declassification of classified Committee records and make recommendations to improve declassification efforts.
 
The bill requires federal agency heads that classify information to report to Congress on an assessment of the feasibility and advisability of: (1) replacing the agency's current classification system with a two-tiered system, and (2) declassifying records with classified Formerly Restricted Data. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Invest in Our Communities Act

Bill: 114-s-2122
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2015-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Business investment and capital
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Economic performance and conditions
Employee hiring
Foreign labor
Government studies and investigations
Immigration status and procedures
Infrastructure development
Rural conditions and development
U.S. and foreign investments
Unemployment
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: 

Invest in Our Communities Act

 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) exempt spouses and children of EB-5 investor immigrants from worldwide employment-based immigration limits, and (2) revise the fiscal year worldwide level of employment-based immigrant admissions.
 
EB-5 visas are excluded from per country caps.
 
EB-5 visas shall be made available to qualified immigrants who participate in a regional center program in the United States designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the promotion of economic growth, including: (1) increased exports, (2) improved regional productivity, (3) job creation, and (4) increased domestic capital investment. 
 
A regional center shall: (1) have jurisdiction over a specific geographic area, which shall be consistent with the purpose of concentrating pooled investment in defined economic zones; and (2) certify compliance with U.S. securities laws, and supervise all offers, purchases, and sales of securities made by associated parties to ensure securities compliance. 
 
DHS shall establish a procedure for pre-approval of new commercial enterprises. 
 
Any person subject to the suspension or termination of EB-5 rights made under the discretion of DHS may appeal such decision and be entitled to a hearing before an administrative law judge. 
 
No person may be involved with a regional center as its principal, administrator, owner, officer, board member, manager, executive, general partner, fiduciary, or other similar position of significant authority for the operations or management of the center if he or she: (1) is not a U.S. national or lawful permanent resident; or (2) has been found liable for certain financial or securities crimes, or terrorist, espionage, or human trafficking activities.
 
The bill sets forth DHS suspension or termination authority for a noncomplying regional center. 
 
The child of an alien investor whose conditional permanent resident status is terminated shall continue to be considered a child for purposes of a subsequent immigrant petition by the alien investor if the child remains unmarried and the subsequent petition is filed within one year after termination of status. An alien shall not be considered a child with respect to more than 1 petition filed after he or she reaches 21 years old.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
New Skills for New Jobs Act

Bill: 114-s-2124
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2015-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Education programs funding
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Income tax credits
Licensing and registrations
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: 

New Skills for New Jobs Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Treasury, on a quarterly basis, to make payments to an eligible community college in an amount equal to the aggregate new job tax withholding matches for qualified training provided to job trainees who are U.S. citizens. The bill defines "qualified training" as education or training to provide an individual with the education or skills necessary to perform the job for which such individual will be employed or with licenses or certificates necessary for such employment. Any job for which a trainee is hired must be a new job. 
 
The bill defines "eligible community college" as a public institution of higher education: (1) at which the majority of degrees awarded are two-year degrees that are acceptable for full credit toward a baccalaureate degree, (2) that is located in a state that has a state new jobs tax credit program in effect, and (3) that participates in such program by having in effect a contract that meets specified requirements of such program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Lending and Economic Inequality Reduction Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2125
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2015-10-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business investment and capital
Credit and credit markets
Economic development
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing and community development funding
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Small business
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: 

Small Business Lending and Economic Inequality Reduction Act of 2015

 
 This bill amends the Small Business Act to establish a Community Advantage Program, under which the Small Business Administration (SBA) may guarantee loans up to $350,000 made by specified kinds of institutions, including:
 
 
development companies eligible for the state and local development company program,
 
nonprofit intermediaries,
 
non-federally regulated entities certified as community development financial institutions, and
 
any other SBA-approved nonprofit organizations.
 
 
At least 60% of these loans must be made to businesses in certain underserved markets, such as low- or moderate-income communities, HUBZones, empowerment zones, or enterprise communities.
 
The SBA must promulgate regulations for this Program, which shall be substantially similar to its Community Advantage Pilot Program, which shall terminate when these regulations take effect.
 
The Federal Home Loan Bank Act is amended to authorize Federal Home Loan Banks to make long-term secured advances to their members to provide funds to community development financial institutions. 
 
At the time of origination or renewal of a loan or advance, a Bank must obtain and maintain a security interest in collateral eligible pursuant to any secured loan for any community development financial institution.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S7104-7105)
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Inspector General Mandates Reporting Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2128
Sponsor: Sen. Sasse, Ben [R-NE]
Introduced: 2015-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-05
text: 

Inspector General Mandates Reporting Act of 2015

 
This bill requires each Office of Inspector General to submit to the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency a report which: (1) shall include a list of each reporting requirement for such Office, and (2) may include a list of reporting requirements that such Office recommends should be modified or repealed.
 
The Council must submit to Congress a report which: (1) shall include a list of reporting requirements that are common to more than one Office of Inspector General and a list of reporting requirements that are unique to each Office, and (2) may include recommendations for reporting requirements that should be modified or repealed.

action_date: 2015-11-30
text: 

Inspector General Mandates Reporting Act of 2015

 
(Sec. 2) This bill requires each Office of Inspector General to submit to the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency a report which: (1) shall include a list of each reporting requirement for such Office, and (2) may include a list of reporting requirements that such Office recommends should be modified or repealed. 
 
Within 60 days after receiving such report, the Council shall submit to Congress a report which: (1) shall include a list of reporting requirements that are common to more than one Office of Inspector General and a list of reporting requirements that are unique to each Office, and (2) may include recommendations for reporting requirements that should be modified or repealed.
 
These reports shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified index. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 305.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment. With written report No. 114-171.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment. With written report No. 114-171.
action_date: 2015-10-07
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2015-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2134
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2015-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Employee hiring
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health personnel
Medical education
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-05
text: 

Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the Grow Our Own Directive or G.O.O.D. pilot program to provide educational assistance to certain former members of the Armed Forces for education and training as VA physician assistants. 
 
An individual is eligible to participate in the program if the individual: 
 
 
has medical or military health experience gained while serving in the Armed Forces; 
 
has received a certificate, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, master's degree, or postbaccalaureate training in a science relating to health care; 
 
has participated in the delivery of health care services or related medical services; and 
 
does not have a degree of doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, or doctor of dentistry. 
 
 
The VA shall: 
 
 
provide educational assistance to program participants for the costs of obtaining a master's degree in physician assistant studies or a similar master's degree, 
 
 ensure that mentors are available for program participants at each VA facility at which a participant is employed, and 
 
seek to partner with specified government programs and with appropriate educational institutions that offer degrees in physician assistant studies.
 
 
The VA shall: 
 
 
establish specified standards to improve the education and and hiring of VA physician assistants, and 
 
implement a national plan for the retention and recruitment of VA physician assistants that includes the adoption of competitive pay standards. 
 
 
VA physician assistant pay grades are established.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-18
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-252.
action_date: 2015-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to address the liability of the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the Animas and San Juan Rivers spill.

Bill: 114-s-2135
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2015-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Colorado
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Government liability
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Indian lands and resources rights
Lakes and rivers
Mining
New Mexico
Pollution liability
Utah
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-05
text: 
This bill removes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) immunity from claims relating to the August 2015 spill of hazardous waste from an abandoned gold mine in Colorado into the Animas River and the San Juan River.
 
Civil actions relating to that spill must be commenced within 10 years after the cause of action accrues.
 
The EPA must work with states and Indian tribes affected by the spill to develop, fund, and implement a long-term monitoring program for water and sediment quality of those rivers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Hide No Harm Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2140
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2015-10-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Business ethics
Civil actions and liability
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Product safety and quality
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: 

Hide No Harm Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for a business entity or business executive to knowingly conceal information about its business practices or products that pose an imminent risk of death or serious physical injury to consumers and workplace danger.
 
 Specific requirements are set forth for what a business entity or business executive must do after acquiring knowledge of a serious danger associated with its business practices or products. If such an entity or executive fails to warn affected employees and other individuals of a serious danger, they are subject to a fine and/or prison term of five years. 
 
The bill makes it unlawful to knowingly discriminate or retaliate against an employee (i.e., a whistleblower) who warns other agencies or individuals of a serious danger associated with a product or service. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Transparent Ratings on Usability and Security to Transform Information Technology Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2141
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-10-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Computers and information technology
Government information and archives
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicare
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: 

Transparent Ratings on Usability and Security to Transform Information Technology Act of 2015 or the TRUST IT Act

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to define &quot;information blocking&quot; and &quot;interoperability&quot; for health information technology (IT). Information blocking is preventing, discouraging, or interfering with the access, exchange, or use of electronic health information. Interoperability is the ability of health information systems to exchange information and use exchanged information.
 
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) may publish information demonstrating how health IT meets the certification criteria of the voluntary health IT certification program. To be certified, health IT must meet security requirements, incorporate user-centered design, and achieve interoperability.
 
Entities seeking certification of health IT must attest to meeting requirements regarding information blocking, communication between users and a certification body, and interoperability.
 
 The ONC must: (1) recognize a council to establish a rating program to evaluate the interoperability, usability, and security of health IT; (2) publish ratings from that program; (3) convene stakeholders to develop reporting criteria for entities offering health IT; and (4) establish a process for certification bodies to collect confidential feedback.
 
The ONC may fine entities offering certified health IT that is rated less than satisfactory or entities that do not meet reporting requirements.
 
The ONC may decertify health IT. The ONC must establish a revolving fund to reimburse users of health IT that becomes decertified for the cost of new certified health IT. Such users are exempt for one year from Medicare payment adjustment under the program that incentivizes meaningful use of electronic health records.
 The ONC must publish information on individuals' rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Workplace Democracy Act

Bill: 114-s-2142
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2015-10-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Labor-management relations
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: 

Workplace Democracy Act

 
This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act to require the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to certify without an election an individual or labor organization as the exclusive representative of the employees in a unit appropriate for bargaining if a majority of the employees has signed valid authorizations designating the individual or labor organization specified in a properly filed petition as their bargaining representative and no other individual or labor organization is currently certified or recognized as the exclusive representative of any of the employees in the unit.
 
The NLRB shall develop guidelines and procedures for the designation by employees of a bargaining representative.
 
Deadlines are prescribed for critical turns in collective bargaining to establish an initial agreement upon the request of an individual or labor organization that has been newly organized or certified as a representative. The first meeting shall convene within 10 days after the employer receives a request. Either party to a negotiation may, 90 days after commencement, notify the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service of the existence of a dispute and request mediation. The Service shall refer the dispute to an arbitration board if the parties are not brought to agreement within 30 days after the request for mediation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Middle East Refugee Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2016

Bill: 114-s-2145
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2015-10-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Appropriations
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Department of State
Executive agency funding and structure
Iraq
Middle East
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Syria

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: 

Middle East Refugee Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2016

 
 This bill provides $1 billion in FY2016 supplemental appropriations to the Department of State's Migration and Refugee Assistance account for expenses to respond to the refugee crisis resulting from conflict in the Middle East, including costs associated with the resettlement of refugees in the United States. The funds are designated as an emergency requirement, which exempts the funds from discretionary spending limits and other budget enforcement rules. 
 
Prior to using funds provided by this bill, the State Department must submit to Congress a report including specified details regarding the refugees who have fled Syria and Iraq, the costs associated with resettlement, and the proposed uses of funds provided by this bill. 
 
The State Department may transfer funds provided by this bill to other federal agencies for the purpose of assisting in the resettlement in the United States of refugees fleeing conflict in the Middle East, subject to congressional notification requirements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2015-10-06
text: Introduced in Senate