hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Steel Industry Preservation Act

Bill: 115-s-262
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Business expenses
Coal
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Industrial facilities
Manufacturing
Metals
Oil and gas
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 

Steel Industry Preservation Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend and modify the production tax credit for steel industry fuel. 
 
(Under current law, steel industry fuel is a fuel which is: (1) produced through a process of liquefying coal waste sludge and distributing it on coal, and (2) used as a feedstock for the manufacture of coke.) 
 
The bill modifies the tax credit for steel industry fuel to: 
 
 
 extend the credit period and the placed-in-service date, 
 
 revise the definition of &quot;steel industry fuel&quot; to allow blends of coal and petroleum coke or other coke feedstock in the fuel, 
 
 set forth ownership requirements, and 
 
specify requirements for treating an owner as producing and selling steel industry fuel. 
 
 
A taxpayer that produces steel industry fuel may elect to accept an increased tax credit in lieu of certain deductions for expenses in connection with the production of steel industry fuel. 
 
The bill specifies the treatment of the credit for the purpose of the alternative minimum tax. It also exempts transactions related to steel industry fuel from rules that restrict deductions and other tax benefits for activities that are not engaged in for profit or that do not have economic substance. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-263
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Congressional oversight
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Environmental technology
Industrial facilities
Licensing and registrations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 

Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Clean Air Act by revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) program.
 
The bill delays the implementation of the ozone NAAQS that were published in 2015. The bill extends until: (1) October 26, 2024, the deadline for states to submit designations to implement the 2015 ozone NAAQS; and (2) October 26, 2025, the deadline for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate state areas as attainment, nonattainment, or unclassifiable areas with respect to the 2015 ozone NAAQS. States must submit a state implementation plan (SIP) by October 26, 2026, to implement, maintain, and enforce the 2015 ozone NAAQS.
 
The bill also changes the review cycle for criteria pollutant NAAQS from a 5-year review cycle to a 10-year review cycle. The EPA may not complete its next review of ozone NAAQS before October 26, 2025. 
 
Prior to establishing or revising NAAQS, the EPA must obtain advice from its scientific advisory committee regarding potential adverse public health, welfare, social, economic, or energy effects which may result from attaining and maintaining NAAQS.
 
The EPA must publish regulations and guidance for implementing NAAQS concurrently with the issuance of a new or revised standard. New or revised NAAQS must not apply to preconstruction permits for constructing or modifying a major emitting facility or major stationary source of air pollutants until those regulations and guidance have been published.
 
The bill revises requirements concerning SIPs for extreme ozone nonattainment areas and particulate matter nonattainment areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-23
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-103.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
The Free Speech Fairness Act

Bill: 115-s-264
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Public participation and lobbying
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 

Free Speech Fairness Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a tax-exempt organization to make certain statements related to a political campaign without losing its tax-exempt status. An organization may not lose its tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) or be deemed to have participated in, or intervened in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, solely because of the content of any statement that: (1) is made in the ordinary course of the organization's regular and customary activities in carrying out its exempt purpose, and (2) results in the organization incurring not more than de minimis incremental expenses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Financial Services Conflict of Interest Act

Bill: 115-s-265
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Civil actions and liability
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Department of the Treasury
Employee benefits and pensions
Employee hiring
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Federal Reserve System
Federal officials
Financial services and investments
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
National Credit Union Administration
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Personnel records
Public contracts and procurement
Public participation and lobbying
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 

Financial Services Conflict of Interest Act

 
This bill amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and other laws to:
 
 
expand restrictions on federal government employees' acceptance of compensation from nongovernment sources,
 
generally require certain financial-services regulators to recuse themselves from any official action that would provide a direct and substantial pecuniary benefit for a recent former employer or client,
 
generally prohibit such a regulator from participating in matters that involve an individual or entity with whom the regulator is negotiating future employment,
 
prohibit a federal government employee from participating in a procurement involving a contractor that had recently employed that employee, and
 
expand restrictions on lobbying by certain former financial-services regulators.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Anwar Sadat Centennial Celebration Act

Bill: 115-s-266
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations
Congressional tributes
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Egypt
International law and treaties
Middle East

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 

Anwar Sadat Centennial Celebration Act

 
This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Anwar Sadat in recognition of his achievements and heroic actions to attain comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

action_date: 2018-08-22
text: 

Anwar Sadat Centennial Celebration Act

 
 (Sec. 3) This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Anwar Sadat in recognition of his achievements and heroic actions to attain comprehensive peace in the Middle East.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-08-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2018-08-24
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2018-08-23
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2018-08-22
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S5865-5866)
action_date: 2018-08-22
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(text: CR S5865-5866)
action_date: 2018-08-22
text: Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5865-5866)
action_date: 2018-08-22
text: Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5865-5866)
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the correction of a survey of certain land in the State of Alaska.

Bill: 115-s-267
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alaska
Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior, after consulting with the U.S. Forest Service, to modify the boundary of the Swan Lake Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2911) in southeast Alaska and to convey any additional land necessary for the project to the state of Alaska.

action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 
(Sec.1)This bill directs the Department of the Interior, after consulting with the U.S. Forest Service, to modify the boundary of the Swan Lake Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2911) in southeast Alaska and to convey any additional land necessary for the project to the state of Alaska.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 128.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-98.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-98.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Investing in Student Success Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-268
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Contracts and agency
Federal preemption
Financial services and investments
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Student aid and college costs
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 

Investing in Student Success Act of 

2017

 
This bill authorizes an individual (i.e., a student) and another person (i.e., an investor) to enter an income-share agreement (ISA) in which the student agrees to pay a percentage of future income, for a specified period of time, in exchange for funds to pay for postsecondary education, workforce development, or other purposes. 
 
An ISA that complies with specified terms and conditions and meets certain disclosure requirements is a valid, binding, and enforceable contract and is not subject to state laws that limit interest rates or regulate assignments of future income. 
 
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to include an ISA as a qualified education loan (a qualified education loan is not dischargeable in bankruptcy), but it prohibits a tax deduction for interest paid on an ISA (interest paid on a qualified education loan is tax deductible). 
 
Payments to a student under an ISA are not includible as: (1) gross income for tax purposes, or (2) income or assets for federal financial aid eligibility purposes under the Higher Education Act of 1965. 
 
The bill amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to exclude as an investment company any person whose business substantially consists of making ISAs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-270
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget process
Employee benefits and pensions
Executive agency funding and structure
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Legislative rules and procedure
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 

Pension and Budget Integrity Act of 2017

 
This bill prohibits provisions that increase or extend an increase of Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums from being counted as an offset to determine budget points of order for legislation in the House or the Senate. 
 
(The PBGC is a federal agency that insures the benefits of private sector, defined benefit pension plans. The PBGC is financed by insurance premiums paid by sponsors of the plans, investment income, assets from pension plans taken over by the PBGC, and recoveries from the companies formerly responsible for the plans. This bill prevents increases in PBGC premiums from being used to pay for provisions that increase the deficit in determining whether a budget point of order applies to legislation.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Build USA Infrastructure Act

Bill: 115-s-271
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Customs enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
Government trust funds
Intergovernmental relations
Roads and highways
State and local finance
Tariffs
Transportation programs funding
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 

Build USA Infrastructure Act

 
This bill requires, for the five-year period beginning on October 1, 2020, the deposit of the first $21.4 billion of revenues collected by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security into the Highway Trust Fund (HTF).
 
A state may enter into a state remittance agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), for a period of three years or longer, under which:
 
 
it agrees to remit to the FHWA at least 60% of federal funds the state receives during each year of the agreement for federal-aid highway activities under the national highway performance program and the surface transportation block grant program;
 
the FHWA agrees to provide the state with funds equal to 90% of the amount the state remitted to the FHWA; and 
 
the state agrees to use those funds to carry out core infrastructure projects in accordance with provisions that authorize the state to determine whether it is in compliance with federal project requirements regarding environmental approvals and permits, the use of only steel, iron, and manufactured products produced in the United States, project development and construction, preapproval for preventative maintenance, project agreements and modifications to such agreements, and consultant procurement services.
 
 
The FHWA shall deposit ten percent of state-remitted funds into the HTF.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening American Transportation Security Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-272
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Transportation
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Labor-management relations
Transportation safety and security
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 

Strengthening American Transportation Security Act of 2017

 
This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the personnel system used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides insufficient workplace protections for its workforce and such personnel should be entitled to protections under the civil service system applicable to all federal employees.
 
The bill repeals personnel authorities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation governing the conditions of employment for TSA employees, thus making TSA employees subject to the personnel management system applicable to all other federal employees. 
 
Within 60 days after the enactment of this bill or an earlier date set by DHS: (1) all TSA personnel management policies, directives, letters, and guidelines and any DHS human resources management system shall cease to be effective with respect to TSA employees; and (2) TSA employees shall become subject to labor provisions applicable to other federal transportation employees. 
 
The bill sets forth transition rules that protect the pay rates and other rights of TSA employees. DHS shall consult with the labor organization certified by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to carry out the conversion of TSA employees and positions to the civil service system. 
 
The provisions of this bill do not affect the prohibitions against disloyalty and asserting the right to strike against the federal government.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Greater Sage-Grouse Protection and Recovery Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-273
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Birds
Congressional oversight
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 

Greater Sage Grouse Protection and Recovery Act of 201

7

 
This bill addresses the October 2, 2015, finding of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that the greater sage grouse is not an endangered or threatened species. Until September 30, 2027, the USFWS may not modify or invalidate the finding. 
 
Additionally, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA)are prohibited from amending any federal resource management plans that affect the greater sage grouse in a state in which the governor has notified Interior or USDA that a state management plan is in place.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to nullify the effect of the recent executive order that temporarily restricted individuals from certain countries from entering the United States.

Bill: 115-s-274
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2017-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Africa
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Immigration status and procedures
Iran
Iraq
Libya
Middle East
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports
Yemen

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: 
This bill rescinds the provisions of Executive Order 13769, entitled &quot;Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,&quot; effective as of January 27, 2017. Among the order's major provisions are restrictions on the entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants from seven countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) and additional limitations on refugee admissions to the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 7.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Agricultural Export Expansion Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-275
Sponsor: Sen. Heitkamp, Heidi [D-ND]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Agricultural trade
Caribbean area
Cuba
Latin America
Sanctions
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Agricultural Export Expansion Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to permit a person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to provide payment or financing for sales of agricultural commodities to Cuba or to an individual or entity in Cuba. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Judicial Administration and Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-276
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Alaska
Arizona
California
Federal appellate courts
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Judges
Judicial procedure and administration
Montana
Nevada
Northern Mariana Islands
Oregon
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Judicial Administration and Improvement Act of
 
2017

 
This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into: (1) a new Ninth Circuit, to be composed of California, Hawaii, Oregon, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands; and (2) a newly established Twelfth Circuit, to be composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Washington.
 
Precedent from the former Ninth Circuit shall not be binding on the Twelfth Circuit. 
 
The bill designates locations where the new circuits are to hold regular sessions. 
 
The bill distributes active circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to the new circuits. Circuit judges and senior circuit judges currently stationed in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, or Washington may elect their circuit assignment. For each circuit judge in regular service who elects to be assigned to the new Ninth Circuit, the President shall appoint one additional circuit judge for the Twelfth Circuit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S657)
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate