hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Investing in Opportunity Act

Bill: 115-s-293
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Capital gains tax
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Financial services and investments
Income tax credits
Income tax deferral
Income tax exclusion
Income tax rates
Securities
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Investing in Opportunity Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the designation of opportunity zones in low-income communities and to provide tax incentives for investments in the zones, including deferring the recognition of capital gains that are reinvested in the zones. 
 
Governors may submit nominations for a limited number of opportunity zones to the Department of the Treasury for certification and designation. Governors must give particular consideration to areas that: 
 
 
 are currently the focus of mutually reinforcing state, local, or private economic development initiatives to attract investment and foster startup activity; 
 
 have demonstrated success in geographically targeted development programs such as promise zones, the new markets tax credit, empowerment zones, and renewal communities; and 
 
 have recently experienced significant layoffs due to business closures or relocations. 
 
 
Treasury must designate zones if a governor fails to submit nominations within a specified period of time. 
 
An &quot;opportunity fund&quot; is any investment vehicle organized as a corporation or a partnership to invest in opportunity zones that holds at least 90% of its assets in opportunity zone assets. 
 
Taxpayers may temporarily defer the recognition of capital gains that are invested in opportunity zones. Investments in opportunity zones or opportunity funds that are held for at least five years are eligible for capital gains tax reductions or exemptions, depending on how long the investment is held. 
 
Treasury must report to Congress on the opportunity zone incentives enacted in this bill, including an assessment of opportunity fund investments at the national and state levels. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-03
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-294
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exempt traditional large and premium cigars from regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and from user fees assessed on tobacco products by the FDA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Circuit Court of Appeals Restructuring and Modernization Act

Bill: 115-s-295
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
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: 

Circuit Court of Appeals Restructuring and Modernization Act

 
This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into: (1) a new Ninth Circuit, to be composed of California, Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Mariana Islands; and (2) a newly established Twelfth Circuit, to be composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
 
The President must appoint five additional judges for the new Ninth Circuit and two additional temporary judges for the former Ninth Circuit. 
 
The bill designates the locations where the new circuits are to hold regular sessions. 
 
The Circuit Executive and the Clerk of the Court of the Twelfth Circuit shall be located in Phoenix, Arizona.
 
The bill distributes active circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to the new circuits. Senior circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit may elect their circuit assignment. 
 
The bill authorizes the temporary assignment of circuit and district judges of the former Ninth Circuit between the new circuits. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Courts of Appeals Modernization Act

Bill: 115-s-296
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Federal appellate courts
Government studies and investigations
Judicial procedure and administration

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Federal Courts of Appeals Modernization Act

 
This bill establishes a Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals to: (1) study the present division of the U.S. courts of appeals, with particular references to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and (2) submit to the President and Congress recommendations for changes in circuit boundaries or structure for the expeditious and effective disposition of the caseload of such courts.
 
The commission shall be composed of five members appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act

Bill: 115-s-297
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Government studies and investigations
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Licensing and registrations
Prescription drugs
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Increasing Competition in Pharmaceuticals Act

 
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise provisions regarding review and approval of generic drug applications or supplements to generic drug applications for drugs: (1) for which there is a shortage, or (2) that have not been recently introduced to the market by more than one manufacturer and for which tentative approval has not been granted to more than two applications.
 
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must prioritize the review of such submissions and act on them within 150 days. User fees are waived for such an application unless the drug is under patent. The FDA may expedite the inspection of a facility proposed to manufacture such a drug.
 
The FDA must award a transferrable generic drug priority review voucher to the sponsor of such an application upon approval. A voucher may be used to have the FDA review and take action upon a generic drug application within 150 days of submission. The FDA may revoke a voucher awarded for a drug that is not marketed within one year of approval. This voucher program is terminated at the end of FY2022.
 
The FDA must periodically report on generic drug applications filed before FY2016 that are still pending.
 
For a new drug application to be eligible for a priority review voucher as a tropical disease product application, the application must include new, essential clinical investigations.
 The Government Accountability Office must study the FDA's program for drug risk evaluation and mitigation strategies.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act

Bill: 115-s-298
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional elections
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government information and archives
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act

 
 This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require Senate candidates to file designations, statements, and reports directly with the Federal Election Commission, instead of with the Senate as currently required.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Agency Accountability Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-299
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Intellectual property
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Agency Accountability Act of 2017

 
This bill requires any agency that receives a fee, fine, penalty, or proceeds from a settlement to deposit the amount in the general fund of the Treasury. 
 
The funds may not be used unless the funding is provided in advance in an appropriations bill. Any amounts deposited during the fiscal year in which this bill is enacted may not be obligated during the fiscal year and must be used for deficit reduction. 
 
The bill includes an exception for funds to be paid to an individual entitled to receive the funds as a whistle-blower, including funds received as a percentage of amounts received by the government pursuant to a judgment or settlement agreement.
 
The bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require offsetting receipts and collections to be treated as revenue. (Offsetting receipts and collections are funds collected by agencies from other government accounts or from the public in businesslike or market-oriented transactions. Under current law, the collections are treated as negative budget authority and outlays rather than revenue and may be used to offset spending for budget enforcement purposes.) 
 
The requirements of the bill do not apply to the U.S. Postal Service or the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the USPTO must submit annually to Congress a report describing any fee, fine, penalty, or proceeds from a settlement collected by the USPTO during the previous year. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Sunlight for Unaccountable Non-profits (SUN) Act

Bill: 115-s-300
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government information and archives
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Sunlight for Unaccountable Non-profits (SUN) Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require: (1) the annual tax return information for tax-exempt organizations and deferred compensation plans to be made available to the public at no charge and in an open structured data format that is processable by computers, with the information easy to find, access, reuse, and download in bulk; and (2) the disclosure of the names and addresses of contributors of $5,000 or more to tax-exempt organizations that participate or intervene in political campaigns on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Conscience Protection Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-301
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Civil actions and liability
Disability and health-based discrimination
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Medical education
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Conscience Protection Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to codify the prohibition against the federal government and state and local governments that receive federal financial assistance for health-related activities penalizing or discriminating against a health care provider based on the provider's refusal to be involved in, or provide coverage for, abortion. Health care providers include health care professionals, health care facilities, social services providers, health care professional training programs, and health insurers.
 
The Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), must investigate complaints alleging discrimination based on an individual's religious belief, moral conviction, or refusal to be involved in an abortion.
 DOJ or any entity adversely affected by such discrimination may obtain equitable or legal relief in a civil action. Administrative remedies do not need to be sought or exhausted prior to commencing an action or granting relief. Such an action may be brought against a governmental entity.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to discontinue a Federal program that authorizes State and local law enforcement officers to investigate, apprehend, and detain aliens in accordance with a written agreement with the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and to clarify that immigration enforcement is solely a function of the Federal Government.

Bill: 115-s-303
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Citizenship and naturalization
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Homeland Security
Detention of persons
Immigration status and procedures
Intergovernmental relations
Law enforcement officers
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that the authority to inquire about or verify immigration or citizenship status and to investigate, apprehend, arrest, or detain an individual for a violation of such Act is restricted to immigration officers and authorized employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and subject to limits set forth in other provisions of law. 
 
DHS authority to enter into written agreements with a state or state subdivision to perform immigration-related investigations, apprehensions, or detentions of aliens in the United States is eliminated. The bill exempts from the restriction under this bill DOJ authority to enter into other state and local agreements: (1) in the event of an actual or imminent mass influx of aliens representing urgent circumstances; and (2) with respect to immigration-related detentions in non-federal facilities, including personnel and facilities construction. The bill also exempts from such restriction state and local enforcement authority to arrest and detain certain previously-deported illegal aliens who have been convicted of a felony.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act

Bill: 115-s-304
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Congressional oversight
Federal-Indian relations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Indian social and development programs
Minority health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act

 
This bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to permit the Indian Health Service (IHS) to pay copayments owed to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by Indian veterans for medical services authorized under the Purchased/Referred Care program and administered at a VA facility.
 
The IHS, the VA, and tribal health programs, in consultation with impacted tribes, must enter into a memorandum of understanding that authorizes the IHS or a tribal health program to pay such copayments unless it would decrease the quality of, or access to, health care for individuals receiving care from the IHS or the VA.
 The IHS and the VA must report on veterans who are eligible for IHS assistance and have received care from the VA.
action_date: 2017-06-15
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Tribal Veterans Health Care Enhancement Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to permit the Indian Health Service (IHS) to pay copayments owed to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by Indian veterans for medical services authorized under the Purchased/Referred Care program and administered at a VA facility.
 
(Sec. 3) The IHS, the VA, and tribal health programs, in consultation with impacted tribes, must enter into a memorandum of understanding that authorizes the IHS or a tribal health program to pay such copayments unless it would decrease the quality of, or access to, health care for individuals receiving care from the IHS or the VA.
 The IHS and the VA must report on veterans who are eligible for IHS assistance and have received care from the VA.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-15
text: An errata sheet on written report No. 115-112 was printed.
action_date: 2017-06-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 149.
action_date: 2017-06-15
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven without amendment. With written report No. 115-112. Minority views filed.
action_date: 2017-06-15
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven without amendment. With written report No. 115-112. Minority views filed.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act

Bill: 115-s-306
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2017-02-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget process
Financial crises and stabilization
Homeland security
Performance measurement
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 

Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act 

 
This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require biennial budget resolutions, appropriations bills, and government strategic and performance plans, instead of the annual budget process required under current law. 
 
The bill specifies that budget biennium is the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year. The Office of Management and Budget must report to Congress on the impact and feasibility of changing the definition of a fiscal year and the budget process based on that definition to a two-year fiscal period. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Defense Emergency Response Capabilities Database Enhancement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-307
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-02-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Government information and archives
Military civil functions
Military readiness
National Guard and reserves
Natural disasters
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 

Department of Defense Emergency Response Capabilities Database Enhancement Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 to require the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish and maintain within one year a database of DOD emergency response capabilities that includes the cyber capabilities of the reserves and the National Guard of each state and territory that are important to national security and for response to domestic natural or man made disasters. 
 
DOD may use or modify a current database or tracking system if that will expedite and achieve compliance at a cost not greater than the cost of establishing a new database. 
 
DOD shall identify and revise the database information at least once every two years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Provider Payment Sunshine Act

Bill: 115-s-308
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-02-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Business records
Government information and archives
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicaid
Medical ethics
Medicare
Nursing

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 

Provider Payment Sunshine Act

 
This bill amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to expand reporting requirements related to the transparency of physician ownership or investment interests.
 
Under current law, a manufacturer of drugs, devices, or medical supplies that are covered under Medicaid or Medicare must regularly report on any payment or transfer of value by the manufacturer to a &ldquo;covered recipient,&rdquo; defined as either a physician who is not an employee of the manufacturer or a teaching hospital. The bill expands the definition of &ldquo;covered recipient&rdquo; to also include any of the following practitioners who is not an employee of the manufacturer: (1) a physician assistant, (2) a nurse practitioner, (3) a clinical nurse specialist, (4) certified registered nurse anesthetist, or (5) a certified nurse-midwife.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in Senate