hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-152
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability and paralysis
Employee performance
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Evidence and witnesses
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Merit Systems Protection Board
Office of Special Counsel
Transportation costs
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

VA Accountability
 
First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct. The VA may remove such individual from the civil service or demote the individual through a reduction in grade or annual pay rate. 
 
 A demoted individual shall not be placed on administrative leave or any other category of paid leave during the appeals period and can receive pay only if he or she reports for duty.
 
The bill: (1) establishes an expedited appeals process by the Merit Systems Protection Board, (2) amends the disability benefits appeals process, (3) prescribes restrictions on the VA's authority to remove or demote an employee, and (4) establishes whistleblower protections. 
 
 The VA shall reduce the federal annuity of an individual removed from the VA Senior Executive Service (SES) who is convicted of a felony that influenced his or her performance while employed in such position.
 
The VA may reduce the federal annuity of an individual who was convicted of such a felony and was subject to removal or transfer from the SES but who left the VA before final action was taken. 
 
 The VA may recoup an award, a bonus, or relocation expenses paid to a VA employee under specified circumstances.
 
 The VA may suspend, reprimand or admonish an SES employee for misconduct or performance that does not merit removal. Appeals may be made to the Senior Executive Disciplinary Appeals Board (as provided for by this bill). 
 
The bill amends the disability benefits appeals process.
 
 The bill prohibits payment of an award or bonus to any SES employee during each of FY2017-FY2021.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Ensuring the Reliability of Our Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Act

Bill: 115-s-153
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Atmospheric science and weather
Aviation and airports
Natural disasters

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Ensuring the Reliability of Our Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Act

 
This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to maintain secondary backup capability for each class of hurricane reconnaissance, research, surveillance, and response aircraft sufficient to prevent a single point of failure. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Relief From Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-154
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Small business
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Small Business Relief from Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Small Business Act to expand the definition of a &quot;disaster&quot; for which the Small Business Administration may provide disaster loans to small business concerns to include communicable diseases for which the federal government issues a travel alert or travel warning.
 

action_date: 2017-08-02
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Small Business Relief from Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2017

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Act to expand the definition of a &quot;disaster&quot; for which the Small Business Administration may provide disaster loans to small business concerns to include communicable diseases for which the federal government issues a travel alert or travel warning.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-02
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 194.
action_date: 2017-08-02
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-08-02
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-08-02
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
RAISE Act

Bill: 115-s-155
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Employment discrimination and employee rights
Labor-management relations
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Rewarding Achievement and Incentivizing Successful Employees Act or the RAISE Act
 
 
This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act to allow an employer to pay an employee higher wages, pay, or other compensation than provided for in a collective bargaining agreement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to implement security measures in the electronic tax return filing process to prevent tax refund fraud from being perpetrated with electronic identity theft.

Bill: 115-s-156
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 
This bill directs the Internal Revenue Service to implement security measures, including the use of security questions, in the electronic tax return filing process to prevent tax refund fraud from being perpetrated through electronic identity theft. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Seniors' Tax Simplification Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-157
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Aging
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Seniors' Tax Simplification Act of 2017 

 
This bill directs the Internal Revenue Service to make available to taxpayers who have turned age 65 at the close of the taxable year a new federal income tax Form 1040SR (similar to the existing Form 1040EZ). Such taxpayers can use this new form even if their income includes: (1) Social Security benefits; (2) distributions from qualified retirement plans, annuities, or other such deferred payment arrangements; (3) interest and dividends; or (4) capital gains and losses.
 
The form must be available without regard to the amount of any item of taxable income or the total amount of taxable income for the taxable year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Let Seniors Work Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-158
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Employment taxes
Social security and elderly assistance
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Let Seniors Work Act of 2017 

 
This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate the federal payroll tax with respect to the earnings of an individual who has attained retirement age, and (2) remove limitations on the amount of outside income that an OASDI beneficiary may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Firearms Manufacturers and Dealers Protection Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-159
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Credit and credit markets
Firearms and explosives
Manufacturing
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Firearms Manufacturers and Dealers Protection Act of 2017

 
This bill prohibits the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Department of Justice, or any other federal agency from using funds to carry out Operation Choke Point or any other program designed to discourage financial institutions from providing credit to, or processing payments for, dealers and manufacturers of firearms and ammunition.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
HUD Inspection Process and Enforcement Reform Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-160
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Employee performance
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Housing and community development funding
Housing industry and standards
Low- and moderate-income housing
Merit Systems Protection Board

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

HUD Inspection Process and Enforcement Reform Act of 2017

 
This bill allows the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to remove certain HUD employees from civil service or to reduce their grade or pay for misconduct or performance. HUD employees may challenge a removal or reduction in grade or pay by filing an appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board. 
 
This bill amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require an entity receiving section 8 housing assistance payments under a payment contract to: (1) maintain decent, safe, and sanitary conditions for dwelling units covered under such payment contract; and (2) comply with any standards under applicable state or local laws, rules, ordinances, or regulations relating to the physical condition of the dwelling units. HUD must, under certain conditions, take enforcement actions for violations of dwelling-unit physical condition standards.
 
HUD may provide tenant-based assistance for dwelling units covered under a section 8 payment contract if: (1) the dwelling units' owner has received a Notice of Default; or (2) the units pose an imminent health and safety risk to tenants. A Notice of Default cites deficiencies in the physical condition of a section 8 dwelling unit and provides a specified period of time for correction of such deficiencies. 
 
HUD must issue a publicly available report on its website regarding Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) inspections of all properties assisted, insured, or both, under a HUD program.
 
The Government Accountability Office must issue a report on its website regarding such REAC inspection areas that should be reformed and improved.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Hurricane Forecast Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-161
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Atmospheric science and weather
Natural disasters
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Hurricane Forecast Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to maintain a project to improve hurricane forecasting. The project's goal is to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts and warnings in order to reduce loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy, with a focus on: (1) improving the prediction of rapid intensification and track of hurricanes, (2) improving the forecast and communication of storm surges from hurricanes, and (3) incorporating risk communication research to create more effective watch and warning products.
 
 NOAA must develop a plan for that project that details the specific research, development, and technology transfer activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to achieve that goal.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Presidential Innovation Fellows Program Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-163
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
General Services Administration
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Public-private cooperation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Presidential Innovation Fellows Program Act of 2017

 
This bill establishes in the General Services Administration (GSA) the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program to enable exceptional individuals with proven track records to serve time-limited appointments in executive agencies as Presidential Innovation Fellows to address some of the most significant challenges facing the United States and improve federal efforts that would particularly benefit from expertise using innovative techniques and technology. The functions of the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program established pursuant to Executive Order 13704, as in existence on the day before enactment of this bill, shall be functions of the program established by this bill.
 
The program shall be administered by a Director, who shall be appointed by the GSA. The director shall appoint such fellows and facilitate their placement in projects that have the potential for significant positive effects and are consistent with the President's goals. 
 
Each agency shall: (1) work with the director and the program advisory board to attempt to maximize program benefits to the agency and the government, including by identifying initiatives that will have a meaningful effect on the people served and that will benefit from involvement by a fellow; and (2) ensure that each fellow placed at the agency works closely with a responsible senior official.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the final rules relating to the listing of the gray wolf in the Western Great Lakes and the State of Wyoming under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Bill: 115-s-164
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of the Interior
Endangered and threatened species
Judicial review and appeals
Mammals
Michigan
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 
This bill requires the Department of the Interior to reissue two rules that removed protections under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 for the gray wolf populations located in Wyoming and the western Great Lakes (all of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, as well as portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio). In addition, this bill prohibits judicial review of the reissued rules.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Caregiver Program Information Dissemination Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-165
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Government information and archives
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Caregiver Program Information Dissemination Act of 2017

 
This bill requires pre-separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces to include a description of Department of Veterans Affairs family caregiver assistance and support services, including information about covered veterans, eligible caregivers, and program assistance and support.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Muhammad Ali Commemorative Coin Act

Bill: 115-s-166
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Athletes
Currency
Professional sports

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Muhammad Ali Commemorative Coin Act

 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative coins that emblemize the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali. 
 
Surcharges received from the sale of these coins shall be paid to: (1) the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky; (2) the Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of Louisville; and (3) the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and Movement Disorder Clinic.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Countering Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israel Activities at the United Nations Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-169
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Israel
Middle East
Palestinians
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Terrorism
United Nations
West Bank

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Countering Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israel Activities at the United Nations Act of 2017
 
 
This bill requires the President to direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (U.N.) to use U.S. influence at the U.N. to work toward reducing anti-Semitism in the U.N., including among its employees and its specialized agencies, programs, and funds.
 
The bill withholds funding for: 
 
 
 the U.N. and affiliated agencies until the President certifies that no U.N. agency or affiliated agency grants any official status, accreditation, or recognition to an organization that promotes or condones anti-Semitism; and 
 
the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for programs in the West Bank and Gaza until the Department of State certifies that no official, employee, consultant, contractor, representative, or affiliate of UNRWA is a member of Hamas or any U.S.-designated terrorist group and that no UNRWA school, hospital, facility, or resource is being used by Hamas or an affiliated group.
 
 
The bill reduces funding for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and prohibits the United States from running for a seat on UNHRC until the State Department certifies that UNHRC does not include a permanent item related to Israel or the Palestinian territories.
 
The bill states that it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) reject the premise in U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334 that Israel's establishment of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 constitutes a violation of international law, and (2) prohibit U.S. funding for any U.N. entity that attempts to enforce resolution 2334. 
 
The bill requires reports on: (1) U.S. contributions to countries seeking to implement resolution 2334, (2) U.N. voting practices, and (3) anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activity at the U.N.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Combating BDS Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-170
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Israel
Middle East
Sanctions
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Trade restrictions
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Combating BDS Act of 2017

 
This bill allows a state or local government to adopt and enforce measures to divest its assets from, prohibit investment of its assets in, or restrict contracting with: (1) an entity that engages in a commerce- or investment-related boycott, divestment, or sanctions activity targeting Israel; or (2) an entity that owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with such an entity. Such measures are not preempted by federal law. A state or local government that seeks to adopt or enforce such measures shall comply with specified requirements related to notice, timing, and opportunity for comment.
 
In addition, the bill amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to prohibit a person from bringing any civil, criminal, or administrative action against a registered investment company based solely upon that company's divestment from securities issued by a person that engages in a commerce- or investment-related boycott, divestment, or sanctions activity targeting Israel.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate