hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Improving Access to Maternity Care Act

Bill: 115-s-783
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Medical education
Sex and reproductive health
Student aid and college costs
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Improving Access to Maternity Care Act

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to identify maternity care health professional target areas, which are areas within health professional shortage areas that have a shortage of maternity care health professionals, for purposes of assigning maternity care health professionals to those areas.
 HRSA must collect and publish data comparing the availability of and need for maternity care health services in health professional shortage areas and areas within those areas.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-784
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability assistance
Inflation and prices
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2017, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.
 
Each such increase shall be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-299.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Act

Bill: 115-s-785
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Alaska
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Indian claims
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act

 
 This bill amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to revise provisions regarding land allotments for Alaska Native Vietnam veterans. Eligibility is expanded to include all Alaska Native veterans who served between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975.
 
Allotments may be selected from vacant federal lands or lands that have been selected or conveyed to the state of Alaska or an Alaska Native corporation, if the state or corporation relinquishes or conveys the land to the United States for allotment. Land may not be selected from: (1) the right-of-way of the TransAlaska Pipeline; (2) the inner or outer corridor of that right-of-way; or (3) a unit of the National Park System, a National Preserve, or a National Monument. 
 
 An heir of a deceased eligible veteran, regardless of the cause of death, may apply for and receive an allotment.
 
 Alaska Native Vietnam veterans who selected an allotment of land before enactment of this bill and who were not conveyed the allotment before the enactment of this bill may reselect land. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-12-20
text: By Senator Murkowski from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 115-451. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2018-12-20
text: By Senator Murkowski from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 115-451. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2018-12-04
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 710.
action_date: 2018-12-04
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-12-04
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-10-02
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-07-26
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-482.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Student and Student Athlete Opioid Misuse Prevention Act

Bill: 115-s-786
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Athletes
Child health
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Prescription drugs
School athletics

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Student and Student Athlete Opioid Misuse Prevention Act

 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support programs for schools, athletic programs, or communities to prevent prescription drug misuse and addiction related to opioids and other medications for pain or injury recovery. SAMHSA must report annually on federal programs to prevent pain medication misuse and addiction.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-787
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill amends titles XI (General Provisions) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish: (1) a telehealth service model, and (2) Medicare payment rules with respect to certain services tested under the model.
 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall test Medicare coverage of expanded telehealth services, as defined by the bill, in conjunction with existing models that test the use of accountable care organizations, bundled payments, and other coordinated care models under Medicare. CMS must: (1) establish a methodology for determining the amounts of payment for such services, and (2) provide for evaluations of the service model by an independent entity.
 
CMS shall expand the application of a service tested under the model if: (1) the required evaluation demonstrates that the service either reduced Medicare spending without reducing the quality of care or improved the quality of care without increasing spending, and (2) the Chief Actuary of CMS certifies that such expansion would reduce net program spending. A service that meets these requirements is defined by the bill as a "certified enhanced telehealth service."
 
Medicare payment for a certified enhanced telehealth service shall equal 80% of the lesser of: (1) the actual charge for the service, or (2) the amount determined using the payment methodology established under the test model. 
 
CMS shall pay for such services without regard to a Medicare beneficiary's location or area of residence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-789
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Arkansas
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Louisiana
Texas
Trade restrictions
Water use and supply
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Lacey Act and the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 by exempting certain water transfers between public water supplies located on, along, or across the boundaries of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana from prohibitions on illegal trade of plants and wildlife. Specifically, the prohibitions do not apply to covered water transfers containing a prohibited species if: (1) the species are present in both public water supplies before the transfer and the water is transferred directly between them; or (2) the water is transferred in a closed conveyance system (a closed system that collects, contains, and transports the flow of water, such as pipe systems) and sent directly to treatment facilities where the species will be destroyed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Innovation for Tomorrow's Workforce Act

Bill: 115-s-790
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Employment and training programs
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Innovation for Tomorrow's Workforce Act

 
This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to authorize the Department of Education (ED) to award early-phase, mid-phase, or expansion grants to eligible entities, including local educational agencies and area career and technical education (CTE) schools, to: 
 
 
create, develop, implement, or take to scale evidence-based, field initiated innovations, including through a pay for success initiative to improve CTE student outcomes; and 
 
evaluate such innovations rigorously. 
 
 
Funding under the Act may be used by eligible agencies for state leadership activities and by eligible recipients for local uses to support CTE programs to:
 
 
 make all forms of instructional content widely available, which may include the use of open educational resources; and
 
support pay for success initiatives. 
 
 
Funding under the Act may also be used by eligible agencies for state leadership activities to provide or support work-based learning opportunities for students, which may include employer-led training resulting in recognized credential and apprenticeship programs for such students. Funds received for local use shall be used for such activities.
 
ED and the Department of Labor may carry out joint experimental, research, pilot, or demonstration projects regarding integrated, aligned, coordinated, and effective CTE and workforce education and training programs in order to address employment and training needs. The independent assessment of career and technical education programs required under such Act is expanded to include an evaluation of the effectiveness of such projects.
 
Funding under the Act may be used by eligible agencies for local uses to expand opportunities for students to participate in competency-based education programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-792
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign labor
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Immigration status and procedures
Temporary and part-time employment
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to declare that, effective as if enacted on January 1, 2017, a returning H-2B visa alien (temporary nonagricultural worker) who has already been counted toward the applicable numerical limitation shall: 
 
 
 not again be counted toward that limitation during the fiscal year, but shall be considered a returning worker; or 
 
shall be counted again toward the limitation if the alien departs the United States for a period longer than one year, was not counted toward the limitation in any of the three most recent fiscal years, or violated his or her status during the authorized period of stay.
 
 
 &quot;Other temporary service or labor&quot; for H-2B purposes means that an employer's labor need will last: (1) at most 1 year if peak load or intermittent, unless it is a one-time occurrence not to exceed 3 years; or (2) not to exceed 10 months if the employer's need is seasonal.
 
 An H-2B employer shall file an employee petition with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which shall have exclusive authority to issue rules and final determinations for the H-2B visa program. 
 
 H-2B employer requirements are set forth regarding: (1) petitions, (2) admissions and maximum stay in status, (3) housing, (4) enforcement, (5) transportation, (6) recruitment, (7) U.S. worker protections, (8) wages, and (9) absconding workers.
 
 DHS shall consult with the Department of State to develop an electronic notification system to notify the latter within 48 hours after an H-2B petition's final approval. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-793
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Civil actions and liability
Fishes
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act of 2017

 
This bill makes it illegal to possess, buy, sell, or transport shark fins or any product containing shark fins. A person may possess a shark fin that was lawfully taken consistent with a license or permit under certain circumstances.
 
Penalties are imposed for violations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.The maximum civil penalty for each violation shall be $100,000, or the fair market value of the shark fins involved, whichever is greater.

action_date: 2018-11-27
text: 

Shark Fin Trade Elimination Act of 2017

 
This bill makes it illegal to possess, buy, sell, or transport shark fins or any product containing shark fins, except for certain dogfish fins. A person may possess a shark fin that was lawfully taken consistent with a license or permit under certain circumstances.
 
Penalties are imposed for violations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.The maximum civil penalty for each violation shall be $100,000, or the fair market value of the shark fins involved, whichever is greater.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-11-27
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 675.
action_date: 2018-11-27
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-388.
action_date: 2018-11-27
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-388.
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Local Coverage Determination Clarification Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-794
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Department of Health and Human Services
Government information and archives
Medicare
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Local Coverage Determination Clarification Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the process by which Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) issue and reconsider local coverage determinations (LCDs) that: (1) are new, (2) restrict or substantively revise existing LCDs, or (3) are otherwise specified in regulation. (MACs are private insurers that process Medicare claims within specified geographic areas.)
 
Before such an LCD may take effect, the MAC issuing the determination must, with respect to each geographic area to which the determination applies:
 
 
publish online a proposed version of the determination and other specified, related information; 
 
convene one or more public meetings to review the draft determination, receive comments, and secure the advice of an expert panel; 
 
post online a record of the minutes from each such meeting; 
 
provide a period for submission of written public comments; and 
 
post online specified information related to the rationale for the final determination.

 
Upon the filing of an applicable request by an interested party with regard to the reconsideration of a specified LCD, the MAC that issued the determination shall:
 
 
provide specified information related to whether the determination failed to correctly apply qualifying relevant evidence, exceeds the scope of its intended purpose, fails to apply as intended, or is otherwise erroneous; 
 
preserve the determination, modify the determination, or rescind the determination in part; and 
 
make publicly available a written description of such action.

 
An interested party may appeal a reconsideration decision to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
 
The CMS shall appoint a Medicare Reviews and Appeals Ombudsman to carry out specified duties with regard to LCDs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Workforce Advance Act

Bill: 115-s-795
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Higher education
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Workforce Advance Act

 
This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to include dual or concurrent enrollment and early college high school options as part of the Act's supported career technical education (CTE) programs. (Dual and concurrent enrollment programs and early college courses allow students to earn college credit while still in high school.)
 
The bill allows: (1) schools to use a portion of funding received under the Act for tuition and fees for CTE college courses, and (2) school districts to use such funding to support educators pursuing the credentials they need to teach these courses in their high schools.
 
The Department of Education may include in its demonstration and dissemination of best practices information on CTE programs methods and techniques for providing and integrating dual or concurrent enrollment, early college high schools, pre-apprenticeship programs, and other opportunities for secondary students to earn postsecondary education credit in CTE programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Employer Participation in Repayment Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-796
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Employer Participation in Repayment Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance to include an employer's payments to an employee or lender for the principal or interest on any qualified education loan incurred by an employee.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Permanence Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-797
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Government information and archives
Poverty and welfare assistance
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Permanence Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to establish a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program to provide matching funds for the development, expansion, or continuation of tax preparation programs to assist low-income taxpayers and members of underserved populations. 
 
The program must be substantially similar to the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance matching grants demonstration program established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008. 
 
Unless otherwise provided by a specific appropriation, the IRS may not allocate more than $30 million per fiscal year (exclusive of costs of administering the program) for the program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Yellow Ribbon Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-798
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2017-03-30 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: 
 
Yellow Ribbon Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill revises the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program (public-private contributions for educational assistance in addition to post-9/11 educational assistance) to make such program available to: (1) the spouse or child of a service member who, on or after after September 11, 2001, dies in the line of duty while serving on active duty (Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry scholarship recipients); and (2) a service member or veteran who serves at least 36 months on active duty beginning on or after such date.
 
The bill provides educational assistance to individuals pursuing a degree while on active duty on more than, or less than, a half-time basis. 
 
The program permits colleges and universities to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to cover a portion of certain higher education expenses, which shall be matched by the VA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-215.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Introduced in Senate