hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
PLUS Act

Bill: 115-s-702
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2017-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Labor-management relations
Legal fees and court costs
Marine and inland water transportation
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Transportation employees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-22
text: 

Preventing Labor Union Slowdowns Act of 2017 or the PLUS Act

 
This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it an unlawful labor practice for a labor organization or its agents while representing, or seeking to represent, employees engaged in maritime employment to engage in a labor slowdown at any time, including when a collective-bargaining agreement is in effect.
 
The bill amends the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 to allow a party injured by a labor slowdown to recover two times the amount of damages sustained and reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Wichita Project Equus Beds Division Authorization Extension Act

Bill: 115-s-703
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2017-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Kansas
Lakes and rivers
Water resources funding
Water storage
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-22
text: 

Wichita Project Equus Beds Division Authorization Extension Act

 
This bill amends the Wichita Project Equus Beds Division Authorization Act of 2005 to extend for ten years the authority of the Department of the Interior to carry out the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project, Kansas.

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.)
 

Wichita Project Equus Beds Division Authorization Extension Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Wichita Project Equus Beds Division Authorization Act of 2005 to extend for ten years the authority of the Department of the Interior to carry out the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project, Kansas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 132.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-102.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-102.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Sinai Service Recognition Act

Bill: 115-s-704
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2017-03-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Egypt
Employment taxes
Income tax exclusion
Marriage and family status
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Sales and excise taxes
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Telephone and wireless communication
Transfer and inheritance taxes
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: 

Sinai Service Recognition Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a qualified hazardous duty area to be treated in the same manner as a combat zone for certain tax provisions. 
 
A &quot;qualified hazardous duty area&quot; is the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt if a member of the Armed Forces performs services in such location that qualify for special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger. 
 
The requirement applies to specified tax provisions relating to: 
 
 
 the special rule where a deceased spouse was in missing status;
 
 the exclusion from gross income of certain combat pay of members of the Armed Forces; 
 
 income taxes of members of the Armed Forces on death; 
 
 combat zone-related deaths of members of the Armed Forces;
 
 the definition of wages relating to combat pay for members of the Armed Forces; 
 
 the taxation of phone service originating from a combat zone from members of the Armed Forces;
 
 joint tax returns where an individual is in missing status; and 
 
 additional time for individuals serving in combat zones to file returns, pay taxes, and perform other specified acts. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1975)
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Child Protection Improvements Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-705
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-03-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Adult day care
Aging
Child care and development
Child safety and welfare
Crimes against children
Criminal justice information and records
Disability and paralysis
Personnel records
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: 

Child Protection Improvements Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to direct the Department of Justice to establish a program to provide national criminal history background checks and criminal history reviews for individuals who apply to work or volunteer at organizations that serve children, elderly adults, or individuals with disabilities. 

action_date: 2017-09-11
text: 

Child Protection Improvements Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to direct the Department of Justice to establish a program to provide national criminal history background checks and criminal history reviews for individuals who apply to work or volunteer at organizations that serve children, elderly adults, or individuals with disabilities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-10-19
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2017-10-19
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2017-10-17
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2017-10-16
text: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2017-10-16
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2017-10-16
text: The committee amendments withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2017-10-16
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S6409-6410; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S6410)
action_date: 2017-09-11
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 218.
action_date: 2017-09-11
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-09-11
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-09-07
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-706
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2017-03-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Health information and medical records
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: 

Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2017

 
This bill requires (current law authorizes) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to accept, for purposes of establishing a claim for veterans disability benefits, a report of a medical examination administered by a private physician without requiring confirmation by a Veterans Health Administration physician if the report is sufficiently complete (defined as competent, credible, probative, and containing such information as required to make a decision on the claim for which the report is provided).
 
The VA is required to submit: (1) a report on the progress of the VA's Acceptable Clinical Evidence initiative in reducing the necessity for in-person disability examinations, and (2) an annual report for each VA regional office regarding claims for which private medical evidence was determined to be unacceptable.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Main Street Fairness Act

Bill: 115-s-707
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2017-03-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax rates
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: 

Main Street Fairness Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to prevent qualified business income attributed to individuals from being taxed at a higher rate than corporate income.
 
(Under current law, business income attributed to individuals is taxed using individual income tax rates rather than the corporate tax rate.)
 
Qualified business income is all items of income, deduction, loss, or credit properly attributable to the taxpayer from the active conduct of a trade or business, including:
 
 
 a partnership in which the taxpayer holds a capital or profits interest; 
 
 an S corporation in which the taxpayer is a shareholder;
 
 a sole proprietorship or an entity otherwise disregarded as separate from its sole owner, in which the taxpayer is the sole owner; and 
 
 a trust or estate in which the taxpayer is a beneficiary. 
 
 
Qualified business income does not include any item taken into account in determining net capital gain or the financial services income of partnerships. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Introduced in Senate
INTERDICT Act

Bill: 115-s-708
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-03-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Chemistry
Customs enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: 

International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act or the INTERDICT Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) increase the number of chemical screening devices available to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to interdict fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances that are illegally imported into the United States, including such substances imported through the mail or by an express consignment operator or carrier; and (2) dedicate the appropriate number of personnel, including scientists, to the CBP to interpret data collected by such devices during all operational hours.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks: CR S1975-1977)
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-709
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2017-03-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative remedies
Department of Homeland Security
Disaster relief and insurance
Evidence and witnesses
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Government information and archives
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: 

Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to prohibit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from taking administrative action to recover any payment made to a state or local government for disaster or emergency assistance initiated in any forum (with exceptions for fraud) after three years following the transmission of the final expenditure report for project completion, as certified by the grantee (currently, after three years following the transmission of the final expenditure report for the disaster or emergency). 
 
The bill makes the same change with respect to the deadline: (1) for any dispute arising under such Act for which there shall be a presumption that accounting records were maintained that adequately identify the source and application of funds provided for financially assisted activities, and (2) by which the inability of the government to produce source documentation supporting expenditure reports shall not constitute evidence to rebut such presumption.
 
With respect to a payment for disaster or emergency assistance provided to a state or local government on or after January 1, 2004, FEMA may not take administrative action to recover such payment after the date of enactment of this bill if the action is prohibited under such Act as amended by this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to reinstate and extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving Jennings Randolph Dam.

Bill: 115-s-710
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2017-03-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Licensing and registrations
West Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: 
This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request, to extend for up to six years the time period during which construction must commence on the Jennings Randolph Hydroelectric Project located on the North Branch of the Potomac River in Garrett County, Maryland, and Mineral County, West Virginia.
 
Additionally, FERC may reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 
(Sec.1)This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request, to extend for up to six years the time period during which construction must commence on the Jennings Randolph Hydroelectric Project located on the North Branch of the Potomac River in Garrett County, Maryland, and Mineral County, West Virginia.
 
Additionally, FERC may reinstate the construction license if it is expired.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 133.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with amendments. With written report No. 115-103.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with amendments. With written report No. 115-103.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Introduced in Senate
S Corporation Modernization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-711
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2017-03-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Capital gains tax
Charitable contributions
Corporate finance and management
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Income tax deductions
Income tax rates
Sales and excise taxes
Securities
Small business
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: 

S Corporation Modernization Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of S corporations, to: 
 
 
 allow a nonresident alien to be a qualifying beneficiary of an electing small business trust (ESBT), which is a type of trust that is permitted to hold shares in an S corporation; 
 
allow S corporations to increase passive investment income from 25% to 60% without incurring additional taxes; 
 
 eliminate a provision terminating the S corporation status of corporations with excessive passive income for three consecutive years; 
 
 allow any S corporation bank to have individual retirement account shareholders; 
 
allow ESBTs to claim expanded tax deductions for charitable contributions; 
 
allow an adjustment to the basis of an S corporation's assets upon the death of a shareholder, in the form of a 15-year amortization deduction; and
 
extend the time period for making S corporation elections. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Veterans Affairs Appeals Modernization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-712
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2017-03-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Evidence and witnesses
Health information and medical records
Personnel records
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Appeals Modernization Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits appeals process to permit a claimant to request: 
 
 
a review of the agency of original jurisdiction's decision by a higher-level adjudicator within the agency based on the original evidence; or 
 
a Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) review under which no BVA hearing is requested and no additional evidence may be submitted or under which a BVA hearing is requested and the appellant requests an opportunity to submit additional evidence at, and within 90 days of, the hearing (for which the BVA shall maintain two separate dockets). 
 
 
A finding favorable to a claimant is binding on all subsequent VA adjudicators unless clear and convincing evidence is shown to the contrary. 
 
 If a claim is denied the claimant may, within one year after the agency of original jurisdiction issues a decision with respect to such claim: (1) file a request for higher-level review, (2) file a supplemental claim, or (3) file a notice of disagreement. 
 
The BVA may remand a claim to the agency to obtain a corrective advisory medical opinion. 
 
 The VA shall provide for expedited treatment by the agency of original jurisdiction of any claim that is remanded by the BVA.
 
The bill revises effective dates of awards provisions.
 
 The bill repeals a provision authorizing the BVA to secure an independent medical expert's opinion when warranted by the medical complexity or controversy involved in an appeal case. 
 
The VA's duty to assist a claimant shall not apply: (1) once the claimant is provided notice of the agency's initial decision, and (2) to higher-level agency or BVA review.
 
The VA is not required to send notice for a supplemental claim or to readjudicate a claim that has been disallowed except when new and relevant evidence is presented or secured (currently such provision applies to reopening such claim).
 
A claimants's notice of disagreement must set out specific allegations of error of fact or law. The BVA is authorized to dismiss an appeal that fails to do so.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Introduced in Senate
National Heritage Area Authorization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-713
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2017-03-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: California
Congressional oversight
Forests, forestry, trees
Historic sites and heritage areas
Historical and cultural resources
Lakes and rivers
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Maryland
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Washington State
West Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: 

Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area Act

 This bill establishes the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area in the state of Washington. 
 The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is designated as the local coordinating entity for the heritage area, which shall prepare and submit a management plan for it.

action_date: 2017-06-26
text: 

National Heritage Area Authorization Act of 2017

 
(Sec. 3) This bill establishes: 
 
 
 the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area in West Virginia and Maryland, 
 
the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area and the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area in Washington state, and 
 
the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area in California.
 
 
A local coordinating entity is designated for each heritage area. 
 
(Sec. 4) Each local coordinating entity shall: (1) prepare and submit for approval by the Department of the Interior a management plan for its respective heritage area; and (2) not use federal funding made available under this bill for the acquisition of real property or any interest in real property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-26
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 155.
action_date: 2017-06-26
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. With written report No. 115-118.
action_date: 2017-06-26
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. With written report No. 115-118.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Removing Outdated Restrictions to Allow for Job Growth Act

Bill: 115-s-715
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2017-03-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Maine

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: 

Removing Outdated Restrictions to Allow for Job Growth Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture, if requested in writing by the city of Old Town, Maine, to release, convey, and quitclaim to the city, without monetary consideration, all rights, title, and interest of the United States in and to lands that: (1) were conveyed by the federal government to the city under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act by the deed dated June 5, 1941, and (2) are proposed for conveyance by the city for the purpose of economic development. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2017-03-23
text: Introduced in Senate