hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Patient Freedom Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-191
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2017-01-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Coal
Disability and health-based discrimination
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health promotion and preventive care
Hospital care
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Inflation and prices
Medicaid
Mental health
Sales and excise taxes
State and local government operations
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 

Patient Freedom Act of 2017

 
This bill provides states with three options regarding title I (provisions on health insurance reform, exchanges, and subsidies) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA): (1) continue implementing PPACA, with a limit on total premium and cost sharing subsidies provided in the state; (2) waive the requirements of title I of PPACA, with specified exceptions; or (3) the second option plus implementation of a Roth health savings account (HSA) deposit system. Only residents of states continuing to implement PPACA are eligible for PPACA premium subsidies.
 
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth provisions regarding Roth HSAs, which have annual contribution limits and are not subject to taxes. Contributions to Roth HSAs are not tax deductible.
 
In states implementing a Roth HSA deposit system, residents who are enrolled in health insurance coverage that meets state standards receive monthly deposits in their Roth HSAs. States that administer deposits are entitled to payments from the Department of Health and Human Services for population health initiatives.
 
States with a Roth HSA deposit system must penalize residents who have a break in health coverage and may enroll residents in a default high deductible health plan that is continually available for enrollment.
 
Contributions may no longer be made to non-Roth HSAs.
 
HSAs and Roth HSAs may be used to pay monthly or prepaid amounts for physician services. These services are not considered to be health insurance.
 
This bill amends SSAct title XVIII (Medicare) to require participating hospitals to limit costs to individuals for uncovered emergency medical care.
 
Persons providing medical care must post prices.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S400-402)
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Southwestern Oregon Watershed and Salmon Protection Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-192
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2017-01-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land transfers
Oregon
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 

Southwestern Oregon Watershed and Salmon Protection Act of 2017

 This bill withdraws specified federal land in Curry and Josephine Counties in Oregon from: (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and (3) operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws. 
 The bill amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to revise the segment designations for the Chetco River in Oregon. 
 
 The federal land within the boundaries of such segments of the Chetco River is withdrawn from: (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act

Bill: 115-s-193
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2017-01-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Financial literacy
Government information and archives
National and community service
Poverty and welfare assistance
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act 

 
This bill directs the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to establish a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program (VITA grant program) for the development, expansion, or continuation of volunteer tax preparation programs to assist low-income taxpayers and members of underserved populations. 
 
The program must be administered in the same manner as the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance matching grants demonstration program established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008.
 
The bill establishes the National Center to Promote Quality, Excellence, and Evaluation in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance to: 
 
 
promote the adoption of a universally accessible volunteer training platform for the preparation of federal income tax returns,
 
provide technical assistance to tax return preparation program managers, 
 
 identify and disseminate best practices related to tax site management, 
 
 support outreach and marketing efforts, and
 
 evaluate programs and activities funded under this bill. 
 
 
The IRS must: (1) designate, through a competitive process, a lead national organization to carry out the purposes of the center; and (2) provide an annual grant to the organization. The lead national organization may provide subgrants to organizations to facilitate specialized technical assistance in reaching one or more underserved populations.
 
The bill amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 and the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to authorize several national service programs to provide tax preparation assistance for low-income and older individuals and families. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Introduced in Senate
CHOICE Act

Bill: 115-s-194
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2017-01-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Medicaid
Medicare
Prescription drugs
Public contracts and procurement
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 

Consumer Health Options and Insurance Competition Enhancement Act or the CHOICE Act

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to offer, throughout the United States, a public health insurance option that provides value, choice, competition, and the stability of affordable, high-quality coverage. Plans under the public health insurance option must be qualified health plans and must include plans with bronze, silver, and gold tier benefits. (Qualified health plans are sold on health insurance exchanges, are the only plans eligible for premium subsidies, and fulfill an individual's requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage.)
 
States may establish advisory councils to provide recommendations to HHS on the operations and policies of the public health insurance option.
 
HHS must collect data to establish rates for premiums and health care provider reimbursement and for other purposes.
 
Premium rates for public health insurance option plans must: (1) fully finance administrative costs and provided health benefits, and (2) include a contingency margin.
 
HHS must negotiate rates for health care providers and prescription drugs under the public health insurance option. If HHS is unable to reach a negotiated agreement on rates, HHS must use Medicare rates.
 
States may not tax federal receipts or disbursements attributable to the operation of the public health insurance option.
 HHS must establish conditions for participation by health care providers in the public health insurance option. A provider participating in Medicare or Medicaid is a participant in the public health insurance option unless the provider opts out.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Introduced in Senate
TIRE Act

Bill: 115-s-195
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Labor standards
Public contracts and procurement
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: 

Transportation Investment Recalibration to Equality Act or the TIRE Act

 
This bill repeals provisions that require that the locally prevailing wage rate be paid to laborers and mechanics working on federal-aid highway construction projects.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S447)
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act

Bill: 115-s-196
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2017-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Appropriations
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Emergency planning and evacuation
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: 

Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, upon determination of a public health emergency, to provide for the convening of a group of federal officials to prepare monthly reports concerning such matters as funding, collaboration, and best practices.
 
The bill makes appropriations to the Public Health Emergency Fund upon determination of an emergency. Funding is subject to a calculation that compares amounts available in the fund to average public health emergency relief expenditures over preceding fiscal years.
 
The bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to exempt the fund from sequestration, a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.
 
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report on:
 
 
the capacity of the public health system to respond effectively to infectious disease outbreaks,
 
the coordination between federal, state, and local government entities when responding to infectious disease outbreaks,
 
the most effective ways to provide or allocate resources for public health emergency response, and 
 
an audit of how funds for public health emergencies have been expended within the last two years.
 
 
GAO must also issue a post-emergency report on response efforts by government entities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2017

Bill: 115-s-197
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2017-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Arizona
Cancer
Civil actions and liability
Colorado
Department of Justice
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Education programs funding
Environmental health
Government information and archives
Government liability
Government trust funds
Guam
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health care costs and insurance
Higher education
Idaho
Legal fees and court costs
Medical research
Military history
Mining
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Nuclear weapons
Oregon
Personnel records
Public contracts and procurement
Radiation
Research administration and funding
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Washington State
Worker safety and health
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: 

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2017

 
This bill amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to extend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund until 19 years after this bill's enactment. The trust fund compensates individuals who contract cancer or other diseases as a result of their exposure to radiation during nuclear testing undertaken by the United States during the Cold War.
 
The bill revises the requirements of that Act, including by:
 
 
increasing the amount of compensation that an individual may receive;
 
 expanding the affected area to include Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico;
 
 expanding eligibility requirements to include additional individuals, such as certain employees of uranium mines or mills; and 
 
 extending until 19 years after this bill's enactment the statute of limitations for the filing of claims.
 
 
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences must establish a grant program for institutions of higher education to study the epidemiological impacts of uranium mining and milling among non-occupationally exposed individuals.
 
The bill amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 by expanding eligibility requirements for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program with respect to chronic beryllium disease.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-06-27
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Combating European Anti-Semitism Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-198
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Educational facilities and institutions
Europe
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Law enforcement administration and funding
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: 

Combating European Anti-Semitism Act

 
This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) it is in the U.S. national interest to combat anti-Semitism at home and abroad; (2) there is a need to ensure the security of European Jewish communities, including synagogues, schools, and cemeteries; and (3) the United States should continue to emphasize the importance of combating anti-Semitism in multilateral bodies.
 
The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 is amended to require the Department of State's Annual Report on International Religious Freedom to include, for each European country in which threats or attacks against Jewish persons, schools, and religious institutions are particularly significant, a description of: 
 
 
the security challenges and needs of European Jewish communities and European law enforcement agencies; 
 
U.S. efforts to partner with European law enforcement agencies and civil society groups to combat anti-Semitic incidents;
 
educational programming and public awareness initiatives that impart values of pluralism and tolerance, showcase the positive contributions of Jews, and pay special attention to population segments that exhibit a high degree of anti-Semitic animus; and 
 
efforts by European governments to adopt and apply a working definition of anti-Semitism.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-200
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Military command and structure
Military operations and strategy
Nuclear weapons
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: 

Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017 

 
This bill prohibits the President from using the Armed Forces to conduct a first-use nuclear strike unless such strike is conducted pursuant to a congressional declaration of war expressly authorizing such strike. 
 
&quot;First-use nuclear strike&quot; means a nuclear weapons attack against an enemy that is conducted without the President determining that the enemy has first launched a nuclear strike against the United States or a U.S. ally.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Protection of Military Airfields from Wind Turbine Encroachment Act

Bill: 115-s-201
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2017-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Aviation and airports
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits
Military facilities and property

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: 

Protection of Military Airfields from Wind Turbine Encroachment Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make new wind facilities located near certain military installations ineligible for the tax credits for: (1) electricity produced from renewable resources, and (2) investments in qualified small wind energy property. 
 
The bill applies to facilities that are originally placed in service after the enactment of this bill and are located within a 30-mile radius of: (1) an airfield or airbase that is under the jurisdiction of a military department and in active use; or (2) an air traffic control radar site, weather radar site, or aircraft navigation aid that is owned or operated by the Department of Defense and is a permanent land-based structure at a fixed location. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S447)
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Social Security Beneficiary 2nd Amendment Rights Protection Act

Bill: 115-s-202
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2017-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Mental health
Poverty and welfare assistance
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: 

Social Security Beneficiary 2nd Amendment Rights Protection Act

 
This bill amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to specify that an OASDI or SSI benefit determination may not be considered, for purposes of restricting the possession or transfer of firearms, to be a determination that an individual has been adjudicated as a mental defective.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
RPM Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-203
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2017-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Motor vehicles
Professional sports

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: 

Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2017 or the RPM Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Clean Air Act to allow the modification of a vehicle's air emission controls if the vehicle is used solely for competition.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-11-14
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works Senate Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-127.
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-58.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Death Tax Repeal Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-205
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2017-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Inflation and prices
Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: 

Death Tax Repeal Act of 201
7
 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and the lifetime gift tax exemption. The bill also provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate
JOBS Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-206
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2017-01-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: 
 
Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2017 or the JOBS Act of 

2017
 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish the Job Training Federal Pell Grant Program. The Department of Education must award job training Federal Pell Grants to eligible students. 
 
An eligible student is one who does not have a degree, attends an institution of higher education (IHE), is enrolled in a job training program at such IHE, and meets all other eligibility requirements for a Federal Pell Grant. 
 
The maximum job training Federal Pell Grant award is 50% of the discretionary base maximum award specified in annual appropriations law. 
 
Any period during which a student receives a job training Federal Pell Grant counts toward that student's Federal Pell Grant eligibility period.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S448)
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Introduced in Senate