hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3188
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2018-07-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: 

Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2018

 
This bill generally prohibits a federal criminal defendant from asserting, as a defense, that the nonviolent sexual advance of an individual or a perception or belief of the gender, gender identify or expression, or sexual orientation of an individual excuses or justifies conduct or mitigates the severity of an offense.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Income-Based Repayment Debt Forgiveness Act

Bill: 115-s-3189
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2018-07-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: 

Income-Based Repayment Debt Forgiveness Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual any income that is attributable to the discharge of a federal student loan pursuant to a federal program or law that provides for income contingent or income-based repayment of the loan. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Transportation Empowerment Act

Bill: 115-s-3190
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2018-07-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: 

Transportation Empowerment Act

 
This bill proposes the return to the states of discretionary authority and fiscal responsibility for national surface transportation systems not within the purview of the federal government. It imposes a funding limitation on transportation programs and projects based upon availability of funding through the Highway Trust Fund. 
 
The bill also provides funding for certain core highway programs for FY2019-FY2023, including the federal-aid highway program, emergency relief, the federal lands access program, and the highway research and development program. It adjust amounts in the Highway Trust Fund and the tax rates on gasoline and special motor fuels to support such core programs. 
 
The bill repeals provisions relating to metropolitan transportation planning and congestion mitigation and air quality improvement.
 
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require the return of excess tax receipts to states for surface transportation programs, and (2) reduce tax rates on gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and special fuels. 
 
The provisions of this bill shall apply only if the Office of Management and Budget certifies that it is deficit neutral.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-07-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Contaminant and Lead Electronic Accounting and Reporting Requirements (CLEARR) for Drinking Water Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3192
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2018-07-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Environmental regulatory procedures
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Minority health
Performance measurement
Poverty and welfare assistance
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: 

Contaminant and Lead Electronic Accounting and Reporting Requirements (CLEARR) for Drinking Water Act of 2018

 
This bill assists communities in complying with and reporting on drinking water requirements, including to reauthorize through FY2023 a grant program for assisting the public water systems of small or disadvantaged communities comply with drinking water requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect Utah's Rural Economy Act

Bill: 115-s-3193
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2018-07-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails
State and local government operations
Utah
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: 

Protect Utah's Rural Economy Act

 
This bill prohibits the President from establishing or extending national monuments in Utah unless: 
 
 
the proposed establishment or extension has been authorized by an Act of Congress, and 
 
the President has received a notice from the Governor of Utah that the state legislature has enacted legislation approving of the proposed establishment or extension. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Capping Prescription Costs Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3194
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2018-07-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: 

Capping Prescription Costs Act of 2018

 
This bill caps the monthly prescription-drug cost-sharing permitted under qualified health plans and group health plans.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3195
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2018-07-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Child safety and welfare
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Justice
Detention of persons
Due process and equal protection
Elementary and secondary education
Employee hiring
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Mental health
Monuments and memorials
Pedestrians and bicycling
Performance measurement
Racial and ethnic relations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: 

Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2018

 
This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to analyze existing law enforcement accreditation standards, recommend additional areas for the development of national standards, recommend the adoption of additional standards, and adopt policies and procedures to encourage accreditation of law enforcement agencies. It authorizes DOJ to make grants to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to obtain accreditation from certified organizations. 
 
The bill authorizes DOJ to make grants to state, local, or tribal governments, public and private entities, or consortia to study law enforcement agency management and operations standards and to develop pilot programs to address law enforcement misconduct. 
 
DOJ must study the prevalence and effect of any law, rule, or procedure that allows a law enforcement officer to delay the investigation and prosecution of law enforcement misconduct. 
 
The bill establishes, within DOJ, the Task Force on Law Enforcement Oversight to coordinate the detection and referral of complaints of alleged law enforcement misconduct.
 
Law enforcement agencies must report data regarding practices on traffic violation stops, pedestrian stops, frisk and body searches, and use of deadly force. Data must include the number of incidents of each practice broken down by race, ethnicity, age, and gender of the officers, employees, and members of the public involved in the practice.
 
DOJ must create a medallion for distribution to survivors of each law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty and memorialized on the wall of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Introduced in Senate
DELTA Act

Bill: 115-s-3196
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2018-07-11 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Angola
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Botswana
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Economic development
Endangered and threatened species
Foreign aid and international relief
Hunting and fishing
International organizations and cooperation
Lakes and rivers
Land use and conservation
Mammals
Namibia
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Performance measurement
Public-private cooperation
Smuggling and trafficking
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: 

Defending Economic Livelihoods and Threatened Animals Act or the DELTA Act

 
This bill directs the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to develop a strategy, seeking to work with the governments of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and neighboring countries, with regard to natural resource protection, wildife protection, and economic development in the greater Okavango River Basin and the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area in Southern Africa. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Introduced in Senate
SIMPLE Plan Modernization Act

Bill: 115-s-3197
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2018-07-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Employee benefits and pensions
Government information and archives
Income tax deferral
Income tax exclusion
Income tax rates

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: 

SIMPLE Plan Modernization Act 

 
This bill modifies the requirements for SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), which are tax-favored retirement accounts that small businesses may provide to employees. The bill increases the contribution limits for certain SIMPLE IRAs and modifies the requirements for replacing SIMPLE IRAs with 401(k) plans. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4917-4918)
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Allied Burden Sharing Report Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3198
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2018-07-11 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances
Asia
Australia
Collective security
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Europe
International organizations and cooperation
Japan
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
New Zealand
Oceania
Persian Gulf States
South Korea

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: 

Allied Burden Sharing Report Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the Department of Defense to submit an annual report to Congress describing: 
 
 
each allied nation's annual defense spending, its contributions to military or stability operations in which the United States participates, and limitations it places on such contributions' use; and 
 
actions taken by the United States or by other countries to minimize such limitations. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Introduced in Senate
IRS Accountability Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3199
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2018-07-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Department of the Treasury
Employee performance
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Judicial review and appeals
Merit Systems Protection Board

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: 

IRS Accountability Act of 201

8

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 to allow the removal or transfer of an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) senior executive employee based on performance or misconduct. The IRS must submit written notice to certain congressional committees of the removal or transfer of an employee and the reason for such removal or transfer. The bill provides for an expedited appeal of a removal or transfer to the Merit Systems Protection Board. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Introduced in Senate
MERIT Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3200
Sponsor: Sen. Perdue, David [R-GA]
Introduced: 2018-07-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: 

Modern Employment, Reform, Improvement, and Transformation Act of 2018 or the MERIT Act of 2018

 
This bill provides new, alternative authority for an agency to remove a federal civil service employee based on performance or misconduct.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3201
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2018-07-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability assistance
Military facilities and property
Military personnel and dependents
Retail and wholesale trades
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: 

Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018

 
This bill extends access to Department of Defense (DOD) commissaries and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) facilities to Purple Heart recipients, veterans with a service-connected disability, Medal of Honor recipients, former prisoners of war, and veteran caregivers. (Commissaries are grocery/department stores on military installations that sell food and some household items. MWR facilities offer a range of services on bases including libraries, outdoor recreation, dining, golf courses, and sports and fitness centers.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Introduced in Senate
North Texas Water Supply Security Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3202
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2018-07-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Federal district courts
Judicial review and appeals
Texas
Water storage
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: 

North Texas Water Supply Security Act of 2018

 
This bill bars claims arising under federal law seeking judicial review of any environmental impact statement, environmental review, or authorization issued by an agency for the Lower Bois d'Arc Creek Reservoir Project in Fannin County, Texas, unless such claims meet certain procedural requirements. 
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Introduced in Senate
SASCA

Bill: 115-s-3203
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2018-07-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Education programs funding
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Evidence and witnesses
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Medical education
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Minority health
Nursing
Rural conditions and development
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: 

Survivors' Access to Supportive Care Act or SASCA

 
This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements to address the adequacy of access to sexual assault examinations, including a grant program for states to assess the availability of specified providers to perform sexual assault examinations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Canadian Snowbirds Act

Bill: 115-s-3204
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2018-07-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Canada
Immigration status and procedures
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: 

Canadian Snowbirds Act

 
 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to admit into the United States as a nonimmigrant visitor for a period not to exceed 240 days during any single 365-day period a Canadian citizen who: (1) is at least 50 years old; (2) maintains a Canadian residence and owns a U.S. residence or has rented U.S. accommodations for the duration of such stay; (3) is not inadmissible or deportable; (4) will not work in the United States other than for a non U.S.-based person or entity that the person worked for in Canada; and (5) will not seek any federal means tested public benefit for five years, or any federal tax credits for child care, earned income, first time homebuyers, health insurance, or health care plans.
 
The spouse of such person may be admitted under the same terms except that he or she is not required to separately satisfy the residence/housing requirements.
 
 DHS shall have sole and unreviewable discretion to withhold or withdraw admission of such an alien.
 The bill grants a person so admitted nonresident alien tax status.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3205
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2018-07-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Congressional oversight
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Consumer affairs
Credit and credit markets
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: 

Know Before You Owe Private Student Loan Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to revise requirements for disclosures in private education loan applications. Before issuing a private education loan for a student attending an institution of higher education (IHE), lenders must obtain the IHE's certification of the student's enrollment status, the student's cost of attendance, and the difference between that cost and the student's estimated financial assistance. 
 
Lenders must: (1) send loan statements to borrowers at least once every three months a student is enrolled at an IHE, (2) notify the relevant IHE of the loan amount and the student to whom it applies no later than the date funds are issued, and (3) submit an annual report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) containing information the CFPB requires concerning private student loans.
 
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require IHEs, before providing lenders with certifications, to determine whether students have exhausted their options for federal financial aid assistance and notify borrowers of: (1) the availability of assistance, (2) their ability to choose their own private educational lender, (3) the impact of the proposed private education loan on their eligibility for other financial assistance, and (4) their right to accept or reject a private education loan within 30 days of the lender's approval of their application and to cancel the loan within 3 business days of its consummation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4952-4953)
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Toxic Algae Tax Relief Act

Bill: 115-s-3206
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2018-07-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: 

Toxic Algae Tax Relief Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a deduction for losses of a trade or business operating in an area affected by toxic algal blooms. A &quot;toxic algal bloom&quot; is the existence of algae on or near the surface of water in quantities sufficient to cause anoxic (greatly deficient in oxygen) conditions in the water.
 
The deduction applies to a trade or business that is operating in a toxic algae zone and has average annual gross receipts that do not exceed $25 million. &quot;A toxic algae zone&quot; is a census tract or political subdivision of a state that the Department of the Treasury has designated as experiencing economic hardship directly attributable to an act or event that exposes an area to toxic algal blooms. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3207
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2018-07-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Cancer
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: 

Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow borrowers to defer student loans while they are receiving cancer treatment and during the six months after treatment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-07-12
text: Introduced in Senate