hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A PLUS Act

Bill: 115-hr-719
Sponsor: Rep. Walker, Mark [R-NC-6]
Introduced: 2017-01-27 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Intergovernmental relations
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-27
text: 

Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act or the A PLUS Act
 
 
This bill allows each state to receive federal elementary and secondary education funds on a consolidated basis and manage the funds to advance the educational policy of the state. 
 
A declaration of intent must be formulated by a combination of specified state officials or by referendum and must list the programs for which consolidated funding is requested. States may use such funds for any educational purpose permitted by state law, but must make certain assurances that they will use fiscal control and fund accounting procedures, abide by federal civil rights laws, advance educational opportunities for the disadvantaged, and use federal funds to supplement rather than supplant state funding. 
 
Each declaration state shall: (1) inform the public about its student achievement assessment system, (2) report annually on student progress toward the state's proficiency standards by specified student groups, and (3) provide for the equitable participation of private school children and teachers in the same manner as provided for under current law. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2017-01-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-27
text: Introduced in House
BRACE Act

Bill: 115-hr-721
Sponsor: Rep. Jenkins, Lynn [R-KS-2]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax credits
Railroads

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 

Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy Act or the BRACE Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for railroad track maintenance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
To prohibit Federal funding of National Public Radio and the use of Federal funds to acquire radio content.

Bill: 115-hr-726
Sponsor: Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government trust funds
International exchange and broadcasting
News media and reporting

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 
This bill prohibits federal funding to organizations incorporated to: (1) make radio programs available for broadcast over noncommercial educational radio broadcast stations, networks, and systems; (2) cooperate with foreign broadcasting systems and networks in international radio programming and broadcasting; (3) assist and support such noncommercial educational radio broadcasting pursuant to the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967; (4) pay dues to such organizations; or (5) acquire radio programs by or for the use of a public broadcast radio station.
 
The Communications Act of 1934 is amended to remove provisions that require the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to use a percentage of funds from the Public Broadcasting Fund to make grants for: (1) the production of public radio programs by independent producers and production entities and public telecommunications entities or by producers of national children's educational programming or programs addressing the needs and interests of minorities, or (2) the acquisition of such programs by public telecommunications entities. The bill also eliminates a requirement that a percentage of the amounts that the CPB distributes to public radio stations be used solely for acquiring or producing programming that is distributed nationally and is designed for a national audience. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit Federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting after fiscal year 2019.

Bill: 115-hr-727
Sponsor: Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 
This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting after FY2019.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
To prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing oil and gas leases on portions of the Outer Continental Shelf located off the coast of New Jersey.

Bill: 115-hr-728
Sponsor: Rep. LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Atlantic Ocean
Licensing and registrations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
New Jersey
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 
This bill prohibits the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management from issuing a lease, permit, or license for oil exploration or extraction on submerged lands of the Outer Continental Shelf that are located within 125 miles off the coastline of New Jersey.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
Tobacco Excise Tax and Parity Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-729
Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Department of the Treasury
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Indian lands and resources rights
Inflation and prices
Law enforcement administration and funding
Licensing and registrations
Manufacturing
Retail and wholesale trades
Sales and excise taxes
Smuggling and trafficking
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 

Tobacco Excise Tax and Parity Act of 2017

 
 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the taxation of tobacco products, to: 
 
 
 increase or equalize excise taxes on small cigars, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, large cigars, and smokeless tobacco;
 
impose an excise tax on smokeless tobacco sold in discrete single-use units;
 
tax other tobacco products at a level equivalent to the tax rate for cigarettes on an estimated per use basis;
 
provide for annual inflation adjustments for excise tax rates on cigarettes and tobacco products; 
 
 restrict the sale, lease, export, import, or delivery of tobacco production machines to persons lawfully engaged in: (1) the sale, lease, export, import, or delivery of such machines; (2) the manufacture or packaging of tobacco products or processed tobacco; or (3) the application of unique identification markings onto tobacco products or processed tobacco packages; 
 
specify marking and labeling requirements; 
 
require manufacturers, sellers, or importers of tobacco production machines to obtain permits; 
 
establish new criminal offenses relating to the licensing and distribution of tobacco products or processed tobacco; 
 
increase the civil penalty for tobacco-related infractions; and 
 
allow sharing of tax return information with government officials for the administration of laws relating to tobacco products and processed tobacco.
 
 
The bill also: (1) requires the Department of the Treasury to coordinate with other government officials in addressing tobacco tax evasion and conducting other enforcement activities, (2) amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose a civil penalty for the importation of tobacco products and cigarette papers and tubes by fraudulent means, and (3) provides for the enforcement of this bill in Indian tribal areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
Equal Protection in Travel Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-730
Sponsor: Rep. Amash, Justin [R-MI-3]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Immigration status and procedures
Iraq
Middle East
Syria
Terrorism
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 

Equal Protection in Travel Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the prohibition against participation in the visa waiver program of an alien who, regardless of whether the alien is a national of a program country, is a national of: (1) Iraq or Syria, (2) a country designated as a country that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism, or (3) any other country or area of concern.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
California Clean Coast Act

Bill: 115-hr-731
Sponsor: Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: California
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas
Pacific Ocean

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 

California Clean Coast Act 

 
 This bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit oil and gas exploration and leasing in areas of the Outer Continental Shelf located off the coast of California.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
To provide for an accounting of total United States contributions to the United Nations.

Bill: 115-hr-733
Sponsor: Rep. Brooks, Mo [R-AL-5]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Foreign aid and international relief
Government information and archives
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 
This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to report annually to Congress regarding all assessed and voluntary U.S. contributions to the United Nations (U.N.) and its affiliated agencies and related bodies during the previous fiscal year. 
 
The report shall include: (1) the total amount of all assessed and voluntary U.S. contributions to the U.N. and its affiliated agencies and related bodies; (2) the approximate percentage of U.S. contributions to each such agency or body in a fiscal year when compared with all such contributions in that fiscal year; and (3) the amount, description, and purpose of each contribution, the identity of the donating U.S. agency, and the identity of the recipient U.N. agency or body. The first report shall include information for the previous three fiscal years. OMB shall post a version of such report on a publicly available website.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a refundable credit against tax for landlords of veterans receiving rental assistance under the Veterans Affairs Supported Housing program.

Bill: 115-hr-734
Sponsor: Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax credits
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable tax credit for the owner of a dwelling unit that is occupied by a veteran on whose behalf rental assistance is provided by the Veterans Affairs Supported Housing program under the United States Housing Act of 1937. The credit is equal to 10% of the amount of rental assistance received by the person for the year. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
Black Box Privacy Protection Act

Bill: 115-hr-736
Sponsor: Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-7]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Consumer affairs
Motor vehicles
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 

Black Box Privacy Protection Act

 
This bill amends the Automobile Information Disclosure Act to require manufacturers of new automobiles to disclose on the information label affixed to the window of the automobile: (1) the presence and location of an event data recorder (commonly referred to as a &quot;black box&quot;), (2) the type of information recorded and how such information is recorded, and (3) that the recording may be used in a law enforcement proceeding.
 
The bill sets forth similar requirements for motorcycle manufacturers. 
 
An &quot;event data recorder&quot; is any device or means of technology installed in an automobile that records information such as automobile or motorcycle speed, seatbelt use, application of brakes, or other information pertinent to the operation of the automobile or motorcycle.
 
The bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, offering for sale, or import into the United States of an automobile manufactured after 2015 (bearing a model year of 2016 or later) that is equipped with an event data recorder, unless the consumer can control the recording of information. Violators are liable to the U.S. government for a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation with a maximum penalty of $35 million for a related series of violations. 
 
The event data recorder in an automobile or motorcycle, and any data recorded, shall be considered the property of the owner of the automobile or motorcycle. Retrieval or downloading of recorded data by any other person is unlawful, except: (1) with the owner's consent, (2) in response to a court order, or (3) by a dealer or automotive technician to service the vehicle. 
 
Certain violations are to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
Caring Start Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-737
Sponsor: Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child care and development
Child safety and welfare
Domestic violence and child abuse
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Mental health
Preschool education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 

Caring Start Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Head Start Act to require that, in providing and allocating resources for training and technical assistance, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) give priority consideration to activities that:
 
 
support the implementation of evidence-based trauma-informed practices, age-appropriate positive behavioral interventions and supports, early childhood mental health consultation, and prevention of suspension and expulsion; and 
 
increase coordination between Head Start agencies and other programs that serve very young children. 

 
Such assistance must also, to the maximum extent practicable, assist Head Start agencies in adopting evidence-based approaches to best identify and serve children whose experiences have elicited a toxic stress response. (Toxic stress response can result from strong or prolonged adversity without adequate adult support.)
 
HHS shall fund personnel training in:
 
 
evidence-based trauma-informed practices, as well as early childhood mental health consultation and age-appropriate positive behavioral interventions and supports; and 
 
helping children who are victims of trauma or toxic stress. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to vehicle weight limitations in North Dakota, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-hr-738
Sponsor: Rep. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND-At Large]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Motor carriers
Motor vehicles
North Dakota
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 
This bill exempts from federal-aid highway vehicle weight limitations a vehicle operating on a segment of the Interstate System in North Dakota if it:
 
 
has a gross vehicle weight of 129,000 pounds or less;
 
complies with certain single axle, tandem axle, and bridge formula weight limits; and 
 
is authorized to operate on such segment under North Dakota law.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
This Land Is Our Land Act

Bill: 115-hr-739
Sponsor: Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Appropriations
Border security and unlawful immigration
Department of Homeland Security
Executive agency funding and structure
Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 

This Land Is Our Land Act

 
This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from constructing, or obligating or expending any funds for the construction of, any new border barriers, including walls or fences, on federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture within 100 miles of the international land borders of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
action_date: 2017-02-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H861-862)
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
Robo COP Act

Bill: 115-hr-740
Sponsor: Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Political advertising
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 

Robo Calls Off Phones Act or the Robo COP Act

 
This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to revise the do-not-call registry provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rule to prohibit politically-oriented recorded message telephone calls to telephone numbers listed on that registry. 
 
A "politically-oriented recorded message telephone call" is an outbound telephone call that plays a recorded message that: (1) promotes, advertises, campaigns, or solicits donations for or against a political candidate or regarding a political issue; or (2) uses a political candidate's name.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2017-01-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H802)
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
Rural Hospital Regulatory Relief Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-741
Sponsor: Rep. Jenkins, Lynn [R-KS-2]
Introduced: 2017-01-30 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health personnel
Home and outpatient care
Hospital care
Medicare
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: 

Rural Hospital Regulatory Relief Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permanently extend the application by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of an instruction against the enforcement of certain physician supervision requirements with respect to outpatient therapeutic services in critical access hospitals and small rural hospitals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-30
text: Introduced in House