hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
RESPECT Act

Bill: 115-hr-2689
Sponsor: Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-3]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Federal-Indian relations
Indian lands and resources rights
Judicial review and appeals
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Requirements, Expectations, and Standard Procedures for Executive Consultation with Tribes Act or the RESPECT Act

 
This bill requires federal agencies to have a process to ensure meaningful and timely input by Native American tribes before undertaking an activity that may have substantial direct impacts on the lands or interests of the tribes, on the relationship between the federal government and the tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the government and the tribes. Agencies may temporarily waive these requirements in an emergency. 
 
Federal agencies must: (1) recognize and respect tribal self-government and sovereignty, honor tribal rights, and strive to meet the responsibilities that arise from the unique legal relationship between the federal government and tribal governments; (2) grant tribal governments maximum discretion in the administration of federal statutes and regulations; (3) streamline the processes under which tribes apply for waivers of statutory and regulatory requirements; and (4) consider waiver applications with a view toward increasing opportunities for flexible policy approaches.
 
Tribes may seek judicial review of a determination of an agency under this bill if the tribe has exhausted all other administrative remedies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Everglades for the Next Generation Act

Bill: 115-hr-2691
Sponsor: Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Everglades
Florida
Water quality
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Everglades for the Next Generation Act

 
This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to authorize the Department of the Army, after completing an implementation report prepared for a project under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and without any further congressional authorization, to carry out: (1) any project identified in the plan for which a project implementation report is completed that is in accordance with an integrated delivery schedule approved by the Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District, provided that the report is completed by five years after the date of the enactment of this bill; and (2) any group of projects under the plan that the Corps determines will provide regional or watershed ecosystem or water supply benefits if constructed in accordance with a project implementation report approved by the Corps and the district by such date.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Veterans Education Flexibility Act

Bill: 115-hr-2692
Sponsor: Rep. Higgins, Brian [D-NY-26]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Higher education
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Veterans Education Flexibility Act

 
This bill declares that, if an individual eligible for educational assistance under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program of the Department of Veterans Affairs is enrolled in an educational institution and the period of entitlement (10 years after discharge or release from active duty) would expire during a quarter or semester of enrollment, the period shall be extended to the end of that period (or until the earlier of the end of the course or 12 weeks in the case of an educational institution not regularly operated on a quarter or semester basis).
 
The bill: (1) repeals the delimiting period for the use of assistance under the post-Vietnam era veterans' educational assistance program (generally 10 years after the veteran's last discharge or release from active duty), and (2) applies the assistance extension provided under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program to the post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to limit attorney fees and penalties in citizen suits, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-hr-2693
Sponsor: Rep. Hunter, Duncan D. [R-CA-50]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Legal fees and court costs
Pollution liability
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to limit the amount that may be awarded for the costs of litigation in citizen suits. An award of litigation costs may not exceed: (1) an amount that is proportional to the number of successful claims included in the complaint, or (2) the amount of monetary penalties.
 
The award of litigation costs must be based on the prevailing rates in the local market area where the violation occurred for the kind and quality of the services furnished. 
 
Citizen suits may not be commenced if the Environmental Protection Agency or a state has commenced and is diligently prosecuting a civil or criminal action through the issuance of a compliance order.
 
The bill provides for certain affirmative defenses for a person who may be liable for the unlawful discharge of a pollutant under the Clean Water Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to enhance protections regarding voter registration, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-hr-2694
Sponsor: Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-49]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Military personnel and dependents
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 
This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide that, for purposes of voting for any federal, state, or local office, a servicemember who registers to vote in a state in which he or she is present in compliance with military orders for a permanent change of station shall not, solely by reason of that registration, be deemed to have: (1) acquired a residence or domicile in that state; (2) become a resident in or of that state; or (3) lost a residence or domicile in any other state, without regard to whether the person intends to return to that state.
 
Within 10 days after a servicemember registers to vote in the state in which he or she is present in compliance with such orders: (1) such servicemember shall notify the Service Voting Action Officer of the military department concerned, and (2) such officer shall notify the chief state election official of the state in which the servicemember resides or is domiciled.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2695
Sponsor: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Due process and equal protection
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Executive agency funding and structure
Indian social and development programs
Poverty and welfare assistance
Racial and ethnic relations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Environmental Justice Small Grants Program Act of 2017

 
This bill establishes in the Environmental Protection Agency an Office of Environmental Justice. The office must create an environmental justice grant program that empowers and educates communities that are affected by local environmental or public health issues to understand those issues and identify ways to address them at the local level.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.
action_date: 2017-06-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.
action_date: 2017-06-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2017-05-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Executive Office of Environmental Justice Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2696
Sponsor: Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Due process and equal protection
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Poverty and welfare assistance
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Public participation and lobbying
Racial and ethnic relations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Executive Office of Environmental Justice Act of 2017

 
This bill establishes in the Executive Office of the President an Office of Environmental Justice, which must:
 
 
complete and publish online environmental justice assessments of executive orders and discuss the assessments with the President before the executive orders are signed,
 
review progress being made on implementing environmental justice policies at certain agencies,
 
coordinate community and stakeholder outreach, and
 
ensure that the goals of Executive Order 12898 relating to federal actions to address environmental justice in minority populations and low-income populations are being actively implemented through science-based regulations in the White House and the Environmental Protection Agency.
 
 
In addition, the bill expands the membership of the Domestic Policy Council to include a representative from the office.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Transparency in Military Lending Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2697
Sponsor: Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Consumer credit
Financial services and investments
Government information and archives
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Transparency in Military Lending Act of 2017 

 
 This bill requires a creditor to provide to a member of the Armed Forces on active regular, reserve, or National Guard duty or such member's dependent, with respect to any extension of consumer credit, and to obtain the member's or dependent's signed acknowledgement of: (1) a statement that the Department of Defense (DOD) and each service branch offers a variety of financial counseling services; (2) a statement that other, potentially lower interest rate loans may be available through other financial institutions and military relief societies; (3) contact information for the nearest DOD financial counseling office; and (4) a statement of the actual cost of the extension of credit when paid off at different points over time.
 
 DOD shall prepare a list of DOD financial counseling offices and make such list available to creditors and the public.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Keep Student Veterans in Their Homes Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2698
Sponsor: Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Keep Student Veterans in Their Homes Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to pay educational assistance and subsistence allowances to eligible veterans and eligible persons enrolled in specified courses solely for a monthly housing stipend of up to four months following a permanent school closure. 
 
A housing or educational assistance payment shall not be counted against the aggregate period for which such assistance may be provided or charged against the individual's entitlement to educational assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Secretary of Defense to more effectively provide mental health resources for members of the Armed Forces at high risk of suicide, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-hr-2699
Sponsor: Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health promotion and preventive care
Mental health
Military medicine
Military operations and strategy
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop a methodology to: 
 
 
 identify units of the Armed Forces that have a disproportionately high rate of suicide and suicide attempts;
 
 provide additional mental health resources for members of the Armed Forces deployed with such units;
 
 identify the circumstances of deployments associated with increased vulnerability to suicide, including the length and area of deployment and the nature and extent of contact with enemy forces; and
 
 provide additional preventative mental health care to units deployed under similar circumstances.
 
 
 DOD shall: (1) develop a methodology to assess the rate of suicide and suicide attempts of members of the Armed Forces of units that have been deployed in support of a contingency operation after September 11, 2001, and (2) provide outreach regarding the available mental health resources for veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system who were deployed with such units.
 
Information obtained pursuant to this bill may be used by DOD and VA officers, employees, and contractors only for the purposes of carrying it out.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Workforce Development Investment Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2700
Sponsor: Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Income tax credits
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Workforce Development Investment Act of 2017 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business-related tax credit of $5,000 for each community college, other institution of higher education, or area career and technical education school engaged in a qualified partnership with the employer. The bill allows a maximum credit of $20,000 in any taxable year. 
 
Within six months of the enactment of this bill, the Department of Education must define the term &quot;qualified partnership.&quot; The term must include a partnership through which an employer: (1) collaborates with an educational institution to help develop curriculum in order to improve workforce development and job training for students; (2) helps provide instruction to students in the classroom; and (3) provides internships, apprenticeships, or other similar educational opportunities in the workplace for students. 
 
This bill also allows employers a worker training tax credit equal to the lesser of: 50% of the job training program expenditures for a full-time employee participating in a qualified training program, or $5,000. A &quot;qualified training program&quot; is: (1) a qualified partnership, or (2) an apprenticeship program registered and certified with the Department of Labor under the National Apprenticeship Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 115-hr-2701
Sponsor: Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Military history
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Smithsonian Institution

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, known as the &quot;Ghost Army,&quot; collectively, in recognition of its service during World War II. 
 
The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should make the medal available for display elsewhere, particularly at appropriate locations associated with the Ghost Army, and that preference should be given to locations affiliated with the Smithsonian.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House