hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
SHUSH Act

Bill: 115-s-1505
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Federal preemption
Firearms and explosives
Law enforcement officers
Licensing and registrations
Sales and excise taxes
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 

Silencers Help Us Save Hearing Act or the SHUSH Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code: (1) to remove silencers from the list of firearms subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act (NFA), and (2) to specify that a person who lawfully acquires or possesses a silencer under provisions of the federal criminal code meets the registration and licensing requirements of the NFA.
 
Additionally, the bill amends the federal criminal code:
 
 
to preempt state or local laws that tax or regulate firearm silencers, 
 
to exclude a muffler or silencer from the list of firearms subject to regulation, 
 
to eliminate mandatory minimum prison terms for a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense in which a defendant uses or carries a firearm equipped with a silencer, and 
 
to permit active and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed silencer. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Merchant Marine Academy Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1506
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Transportation
Domestic violence and child abuse
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Marine and inland water transportation
Military education and training
Military personnel and dependents
New York City
New York State
School administration
Sex offenses
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Transportation employees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 

Merchant Marine Academy Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill addresses sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, including to make the academy subject to title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. (Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
State Flood Mitigation Revolving Fund Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1507
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Building construction
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Floods and storm protection
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing finance and home ownership
Low- and moderate-income housing
Securities
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 

State Flood Mitigation Revolving Fund Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to permit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide capitalization grants to states to establish revolving funds to address flood risks. Revolving funds may be used to provide: (1) financial assistance to participants in the National Flood Insurance Program, including homeowners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and local governments; or (2) support for leveraged loans or state bonds. Financial assistance may be used for elevation projects, flood-proofing activities, relocation or removal of buildings, environmental restoration, acquiring property, obtaining protective easements, and other activities identified by FEMA.
 
States must annually submit to FEMA a plan that identifies the intended uses of the state loan fund.
 
States may provide additional subsidies to low-income homeowners and recipients of financial assistance in low-income areas. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3862-3863)
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to modify the authorized uses of certain county funds and to extend the deadline for participating counties to initiate projects and obligate funds.

Bill: 115-s-1508
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Emergency planning and evacuation
First responders and emergency personnel
Forests, forestry, trees
Law enforcement administration and funding
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 
This bill amends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to modify the authorized uses of funds a county elects to receive under such Act to include:
 
 
 reimbursing the county for law enforcement patrols and evacuations that are performed on federal land;
 
search and rescue preparedness training; and 
 
capital equipment, equipment maintenance, and other purchases related to carrying out search and rescue and other emergency services. 
 
 
A participating county may reallocate funds for a different use than authorized only after the 45-day public comment period has ended, at the beginning of which the county shall publish a description of how it proposes to use the funds. 
 
The bill extends the authority for the initiation of county projects until the end of FY2019 and allows county funds to remain available until expended. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Orphan Products Extension Now Accelerating Cures and Treatments Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1509
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Child health
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug therapy
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Government information and archives
Intellectual property
Licensing and registrations
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 

Orphan Products Extension Now Accelerating Cures and Treatments Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to extend by six months the exclusivity period for an approved drug or biological product when the product is additionally approved to prevent, diagnose, or treat a new indication that is a rare disease or condition (also known as an orphan disease). The FDA may revoke an extension if the application for the new indication contained an untrue material statement. The FDA must notify the public of products that receive this extension and patents related to those products. Products may receive only one of these extensions. This extension is in addition to other extensions. Only products approved after enactment of this bill for a new indication that is a rare disease or condition are eligible for an extension.
 
For a medication to be approved as an orphan drug with seven years of marketing exclusivity when it is the same medication for the same condition as an already approved orphan drug, the sponsor of the new medication must demonstrate that the new medication is clinically superior to the approved medication.
 The bill expands to cover brand name drugs provisions that allow generic drugs to be approved and marketed without labeling for pediatric indications when the pediatric indications are protected by patent or marketing exclusivity.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Helping State and Local Governments Prevent Cyber Attacks (HACK) Act

Bill: 115-s-1510
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Postal service
Right of privacy
State and local government operations
Subversive activities

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 

Helping State and Local Governments Prevent Cyber Attacks (HACK) Act

 
This bill directs the Election Assistance Commission to (1) report to Congress on best practices for election cybersecurity and audits, (2) provide grants to states for implementing such best practices, and (3) develop an online voter-registration platform.
 
The bill also requires states to (1) provide for early voting, either in person or by mail; and (2) count a provisional ballot from an individual eligible to vote, regardless of the precinct or polling place within the state at which the individual cast the ballot.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Keeping Health Insurance Affordable Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1511
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Appropriations
Business records
Child health
Comprehensive health care
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Income tax credits
Medicaid
Medicare
Prescription drugs
Public contracts and procurement
Retail and wholesale trades
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 

Keeping Health Insurance Affordable Act of 2017

 
This bill alters and establishes several programs relating to health insurance and prescription drugs. Among other changes, the bill 
 
 
establishes and funds the Individual Market Reinsurance Fund to provide an individual market stabilization reinsurance program in each state; 
 
requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a public health insurance option through health insurance exchanges;
 
expands eligibility for the health insurance premium tax credit;
 
expands eligibility for additional cost-sharing reductions that apply to certain enrollees of qualified health plans;
 
requires drug manufacturers, as a condition of participation in the Medicare prescription drug benefit, to issue rebates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for drugs dispensed to certain low-income enrollees;
 
requires the CMS to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies regarding prices for drugs covered under the Medicare prescription drug benefit; and 
 
provides an enhanced federal medical assistance percentage of 100% to states that deliver items and services through a collaborative care model or an evidence-based model that integrates behavioral health services into primary care treatment.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1512
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Department of Energy
Department of the Interior
Economic performance and conditions
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Executive Office of the President
Oil and gas
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 

Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act of 2017

 
This bill prohibits the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of the Interior, the Department of Transportation, and the Council on Environmental Quality from considering the social cost of carbon, methane, nitrous oxide, or greenhouse gas as part of any cost benefit analysis in the rule making process, unless a federal law is enacted authorizing such consideration. They may also consider those social costs if they use an estimate that: (1) complies with the requirements of the &quot;Circular A-4&quot; document of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), (2) uses only the discount rates specified in that document, (3) considers only the domestic costs and benefits of the activity, and (4) has been reviewed by the OMB for compliance with the circular A-4 document and consistency across federal agencies.
 
The EPA must report on the number of proposed and final rulemakings, guidance documents, and agency actions since January 2009 that use those social costs, including as part of any cost benefit analysis required under Executive Order 12866 or other relevant authority.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act

Bill: 115-s-1513
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax-exempt organizations
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act 

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and revises requirements for appointment to the board of directors of the foundation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Expand and Strengthen Defense Network of Partners Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1515
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Computer security and identity theft
Energy research
Higher education
Military facilities and property
Military operations and strategy
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public-private cooperation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 

Expand and Strengthen Defense Network of Partners Act of 2017

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish one or more multi-institution task order arrangements to facilitate expedited access to university technical expertise in support of DOD missions in specified areas, including cybersecurity, shipbuilding, undersea warfare, drones, and energy. Such arrangements may not be used to fund research programs that can be executed through other DOD basic research activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to expand health care choices by allowing Americans to buy health care coverage across State lines.

Bill: 115-s-1516
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Comprehensive health care
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Insurance industry and regulation
Intergovernmental relations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to provide that the laws of a state designated by a health insurer (primary state) apply to individual health insurance coverage offered by that insurer in any state (secondary state) if the coverage, states, and insurer comply with the conditions of this bill. Insurers are exempted from any secondary state's laws that would prohibit or regulate the operation of the insurer in that state. The primary state is given sole jurisdiction to enforce its covered laws in any secondary state.
 
The Government Accountability Office must study the effect of this bill on specified health insurance issues.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
HERO Improvements Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1517
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2017-06-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Crimes against children
Employment and training programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Human trafficking
Sex offenses
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: 

HERO Improvements Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide statutory authority for the Human Exploitation Rescue Operation (HERO) Child-Rescue Corps Program within the Cyber Crimes Center of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 
 
The HERO Child-Rescue Corps Program, operated in partnership with the Department of Defense and the National Association to Protect Children, must recruit, train, equip, and employ wounded, ill, and injured veterans and other members of the military to combat and prevent child exploitation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-06-29
text: Introduced in Senate
CHANCE in TECH Act

Bill: 115-s-1518
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2017-07-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Science and engineering education
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-10
text: 

CHampioning Apprenticeships for New Careers and Employees in TECHnology Act or the CHANCE in TECH Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Labor to enter into competitive contracts with industry intermediaries to promote the development of and access to apprenticeships in the technology sector.
 
The Department of Education may issue CHANCE in TECH Awards for 21st Century Schools to secondary schools or junior or community colleges that demonstrate high achievement in providing students necessary skills to compete in the 21st century workforce.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-07-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Student Loan Relief Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1521
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2017-07-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-10
text: 

Student Loan Relief Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to cap the interest rate for new Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans that are disbursement on or after July 1, 2018. Specifically, the bill caps the rates for: (1) undergraduate students at 4%, (2) graduate students at 5%, and (3) parents of undergraduates at 6%.
 
In addition, the bill eliminates loan origination fees charged to students to process their loans.
 
 Finally, the bill establishes a program that allows eligible students with existing loans under the Federal Direct Loan program (a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, a Federal Direct PLUS Loan, or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan) to refinance their loans down to the lower rates offered to new federal borrowers in the 2017-2018 school year. The program must also allow students with loans under the Federal Family Education Loans program to refinance them as federal direct loans. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3886-3887)
action_date: 2017-07-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Every Kid Outdoors Act

Bill: 115-s-1522
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2017-07-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Child health
Elementary and secondary education
Forests, forestry, trees
Government information and archives
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
State and local government operations
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-10
text: 

Every Kid Outdoors Act

 
This bill directs the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and the Army to establish the Every Kids Outdoors program to provide fourth graders free access to federal lands and waters to which the public has access. 
 
Such Departments shall issue such students annual passes, upon request, which shall allow free access to:
 
 
 a per-vehicle fee area for the student and any passengers accompanying the student in a private, noncommercial vehicle or for up to three adults accompanying the student on bicycles; or 
 
 a per-person fee area for the student and up to three adults accompanying the student. 
 
 
In carrying out such program, such departments:
 
 
may collaborate with state park systems that opt to implement a complementary Every Kid Outdoors State park pass,
 
shall maintain a publicly available website that provides information about the program,
 
may provide visitor services, and 
 
may support approved partners of the federal lands and waters by furnishing them with opportunities for participation in the program. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-417.
action_date: 2017-07-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-07-10
text: Introduced in Senate