hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Plum Island Conservation Act

Bill: 115-s-1737
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Agricultural research
Animal and plant health
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Land transfers
Medical research
New York State
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Plum Island Conservation Act
 
 
This bill amends the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 to repeal provisions requiring the sale of federal property and assets supporting the Department of Homeland Security's Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Access Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1738
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug therapy
Home and outpatient care
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Access Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to temporarily provide for transitional Medicare payment with respect to certain home infusion services furnished on or after January 1, 2019. Under current law, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services is required to establish a permanent payment system with respect to such services furnished on or after January 1, 2021.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
BASIC Act

Bill: 115-s-1739
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Disability assistance
Family relationships
Marriage and family status
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Benefit Adjustment of Social Security Income Compensation Act or the BASIC Act

 
This bill requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to continue monthly insurance benefit payments to a beneficiary, on a prorated basis, through the month of the beneficiary's death. The bill also revises the SSA's methodology for calculating certain lump-sum payments to survivors.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Default Prevention Act

Bill: 115-s-1740
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional oversight
Medicare
Military personnel and dependents
Social security and elderly assistance
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Default Prevention Act 

 
This bill requires the following obligations to be granted priority over all other U.S. obligations if the public debt reaches the statutory limit: 
 
 
 principal and interest on debt held by the public; 
 
compensation, allowances, and benefits for members of the Armed Forces on active duty; 
 
Social Security benefits; 
 
Medicare benefits; and
 
obligations under any program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
 
 
If Congress is notified, the Department of the Treasury may issue additional debt for the priority obligations in excess of the debt limit. Treasury may issue the additional debt during the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the United States is unable to use revenues or extraordinary measures to fully pay the priority obligations at the time they are due. 
 
(The term &quot;extraordinary measures&quot; refers to a series of actions that Treasury may implement to allow the United States to borrow additional funds without exceeding the debt limit. The measures generally include suspensions or delays of debt sales and suspensions or redemptions of investments in certain government funds.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Special Counsel Integrity Act

Bill: 115-s-1741
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Justice
Federal officials
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Judicial review and appeals
Supreme Court

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Special Counsel Integrity Act

 
This bill sets forth requirements and limitations with respect to the discipline or removal from office of a special counsel appointed under Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations. 
 
Specifically, a special counsel may be disciplined or removed only by the personal action of an Attorney General who has been confirmed by the Senate. If the Attorney General is recused from the matter, then a special counsel may be disciplined or removed by the most senior DOJ official who has been confirmed by the Senate and is not recused from the matter.
 
A special counsel: (1) may only be removed for misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or other good cause, including violation of DOJ policies; (2) must be informed in writing of the specific reason for the removal; and (3) may file an action for judicial review of the removal.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-26
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare at 55 Act

Bill: 115-s-1742
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Medicare at 55 Act

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow individuals aged 55 to 64 to buy into Medicare or Medicare Advantage. Such enrollees shall be entitled to Medicare hospital, medical, and prescription-drug benefits.
 
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish enrollment periods and determine monthly premiums with respect to such enrollees, as specified by the bill. Premium amounts collected by HHS shall be deposited in the Hospital Insurance and Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds.
 
Such enrollees shall not be eligible for Medicare cost-sharing assistance but may be eligible for premium assistance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Coal Community Empowerment Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1743
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Coal Community Empowerment Act of 2017 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize tax incentives and grants for areas impacted by employment in coal mines. 
 
Coal Community Zones are counties that either: (1) lost at least 50 coal mining jobs from 2011-2015 out of a total of not more than 20,000 employed workers in 2011, or (2) had at least 5% of their employment in coal mining on average from 2011-2015. 
 
For taxpayers located in or investing in the zones, the bill allows: 
 
 
additional tax-exempt bonds, 
 
 an employment tax credit for hiring individuals in the zones, 
 
 additional expensing for business property,
 
 a deduction for building or revitalizing a commercial building,
 
the elimination of capital gains taxes on certain gains that are invested in zones, and
 
 additional new markets tax credits to finance projects in the zones.
 
 
The Department of Labor and the Department of Education must jointly establish grant programs for:
 
 
individual support accounts to fund education and training costs that will prepare individuals in zones for long-term, high-wage employment; 
 
the development, revamping, improvement, or expansion of education and training programs for zones in in-demand industry sectors or occupations or industries in local demand; and 
 
programs for businesses to provide in-house training and future employment to individuals in zones. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Brokaw Act

Bill: 115-s-1744
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Brokaw Act

 
This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to heighten disclosure requirements with respect to certain acquisitions of short interest in equity securities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-06-28
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-406.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to revise the boundaries of a John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Unit in Topsail, North Carolina.

Bill: 115-s-1745
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
North Carolina
Seashores and lakeshores

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 
This bill modifies certain boundaries of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Unit located in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
CBO Show Your Work Act

Bill: 115-s-1746
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget process
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
Congressional agencies
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Government information and archives
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

CBO Show Your Work Act 

 
This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to make available to Congress and the public each fiscal model, policy model, and data preparation routine that the CBO uses to estimate the costs and other fiscal, social, or economic effects of legislation. 
 
For each estimate of the costs and other fiscal effects of legislation, the CBO must also disclose, in a manner sufficient to permit replication by individuals not employed by the CBO, the data, programs, models, assumptions, and other details of the computations used to prepare the estimate. 
 
For data that may not be disclosed, the CBO must make available to Congress and the public: 
 
 
 a complete list of all data variables for the data; 
 
 descriptive statistics for all data variables for the data, to the extent that the descriptive statistics do not violate the rule against disclosure; 
 
 a reference to the statute requiring that the data not be disclosed; and 
 
 contact information for the individual or entity who has unrestricted access to the data. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Florida Manatee Research and Recovery Act

Bill: 115-s-1747
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Aquatic ecology
Congressional oversight
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Florida
Mammals
Research administration and funding
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Florida Manatee Research and Recovery Act

 
This bill requires the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to begin to carry out research and recovery activities specific to Florida manatee populations, the subspecies 
Trichechus manatus latirostris
, in the United States. 
 
The Marine Mammal Commission must recommend to the USFWS steps for the protection, conservation, and recovery of the populations.
 
In addition, the USFWS must establish a peer-reviewed, merit-based process to award competitive grants for: (1) research regarding Florida manatees; and (2) recovery activities that assist in or promote their protection, conservation, and recovery.
 
Within two years, the USFWS must report on: (1) the status of Florida manatee populations, (2) research and recovery activities, (3) the manatee grant review and award process, and (4) relevant consultations conducted under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) with respect to the Florida manatee.
 
Within three years, and every five years thereafter, the USFWS must report on (1) the status of the Florida manatees' health, mortality, and habitat; (2) actions taken to improve their health, reduce their mortality, and improve and protect their habitat; (3) recommendations for actions that may be taken under current law for improving their health, reducing their mortality due to humans, and improving and protecting their habitat; (4) recommendations for funding to carry out this bill; and (5) relevant consultations conducted under the ESA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Florida Fisheries Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1748
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Atlantic Ocean
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Economic performance and conditions
Fishes
Florida
Government studies and investigations
Gulf of Mexico
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Florida Fisheries Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to revise requirements for fishery management in the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic, including by (1)authorizing the use of alternative fishery management measures in a recreational fishery, (2)requiring the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic fishery management councils to review the allocation of fishing privileges every five to eight years, and (3)requiring the Department of Commerce to develop a plan to conduct stock assessments for all stocks of fish that have a fishery management plan in effect.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
American Liberty Restoration Act

Bill: 115-s-1749
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

American Liberty Restoration Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the requirement for individuals to be covered by a health insurance plan that provides at least minimum essential coverage (commonly referred to as the individual mandate) and related reporting requirements regarding health insurance coverage. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
American Job Protection Act

Bill: 115-s-1750
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

American Job Protection Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the requirement for certain large employers to offer full-time employees and their dependents minimum essential health insurance coverage under an employer-sponsored health plan (commonly referred to as the employer mandate) and related reporting requirements regarding employer-provided health insurance coverage. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1751
Sponsor: Sen. Donnelly, Joe [D-IN]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) to specify that a retailer of manufactured housing is generally not a "mortgage originator" subject to requirements under that Act. Similarly, the bill amends the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to specify that such a retailer is generally not a "loan originator" subject to requirements under that Act.
 
In addition, the bill increases the annual percentage rates and transaction values at which mortgages for certain dwellings are considered "high-cost mortgages" under TILA. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Emergency Fuel Reduction Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1752
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Emergency Fuel Reduction Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to categorically exclude an authorized hazardous fuel reduction project from the environmental review requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 if the project: 
 
 
 involves the removal of insect-infested trees, dead or dying trees, trees presenting a threat to public safety or electrical reliability, or the removal of other hazardous fuels threatening certain infrastructure;
 
is conducted on federal land that is not located in the wildland-urban interface, is located within at least 1.5 miles of nonfederal land, and on which conditions are determined to pose a risk to adjacent nonfederal land; or
 
treats 10,000 acres or less of federal land that is at particular risk for wildfire, contains threatened and endangered species habitat, or provides conservation benefits to a species that is not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, but is under consideration to be listed, or a state-listed or special concern species.
 
 
The bill does not apply to federal land that is wilderness, on which the removal of vegetation is specifically prohibited, or that is within a national monument. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFE Transitional License Act

Bill: 115-s-1753
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Government liability
Housing finance and home ownership
Licensing and registrations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

SAFE Transitional License Act

 
This bill amends the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to temporarily allow loan originators that meet specified requirements to continue to originate loans after moving: (1) from one state to another, or (2) from a depository institution to a non-depository institution.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1754
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Medical education
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to extend and expand funding through FY2020 for graduate medical education programs at teaching centers (which train medical residents in primary care specialties). The bill allows funds to be used for maintaining, expanding, and establishing graduate medical residency programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4831)
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Drone Operator Safety Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1755
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2017-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: 

Drone Operator Safety Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly or recklessly operate an unmanned aircraft that interferes with or disrupts an aircraft or airborne vehicle carrying at least one occupant in U.S. airspace.
 
It imposes criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term, or both&#8212;on a violator.
 
The prohibition includes the unauthorized operation of an unmanned aircraft within an airport's runway exclusion zone (i.e., defined area of controlled airspace around an active runway) unless the operation is the result of an unforeseeable circumstance (e.g., a malfunction).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate