hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to reauthorize the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-s-745
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Detention of persons
Immigration status and procedures
Law enforcement administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to reauthorize the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) through FY2021. SCAAP provides payments to state, local, and tribal governments to offset the costs of incarcerating certain undocumented criminal aliens.
 
It expands the definition of &ldquo;undocumented criminal alien&rdquo; to include an alien who has been charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors.
 
Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Justice to reimburse a state, local, or tribal government for incarceration costs and medical expenses of a criminal alien whose immigration status cannot be verified by the Department of Homeland Security. (Currently, a criminal alien with lawful immigration status does not meet the criteria for SCAAP reimbursement.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2050-2051)
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
TRASH Act

Bill: 115-s-746
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Intergovernmental relations
Solid waste and recycling
State and local government operations
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

Trash Reduction and Sensible Handling Act of 2017 or the TRASH Act

 
This bill amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize state solid waste management plans to restrict the importation of out-of-state waste at the state and local level by requiring out-of-state waste to be from states with waste handling and reduction standards that are equivalent to or higher than the standards of the state receiving the waste.
 
Those plans may impose a community benefit fee on out-of-state waste, which may be higher than the fees for in-state waste. States may provide those fees to affected communities and may differentiate community benefit fees based on whether the imported waste was disposed of at a landfill, an incinerator, a resource recovery facility, a waste-to-energy facility, or other waste handling facility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Special Diabetes Program for Indians Reauthorization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-747
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Appropriations
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health programs administration and funding
Indian social and development programs
Inflation and prices
Minority health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

Special Diabetes Program for Indians Reauthorization Act of 2017

 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to extend through FY2024 funding for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Transparency in Student Lending Act

Bill: 115-s-749
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

Transparency in Student Lending Act

 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand disclosure requirements for an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in the Direct Loan program. Specifically, it requires an IHE to disclose, prior to disbursement, the annual percentage rate applicable to a Direct Loan. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Keep It in the Ground Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-750
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Arctic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Gulf of Mexico
Land use and conservation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas
Pacific Ocean

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

Keep It in the Ground Act of 

201

7

 
 
This bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) from issuing, renewing, reinstating, or extending any nonproducing lease, or issuing any authorization for the exploration or production of oil, natural gas, or any other fossil fuel in the Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, or any other area of the Outer Continental Shelf. BOEM shall also cancel within 60 days any lease issued in the Beaufort Sea, Cook Inlet, or Chukchi Sea (three of the five bodies of water that encompass the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf).
 
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) must not issue, renew, reinstate, or extend any nonproducing lease for the exploration or production of any onshore fossil fuels, including coal, oil, tar sands, oil shale, and gas, on land subject to the Mineral Leasing Act.
 
The bill provides for exceptions if there is an imminent national security threat that would be significantly reduced by granting an exception. 
 
In addition, BOEM and the BLM may allow a nonproducing lease to be renewed or extended if the lease contract was signed before this bill, and giving effect to any provision of this bill is likely to lead to a material breach of contract.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
National Park Service Legacy Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-751
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Congressional oversight
Department of the Interior
Energy revenues and royalties
Executive agency funding and structure
Government trust funds
Mining
Oil and gas
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Public-private cooperation
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

National Park Service Legacy Act of 2017

 
This bill: (1) establishes the National Park Service Legacy Restoration Fund, and (2) requires specified amounts of federal mineral revenues that are not otherwise credited, covered, or deposited pursuant to federal law to be deposited into such fund each fiscal year through FY2047. 
 
Amounts in the fund shall be used for meeting high-priority deferred maintenance needs of the National Park Service (NPS) as follows:
 
 
20% shall be allocated to transportation-related projects that may be eligible for funding made available to the NPS through the federal lands transportation program or any similar federal land highway program administered by the Department of Transportation; and 
 
80% shall be allocated for the repair and rehabilitation of assets for certain projects that are not eligible for funding under such programs, including historic assets, nonhistoric assets related to visitor access, health and safety, and recreation, and visitor facilities, water and utility systems, and employee housing. 
 
 
No fund amounts may be used by the NPS to acquire land or to supplant discretionary funding made available for annually recurring facility operations and maintenance needs. 
 
As part of its annual budget submission, the NPS shall submit a prioritized list of deferred maintenance projects proposed to be funded by such fund during the fiscal year. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act

Bill: 115-s-752
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of the Treasury
Motor fuels
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the definition of "crude oil" for purposes of the excise tax on petroleum and petroleum products to include any bitumen or bituminous mixture, any oil derived from a bitumen or bituminous mixture (tar sands), and any oil derived from kerogen-bearing sources (oil shale).
 
The bill also authorizes the Department of the Treasury to classify as crude oil or as a petroleum product subject to such tax any fuel feedstock or finished fuel product transported by pipeline, vessel, railcar, or tanker truck if such classification is consistent with the definition of oil under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and such fuel feedstock or finished fuel product is produced in sufficient commercial quantities as to pose a significant risk of hazard in the event of a discharge. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to ensure that oil transported through the Keystone XL pipeline into the United States is used to reduce United States dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

Bill: 115-s-753
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Canada
Energy prices
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Motor fuels
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 
This bill requires the Department of Energy to ensure that any crude oil, bitumen, and refined petroleum products transported into the United States through the Keystone XL pipeline will be entered into domestic commerce for use as fuel or the manufacture of another product.
 
The President may waive the requirement in specified circumstances, including where: (1)a waiver is in the national interest; (2)an exchange of crude oil or petroleum products provides no net loss of these products domestically; or (3) a waiver is necessary under the Constitution, a law, or an international agreement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Fairness for Pilots Act

Bill: 115-s-755
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2017-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Aviation and airports
Congressional oversight
Department of Transportation
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Judicial review and appeals
Licensing and registrations
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: 

Fairness for Pilots Act

 
This bill amends the Pilot's Bill of Rights to revise the authorization for appeal to a federal court by a substantially affected individual from a decision of the National Transportation Safety Board to uphold an adverse Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) order or final decision. The bill specifies the suspension or revocation of an airman certificate as the punitive civil action which may be appealed.
 
A U.S. district court shall review de novo an FAA denial, suspension, or revocation of an airman certificate.
 
The bill prescribes requirements for FAA reexamination of airmen certificates where there are reasonable grounds to question an airman's lack of competence or believe a certificate was obtained through fraud.
 
The FAA may not take enforcement action against an individual for violation of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding airspace system information until the FAA certifies its compliance with certain NOTAM Improvement Program requirements. 
 
The FAA, upon receiving a request for a covered flight record of air traffic data not in its possession, shall request the record from a FAA contract tower or other FAA contractor possessing it. 
 
The FAA shall revise certain regulations for FAA administrative disposition of a case under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 or the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to authorize the FAA legal counsel to close covered enforcement actions with a warning notice, letter of correction, or other administrative action. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Border Landowner and Lessee Consultation Act

Bill: 115-s-757
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Border security and unlawful immigration
Customs enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Latin America
Mexico
Property rights

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: 

Border Landowner and Lessee Consultation Act

 
This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to consult with owners or lessors of real property along the southern international border between the United States and Mexico concerning CBP operations that affect their property.
 
The bill establishes in CBP a Private Landowner Ombudsman to assist owners of real property along such border in communicating their needs and interests with respect to CBP operations that affect their property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Janey Ensminger Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-758
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2017-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Hospital care
Military facilities and property
Military personnel and dependents
North Carolina
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: 

Janey Ensminger Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, at least every three years, to: 
 
 
review the scientific literature relevant to the relationship between the employment or residence of individuals at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for at least 30 days during the period of August 1, 1953, to December 21, 1987, and specific illnesses or conditions incurred by those individuals and determine whether and to what extent the evidence shows that toxic substance exposure is a cause of an illness or condition; and 
 
publish and update a list of each illness and the categorization of evidence for which a determination of cause has been made.
 
 
A veteran who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during such period is eligible for hospital care and medical services for any of the illnesses or conditions for which the evidentiary connection between toxic exposure and the illness or condition is categorized in such list as sufficient or modest. Such a veteran who has been furnished hospital care or medical services shall remain eligible for such care or services for such illness or condition even if the evidentiary connection is not categorized as sufficient or modest. A family member of such veteran who has been furnished hospital care or medical services shall remain eligible for hospital care or medical services for such illness or condition. 
 
The Department of Veterans Affairs shall transfer for each of FY2017 and FY2018 specified finds to enhance the claims processing system, eligibility system, and web portal for the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-215.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Currency Optimization, Innovation, and National Savings Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-759
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Currency
Government studies and investigations
Metals

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: 

Currency Optimization, Innovation, and National Savings Act of 2017

 
This bill suspends the production of one-cent coins, other than collectible coins, for a 10-year period. The Government Accountability Office shall study the effect of this temporary suspension and report on whether production should remain suspended.
 
In addition, the bill provides for: (1) modifications to the composition of the five-cent coin; and (2) the replacement, in circulation, of $1 notes with $1 coins.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Care Options Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-761
Sponsor: Sen. Alexander, Lamar [R-TN]
Introduced: 2017-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Income tax credits
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: 

Health Care Options Act of 2017 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to temporarily permit certain individuals to use the premium assistance tax credit to purchase health insurance outside of an exchange established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care (PPACA). 
 
The bill applies to individuals who reside in a rating area or county that the Department of Health and Human Services has certified has no qualified health plans offered through an exchange established under PPACA. 
 
Individuals residing in the areas or counties may use the premium assistance tax credit through 2019 to enroll in a plan outside of an exchange if the plan is: (1) authorized by the state in which the taxpayer resides to be offered in the individual market, or (2) is a not-for-profit membership organization that is organized and authorized under state law to accept member contributions to fund health care benefits for members and their families. 
 
The bill prohibits advance payments of the credit from being made with respect to the off-exchange plans and specifies reporting requirements for the plans.
 
Through 2019, the bill also exempts the individuals residing in the counties or areas from the requirement to maintain minimum essential health coverage (commonly referred to as the individual mandate). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2100-2101)
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
IRS Whistleblower Improvements Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-762
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: 

IRS Whistleblower Improvements Act of 2017 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), with respect to whistle-blowers, to establish rules regarding the disclosure of tax return information and retaliation by employers. 
 
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may disclose tax return information to whistle-blowers if: (1) the information is related to the investigation of any taxpayer with respect to whom the whistle-blower has provided information; and (2) the disclosure is necessary to obtain information, which is not otherwise reasonably available, with respect to the correct determination of tax liability or the amount to be collected with respect to the enforcement of any other provision of the IRC. 
 
The bill also: (1) requires the IRS to provide updates to whistle-blowers regarding investigations, and (2) subjects whistle-blowers who receive tax return information to criminal penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information.
 
An employer or any officer, employee, contractor, subcontractor, or agent of the employer may not retaliate against an employee for certain lawful activities related to alleged underpayments of taxes or violations of tax law. The specified activities include: (1) providing certain information or assistance to federal agencies or Congress; and (2) testifying, participating in, or otherwise assisting in IRS actions.
 
The bill also specifies: (1) enforcement actions that may be brought before the Department of Labor or in federal court to enforce the laws against retaliation, (2) procedures that apply to the actions, and (3) remedies that must be provided to employees that prevail in the actions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2101)
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Education Priority Enrollment Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-764
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2017-03-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Higher education
National Guard and reserves
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: 

Veterans Education Priority Enrollment Act
 
of 2017

 
This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs or a state approving agency from approving a program of education offered by an educational institution for purposes of an educational assistance program for veterans or members of the Selected Reserve or the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces unless any such institution that administers a priority enrollment system allows an eligible veteran, member, or dependent to enroll in courses at the earliest possible time.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-299.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Introduced in Senate