hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency payments to dairy producers.

Bill: 115-s-3586
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Department of Agriculture
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue emergency payments to dairy producers. USDA must develop criteria for the payments that give priority to producers who are: (1) located in a state with a high cost of dairy production compared to other states, and (2) on a farm with a high cost of dairy production based on the size of the farm. 
 
The emergency payments provided under this bill must be at least $10,000 but no greater than $20,000 per dairy operation. 
 
USDA must use $556 million in Commodity Credit Corporation funds to carry out this bill. The bill designates the spending as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Act of 2010 and the FY2018 congressional budget resolution. (This exempts the spending from various budget enforcement rules.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to improve the nationally significant freight and highway projects program, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-s-3587
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 
This bill revises nationally significant freight and highway projects by: (1) eliminating the limitation on grants for certain highway freight projects, (2) expanding the Department of Transportation's authority to administer grants for such projects, (3) adding additional public and economic benefit requirements for such projects, and (4) modifying congressional notification requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
PREP Act

Bill: 115-s-3588
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Promoting Reentry Through Education in Prisons Act of 2018 or the PREP Act

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish, within the Bureau of Prisons, an Office of Federal Correctional Education to promote educational services for federal criminal offenders. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
INSPIRES Act

Bill: 115-s-3589
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Educational facilities and institutions
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Energy efficiency and conservation
Indian social and development programs
Rural conditions and development
Science and engineering education
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Inspiring New STEM Professionals by Investing in Renovation of Education Spaces Act or the INSPIRES Act

 
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish grant programs: (1) for the modernization, renovation, or repair of career- and technical-education facilities; and (2) to enable secondary schools that are located in rural areas or that serve Native American students to improve facilities that provide science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and to support high-speed Internet in STEM facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit military aid to Saudi Arabia until the Secretary of State determines that Jamal Khashoggi is alive and free.

Bill: 115-s-3590
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Congressional oversight
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
News media and reporting
Protest and dissent
Sanctions
Saudi Arabia
Turkey

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 
This bill prohibits U.S. military aid or assistance to Saudi Arabia until the Department of State certifies to Congress that journalist Jamal Khashoggi is alive and free and subsequent legislation is enacted authorizing the resumption of such aid and assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act

Bill: 115-s-3591
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Appropriations
Cancer
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Crime victims
Disability assistance
Employee benefits and pensions
First responders and emergency personnel
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government trust funds
Health care costs and insurance
Inflation and prices
New York City
Pennsylvania
Terrorism
Virginia
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act

 
This bill funds through FY2090 the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001.
 
Additionally, the bill modifies the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF): 
 
 
to allow claims to be filed until October 2089, 
 
to require VCF policies and procedures to be reassessed at least once every five years (currently, at least once annually), 
 
to require claimants to be paid for the amount by which a claim was reduced on the basis of insufficient funding, 
 
to remove the cap on noneconomic damages in special circumstances, and 
 
to adjust the annual limit on economic loss compensation for inflation. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
No More Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3592
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

No More Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2018

 
This bill establishes several requirements relating to billing practices for out-of-network services provided by certain health care providers (e.g., hospitals), including notice and consent requirements; specified providers must also comply with such requirements as a condition of Medicare participation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
FAIR Leave Act

Bill: 115-s-3593
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Fair Access for Individuals to Receive Leave Act or the FAIR Leave Act

 
This bill repeals the limitation on the aggregate number of workweeks of leave husbands and wives employed by the same employer may be entitled to under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Stamp Out Elder Abuse Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3594
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Aging
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Postal service
U.S. Postal Service

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Stamp Out Elder Abuse Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a Stamp Out Elder Abuse Semipostal Stamp, with the proceeds from the sale of the stamp transferred to (1) the Department of Justice for specified purposes, including prevention and education regarding elder abuse, data collection, and victim services; and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services for purposes of elder justice activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6818-6820)
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Student Loan Repayment Acceleration Act

Bill: 115-s-3595
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Employment taxes
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Self-employed
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Student Loan Repayment Acceleration Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an employee up to $10,000 per year in student loan payments made by an employer. The loan payments are also exempt from certain payroll taxes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Innovation Zone Act

Bill: 115-s-3596
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of Education
Education of the disadvantaged
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Innovation Zone Act

 
This bill replaces the Experimental Sites Initiative of the Department of Education (ED) with an innovation zone initiative consisting of voluntary experiments by participating institutions of higher education. Under the experiments, ED and the institutions may test the effectiveness of statutory and regulatory flexibility that aims for: (1) an increase in student success (e.g., reductions in student loan debt and increases in student retention and employment outcomes); and (2) a reduction of regulations on institutions or ED, without harm to students. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Child Trafficking Victim Witnesses Act

Bill: 115-s-3597
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crime victims
Crimes against children
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Evidence and witnesses
Human trafficking
Law enforcement administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Protecting Child Trafficking Victim Witnesses Act

 
This bill establishes requirements for federal prosecutors to implement victim-centered protocols to strengthen protections for child trafficking victims who testify against human traffickers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Occupational Licensing Board Antitrust Damages Relief and Reform Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3598
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Civil actions and liability
Competition and antitrust
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Labor standards
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Occupational Licensing Board Antitrust Damages Relief and Reform Act of 2018

 
This bill prohibits any person not affiliated with a state from recovering damages under antitrust law from certain occupational licensing boards or members of such boards. For a board to qualify for this immunity, various conditions must be met, such as the existence of a state law authorizing the board's regulation of a particular profession and the presence of a mechanism for reviewing the board's decisions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6820)
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Wage Index Parity Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3599
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Home and outpatient care
Hospital care
Inflation and prices
Medicare
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Medicare Wage Index Parity Act of 2018

 
This bill provides statutory authority for, and extends, a specified methodology used to calculate the minimum Medicare hospital wage index for all-urban states.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Travel Trailer and Camper Technical Correction Act

Bill: 115-s-3600
Sponsor: Sen. Donnelly, Joe [D-IN]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Motor vehicles
Outdoor recreation

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Travel Trailer and Camper Technical Correction Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the limit on the deduction for business interest, to modify the definition of "floor plan financing indebtedness" to include the financing of certain trailers and campers. 
 
Under current law, "floor plan financing indebtedness" is: (1) used to finance the acquisition of motor vehicles held for sale or lease, and (2) secured by the acquired inventory. 
 
The bill specifies that, for the purpose of this definition, a motor vehicle includes any trailer or camper which is designed to: (1) provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or seasonal use; and (2) be towed by, or affixed to, a motor vehicle. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Delivering Outcomes for American Workers Act

Bill: 115-s-3601
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Delivering Outcomes for American Workers Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a pay-for-performance workforce development program for eligible entities, including states and Indian tribes; and (2) issue guidance, at least annually, specifying long-term employment-related goals for projects carried out under the program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3602
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize for FY2018-FY2023 school-based health centers (health clinics that provide physical and mental health services for children and adolescents during school hours).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Miranda's Law

Bill: 115-s-3603
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child safety and welfare
Department of Transportation
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Motor carriers
Personnel records
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Miranda Vargas School Bus Driver Red Flag Act or Miranda's Law

 
This bill directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to issue a final rule requiring the implementation of a national employer notification service that states may access. The term &quot;employer notification service&quot; means a service that automatically provides a report to an employer (with notice to the employee involved) on the change in the status of the driving record or license of an employee who has a commercial driver's license due to a conviction, license suspension or revocation, or any other action taken against the driving privilege.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
RTP Full Funding Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3604
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Motor fuels
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Roads and highways
Sales and excise taxes
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

RTP Full Funding Act of 2018

 
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to carry out an assessment of the best available estimate of the total amount of nonhighway recreational fuel taxes received by the Department of the Treasury and transferred to the Highway Trust Fund for the period covered by the assessment.
 
The Federal Highway Administration shall establish financial management information system codes for certain motorized and nonmotorized use projects.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3605
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: American Samoa
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Commerce
Department of the Interior
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
Fishes
Foreign aid and international relief
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Guam
Hunting and fishing
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Mammals
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
Reptiles
Smuggling and trafficking
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Wildlife Conservation and Anti-Trafficking Act of 2018

 
This bill supports wildlife conservation, including by: (1) expanding federal law enforcement powers to combat wildlife trafficking (i.e., poaching), (2) rewarding whistle-blowers for reporting violations of wildlife-trafficking laws, (3) requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to carry out the International Wildlife Conservation Program, and (4) providing funding for wildlife conservation as well as enforcement of illegal fishing violations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6820-6821)
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Disabled Veterans Rebuilding Infrastructure to Vitalize our Economy Act

Bill: 115-s-3606
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Public contracts and procurement
Roads and highways
Small business
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 
 
Disabled Veterans Rebuilding Infrastructure to Vitalize our Economy Act

 
This bill amends the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) to: (1) add the term &quot;service-connected disabled veteran-owned small business concern&quot; for purposes of awarding transportation contracts under such Act; (2) require, to the maximum extent practicable, not less than 5% of amounts available under such Act to be expended through service-connected disabled veteran-owned small business concerns; and (3) require states to notify the Department of Transportation of the percentage of small business concerns controlled by service-disabled veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Organization of American States Legislative Engagement Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3607
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2018-10-11 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Latin America
Rule of law and government transparency
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Summary:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: 

Organization of American States Legislative Engagement Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the Department of State of State to establish procedures for the Organization of American States (OAS) that: 
 
 
increase the participation of elected national legislators from OAS member states in OAS activities, including activities that advance the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter; 
 
create an annual forum for the presidents of such legislatures to discuss issues of hemispheric importance, including efforts to combat corruption and defend human rights; 
 
permit such legislators to make presentations and provide expert advice to the OAS Secretariat, OAS Permanent Council, and OAS General Assembly; and 
 
strengthen OAS Secretariat programs that provide technical assistance for legislative modernization.

 
 The State Department shall: 
 
 
carry out diplomatic efforts to secure political and financial support for such procedures, and 
 
submit to Congress a strategy for supporting OAS anti-corruption and human rights promotion efforts.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2018-10-11
text: Introduced in Senate