hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Rural Telecommunications and Broadband Service Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-277
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Rural conditions and development
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Rural Telecommunications and Broadband Service Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish within the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) a Rural Telecommunications and Broadband Advisory Committee to:
 
 
 provide advice to the FCC, and reports to Congress, on the deployment of advanced and next-generation telecommunications services in rural areas, the advancement of universal service principles for nationwide access to affordable and quality telecommunications and information services, and other policies relating to telecommunications in rural areas;
 
 define what constitutes a rural area that has access to telecommunications and information technologies and services in accordance with universal service principles; and 
 
advise on the impact of FCC agenda items on the provision of such services in rural areas.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Sand Acquisition, Nourishment, and Development Act

Bill: 115-s-279
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Public contracts and procurement
Seashores and lakeshores

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Sand Acquisition, Nourishment, and Development Act or the SAND Act

 
This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to eliminate the limitation that the Army Corps of Engineers may acquire fill material for beach erosion and nourishment for an authorized water resources project from non-domestic sources only if such material is not available from domestic sources for environmental or economic reasons.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-281
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) eliminate the per country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, and (2) increase the per country numerical limitation for family based immigrants from 7% to 15% of the total number of family-sponsored visas. 
 
The Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992 is amended to eliminate the provision requiring the reduction of annual Chinese immigrant visas to offset status adjustments under such Act.
 
The bill establishes the following transition period for employment-based second and third preference (EB-2 and EB-3) immigrant visas: 
 
 
for FY2017, 15% of such visas allotted to natives of countries other than the two countries with the largest aggregate numbers of natives obtaining such visas in FY2011; 
 
for FY2018, 10% of such visas allotted in each category to natives of countries other than the two with the largest aggregate numbers of natives obtaining such visas in FY2012; and 
 
for FY2019, 10% of such visas allotted in each category to natives of countries other than the two with the largest aggregate numbers of natives obtaining such visas in FY2015.
 
 
The bill sets forth the following per country distribution rules: (1) for transition period visas, not more than 25% of the total number of EB-2 and EB-3 visas for natives of a single country; and (2) for non-transition period visas, not more than 85% of EB-2 and EB-3 visas for natives of a single country.
 Amendments made by this bill shall take place as if enacted on September 30, 2016, and shall apply beginning in FY2017.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act

Bill: 115-s-282
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Congressional oversight
Department of the Interior
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy revenues and royalties
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
Government trust funds
Land use and conservation
Licensing and registrations
Outdoor recreation
User charges and fees
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act

 
This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to extend through FY2022 the authorization for deposit and use of lease revenues under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. Such funds shall be available to the Department of the Interior for FY2017 and afterwards to implement both the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. 
 
 Interior shall establish priority areas on covered land (i.e., public land administered by Interior and not excluded under law from the development of geothermal, solar, or wind energy) for geothermal, solar, and wind energy projects. Variance areas shall also be considered for the development of renewable energy projects under this bill, consistent with the principles of multiple use (as defined under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976). 
 
The bill defines &quot;variance area&quot; as covered land that is neither an exclusion area (not suitable for development of renewable energy projects) nor a priority area. 
 
 Interior shall establish a program to improve federal permit coordination with respect to renewable energy projects carried out on covered land.
 
 The bill establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund to make funds available to federal, state, and tribal agencies for distribution in regions in which renewable energy projects are located on federal land for: (1) restoring and protecting fish and wildlife habitat and corridors for affected species and water resources in areas affected by wind, geothermal, or solar energy development; and (2) preserving and improving recreational access to federal land and water in an affected region. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act

Bill: 115-s-283
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cancer
Marshall Islands
Nuclear weapons
Radiation
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act

 
This bill includes veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands between January 1, 1977, and December 31, 1980, as radiation exposed veterans for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs presumption of service-connection for specified cancers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
End Surprise Billing Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-284
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care
Hospital care
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

End Surprise Billing Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a critical access hospital or other hospital to comply, as a condition of participation in Medicare, with certain requirements related to billing for out-of-network services.
 
With respect to an individual who has health benefits coverage and is seeking services, a hospital must provide notice as to: (1) whether the hospital, or any of the providers furnishing services to the individual at the hospital, is not within the health care provider network or otherwise a participating provider with respect to the individual's health care coverage; and (2) if so, the estimated out-of-pocket costs of the services to the individual. At least 24 hours prior to providing those services, the hospital must document that the individual: (1) has been provided with the required notice, and (2) consents to be furnished with the services and charged an amount approximate to the estimate provided. Otherwise, the hospital may not charge the individual more than the individual would have been required to pay if the services had been furnished by an in-network or participating provider.
 
With respect to such an individual who is seeking same-day emergency services, a hospital may not charge more than the individual would be required to pay for such services furnished by an in-network or participating provider.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Bolts Ditch Access and Use Act

Bill: 115-s-285
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Colorado
Land use and conservation
Water storage
Water use and supply
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Bolts Ditch Access and Use Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to permit by special use authorization nonmotorized access and use of the Bolts Ditch headgate and the Bolts Ditch within the Holy Cross Wilderness in Colorado for the diversion of water and use, maintenance, and repair of the ditch and headgate by the town of Minturn, Colorado.

action_date: 2017-05-09
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Bolts Ditch Access and Use Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to permit by special use authorization nonmotorized access and use of the Bolts Ditch headgate and the Bolts Ditch within the Holy Cross Wilderness in Colorado for the diversion of water and use, maintenance, and repair of the ditch and headgate by the town of Minturn, Colorado.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-09
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 66.
action_date: 2017-05-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-53.
action_date: 2017-05-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-53.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Elkhorn Ranch and White River National Forest Conveyance Act

Bill: 115-s-286
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Colorado
Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Elkhorn Ranch and White River National Forest Conveyance Act

 
 This bill requires all interest of the United States in 148 acres of identified land to be conveyed by patent to the Gordman-Leverich Partnership (GLP), a Colorado Limited Liability Partnership. 
 
The conveyance: (1) is subject to the valid existing rights of the lessee of federal oil and gas lease COC-75070 and any other valid existing rights, and (2) shall reserve to the United States the right to collect rent and royalty payments on such lease for its duration.
 
 The conveyance shall: (1) be completed by no later than 180 days of enactment of this bill; and (2) be without consideration, except that all costs incurred by the Department of the Interior relating to any survey, platting, legal description, or other activities carried out to prepare and issue the patent shall be paid by GLP to Interior prior to the conveyance of such land. 

action_date: 2017-06-07
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Elkhorn Ranch and White River National Forest Conveyance Act

 
 (Sec. 2) This bill requires all interest of the United States in 148 acres of identified land to be conveyed by patent to the Gordman-Leverich Partnership (GLP), a Colorado Limited Liability Partnership. 
 
 The conveyance: (1) is subject to the valid existing rights of the lessee of federal oil and gas lease COC-75070 and any other valid existing rights, and (2) shall reserve to the United States the right to collect rent and royalty payments on such lease for its duration. 
 
 The conveyance shall: (1) be completed by no later than 180 days of enactment of this bill; and (2) be without consideration, except that all costs incurred by the Department of the Interior relating to any survey, platting, legal description, or other activities carried out to prepare and issue the patent shall be paid by the GLP to Interior prior to the conveyance of such land. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 119.
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-92.
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-92.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to update the map of, and modify the maximum acreage available for inclusion in, the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

Bill: 115-s-287
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Colorado
Earth sciences
Land transfers
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 
 This bill revises the title, number, and date of the map depicting the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado and increases from 6,000 to 6,300 the maximum number of acres that may be made available for inclusion in the monument.

action_date: 2017-05-03
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 
 (Sec. 1) This bill revises the title, number, and date of the map depicting the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado and increases from 6,000 to 6,300 the maximum number of acres that may be made available for inclusion in the monument.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 52.
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-38.
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-38.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-288
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act of 2017

 
This bill adds the definitions of "longstanding interpretative rule" and "revise" to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). A longstanding interpretative rule is distinguished from an "interpretative rule" if it has been in effect for at least one year. If a rule is a longstanding interpretative rule, it remains subject to the general notice of proposed rulemaking and comment and publication provisions of the APA. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S659)
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Arapaho National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-289
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Colorado
Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers
Motor vehicles

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Arapaho National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2017

 
 This bill adjusts the boundary of the Arapaho National Forest in Colorado to incorporate approximately 92.95 acres of land. The Department of Agriculture shall include all federal land within the boundary in the Bowen Gulch Protection Area established under the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993. 

action_date: 2017-05-09
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Arapaho National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2017

 
 (Sec. 2) This bill adjusts the boundary of the Arapaho National Forest in Colorado to incorporate approximately 92.95 acres of land. The Department of Agriculture shall include all federal land within the boundary in the Bowen Gulch Protection Area established under the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-09
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 67.
action_date: 2017-05-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-54.
action_date: 2017-05-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-54.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
HOME Act

Bill: 115-s-290
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax deductions
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Helping Our Middle-Class Entrepreneurs Act or the HOME Act
 
 
 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer who uses a residence to conduct a trade or business a standard tax deduction equal to the lesser of $1,500 or the taxpayer's gross trade or business income derived from the business use of such residence. The bill provides for an inflation adjustment to the standard deduction amount in calendar years beginning after 2017.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening Oversight of National Security Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-291
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2017-02-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Congressional-executive branch relations
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Military command and structure
Policy sciences
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: 

Strengthening Oversight of National Security Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the National Security Act of 1947 to add the Director of National Intelligence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as statutorily required members of the National Security Council (NSC). (The current NSC members required by statute are the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Energy.)
 
The bill prohibits the President from designating as additional members or attendees of the NSC any individuals in positions that are not subject to Senate confirmation (excluding the National Security Advisor and deputies, the Homeland Security Advisor and deputies, the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, the Counsel to the President, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the Vice President for National Security) unless Congress approves of the designation through enactment of a joint resolution or a bill. 
 
The cabinet-level interagency forum for policy consideration and decision-making that supports the NSC must reflect the membership of the NSC and any Senate-confirmed member of the executive branch designated by the President. Exceptions to this forum composition are permitted for a one-time decision-making action, but the President must notify Congress within 24 hours after execution of such an exception. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence.
action_date: 2017-02-02
text: Introduced in Senate