hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
National Right-to-Work Act

Bill: 115-s-545
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Labor-management relations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: 

National Right-to-Work Act 

 
 This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to repeal those provisions that permit employers, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement that is a union security agreement, to require employees to join a union as a condition of employment (including provisions permitting railroad carriers to require, pursuant to such an agreement, payroll deduction of union dues or fees as a condition of employment).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
American Soda Ash Competitiveness Act

Bill: 115-s-546
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Mining
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: 

American Soda Ash Competitiveness Act

 
 This bill sets at 2%, for a five-year period, the royalty rate on the quantity or gross value of the output of sodium compounds and related products at the point of shipment to market from federal land.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Senior Financial Empowerment Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-547
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Aging
Commemorative events and holidays
Consumer affairs
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Financial literacy
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Law enforcement administration and funding
Marketing and advertising
Medical research
Neurological disorders
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: 

Senior Financial Empowerment Act of 2017

 
This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to disseminate to senior citizens and their families and caregivers information regarding mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud that targets senior citizens. The information must: (1) teach safe and smart financial practices, (2) provide instructions on how to refer a fraud complaint to law enforcement, and (3) include a toll-free telephone number that connects to a live individual who answers calls from seniors seeking advice about scams or how to report instances of fraud.
 
The Department of Justice may award grants for the prevention of senior citizen fraud to state attorneys general, state or local law enforcement, senior centers, or nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to seniors. Priority shall be given to entities with public-private partnerships with computer or software companies that develop Internet scam prevention tools.
 
The FTC must provide education regarding legal obligations, and concerning industry best practices addressing financial exploitation and neglect of seniors, to: (1) depository institutions, credit offices, remittance transfer providers, and general-use prepaid card distributors; and (2) financial institution employees who may be able to identify elder financial abuse. State agencies may not receive federal funds under this bill without ensuring that such financial entities in their states receive training on recognizing and reporting financial exploitation and neglect of seniors.
 
The National Institutes of Health must research the increased vulnerability of seniors to scams and fraud due to age-related health and neurological conditions.
 
The bill expresses the sense of Congress that a week in March of each year should be designated as National Senior Fraud Awareness Week.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-548
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Building construction
Business investment and capital
Energy efficiency and conservation
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing supply and affordability
Income tax credits
Indian social and development programs
Inflation and prices
Low- and moderate-income housing
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
Securities
State and local finance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: 

Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the low-income housing credit, to rename the credit &quot;the affordable housing credit&quot; and make several modifications to the credit. 
 
The bill increases state allocations for the credit and modifies the cost-of-living adjustments. It also revises tenant eligibility requirements, with respect to: 
 
 
 the average income test, 
 
income eligibility for rural projects, 
 
 increased tenant income, 
 
 student occupancy rules, and
 
tenant voucher payments that are taken into account as rent. 
 
 
The bill revises various requirements to:
 
 
 establish a 4% minimum credit rate for certain projects, 
 
permit relocation costs to be taken into account as rehabilitation expenditures,
 
 repeal the qualified census tract population cap, 
 
require housing credit agencies to make certain determinations regarding community revitalization plans, 
 
 prohibit local approval and contribution requirements, 
 
 increase the credit for certain projects designated to serve extremely low-income households, 
 
 increase the credit for certain bond-financed projects designated by state agencies, 
 
increase the population cap for difficult development areas, and
 
 eliminate the basis reduction for affordable housing properties that are allowed the credit and receive certain energy-related tax credits and deductions. 
 
 
The bill also modifies requirements regarding the reconstruction or replacement period after a casualty loss, rights related to building purchases, the prohibition on claiming acquisition credits for properties placed in service in the previous 10 years, foreclosures, and projects that assist Native Americans. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to block implementation of the Executive Order that restricts individuals from certain countries from entering the United States.

Bill: 115-s-549
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Africa
Border security and unlawful immigration
Department of Homeland Security
Executive agency funding and structure
Immigration status and procedures
Iran
Libya
Middle East
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports
Yemen

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: 
This bill prohibits any federal agency funds, resources, or fees from being used to implement or enforce Executive Order 13780, entitled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States." Among the order's major provisions are restrictions on the entry of nationals from six countries (Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) and additional limitations on refugee admissions to the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring Statutory Rights and Interests of the States Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-550
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Contracts and agency

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: 

Restoring Statutory Rights and Interests of the States Act of
 
2017

 
This bill amends the Federal Arbitration Act to invalidate arbitration agreements between parties in certain commercial contracts or transactions if they require arbitration of a claim for damages or injunctive relief brought by an individual or small business arising from the alleged violation of a federal or state statute, the U.S. Constitution, or a state constitution, unless the written agreement to arbitrate is entered into by both parties after the claim has arisen and pertains solely to an existing claim.
 
The grounds upon which a contract with an arbitration agreement is revocable shall include federal or state statutes or court findings that prohibit an agreement to arbitrate if the agreement is unconscionable, invalid because there was no meeting of the minds, or otherwise unenforceable as a matter of contract law or public policy.
 
A court, rather than an arbitrator, shall determine whether an arbitration agreement is enforceable.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1642)
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Nogales Wastewater Fairness Act

Bill: 115-s-551
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Arizona
Latin America
Mexico
Pipelines
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: 

Nogales Wastewater Fairness Act

 
This bill directs the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission to charge Nogales, Arizona, no more than an equitable proportion of the costs for operating and maintaining the Nogales sanitation project. The sanitation project includes (1) the International Outfall Interceptor and the trunkline, which is a sewer line that carries wastewater along the U.S. and Mexico border; and (2) the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant.
 
The bill declares that Nogales is not obligated to contribute any capital costs of repairing or upgrading the project.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Justice for Victims of Fraud Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-552
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Consumer credit
Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: 

Justice for Victims of Fraud Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to prohibit predispute arbitration agreements with consumers (i.e., agreements to arbitrate any future disputes between parties instead of pursuing the claims in court) from being valid or enforceable in disputes related to credit card accounts or personal bank accounts that are not subject to a final judgment by a court if the credit card or bank account was not issued in response to a request or application for that account. 
 
The bill excludes from this prohibition accounts held by a financial institution pursuant to a bona fide trust agreement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Court Legal Access and Student Support (CLASS) Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-553
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: 

Court Legal Access and Student Support (CLASS) Act of 2017

 
This bill makes procedures for the enforcement of arbitration agreements inapplicable to an enrollment agreement between a student and an institution of higher education (IHE). 
The bill also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to forbid an IHE that participates in federal student aid programs, including work-study programs, from requiring a student to agree to any restriction on the student's ability to pursue a claim, individually or with others, against it in court.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 2002 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017.

Bill: 115-s-554
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Appropriations
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Employee benefits and pensions
Employment taxes
Family planning and birth control
Government trust funds
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hospital care
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Medicaid
Medical education
Medicare
Mental health
Prescription drugs
Sales and excise taxes
Self-employed
Sex and reproductive health
Small business
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax-exempt organizations
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: 
This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to terminate the Prevention and Public Health Fund.
 
The bill increases funding for community health centers.
 
The Department of Health and Human Services may not make payments under the transitional reinsurance program.
 
The bill makes appropriations for grants to states to address substance abuse or urgent mental health needs.
 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, including to require individuals to pay back all excess advance payments of the premium assistance tax credit.
 
The premium assistance tax credit and reduced cost sharing are terminated at the end of 2019.
 
The small employer health insurance tax credit does not apply after 2019.
 
Individuals are no longer required to maintain minimum essential health care coverage.
 
Large employers are no longer required to provide health coverage to employees.
 
For one year, the bill restricts the availability of federal funding for payments to certain family planning providers (e.g., Planned Parenthood Federation of America). 
 
This bill amends the Social Security Act, including to end the expansion of Medicaid under PPACA on December 31, 2019.
 
The tax on high-cost, employer-sponsored health coverage (popularly known as the &quot;Cadillac tax&quot;) does not apply after 2019.
 
The bill revises provisions regarding health savings accounts, Archer medical savings accounts, health flexible spending arrangements, and health reimbursement arrangements, including to allow payments for over-the-counter medications.
 
The bill eliminates various taxes and fees imposed by PPACA, including the tax on medical devices, the annual fee on health insurers, the indoor tanning services tax, and the net investment income tax.
 Funds are provided to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Shirley Constantino Tan.

Bill: 115-s-555
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Provides for the relief of Shirley Constantino Tan.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1642-1643)
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Joseph Gabra and Sharon Kamel.

Bill: 115-s-556
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Provides for the relief of Joseph Gabra and Sharon Kamel.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1643)
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Jose Alberto Martinez Moreno, Micaela Lopez Martinez, and Adilene Martinez.

Bill: 115-s-557
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Provides for the relief of Jose Alberto Martinez Moreno, Micaela Lopez Martinez, and Adilene Martinez.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1643-1644)
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Esidronio Arreola-Saucedo, Maria Elena Cobian Arreola, Nayely Arreola Carlos, and Cindy Jael Arreola.

Bill: 115-s-558
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Provides for the relief of Esidronio Arreola-Saucedo, Maria Elena Cobian Arreola, Nayely Arreola Carlos, and Cindy Jael Arreola.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1644-1645)
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Alfredo Plascencia Lopez.

Bill: 115-s-559
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Provides for the relief of Alfredo Plascencia Lopez.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1645)
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Jorge Rojas Gutierrez and Oliva Gonzalez.

Bill: 115-s-560
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Provides for the relief of Jorge Rojas Gutierrez and Oliva Gonzalez.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1645)
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Alicia Aranda De Buendia.

Bill: 115-s-561
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Provides for the relief of Alicia Aranda De Buendia.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1645-1646)
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoian.

Bill: 115-s-562
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2017-03-07 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Provides for the relief of Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoian.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1646)
action_date: 2017-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act

Bill: 115-s-563
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2017-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: American Samoa
Caribbean area
Disaster relief and insurance
Floods and storm protection
Housing finance and home ownership
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-08
text: 

Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act

 
This bill amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to revise requirements for federal and private flood insurance.
 
This bill revises the financial requirements that apply to flood insurance for home loans or loan guarantees by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Private flood insurance must meet any financial strength requirements set forth by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
 
 Private flood insurance may include nonadmitted insurers (including surplus lines insurance) as long as the insurer is eligible to provide insurance in the home state of the insured and complies with the laws and regulations of that state.
 
The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 is amended to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to consider any period during which a property was continuously covered by private flood insurance to be a period of continuous insurance coverage, including for the purposes of National Flood Insurance Program subsidies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-04
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-16.
action_date: 2017-03-14
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-16.
action_date: 2017-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Help Americans Never Get Unwanted Phone calls Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-564
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Debt collection
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Public contracts and procurement
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-08
text: 

Help Americans Never Get Unwanted Phone Calls Act of 2017 or the HANGUP Act 

 
This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to repeal provisions that authorize the use of automated telephone equipment (robocall or robotext equipment) to call cellular telephones or residential telephone lines for the purpose of collecting debts owed to the U.S. government. 


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

Bill: 115-s-565
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2017-03-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Government information and archives
Government liability

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-08
text: 

Judgment Fund Transparency Act of 2017

 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to disclose details after payments are made from the Judgment Fund. The Judgment Fund is a permanent and indefinite appropriation to pay judgments against the United States. Unless the disclosure is prohibited by law or a court order, Treasury is required to make available to the public on a website: the agency or entity whose actions gave rise to the claim or judgment, the plaintiff or claimant, the counsel for the plaintiff or claimant, the amount paid, a description of the facts that gave rise to the claim, and the agency that submitted the claim. 


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