hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments and Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-171
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Atmospheric science and weather
Department of Commerce
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Higher education
Hydrology and hydrography
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Military personnel and dependents
National symbols
Physical fitness and lifestyle
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments and Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2017

 
This bill revises the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002.The bill sets forth new requirements under that Act concerning obligated service requirements, training and physical fitness, education loan assistance, recruitment, hiring and promotions, and other workforce issues.
 
Additionally, the bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2021 the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998.
 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may waive bond requirements for certain contracts regarding vessels that conduct surveying.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-11-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 259.
action_date: 2017-11-07
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-181.
action_date: 2017-11-07
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-181.
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the President to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and to make that Agreement ineligible for expedited consideration by Congress.

Bill: 115-s-172
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Asia
Australia
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Free trade and trade barriers
Japan
Latin America
Legislative rules and procedure
Malaysia
Mexico
New Zealand
Oceania
Peru
Singapore
Trade agreements and negotiations
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 
This bill directs the President to provide to the governments of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam written notice of the withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). 
 
The bill amends the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 to declare that congressional trade authorities procedures (fast track) shall not apply to an implementing bill submitted with respect to a trade agreement with the Trans-Pacific Partnership countries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the United States Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP code for particular communities.

Bill: 115-s-173
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Florida
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 
This bill requires the United States Postal Service, by September 30, 2017, to designate a single, unique ZIP code for each of the communities of Ocoee and Miami Lakes, Florida.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Miners Protection Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-175
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Asia
Bankruptcy
Coal
Customs enforcement
Employee benefits and pensions
Free trade and trade barriers
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Mining
Sales and excise taxes
South Korea
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Trade agreements and negotiations
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Miners Protection Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) to transfer certain funds to the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan and the 1974 United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Pension Plan to provide health and pension benefits to retired coal miners and their families. 
 
The bill expands the group whose retiree health benefits are taken into account in determining the amount that the Department of the Treasury must transfer from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund and the General Fund of the Treasury to the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan. 
 
Treasury must also transfer additional funds to the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan to pay pension benefits required under that plan if the amounts available for transfer under SMCRA's $490 million annual limit exceed the amounts required to be transferred for other purposes (including to the UMWA Health Plans). 
 
The bill also: (1) prohibits the pension plan from making certain changes to benefits during any year in which a transfer is received, and (2) establishes additional reporting requirements for the plan.
 
The bill repeals requirements for current and former signatories to labor agreements with the UMWA to pay unassigned beneficiaries premiums or backstop premiums if transfers under SMCRA are less than the amount required to be transferred.
 
As an offset, the bill amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend the authority of Treasury to collect certain customs user fees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S343)
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
HELP for Coal Miners Health Care Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-176
Sponsor: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Introduced: 2017-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Coal
Congressional oversight
Employee benefits and pensions
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Mining

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: 

Helping Ensure Long-Term Protection for Coal Miners Health Care Act of 2017 or the HELP for Coal Miners Health Care Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) to transfer certain funds to the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan to provide health benefits to retired coal miners and their families. 
 
The bill expands the group whose retiree health benefits are taken into account in determining the amount that the Department of the Treasury must transfer from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund and the General Fund of the Treasury to the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan.
 
The Government Accountability Office must study the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan and submit to Congress reports analyzing whether federal funds are being spent appropriately by the plan. 
 
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal requirements for current and former signatories to labor agreements with the United Mineworkers of America to pay unassigned beneficiaries premiums or backstop premiums if transfers under SMCRA are less than the amount required to be transferred.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S343-344)
action_date: 2017-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Global Trade Accountability Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-177
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-01-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Free trade and trade barriers
Legislative rules and procedure
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: 

Global Trade Accountability Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require congressional approval of unilateral trade actions. Such actions may take effect without congressional approval for one 90-day period if the President: 
 
 
determines that it is necessary because of a national emergency, because of an imminent threat to health or safety, for the enforcement of criminal laws, or for national security; and 
 
submits written notice of the determination to Congress.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to ensure that certain Federal public works and infrastructure projects use materials produced in the United States, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-s-181
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2017-01-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Building construction
Buy American requirements
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Infrastructure development
Manufacturing
Metals
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: 
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to publish a report that identifies all federal assistance programs for public works and infrastructure administered by the federal government. For each such program, GAO shall: (1) identify whether a domestic content preference requirement applies and, if so, provide preference details; and (2) describe the type of infrastructure projects receiving funding, the number of entities that are participating, and the amount of federal funds that are made available for each fiscal year. 
 
No funds or credit assistance made available under any such program for which a domestic content preference requirement does not apply may be used for a project commencing after the GAO issues such report for the construction, alteration, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, conversion, or extension of infrastructure or the acquisition of related equipment and vehicles unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured goods, and commodity construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States. Such prohibition shall not apply if the agency involved finds that:
 
 
 applying it would be inconsistent with the public interest; 
 
 iron, steel, the relevant manufactured goods, and the relevant commodity construction materials are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or 
 
 inclusion of such U.S.-produced materials will increase the cost of the overall project by more than 25%.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act

Bill: 115-s-182
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2017-01-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Aging
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement administration and funding
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: 

Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act 

 
 This bill amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services and Elder Justice) of the Social Security Act to direct the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to the highest courts of states to conduct demonstration programs that: (1) assess adult guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, including the appointment and the monitoring of the performance of court-appointed guardians and conservators; and (2) implement changes deemed necessary as a result of the assessments, such as requiring background checks for all potential guardians and conservators, and establishing systems that enable electronic filing and review of the annual accountings and other required conservatorship and guardianship filings.
 
 The highest court of a state awarded such a grant shall collaborate with the state's own Unit on Aging and its Adult Protective Services agency in conducting the demonstration program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Short on Competition Act

Bill: 115-s-183
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2017-01-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Prescription drugs
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: 

Short on Competition Act

 
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize importation of life-saving drugs for which there is, or is likely to be, a shortage. For a drug to be imported, the drug's manufacturer must intend to seek FDA approval of the drug as a generic drug. The FDA may deny importation of a drug for reasons related to safety or effectiveness.
 Drugs in noncompetitive markets must be treated as being in a shortage for purposes of this bill and for purposes of expedited inspections and review. A drug is in a noncompetitive market if: (1) there are fewer than five holders of approved applications for commercially available brand name or generic versions of the drug, (2) the drug has been approved for at least 10 years, and (3) patents on the active ingredient of the drug have expired.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: Introduced in Senate
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-184
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2017-01-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Abortion
Appropriations
Assault and harassment offenses
Comprehensive health care
Consumer affairs
Crimes against women
Employee benefits and pensions
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Income tax credits
Sex offenses
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: 

No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017

 
This bill makes permanent the prohibition on the use of federal funds, including funds in the budget of the District of Columbia, for abortion or health coverage that includes abortion. The prohibitions in this bill, and current prohibitions, do not apply to abortions in cases of rape or incest, or where a physical condition endangers a woman's life unless an abortion is performed.
 
Abortions may not be provided in a federal health care facility or by a federal employee.
 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to prohibit qualified health plans from including coverage for abortions. (Qualified health plans are sold on health insurance exchanges, are the only plans eligible for premium subsidies and small employer health insurance tax credits, and fulfill an individual's requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage.) Currently, qualified health plans may cover abortion, but the portion of the premium attributable to abortion coverage is not eligible for subsidies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Head Start Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-185
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-01-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Government studies and investigations
Preschool education

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 

Head Start Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Head Start Act to replace the existing Head Start program with block grants to states and Indian tribes for prekindergarten (pre-K) education. 
 
Instead of providing direct financial assistance to Head Start agencies, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall allot block grant funds for pre-K education among eligible states and Indian tribes in accordance with their relative proportions of children, age five and younger, from low-income households. Grant recipients shall use the grant funds to: (1) award subgrants to eligible entities that provide pre-K education programs; (2) administer such programs; and (3) provide technical assistance, oversight, monitoring, research, and training.
 
Under current law, HHS is authorized to designate, monitor, and establish standards for Head Start agencies. The bill instead shifts pre-K program oversight and control to states and Indian tribes, which shall have full flexibility to use grant funds to finance the pre-K programs of their choice. In addition, grant recipients may use grant funds to establish portable voucher systems that allow costs to be paid for attendance at private pre-K education programs.
 
Under current law, federal financial assistance for a Head Start program is generally limited to 80% of total program costs. The bill maintains this limitation by requiring grant recipients to provide matching funds equal to 20% of the grant amount.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair RATES Act

Bill: 115-s-186
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-01-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Public utilities and utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 

Fair Ratepayer Accountability, Transparency, and Efficiency Standards Act or the Fair RATES Act 

 
This bill amends the Federal Power Act to permit a party to seek a rehearing and subsequent judicial review of any rate change filed by a public utility that takes effect without the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issuing an order making such change effective. (Public utilities must give FERC and the public a 60-day notice before a proposed rate change can take effect.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S6031-6032; text CR S6031-6032)
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S6031-6032; text CR S6031-6032)
action_date: 2018-06-18
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 469.
action_date: 2018-06-18
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment. With written report No. 115-278.
action_date: 2018-06-18
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment. With written report No. 115-278.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-10-03
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-318.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Alemseghed Mussie Tesfamical.

Bill: 115-s-187
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2017-01-23 in the Senate
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Provides for the relief of Alemseghed Mussie Tesfamical.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S400)
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Fort Scott National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act

Bill: 115-s-189
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2017-01-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Historic sites and heritage areas
Kansas
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 

Fort Scott National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act

 
This bill allows the Department of the Interior to acquire by purchase from willing sellers with donated or appropriated funds, by donation (as under current law), or by exchange the lands and interests in land, together with buildings and improvements, known as Fort Scott in the city of Fort Scott in Bourbon County, Kansas, and the land to be added to the Fort Scott National Historic Site as a result of the modification of the site's boundary according to this bill. 
 
The proviso that the buildings so acquired shall not include the structure known as &quot;Lunette Blair&quot; is repealed. 
 
The boundary of the Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas shall be modified as generally depicted on the map entitled &quot;Fort Scott National Historic Site Proposed Boundary Modification,&quot; dated February 2016. 

action_date: 2017-05-03
text: 

Fort Scott National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act

 
This bill allows the Department of the Interior to acquire by purchase with appropriated funds, by donation (as under current law), or by exchange the lands and interests in land, together with buildings and improvements, known as Fort Scott in the city of Fort Scott in Bourbon County, Kansas. 
 
The proviso that the buildings so acquired shall not include the structure known as &quot;Lunette Blair&quot; is repealed. 
 
The boundary of the Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas shall be modified as generally depicted on the map referred to as &quot;Fort Scott National Historic Site Proposed Boundary Modification,&quot; dated February 2016. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 51.
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-37.
action_date: 2017-05-03
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-37.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Introduced in Senate