hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Hunter and Farmer Protection Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-478
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2017-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Agricultural practices and innovations
Birds
Hunting and fishing
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: 

Hunter and Farmer Protection Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to revise standards for determining what constitutes baiting for purposes of the prohibition on taking migratory game birds. 
 
A baited area, in the case of waterfowl, cranes, and coots, includes a standing, unharvested crop that has been manipulated through activities such as mowing, discing, or rolling, unless the activities are normal agricultural practices. An area is not considered to be a baited area if it: (1) has been treated with a normal agricultural practice, (2) has standing crops that have not been manipulated, or (3) has standing crops that have been or are flooded.
 
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must submit to the Department of the Interior a report on changes to normal agricultural practices across the range of crops grown by agricultural producers in each region of the United States in which USDA harvest practice recommendations are provided to agricultural producers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-479
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2017-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: 

Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2017

 
This bill waives Medicare coinsurance requirements with respect to colorectal cancer screening tests, regardless of the code billed for a resulting diagnosis or procedure.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-480
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2017-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Endangered and threatened species
Government trust funds
Mammals
Postal service
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: 
This bill amends the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2010 by requiring the U.S. Postal Service to make the stamp available to the public for at least 10 years rather than 6 years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-481
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2017-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Colorado
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy revenues and royalties
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Mining
Oil and gas
Public utilities and utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: 

Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Act of 2017

 
This bill withdraws the Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Area in Colorado from: (1) entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws. 
 
In exchange for the relinquishment of all of the North Thompson Divide leases or South Thompson Divide leases of a leaseholder, the Department of the Interior may issue to such leaseholder credits for bid, royalty, or rental payments due under federal oil and gas leases on federal land in Colorado. Upon relinquishment, such leases shall be permanently canceled and shall not be reissued. 
 
As a condition for relinquishing South Thompson Divide leases, a leaseholder must permanently relinquish, transfer, and otherwise convey to Interior all of its Wolf Creek Storage Field development rights, excluding any storage rights or related activities within the area. 
 
Interior shall: (1) complete, or shall collaborate with state agencies or institutions of higher education in Colorado to complete, an inventory of all significant methane emissions in the North Fork Valley, including emissions from active, inactive, and abandoned coal mines; (2) carry out a program to lease federal methane from such mines; and (3) enter into discussions to develop a program to facilitate the sale and delivery of such methane that has not been leased to at least one rural electric utility, municipal utility, or energy cooperative with service area boundaries within 100 miles of Paonia, Colorado, to demonstrate the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits of producing electrical power from methane collected from coal mines. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
PHIT Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-482
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2017-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health promotion and preventive care
Income tax deductions
Physical fitness and lifestyle

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: 

Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2017 or the PHIT Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a medical care tax deduction for up to $1,000 ($2,000 for a joint return or a head of household) of qualified sports and fitness expenses per year. The bill defines "qualified sports and fitness expenses" as amounts paid exclusively for the sole purpose of participating in a physical activity, including: (1) fitness facility memberships, (2) physical exercise or activity programs, and (3) equipment for a physical exercise or activity program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

Bill: 115-s-483
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2017-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees
Washington State
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: 

Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

 
 This bill designates: (1) certain federal land in the Olympic National Forest in the state of Washington as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System; and (2) certain other land, identified on the same map as such proposed areas, as potential wilderness. 
 
The bill amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate as wild, scenic, or recreational rivers specified segments of the following rivers in the state of Washington:
 
 
Elwha River;
 
Dungeness River;
 
Big Quilcene River;
 
Dosewallips River;
 
Duckabush River;
 
Hamma Hamma River;
 
South Fork Skokomish River;
 
Middle Fork Satsop River;
 
West Fork Satsop River;
 
Wynoochee River;
 
East Fork Humptulips River;
 
West Fork Humptulips River;
 
Quinault River;
 
Queets River;
 
Hoh River;
 
Bogachiel River;
 
South Fork Calawah River;
 
Sol Duc River; and
 
Lyre River.
 
 
 The Department of Agriculture may take necessary measures to control fire, insects, and diseases in the wilderness areas designated by this bill. 
 
 The federal land within the boundaries of the designated river segments is withdrawn from: (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-08-22
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-528.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
U.S. Territories Investor Protection Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-484
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2017-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Caribbean area
Financial services and investments
Puerto Rico
Securities
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: 

U.S. Territories Investor Protection Act of 2017 

 
This bill amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to apply the Act to investment companies created under the laws of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or any other U.S. possession.

action_date: 2017-03-13
text: 

U.S. Territories Investor Protection Act of 2017 

 
This bill amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to apply the Act to investment companies created under the laws of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or any other U.S. possession.

action_date: 2017-09-11
text: 

U.S. Territories Investor Protection Act of 2017 

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to apply the Act to investment companies created under the laws of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or any other U.S. possession.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-12
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2017-09-12
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2017-09-12
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2017-09-11
text: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5169; text: CR S5169)
action_date: 2017-09-11
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5169; text: CR S5169)
action_date: 2017-03-13
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 14.
action_date: 2017-03-13
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Reported by Senator Crapo with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-03-13
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Reported by Senator Crapo with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Stewardship End Result Contracting Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-485
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: 

Stewardship End Result Contracting Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to authorize the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to obligate funds to cover any potential cancellation or termination costs (cancellation ceiling) in stages that are economically or programmatically viable with respect to an agreement or contract for a stewardship end result contracting project. The Forest Service and BLM shall submit written notice to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget 30 days before entering into a multiyear agreement or contract that includes a cancellation ceiling exceeding $25 million if proposed funding for the costs of cancelling the agreement or contract up to the ceiling is not included. 
 
 If the offset value of the forest products to be removed exceeds the value of the resource improvement treatments, the Forest Service and BLM may: (1) use the excess to satisfy any outstanding liabilities for cancelled agreements or contracts; or (2) if there are no such outstanding liabilities, apply the excess to other authorized stewardship projects. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Beneficiary Access to Complex Rehab Technology Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-486
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2017-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health technology, devices, supplies
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: 

Protecting Beneficiary Access to Complex Rehab Technology Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the application of Medicare competitive acquisition rates to complex rehabilitative wheelchairs and accessories. (A competitive bidding program has replaced the use of established fee schedule amounts to determine payments under Medicare for certain durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act

Bill: 115-s-487
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2017-03-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Income tax exclusion
Medical education
Student aid and college costs
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: 

Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income payments under the federal veterinary medicine loan repayment program or any state loan repayment or forgiveness program that is intended to provide for increased access to veterinary services in such state.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-01
text: Introduced in Senate
Pension Accountability Act

Bill: 115-s-489
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2017-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: 

Pension Accountability Act
 
 
This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to revise rules for voting on the suspension of pension benefits under multiemployer plans in endangered or critical status. The bill changes the voting procedure for suspending plan benefits to provide that a suspension shall go into effect unless a majority of plan participants and beneficiaries who cast a vote (currently, a majority of all plan participants and beneficiaries) reject the suspension. The bill also eliminates the authority of the Department of the Treasury, in the case of systemically important plans, to override a vote of plan participants to reject a suspension. A plan is systemically important if projected financial assistance to the plan will exceed $1 billion if suspensions are not implemented. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to reinstate and extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project involving Clark Canyon Dam.

Bill: 115-s-491
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2017-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Licensing and registrations
Montana
Water storage

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: 
This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, upon request, to reinstate the construction license for the Clark Canyon Dam Hydroelectric Project located on the Beaverhead River in Beaverhead County, Montana.
 
Construction on the project must commence within three years.

action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 
(Sec.1)This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request, to extend for up to six years the time period during which construction must commence on the Clark Canyon Dam Hydroelectric Project located on the Beaverhead River in Beaverhead County, Montana.
 
Additionally, FERC may reinstate the construction license if it is expired.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 131.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-101.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-101.
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: 2017-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1579; text of measure as introduced: CR S1580)
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Servicemember Retirement Improvement Act

Bill: 115-s-492
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2017-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Income tax deferral
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: 

Servicemember Retirement Improvement Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow members of the Ready Reserve of a reserve component of the Armed Forces to make the maximum allowable contribution ($18,000 in 2017) to their Thrift Savings Plans (TSPs) without limiting the amount such members may contribute to a retirement plan based upon other employment. The bill also doubles the maximum allowable contribution amount to the TSPs of federal employees in the Ready Reserve who are not eligible to make contributions to any plan other than the TSP. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1580)
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability First Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-493
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Employee performance
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Transportation costs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability First Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove, demote by a reduction in grade and pay, or suspend a VA employee, including a member in a senior executive position, for reasons of performance or misconduct. 
 
The bill prescribes VA removal and employee appeals procedures.
 
Whistle-blower protections are revised, including by prohibiting the VA from taking any such action against a person who has a pending whistle-blower complaint. 
 
This bill provides for the reduction of federal annuities of VA employees and retirees convicted of a felony that influenced their performance while employed in such position. 
 
The VA may recoup certain bonuses, awards, and reallocation expenses. 
 
The VA may directly appoint qualifying individuals to the positions of Medical Center Director and Director of Veterans Integrated Service Network.
 
The bill revises time periods for adverse action reviews with respect to physicians, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, and expanded-function dental auxiliaries.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate
American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-494
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-03-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Emergency planning and evacuation
Federally chartered organizations
Government studies and investigations
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: 

American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review: (1) the internal governance of the American National Red Cross (the corporation), and (2) any program or activity carried out by the corporation that is connected to national preparedness.
 
The bill grants the GAO: (1) access to, and the right to examine and copy, all records of the corporation that the GAO determines are relevant to such review; and (2) access to, and the right to interview, any employee, volunteer, agent, or member of the board of governors of the corporation whom the GAO believes has knowledge relevant to such review. The GAO may issue a subpoena and bring a civil action in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to enforce such access. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-03-02
text: Introduced in Senate