hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Direct Hire of Students and Recent Graduates Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1887
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Employee hiring
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Higher education
Temporary and part-time employment

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

Direct Hire of Students and Recent Graduates Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes expedited hiring for positions in the competitive service.
 
Federal agencies may appoint recent college graduates or college graduates who were recently discharged from the uniformed service to positions in the competitive service at the GS-11 level or below. 

 
Additionally, federal agencies may make time-limited appointments of college students to positions in the competitive service at the GS-11 level or below. The student may be converted from a time-limited appointment to a permanent appointment, without competition, if the student: (1) has completed the course of study leading to a baccalaureate or graduate degree, and (2) has completed not less than 640 hours of current continuous employment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-02-05
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 299.
action_date: 2018-02-05
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-205.
action_date: 2018-02-05
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-205.
action_date: 2017-10-04
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment Adjustment Act of 2017'

Bill: 115-s-1888
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment Adjustment Act of 2017

 
This bill increases the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) to not exceed $40,000 (currently, $25,000), with an annual adjustment for inflation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 562.
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment. With written report No. 115-330.
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment. With written report No. 115-330.
action_date: 2017-10-04
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFE at Home Act

Bill: 115-s-1889
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime victims
Domestic violence and child abuse
Government information and archives
Human trafficking
Judicial procedure and administration
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

Safeguarding Addresses From Emerging at Home Act or the SAFE at Home Act

 
This bill requires each federal agency and federal court to accept, for any purpose for which an individual is required to provide an address to the agency or court, an address designated to that individual pursuant to an address confidentiality program. An individual who provides an address pursuant to such a program shall not be subject to any federal regulatory, civil, or criminal penalties for providing such address in lieu of the individual's actual physical address.
 
An address confidentiality program is a state-implemented program that provides a designated address in lieu of the individual's actual physical address to an individual who: (1) is determined to be at risk of being a victim of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking or who otherwise fears for their safety; or (2) resides in the same household as such an individual.
 
An agency or court seeking to acquire such individual's actual address shall comply with applicable procedures of such a program. Such address shall be considered confidential and shall not be subject to a Freedom of Information Act request.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1890
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Home and outpatient care
Licensing and registrations
Medical education
Medical research
Medicare
Minority health
Organ and tissue donation and transplantation
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act of 2017

 
This bill modifies provisions relating to coverage for and access to treatment for chronic kidney disease, including Medicare payment provisions for renal dialysis services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6225; text of measure as introduced: CR S6225-6227)
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Promoting Peace and Justice for the People of Afghanistan Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1891
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Domestic violence and child abuse
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign property
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
International law and treaties
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Military procurement, research, weapons development
News media and reporting
Public contracts and procurement
Racial and ethnic relations
Rule of law and government transparency
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Terrorism
Visas and passports
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

Promoting Peace and Justice for the People of Afghanistan Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the President to submit to Congress a strategy for U.S. engagement in Afghanistan which shall include information on: (1) a negotiated political resolution to the conflict in which the Taliban renounces violence, (2) U.S. troop withdrawal, and (3) diplomatic efforts to promote Afghanistan's long-term stabilization and end its use as a safe haven for proxy forces.
 
The bill provides funds for: (1) civilian security activities, and (2) governmental and nongovernmental activities that promote peace and justice.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide tax relief related to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

Bill: 115-s-1892
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow various tax credits, deductions, and modifications to existing rules for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. 
 
With respect to individuals and businesses in the affected areas, the bill:
 
 
waives the 10% additional tax on early distributions from retirement plans for up to $100,000 in distributions made on or after August 23, 2017, and before January 1, 2019; 
 
permits individuals to recontribute funds to retirement plans if the funds were distributed for a home purchase in a hurricane disaster area that was cancelled on account of the hurricanes;
 
 increases the limit and extends the repayment deadline for loans from retirement plans; 
 
allows an employee retention tax credit for employers equal to 40% of the qualified wages (up to $6,000 per employee) paid to an employee whose principal place of employment on specified dates was in a hurricane disaster zone;
 
modifies the deduction for charitable contributions to temporarily suspend the limitations on charitable contributions made before December 31, 2017, for relief efforts in the hurricane disaster areas; 
 
modifies the deduction for personal casualty losses in the hurricane disaster areas to eliminate: (1) the requirement for losses to exceed 10% of adjusted gross income to qualify for the deduction, and (2) the requirement to itemize; and
 
allows taxpayers to use earned income from the immediately preceding year for the purpose of determining earned income for the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1893
Sponsor: Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Corporate finance and management
Federal Reserve System
Financial crises and stabilization
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to allow the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) to subject a bank holding company to enhanced supervision if: (1) the company has been identified as a global systemically important company; or (2) the risk of the company's financial distress, or the nature of the company's activities, could pose a threat to the financial stability of the United States. Currently, companies are subject to this type of oversight if they possess at least $50 billion in assets or are a nonbank financial company under the FRB's supervision. 
 
The Financial Stability Oversight Council must approve of any metrics used by the FRB in determining by regulation that a category of bank holding companies is subject to enhanced supervision.
 
Under this bill, companies subject to enhanced supervision may be required to limit mergers and acquisitions, restrict products offered, or maintain a certain debt ratio.
 
The FRB must publish the list of companies that have been identified as requiring enhanced supervision.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to exempt Puerto Rico from the coastwise laws of the United States (commonly known as the "Jones Act").

Bill: 115-s-1894
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Caribbean area
Licensing and registrations
Marine and inland water transportation
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Puerto Rico

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 
This bill revises the coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, that govern domestic transportation of merchandise or passengers by vessels. The Jones Act requires that vessels transporting merchandise or passengers between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports be built in the United States, at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and mostly crewed by U.S. citizens. Jones Act requirements are currently waived with respect to vessels transporting passengers between Puerto Rico and U.S. ports. This bill permanently exempts vessels transporting merchandise between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports from those requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-10-02
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 232.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6228)
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1895
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Congressional oversight
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal-Indian relations
Government lending and loan guarantees
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and Community Development
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing supply and affordability
Indian lands and resources rights
Indian social and development programs
Intergovernmental relations
Low- and moderate-income housing
Public housing
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2017

 
This bill provides federal housing assistance to Indians, including Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, including by:
 
 
amending the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) to reauthorize through FY2022 and revise the Indian Housing Block Grant and the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant; 
 
amending the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement a supportive housing and rental assistance program for the benefit of Native Americans; 
 
amending the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to authorize HUD through FY2022 to guarantee housing loans for Native Americans and Native Hawaiians; 
 
extending from 50 years to 99 years the limit on the lease of Native American trust or restricted lands for housing purposes; and 
 
establishing a demonstration program that requires a participating Native American tribe, with an investor partner, to develop and implement a HUD-approved plan to address the tribe's housing needs. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
TSA LEAP Pay Reform Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-1896
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Homeland Security
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Labor standards
Law enforcement officers
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

TSA LEAP Pay Reform Act of 2017

 
This bill makes changes to the treatment of availability pay for federal air marshals or criminal investigators of the Transportation Security Administration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-10-02
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 614.
action_date: 2018-10-02
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-10-02
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-06-27
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1897
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Appropriations
Business investment and capital
Credit and credit markets
Government lending and loan guarantees
Manufacturing
Small business
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 to reauthorize for an additional eight years the State Small Business Credit Initiative to assist participating states to give collateral financial support to and other innovative credit access and guarantee initiatives for small businesses and manufacturers. 
 
The bill prescribes allocations of federal funds to participating states. 
 
The Department of the Treasury may award, on a competitive basis, up to $1 billion in two tranches (portions), according to specified criteria, to participating states for use (1) for making federal contributions to an approved state program, or (2) as collateral for a qualifying loan or swap funding facility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Repeal and Refund Act

Bill: 115-s-1898
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

Repeal and Refund Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) the requirement that individuals maintain minimum essential health care coverage (commonly referred to as the individual mandate), and (2) the reporting requirements for health insurance coverage.
 
The Department of the Treasury must implement a program to refund all penalties paid by taxpayers for failing to maintain minimum essential health coverage. Treasury must provide taxpayers with one payment to refund all penalties without regard to whether or not an amended tax return is filed. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6228-6229)
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1899
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Appropriations
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

Community Health Investment, Modernization, and Excellence Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 to extend through FY2022 and make appropriations for enhanced funding for the community health centers program and the National Health Service Corps.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Data Breach Accountability and Enforcement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1900
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2017-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Commerce
Computer security and identity theft
Consumer affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: 

Data Breach Accountability and Enforcement Act of 2017

 
This bill requires an entity that acquires, maintains, or utilizes personal information in commerce to have in effect specified cybersecurity protections and practices. The Federal Trade Commission must enforce the requirement using specified procedures. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Mens Rea Reform Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1902
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-10-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Evidence and witnesses

Summary:
action_date: 2017-10-02
text: 
 

Mens Rea Reform Act of 2017
 
 
This bill establishes a default 
mens rea
 (i.e., guilty mind) requirement for federal criminal statutory and regulatory offenses that lack a state of mind requirement.
 
The government must generally prove that a defendant acted willfully with respect to each element of the offense that lacks a specific state of mind requirement.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-10-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-10-02
text: Introduced in Senate
STRANDED Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1903
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2017-10-02 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Economic development
Government studies and investigations
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax credits
Nuclear power
Radioactive wastes and releases
Securities
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-10-02
text: 

Sensible, Timely Relief for America's Nuclear Districts' Economic Development Act of 2017 or the
 
STRANDED Act of 2017

 
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE)to enter into an arrangement under which the National Academy of Sciences must conduct a study to determine whether opportunities exist for affected communities to consider alternatives to nuclear facilities, generating sites, and waste sites. DOE must also: (1) establish the Stranded Nuclear Waste Task Force to study existing public and private resources and funding for affected communities, and (2) establish a grant program to assist localities near nuclear power plants to offset the impacts of stranded nuclear waste in affected communities.
 
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for tax incentives for investment in nuclear affected communities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-10-02
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-10-02
text: Introduced in Senate