hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To designate the United States courthouse located at 501 East Court Street in Jackson, Mississippi, as the "R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse".

Bill: 115-hr-455
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Introduced: 2017-01-11 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Mississippi

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: 
This bill designates the U.S. courthouse located at 501 East Court Street in Jackson, Mississippi, as the &quot;R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse.&quot;

action_date: 2017-04-06
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 
(Sec. 1) This bill designates the U.S. courthouse located at 501 East Court Street in Jackson, Mississippi, as the &quot;R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse.&quot;

action_date: 2017-04-25
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)
 
(Sec. 1) This bill designates the U.S. courthouse located at 501 East Court Street in Jackson, Mississippi, as the &quot;R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2822)
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2822)
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 455.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2822-2823)
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Mr. Ferguson moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2017-04-06
text: Placed on the House Calendar, Calendar No. 36.
action_date: 2017-04-06
text: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 115-84.
action_date: 2017-04-06
text: Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 115-84.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-03-29
text: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Discharged.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act

Bill: 115-hr-456
Sponsor: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
Introduced: 2017-01-11 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Federal-Indian relations
Intergovernmental relations
Nuclear power
Radioactive wastes and releases
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: 

Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act

 
This bill prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from making an expenditure from the Nuclear Waste Fund for the costs incurred by DOE in connection with disposing of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste in a repository, unless DOE has entered into an agreement to host the repository with certain affected entities.
 Additionally, any agreement to host the repository must meet certain conditions.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
VA Appeals Modernization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-457
Sponsor: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
Introduced: 2017-01-11 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Evidence and witnesses
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: 

VA Appeals Modernization Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits appeals process to permit a claimant to request: 
 
 
a review of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's decision by a higher-level adjudicator within the agency under which no additional evidence may be submitted; or 
 
a Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) review under which no BVA hearing is requested and no additional evidence may be submitted or under which a BVA hearing is requested and the appellant requests an opportunity to submit additional evidence at, and within 90 days of, the hearing. 
 
 
 ("Agency of Original Jurisdiction" means the activity which entered the original determination with regard to a claim for veterans benefits.)
 
The BVA shall maintain two such separate dockets.
 
A finding favorable to a claimant is binding on all subsequent VA adjudicators unless clear and convincing evidence is shown to the contrary. 
 
The BVA may remand a claim to the agency to obtain a corrective advisory medical opinion. 
 
The bill revises effective dates of awards provisions.
 
The VA's duty to assist a claimant shall not apply: (1) once the claimant is provided notice of the agency's initial decision, and (2) to higher-level agency or BVA review.
 
The VA is not required to send notice for a supplemental claim or to readjudicate a claim that has been disallowed except when new and relevant evidence is presented or secured (currently such provisions applies to reopening such claim).
 
A claimants's notice of disagreement must set out specific allegations of error of fact or law. The BVA is authorized to dismiss an appeal which fails to do so.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
Preserve Our Lakes and Keep Our Environment Safe Act

Bill: 115-hr-458
Sponsor: Rep. Trott, David A. [R-MI-11]
Introduced: 2017-01-11 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government studies and investigations
Great Lakes
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Marine pollution
Michigan
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Seashores and lakeshores
Transportation safety and security
Water quality
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: 

Preserve Our Lakes and Keep Our Environment Safe Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a study to determine the economic and environmental risks of oil or hazardous liquids spills or leaks in the Straits of Mackinac that a failure of onshore, underwater pipeline facilities within the straits would pose to the Great Lakes.
 
In addition, DOT must evaluate the condition and structural integrity of the facilities.
 
DOT shall terminate operations of a facility upon a determination, based on such studies, that risk of hazard to life, property, or the environment warrants termination. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-459
Sponsor: Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]
Introduced: 2017-01-11 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Evidence and witnesses
Human trafficking
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: 

Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 

2017

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish a process to vacate convictions and expunge arrests for criminal offenses committed by trafficking victims that directly result from or relate to having been a trafficking victim.
 
A trafficking victim may file a motion: (1) to vacate a conviction for a nonviolent offense that does not include a child victim (i.e., under age 18); (2) to expunge records of an arrest for a nonviolent offense that does not include a child victim; or (3) to expunge records of an arrest for an offense that is violent or that includes a child victim, if the charges are reduced, dismissed, or disposed of. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
For the relief of Ibrahim Parlak.

Bill: 115-hr-461
Sponsor: Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6]
Introduced: 2017-01-11 in the House
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Provides for the relief of Ibrahim Parlak.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-11
text: Introduced in House
REG Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-462
Sponsor: Rep. Lewis, Jason [R-MN-2]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

Reforming Executive Guidance Act of 2017 or the REG Act of 2017

 
This bill requires guidance documents of federal agencies to be considered rules that are subject to the congressional review process. A "guidance document" is a statement of general applicability and future effect, other than a regulatory action, issued by a federal agency that sets forth: (1) a policy on a statutory, regulatory, or technical issue; or (2) an interpretation of a statutory or regulatory issue. 
 
 
 The bill modifies the definition of rule to include significant guidance for purposes of rulemaking. A "significant guidance document" is guidance that may reasonably be anticipated to: (1) lead to an annual effect of at least $100 million on, or adversely affect in a material way, the economy, productivity, competition, employment, the environment, public health or safety, or governmental entities or communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency, or otherwise interfere, with an action taken or planned by another federal agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of any entitlement, grant, user fees, or loan programs or the rights or obligations of recipients; or (4) raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates. 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H395)
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
Crimea Annexation Non-recognition Act

Bill: 115-hr-463
Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
Russia
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Ukraine

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

Crimea Annexation Non-recognition Ac
t 
 
 This bill states that is U.S. policy to not recognize the de jure or de facto sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea, its airspace, or its territorial waters. 
 
The bill prohibits any federal agency from taking any action or extending any assistance that recognizes or implies recognition of the de jure or de facto sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea, its airspace, or its territorial waters. 
 
The President may waive such prohibitions if such a waiver is vital to U.S. national security interests.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
Cameras in the Courtroom Act

Bill: 115-hr-464
Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Due process and equal protection
Supreme Court
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

Cameras in the Courtroom Act

 
This bill requires the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court unless it decides by majority vote that allowing such coverage in a particular case would violate the due process rights of any of the parties involved.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
Water Quality Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-465
Sponsor: Rep. Gibbs, Bob [R-OH-7]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Solid waste and recycling
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

Water Quality Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an integrated planning and permitting process for municipal wastewater and stormwater management that:
 
 
enables municipalities to identify the most cost-effective and protective approaches to comply with the Act's requirements;
 
helps them prioritize their investments in addressing the requirements; and 
 
is comprehensive and flexible.
 
 
The EPA must provide technical assistance to the municipalities or states for developing an integrated plan upon request.
 
The EPA must: (1) update its financial capability assessment guidance entitled, &quot;Combined Sewer Overflows--Guidance for Financial Capability Assessment and Schedule Development,&quot; and dated February 1997; and (2) ensure that the guidance may be used for assessing the financial capability of municipalities to implement effluent limitations and other pollution control measures.
 
During the next 5 years, the EPA must work with at least 15 municipalities to develop and implement integrated plans and permits to meet the requirements of the national pollutant discharge elimination system.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act

Bill: 115-hr-466
Sponsor: Rep. Hultgren, Randy [R-IL-14]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Crime prevention
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Foreign aid and international relief
Human trafficking
Sanctions
Sex offenses
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act

 
This bill amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to declare that, pursuant to the minimum standards for the elimination of sex trafficking, if a government has the authority to prohibit the purchase of commercial sex acts but fails to do so, it shall be deemed to have failed to make serious and sustained efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H402)
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
Foreign Spill Protection Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-468
Sponsor: Rep. Curbelo, Carlos [R-FL-26]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Marine pollution
Oil and gas
Pollution liability
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

Foreign Spill Protection Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to make foreign facilities that are located offshore and outside the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) liable for removal costs and damages that result from oil spills that reach (or threaten to reach) U.S. navigable waters, adjoining shorelines, or the EEZ. Specifically, the following parties may be held liable: (1) the owners or operators of the foreign facilities, including facilities located in, on, or under any land within foreign countries; and (2) the holders of a right of use and easement granted under applicable foreign law for the area in which the facility is located. 
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
Small Business Administration Franchise Loan Transparency Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-471
Sponsor: Rep. Ellison, Keith [D-MN-5]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business records
Contracts and agency
Credit and credit markets
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Retail and wholesale trades
Service industries
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

Small Business Administration Franchise Loan Transparency Act of 2017

 
This bill requires a franchisor, except one with a franchise in the lodging industry, to disclose in the required Federal Trade Commission disclosure document:
 
 
the average first-year revenue for all franchise locations for each of the preceding five years of operation;
 
the number of franchise locations that went out of business or were sold by the franchisee during the first year of operation for each such period; and
 
the average revenues for all locations of the franchise for each such period, aggregated to show the top 25%, middle 50%, and the bottom 25% of revenue.
 
 
 Any financial information relating to the performance of any franchise's location provided by the franchisor, or its representatives, to the lender for the purpose of qualifying the loan, must be disclosed to the prospective franchisee borrower.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
Safe Recovery and Community Empowerment Act

Bill: 115-hr-472
Sponsor: Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-49]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Housing discrimination
Housing for the elderly and disabled
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

Safe Recovery and Community Empowerment Act

 
This bill amends the Fair Housing Act to provide that nothing in federal law relating to protections for persons with disabilities prohibits a local, state, or federal government body from:
 
 
requiring a reasonable minimum distance between residential recovery facilities within a particular area zoned for residential housing if such requirement is necessary to preserve the residential character of the area and allows for some of such facilities to be located within such area; and
 
requiring that such a facility obtain an operating license or use permit or satisfy a set of consumer protection standards, which may include a maximum capacity requirement.
 
 
A residential recovery facility is a residence that provides housing to individuals in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction with the promise of providing a clean and sober environment in return for direct or indirect payment to an owner, operator, or compensated staff person.
 
Facilities receiving payments from a federal health care program, or via private insurance purchased on a federal exchange or federally subsidized, for either housing, recovery services, or testing or monitoring for drugs or alcohol shall ensure that residents: (1) are provided a safe living environment completely free from illicit drugs, alcohol, firearms, harassment, abuse, or harm; and (2) live in a licensed or registered residence that has committed to following standards approved by states and localities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House