hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1318
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Access Board
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Aviation and airports
Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Department of Transportation
Disability and paralysis
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Service animals
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2017

 
This bill expands provisions prohibiting discrimination against disabled individuals by an air carrier. Specifically, it enumerates certain actions that an air carrier must take or may not take with respect to a disabled individual. It also requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure that disabled individuals traveling in air transportation are able to file complaints with DOT in response to disability-related discrimination and receive assistance from DOT through a hotline or comparable electronic means.
 
The bill authorizes an aggrieved individual and the Department of Justice to bring a civil action for discrimination. The civil penalty for damage for discrimination involving damage to a wheelchair or other mobility aid of a disabled passenger may be increased up to three times the maximum penalty otherwise allowed. 
 
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board shall prescribe regulations for aircraft with new or existing type certificates to ensure the accessibility of individuals with disabilities. The board shall: (1) conduct a study to determine the ways in which individuals with significant disabilities who use wheelchairs can be accommodated through in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems, and (2) issue minimum guidelines for such systems.
 
DOT shall: (1) prescribe or revise regulations to ensure that individuals with disabilities who request assistance receive timely and effective assistance at airports and on aircraft from trained personnel, (2) develop an Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, and (3) establish an advisory committee for air travel needs of passengers with disabilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Community Care Core Competency Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1319
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medical education
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Community Care Core Competency Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a program to furnish continuing medical education material to non-VA medical professionals, with the goal of: (1) increasing knowledge and recognition of medical conditions common to veterans, and (2) improving outreach to veterans and family members.
 
The program must include education on: (1) dealing with patients who are veterans or family members; (2) identifying and treating common mental and physical conditions of veterans and family members; and (3) the VA health care system.
 
The VA shall: (1) carry out such program for five years on a VA website at no cost to participating non-VA medical professionals, and (2) ensure that the program is accredited in as many states as practicable.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
FLIGHT Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1320
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Emergency planning and evacuation
Government trust funds
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Natural disasters
Public-private cooperation
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Forward Looking Investment in General Aviation, Hangars, and Tarmacs Act of 2017 or the FLIGHT Act of 2017

 
This bill revises general aviation apportionments by: (1) providing at least 4% of entitlement funding to airports designated as disaster relief airports, (2) increasing the period of availability of apportioned funds, (3) increasing the federal government's share of project costs for certain airports to 95%, and (4) allowing the use of non apportioned funds for general aviation airport grants.
 
DOT shall: (1) implement an expedited and coordinated environmental review process for general aviation airport construction or improvement projects; and (2) establish a public-private partnership program for building or improving hangars, businesses, or other facilities at general aviation airports and privately owned airports for public use that do not have scheduled air service.
 
The bill requires DOT to designate certain airports as disaster relief airports, including regional reliever airports, airports within a reasonable distance of a hospital or transplant or trauma center, or airports in a region prone to natural disasters.
 
The bill treats the construction of certain aircraft used exclusively for recreational purposes as an "aeronautical activity" for purposes of airport improvement grants.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act

Bill: 115-s-1321
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Labor
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act

 
This bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to modify requirements related to fiduciaries and the provision of investment advice for employer-sponsored retirement plans. (Under current law, a person who provides investment advice has a fiduciary obligation that requires the person to provide advice in the sole interest of plan participants and beneficiaries.) 
 
 The bill defines &quot;investment advice&quot; as a recommendation that relates to: 
 
 
 the advisability of acquiring, holding, disposing, or exchanging any moneys or other property of a plan by the plan, participants, or beneficiaries, including any recommendation regarding whether to take a distribution of benefits from the plan or any recommendation relating to a rollover or distribution from such plan; 
 
 the management of moneys or other property of the plan, including recommendations relating to the management of plan assets to be rolled over or otherwise distributed from the plan; or 
 
 the advisability of retaining or ceasing to retain a person who would receive a fee or other compensation for providing investment advice.
 
 
Investment advice must be rendered pursuant to either: (1) a written acknowledgment of the obligation of the advisor to comply with fiduciary standards under ERISA; or (2) a mutual agreement, arrangement, or understanding that may include limitations on scope, timing, and responsibility to provide ongoing monitoring or advice services.
 
The bill allows an exemption from ERISA prohibited transactions rules for investment advice if: (1) no more than reasonable compensation is paid for the advice, and (2) specified disclosures and notifications are provided to the recipient of advice that is based on a limited range of investment options or may result in variable income to the investment advisor.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Young Fishermen's Development Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1323
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Business education
Education programs funding
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Young Fishermen's Development Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the National Sea Grant Office in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a Young Fishermen's Development Grant Program to provide training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen.
 
The office shall make competitive matching grants to support local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen, including programs, workshops, and services related to seamanship, navigation, electronics, and safety, vessel and engine care, and sustainable fishing practices. Grant recipients must be a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of public or private entities.
 
In awarding grants, the office shall give priority to partnerships and collaborations that are led by or include nongovernmental fishing community-based organizations and school-based fisheries educational organizations with expertise in fisheries and sustainable fishing training and outreach.
 
 Grants may not be used to purchase a fishing license, permit, quota, or other harvesting right.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Disarm Hate Act

Bill: 115-s-1324
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Firearms and explosives
Hate crimes
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Disarm Hate Act

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit firearm sale or transfer to and receipt or possession by an individual who has: (1) been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor hate crime, or (2) received from any court an enhanced hate crime misdemeanor sentence.
 
 The term "convicted in any court of a misdemeanor hate crime" means a conviction for a misdemeanor offense that has, as an element, that the conduct was motivated by hate or bias because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person.
 
 The term "received from any court an enhanced hate crime misdemeanor sentence" means the imposition of an enhanced sentence for a misdemeanor that involves violence and is based, in whole or in part, on conduct motivated by hate or bias because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
American Innovation $1 Coin Act

Bill: 115-s-1326
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Currency

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

American Innovation $1 Coin Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue American Innovation $1 coins commemorating an innovation, an individual innovator or pioneer, or a group of innovators or pioneers from each state, each U.S. territory, and the District of Columbia. Treasury shall issue four coins per year, in alphabetical order by jurisdiction, until a coin has been issued for each jurisdiction. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
SITSA Act

Bill: 115-s-1327
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Licensing and registrations
Medical research

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act of 2017 or the SITSA Act

 
This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish a new, sixth schedule of controlled substances&#8212;schedule A. A drug or substance in schedule A has a chemical structure that is similar to, and an effect on the body that is similar to or greater than, a controlled substance in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V.
 
The bill adds 13 synthetic fentanyl-related substances to schedule A. It also authorizes, and establishes procedures for, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to temporarily and permanently place a drug or substance in schedule A. 
 
The bill establishes criminal penalties for an individual who imports, exports, manufactures, distributes, or possesses with intent to distribute a schedule A substance. However, it explicitly prohibits criminal and civil penalties solely for possession of a schedule A controlled substance. 
 
The bill makes it unlawful to import, export, manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a schedule A substance that is not clearly labeled.
 
Finally, it establishes new, separate DEA registration requirements for manufacturers, distributors, and importers and exporters of schedule A substances. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1328
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Housing discrimination
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Fair Housing Act (FHA) under the Civil Rights Act of 1968 to add sexual orientation and gender identity as classes protected against discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing. (Currently, the FHA prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.) 
 
The bill defines: (1) "gender identity" as gender-related identity, appearance, or mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, without regard to the individual's designated sex at birth; and (2) "sexual orientation" as homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.
 
The bill also extends prohibitions against housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, handicap, familial status, or national origin to include discrimination based on: (1) an individual's association with another person who is a member of such a protected class; and (2) a perception or belief, even if inaccurate, that an individual is a member of such a protected class.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3365)
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
RECOUP Act

Bill: 115-s-1329
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Debt collection
Executive agency funding and structure

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

REcovering and COllecting Unclaimed federal Property Act of 2017 or the RECOUP Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to: (1) locate and recover assets of the U.S. government on behalf of any executive, judicial, or legislative agency; and (2) retain a portion of the amounts recovered to cover the administrative and operational costs of Treasury for locating and recovering the assets. Any savings from carrying out this bill must be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury for deficit reduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Increasing Transferability of Entitlement to Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1330
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Increasing Transferability of Entitlement to Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2017

 
This bill provides that in a case in which a post-9/11 educational assistance entitlement is transferred to a dependent and the service member transferor subsequently dies, the dependent may transfer some or all of such entitlement to another dependent to whom entitlement was already transferred by the service member.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-215.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act

Bill: 115-s-1331
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Fishes
Government information and archives
Great Lakes
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act 

 
This bill provides statutory authority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS's)Great Lakes Mass Marking Program, under which hatchery-produced fish are tagged and marked across the Great Lakes basin to be evaluated in terms of their performance in the wild or their effects on the ecosystem.
 
The USFWS must make data collected under the program available to federal, state, and tribal fish management agencies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Great Lakes Aquatic Connectivity and Infrastructure Program Act

Bill: 115-s-1332
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Aquatic ecology
Congressional oversight
Fishes
Government information and archives
Great Lakes
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Great Lakes Aquatic Connectivity and Infrastructure Program Act

 
This bill establishes within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) the Great Lakes Aquatic Connectivity and Infrastructure Program to identify and implement voluntary measures that restore aquatic species to self-sustaining levels by reconnecting aquatic habitats in the Great Lakes basin while maintaining and modernizing needed infrastructure, particularly in locations where roads, tributaries, or dams intersect.
 
The USFWS and the Department of Transportation must collaborate with federal, state, local, and tribal governments, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, signatories to the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries, and any other appropriate stakeholders to support: (1) sound approaches to addressing infrastructure and aquatic populations in the Great Lakes, and (2) ecosystem resiliency.
 
The USFWS must: (1) finalize a strategic plan for the program to address aquatic connectivity in the Great Lakes basin, and (2) annually request proposals for funding that would be used to restore aquatic connectivity in the basin and support the strategic plan.
 
The bill also establishes the Great Lakes Aquatic Connectivity and Infrastructure Committee to review the proposals and recommend to the USFWS proposals that should receive funding.
 
Nothing in this bill conflicts with the authority of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to eradicate or minimize a sea lamprey population under the 1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries between the United States and Canada.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Patient Choice and Quality Care Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1334
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2017-06-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Cancer
Congressional oversight
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Disability and paralysis
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medical education
Medicare
Neurological disorders

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-12
text: 

Patient Choice and Quality Care Act of 2017

 
This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to create and test a new Medicare model for advanced illness and care management that would enable certain Medicare beneficiaries with serious, chronic progressive, or advanced illnesses, to voluntarily engage in a planning process to obtain specialized care consistent with their health care goals. At least one participant in this model must be a hospice program. 
 
The model requires an interdisciplinary team comprised of physicians, nurses, and social workers to work together to provide beneficiaries and their caregivers with information and services on disease trajectory, treatment options, and available care. 
 
Information on advance care planning must be included in the Medicare & You Handbook. 
 
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must: (1) award grants to certain public or private entities to increase awareness of advance care planning and advanced illness care, (2) establish the Advance Care Planning Advisory Council to advise HHS on issues relating to advanced and terminal illnesses, and (3) issue an annual report analyzing the circumstances of deceased Medicare beneficiaries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-06-12
text: Introduced in Senate