hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Territories Medicare Prescription Drug Assistance Equity Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-815
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2017-04-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Medicaid
Medicare
Prescription drugs
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: 

Territories Medicare Prescription Drug Assistance Equity Act of 2017

 
This bill makes certain subsidies available to Medicare prescription drug program beneficiaries who reside in Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory. Current law makes such beneficiaries ineligible for premium and cost-sharing subsidies, but establishes a process for U.S. territories to apply for financial assistance with respect to the provision of Medicare prescription drugs. The bill eliminates this process and makes the subsidies available to beneficiaries who reside in a U.S. territory and are otherwise eligible. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Introduced in Senate
ABLE Financial Planning Act

Bill: 115-s-816
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2017-04-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Disability and paralysis
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: 

ABLE Financial Planning Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-free rollovers of amounts in qualified tuition programs (529 plans) to qualified ABLE programs. (Tax-favored ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Introduced in Senate
ABLE Age Adjustment Act

Bill: 115-s-817
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2017-04-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Disability and paralysis
Income tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: 

ABLE Age Adjustment Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to qualified ABLE programs, to increase the age threshold for eligibility for such programs from 26 to 46. (Tax-favored ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Introduced in Senate
ABLE to Work Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-818
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2017-04-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Disability and paralysis
Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: 

ABLE to Work Act of 201

7

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to ABLE accounts (tax-exempt savings accounts for persons with a disability), to allow: (1) an ABLE account beneficiary to make additional contributions to an ABLE account equal to the lesser of such beneficiary's compensation or an amount equal to the federal poverty line for a one-person household, and (2) a retirement savings tax credit for contributions to an ABLE account. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Paycheck Fairness Act

Bill: 115-s-819
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2017-04-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Contracts and agency
Department of Education
Department of Labor
Employee hiring
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Labor standards
Public contracts and procurement
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Small business
Wages and earnings
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: 

Paycheck Fairness Act

 
 This bill amends equal pay provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to: (1) restrict the use of the bona fide factor defense to wage discrimination claims, (2) enhance nonretaliation provisions, (3) make it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages, and (4) increase civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions.
 
 The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs shall train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination matters. 
The bill directs the Department of Labor to: (1) establish and carry out a grant program for negotiation skills training for girls and women, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination. 
The Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace is established for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. 
 This bill amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness.

Bill: 115-s-820
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-04-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alaska
Arctic and polar regions
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: 
This bill amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to designate approximately 1,559,538 acres of land within Alaska in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-821
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-04-04 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
China
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Government information and archives
News media and reporting
Sanctions
Tibet
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: 

Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2017

 
 This bill requires the Department of State to submit an annual, publicly-available report to Congress that includes: (1) a list of individuals holding specified senior Chinese leadership positions at the national and subnational levels; and (2) an assessment of the level of access Chinese authorities granted U.S. diplomats, journalists, and tourists to Tibetan areas in China. Such assessment shall include:
 
 
a comparison with the level of access granted to other areas of China, 
 
a comparison between the levels of access granted to Tibetan and non-Tibetan areas in relevant provinces, 
 
a comparison of the level of access in the reporting year and the previous year, and
 
a description of the measures that impede the freedom to travel in Tibetan areas.
 
 
Listed persons shall be ineligible for a visa to enter or to be present in the United States if specified restrictions on foreign travelers entering Tibetan areas remain in effect, subject to a national interests waiver. 
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the State Department, when granting Chinese diplomats access to parts of the United States, should take into account the extent to which China grants U.S. diplomats access to parts of China, including the Tibetan areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Data at the Border Act

Bill: 115-s-823
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2017-04-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Homeland Security
Digital media
Evidence and witnesses
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Racial and ethnic relations
Right of privacy
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: 

Protecting Data at the Border Act

 
This bill prohibits a governmental entity from: (1) accessing the digital contents of electronic equipment belonging to, or in the possession of, a U.S. person (person) at the border without a valid warrant; or (2) denying a person's U.S. entry or exit based on the person's refusal to disclose an access credential or in order to determine whether such person will consensually provide an access credential, access, or online account information.
 
A border officer may access the digital contents of electronic equipment without a warrant if the officer determines that an emergency situation exists. The officer must subsequently apply for a warrant within seven days, and if such warrant is not granted: (1) digital content copies must be destroyed, (2) digital contents or information may not be disclosed, and (3) the person shall be notified of such destruction.
 
A governmental entity may not make or retain a copy of the digital contents of electronic equipment, an online account, or online account information without probable cause to believe that such information contains evidence of, or constitutes the fruits of, a crime.
 
Unlawfully accessed information: (1) must be destroyed and the person notified of its destruction; (2) may not be disclosed; and (3) may not be received in evidence in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
 
A governmental entity shall keep a record of each instance in which it obtains access to an individual's digital information.
 
A governmental entity may not seize electronic equipment belonging to, or in the possession of, a person at the border without probable cause to believe that such equipment contains information relevant to a felony. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-11
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-365.
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Restraining Excessive Seizure of Property through the Exploitation of Civil Asset Forfeiture Tools Act

Bill: 115-s-824
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2017-04-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: 

Clyde-Hirsch-Sowers RESPECT Act or the Restraining Excessive Seizure of Property through the Exploitation of Civil Asset Forfeiture Tools Act 

 
This bill revises the authority and procedures that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses to seize property that has been structured to avoid Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) reporting requirements. 
 
 The IRS may only seize property it suspects has been structured to avoid BSA reporting requirements if the property was derived from an illegal source or the funds were structured for the purpose of concealing the violation of a criminal law or regulation other than structuring transactions to evade BSA reporting requirements. 
 
Within 30 days of seizing property, the IRS must: (1) make a good faith effort to find all owners of the property, and (2) notify the owners of the post-seizure hearing rights established by this bill. The IRS may apply to a court for one 30-day extension of the notice requirement if it can establish probable cause of an imminent threat to national security or personal safety. 
 
If the owner of the property requests a court hearing within 30 days after the date on which notice is provided, the property must be returned unless the court holds a hearing within 30 days after notice is provided and finds that there is probable cause to believe that the property was derived from an illegal source or the funds were structured to conceal the violation of a criminal law or regulation other than a structuring violation. 
 
 The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any interest received from the federal government with respect to an action to recover property seized by the IRS pursuant to a claimed violation of the structuring provisions of the BSA. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-04-04
text: Introduced in Senate
REDEEM Act

Bill: 115-s-827
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2017-04-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee hiring
Evidence and witnesses
Food assistance and relief
Government studies and investigations
Judicial procedure and administration
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Lawyers and legal services
Licensing and registrations
Mental health
Personnel records
Poverty and welfare assistance
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
U.S. Sentencing Commission

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: 

Record Expungement Designed to Enhance Employment Act of 2017 or the REDEEM Act 

 
This bill creates a mechanism by which certain eligible individuals may file a petition to seal federal criminal records with respect to covered nonviolent offenses. If an individual is eligible for such a sealing order, the court must notify the person in writing of their potential eligibility. The bill establishes a set of rules and procedures for assessing a sealing petition. If granted, the offense, criminal proceeding, conviction, or sentence shall be treated as if it never occurred.
 
A judge shall issue a sealing order three years after the date on which a person is adjudicated delinquent for a juvenile nonviolent offense if certain conditions are met.
 
The use of room confinement (defined as involuntary placement of a juvenile alone in a cell) for discipline, other than a temporary response to a juvenile's behavior that presents harm to others, is prohibited.
 
The bill removes possession and use of controlled substance as a disqualifying activity under federal welfare laws. Further, the prohibition from access to federal welfare benefits for drug-related offenses shall not apply to persons who, among other things, have completed a certified substance abuse treatment program.
 
When awarding grants under the Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, the Department of Justice (DOJ) may give preference to states that have laws similar to this bill's provisions.
 
DOJ shall establish and enforce procedures to ensure the prompt release of accurate records exchanged for employment-related purposes through the records system created by this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require the appropriate Federal banking agencies to treat certain municipal obligations as level 2B liquid assets, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-s-828
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2017-04-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Department of the Treasury
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Federal Reserve System
Financial services and investments
Securities
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: 
This bill amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require certain municipal obligations to be treated as level 2B liquid assets if they are investment grade, liquid, and readily marketable. Under current law, corporate debt securities and publicly traded common-equity shares, but not municipal obligations, may be treated as level 2B liquid assets (which are considered to be high-quality assets).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-830
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2017-04-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical research
Medicare
Mental health
Nutrition and diet
Physical fitness and lifestyle
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: 

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017

 
This bill allows coverage, under Medicare, of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity furnished by providers other than primary care physicians and practitioners.
 
Additionally, it allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 West Pike Street in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, as the "Police Officer Scott Bashioum Post Office Building".

Bill: 115-s-831
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2017-04-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Law enforcement officers
Pennsylvania
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 West Pike Street in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, as the "Police Officer Scott Bashioum Post Office Building."
action_date: 2018-03-16
text: 
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 West Pike Street in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, as the "Police Officer Scott Bashioum Post Office Building."


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-16
text: Became Public Law No: 115-137.
action_date: 2018-03-16
text: Became Public Law No: 115-137.
action_date: 2018-03-16
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2018-03-16
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-03-05
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-03-05
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1352)
action_date: 2018-03-05
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H1352)
action_date: 2018-03-05
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 831.
action_date: 2018-03-05
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1351-1352)
action_date: 2018-03-05
text: Mr. Palmer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2017-06-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2017-06-14
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2017-06-14
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2017-06-13
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3459; text: CR S3459)
action_date: 2017-06-13
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S3459; text: CR S3459)
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 92.
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 115-137
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-833
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2017-04-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Crimes against women
Criminal justice information and records
Disability assistance
Evidence and witnesses
Health information and medical records
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Military education and training
Military personnel and dependents
Sex offenses
Sexually transmitted diseases
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: 

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2017

 
This bill expands Department of Defense (DOD) sexual trauma counseling and treatment to include: (1) cyber harassment of a sexual nature, and (2) members of the Armed Forces on active duty for training or inactive duty training.
 
The bill sets forth the standard of proof, which may be rebutted, in the case of a veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition was incurred in or aggravated by military sexual trauma during active service. The reasons for granting or denying service-connection in each case shall be recorded in full.
 
DOD shall ensure that: (1) in a compensation claim for post-traumatic stress disorder based on sexual assault, battery, cyber harassment, or harassment experienced during active military service, non-DOD evidence may corroborate the veteran's account of such assault, battery, or harassment; and (2) behavior changes may be considered as corroborating evidence.
 
DOD shall: (1) report annually through 2027 on submitted claims to identify and track the consistency of decisions across regional offices, (2) inform members of the Armed Forces of their eligibility for services at Vet Centers, and (3) ensure that Sexual Assault Response Coordinators advise members of the Armed Forces who report instances of military sexual trauma about their eligibility for Vet Center services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-11
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-04-05
text: Introduced in Senate