hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Farm Service Agency Loan Flexibility Act

Bill: 115-s-2552
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2018-03-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Congressional oversight
Government lending and loan guarantees

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-14
text: 

Farm Service Agency Loan Flexibility Act 

 
This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make or guarantee certain farm loans that exceed the aggregate principal amount authorized for the year by up to 25% if the need for loans exceeds the authorized limit. 
 
For any year in which USDA uses the authority provided by this bill, USDA may use funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation that are equal to the difference between: (1) the cost of making or guaranteeing the farm loans for that year, and (2) the appropriations provided for the loans for that year. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2018-03-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Dairy Farm Sustainability Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2555
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2018-03-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-14
text: 

Dairy Farm Sustainability Act of 2018

 
 This bill amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to establish a Dairy Farm Sustainability Price Loss Coverage Program. Dairy operations that enter into contracts under the program are eligible to receive payments from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) when milk prices fall below the minimum milk price. 
 
The bill specifies that the minimum milk price is $23.34 per hundredweight of milk and requires USDA to adjust the limit for inflation for each half of each calendar year. 
 
The bill also reauthorizes the existing Dairy Margin Protection Program through 2023. (The program is a voluntary program that makes payments to participating dairy operations when a formula-based national margin [the difference between the national all milk price and the national average feed cost] falls below a producer-selected insured margin.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2018-03-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Welfare Of Our Furry Friends (WOOFF) Act

Bill: 115-s-2556
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2018-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: 

Welfare Of Our Furry Friends (WOOFF) Act

 
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to promulgate regulations: (1) prohibiting the storage of a live animal in an overhead compartment of a flight in air transportation, and (2) establishing fines for a violation of such prohibition.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Give Our Resources the Opportunity to Work Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2557
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2018-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Agricultural practices and innovations
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Farmland
Government studies and investigations
Lakes and rivers
Land use and conservation
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Public contracts and procurement
Soil pollution
Water quality
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: 

Give Our Resources the Opportunity to Work Act of 2018

 
 This bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to reauthorize and modify several Department of Agriculture conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). 
 
The bill includes provisions related to: 
 
 
 payment rates and enrollment levels;
 
 the CRP eligibility requirements for land;
 
the ranking of CSP applications;
 
CSP payments for cover crop activities, comprehensive conservation planning, and management-intensive rotational grazing; 
 
 coordination between EQIP and CSP, and 
 
 set asides under EQIP for beginning and social disadvantaged farmers. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Okhissa Lake Rural Economic Development Land Conveyance Act

Bill: 115-s-2558
Sponsor: Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS]
Introduced: 2018-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers
Mississippi

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: 

Okhissa Lake Rural Economic Development Land Conveyance Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture, upon a written request from the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance, to convey to it without consideration and by quitclaim deed all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to approximately 150 acres of specified National Forest System lands in Franklin County, Mississippi. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Reclamation Title Transfer Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2560
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2018-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government buildings, facilities, and property
State and local government operations
Water resources funding
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: 

Reclamation Title Transfer Act of 2018

 
This bill authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to convey to a qualifying entity all U.S. interest in any eligible facility, if: (1) by 90 days before the date on which Reclamation makes the conveyance, it submits to Congress a written notice of the proposed conveyance and a description of the reasons for the conveyance; and (2) a joint resolution disapproving the conveyance is not enacted before the date on which it makes the conveyance. Reclamation must convey with all applicable federal environmental laws before making a conveyance. 
 
"Qualifying entity" means an agency of a state or political subdivision of a state, a joint action or powers agency, a water users association, or an Indian tribe or tribal authority that: (1) as of the date of conveyance, is the current operator of the conveyed facility pursuant to a contract with Reclamation; and (2) as determined by Reclamation, has the capacity to continue to manage the conveyed property for the same purposes for which the property has been managed under the reclamation laws.
 
Effective beginning on the date of conveyance, the United States shall not be liable for damages arising out of any act, omission, or occurrence based on prior ownership or operation of the conveyed property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-11-28
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 681.
action_date: 2018-11-28
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-395.
action_date: 2018-11-28
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-395.
action_date: 2018-10-02
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2018-03-22
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-511.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Stopping Suspicious Orders of Opioids Act

Bill: 115-s-2561
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2018-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Justice
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: 

Stopping Suspicious Orders of Opioids Act

 
This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to modify enforcement authorities of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
 
Currently, the DEA may deny, revoke, or suspend a registration for a CSA violation. It must first issue an order to show cause which, among other things, notifies an applicant or registrant of the opportunity to submit a corrective plan (CAP). This bill specifies that if the DEA does not approve a CAP, or if an applicant or registrant fails to implement a DEA-approved CAP within 30 days, then the DEA must: (1) reinstate administrative proceedings to deny, revoke, or suspend the registration; and (2) immediately suspend the registration, in the case of a registrant.
 

 
 

Additionally, the bill modifies the standard of review to immediately suspend a registration. Currently, the DEA may immediately suspend the registration of a controlled substances manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser to prevent imminent danger to the public health and safety. This bill lowers the standard for determining imminent danger to the public health and safety&#8212;from substantial likelihood of an immediate threat to likelihood of a threat.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1766-1767)
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Alice Paul Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 115-s-2562
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2018-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Voting rights
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: 

Alice Paul Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make arrangements for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Alice Paul to recognize her role in the women's suffrage movement and in advancing equal rights for women.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Water Supply Infrastructure and Drought Resilience Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2563
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2018-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Congressional oversight
Department of the Interior
Executive agency funding and structure
Floods and storm protection
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Hydrology and hydrography
Indian lands and resources rights
State and local government operations
Water resources funding
Water storage
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: 

Water Supply Infrastructure and Drought Resilience Act of 2018

 
This bill establishes a pilot project to adjust flood control rule curves at Bureau of Reclamation facilities.
 
The bill amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to increase access to Reclamation's WaterSMART program by including within the definition of "eligible applicant" any state, regional, or local authority the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority.
 
The bill provides Reclamation with increased flexibility to recharge aquifers.
 
The conveyance of water through a project facility that crosses Bureau of Land Management land for the purpose of aquifer recharge shall not require a new or additional permit or authorization if: (1) the existing project facility has a valid agreement that allows conveyance of water for a purpose other than aquifer recharge, (2) that conveyance does not result in a substantial change to the operation of the project facility, and (3) the entity operating the facility consents to such conveyance.
 
In developing any rule, policy, directive, management plan, or similar federal action relating to the issuance, renewal, amendment, or extension of any permit, right-of-way, or other land use or occupancy agreement, Reclamation shall: (1) recognize the longstanding authority of the states relating to evaluating, protecting, allocating, regulating, permitting, and adjudicating water use; and (2) coordinate with the states to ensure that any such action is consistent with, and imposes no greater restriction or regulatory requirement, than applicable state water law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-22
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-511.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate
PROTECT Asbestos Victims Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2564
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2018-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Alabama
Bankruptcy
Civil actions and liability
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
North Carolina
Product safety and quality

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: 

Providing Responsible Oversight of Trusts to Ensure Compensation and Transparency for Asbestos Victims Act of 2018 or the PROTECT Asbestos Victims Act of 2018

 
This bill modifies several aspects of the asbestos bankruptcy trust system. An asbestos bankruptcy trust is established when a company subject to asbestos-related liability files for bankruptcy under chapter 11 (reorganization). 
 
Among other things, the bill does the following:
 
 
provides statutory authority for the U.S. Trustee Program within the Department of Justice to investigate the administration and operation of asbestos bankruptcy trusts; and
 
creates new criminal offenses for making a false representation to, or a false claim for payment by, an asbestos bankruptcy trust. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Veteran Employment and Child Care Access Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2565
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2018-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Child care and development
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: 

Veteran Employment and Child Care Access Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide child care assistance to veterans: (1) who are receiving certain training or vocational rehabilitation, (2) who are the primary caretaker of a child or children, and (3) whose family's adjusted gross income does not exceed certain limits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Level the Playing Field in Global Trade Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2566
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2018-03-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Air quality
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental technology
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Human rights
Industrial facilities
Labor standards
Labor-management relations
Legislative rules and procedure
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations
Wages and earnings
Water quality
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: 

Level the Playing Field in Global Trade Act of 2018 

 
This bill requires an expedited trade agreement with a country to meet specified standards regarding wages and production methods for all exported merchandise from that country. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-03-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Comprehensive TB Elimination Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2567
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2018-03-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Congressional oversight
Drug therapy
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: 

Comprehensive TB Elimination Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize for FY2018-FY2023 and revise the tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment grant program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Health Resources and Services Administration may also award grants to state and local governments and federally-qualified health centers for TB prevention and treatment efforts. 
 
Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on national TB prevention and treatment efforts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Introduced in Senate
EACH Act

Bill: 115-s-2568
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2018-03-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Comprehensive health care
Health
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Religion
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: 

Equitable Access to Care and Health Act or the EACH Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the religious conscience exemption under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to exempt individuals who rely solely on a religious method of healing and for whom the acceptance of medical health services would be inconsistent with their religious beliefs from the requirement to purchase and maintain minimum essential health care coverage. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Appalachia Opportunity Grants Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2569
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2018-03-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Alabama
Business investment and capital
Economic development
Employment and training programs
Georgia
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Health promotion and preventive care
Higher education
Housing and community development funding
Infrastructure development
Kentucky
Maryland
Mississippi
New York State
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Performance measurement
Public-private cooperation
Rural conditions and development
South Carolina
State and local government operations
Tennessee
Travel and tourism
Virginia
West Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: 

Appalachia Opportunity Grants Act of 2018 

 
This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Department of Agriculture to award grants for units of local government in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States to convene groups of public and private entities to collaborate in carrying out regional projects to accomplish positive economic and community impacts in the region. 
 
A regional project carried out by a collaborative group must: (1) involve at least two municipalities that share a border; and (2) complete a specific activity that has a goal of job creation, expansion of the capacity of post-secondary education, growth of tourism, improving public health, or upgrading regional infrastructure. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to repeal the funding authorization sunset and the total funding cap for the Essex National Heritage Area.

Bill: 115-s-2570
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2018-03-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Historic sites and heritage areas
Massachusetts

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: 
This bill permanently extends the authority of the Department of the Interior to make grants and provide other assistance for the Essex National Heritage Area in Massachusetts. 
 
The bill also repeals the limitation on the total amount of funding that may be appropriated for the heritage area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-08-15
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-526.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2571
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2018-03-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Child health
Child safety and welfare
Crime victims
Crimes against children
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Families
Family services
Government information and archives
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Human trafficking
Mental health
Sex offenses
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: 

Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2018

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 and revises the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1792)
action_date: 2018-03-19
text: Introduced in Senate