hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To preserve the name of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-hr-847
Sponsor: Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Missouri
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 
This bill declares that the wildlife refuge in Missouri that is the subject of the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan, as approved on July 19, 2005, shall be known as the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
Farm Regulatory Certainty Act

Bill: 115-hr-848
Sponsor: Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Agricultural conservation and pollution
Civil actions and liability
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Licensing and registrations
Livestock
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Farm Regulatory Certainty Act

 
This bill amends the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 to specify that animal waste, manure, and fertilizer are excluded from the Act's requirements if the waste, manure, or fertilizer originates from or is utilized by an agricultural operation.
 
Citizen suits may not be brought under the Act against an agricultural operation if federal or state legal and enforcement actions are already underway.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E140-141)
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-851
Sponsor: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Financial literacy
Housing finance and home ownership
Life, casualty, property insurance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2017 

 
This bill amends the National Housing Act to modify the discount given by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on single-family mortgage-insurance premium payments for first-time homebuyers who complete a financial-management counseling program. Under current law, the maximum premium amount for such homebuyers is 2.75% of the original insured principal obligation of the mortgage (compared to 3% for other homebuyers). The bill instead requires that the maximum premium amount for such homebuyers be 25 basis points (0.25% of the original insured principal obligation of mortgage) lower than the amount otherwise established by the FHA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
Freedom of Religion Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-852
Sponsor: Rep. Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [D-VA-8]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Immigration status and procedures
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Freedom of Religion Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that an alien may not be denied U.S. entry, reentry, or admission, or any other immigration benefit because of the alien's religion or lack of religious beliefs. 
 
Nothing in this bill shall be construed to affect immigration law authority when exercised on a case-by-case basis with respect to an individual who a consular officer, an immigration officer, the Justice Department, the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, or the President determines may pose a threat to U.S. national security.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-853
Sponsor: Rep. Black, Diane [R-TN-6]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2017

 
This bill requires federally funded entities to certify that they will not perform, and will not provide funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion, except in cases of rape or incest or where a physical condition endangers the woman's life unless an abortion is performed. This applies to a hospital only if the hospital funds a non-hospital entity that performs abortions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
Retirement Security for American Workers Act

Bill: 115-hr-854
Sponsor: Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business records
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Government information and archives
Income tax deferral

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Retirement Security for American Workers Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to modify the qualification requirements for certain multiple employer retirement plans. 
 
A multiple employer plan that meets certain criteria may not be disqualified or otherwise lose its tax-favored status because one or more participating employers fail to take actions required with respect to the plan. 
 
The bill applies to a multiple employer defined contribution plan or a plan that consists of Individual Retirement Accounts that either: (1) is sponsored by employers that both have a common interest other than having adopted the plan and control the plan, or (2) have a pooled plan provider. 
 
The bill does not apply unless the terms of the plan require a noncompliant employer to, subject to the discretion of the Internal Revenue Service, (1) transfer assets of the plan attributable to the employees of the noncompliant employer to other specified retirement plans, and (2) be liable for plan liabilities attributable to employees of the noncompliant employer. 
 
For the purposes of this bill, a defined contribution plan that is established or maintained for the purpose of providing benefits to the employees of two or more employers and that meets certain requirements (a pooled employer plan) is treated for the purposes of ERISA as a single plan that is a multiple employer plan. 
 
The bill modifies reporting requirements under ERISA that apply to pooled employer and multiple employer plans. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
SAVINGS Act

Bill: 115-hr-855
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-17]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Financial services and investments
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Securities
State and local taxation
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Save Access to a Valuable Investment Needed to Generate Savings Act of 2017 or the SAVINGS Act
 
 
This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to allow: (1) an individual taxpayer to use a portion or all of a tax refund to purchase U.S. savings bonds in paper form for the taxpayer or for any individual designated by the taxpayer; or (2) an option for a tax return that allows for the gifting of such bonds and that serves individuals who rarely, if ever, have held a bank account and individuals who lack access to the Internet. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
DREAMers, Immigrants, and Refugees (DIRe) Legal Aid Act

Bill: 115-hr-858
Sponsor: Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Detention of persons
Government studies and investigations
Immigration status and procedures
Lawyers and legal services
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

DREAMers, Immigrants, and Refugees (DIRe) Legal Aid Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Justice to make grants to nonprofit legal services providers with immigration law expertise to provide immigration-related legal services and advice to an alien who: (1) is present in the United States as a lawful permanent resident; (2) has received a grant of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, has been admitted as a refugee (or the alien's spouse or parent has been so admitted), or has been determined to be qualified for such admission; and (3) has been ordered removed, is in removal proceedings, or is at risk of being denied U.S. entry or admission. 
 
The Department of Homeland Security shall provide such aliens: (1) with provider contact information; and (2) if in detention, with an opportunity to arrange representation by such a provider. 
 
The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall carry out a study on the outcomes for individuals in removal proceedings with legal representation compared to the outcomes for such individuals without legal representation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E140)
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
HEALTHIER Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-860
Sponsor: Rep. Duncan, John J., Jr. [R-TN-2]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Poverty and welfare assistance
Rural conditions and development
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Health for Each American Less fortunate Through Help from medical professionals In Every Rural and impoverished area Act of 2017 or the HEALTHIER Act of 2017

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to states with a volunteer health care provider law that permits a volunteer to provide health care services without being licensed in the state if the volunteer is licensed in another state.
 The law must: (1) require the services to be provided in a rural or impoverished area and to be within the scope of practice of the provider in the state, and (2) prohibit the services from being provided for more than seven consecutive days.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
To terminate the Environmental Protection Agency.

Bill: 115-hr-861
Sponsor: Rep. Gaetz, Matt [R-FL-1]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Executive agency funding and structure

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 
This bill terminates the Environmental Protection Agency on December 31, 2018.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-02-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
Medicaid Tax Fairness Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-862
Sponsor: Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Medicaid
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Medicaid Tax Fairness Act of 2017

 
This bill incrementally lowers, from 6.0% to 5.5% of net patient revenues, the maximum threshold used to determine acceptable provider taxes for purposes of state Medicaid program financing.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-864
Sponsor: Rep. Love, Mia B. [R-UT-4]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Debt collection
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
State and local government operations
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to apply that Act's restrictions to collectors of debt owed to a federal agency. 
 
A federal agency that is a creditor may not sell or transfer a debt to a debt collector until 90 days after the obligation becomes delinquent or defaults. Specified notice to the consumer of such a sale or transfer is required.
 
A collector of debt owed to a federal agency may not collect any interest, fee, charge, or expense that is: (1) unreasonable in relation to actual costs, (2) not authorized by a contract between the debt collector and the federal agency, or (3) greater than 10% of the amount collected. 
 
The Government Accountability Office shall study and report to Congress on the use of debt collectors by federal, state, and local government agencies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-12
text: Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Prior to Referral.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
Emergency Forest Restoration Act

Bill: 115-hr-865
Sponsor: Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-4]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animal and plant health
Appropriations
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Forests, forestry, trees
Insects
Pest management

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Emergency Forest Restoration Act

 
This bill allows the Department of Agriculture (USDA), regarding National Forest System lands, or the Department of the Interior, regarding public lands, to develop and carry out a forest management activity on lands of the department concerned in a state when the activity's primary purpose is to address an insect or disease infestation that has been declared an emergency by the state governor.
 
With specified exceptions, a categorical exclusion shall be available to USDA or Interior for these purposes. 
 
A &quot;categorical exclusion&quot; is an exception to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for a project or activity relating to the management of National Forest System lands or public lands that would otherwise be considered a major federal action. 
 
Beginning in FY2019, USDA shall identify the amount of funds, if any, appropriated in the previous fiscal year pursuant to the authorization of appropriations specified in this bill. 
 
Within five years of the end of the fiscal year in which an identification is made, USDA shall sell an amount of timber the sale of which is sufficient to recoup the identified amount and any associated costs.
 
The bill prescribes requirements for the deposit of sales proceeds. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
Expanded Stalking Protections Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-866
Sponsor: Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Expanded Stalking Protections Act of 

2017

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to broaden the definition of stalking to include conduct that causes a person's friend or co-worker to experience a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
Notch Fairness Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-867
Sponsor: Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
Introduced: 2017-02-03 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Inflation and prices
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: 

Notch Fairness Act of 2017 

 
 This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to revise the formula for the computation of minimum Old Age Insurance benefits for individuals who reached age 65 in or after 1979, and to whom applies the 15-year transition period for the changes in benefit computation rules enacted in the Social Security Amendments of 1977.
 
("Notch" refers to individuals born between 1917 and 1921 who as retirees received lower Social Security cost-of-living increases than others after Congress readjusted Social Security benefits in 1977.)
 
 This bill sets forth a schedule of additional benefit increases for such beneficiaries (and related beneficiaries), with percentages declining from 55% to 5% and keyed to the year an individual became eligible for such benefits between 1979 and 1988. 
 
 This bill allows such beneficiaries, in the alternative, to receive lump sum payments over four years totaling $5,000. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-03
text: Introduced in House