hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Veterans Health Administration Reform Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1279
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability and paralysis
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Medicaid
Medicare
Public contracts and procurement
Rural conditions and development
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Veterans Health Administration Reform Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the Care in the Community Program to furnish specified hospital care and medical and dental services to eligible veterans through provider agreements with eligible non-VA health care providers. (This program replaces the Veterans Choice Program and other specified programs.)
 
The bill provides for timely provider reimbursement by the VA.
 
Reimbursement authority for veterans emergency treatment and urgent care in non-VA facilities is expanded, including by providing emergency transportation reimbursement.
 
The VA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall: (1) enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding the coordination of care, and (2) jointly develop and administer a veterans benefits education program. 
 
The VA shall develop and administer an education program to instruct veterans about their VA health care options. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-11
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Safer Officers and Safer Citizens Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1280
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Government buildings, facilities, and property
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Photography and imaging
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Safer Officers and Safer Citizens Act of 

2017

 
This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance to award matching grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes to purchase body-worn cameras. 
 
The Bureau of Justice Assistance must give preference to grant applications from jurisdictions that: (1) have comprehensive policies and procedures related to implementation of a body-worn camera program, (2) have high percentages of officers without access to body-worn cameras, (3) have violent crime rates above the national average, and (4) agree to submit metrics on the use of body-worn cameras. 
 
As an offset, the bill allows the General Services Administration to identify and dispose of (i.e., sell or demolish) excess federal property. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act

Bill: 115-s-1283
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military personnel and dependents
Nuclear weapons
Radiation
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act 

 
This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to design and produce an Atomic Veterans Service Medal to honor retired and former members of the Armed Forces who are radiation-exposed veterans.
 
DOD may provide for issuance of the Medal to the next-of-kin of a deceased radiation-exposed veteran.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Community Bank Relief Act

Bill: 115-s-1284
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Federal Reserve System
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Community Bank Relief Act

 
This bill directs the Federal Reserve Board to increase, from $1 billion to $5 billion, the consolidated asset threshold (i.e., permissible debt level) for a bank holding company or savings and loan holding company that: (1) is not engaged in significant nonbanking activities; (2) does not conduct significant off-balance-sheet activities; and (3) does not have a material amount of debt or equity securities, other than trust-preferred securities, outstanding.
 
If warranted for supervisory purposes, the Federal Reserve Board may exclude a company from this threshold increase.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom to Export to Cuba Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1286
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural trade
Caribbean area
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Cuba
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign loans and debt
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Latin America
Marine and inland water transportation
Multilateral development programs
News media and reporting
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Sanctions
Terrorism
Trade restrictions
Travel and tourism
U.S. and foreign investments
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Freedom to Export to Cuba Act of 2017

 
This bill amends: (1) the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the prohibition on assistance to Cuba and the President's authority for the embargo on Cuba, (2) the Trading with the Enemy Act to repeal the President's authority to continue direct restrictions on trade with Cuba, and (3) the Export Administration Act of 1979 to repeal the prohibitions on exports to Cuba.
 
 The bill authorizes the President to: (1) impose export controls with respect to Cuba, and (2) exercise certain authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act only on account of an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security. 
 
The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 is amended to eliminate: 
 
 
presidential authority to impose sanctions against Cuban trading partners, 
 
restrictions on transactions between U.S.-owned or controlled firms and Cuba, 
 
limitations on direct shipping between Cuban and U.S. ports, and 
 
restrictions on remittances. 
 
 
 The Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 is amended to eliminate provisions concerning: 
 
 
the enforcement of an economic embargo of Cuba; 
 
the prohibition on indirect financing of Cuba;
 
 opposition to Cuban membership in international financial institutions; 
 
 opposition to ending Cuban suspension from the Organization of American States; 
 
certain import restrictions, including sugar restrictions; 
 
 family remittance and travel to Cuba, news bureaus in Cuba, and extradition of persons sought by the Department of Justice for crimes committed in the United States; and 
 
assistance to a free and independent Cuba.
 
 
 The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 is amended to: 
 
 
remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism subject to agricultural and medical export restrictions; and 
 
repeal the prohibition on the U.S. entry of merchandise that is of Cuban origin, that is or has been located in or transported from or through Cuba, or that is made or derived in whole or in part of any article which is the growth, produce, or manufacture of Cuba.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom for Americans to Travel to Cuba Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1287
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Caribbean area
Congressional oversight
Cuba
Latin America
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Freedom for Americans to Travel to Cuba Act of 2017

 
This bill states that: (1) the President may not prohibit or otherwise restrict travel to or from Cuba by U.S. citizens or legal residents, or any of the transactions incident to such travel, including banking transactions; and (2) any law, regulation, or policy in effect on the date of enactment of this bill that prohibits or otherwise restricts such travel or transactions incident to such travel shall cease to have any force or effect. 
 
Nothing in this bill may be construed to limit the President's authority to restrict such travel or any transaction incident to such travel if the President determines that such restriction is necessary to protect: (1) U.S. national security, or (2) the health or safety of U.S. citizens or legal residents resulting from traveling to or from Cuba.
 
Prior to restricting travel to Cuba, the President shall submit a written justification to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3222-3223)
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to allow preservation leasing as a form of compensatory mitigation for discharges of dredged or fill material affecting Indian land, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-s-1288
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Federal-Indian relations
Indian lands and resources rights
Licensing and registrations
Pollution liability
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality
Wetlands

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to allow a permittee under the Act to satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements for discharging dredged or fill material into the waters of the United States (permitted activity) by entering into a preservation lease with an Indian tribe whose wetlands are affected. 
 
A preservation lease is an agreement under which a permittee leases wetlands or other aquatic sites on Indian land for the sole purpose of preserving the wetlands or other aquatic sites in an undisturbed state during the term of the lease to mitigate for a permitted activity. The term of the lease may not be less than the life of the permitted activity and must be adjusted to account for the cessation of the impacts caused by such activity. 
 
If a permittee enters into a preservation lease and subsequently ceases to maintain the permitted activity, or seeks to abandon the permitted activity without a good faith transfer, the permittee must obtain a permit modification from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which may require restoration and rehabilitation of the area.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to exempt Indian tribes from compensatory mitigation requirements in connection with certain discharges of dredged or fill material, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-s-1289
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Federal-Indian relations
Indian lands and resources rights
Licensing and registrations
Pollution liability
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to exempt Indian tribes from a requirement to provide compensatory mitigation as a condition of a permit to discharge dredged or fill material into waters of the United States when the permitted activity is conducted on Indian land. If the Indian tribe ceases to maintain the permitted activity on that land, or seeks to abandon that activity without a good faith transfer, the Indian tribe must obtain a permit modification from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps of Engineers may require restoration and rehabilitation of the area. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act

Bill: 115-s-1290
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Abortion
Appropriations
Budget process
Child care and development
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Employment and training programs
Energy assistance for the poor and aged
Food assistance and relief
Government trust funds
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Housing and community development funding
Income tax credits
Poverty and welfare assistance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-05
text: 

Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act

 
This bill requires the President to include in the annual budget proposal the total level of means-tested welfare spending by the federal, state, and local governments for the most recent fiscal year for which such data is available, and estimated levels for the current and 10 ensuing fiscal years.
 
For each of FY2019-FY2029 each state that receives means-tested welfare spending by the federal government shall report annually to the Congressional Budget Office on the total amount of such spending by the state for the fiscal year.
 
The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended to define means-tested welfare spending as spending for any federal program designed specifically to give assistance or benefits exclusively to low-income Americans. 
 
The refundable portion of certain tax credits shall also be means-tested welfare spending, as well as the refundable portion of the premium and out-of-pocket health care subsidies to be paid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act.
 
The bill revises work eligibility requirements under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 
 
Part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act is amended to create the work preparation program for TANF families.
 
The bill eliminates separate participation rate requirements for two-parent families.
 
No federal funds shall be made available to carry out any means-tested housing program, but states may receive grants to fund their own housing programs.
 
The bill prohibits funding for abortions and for health benefits that cover abortion, including certain tax credits, except where the pregnancy results from rape or incest or in certain other health cases.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Advancing Medical Resident Training in Community Hospitals Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1291
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2017-06-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Education programs funding
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Hospital care
Medical education
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: 

Advancing Medical Resident Training in Community Hospitals Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise payment rules for graduate medical education (GME) costs with respect to a hospital that establishes a new medical residency training program. 
 
With respect to a hospital that has not entered into a GME affiliation agreement, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall establish the hospital's full-time equivalent (FTE) resident amount only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period. In the case of a hospital with an approved FTE resident amount based on the training of no more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period before October 1, 1997, or 3.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period after that date, CMS shall provide the hospital an opportunity to have its FTE resident amount reestablished when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold. 
 
Current law limits the number, subject to the application of certain adjustments, of FTE residents a hospital may have in allopathic and osteopathic medicine for purposes of Medicare payment. The bill specifies that CMS shall determine a hospital's limitation adjustment only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period. In the case of a hospital with a limitation adjustment based on the training of no more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period before October 1, 1997, or 3.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period after that date, CMS shall provide the hospital an opportunity to have its adjustment re-determined when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1292
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-06-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Federal officials
Human rights
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: 

Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide that the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism shall have the rank of ambassador and be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
 
The Special Envoy shall: (1) be a person of recognized distinction in the field of combating anti-Semitism or religious freedom; (2) serve as the primary advisor to, and coordinate efforts across, the U.S. government relating to monitoring and combating anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic incitement in foreign countries; and (3) report directly to the Secretary of State.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Invent and Manufacture in America Act

Bill: 115-s-1293
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2017-06-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax credits
Manufacturing
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: 

Invent and Manufacture in America Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the research tax credit, to allow an increased credit for qualified domestic manufacturers. A &quot;qualified domestic manufacturer&quot; is a taxpayer who has domestic production gross receipts that are more than 50% of total gross receipts. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Native American Education Opportunity Act

Bill: 115-s-1294
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-06-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Indian social and development programs
Minority education

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: 

Native American Education Opportunity Act

 
This bill amends the Education Amendments of 1978 to require the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), at the request of a federally recognized Indian tribe, to provide funds for tribal education savings account programs to make grants to education savings accounts for students who: (1) attended or will be eligible to attend a BIA-funded school; (2) will not be attending a BIA-funded school, receiving an education savings account from another tribe, or attending public elementary or secondary school while participating in the program; and (3) meet program eligibility requirements.
 
Funds may be used for: 
 
 
private school tuition and fees; 
 
textbooks, curriculum, and instructional materials; 
 
academic, Native language, or cultural tutoring; 
 
educational services and therapies for students with special needs; 
 
tuition and fees for a private online learning program; 
 
educational technology; 
 
examination fees; or 
 
transportation to and from school. 
 
Three years after this bill's enactment, the Government Accountability Office must review the implementation of the bill, including any factors impacting increased participation in education savings account programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Introduced in Senate
RISE Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1295
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2017-06-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Disability and paralysis
Disability assistance
Education programs funding
Government information and archives
Higher education
Student records

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: 

Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower Act of 2017 or the RISE Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to set forth requirements about data collection related to students with disabilities. Specifically, the bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) to outline which documents disabled students need to submit in order to ensure they are eligible for student disability support services. 
 
IHEs must submit key data related to their undergraduate students with disabilities for inclusion in federal postsecondary institution data collection efforts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-06-06
text: Introduced in Senate