hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Everglades for the Next Generation Act

Bill: 115-s-1234
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Everglades
Florida
Water quality
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Everglades for the Next Generation Act

 
This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to authorize the Department of the Army, after completing an implementation report prepared for a project under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and without any further congressional authorization, to carry out: (1) any project identified in the plan for which a project implementation report is completed that is in accordance with an integrated delivery schedule approved by the Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District, provided that the report is completed by five years after the date of the enactment of this bill; and (2) any group of projects under the plan that the Corps determines will provide regional or watershed ecosystem or water supply benefits if constructed in accordance with a project implementation report approved by the Corps and the district by such date.


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
Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act

Bill: 115-s-1235
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Executive agency funding and structure
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Military operations and strategy
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Nuclear weapons
Research administration and funding
South Carolina
Tennessee

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act

 
This bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of Department of Defense (DOD) funds: (1) for procuring more than eight Columbia-class submarines; (2) to maintain more than 150 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles; or (3) through FY2024, for the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) or the procurement of the B-21 long-range penetrating bomber aircraft.
 
The bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of DOD or Department of Energy (DOE) funds: 
 
 
to maintain more than 1,000 deployed strategic warheads, as counted under the New START Treaty; 
 
 to make the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons;
 
 for extending the life of tactical versions of the B61 gravity bomb;
 
 for the RDT&E or procurement of a new air-launched cruise missile or for the W80 warhead life extension program;
 
 for the RDT&E or procurement of the ground-based strategic deterrent or any new intercontinental ballistic missile;
 
 for the IW-1 life extension program;
 
 for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility project at the Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina; or
 
 for the Uranium Processing Facility located at the Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
 
 
DOD and DOE must report to Congress on the plans for, and the estimated cost savings from, carrying out this bill.


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
A bill to require the Attorney General to designate Human Trafficking Coordinators for Federal judicial districts, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-s-1236
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crime prevention
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Justice
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Human trafficking

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 
This bill amends the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 to direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to designate: 
 
 
at least one Human Trafficking Coordinator in each federal judicial district to implement the National Strategy for Combatting Human Trafficking and to prosecute cases, conduct outreach, and enforce laws related to human trafficking; and 
 
a National Human Trafficking Coordinator within DOJ to coordinate, promote, and support DOJ's work related to human trafficking.
 


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
Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1237
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Bankruptcy

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the federal bankruptcy code to include an unsecured claim by a governmental unit (e.g., a tax claim by the Internal Revenue Service) resulting from the sale, transfer, exchange, or disposition of farming property in chapter 12 bankruptcy (family farmer or fisherman reorganization) proceedings. Such a claim that arises before a debtor's discharge, regardless of whether the claim is pre-petition or post-petition, must be treated as a pre-petition claim, is not entitled to priority status, must be provided for under the bankruptcy plan, and is dischargeable. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3216; text of measure as introduced: CR S3215-3216)
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1238
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Health personnel
Income tax exclusion
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act of 201

7

 
This bill amends Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax exclusion for benefits paid to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical providers by states and local governments, to: (1) increase the amount of benefits excludible, and (2) make the tax exclusion permanent. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
LOSAP CAP Act

Bill: 115-s-1239
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Health personnel
Income tax deferral
Inflation and prices
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Length of Service Award Program Cap Adjustment Priority Act or the LOSAP CAP Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to deferred compensation plans, to increase the limit on accruals that is required for length of service award plans (LOSAPs) for bona fide volunteers to be exempt from treatment as a deferred compensation plan. 
 
(Under current law, plans paying solely length of service awards to bona fide volunteers or their beneficiaries on the account of firefighting and prevention services, emergency medical services, and ambulance services performed by the volunteers are not treated as deferred compensation plans if they meet certain requirements. One of the requirements is a limit on the aggregate amount of length of service awards that may accrue with respect to any year of service for any bona fide volunteer.) 
 
The bill modifies the limit on accruals to: (1) increase the limit from $3,000 to $6,000; (2) provide for a cost-of-living adjustment to the limit after 2017; and (3) specify that, in the case of LOSAPs that are defined benefit plans, the limit applies to the actuarial present value of the aggregate amount of length of service awards accruing with respect to any year of service. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3216-3217)
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Engagement at FERC Act

Bill: 115-s-1240
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Advisory bodies
Consumer affairs
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Legal fees and court costs
Oil and gas
Public participation and lobbying
Public utilities and utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Public Engagement at FERC Act

 
This bill amends the Federal Power Act to revise and expand the Office of Public Participation in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)and rename it as the Office of Public Participation and Consumer Advocacy.
 
The office may participate in FERC proceedings on rates, service, and infrastructure siting to represent the interests of the public and issue guidance for potential improvements to industry and FERC practices.
 
Additionally, the office must establish a Public and Consumer Advocacy Advisory Committee to review rates, services, and disputes and make recommendations to the office.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Combating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Counterfeiting Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1241
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Business records
Congressional oversight
Consumer credit
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Currency
Customs enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign and international banking
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Law enforcement officers
Smuggling and trafficking
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Combating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Counterfeiting Act of 2017

 
This bill modifies various prohibitions on money laundering. It requires that for certain reporting requirements, a blank check shall be considered to have a value of more than $10,000 if it was drawn on an account that contained more than $10,000.
 
Whoever violates a currency smuggling law is subject to fines, which may be enhanced in aggravated cases.
 
Commingled funds and aggregated transactions can be counted towards the value requirement for offenses involving prohibited monetary transactions derived from specified unlawful activity.
 
Persons who conspire to violate the prohibition against unlicensed money services businesses shall be subject to the same penalty as the underlying offense.
 
This bill establishes various criminal offenses pertaining to money services businesses.
 
It shall be a federal offense to conduct certain financial transactions that involve the proceeds of specified unlawful activity.
 
If a person is charged with an offense under the federal criminal code, title 31, or the Controlled Substances Act for which forfeiture is authorized, the government may apply for an ex parte order freezing the person's bank accounts.
 
The international money laundering statute shall apply to tax evasion.
 
The Department of the Treasury or the Department of Justice may issue a subpoena to any foreign bank that maintains a correspondent account in the United States.
 
The bill makes it unlawful to knowingly conceal to a financial institution a material fact concerning the ownership of an account with a financial institution.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-11-28
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
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
Raise the Wage Act

Bill: 115-s-1242
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Government information and archives
Labor standards
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Raise the Wage Act

 
This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage for regular employees over a 7-year period, for tipped employees, and for newly hired employees who are less than 20 years old. 
 
The bill sets forth a schedule of annual increases in the federal minimum wage for individuals with disabilities. The Department of Labor shall no longer issue special certificates for the payment of subminimum wages to such individuals after the final wage increase under this bill for such individuals takes effect. 
 
Labor shall provide, upon request, technical assistance and information to employers to: (1) help them transition their practices to comply with wage increases and other requirements under this bill for individuals with disabilities, and (2) ensure continuing employment opportunities for such individuals.
 
The bill eliminates the separate minimum wage requirements for tipped, newly hired, and disabled employees. After a specified period, these employees shall be paid the same minimum wage as regular employees.
 
Labor must publish any increase in the minimum wage in the Federal Register and on its website 60 days before it takes effect.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
E-STOP Act

Bill: 115-s-1243
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime prevention
Crimes against women
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Military education and training
Military personnel and dependents
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Educating Servicemembers in Training on Prevention Act or E-STOP Act

 
This bill directs the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Department of Homeland Security (with respect to matters concerning the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service of the Navy) to provide training on sexual assault prevention and response to individuals enlisted in the Armed Forces under a delayed entry program. 
 
A &quot;delayed entry program&quot; includes:
 
 
the Future Soldiers Program of the Army,
 
the Delayed Entry Program of the Navy and the Marine Corps,
 
the Air Force's program for the delayed entry of enlistees into the Air Force, and
 
the Coast Guard's program for the delayed entry of enlistees into the Coast Guard. 
 
 
Such training must: (1) be completed before the individual begins basic training or initial active duty for training in the Armed Forces, (2) meet such requirements as the Department of Defense establishes, and (3) be uniform across the Armed Forces.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the training should be provided through in-person instruction and include instruction on the proper use of social media.


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
Keeping Our Commitment to Essential Air Service Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1244
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Government trust funds
Rural conditions and development
Transportation costs
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Keeping Our Commitment to Essential Air Service Act of 2017

 
This bill extends the additional authorization of appropriations out of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund for the essential air service program through FY2022.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Advancing Career Pathways Innovation Act

Bill: 115-s-1245
Sponsor: Sen. Franken, Al [D-MN]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Minority education
Rural conditions and development
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Advancing Career Pathways Innovation Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish a career pathways innovation grant program to award competitive three-year grants to eligible agencies (a local educational agency, or consortium thereof, or a school operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education) for the purpose of addressing the specialized skill needs of business and industry by carrying out career pathways programs, featuring school partnerships, that support career pathways at the secondary school level or career exploration at the elementary school level.
 
The Assistant Secretary of Career, Technical, and Adult Education shall:
 
 
 administer such grants;
 
 provide technical assistance to eligible agencies preparing grant applications; and
 
 support career pathways partnership coordinators, or other personnel of eligible agencies that have received a grant, in order to ensure that the eligible agency participates in the required school partnership and the grant results in positive program outcomes.
 
 
ED must designate at least one employee of the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education who will exclusively support rural and native-serving eligible agencies with the preparation of grant applications and the development of school partnerships necessary to apply for and implement a grant.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1246
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Minority education
Minority employment
Science and engineering education
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Women's education
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2017

 This bill requires the National Science Foundation to award competitive grants to enable eligible entities to carry out the activities specified below in order to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 
 An eligible entity that receives a grant shall use grant funds to carry out one or more of the following activities designed to increase the participation of women or minorities underrepresented in science and engineering, or both: 
 
 
 online workshops, 
 
 mentoring programs that partner STEM professionals with students, 
 
 internships for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, 
 
 outreach programs providing elementary and secondary school students with opportunities to increase their exposure to STEM fields, and
 
programs to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Teacher Loan Repayment Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1247
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Teacher Loan Repayment Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the financial aid programs for teachers.
 
Specifically, it terminates the authority of the Department of Education (ED) to: (1) award new grants under the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program, and (2) enter new loan forgiveness agreements under the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program.
 
The bill authorizes and directs ED to administer a new loan repayment for teachers program. To qualify, a borrower must be a full-time teacher in a low-income school or location and meet other requirements. ED, on behalf of a qualified borrower, makes $250-$400 direct monthly payments on Federal Family Education Loan or Direct Loan program subsidized, unsubsidized, and, in certain circumstances, consolidation Loans.
 
To remain eligible for loan repayment, a borrower must continue to be employed in the school or location of initial eligibility.
 
The total maximum loan repayment amount is $23,400 over six years. A borrower must repay the remaining principal and interest.
 
An individual who currently participates in the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program may continue participating in such program or enter the new loan repayment for teachers program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Elevating Educator Preparation Through Innovation Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1248
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Licensing and registrations
Special education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Elevating Educator Preparation Through Innovation Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title II (Teacher Quality Enhancement) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise provisions related to the Teacher Quality Partnership grant program. Specifically, the bill:
 
 
modifies requirements regarding which types of entities must, or may, be included in a grant-eligible partnership;
 
eliminates the requirement that a teaching residency program must culminate in the attainment of a master's degree; and
 
expands the purposes for which grant funds may be used.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate