hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2647
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2018-04-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Allergies
Civil actions and liability
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government information and archives
Grain
Manufacturing

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: 

Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the front of food packages to bear a nutrition label that complies with Food and Drug Administration regulations. The bill specifies principles for such regulations, including that there should be a standard, easily understood symbol system for calorie and nutrient information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Economic Modernization Act

Bill: 115-s-2648
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2018-04-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: 

Economic Modernization Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow additional tax credits and deductions to assist employees who work in declining or short-supply fields. 
 
A &quot;declining field&quot; has experienced a decline in the level of average employment of at least 8% over the most recent 3-year period. 
 
A &quot;short-supply&quot; field: (1) requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and certain degrees or experience in the specialty; and (2) has an insufficient number of U.S. citizens or residents who are qualified, willing, and able to satisfy the demand for labor in the occupation or field of work. 
 
For employers, the bill allows an economic transition tax credit for payroll taxes paid over a three-year period with respect to employees who previously worked in a declining field. 
 
For individuals employed in short-supply fields, the bill: 
 
 
increases the limit for the exclusion from gross income for employer-provided educational assistance programs and expands the exclusion to include payments of education loans, 
 
increases the limit for the deduction for interest on education loans, and 
 
 increases the limit for the deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses.
 
 
The bill also allows a deduction for companies that rehabilitate certain abandoned buildings. The deduction is equal to a portion of the income attributable to the rehabilitated building and may not exceed 50% of the wages paid by the company. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Energy Infrastructure Demand Response Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2649
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2018-04-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air quality
Congressional oversight
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy prices
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Government studies and investigations
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Public utilities and utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: 

Energy Infrastructure Demand Response Act of 2018

 
This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a natural gas demand response pilot program that uses the latest demand response technology from the energy sector for natural gas to (1)reduce the cost of energy for consumers, (2)reduce market price volatility, (3)increase reliability of the energy system, and (4)achieve reductions in air emissions and other benefits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Aviation Empowerment Act

Bill: 115-s-2650
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2018-04-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Licensing and registrations
Transportation employees

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: 

Aviation Empowerment Act

 
This bill adds to transportation law the definitions of &quot;common carrier&quot; and &quot;personal operator.&quot;
 
 The Department of of Transportation shall issue or revise regulations to ensure that: (1) a person who holds a pilot certificate may communicate with the public, in any manner the person determines appropriate, to facilitate an aircraft flight for which the pilot and passengers share aircraft operating expenses and that such flight-sharing operations shall not be deemed a common carrier or a commercial operation requiring a commercial certificate; and (2) a personal operator shall not be subject to certain regulations relating to aeronautics and space. 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Fairness to Pet Owners Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2651
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2018-04-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Medical ethics
Prescription drugs
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: 

Fairness to Pet Owners Act of 2018 

 
This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to require a prescriber of a household-animal medication to provide a free copy of the prescription to the pet owner before offering to fill the prescription and without the pet owner having to request a copy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Elder Poverty Relief Act

Bill: 115-s-2653
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Elder Poverty Relief Act

 
This bill establishes a new poverty-relief benefit under the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program for certain individuals entitled to OASDI benefits, disability insurance benefits, or benefits under the Supplemental Security Income program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2121-2123; text of measure as introduced: CR S2122-2123)
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Community Connect Grant Program Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2654
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Building construction
Housing and community development funding
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Community Connect Grant Program Act of 2018 

 
This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to provide statutory authority for the existing Community Connect Grant Program, which is a Department of Agriculture program that provides grants to finance broadband transmission in rural areas where broadband service does not currently exist. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Promoting Hydropower Development and Jobs Act

Bill: 115-s-2655
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Promoting Hydropower Development and Jobs Act

 
This bill amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)to establish an expedited process for issuing and amending licenses and preliminary permits for qualifying hydropower facilities that will be associated with existing nonpowered dams.
 
In establishing the expedited process, FERC shall convene an interagency task force with federal and state agencies and Indian tribes to coordinate the regulatory process associated with the authorizations required to construct and operate a qualifying facility.
 
FERC must assess the safety of existing nonfederal dams and other nonfederal structures related to a qualifying facility before licensing the facility.
 
FERC must coordinate with the Department of the Army, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Agriculture to jointly develop a list of existing nonpowered federal dams that have the greatest potential for nonfederal hydropower development.
 
Licensees of a qualifying facility are not required to pay an annual charge for administrative expenses until construction commences.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Veterans Affairs Oversight Enhancement Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2656
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Oversight Enhancement Act of 2018

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report on its corrective measures any year health care furnished by the VA appears on the high risk list published by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The high risk list is a list of programs that are vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement or that need transformation. The VA is also required to report annually on the implementation of recommendations from GAO.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Opioid Peer Support Networks Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2657
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Community life and organization
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Mental health
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Opioid Peer Support Networks Act of 2018

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to eligible community organizations for substance-use-disorder treatment and recovery efforts. HHS also must establish the National Peer Run Training and Technical Assistance Center for Addiction Recovery Support to assist substance-use peer-support networks.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Newborns from Opioids Act

Bill: 115-s-2658
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Intergovernmental relations
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Research administration and funding
State and local government operations
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Protecting Newborns from Opioids Act

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to: (1) award grants to states to create or improve surveillance systems for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and analyze the data collected through the systems; and (2) conduct research on prevention, factors surrounding, and health outcomes of NAS. (NAS is a group of conditions caused when a baby withdraws from certain drugs the baby is exposed to in the womb before birth.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe Disposal of Unused Medication Act

Bill: 115-s-2659
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Justice
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Licensing and registrations
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Prescription drugs
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Safe Disposal of Unused Medication Act

 
This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow a hospice employee or emergency medical services professional to handle controlled substances in the residence of a hospice patient to assist with the disposal of controlled substances: (1) that are expired, or (2) that are unused after the patient's death.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
DRAIN Act

Bill: 115-s-2660
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Executive agency funding and structure
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Decentralize Regulatory Agencies, Include the Nation Act of 2018 or the DRAIN Act

 
This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration to jointly develop and implement a plan for relocating nonsecurity agencies outside the National Capital region by the later of October 1, 2029, or the expiration date of the lease for the building in which the nonsecurity agency's headquarters is located.
 
The bill exempts security agencies and nonsecurity agencies specifically exempted by the President from the relocation requirement. A security agency is an agency that receives the majority of its funding from appropriations provided for the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, or for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Hospice Safe Drug Disposal Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2661
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Home and outpatient care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicare
Prescription drugs
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Hospice Safe Drug Disposal Act of 2018

 
This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow a hospice employee to handle the lawfully dispensed controlled substances of a deceased hospice patient to assist with disposal of the controlled substances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act

Bill: 115-s-2662
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Firearms and explosives
Law enforcement administration and funding
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Handgun Purchaser Licensing Act
 
 
This bill authorizes a grant program for states, local governments, and Indian tribes to implement and evaluate handgun purchaser licensing requirements.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
ACRE Act

Bill: 115-s-2663
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural conservation and pollution
Agricultural practices and innovations
Aquaculture
Birds
Congressional oversight
Department of the Interior
Endangered and threatened species
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Hunting and fishing
Licensing and registrations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Motor fuels
Oil and gas
Pest management
Seafood
State and local government operations
Trade restrictions
User charges and fees
Water quality
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Agriculture Creates Real Employment Act or the ACRE Act

 
This bill reduces environmental requirements for agricultural producers, including requirements concerning
 
 
the takings of certain birds at farms or aquaculture facilities, 
 
exports of certain sea urchins and sea cucumbers, 
 
discharges of pesticides, 
 
the use of information and data collected in accordance with certain environmental laws, or 
 
oil pollution on farms.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
action_date: 2018-03-14
text: Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held prior to introduction and/or referral. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-267.
GEAR UP for Success Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2664
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

GEAR UP for Success Act of 2018

 
This bill reauthorizes and revises the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2123-2124)
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require guidance on how the Food and Drug Administration will consider claims of opioid sparing and on the conditions under which the Food and Drug Administration will consider misuse and abuse of drugs in making certain determinations of safety.

Bill: 115-s-2665
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Medical ethics
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 
This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)to develop guidance regarding how it will assess evidence to support claims of opioid sparing (i.e., the use of drugs that reduce pain while also allowing reduced use or avoidance of oral opioids) for non-opioid or other non-addictive medical products intended to treat pain.
 
The FDA must also develop guidance regarding how it will consider the misuse and abuse of drugs in making certain determinations of safety.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Enhance Cybersecurity for Small Manufacturers Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2666
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Government information and archives
Manufacturing
Small business
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Enhance Cybersecurity for Small Manufacturers Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in partnership with the Department of Defense (DOD), to address the lack of awareness of cybersecurity threats among small manufacturers in the defense industrial supply chain.
 
The MEP shall help small manufacturers conduct voluntary self-assessments in order to understand operating environments, cybersecurity requirements, and existing vulnerabilities.
 
NIST shall transfer its technology and techniques through MEP centers to small manufacturers to implement security measures to protect defense information. 
 
DOD shall establish a cyber counseling certification program, or approve a similar existing program, to certify small business professionals and DOD acquisition staff to furnish cyber planning assistance to small manufacturers in the defense industrial supply chain.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Hemp Farming Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-2667
Sponsor: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural insurance
Agricultural research
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
General Native American affairs matters
Government studies and investigations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 

Hemp Farming Act of 2018 

 
This bill legalizes industrial hemp that has a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana) concentration of no more than 0.3% by removing it from schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. States and Indian tribes may regulate the production of hemp by submitting a plan to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill also makes hemp producers eligible for the federal crop insurance program and certain USDA research grants. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-16
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 380.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2124-2125)
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require a pilot program on the earning by special operations forces medics of credits towards a physician assistant degree.

Bill: 115-s-2668
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2018-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: 
This bill requires the Department of Defense to conduct a pilot program for special operations forces medics to earn credits toward a master's degree of physician assistant.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2018-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate