hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the retirement income account rules relating to church controlled organizations.

Bill: 115-s-674
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2017-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax deferral
Religion
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that a retirement income account provided by a church or a convention or association of churches may cover: (1) a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church in the exercise of his ministry, regardless of the source of his compensation; (2) an employee of a tax-exempt organization, whether a civil law corporation or otherwise, that is controlled by or associated with a church or a convention or association of churches; and (3) certain employees who have been separated from service with a church, a convention or association of churches, or an organization described above.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
OIRA Insight, Reform, and Accountability Act

Bill: 115-s-676
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2017-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Economic performance and conditions
Government information and archives
Intergovernmental relations
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: 

OIRA Insight, Reform, and Accountability Act

 
 This bill codifies and revises the centralized regulatory review process, currently required under executive order, to require the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget to: (1) review each agency's significant regulatory actions for compliance with procedures for cost-benefit determinations, assessments of alternatives, avoidance of conflicts with other regulations, consideration of risks and enforcement costs, and coordination with state, local, and tribal governments; (2) circulate agency regulatory plans to other agencies to determine whether an agency's actions will conflict with actions taken or planned by other agencies; and (3) chair the Regulatory Working Group that assists agencies with regulatory issues.
 
OIRA's review is expanded to include independent regulatory agencies. 
 
 By March 15 and September 15 of each year, OIRA must publish the unified agenda of each agency's regulations under development or review. The agenda must explain why any regulation included in the immediately previous agenda is no longer included. OIRA must provide a standard definition for each stage of review to assist the public in understanding the different terms used by agencies.
 
 OIRA's review period may be extended for any number of additional 30-day periods upon mutual agreement of OIRA and the agency. For each extension, OIRA shall make publicly available online a written explanation and an estimate of the expected conclusion date.
 
As soon as practicable and before publication in the Federal Register of a significant regulatory action for which OIRA concluded review, the submitting agency shall make available to OIRA a redline of any changes the agency made to the regulatory action during the review period. OIRA must make the redline available to the public online.
 
Agencies must publish on their websites: (1) a list of each active regulatory action, including an indication of the status or a link to its entry on the unified agenda; (2) their most recent regulatory plan; and (3) a link to each record disclosed by OIRA about the regulatory review.
 
OIRA must ensure that records associated with each significant regulatory action: (1) are easily accessible for a period of time consistent with approved agency records disposition schedules, and (2) can be promptly submitted to Congress upon request. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act

Bill: 115-s-677
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2017-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of the Interior
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive agency funding and structure
General public lands matters
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Water resources funding
Water storage
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: 

Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act

 
 This bill establishes the Bureau of Reclamation as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all reviews, permits, licenses, or other approvals or decisions (reviews) required under federal law to construct new surface water storage projects in the states covered under the Reclamation Act on lands administered by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture, exclusive of any easement, right-of-way, lease, or any private holding (qualifying projects).
 
The Bureau: (1) upon receipt of an application for a qualifying project, shall identify any federal agency that may have jurisdiction over a required review; and (2) shall notify such agency that it has been designated as a cooperating agency unless specified conditions apply. Each cooperating agency must submit to the Bureau: (1) a timeframe for completing the agency's authorizing responsibilities, (2) all environmental review material produced in the course of carrying out activities required under federal law consistent with the project schedule, and (3) all relevant project data.
 
A state in which a qualifying project is being considered may choose to: (1) participate as a cooperating agency; and (2) make subject to the processes of this bill all state agencies that have jurisdiction over the project, are required to conduct or issue a review, or are required to make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval for the qualifying project.
 
The principal responsibilities of the Bureau are to: (1) serve as the point of contact for applicants, state agencies, Indian tribes, and others regarding qualifying projects; (2) coordinate preparation of unified environmental documentation that will serve as the basis for all federal decisions necessary to authorize the use of federal lands for qualifying projects; and (3) coordinate all federal agency reviews necessary for the development and construction of qualifying projects. 
 
The Department of the Interior, after public notice, may accept and expend funds contributed by a non-federal public entity to expedite the evaluation of a permit of that entity related to a qualifying project. Interior must ensure that all final permit decisions are made available to the public, including on the Internet.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-14
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-38.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
English Language Unity Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-678
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2017-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Citizenship and naturalization
Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: 

English Language Unity Act of 2017

 
This bill establishes English as the official language of the United States. 
 
Naturalization ceremonies and official functions of the U.S. government, subject to exceptions, must be conducted in English. 
 
The bill declares that all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of U.S. laws.
 
A person injured by a violation of this Act may obtain relief, including a declaratory judgment, in a civil action. 
 
English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with U.S. laws. Any ambiguity in U.S. laws shall be resolved in accordance with the rights retained by the people and the powers reserved to states under the Bill of Rights.
 
The Department of Homeland Security shall issue a proposed rule for uniform testing of the English language ability of candidates for naturalization based upon the principles that: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States; and (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Cyber AIR Act

Bill: 115-s-679
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Department of Transportation
Telephone and wireless communication
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: 

Cybersecurity Standards for Aircraft to Improve Resilience Act of 2017 or the Cyber AIR Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to require domestic or foreign air carriers and manufacturers of aircraft or electronic control, communications, maintenance, or ground support systems for aircraft to disclose to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) any attempted or successful cyberattack against any system on board an aircraft or against any maintenance or ground support system for aircraft.
 
The FAA shall use the information obtained through such disclosures to: (1) improve the regulations (to be prescribed by DOT) to incorporate requirements relating to cybersecurity into the requirements for obtaining an air carrier operating certificate or a production certificate; and (2) notify air carriers, aircraft manufacturers, and other federal agencies of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in systems on board an aircraft or maintenance or ground support systems for aircraft. 
 
In prescribing such regulations, DOT must require: (1) all entry points to the electronic systems of each aircraft operating in U.S. airspace and maintenance or ground support systems for such aircraft to be equipped with reasonable measures to protect against cyberattacks; and (2) the periodic evaluation of, and updates to, such measures for security vulnerabilities using best security practices.
 
The Commercial Aviation Communications Safety and Security Leadership Group shall: (1) be responsible for evaluating the cybersecurity vulnerabilities of certain broadband wireless communications equipment designed for consumer use on board aircraft; and (2) require the implementation by air carriers, manufacturers, and communications service providers of technical and operational security measures it deems necessary to prevent cyberattacks that exploit such equipment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
SPY Car Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-680
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Computer security and identity theft
Consumer affairs
Department of Transportation
Energy efficiency and conservation
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Marketing and advertising
Motor fuels
Motor vehicles
Right of privacy
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: 

Security and Privacy in Your Car Act of 2017 or the SPY Car Act of
 
2017

 
This bill directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct a rulemaking to issue motor vehicle cybersecurity regulations that require motor vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States to protect against unauthorized access to: (1) electronic controls or driving data, including information about the vehicle's location, speed, owner, driver, or passengers; or (2) driving data collected by electronic systems built into a vehicle while that data is stored onboard the vehicle, in transit from the vehicle to another location, or subsequently stored or used off-board the vehicle. The regulations must require vehicles with accessible data or control signals to be capable of detecting, reporting, and stopping attempts to intercept such driving data or control the vehicle.
 
A violator is liable to the U.S. government for a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation.
 
 NHTSA must also conduct a rulemaking to require the fuel economy labeling that manufacturers attach to motor vehicles to display a &quot;cyber dashboard&quot; with a standardized graphic to inform consumers about the extent to which the vehicle protects individuals' cybersecurity and privacy beyond the minimum requirements.
 
The Federal Trade Commission is required to conduct a rulemaking to: (1) require motor vehicles to notify owners or lessees about the collection, transmission, retention, and use of driving data; (2) provide owners or lessees with the option to terminate such data collection and retention (except onboard safety systems required for post-incident investigations, emissions, crash avoidance, and other regulatory compliance programs) without losing navigation tools or other features; and (3) prohibit manufacturers from using collected information for advertising or marketing purposes without the owner's or lessee's consent. Violations are to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Deborah Sampson Act

Bill: 115-s-681
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2017-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals
Child care and development
Child health
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability and paralysis
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Hospital care
Lawyers and legal services
Mental health
National symbols
Public-private cooperation
Sex offenses
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Transportation costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation
Women's employment
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: 

Deborah Sampson Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility of peer-to-peer assistance for women veterans (including those who are separating or newly separated from the Armed Forces), with emphasis placed on women who suffered service-related sexual trauma or who are at risk of becoming homeless.
 
 Additionally, the VA shall: 
 
 
expand the women veterans call center to include a text messaging capability; 
 
establish a partnership with at least one nongovernmental organization to provide legal services to women veterans based upon their 10 highest unmet needs; 
 
retrofit VA medical facilities with fixtures, materials, and other outfitting measures to support the care of women veterans; 
 
ensure that each VA medical facility has at least one full-time or part-time women's health primary care provider; 
 
expand to 14 days VA post-delivery care services for women veterans who are receiving maternity care in a VA or VA-contracted facility; 
 
ensure that the women veteran manager program is supported at each VA medical center with a program manager and an ombudsman; 
 
collect, analyze, and publish data on each VA service or benefit program and disaggregate such data by sex and minority status; and 
 
publish an Internet website that serves as a centralized information source for women veterans' benefits and services.
 
 
The bill makes funds available for: (1) primary care and emergency care clinicians' participation in the women veterans health care mini-residency program, and (2) organizations that focus on providing assistance to women veterans and their families.
 
The bill: (1) provides for reintegration and readjustment services to veterans and family members in group retreat settings, and (2) expresses the sense of Congress that the VA's motto should be more inclusive. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-17
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-299.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Save Access to a Valuable Investment Needed to Generate Savings Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-682
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2017-03-21 in the Senate
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: 2017-03-21
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: 2017-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Keeping Our Commitment to Disabled Veterans Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-683
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2017-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: 

Keeping Our Commitment to Disabled Veterans Act of 2017

 
This bill extends the requirement for the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities through December 31, 2018.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-11
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
National Adoption and Foster Care Home Study Act

Bill: 115-s-684
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2017-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child safety and welfare
Domestic violence and child abuse
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: 

National Adoption and Foster Care Home Study Act

 
This bill amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and Adoption Reform Act of 1978 to direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program through which each participating state or Indian tribe: (1) adopts the uniform, research-based home study methodology developed by HHS for the evaluation of prospective foster parents and adoptive parents; and (2) provides data gathered through operation of the program to HHS, as HHS may require for purposes of the national database established by this bill. 
 
HHS shall: (1) make grants to states and Indian tribes to enable and encourage them to establish demonstration programs, (2) establish a secure national database of home study reports, and (3) contract with an independent entity to carry out a periodic evaluation of the home study methodology developed by HHS and the demonstration programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Unfunded Mandates Accountability Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-686
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2017-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Economic performance and conditions
Federal Reserve System
Government information and archives
Judicial review and appeals
Monetary policy
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: 

Unfunded Mandates Accountability Act of 2017

 
This bill revises rulemaking requirements under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) to: (1) require federal agencies to prepare and publish in the Federal Register an initial and final regulatory impact analysis prior to promulgating any proposed or final rule that may have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more (adjusted for inflation); (2) make consideration of the least burdensome alternative to a rule mandatory and require the selection of the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative; (3) exempt from such requirements rules that concern monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee; and (4) expand judicial review of agency rulemaking. 
 
The bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to extend such Act's requirements to independent regulatory agencies. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate