hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Judicial Efficiency Improvement Act

Bill: 115-s-3259
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2018-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Alaska
Arizona
California
Federal appellate courts
Federal district courts
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Judges
Judicial procedure and administration
Jurisdiction and venue
Montana
Nevada
Northern Mariana Islands
Oregon
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-24
text: 

Judicial Efficiency Improvement Act

 
This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into two judicial circuits: (1) the Ninth Circuit, and (2) a new Twelfth Circuit.
 
The new Ninth Circuit shall be composed of California, Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Mariana Islands. The new Twelfth Circuit shall be composed of the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. 
The bill creates five additional circuit court judgeships&#8212;four in the Ninth Circuit and one in the new Twelfth Circuit. 
It creates 52 additional district court judgeships in specified judicial districts in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Puerto Rico, and Texas. 
Additionally, it converts eight temporary district court judgeships to permanent judgeships in specified judicial districts in Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Disability Employment Incentive Act

Bill: 115-s-3260
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2018-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Disability assistance
Income tax credits
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor
Poverty and welfare assistance
Railroads
Transportation employees
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-24
text: 

Disability Employment Incentive Act 

 
This bill expands tax credits and deductions that are available for employers who hire and retain employees with disabilities.
 
The bill expands the work opportunity tax credit to include the hiring of employees who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. For employers that hire vocational rehabilitation referrals, Supplemental Security Income recipients, or SSDI recipients, the bill also (1) increases the amount of wages that may be taken into account for the credit, and (2) allows an additional credit for second-year wages. 
 
With respect to the tax credit for expenditures by eligible small businesses to provide access to disabled individuals, the bill increases the limits that apply to (1) the amount of expenditures that are eligible for the credit, and (2) the gross receipts and full-time employees of eligible small businesses.
 
The bill also expands the tax deduction for expenditures to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and elderly. The bill modifies the deduction to (1) increase limitation on the amount of the deduction, and (2) allow the deduction to be used for certain improvements in the accessibility of Internet or telecommunications services to handicapped and elderly individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Office of Disability Policy Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3261
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2018-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional agencies
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Disability assistance
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Government studies and investigations
Medicaid
Medicare
Poverty and welfare assistance
Social security and elderly assistance
Special education

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-24
text: 

Office of Disability Policy Act of 2018

 
This bill establishes the Office of Disability Policy within the Government Accountability Office to provide Congress, the executive branch, the states, and the public with data and analysis regarding the effects of legislation, regulations, and guidance on individuals with disabilities, their families, and service providers. 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2018-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
United States Territorial Relief Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3262
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Appropriations
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Bankruptcy
Budget deficits and national debt
Caribbean area
Civil actions and liability
Disaster relief and insurance
Employee benefits and pensions
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal district courts
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Judicial review and appeals
Jurisdiction and venue
Puerto Rico
Securities
State and local finance
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

United States Territorial Relief Act of 2018

 
This bill establishes a process under which Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories may terminate certain debts if they meet eligibility criteria. 
 
The bill allows territories to terminate their public, unsecured debt if they meet two of three criteria:
 
 
the population of the territory has decreased by more than 5% over 10 years, 
 
the territory received major federal disaster assistance, and 
 
the territory's per capita debt exceeds $15,000. 
 
 
The bill also provides funding that a special master must allocate to certain creditors whose debts were discharged under this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3264
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Detention of persons
Federal preemption
Manufacturing
Postal service
Retail and wholesale trades
State and local government operations
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

Knife Owners' Protection Act of 2018

 
This bill permits an individual to transport a knife between two places (i.e., states) where knife possession, carry, or transport is legal. A knife must be securely stored during transport, unless it is an emergency knife designed to cut seat belts.
 
It repeals provisions, commonly known as the Federal Switchblade Act, that prohibit: (1) the introduction into commerce, or transport or distribution in commerce, of switchblade knives; and (2) the possession, manufacture, sale, or importation of ballistic knives.
 
Finally, it amends the federal criminal code to eliminate two provisions&#8212;one that restricts the mailability of switchblade knives and one that restricts the mailability of ballistic knives.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3265
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Community life and organization
Economic development
Government lending and loan guarantees
Great Lakes
Housing and community development funding
Infrastructure development
Lakes and rivers
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Outdoor recreation
Public-private cooperation
Travel and tourism
Water resources funding

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the Department of Commerce to (1) designate certain communities with plans to develop their waterfronts as "resilient waterfront communities," and (2) create a network among such communities to facilitate the sharing of best practices. Commerce may also use existing authorities to assist communities in developing or implementing such waterfront plans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-11-13
text: An errata sheet on written report No. 115-348 was printed.
action_date: 2018-11-13
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 638.
action_date: 2018-11-13
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-348.
action_date: 2018-11-13
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-348.
action_date: 2018-08-01
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Automotive Jobs Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3266
Sponsor: Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Government studies and investigations
Manufacturing
Motor vehicles
Tariffs
Trade restrictions
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

Automotive Jobs Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to report on the status of the U.S. automotive industry.
 
The bill suspends the Department of Commerce's investigation initiated on May 23, 2018, regarding the effects on national security of importing automobiles and automotive parts until the USITC submits its report to the President and Congress and the President subsequently determines whether to reopen the investigation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5366-5367)
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
National Commission on Scleroderma and Fibrotic Diseases Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3267
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Musculoskeletal and skin diseases
Organ and tissue donation and transplantation
Research administration and funding
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

National Commission on Scleroderma and Fibrotic Diseases Act of 2018

 
This bill temporarily establishes a National Commission on Fibrotic Diseases within the National Institutes of Health that must recommend improvements regarding fibrosis and fibrotic disease research.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Child Summer Hunger Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3268
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Child health
Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

Stop Child Summer Hunger Act of 201

8

 
This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require the Department of Agriculture to establish a program providing eligible households with summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards in order to give children access to food during the summer months to: (1) reduce or eliminate children's food insecurity and hunger, and (2) improve their nutritional status.
 
An &quot;eligible household&quot; is a household that includes one or more children who are eligible to receive free or reduced price meals under the school lunch or breakfast programs.
 
The amount on each summer EBT card is set at $150 per child in 2019, with adjustments thereafter reflecting changes in reimbursement rates for school meals under the school lunch program.
 
If children are enrolled to receive free or reduced price meals under the school lunch or breakfast programs, they must be enrolled in this program without further application.
 
Summer EBT cards may be used only to purchase food from retail food stores that have been approved for participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal Advisory Committee Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3269
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Federal-Indian relations

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal Advisory Committee Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs to advise the VA on matters relating to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native American veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
SARA Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3270
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Aviation and airports
Civil actions and liability
Health information and medical records
Licensing and registrations
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

Securing and Revitalizing Aviation Act of 2018 or the SARA Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a program to provide grants to support the education of future aircraft pilots and the development of the aircraft pilot workforce.
 
The FAA shall (1) assign to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee the task of reviewing all regulations and policies related to designated pilot examiners, (2) review the process of reserving aircraft registration numbers and enact appropriate changes to ensure the fair participation by the general public, and (3) provide air traffic services and aviation safety support for aviation events without charge.
 
The bill amends the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 to modify FAA tower marking requirements.
 
The bill amends the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 with respect to liability protection for volunteer pilots who fly for the public benefit.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
No Money Bail Act

Bill: 115-s-3271
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Detention of persons
Government studies and investigations
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement administration and funding
Lawyers and legal services
Legal fees and court costs
State and local courts

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

No Money Bail Act

 
This bill restricts the use of money bail (i.e., the payment of money as a condition of pretrial release) in criminal cases.
 
Specifically, it prohibits the use of money bail in federal criminal cases.
 
Additionally, it amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968: 
 
 
to make a state that uses a money bail system ineligible for funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program; and 
 
to establish grants: (1) for developing alternative bail systems in state and local court systems; and (2) for implementing the National Pretrial Reporting Program to collect data on how state and local courts process defendants. 
 
 
The Government Accountability Office must assess the alternative bail systems used by states.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Haiti and Armenia Reforestation Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3272
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Agricultural practices and innovations
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Armenia
Asia
Caribbean area
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Europe
Farmland
Fires
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign loans and debt
Forests, forestry, trees
Haiti
International organizations and cooperation
Land use and conservation
Latin America
Lighting and heating
Lighting, heating, cooling
Multilateral development programs
Natural disasters
Performance measurement
Property rights
Water quality
Water use and supply
Watersheds
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

Haiti and Armenia Reforestation Act of 2018

 
This bill authorizes the President to provide certain financial assistance to, and establish grant and pilot programs for, the governments of Haiti and Armenia to address deforestation in their countries. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5369-5373)
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Port Operations, Research, and Technology Act

Bill: 115-s-3273
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

Port Operations, Research, and Technology Act

 
 
Ports Improvement Ac
t
 
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to make grants to states or other entities with a transportation function to assist them in funding projects to improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports. 
 

Coast Guard Blue Technology Center of Expertise Act

 
The bill also requires the Coast Guard to establish a Blue Technology Center of Expertise.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-08-20
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 558.
action_date: 2018-08-20
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-324.
action_date: 2018-08-20
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-324.
action_date: 2018-08-01
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
CLEAN Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3274
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional elections
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Members of Congress
Public participation and lobbying

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

Curtailing Lobbying and Empowering Americans for a New Politics Act of 2018 or the CLEAN Act of 2018

 
This bill modifies various lobbying restrictions and requirements.
 
Among other things, the bill does the following:
 
 
broadens the scope of lobbying activities that trigger registration and disclosure requirements, 
 
limits bundled campaign contributions by lobbyists, 
 
prohibits congressional candidates from soliciting campaign contributions from lobbyists while Congress is in session, and 
 
requires certain agents of foreign commercial entities to register as lobbyists. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Russia Sanctions Review Act of 2017 to ensure appropriate congressional review and the continued applicability of sanctions under the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012.

Bill: 115-s-3275
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign and international banking
Foreign property
Human rights
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Russia
Sanctions
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 
This bill amends the Russia Sanctions Review Act of 2017 to require congressional review of any proposed action by the President to waive sanctions against Russia or Russian officials under the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Enhancing America's Core Diplomatic Capabilities Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3276
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2018-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Employee hiring
Federal officials
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Higher education
Military education and training

Summary:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: 

Enhancing America's Core Diplomatic Capabilities Act of 2018

 
This bill sets forth or revises specified personnel requirements with respect to members of the Foreign Service at the Department of State, including the establishment of an incentive program to encourage members to maintain critical foreign language skills and the recognition of the status of Foreign Service Officers as commissioned officers of the U.S. government. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2018-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate