hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Social Security Identity Defense Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1597
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Social Security Identity Defense Act of 2017 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Department of the Treasury and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to disclose certain tax return information in cases of identity theft. 
 
If Treasury believes that there has been a fraudulent use of a Social Security number on a statement submitted regarding wages paid to employees, Treasury must disclose to the individual who was validly assigned the Social Security number: (1) that there is reason to believe that there has been a fraudulent use of such account number in an employment context, and (2) other information that Treasury determines would be helpful and appropriate to provide to a victim of identity theft. 
 
If the SSA believes that the Social Security number included on such a statement is not the correct number for an employee, the SSA must provide a notification to the employer that includes: (1) the name of the employee and the Social Security number included on the statements, and (2) relevant information regarding the availability of the Social Security Number Verification Service. 
 
The bill also imposes new criminal and civil penalties for tax-related identity theft and misappropriation of tax identification numbers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
BUILDS Act

Bill: 115-s-1599
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Education programs funding
Educational guidance
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Food assistance and relief
Higher education
Infrastructure development
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public-private cooperation
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Building U.S. Infrastructure by Leveraging Demands for Skills or the BUILDS Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Labor to award implementation or renewal grants, for up to three years and on a competitive basis, to eligible industry or sector partnerships to achieve certain strategic objectives with respect to targeted infrastructure industries (e.g., transportation, construction, energy, information technology, or utilities industries).
 
Such strategic objectives must include:
 
 
recruiting key stakeholders in the targeted infrastructure industries;
 
identifying the training needs of multiple businesses in such industries;
 
facilitating actions that lead to economies of scale by aggregating multiple businesses' training and education needs;
 
helping grant recipients who provide career and technical education and training in aligning curricula, entrance requirements, and programs to the targeted infrastructure's needs and required credentials;
 
providing information on grant activities to state agencies to enable them to inform unemployment compensation recipients of employment and training opportunities; and
 
helping partner businesses to attract potential workers from a diverse jobseeker base.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4117-4118)
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act

Bill: 115-s-1600
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Census and government statistics
Inflation and prices
Self-employed
Social security and elderly assistance
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act 

 
This bill revises the methodology for calculating Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits and phases out the cap on compensation subject to Social Security taxation.
 
The bill directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to prepare and publish a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E) to track cost-of-living changes for individuals age 62 or older. Beginning in two years after the enactment of this bill, the CPI-E, instead of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, shall be used to calculate the cost-of-living adjustment for OASDI benefits. 
 
The bill also includes surplus earnings in the calculation of the primary insurance amount (i.e., the amount received by a beneficiary who elects to receive OASDI benefits at full retirement age).
 
The bill phases out and, after 2023, eliminates the cap on compensation ($128,400 in 2018) subject to Social Security taxation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Combat Sexual Harassment in Housing Act

Bill: 115-s-1601
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crimes against women
Housing discrimination
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Combat Sexual Harassment in Housing Act

 
This bill amends the Fair Housing Act to specify that the following unwelcome conduct in or around a dwelling shall be considered sufficiently severe or pervasive as to constitute a discriminatory housing practice: (1) unwelcome touching of a sexual nature or groping; or (2) any other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is intended to be coercive, threatening, or intimidating.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Study Act

Bill: 115-s-1602
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Lakes and rivers
New York State

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Study Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating specified counties and other areas in the state of New York as the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 375.
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-227.
action_date: 2018-04-11
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-227.
action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2018-02-14
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-504.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1604
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Congressional officers and employees
Congressional operations and organization
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Lawyers and legal services
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2017

 
This bill establishes the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program for the appointment of individuals who are graduates of accredited law schools to serve as congressional clerks in the Senate or House of Representatives.
 
The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration must each select at least six individuals for a one-year term to serve for a clerkship with an office in their respective chambers. The committees shall ensure that congressional clerks selected under this bill are apportioned equally between majority and minority party offices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Stopping Assault while Flying Enforcement Act of 2017'

Bill: 115-s-1605
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Assault and harassment offenses
Aviation and airports
Business records
Consumer affairs
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Transportation
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Right of privacy
Sex offenses
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Stopping Assault while Flying Enforcement Act of 2017

 
This bill requires air carriers and foreign air carriers to provide initial and recurrent training for certain flight personnel who are employees or contractors about responding to sexual assault and sexual harassment of passengers, employees, and contractors onboard aircraft.
 
The Department of Transportation must establish a National In-Flight Sexual Assault Task Force, whose duties shall include, with respect to sexual assault and sexual harassment onboard aircraft, reviewing the practices and protocols of air carriers and making recommendations about best practices and minimum standards for training and a streamlined process for reporting incidents.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
In-Home CARE Act

Bill: 115-s-1606
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

In-Home Caregiver Assessment Resources and Education Act or the In-Home CARE Act

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Administration for Community Living to award grants to carry out home visiting programs for unpaid caregivers.
 
The Department of Health and Human Services must coordinate with the National Family Caregiver Support Program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and others on this grant program.
 
Grantees must provide:
 
 
caregiver education and training regarding medication management, food preparation, falls prevention, and other subjects;
 
services or referrals for services related to home care, such as transportation, home modification, or respite care; and
 
an assessment and referral for physical and mental health services for the caregiver or person receiving care from the caregiver. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Highway Aid Performance-Based Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1607
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Federal Highway Aid Performance-Based Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to carry out a six-year consolidated funding pilot program in three states, selected by DOT, to: (1) transform the federal-aid highway program to a performance- and outcome-based program, and (2) continue advancements made in prior enactments to streamline program categories. The bill sets forth eligibility criteria for participation by states in the pilot program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Wounded Officers Recovery Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1608
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Congressional officers and employees
Employee benefits and pensions
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government trust funds
Law enforcement officers
Members of Congress
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
U.S. Capitol
Violent crime
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Wounded Officers Recovery Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes the Capitol Police Board to make payments from the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund to employees of the U.S. Capitol Police who have sustained serious line-of-duty injuries.
 
The board is required to issue specific regulations governing the fund's use for making such payments. These regulations shall ensure that the payments are in addition to, and do not otherwise affect, other forms of compensation payable to the employee, including worker's compensation benefits.
 
The bill requires amounts received by the board in response to the shooting incident at the practice for the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity on June 14, 2017, to be deposited into the fund.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Walter Scott Notification Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1610
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Justice
Firearms and explosives
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Mental health
Racial and ethnic relations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Walter Scott Notification Act of 

2017

 
This bill requires a state that receives funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program to report certain data on deadly shootings by law enforcement officers. It reduces by 10% the JAG allocation of a state that fails to comply.
 
Additionally, the bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to modify requirements under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. During the four-year period following enactment, the Department of Justice (DOJ) may give preference to a COPS program grant applicant from a state that reports data on deadly shootings by law enforcement. Beginning in the fifth year, DOJ must reduce by 20% the COPS allocation of a state that fails to report such data.
 
DOJ, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, must issue guidance to standardize data collection on deadly shootings by law enforcement. DOJ must also audit and review data reports, determine compliance with requirements, and publish such data.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act

Bill: 115-s-1611
Sponsor: Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Hospital care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Public contracts and procurement
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), if unable to furnish hospital care, medical services, or extended care at VA facilities or under other authorized contracts or sharing agreements, to enter into a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA) with an eligible provider to furnish such care and services.
 
The VA shall review VCAs exceeding $1 million annually at least once every two years.
 
The VA shall establish a process for the certification of eligible providers.
 
An eligible provider is: 
 
 
a physician or provider of services that has entered into a provider agreement under the Social Security Act; 
 
a provider of items and services receiving payments under a state Medicaid plan; 
 
an aging and disability resource center, an area agency on aging, or a center for independent living; or
 
any other health care provider the VA considers appropriate.
 
 
The VA shall establish a system or systems to monitor the quality of care and services furnished to veterans, which shall be used in assessing whether to renew a VCA. 
 
A VCA may be made with a health care provider to provide veterans with nursing home care.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Highway Safety Education Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1612
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Highway Safety Education Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill expands the definition of &quot;highway safety improvement project&quot; to include education, as part of an approved state strategic highway safety plan, subject to a specified funding limitation.
 
The bill also modifies the highway safety improvement program high-risk rural road safety rule to require a state to obligate additional funds for projects on high-risk rural roads if the fatality rate on such roads does not decrease (currently, if it increases) during a two-year period. If the fatality rate does not decrease and exceeds the national fatality rate on rural roads, then, as under existing law, the state must obligate 200% of the amount it received for high-risk rural roads in FY2009.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1613
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Hunting and fishing
Land use and conservation
Outdoor recreation
Sales and excise taxes
State and local finance
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to make it one of the purposes of the Act to extend financial and technical assistance to the states for the promotion of hunting and recreational shooting.
 
The bill also prescribes a formula for the allocation of funds apportioned to a state that may be used for any activity or project to recruit or retain hunters and recreational shooters.
 
Amounts apportioned to the states from any taxes on pistols, revolvers, bows, and arrows may be used for hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment. 
 
The funds apportioned to a state for wildlife restoration management may be used for related public relations.
 
If a state has not used all of the tax revenues apportioned to it for firearm and bow hunter education and safety program grants, it may use its remaining apportioned funds for the enhancement of hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment. 
 
Up to $5 million of the revenues covered into the wildlife restoration fund in the Treasury from any tax imposed for a fiscal year on the sale of certain bows, arrows, and archery equipment shall be available to the Department of the Interior exclusively for making hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment grants that promote a national hunting and shooting sport recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Video Visitation and Inmate Calling in Prisons Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1614
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2017-07-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer affairs
Contracts and agency
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Government information and archives
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Right of privacy
Telecommunication rates and fees
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: 

Video Visitation and Inmate Calling in Prisons Act of 2017

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to promulgate regulations for video visitation services that allow inmates to make video calls to individuals outside a correctional facility, and amend its regulations on inmate calling services as necessary to ensure that all charges and practices are just and reasonable. 
 
The regulations must include:
 
 
video visitation cannot replace in-person visits; 
 
caps on rates charged by service providers; 
 
a prohibition against charging flat rates; 
 
a prohibition against a provider requiring a correctional facility to restrict in-person visitation as a condition to providing a calling or video visitation service; 
 
a requirement for a provider to submit an annual report about interstate, intrastate, and international inmate calling services; 
 
a prohibition against the provider offering bundled services that include non-communications services; and 
 
video quality standards. 

 
The federal criminal code is amended to require the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that:
 
 
video visitation does not supplant in-person visitation; 
 
privacy is maximized in the video areas and equipment; 
 
no persons other than corrections officers have authority over the terms of a prisoner's imprisonment, including visitation schedules or the ability to move within a correctional facility; and 
 
service providers provide a list of each video visitation and each fee charged to visitors and prisoners, offer free visits based on good behavior if authorized by the correctional facility, and submit quarterly compliance reports. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-07-20
text: Introduced in Senate