hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Kate's Law

Bill: 115-s-45
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Immigration status and procedures

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 

Stop Illegal Reentry Act or Kate's Law

 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase from two years to five years the maximum prison term for an alien who re-enters after being excluded, denied admission, deported, or removed. 
 
The bill establishes: 
 
 
a 10-year maximum prison term for an alien who re-enters after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed on three or more prior occasions; and 
 
a 5-year mandatory minimum prison term for an alien who re-enters after being removed following a conviction for an aggravated felony or following two or more prior convictions for illegal re-entry.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening Medicare Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-46
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medical research
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 

Strengthening Medicare Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements related the approval of intensive cardiac rehabilitation programs by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for purposes of Medicare coverage.
 
To be approved by CMS as an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program under current law, a program must show that it: (1) positively affected the progression of coronary heart disease or reduced the need for either coronary bypass surgery or percutaneous coronary interventions, and (2) accomplished a significant reduction in other specified health measures. The bill instead requires a program to show that it: (1) reversed the progression of coronary heart disease or reduced the need for coronary bypass surgery; and (2) accomplished, in addition to a significant reduction in other specified health measures, a significant increase in the measure of blood flow to the heart. The bill further requires a program to show, using research of its own program, that these measures were accomplished by lifestyle changes alone.
 
The bill removes the specific requirement that such a program be "physician-supervised" but retains other existing requirements for program supervision.
 
 A program that was approved by CMS as an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program prior to August 1, 2015, shall be deemed to have met these requirements.
 
To be eligible for an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program under current law, an individual must have had one of several specified conditions or interventions. The bill adds to the list of qualifying conditions: (1) stable, chronic heart failure; and (2) any additional condition that CMS determines shall be covered under such a program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect Family Farms and Businesses Act

Bill: 115-s-47
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Transfer and inheritance taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 

Protect Family Farms and Businesses Act 

 
This bill prohibits proposed Internal Revenue Service regulations published on August 4, 2016, relating to restrictions on liquidation of an interest with respect to estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes from taking effect. The bill prohibits funds from being used to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the proposed regulations or any substantially similar regulations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act

Bill: 115-s-48
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Aging
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Income tax credits
Tax treatment of families

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 

Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act
 
 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit of up to $500 once every five years for the purchase of a hearing aid that is authorized under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for commercial distribution and is intended for use by the taxpayer or a dependent of the taxpayer. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Alaska Oil and Gas Production Act

Bill: 115-s-49
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alaska
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Archaeology and anthropology
Arctic Ocean
Arctic and polar regions
Congressional oversight
Department of the Interior
Energy revenues and royalties
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government trust funds
Historical and cultural resources
Indian lands and resources rights
Labor-management relations
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas
Outdoor recreation
Pipelines
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 

Alaska Oil and Gas Production Act

 
This bill authorizes the exploration, leasing, development, production, and transportation of oil and gas to and from the Coastal Plain of Alaska.
 
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)must establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program for oil and gas exploration, development, and production on the Coastal Plain.
 
The bill amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to repeal the prohibition against production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 
 
The BLM may not close land within the Coastal Plain to oil and gas leasing, exploration, development, or production except in accordance with this bill.
 
The BLM must conduct a second lease sale in Coastal Plain areas within 18 months after the first lease sale is conducted under this bill.
 
The bill sets forth certain environmental protection standards for the Coastal Plain that the BLM must follow when administering this bill.
 
The bill directs the BLM to convey certain land to the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation and the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.
 
The bill establishes the western coastal boundary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 
 
The bill establishes the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance to governmental entities in Alaska directly impacted by oil or gas exploration or production on the Coastal Plain. Additionally, the bill restricts the use of such financial assistance to specified purposes, including mitigation and coordination efforts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S115-116)
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Mobile Mammography Promotion Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-50
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Cancer
Health facilities and institutions
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Motor fuels
Motor vehicles
Sales and excise taxes
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 

Mobile Mammography Promotion Act of 201

7

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the motor fuel excise tax fuel used in any highway vehicle designed exclusively to provide mobile mammography services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Taking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act

Bill: 115-s-51
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Detention of persons
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Immigration status and procedures
Transportation safety and security
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 

Taking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act

 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the mandatory detention of an alien who: (1) was not lawfully admitted into the United States, held a revoked nonimmigrant visa, or violated his or her nonimmigrant status; and (2) has a pending federal or state charge of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, regardless of whether the offense is classified as a felony or a misdemeanor.
 
An alien convicted of three or more federal or state offenses for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, regardless of whether the offenses are classified as felonies or misdemeanors, is: (1) inadmissible, or (2) deportable if at least one of such offenses occurred after the enactment of this bill.
 
The definition of &quot;aggravated felony&quot; is expanded for purposes of such Act to include a third conviction under federal or state law for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, regardless of whether the offense is classified as a felony or a misdemeanor, for which the term of imprisonment is at least one year.
 
An alien who was convicted two or more times before the enactment of this bill for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs may not be removed for the commission of an aggravated felony based upon such convictions until conviction of another such offense after the enactment of this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to make aliens associated with a criminal gang inadmissible, deportable, and ineligible for various forms of relief.

Bill: 115-s-52
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Detention of persons
Domestic violence and child abuse
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Immigration status and procedures
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Organized crime
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Terrorism
Violent crime
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to define &quot;criminal gang.&quot;
 
An alien who is or was a member of a criminal gang, or who participated in gang activity knowing that such participation will promote the gang's illegal activity, shall be inadmissible and deportable.
 
The Department of Homeland Security may designate a group or association as a criminal gang. 
 
Detention shall be mandatory for anyone found inadmissible or deportable for criminal street gang membership. 
 
Individuals found inadmissible or deportable for criminal gang membership shall be barred from: 
 
 
asylum; 
 
withholding of removal; 
 
temporary protected status;
 
special immigrant juvenile status;
 
deferred action; and 
 
parole, unless assisting the United States in a law enforcement matter and required by the government to be present with respect to such assistance. 
 
 
An alien found at a U.S. land border or port of entry who is determined to be inadmissible and a threat to public safety (certain criminals, terrorists, street gang members) shall be subject to expedited removal.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-53
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Alaska
Atlantic Ocean
Atmospheric science and weather
California
Caribbean Sea
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Emergency planning and evacuation
Floods and storm protection
Government studies and investigations
Gulf of Mexico
Hawaii
Idaho
International organizations and cooperation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Natural disasters
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Oregon
Pacific Ocean
Research administration and funding
Technology transfer and commercialization
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 

Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2017
 
 
 This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2021 the Tsunami Warning and Education Act.
 
The tsunami warning systems for the Pacific and Arctic Oceans and for the Atlantic Ocean are consolidated into a single warning system. The system must support international tsunami forecasting and warning efforts. 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must support or maintain tsunami warning centers to support the national warning system and develop uniform operational procedures for the centers. Warning centers are given additional responsibilities, including maintaining a fail-safe warning capability and an ability to perform back-up duties for each other.
 
The tsunami hazard mitigation program must provide for: (1) technical and financial assistance; (2) activities to support the development of regional hazard and risk assessments; (3) activities to promote preparedness in at-risk ports and harbors; and (4) dissemination of guidelines and standards for community planning, education, and training products, programs, and tools.
 
The tsunami research program must develop the technical basis for validation of tsunami maps, models, and forecasts. 
 
NOAA no longer has to operate an International Tsunami Information Center to improve tsunami preparedness for Pacific Ocean nations. 
 
NOAA must: (1) designate an existing working group to serve as the Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel to provide advice on matters regarding tsunami science, technology, and regional preparedness; (2) maintain a coordinating committee to assist in the national tsunami hazard mitigation program; and (3) develop formal outreach activities to improve tsunami education and awareness and foster the development of resilient communities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect American Families Act

Bill: 115-s-54
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Citizenship and naturalization
Criminal justice information and records
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 

Protect American Families from Unnecessary Registration and Deportation Act of 2017 or the Protect American Families Act

 
This bill prohibits: (1) the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or any other federal department from creating or implementing a law enforcement or national security program that requires or causes people to register or check in on the basis of religion, race, age, gender, ethnicity, national origin, nationality, or citizenship; and (2) federal funds from being used to create or implement an immigration registry or check-in program.
 
Such prohibitions shall not apply to any federal program that: (1) merely collects and compiles data about aliens entering or exiting the United States; or (2) issues visas, grants U.S. citizenship, confers an immigration benefit to nationals of a foreign country, or temporarily or permanently protects non-citizens from removal.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S116-117)
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Fort Ontario Study Act

Bill: 115-s-55
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Military history
New York State
Parks, recreation areas, trails
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 

Fort Ontario Study Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York. 
 
Interior shall: (1) evaluate the site's national significance, (2) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the site as a unit of the National Park System, and (3) determine the effect of the designation of the site as a National Park System unit on existing commercial and recreational uses and the effect on state and local governments to manage those activities.

action_date: 2017-06-13
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Fort Ontario Study Act

 
(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York. 
 
Interior shall: (1) evaluate the fort's national significance, (2) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating it as a unit of the National Park System; (3) consider alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the fort; and (4) identify cost estimates for any federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives.
 
 
.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-13
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 140.
action_date: 2017-06-13
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-104.
action_date: 2017-06-13
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-104.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Regulations Endanger Democracy Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-56
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Economic performance and conditions
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 

Regulations Endanger Democracy Act of 2017 or the RED Tape Act of 2017

 
This bill prohibits a federal agency from issuing a rule that causes a new financial or administrative burden on businesses or people in the United States unless the agency has repealed or amended two or more existing rules causing such a burden and the cost of the rule to be issued is less than or equal to that of the rules repealed or amended. The bill exempts a rule that: (1) relates to the internal policy or practice of, or procurement by, the agency; or (2) is being revised to be less burdensome by decreasing requirements imposed by, or compliance costs of, the rule.
 
In determining whether to repeal such a rule, an agency must consider: (1) whether the rule has achieved its purpose, has become obsolete, or overlaps with a rule to be issued; (2) any adverse effects that could materialize if the rule is repealed; and (3) whether the costs of the rule outweigh its benefits.
 
Each agency must submit semiannually to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for publication in the Unified Agenda a list of such rules the agency intends to issue, repeal, or amend during the following six months and the cost of each such rule.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to revoke bonuses paid to employees involved in electronic wait list manipulations, and for other purposes

Bill: 115-s-57
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2017-01-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Employee performance
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Personnel records

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: 
(Sec. 1) This bill provides that if the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) makes an adverse finding that a VA employee has violated a VA policy for which the employee may be removed or suspended, or has violated a law for which the employee may be imprisoned for more than one year, the VA may not award a bonus to such employee until the earlier of: 
 
 
five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the adverse finding was made, or 
 
 the date the finding is found to have been made in error. 
 
 
If an adverse finding is made, the VA, after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing, shall direct the employee to repay any bonus received during the year in which the adverse finding is made, unless such finding is found to have been made in error. 
 
(Sec. 2) If a VA employee receives a reprimand or admonishment, the VA shall retain a copy of such reprimand or admonishment in the employee's permanent record as long as he or she is employed by the VA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-01-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-58
Sponsor: Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Introduced: 2017-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-09
text: 

Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal, beginning with taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the excise tax on employer-sponsored health care coverage for which there is an excess benefit (high-cost plans). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate