hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Political Intelligence Transparency Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2819
Sponsor: Rep. Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY-25]
Introduced: 2017-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Commodities markets
Congressional operations and organization
Federal officials
Financial services and investments
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Members of Congress
Public participation and lobbying
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: 

Political Intelligence Transparency Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to require the disclosure of political intelligence activities, particularly relating to information useful for analyzing securities or commodities markets.
 
Political intelligence consultants or their employing organizations must register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives and make quarterly reports on political intelligence activities.
 
Persons or entities that make an oral or written political intelligence contact with a covered legislative branch or executive branch official must, on the official's request: (1) state whether such person or entity is registered under the LDA, (2) identify the client on behalf of whom the contact is made, and (3) state whether such client is a foreign entity and make any related disclosures.
 
The federal criminal code is amended to subject to a fine and/or imprisonment certain former officers, employees, and elected officials of the executive and legislative branches who knowingly make any communication to, or appearance before, any officer or employee of a federal or District of Columbia agency or court in violation of certain permanent or temporary restrictions and with the intent to gain information for use in: (1) analyzing securities or commodities markets, or (2) informing investment decisions in those markets.
 
The bill excludes from such prohibition any communication made by a representative of a media organization to gather and disseminate news and information to the public.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Introduced in House
REACH Act

Bill: 115-hr-2821
Sponsor: Rep. Tiberi, Patrick J. [R-OH-12]
Introduced: 2017-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Research and development
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: 
 
Research and Experimentation Advances Competitiveness at Home Act or the REACH Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for increasing research activities (known as the research and experimentation tax credit), to: 
 
 
 increase the alternative simplified credit rate to match the rate of the regular credit; 
 
 allow taxpayers to use reasonable estimation techniques in lieu of contemporaneous accounting to measure employee hours per business component; 
 
 allow employees engaging in the direct supervision or direct support of research activities which constitute qualified research to be included in the research expense calculation without regard to the employee's position or management level; 
 
 allow the credit to be used for research related to the adaptation of an existing business component to a particular customer's requirement or need, cost reduction, or obsolescence mitigation; and 
 
 allow taxpayers to make an election for a reduced credit (in order to be allowed a full deduction for research expenses) on an amended tax return. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Introduced in House
Equip Ag Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2822
Sponsor: Rep. Yoho, Ted S. [R-FL-3]
Introduced: 2017-06-07 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Agricultural equipment and machinery
Military facilities and property

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: 

Equip Ag Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to: (1)identify DOD equipment that would be appropriate for farm use and could be used in an equipment sharing program without jeopardizing military readiness, and (2) establish a three-year pilot program to lend such equipment to new and beginning farmers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-07
text: Introduced in House
Voices for Veterans Act

Bill: 115-hr-2827
Sponsor: Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Voices for Veterans Act

 
This bill: (1) expands the membership of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans to include veterans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, and (2) extend the Commission through December 31, 2019.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project.

Bill: 115-hr-2828
Sponsor: Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alternative and renewable resources
Dams and canals
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Licensing and registrations
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 
This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request, to extend for up to six years the time period during which construction must commence on the Enloe Hydroelectric Project located on the Similkameen River in Okanogan County, Washington.
 
Additionally, FERC shall reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

action_date: 2017-07-18
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 
(Sec.1)This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request, to extend for up to six years the time period during which construction must commence on the Enloe Hydroelectric Project located on the Similkameen River in Okanogan County, Washington.
 
Additionally, FERC shall reinstate the construction license if it is expired.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-19
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-07-18
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-07-18
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5937)
action_date: 2017-07-18
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5937)
action_date: 2017-07-18
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2828.
action_date: 2017-07-18
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5937-5938)
action_date: 2017-07-18
text: Mr. Upton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2017-06-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E795-796)
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
Jane's Law

Bill: 115-hr-2829
Sponsor: Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crimes against property
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Separation, divorce, custody, support

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Jane's Law

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly travel in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent to evade compliance with a court ordered property distribution as part of a separation or divorce settlement. 
 
A violator is subject to criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to two years, or both&#8212;and mandatory restitution in the amount of total unpaid property distribution.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
Methane Emissions Mitigation Act

Bill: 115-hr-2830
Sponsor: Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Oil and gas
Research and development
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Methane Emissions Mitigation Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE)to perform research and develop technology in methane leak detection and mitigation.
 
DOE must also establish a technology clearinghouse for public access to information relating to technologies and best practices for methane leak detection and mitigation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-05-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
Defending Israel's QME Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2833
Sponsor: Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Israel
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Defending Israel's QME Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Arms Export Control Act to require that a determination relating to the sale or export of major defense equipment to a country in the Middle East other than Israel include an assessment of: (1) Israel's ability to defend itself against military threats from regional non-state actors, (2) the risk posed by the sale or export of a subsequent unauthorized transfer or proliferation of the equipment for use against Israel, and (3) countermeasures available to Israel to defend against such unauthorized transfer or proliferation.
 
The President shall seek to consult with appropriate Israeli government officials for information regarding Israel's qualitative military edge before making a determination that a sale or export of the defense articles or services will not adversely affect Israel's qualitative military edge. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Small Business Act to waive the guarantee fee for loans of not more than $150,000 provided to veterans and spouses of veterans under the Export Working Capital, International Trade, and Export Express programs.

Bill: 115-hr-2835
Sponsor: Rep. Brat, Dave [R-VA-7]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Government lending and loan guarantees
Small business
User charges and fees
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 
This bill amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the Small Business Administration (SBA) from assessing a guarantee fee in connection with a loan of not more than $150,000 made to a veteran or spouse of a veteran beginning the first fiscal year after enactment of this bill under the SBA's Export Working Capital, International Trade, or Export Express programs.
 
If the President's budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes a cost for such a program that is above zero, this prohibition shall not apply to loans made during such upcoming fiscal year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
SHELTER Act

Bill: 115-hr-2836
Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax credits
Natural disasters
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 
 
Strengthening Homes and Eliminating Liabilities Through Encouraging Readiness Act or the SHELTER Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual and business taxpayers a tax credit for 25% of their qualified hurricane and tornado mitigation property expenditures up to $5,000 for any taxable year. The bill defines such expenditures as expenditures in a dwelling unit or place of business for property to improve the strength of a roof deck attachment, create a secondary water barrier, improve the durability of a roof covering, brace gable-end walls, reinforce the connections between a roof and supporting wall, protect against windborne debris, or protect exterior doors and garages.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4715)
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
Military Family Leave Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2837
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-17]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Employee leave
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Military Family Leave Act of 2017

 
This bill entitles an employed family member of a member of the Armed Forces who receives notification of a call or order to active duty in support of a contingency operation, or who is deployed in connection with a contingency operation, to two workweeks of leave per year for each family member who is so called or deployed. Such leave may: (1) be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule; and (2) consist of paid or unpaid leave, as the employer considers appropriate.
 
The bill: (1) allows an employer to require certification of entitlement to such leave within a leave request, (2) provides employment and benefits protection for employees upon their return from such leave, and (3) prohibits an employer from interfering with or otherwise denying the exercise of such leave rights.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
Acupuncture for Our Heroes Act

Bill: 115-hr-2838
Sponsor: Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Alternative treatments
Health personnel
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Acupuncture for Our Heroes Act

 
This bill provides access to qualified acupuncturist services for veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. 
 
The VA shall carry out such program at in at least one VA facility in each Veterans Integrated Service Network in both urban and rural areas. 
 
The VA shall establish the Advisory Committee on Acupuncturist Services, which shall: (1) review and evaluate the ability of a veteran to access an acupuncturist at VA facilities, and (2) advise the VA on governing protocols. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
Automatic Voter Registration Act

Bill: 115-hr-2840
Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Citizenship and naturalization
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Licensing and registrations
Motor vehicles
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Automatic Voter Registration Act

 
This bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require state motor vehicle authorities, upon receiving certain identifying information with respect to an individual requesting motor vehicle authority services, to transmit the information to the state election official. The state election official shall then notify the individual that unless the individual declines to be registered to vote in federal elections in the state, the individual shall be automatically registered unless the individual does not meet voter registration eligibility requirements or is already registered to vote.
 
A state may not use any identifying information regarding an individual's citizenship status for any purpose other than determining whether the individual is eligible to vote in federal elections.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
Disarm Hate Act

Bill: 115-hr-2841
Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Firearms and explosives
Hate crimes
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Disarm Hate Act

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit firearm sale or transfer to and receipt or possession by an individual who has: (1) been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor hate crime, or (2) received from any court an enhanced hate crime misdemeanor sentence.
 
 The term "convicted in any court of a misdemeanor hate crime" means a conviction for a misdemeanor offense that has, as an element, that the conduct was motivated by hate or bias because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person.
 
 The term "received from any court an enhanced hate crime misdemeanor sentence" means the imposition of an enhanced sentence for a misdemeanor that involves violence and is based, in whole or in part, on conduct motivated by hate or bias because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
Medicaid and CHIP Quality Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2843
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Medicaid
Performance measurement
Poverty and welfare assistance
State and local finance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 

Medicaid and Chip Quality Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill amends titles XI (General Provisions) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to expand reporting requirements with respect to the quality of care provided under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
 
Current law requires a state that contracts with a Medicaid managed organization to develop and implement a quality assessment and improvement strategy. The bill extends this requirement to state contracts with providers of comparable primary care case management services and other health care services under Medicaid.
 
With respect to adults eligible for Medicaid and children enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, a state must report annually on quality measures identified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Such reporting shall be stratified by service delivery system.
 
CMS shall establish a Medicaid Quality Performance Bonus fund to award states for high attainment and improvement on a core set of quality measures. A state must designate at least 75% of any bonus funds for the development and operation of quality-related initiatives that will directly benefit providers or managed care entities participating in, or under a waiver of, the state plan for medical assistance. A state may use the remainder of such funds for activities related to the goals and purposes of the state plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
To authorize 2 additional district judgeships for the district of Colorado.

Bill: 115-hr-2844
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
Introduced: 2017-06-08 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Colorado
Federal district courts
Judges

Summary:
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: 
This bill amends the federal judicial code to increase from seven to nine the total number of U.S. district court judgeships for the District of Colorado. The President must appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, two additional judges for that judicial district.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-06-08
text: Introduced in House