hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Power And Security Systems (PASS) Act

Bill: 115-hr-511
Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer affairs
Crimes against property
Department of Energy
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Fires
Floods and storm protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

Power And Security Systems (PASS) Act

 
This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Department of Energy to issue a rule by July 1, 2021, that determines whether energy conservation standards for external power supplies should be amended. The rule must contain any amended standards and apply to products manufactured on or after July 1, 2023.
 
Current law exempts external power supplies for security or life safety systems (e.g., smoke alarms) from energy conservation standards until July 1, 2017. This bill extends the exemption until July 1, 2023. 

action_date: 2017-01-23
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Power And Security Systems (PASS) Act

 
This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Department of Energy to issue a rule by July 1, 2021, that determines whether energy conservation standards for external power supplies should be amended. The rule must contain any amended standards and apply to products manufactured on or after July 1, 2023.
 
Current law exempts external power supplies for security or life safety systems (e.g., smoke alarms) from energy conservation standards until July 1, 2017. This bill extends the exemption until July 1, 2023. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-24
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text of measure as passed: CR H567)
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text of measure as passed: CR H567)
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 511.
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H566-568)
action_date: 2017-01-23
text: Mr. Upton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Exchange Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-513
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2017-01-12 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alaska
Forests, forestry, trees
Health programs administration and funding
Lakes and rivers
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Mental health
Roads and highways
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: 

Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Exchange Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to convey certain federal land in two phases to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority in exchange for certain nonfederal land.
 
Before completing each phase of the land exchange, USDA shall complete any necessary land surveys and required pre-exchange clearances, mitigation activities, and approvals related to:
 
 
threatened and endangered species,
 
cultural and historic resources,
 
wetland and floodplains, and 
 
hazardous materials. 
 
 
Upon acquisition by USDA, the nonfederal land shall become part of Tongass National Forest, and shall be withdrawn from:
 
 
entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
 
location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and 
 
disposition under the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-12
text: Introduced in House
HELD Act

Bill: 115-hr-514
Sponsor: Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Detention of persons
Immigration status and procedures
Law enforcement administration and funding
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

Help Ensure Legal Detainers Act or the HELD Act

 
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds by a state or local subdivision that has in effect a law, policy, or procedure that prevents or impedes: (1) a timely response to a request by the Department of Homeland Security for information about an alien in custody, including the alien's estimated release date; or (2) compliance with a detainer request.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
Energy Efficient Manufactured Home Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-515
Sponsor: Rep. Ellison, Keith [D-MN-5]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Energy efficiency and conservation
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing and community development funding
Low- and moderate-income housing

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

Energy Efficient Manufactured Home Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development to carry out a program to provide grants and loans to assist low-income owners of manufactured homes constructed before December 31, 1994, in decommissioning their dated homes and replacing them with Energy Star-qualified manufactured or modular homes. 
 
Grants or loans may be made only to a low-income owner of a dated manufactured home who has used that home as a primary residence on a year-round basis for at least the preceding 24 months. Each household may only receive one grant or loan under the program.
 
The bill sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) ownership of the land on which the new manufactured or modular home is to be sited, and (2) the decommissioning of a dated home. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
Tax Benefit for Homeownership Clarification Act

Bill: 115-hr-516
Sponsor: Rep. Ellison, Keith [D-MN-5]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax deductions
Interest, dividends, interest rates

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

Tax Benefit for Homeownership Clarification Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the limitation on the mortgage interest deduction for the acquisition indebtedness of certain taxpayers. (Acquisition indebtedness is indebtedness that: (1) is incurred in acquiring, constructing, or substantially improving any qualified residence of the taxpayer; and (2) is secured by such residence. It also includes refinancing of the debt in certain situations.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
Ensure Fair Prices in Title Insurance Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-517
Sponsor: Rep. Ellison, Keith [D-MN-5]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Real estate business

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

Ensure Fair Prices in Title Insurance Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to exempt affiliated business arrangements from the prohibitions against kickbacks and unearned fees so long as no fee, kickback, or thing of value (including any return on ownership based on referrals paid for or received from an affiliated business arrangement) is paid or received pursuant to any agreement or understanding for referrals of business incident to or a part of a real estate settlement service involving a federally related mortgage loan.
 
Persons who violate such Act shall be jointly and severally liable, upon a finding from a court of competent jurisdiction that such a violation occurred, to any party providing services substantially similar to settlement services in the same state where the violation occurred, and in an amount equal to attorneys' fees and court costs incurred in initiating an action.
 
A court may grant, in addition to the principal remedies, either injunctive relief, restitution, or other appropriate equitable relief.
 
The statute of limitations is extended from one year to three years for violation of the prohibitions against: (1) kickbacks and unearned fees, and (2) any requirement by a property seller involving a purchase assisted by a federally related mortgage loan that the buyer also purchase title insurance from any particular title company.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
Protection from Insurance Exchange Monopolies Act

Bill: 115-hr-521
Sponsor: Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

Protection from Insurance Exchange Monopolies Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the requirement to maintain minimum essential health coverage any individual residing in a county with fewer than two health insurance issuers offering qualified health plans on an exchange. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-522
Sponsor: Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of
 
2017

 
This bill prohibits government officials from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement resolving a civil action on behalf of the United States that provides for a payment to any person or entity other than the United States. The bill provides exceptions to allow payments that remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment or that constitute payment for services rendered in connection with the case.
 
Government officials or agents who violate this prohibition may be removed from office or required to forfeit to the government any money they hold for such purposes to which they may otherwise be entitled.
 
Federal agencies must report annually for seven years to the Congressional Budget Office about the parties, funding sources, and distribution of funds for their settlement agreements permitted by the exceptions in this bill. 
 
Agency inspectors general must report annually to Congress about any of their agency's settlement agreements that violate this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
Debt Transparency and Accountability Act

Bill: 115-hr-523
Sponsor: Rep. Marchant, Kenny [R-TX-24]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional oversight
Financial services and investments
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
International monetary system and foreign exchange
Medicaid
Medicare
Securities
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

Debt Transparency and Accountability Act 

 
 This bill requires the Secretary of the Treasury to provide a report to Congress prior to any date on which Treasury anticipates the public debt will reach the statutory limit. 
 
The Secretary must appear before the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee to submit a debt report including: (1) historic, current, and projected levels of debt; (2) the drivers and composition of future debt; and (3) how the United States will meet debt obligations if the debt limit is raised.
 
The Secretary must also provide a detailed explanation of: 
 
 
proposals to reduce the debt and a progress report on implementing them; 
 
the impact an increased debt limit will have on future government spending, debt service, and the position of the U.S. dollar as the international reserve currency;
 
 projections of the fiscal health and sustainability of major entitlement programs; 
 
 any extraordinary measures Treasury intends to take to fund federal government obligations if the debt limit is not raised and projections of the administrative cost and duration of the measures.
 
 
Treasury must make specified information required by this bill available to the public on its website.
 
Upon request, Treasury must submit to Congress specified financial and economic data relevant to determining the amount of the public debt. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
End Trafficking of the Terminated Unborn Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-524
Sponsor: Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Department of Health and Human Services
Medical research
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Organ and tissue donation and transplantation
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

End Trafficking of the Terminated Unborn Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the use of tissue from an induced abortion for research conducted or supported by the National Institutes of Health on the transplantation of fetal tissue for therapeutic purposes.
 Soliciting or acquiring a donation of fetal tissue from an induced abortion for a purpose other than disposal is prohibited.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
Cuba Agricultural Exports Act

Bill: 115-hr-525
Sponsor: Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Agricultural trade
Caribbean area
Cuba
Foreign aid and international relief
Latin America
Sanctions
Trade restrictions
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 
 
 

Cuba Agricultural Exports Act

 
This bill amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to exempt from prohibitions against U.S. assistance to Cuba: (1) any exports under the market access program, the export credit guarantee program, and the foreign market development cooperator program; or (2) any obligation or expenditure of funds to promote trade with Cuba by federal commodity promotion programs established in accordance with a commodity promotion law.
 
This exemption shall not apply if the U.S. assistance recipient would be an entity controlled by the Cuban government, including the armed forces, the Ministry of the Interior, or any subdivision of either governmental entity.
 
A person subject to U.S. jurisdiction may invest in the development of an agricultural business in Cuba if the Department of State and the Department of Agriculture jointly determine that the agricultural business: 
 
 
is not controlled by the government of Cuba, including the armed forces, the Ministry of the Interior, or any subdivision of either governmental entity; and 
 
does not traffic in property of persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction that was confiscated by Cuba on or after January 1, 1959. 
 
 
Certain language limiting financing of agricultural sales to Cuba is repealed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
Greater Sage Grouse Protection and Recovery Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-527
Sponsor: Rep. Bishop, Rob [R-UT-1]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Birds
Congressional oversight
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

Greater Sage Grouse Protection and Recovery Act of 201

7

 
This bill addresses the October 2, 2015, finding of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that the greater sage grouse is not an endangered or threatened species. Until September 30, 2027, the USFWS may not alter or invalidate the finding. 
 
Additionally, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA)are prohibited from amending any federal resource management plans that affect the greater sage grouse in a state in which the governor has notified Interior or USDA that a state management plan is in place.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
Stop Act

Bill: 115-hr-528
Sponsor: Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-13]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional elections
Congressional operations and organization
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Members of Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

Stop Act

 
This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit an individual holding federal office from soliciting funds directly from any person: (1) for or on behalf of any political committee, or (2) for or on the behalf of any person for use for federal election activity.
 
Such an individual, however, may participate in a fundraising event, including planning or attending it, speaking at it, or serving as a featured guest at the event, so long as he or she does not engage in any written or verbal solicitation of funds in connection with the event.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
529 and ABLE Account Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-529
Sponsor: Rep. Jenkins, Lynn [R-KS-2]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Disability and paralysis
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Higher education
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion
Income tax rates
Inflation and prices
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

529 and ABLE Account Improvement Act of 201

7

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax treatment of qualified tuition programs (known as 529 plans) and ABLE accounts. (Tax-favored ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses.) 
 
The bill excludes from gross income a fringe benefit consisting of up to $100 per year (adjusted for inflation after 2017) of employer contributions to an employee's 529 or ABLE account. The employer contribution must be made: (1) to an account for which the designated beneficiary is the employee or a member of the employee's family, and (2) in connection with a payroll deduction contribution program established by the employer. 
 
The bill also: (1) expands the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs to include the costs of establishing a payroll deduction contribution program for 529 plans and ABLE accounts,(2) permits 529 funds to be used for education loan payments or charitable contributions without being subject to the additional tax for distributions that are not used for qualified higher education expenses, and (3) permits tax-free rollovers of funds between 529 and ABLE accounts for the benefit of the same beneficiary or a family member of the beneficiary.
 
For the purpose of current law restrictions on the frequency of investment directions that a beneficiary or contributor may provide for a 529 or ABLE account, rebalancing investments among broad-based investment strategies established under the program is not an investment direction unless the beneficiary or contributor directs the specific investments within the strategies. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
S-Corp Access to Crowdfunding Act

Bill: 115-hr-531
Sponsor: Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]
Introduced: 2017-01-13 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Corporate finance and management
Securities
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: 

S-Corp Access to Crowdfunding Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the taxation of S corporations, to exclude from the 100 shareholder limitation for such corporations individuals who acquired shares in an S corporation through: (1) small public offerings, or (2) one or more crowdfunding offerings. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-01-13
text: Introduced in House