hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of certain hydroelectric projects.

Bill: 115-s-730
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2017-03-27 in the Senate
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
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: 
This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request, to extend by six years the time period during which construction must commence on the Gathright Hydroelectric Project located in Alleghany County, Virginia, and the Flannagan Dam and Reservoir Hydroelectric Project located in Dickenson County, Virginia.
 
Additionally, FERC may reinstate either construction license if it is expired.

action_date: 2017-05-24
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 authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request, to extend by six years the time period during which construction must commence on the Gathright Hydroelectric Project located in Alleghany County, Virginia, and the Flannagan Dam and Reservoir Hydroelectric Project located in Dickenson County, Virginia.
 
Additionally, FERC may reinstate either construction license if it is expired.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-24
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 101.
action_date: 2017-05-24
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-82.
action_date: 2017-05-24
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 115-82.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1999)
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Establishment Act

Bill: 115-s-731
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2017-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: California
Historic sites and heritage areas
Lakes and rivers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: 

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Establishment Act

 
This bill establishes the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area in California. 
 
 The Delta Protection Commission is designated as the local coordinating entity for the heritage area. 
 
 The Commission shall submit a proposed management plan for the heritage area to the Department of the Interior for approval. 
 
 The management plan shall not be approved until Interior has received certification from the Commission that the Delta Stewardship Council has reviewed such plan for consistency with the plan adopted by the Council pursuant to state law. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1999-2000)
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Access Technology Affordability Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-732
Sponsor: Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
Introduced: 2017-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Health care costs and insurance
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Income tax credits
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: 

Access Technology Affordability Act of 2017 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable tax credit equal to the amounts paid for qualified access technology for use by a blind individual who is the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or any dependent of the taxpayer. 
 
&quot;Qualified access technology&quot; is hardware, software, or other information technology with the primary function of converting or adapting information that is visually represented into forms or formats useable by blind individuals. 
 
The credit is limited to: (1) costs that are not compensated by insurance or otherwise, and (2) an aggregate amount of $2,500 per blind individual in any period comprising three consecutive taxable years. The credit is also subject to limits based on modified adjusted gross income and adjustments for inflation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend a project of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission involving the Cannonsville Dam.

Bill: 115-s-734
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2017-03-27 in the Senate
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
New York City
New York State
Water storage

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: 
This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request, to extend by eight years the time period during which construction must commence on the Cannonsville Hydroelectric Project located on the West Branch of the Delaware River in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. (The City of New York was granted a construction license for the Cannonsville Hydroelectric Project on May 13, 2014.)
 
Additionally, FERC may reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

action_date: 2017-05-24
text: 
(Sec.1)This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), upon request, to extend by eight years the time period during which construction must commence on the Cannonsville Hydroelectric Project located on the West Branch of the Delaware River in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. (The City of New York was granted a construction license for the Cannonsville Hydroelectric Project on May 13, 2014.)
 
Additionally, FERC may reinstate the construction license if it is expired.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-24
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 102.
action_date: 2017-05-24
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with amendments. With written report No. 115-83.
action_date: 2017-05-24
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with amendments. With written report No. 115-83.
action_date: 2017-03-30
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
State, Tribal, and Local Species Transparency and Recovery Act

Bill: 115-s-735
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2017-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Endangered and threatened species
Government information and archives
Intergovernmental relations
Land transfers
State and local government operations
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: 

State, Tribal, and Local Species Transparency and Recovery Act

 
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Department of the Interior or the Department of Commerce, as appropriate, to provide to affected states all data that is used as the basis of a determination on whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species before making a determination.
 
The appropriate department must use data submitted by a state, tribal, or county government in making such a determination.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-736
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2017-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Higher education
Housing and community development funding
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: 

Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 201

7

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-exempt charitable or educational organizations to make collegiate housing and infrastructure grants to certain tax-exempt social clubs (e.g., college fraternities and sororities) which apply such grants to their collegiate housing property.
 
A &quot;collegiate housing and infrastructure grant&quot; is a grant to provide, improve, operate, or maintain collegiate housing property that may involve more than incidental social, recreational, or private purposes. The grant must be for purposes that would be permissible for a dormitory or other residential facility of the college or university with which the collegiate housing property is associated. The grant may not be used to provide physical fitness facilities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
COAL Reform Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-737
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Coal
Department of the Interior
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Mining
Public contracts and procurement
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: 

Coal Oversight and Leasing Reform Act of 2017or the COAL Reform Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise the U.S. coal leasing program.
 
The bill repeals the requirement that the Department of the Interior offer at least 50% of total acreage for coal leasing in any one-year under a deferred bonus payment system.
 
A proposed lease sale shall not be held until the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)determines, and includes in a formal appraisal report, the fair market value of the coal to be extracted.Interior shall make certain data available to the public, including the BLM appraisal reports and information on lease sales.
 
Coal lease modifications shall not result in revenue reduction and may not exceed 160 acres.
 
Interior shall prepare, periodically revise, and maintain a coal leasing program consisting of a schedule of proposed lease sales indicating the size, timing, and location of leasing activity that will best meet national needs for the five-year period following approval of the program.The bill revises the conditions of a coal lease, including lease terms, rental rates, and royalties.
 
The BLM shall promulgate regulations for inspections and enforcement of coal operations, including oversight of state inspection and enforcement programs. The BLM may also assess civil penalties for noncompliance. 
 
There shall be a moratorium on new coal lease sales until this bill is implemented by Interior. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-738
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2017-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Coal
Economic development
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Housing and community development funding
Indian lands and resources rights
Land use and conservation
Mining
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: 

Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More Act of 2017 or the RECLAIM Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to make specified funds available to the Department of the Interior for each of FY2018-FY2022 for distribution to states and Indian tribes to promote economic revitalization, diversification, and development in economically distressed communities through the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by coal mining carried out before August 3, 1977.
 
The bill prescribes general requirements for projects to reclaim abandoned mine lands and waters that are likely to create favorable conditions for the economic development of the project site or promote the general welfare through economic and community development of the area in which the project is conducted. Any such project shall be located in a community affected by a recent decline in mining.

A state or Indian tribe that receives funds under this bill may retain a portion of them as necessary to supplement its acid mine drainage abatement and treatment fund for future operation and maintenance costs for the treatment of acid mine drainage associated with individual projects.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Kids from Candy-Flavored Drugs Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-739
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child health
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Marketing and advertising
U.S. Sentencing Commission

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

Protecting Kids from Candy-Flavored Drugs Act of 2017

 
 This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to prohibit any person from manufacturing, creating, distributing, dispensing, or possessing with intent to distribute a schedule I or II controlled substance that is combined with a candy or beverage product, marketed or packaged to appear similar to a candy or beverage product, or modified by flavoring or coloring to appear similar to a candy or beverage product. Such individual must know or have reasonable cause to believe that the controlled substance will be distributed, dispensed, or sold to a person under 18 years of age. The bill imposes enhanced criminal penalties for such violations in addition to the penalty for the underlying offense.
 
The bill exempts any controlled substance that: (1) has been approved by the Department of Health and Human Services under the drug approval process if the contents, marketing, and packaging of the controlled substance have not been altered from the approved form; or (2) has been altered at the direction of a practitioner who is acting for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice.
 
The bill directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend and review its guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the guidelines provide for a penalty enhancement of not less than two offense levels for a violation of this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Voluntary Checkoff Program Participation Act

Bill: 115-s-740
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural research

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

Voluntary Checkoff Program Participation Act 

 
This bill prohibits mandatory or compulsory checkoff programs and requires producer participation in the programs to be voluntary at the point of sale. (A checkoff program is a program to promote and provide research and information for a particular agricultural commodity without reference to specific producers or brands. The Department of Agriculture oversees the programs, which are requested and funded by industry.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-741
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural research
Business records
Competition and antitrust
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Public participation and lobbying

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act of 2017

 
This bill establishes restrictions and requirements for checkoff programs, which are programs overseen by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote and provide research and information for a particular agricultural commodity without reference to specific producers or brands. 
 
The bill prohibits boards established to carry out a checkoff program or a USDA order issued under a checkoff program from entering into a contract or agreement to carry out program activities with a party that engages in activities to influence any government policy or action that relates to agriculture.
 
 A board or its employees or agents acting in their official capacity may not engage in any: 
 
 
 act that may involve a conflict of interest; 
 
anticompetitive activity;
 
unfair or deceptive act or practice; or
 
act that may be disparaging to, or in any way negatively portray, another agricultural commodity or product. 
 
 
Upon approval of USDA, a board may enter directly into contracts and agreements to carry out generic promotion, research, or other activities authorized by law if the agreement or contract requires records accounting for the funds received to be submitted to the board. 
 
The board must meet specified requirements regarding the publication of budgets and disbursements of funds. 
 
The USDA Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office must conduct specified audits regarding checkoff programs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Community Broadband Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-742
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Intergovernmental relations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Public-private cooperation
State and local government operations
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

Community Broadband Act of 2017

 
This bill bars state, local, or tribal governments from prohibiting or inhibiting such government entities or their affiliates from serving as "public providers" of telecommunications services or advanced telecommunications capabilities to any person or any public or private entity. 
 
The bill prohibits such government and government-affiliated providers of public telecommunications services from favoring themselves over competing providers in the application of regulations, ordinances, public rights-of-way, or permitting requirements. 
 
The bill expresses the sense of Congress that such governments or affiliates intending to provide public telecommunications services should consider public-private partnerships. 
 
Public providers must provide public notice and opportunities for public input and private-sector bidding before providing telecommunications service to the public. 
 
The bill provides an exemption from the prohibition on such governments favoring themselves in the application of regulations, and from the requirement to provide public notice and private bidding opportunities, during an emergency declared by the President, a governor, or an authorized elected local official. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to strengthen the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Bill: 115-s-743
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Executive agency funding and structure
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Interagency Council on Homelessness

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 
This bill amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to reauthorize the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness indefinitely and repeal its termination date.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2049-2050)
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Veterans Credit Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-744
Sponsor: Sen. Donnelly, Joe [D-IN]
Introduced: 2017-03-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Consumer credit
Government liability
Health care costs and insurance
Hospital care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: 

Protecting Veterans Credit Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to exclude from consumer report information: (1) a veteran's medical debt if the hospital care or medical services relating to the debt antedates the credit report by less than one year; and (2) a fully paid or settled veteran's medical debt that had been characterized as delinquent, charged off, or in collection.
 
The bill defines a &quot;veteran's medical debt&quot; as debt from health care provided in a non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility under the laws administered by the VA, including medical debt that the VA has wrongfully charged a veteran.
 
A dispute process for veterans medical debt is established whereby: 
 
 
a veteran may submit a notice along with proof of VA liability for the debt or documentation that the VA is in the process of paying for authorized medical services to a consumer reporting agency or a reseller in order to dispute such debt's inclusion in the consumer report; 
 
the VA shall submit to a veteran a notice it has assumed liability for part or all of the veteran's medical debt; and 
 
if such notice and proof of liability or documentation is received, the consumer reporting agency shall delete all information relating to the veteran's medical debt from the file of the consumer and notify the furnisher and the consumer of such deletion.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-10-17
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-132.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2017-03-28
text: Introduced in Senate