hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
SBIR Commercialization Assistance Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2702
Sponsor: Rep. Lawson, Al, Jr. [D-FL-5]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Research and development
Small business
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

SBIR Commercialization Assistance Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Small Business Act to require a federal agency required to have a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program (covered agency) to implement a commercialization assistance pilot program (CAPP), under which an eligible entity may received a subsequent Phase II SBIR award through FY2022, unless the Small Business Administration determines that the agency already has a program sufficiently similar to a CAPP.
 
An eligible entity is a small business concern that has received a Phase II award under an SBIR program and an additional Phase II SBIR award from the covered agency to which such small business concern is applying for the subsequent award.
 
The Government Accountability Office must evaluate and report to Congress on CAPP, including a summary of activities and results and recommendations for CAPP improvement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-05-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2703
Sponsor: Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-33]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing finance and home ownership
Lawyers and legal services
Public-private cooperation
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with public or private entities to fund, through the award of a grant or the use of a contract, a portion of the pro bono legal services such entities provide to homeless veterans or veterans at risk of homelessness related to housing, family law, income support, and criminal defense.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Discharged.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Purple Heart Heroes Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2704
Sponsor: Rep. Lipinski, Daniel [D-IL-3]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability assistance
Military facilities and property
Retail and wholesale trades
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Purple Heart Heroes Act of 2017

 
This bill permits Purple Heart veterans and their dependents to use commissary stores and MWR retail facilities on the same basis as members of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay and their dependents. 
 
A &quot;Purple Heart veteran&quot; is a veteran who has a disability that is: (1) attributable to an injury for which the veteran was awarded the Purple Heart, and (2) compensable under the laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 
An "MWR retail facility" means an exchange store or other revenue-generating facility operated by nonappropriated fund activities of the Department of Defense for the morale, welfare, and recreation of members of the Armed Forces.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Truck, Trailer, and Transport Efficiency Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2705
Sponsor: Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Department of Transportation
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Motor carriers
Motor vehicles

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Truck, Trailer, and Transport Efficiency Act of 2017

 
This bill removes trailers that do not emit greenhouse gases in connection with a propulsion system from the scope of the final rule titled &quot;Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles--Phase 2.&quot; The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration jointly issued the rule, which created fuel consumption standards and carbon dioxide emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles (e.g., tractors, trucks, vans, and vocational vehicles), on October 25, 2016.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Ensuring Fair Access to Veterans Healthcare Act

Bill: 115-hr-2707
Sponsor: Rep. Lujan Grisham, Michelle [D-NM-1]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Hospital care
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Ensuring Fair Access to Veterans Healthcare Act

 
This bill establishes in the Veterans Health Administration an Office of the Ombudsman, which shall:
 
 
investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of patients receiving medical care or hospital services at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility (covered patients) that relate to action, inaction, or decisions made by VA employees that may adversely affect such patients; 
 
assist covered patients in finding patient advocates, veterans service organizations, or other similar entities to advocate for their health, safety, welfare, and rights;
 
ensure that covered patients have regular and timely access to Office services; 
 
administer the reporting system provided for by this Act; and 
 
provide training to local ombudsmen and volunteers. 
 
 
The Office shall establish a reporting system to collect and analyze complaint data in order to determine how to resolve significant VA medical facility problems.
 
Each VA medical facility shall have a local ombudsman responsible for carrying out the duties of the Office at such location. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Veterans Independent Living Enhancement Act

Bill: 115-hr-2708
Sponsor: Rep. Lujan Grisham, Michelle [D-NM-1]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability assistance
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Veterans Independent Living Enhancement Act

 
This bill repeals provisions that: (1) prohibit the initiation of Department of Veterans Affairs programs providing independent living services and assistance for more than 2,700 veterans in each fiscal year, and (2) require giving first priority under such programs to veterans for whom the reasonable feasibility of achieving a vocational goal is precluded solely as a result of disability.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2709
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Minority education
Minority employment
Science and engineering education
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Women's education
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2017

 
 This bill requires the National Science Foundation to award competitive grants to enable eligible entities to carry out the activities specified below in order to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 
 
 An eligible entity that receives a grant shall use grant funds to carry out one or more of the following activities designed to increase the participation of women or minorities underrepresented in science and engineering, or both: 
 
 
 online workshops, 
 
 mentoring programs that partner STEM professionals with students, 
 
 internships for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, 
 
 outreach programs providing elementary and secondary school students with opportunities to increase their exposure to STEM fields, and
 
programs to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-05-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
National Memorial to Fallen Educators Act

Bill: 115-hr-2711
Sponsor: Rep. Marshall, Roger [R-KS-1]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Crime victims
Kansas
Monuments and memorials
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

National Memorial to Fallen Educators Act

 
This bill designates as the "National Memorial to Fallen Educators" an existing memorial located at the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas. The memorial is not a unit of the National Park System, and its designation shall not require or allow federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to it.

action_date: 2018-01-29
text: 

National Memorial to Fallen Educators Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill designates as the "National Memorial to Fallen Educators" an existing memorial located at the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas. The memorial is not a unit of the National Park System, and its designation shall not require or allow federal funds to be expended for any purpose related to it.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-01-29
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 398.
action_date: 2018-01-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-533.
action_date: 2018-01-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-533.
action_date: 2018-01-10
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-01-10
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2018-01-10
text: Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged.
action_date: 2017-06-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Miners Pension Protection Act

Bill: 115-hr-2713
Sponsor: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Asia
Coal
Customs enforcement
Employee benefits and pensions
Free trade and trade barriers
Government information and archives
Mining
Sales and excise taxes
South Korea
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Trade agreements and negotiations
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Miners Pension Protection Act 

 
This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) to transfer certain funds to the 1974 United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Pension Plan to provide pension benefits to retired coal miners and their families. 
 
The Department of the Treasury must transfer additional funds to the 1974 UMWA Pension Plan to pay pension benefits required under that plan if the amounts available for transfer under SMCRA's $490 million annual limit exceed the amounts required to be transferred for other purposes (including to the UMWA Health Plans). 
 
The bill also establishes additional reporting requirements for the plan.
 
As an offset, the bill amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 to extend the authority of Treasury to collect certain customs user fees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Revamping American Infrastructure Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-2714
Sponsor: Rep. Meadows, Mark [R-NC-11]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of Transportation
Performance measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Revamping American Infrastructure Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to: (1) identify DOT regulations, guidance, and policies that establish prescriptive requirements for regulated entities and that can be replaced with outcome-based performance standards; (2) submit, and implement within two years, a plan for such replacement; and (3) ensure that regulations, guidance, and policies issued after enactment of this bill are issued as outcome-based performance standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2017-05-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2017-05-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2017-05-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2017-05-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
No Fees for Lost Baggage Act

Bill: 115-hr-2715
Sponsor: Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Consumer affairs
Marine and inland water transportation
Motor carriers
Railroads
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

No Fees for Lost Baggage Act

 
This bill amends the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 to direct the Department of Transportation to require any common carrier (currently, any air carrier) to provide a refund of fees to air passengers for delayed or lost checked baggage.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Nursing Home Care for Native American Veterans Act

Bill: 115-hr-2716
Sponsor: Rep. O'Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Building construction
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Indian social and development programs
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Nursing Home Care for Native American Veterans Act

 
This bill defines "state homes" to include homes established by federally recognized Indian tribes for veterans who, by reason of disability, are incapable of earning a living. 
 
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall pay those tribes for the hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, and medical care they provide to veterans in those homes.
 
Those tribes shall be eligible for VA grants for the construction of state homes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
STAPLE Act

Bill: 115-hr-2717
Sponsor: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Foreign labor
Higher education
Immigration status and procedures
Science and engineering education
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 
 
Stopping Trained in America Ph.D.s From Leaving the Economy Act of 2017 or the STAPLE Act 

 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from: (1) direct numerical limitations aliens who have earned a Ph.D. degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from a U.S. institution of higher education and who have an offer of employment from a U.S. employer in a field related to such degree; and (2) H-1B visa (specialty occupation) numerical limitations aliens who have a U.S. STEM Ph.D. and with respect to whom the petitioning employer requires such an education.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-07-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act

Bill: 115-hr-2718
Sponsor: Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-52]
Introduced: 2017-05-25 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: 

Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act

 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow borrowers that received loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (DL) or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program on or after July 1, 2006, to consolidate those loans as Federal Direct Consolidation Loans. 
 
It directs the Department of Education (ED) to consolidate DLs, and send a completed loan consolidation application to FFEL borrowers, within 90 days of this bill's enactment. It gives FFEL borrowers six months after their receipt of such application to endorse it and submit it to ED if they wish to consolidate their loans.
 
The bill sets the interest rate on Federal Direct Consolidation Loans at 4% or, if the weighted average of the interest rates of the loans being consolidated is less than 4%, the lesser of: (1) that weighted average, or (2) an interest rate equal to 0.4% of the principal balance of the consolidation loan at the time of consolidation.
 
It adds an origination fee equal to 0.4% of the principal balance of the consolidation loan at the time of consolidation if an FFEL is being consolidated.
 
It reduces the interest rate on a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan by 0.25% if one or more of the loans being consolidated is an FFEL held by an eligible lender.
 
The bill prohibits any benefit a borrower is receiving or earning when issued a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan from being affected by the consolidation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-25
text: Introduced in House