hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Copyright Office for the Digital Economy Act

Bill: 115-hr-890
Sponsor: Rep. Marino, Tom [R-PA-10]
Introduced: 2017-02-06 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Computers and information technology
Congressional agencies
Congressional oversight
Federal officials
Government studies and investigations
Intellectual property
Library of Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 

Copyright Office for the Digital Economy Act

 
This bill establishes the U.S. Copyright Office as a separate independent agency in the legislative branch, to be headed by a director appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. (Currently, the Copyright Office is part of the Library of Congress [LOC] and is headed by the Register of Copyrights.) 
 
The director's term of office is limited to 10 years without eligibility for reappointment. The director must appoint officers and employees responsible for administering the Copyright Office's technology and data systems. 
 
The Copyright Office shall: (1) provide services in a manner that reflects technological needs and developments, and (2) promptly register copyright claims within a period that does not adversely impact the timely enforcement of rights and remedies.
 
No U.S. agency is authorized to require the Copyright Office to obtain an agency's approval before the Copyright Office submits legislative recommendations to Congress.
 
Copyright owners may register their copyright claims by delivering examination copies of their works to the Copyright Office. The Copyright Office must then provide the LOC access to such examination copies and related data solely for the LOC's determination of whether to demand a deposit of the material or to otherwise engage with copyright owners regarding works of authorship that may be of curatorial and collection interest to the national library. The Copyright Office must also consult with the LOC on other matters of common interest. 
 
The director must establish a Copyright Advisory Board to advise the Copyright Office and to provide information on emerging technology practices. 
 
The Copyright Office must also: (1) submit a report on the future administration of mandatory deposit provisions and their application to the digital era, and (2) conduct studies to ensure that it has the technology and staff to establish and maintain a modern copyright system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
Federal Transit Modernization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-891
Sponsor: Rep. Meadows, Mark [R-NC-11]
Introduced: 2017-02-06 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Labor standards
Labor-management relations
Public contracts and procurement
Public transit
Transportation employees
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 

Federal Transit Modernization Act of 2017

 
This bill repeals requirements that condition certain financial assistance for public transportation projects upon employee protective arrangements approved by the Secretary of Labor.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
Locality-based Social Security Benefits Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-892
Sponsor: Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
Introduced: 2017-02-06 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Inflation and prices
Social security and elderly assistance
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 

Locality-based Social Security Benefits Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the Social Security Administration to increase an individual's monthly Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance benefit amount in accordance with the locality-based comparability payment rate applicable to the federal locality-pay area in which the individual resides.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
21st Century Voting Act

Bill: 115-hr-893
Sponsor: Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
Introduced: 2017-02-06 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Citizenship and naturalization
Commemorative events and holidays
Computer security and identity theft
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government studies and investigations
Legislative rules and procedure
State and local government operations
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 

21st Century Voting Act

 
This bill establishes the Commission on Voting to report to Congress proposed legislation that would make specified changes to voting policy, including: (1) making Election Day a national holiday, (2) making voter registration automatic and permanent, and (3) restoring the right to vote to persons released from prison.
 
This proposed legislation must be introduced as a bill by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and receive a vote. If the bill passes the House, it must be considered and voted upon by the Senate.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
Interest for Others Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-894
Sponsor: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3]
Introduced: 2017-02-06 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Charitable contributions
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 

Interest for Others Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals, trusts, or estates to exclude from gross income up to $50 per year of interest and money market fund dividend income that is contributed to charity using a program adopted by a financial institution or a money market fund. 
 
Details regarding the payments to charities must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service by any person that: (1) pays certain interest or dividends and has a charitable contribution program, or (2) is an aggregator that receives contributions and makes payments to charities under a program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
Educational Opportunities Act

Bill: 115-hr-895
Sponsor: Rep. Rokita, Todd [R-IN-4]
Introduced: 2017-02-06 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Elementary and secondary education
Income tax credits
Sales and excise taxes
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 

Educational Opportunities Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a tax credit for charitable contributions to a scholarship granting organization. The bill allows a maximum credit amount of $4,500 ($2,250 for a married individual filing a separate return). A "scholarship granting organization" is a tax-exempt entity whose exclusive purpose is to provide scholarships for the tuition and other education expenses of elementary and secondary school students from low income households (i.e., household income not exceeding 250% of federal poverty guidelines).
 
The bill allows corporate taxpayers a tax credit, up to $100,000, for contributions to a scholarship granting organization. 
 
It also imposes a penalty on scholarship granting organizations that fail to distribute at least 90% of their total receipts for elementary and secondary school expenses in a taxable year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt amounts paid for aircraft management services from the excise taxes imposed on transportation by air.

Bill: 115-hr-896
Sponsor: Rep. Tiberi, Patrick J. [R-OH-12]
Introduced: 2017-02-06 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Sales and excise taxes
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 
 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the excise tax on transportation of persons and property by air amounts paid by an aircraft owner or lessee for aircraft management services related to maintenance and support of the aircraft or flights on such aircraft. 
 
Aircraft management services include assisting an aircraft owner with administrative and support services; obtaining insurance; maintenance, storage and fueling of aircraft; hiring, training, and provision of pilots and crew; establishing and complying with safety standards; or other services necessary to support flights operated by an aircraft owner.
 
In the case of an aircraft owner that is wholly-owned by another person, amounts paid by the other person on behalf of the aircraft owner must be treated as having been paid directly by the aircraft owner.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to State and local entities to carry out peer-to-peer mental health programs.

Bill: 115-hr-897
Sponsor: Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. [R-NY-1]
Introduced: 2017-02-06 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Health programs administration and funding
Mental health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the P.F.C. Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support program to make grants to eligible entities for peer-to-peer mental health programs for veterans. 
 
"Eligible entity" means: (1) a nonprofit organization having historically served the mental health needs of veterans; (2) a congressionally chartered veteran service organization; or (3) a state, local, or tribal veteran service agency, director, or commissioner. 
 
The VA shall establish an advisory committee to create appropriate program standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-06
text: Introduced in House
Credit Score Competition Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-898
Sponsor: Rep. Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-39]
Introduced: 2017-02-07 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer credit
Federal Housing Finance Agency
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Housing finance and home ownership

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: 

Credit Score Competition Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to allow the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), when determining whether to purchase a residential mortgage, to consider a borrower's credit score only if certain procedural requirements are met with respect to the validation and approval of credit-scoring models.
 
The Federal Housing Finance Agency may, by regulation, establish standards and criteria for processes used by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to validate and approve credit-scoring models in accordance with the bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
To terminate the Department of Education.

Bill: 115-hr-899
Sponsor: Rep. Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4]
Introduced: 2017-02-07 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Department of Education
Executive agency funding and structure

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: 
This bill terminates the Department of Education on December 31, 2018.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
To recognize Puerto Rico's sovereign nationhood under either independence or free association and to provide for a transition process, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-hr-900
Sponsor: Rep. Gutierrez, Luis V. [D-IL-4]
Introduced: 2017-02-07 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Caribbean area
Citizenship and naturalization
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Free trade and trade barriers
International law and treaties
Puerto Rico
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: 
This bill requires the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico to provide for a referendum in Puerto Rico in which eligible voters shall express their preference between the non-territorial options of either independence or free association.
 
 An individual shall be eligible to vote in such referendum if that individual was born in, or has a parent who was born in, Puerto Rico.
 
 The President shall negotiate a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and other bilateral agreements with the government of an independent Puerto Rico that will provide for equitable economic relations. Such treaty shall establish the details of the bilateral relations of Puerto Rico and the United States under specified guidelines with respect to citizenship, vested rights, trade, public debt and economic transition, currency, and defense.
 
The President shall negotiate the terms for a Compact of Free Association with the government of Puerto Rico, which shall be submitted to Congress and the people of Puerto Rico for ratification under specified agreed guidelines with respect to Puerto Rican sovereignty and self-government, the termination of the free association relationship when Puerto Rico becomes fully independent, the continuation of U.S. citizenship for citizens of Puerto Rico, and the continuation of trade relations with the United States.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.
action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1248-1249)
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
MERCY Act

Bill: 115-hr-901
Sponsor: Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7]
Introduced: 2017-02-07 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child health
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Detention of persons
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government studies and investigations
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: 

Maintaining dignity and Eliminating unnecessary Restrictive Confinement of Youths Act of 2017 or the MERCY Act

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit juvenile solitary confinement, except as a temporary response to behavior that poses a serious and immediate risk of harm. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-902
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-17]
Introduced: 2017-02-07 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health personnel
Mental health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: 

Expedited Hiring for VA Trained Psychiatrists Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to appoint a psychiatrist who completes a residency at a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility to a VHA health care position immediately after such residency, without regard to civil service or classification laws, if: (1) the psychiatrist meets the qualifications established in regulations prescribed for the position, and (2) the position has been unfilled for at least 35 days.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-03-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
To restrict funding for the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-hr-903
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
Introduced: 2017-02-07 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Nuclear weapons
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: 
This bill declares that United Nations Security Council Resolution 2310 (September 23, 2016) does not obligate the United States to refrain from actions that would run counter to the object and purpose of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
 
 No U.S. funds may be made available to the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, except for the organization's international monitoring system. 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
You Own Devices Act

Bill: 115-hr-905
Sponsor: Rep. Farenthold, Blake [R-TX-27]
Introduced: 2017-02-07 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Intellectual property
Lease and rental services
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: 

You Own Devices Act

 
This bill amends federal copyright law to allow the owner of a machine or other product operated in any part by a computer program to transfer an authorized copy of the computer program, or the right to obtain such copy, when the owner sells, leases, or otherwise transfers the machine or product to another person. The bill prohibits such right to transfer the computer program from being waived by any agreement.
 
Any right to receive modifications to such a computer program relating to security or error correction that applied to the owner of the machine or product shall apply to the person to whom the machine or product and the copy of the computer program are transferred.
 
Nothing in this bill should be construed to permit the owner to retain an unauthorized copy of the computer program after such a transfer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-02-07
text: Introduced in House