hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Express Appeals Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-933
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2017-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability and paralysis
Evidence and witnesses
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: 

Express Appeals Act
 
of 2017

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) carry out a five-year pilot program to provide the option of an alternative appeals process to determine appeals of claims for disability compensation more quickly, and (2) inform claimants about such program.
 
Appeals filed under the pilot program are described as "fully developed appeals."
 
A claimant may elect to file a fully developed appeal by filing with the VA: (1) a notice of disagreement along with the claimant's written election to have the appeal determined under the pilot program, (2) all evidence that the claimant believes is needed for the appeal, and (3) a statement of the argument in support of the claim. 
 
 A claimant who elects the pilot program may elect to revert to the standard appeals process at any time. Such reversion, however, shall be final.
 
 Such a claimant or an electing claimant who is later determined to be ineligible for the pilot program shall revert to the standard appeals process without any penalty other than the loss of docket number. 
 
The VA shall transfer jurisdiction over a fully developed appeal directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
 
The Board shall: 
 
 
maintain fully developed appeals on a separate docket; 
 
hear fully developed appeals in the order received; 
 
decide not more than one fully developed appeal for each four traditional appeals decided, though this ratio may be adjusted for fairness purposes beginning one year after the pilot program begins; and 
 
decide each fully developed appeal within one year of a claimant's filing the notice of disagreement.
 
 
A claimant may not submit or identify to the Board any new evidence relating to a fully developed appeal after filing such appeal unless the claimant reverts to the standard appeals process. 
 
The Board shall establish an office to develop necessary federal records, independent medical opinions, and new medical exams. 
 
The Board may not provide hearings for fully developed appeals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Endangered Species Management Self-Determination Act

Bill: 115-s-935
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2017-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Birds
Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Department of the Interior
Electric power generation and transmission
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental regulatory procedures
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
Legal fees and court costs
Legislative rules and procedure
Property rights
Public utilities and utility rates
State and local government operations
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: 

Endangered Species Management Self-Determination Act

 
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) to require the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce to obtain the consent of each state for adding species to the list of threatened or endangered plants and animals when the species is present in the state.
 
Interior must submit to Congress a list of all endangered or threatened species. Congress must give its approval by a joint resolution before the list may take effect.
 
 Species are automatically taken off the list after five years, but Interior may petition for the species to be relisted. Interested persons may no longer petition for the addition or removal of a species from the list. 
 
A state may regulate intrastate endangered or threatened species that are present within its boundaries. If a state elects to regulate those species, it is given exclusive authority to manage species and their habitats. State action with respect to intrastate species is not subject to judicial review.
 
The Bonneville, Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western Area Power Administrations must include in customer monthly billing statements information on the share of costs to the customer incurred as a result of compliance with the ESA, unless the costs are for intrastate species regulated by states.
 
Owners or lessees of property may apply to Interior for a determination of whether a proposed property use will violate the ESA. The use is deemed compliant if Interior fails to respond within 90 days. The owners and lessees may seek monetary compensation for unfavorable determinations.
 
The bill eliminates awards of attorney fees in citizen suits under the ESA.
 
The bill amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to remove protections provided under that Act to black vultures and ravens in certain circumstances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

Bill: 115-s-936
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2017-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Federal-Indian relations
Fishes
Forests, forestry, trees
Freedom of information
Government information and archives
Historical and cultural resources
Idaho
Indian lands and resources rights
Montana
Oregon
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Roads and highways
Washington State
Water quality
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: 

Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

 
This bill designates specified National Forest System lands, National Park System lands, and public lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and as components or additions to existing components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. 
 
 The bill also designates specified federal lands as biological connecting corridors and as special corridor management areas. 
 
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is amended to designate segments of specified rivers and creeks in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 
 
 The bill designates specified areas as wildland recovery areas. The Department of Agriculture shall develop a wildland recovery plan for each recovery area. 
 
 A specified panel of independent scientists shall study roadless lands greater than 1,000 acres that are within the National Forest System in the Wild Rockies bioregion in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, or Wyoming, but not designated as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, for their role in maintaining biological diversity in the Northern Rockies and as part of the overall forest reserve system. Any new or existing road construction or reconstruction or timber harvest is prohibited in those lands after the evaluation. Oil or gas leasing, mining, or other development that impairs the natural and roadless qualities of the land is also prohibited.
 
 The Department of the Interior may apply the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act in carrying out this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-937
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2017-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: 

Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 201

7

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the tax credit for adoption expenses refundable. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Procurement Fraud Prevention Act

Bill: 115-s-938
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2017-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Business education
Government information and archives
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: 

Procurement Fraud Prevention Act

 
This bill directs the General Services Administration to establish procedures to ensure that any notice regarding registration of a small business concern in a procurement system contains information about cost-free federal procurement technical assistance services that are available through the Small Business Administration, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers of the Defense Logistics Agency, the Department of Commerce, and other federal agencies and programs.

action_date: 2017-10-05
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Procurement Fraud Prevention Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill directs the General Services Administration to establish procedures to ensure that any notice regarding registration of a small business concern in a procurement system contains information about cost-free federal procurement technical assistance services that are available through the Small Business Administration, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers of the Defense Logistics Agency, the Department of Commerce, and other federal agencies and programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-10-05
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 235.
action_date: 2017-10-05
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 115-166.
action_date: 2017-10-05
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 115-166.
action_date: 2017-07-26
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
EL CHAPO Act

Bill: 115-s-939
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2017-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Latin America
Mexico
Organized crime

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: 

Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order Act or the EL CHAPO Act

 
This bill requires the forfeited profits of Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera (El Chapo) from his illicit drug trafficking enterprise to be reserved for border security measures between the United States and Mexico, including the completion of a wall.
 
Additionally, it requires the forfeited funds from the felony conviction of a member of a drug cartel to be reserved for border security measures between the United States and Mexico, including the completion of a wall. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
SEAL Act

Bill: 115-s-940
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2017-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer credit
Department of the Treasury
Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: 

Shrinking Emergency Account Losses Act of 2017 or the SEAL Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to loans made from a qualified employer plan, to: (1) extend the period for repayment of loans if a plan terminates or a plan participant becomes unemployed, and (2) prohibit qualified employer plans from making loans using credit cards or any other similar arrangement. 
 
The bill also requires the Department of the Treasury to modify regulations governing hardship distributions from qualified employer plans to allow participants to make additional contributions to a plan during the six-month period following a hardship distribution.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act

Bill: 115-s-941
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2017-04-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers
Mining
Montana
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: 

Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act

 
This bill withdraws specified National Forest System land in the Custer Gallatin National Forest in Park County, Montana, identified on the map titled &quot;Emigrant Crevice Proposed Withdrawal Area,&quot; dated November 10, 2016, from: (1) location, entry, and patent under mining laws; and (2) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing.
 
Any land within the withdrawal area that is acquired by the federal government after enactment of this bill must be immediately withdrawn in accordance with this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-12-04
text: By Senator Murkowski from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 115-402.
action_date: 2018-12-04
text: By Senator Murkowski from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 115-402.
action_date: 2018-11-29
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 688.
action_date: 2018-11-29
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-11-29
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-10-02
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2017-07-26
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-482.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2017-04-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-942
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2017-04-26 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Customs enforcement
Emergency planning and evacuation
Foreign aid and international relief
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Homeland security
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intellectual property
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International organizations and cooperation
Natural disasters
Sanctions
Terrorism
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: 

Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2017

 
This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government must ensure that capacity-building assistance to combat terrorist travel is coordinated among agencies as well as with foreign implementing partners, and (2) such assistance should be prioritized for the highest-risk countries for travel by terrorists and foreign fighters. 
 
The Department of State shall submit to Congress biennially a foreign partner engagement plan that catalogues existing capacity-building initiatives abroad to combat travel by terrorists and foreign fighters and identifies areas for adjustment to align efforts with risk-based priorities. 
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department shall provide appropriate versions of the following systems to foreign governments: 
 
 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's global travel targeting and analysis systems; and 
 
the State Department's watchlisting, identification, and screening systems. 
 
 
DHS may provide, with specified exceptions, excess DHS nonlethal equipment and supplies (as well as related training) to a foreign government if such action would: 
 
 
further U.S. homeland security interests; and
 
enhance the recipient government's capacity to mitigate the threat of terrorism, infectious disease or natural disaster, protect lawful trade and travel, or enforce intellectual property rights.
 
 
DHS shall notify Congress before providing such systems, equipment, or supplies.
 
The State Department: (1) shall report to Congress annually through 2022 on foreign government efforts to combat terrorist and foreign fighter travel and on U.S. actions to help countries comply with minimum standards for such efforts, and (2) may suspend non-humanitarian, non-trade-related foreign assistance to a country that is not making significant efforts to comply with such minimum standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: Introduced in Senate
American Renewable Fuel and Job Creation Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-944
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-04-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Income tax credits
Motor fuels
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: 

American Renewable Fuel and Job Creation Act of 2017

 
 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify and extend: (1) the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel, and (2) the excise tax credit for biodiesel fuel mixtures. 
 
The bill: (1) makes the credits available to domestic producers of the fuels rather than the policy under current law of providing a mixture credit to the blender of the fuel, (2) increases the income tax credit for certain small biodiesel producers, and (3) extends the credits through 2020. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2554-2555)
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: Introduced in Senate
New Hope and Opportunity through the Power of Employment Act

Bill: 115-s-945
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2017-04-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Employment and training programs
Licensing and registrations
State and local government operations
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: 

New Hope and Opportunity through the Power of Employment Act or the New HOPE Act

 
This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to require state leadership activities funded by the Act to include consulting and coordinating with other state agencies for the identification, consolidation, or elimination of licenses or certifications that pose an unnecessary barrier to entry for aspiring workers and provide limited consumer protection.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2555)
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-946
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-04-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Veterans Affairs
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health facilities and institutions
Judicial procedure and administration
Mental health
Specialized courts
State and local courts
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: 

Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire at least 50 Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists, place each one at an eligible VA medical center, and ensure that each one serves as part of a justice team in a veterans treatment court or other veteran-focused court.
 
An eligible VA medical center is one that:
 
 
 complies with all VA guidelines and regulations for placement of a specialist; 
 
 works with a veteran with active, ongoing, or recent contact with some component of a local criminal justice system;
 
 maintains an affiliation with one or more veterans treatment courts or other veteran-focused courts; and 
 
 either routinely provides specialists, or establishes a VA-approved plan to provide specialists, to serve as part of a justice team in such a court.
 
 
The VA shall prioritize the placement of specialists at eligible VA medical centers that have an affiliation with such a court that: (1) was established after the date of this bill's enactment, or (2) was established before such date and is not fully staffed with specialists.
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-02-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2018-02-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2018-02-20
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2018-02-16
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S1190)
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-02-15
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2017-07-11
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-320.
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2555-2556)
action_date: 2017-04-26
text: Introduced in Senate