hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to add Ireland to the E-3 nonimmigrant visa program.

Bill: 116-s-3134
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Australia
Europe
Foreign labor
Ireland
Oceania
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 
This bill expands the E-3 visa program to cover Irish nationals. The E-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa currently only available to Australian nationals coming to the United States for employment in a specialty occupation. For Irish E-3 initial applications, the Department of State may approve each fiscal year no more than 10,500 minus the number of Australian initial applications approved the previous fiscal year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Consortia-Led Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Networks Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-3135
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Computers and information technology
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental technology
Higher education
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Industrial policy and productivity
Manufacturing
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Small business
Technology transfer and commercialization
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

Consortia-Led Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Networks Act
 
of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to carry out a grant program for establishing consortia to enhance U.S. economic, environmental, and energy security by promoting domestic research and commercial application of clean technologies and advanced manufacturing processes. Clean technology means technologies, production processes, or methodologies that
 
 
produce energy from renewable energy sources; 
 
transmit, distribute, or store energy more efficiently; 
 
enhance energy efficiency for buildings and industry; 
 
enable the development of a Smart Grid; 
 
produce an advanced or sustainable material with energy or energy efficiency applications; 
 
improve energy efficiency for transportation; or 
 
enhance water security through improved water management, conservation, distribution, or end use applications. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Start-up Savings Accounts Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-3136
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Business expenses
Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

Small Business Start-up Savings Accounts Act of 2019

 
This bill allows an individual or eligible small business (500 or fewer employees) to establish a small business start-up savings account. The taxpayer may deduct contributions to such start-up accounts in the amount of $10,000, or $150,000, reduced by aggregate contributions for all taxable years, whichever is the lesser amount. Qualified distributions (e.g, for purchase of equipment, marketing, training, or accounting fees) from such accounts are excluded from gross income, for income tax purposes. 
 
The bill also imposes penalty taxes on excess contributions to a small business start-up savings account and for nonqualified distributions from such an account. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Parental Right to Know Act

Bill: 116-s-3137
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Family relationships
Health care costs and insurance
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Home and outpatient care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicaid
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

Parental Right to Know Act

 
This bill expands the scope of advance directive policies and related disclosures for providers under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
 
Specifically, providers (e.g., hospitals, hospice programs, and home health care providers) must have advance directive policies for minors (rather than only adults). Providers must also disclose policies regarding parental access to a minor's medical records. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Parental Accessibility Rights for Emergency and Negligent Treatment Act

Bill: 116-s-3138
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Family relationships
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Home and outpatient care
Hospital care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicaid
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

Parental Accessibility Rights for Emergency and Negligent Treatment Act

 
This bill expands the scope of advance directive policies and related disclosures for providers under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
 
Specifically, providers (e.g., hospitals, hospice programs, and home health care providers) must have advance directive policies for minors (rather than only adults) and must disclose such policies on the provider's website and upon request. Providers must also disclose information regarding (1) an individual's rights with respect to life-sustaining procedures, including hydration and sustenance; and (2) whether parental consent is required to provide, withdraw, or deny life-sustaining procedures, or to institute a do-not-resuscitate order, for a minor.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Lawful Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act

Bill: 116-s-3139
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Firearms and explosives
Legal fees and court costs
Motor vehicles

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

Lawful Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act
 
This bill revises criminal provisions related to the interstate transportation of firearms and ammunition. 
An individual may transport a firearm between two places (e.g., states) where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport the firearm. During transport, the firearm must be unloaded and secured or securely stored. 
Additionally, an individual may transport ammunition, or a detachable magazine or feeding device, between two places where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device. During transport, the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device must not be loaded into a firearm and must be securely stored. 
The term 
transport
 includes staying in temporary lodging overnight; stopping for food, fuel, vehicle maintenance, an emergency, or medical treatment; and any other activities that are incidental to the transportation. 
The bill prohibits the arrest or detention of an individual for a state or local firearm or ammunition violation unless there is probable cause to believe the individual failed to comply with the provisions of this bill.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
American Wild Game and Livestock Protection Act

Bill: 116-s-3140
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of the Interior
Endangered and threatened species
Judicial review and appeals
Mammals

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

American Wild Game and Livestock Protection Act

 
This bill requires the Department of the Interior to issue as a final rule the proposed rule titled 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
.
 
This bill exempts the rule from judicial review.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Food Donation Improvement Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-3141
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Charitable contributions
Civil actions and liability
Department of Agriculture
Food assistance and relief
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

Food Donation Improvement Act of 2019

 
This bill expands liability protections for the donation of food and grocery products.
 
Specifically, the bill expands the liability protections to include donations of an apparently fit grocery product or apparently wholesome food:
 
 
for which the recipient receives at zero cost or is charged a 
good Samaritan reduced
 price that is no greater than the cost of handling, administering, and distributing the product; or
 
that is donated directly to a needy individual by a retail grocer, wholesaler, agricultural producer, restaurant, caterer, school food authority, or institution of higher education.
 
 
The Department of Agriculture must issue regulations that clarify the quality and labeling standards that food products donated under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act must meet to be eligible for liability protection.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Increasing Efficiency of All United States-Based Terrorism Information Sharing Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-3142
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Director of National Intelligence
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Political movements and philosophies
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

Increasing Efficiency of All United States-Based Terrorism Information Sharing Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to establish a commission to review the interagency sharing of information about terrorist threats in the United States between all levels of government. 
 
The commission shall report to Congress the results of its review. The report shall contain (1) an assessment of current capabilities and gaps in information sharing, (2) a review of the types of information being shared about different types of terrorist groups, (3) information about which entities receive such terrorism-related information, and (4) recommendations to improve information sharing. 
 
The commission shall terminate 30 days after submitting the report. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Magnet Injury Prevention Act

Bill: 116-s-3143
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Consumer affairs
Metals
Product safety and quality

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

Magnet Injury Prevention Act

 
This bill prohibits as hazardous products specified consumer magnets made from alloys of rare-earth elements (i.e., the group of metallic elements that includes lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium). The prohibition includes magnets that (1) are commonly marketed for entertainment (e.g., puzzle working or sculpture building), (2) are not classified as a toy or children&rsquo;s jewelry, (3) pose a choking risk to young children, and (4) have a magnetic field magnitude above a certain threshold.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-3144
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Advisory bodies
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Educational guidance
Employment and training programs
Financial literacy
Government information and archives
Performance measurement
State and local government operations
Student records
Vocational and technical education
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Labor to award grants to certain national youth-serving organizations for comprehensive workforce readiness programs provided to youth that take place before or after school, during summer vacation or holiday, or on the weekend (i.e., out-of-school-time programs).
 
Such grants must be used to develop and implement youth workforce readiness programs, including for activities such as on-the-job and leadership opportunities, internships, and other supportive services.
 
The bill also requires local workforce development boards to establish youth councils as subgroups of the boards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Desert National Wildlife Refuge and Nevada Test and Training Range Withdrawal and Management Act

Bill: 116-s-3145
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Aquatic ecology
Aviation and airports
Federal-Indian relations
Historical and cultural resources
Indian lands and resources rights
Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
Military education and training
Military facilities and property
Nevada
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

Desert National Wildlife Refuge and Nevada Test and Training Range Withdrawal and Management Act

 
This bill provides for the termination or expansion of certain withdrawn and reserved military lands in Nevada and designates certain lands within the Desert National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
 
The bill terminates the withdrawal and reservation of lands for the Naval Air Station Fallon Ranges and the Nevada Test and Training Range in 2021 and 2041, respectively. 
 
The bill expands the boundaries of Nellis Air Force Range to comprise 3,006,386 acres of land. The Department of the Air Force and the Department of the Interior shall not withdraw the new lands until they implement a cultural resources plan. 
 
The bill provides for fish and wildlife habitat support in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Mitigation payments shall be provided by the Air Force to Interior for such support on lands withdrawn and reserved for use by the Air Force within the refuge.
 
Interior and the Air Force must jointly establish (1) an interagency committee to facilitate coordination and minimize potential conflict regarding joint operating areas within the refuge, and (2) an intergovernmental executive committee for the management of the natural and cultural resources of the withdrawn and reserved lands of the ranges and certain other ranges.
 
Interior shall facilitate public access to portions of the joint use area of the refuge for tribal, recreational, educational, and research purposes.
 
The bill sets the western boundary of refuge between the refuge and the land jointly managed by the Air Force and Interior concerning Nellis Air Force Range.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to ensure a fair process for negotiations of collective bargaining agreements under chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code.

Bill: 116-s-3146
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Labor-management relations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 
This bill nullifies any collective bargaining agreement between federal employees and agencies that is effective on or after April 30, 2019, if the agreement was not mutually and voluntarily agreed to by all parties or ordered after the completion of binding arbitration. A prior agreement continues to apply until a new agreement that meets the bill's requirements takes effect. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to list fentanyl-related substances as schedule I controlled substances.

Bill: 116-s-3148
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2019-12-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: 

Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act

 
This bill adds five fentanyl analogues and the entire category of fentanyl-related substances to schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-01-03
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 398.
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (text: CR S7212)
action_date: 2019-12-19
text: Introduced in Senate
TRUE EQUITY Act

Bill: 116-s-3149
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2020-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Disability and paralysis
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational guidance
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Higher education
Licensing and registrations
Minority education
Preschool education
School administration
Special education
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2020-01-06
text: 

Transformational Reforms and Updates to Ensure Educational Quality and Urgent Investments in Today's Youth Act of 2019 or the TRUE EQUITY Act

 
This bill establishes various grant programs to address educational inequities in elementary and secondary schools.
 
Specifically, the bill creates grant programs related to (1) early childhood education, (2) high-quality and diverse teachers and leaders, (3) college and career readiness pathways, and (4) additional resources for at-risk students. For each grant program, the Department of Education (ED) must award a single grant to an eligible state.
 
 To be eligible for a grant, a state must establish an independent state oversight board. The oversight board must, among other things (1) determine whether the state and its local educational agencies (LEAs) have met state educational equity goals, and (2) hold them accountable for failing to meet those goals. ED may renew a grant if the oversight board determines the state has met its goals.
 
In addition, for each grant program, the bill outlines the activities authorized under the program, maintenance-of-effort requirements, and matching fund requirements.
 
Finally, the bill permits ED to enter into a local flexibility demonstration agreement, through which a state educational agency may use funds to develop and implement a school funding system based on weighted per-pupil allocations for low-income and disadvantaged students. (Currently, ED may enter into these agreements with LEAs.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Native Plant Species Pilot Program Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3150
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2020-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animal and plant health
Congressional oversight
Ecology
Government studies and investigations
Horticulture and plants
Land use and conservation
Natural disasters
Pest management
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2020-01-06
text: 

Native Plant Species Pilot Program Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes a pilot program for native plant species and a study on the cost-effectiveness of using native plant materials to carry out land management activities on federal lands. 
 
The National Park Service (NPS) shall establish a pilot program in at least two NPS regions to promote the use of native plant materials. 
 
The NPS shall conduct a study to determine the cost-effectiveness of using native plant materials in land management activities on federal lands under the jurisdiction of the NPS or other federal land management agencies. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S25)
action_date: 2020-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Connected Rural Schools Act

Bill: 116-s-3151
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2020-01-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Forests, forestry, trees
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Rural conditions and development
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2020-01-07
text: 

Connected Rural Schools Act

 
This bill authorizes counties to use funds from the Secure Rural Schools Program to provide or expand access to (1) broadband services at local schools, or (2) technology and connectivity necessary for students to use digital learning tools outside of a local school campus.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-01-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-01-07
text: Introduced in Senate