hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
AMICUS Act

Bill: 116-hr-3993
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [D-GA-4]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Federal appellate courts
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Judges
Judicial procedure and administration
Judicial review and appeals
Lawyers and legal services
Licensing and registrations
Supreme Court
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Assessing Monetary Influence in the Courts of the United States Act or the AMICUS Act

 
This bill requires certain disclosures from a person that files three or more amicus briefs in a calendar year in the Supreme Court or a U.S. court of appeals. Specifically, such a person must disclose the name of anyone who (1) contributed to the preparation or submission of the amicus brief, or (2) made certain monetary contributions to the person. 
 
Persons that are subject to these requirements must register with the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, which must make the registration information publicly available. 

 
Such persons are also prohibited from making gifts or providing travel to any U.S. court of appeals judge or Supreme Court justice.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
Modern Television Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-3994
Sponsor: Rep. Scalise, Steve [R-LA-1]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Competition and antitrust
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Contracts and agency
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Government studies and investigations
Inflation and prices
Intellectual property
Licensing and registrations
Telecommunication rates and fees
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Modern Television Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes measures to prevent blackouts of television broadcast stations, including requiring good-faith negotiations in broadcast agreements and providing for outside arbitration of certain negotiation disputes. 
 
Specifically, the bill requires a station and a cable or satellite service to negotiate in good faith when attempting to reach a marketplace agreement, and it requires the cable or satellite service to retransmit the signal of a station for up to 60 days while the parties renegotiate an expired agreement. The Federal Communications Commission may require a station and a cable or satellite service to submit to binding arbitration to resolve any dispute that may arise (the parties must be retroactively paid for content aired during this time). Further, a station is prohibited from requiring payment from a cable or satellite service for customers of the cable or satellite service who do not receive the signals of the station from that service.
 
Additionally, the bill repeals specified provisions, including those related to retransmission consent and compulsory copyright licenses. The bill also disallows federal, state, and local authorities from regulating the rates of a cable or satellite service.
 
The Government Accountability Office must assess the impact of the bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.
action_date: 2019-08-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.
action_date: 2019-07-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
VET Protection Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-3995
Sponsor: Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Employee leave
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Labor-management relations
Personnel records
Public participation and lobbying

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Veterans, Employees, and Taxpayers Protection Act of 2019 or the VET Protection Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to track the use of official time by VA employees without using estimates or time ranges. 
 
Official time is time granted to an employee under federal labor-management relations provisions to perform representational or consultative functions, during which the employee would otherwise be in a duty status.
 
The bill prohibits (1) a VA employee from using official time to carry out political or lobbying activities; (2) specified health care employees, probationary employees, or employees above a certain salary level from using official time for any purpose without a waiver; and (3) any VA employee from spending more than 25% of the time such employee would otherwise be in a duty status on official time without a waiver.
 
The authority provided to the VA to grant a waiver shall not be subject to bargaining, and the exercise of (or failure to exercise) such authority shall not be an unfair labor practice.
 
An exclusive bargaining agreement shall allow a VA employee to terminate a voluntary dues allotment at any time.
 
A covered VA employee shall serve a two-year probationary period, after which the employee's supervisor shall determine within 90 days whether or not the appointment is permanent. A covered employee is any individual appointed to a permanent position within the competitive service or the Senior Executive Service and does not include specified health care practitioners.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, 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: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, 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: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-3996
Sponsor: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Building construction
Colorado
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Health facilities and institutions
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to utilize design-build selection procedures when seeking to enter a contract for the design and construction of a medical building or facility. Design-build is a method for construction projects where the design and construction services are managed by a single entity.
 
Under the bill, a non-VA federal entity that is managing a project involving a total expenditure of over $100 million may not be discouraged by the VA from using design-build selection procedures.

action_date: 2019-11-12
text: 

VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to utilize design-build selection procedures when seeking to enter a contract for the design and construction of a medical building or facility. Design-build is a method for construction projects where the design and construction services are managed by a single entity.
 
Under the bill, a non-VA federal entity that is managing a project involving a total expenditure of over $100 million may not be discouraged by the VA from using design-build selection procedures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-13
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-12
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2019-11-12
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8760)
action_date: 2019-11-12
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8760)
action_date: 2019-11-12
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3996.
action_date: 2019-11-12
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8760-8761)
action_date: 2019-11-12
text: Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2019-10-29
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2019-10-29
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-10-29
text: Subcommittee on Health Discharged.
action_date: 2019-08-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
Safe Career Transitions for Intelligence and National Security Professionals

Bill: 116-hr-3997
Sponsor: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia
China
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Employee hiring
Europe
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Iran
Middle East
North Korea
Russia

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Safe Career Transitions for Intelligence and National Security Professionals

 
This bill prohibits certain individuals with security clearances from receiving funding or employment from specified entities. Specifically, the prohibition is in effect while a security clearance is active and for five years afterwards, and applies to any (1) officer or employee of a federal agency or contractor, or (2) member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps.
 
The prohibition shall apply to specified entities such as Huawei Technologies Company and Kaspersky Lab. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence may add to or remove from this list based on whether there is a reasonable belief that an entity is owned by or receives financial support from the government of China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea.
 
A person who knowingly violates this prohibition shall be subject to fines or imprisonment, or both.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 116-hr-3998
Sponsor: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Sports and Recreation
Subjects: Athletes
Congressional tributes
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Professional sports
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Smithsonian Institution
Wages and earnings
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the United States Women's National Team, in recognition of their contributions and commitment to soccer, women's sports, inclusion, and pay equity.
 
The medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution and made available for display and research.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
Rural Broadband Connectivity Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-3999
Sponsor: Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax credits
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Rural conditions and development
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Rural Broadband Connectivity Act of 2019

 
This bill allows a business-related tax credit for up to 30% of the cost of qualified broadband property in a qualified rural census tract. The bill imposes a limit on the amount of such credit based upon the number of potential customers residing in a rural area and served by the broadband project (multiplied by $170).
 
A qualified rural census tract must be underserved and have less than 50% of its residents with access to broadband service. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
Fair Representation Act

Bill: 116-hr-4000
Sponsor: Rep. Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [D-VA-8]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Census and government statistics
Civil actions and liability
Congressional districts and representation
Congressional elections
District of Columbia
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Federal district courts
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
House of Representatives
Judicial review and appeals
Northern Mariana Islands
Political parties and affiliation
Public participation and lobbying
State and local finance
State and local government operations
U.S. territories and protectorates
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Fair Representation Act

 
This bill requires (1) that ranked choice voting (a system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference) be used for all elections for Members of the House of Representatives, (2) that states entitled to six or more Representatives establish districts such that three to five Representatives are elected from each district, and (3) that states entitled to fewer than six Representatives elect all Representatives on an at-large basis. 
 
The bill also requires that congressional redistricting be conducted in accordance with a plan developed by (1) a state-established independent commission; or (2) if such a commission fails to enact a plan, a three-judge panel from a U.S. District Court.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
Bikeshare Transit Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4001
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Pedestrians and bicycling
Public transit
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Bikeshare Transit Act of 2019

 
This bill allows bikeshare projects to be eligible for federal funding.
 
Specifically, the bill makes a bikeshare project eligible to be an associated transit improvement project, including projects that (1) facilitate a bicycle rental operation that makes bicycles available for public transportation, (2) allow riders to pick up and drop off bicycles, (3) serve a defined geographic area, and (4) facilitate the transit of individuals between various points in the area.
 
Public transportation capital projects must include any project for the acquisition or replacement of bicycles and related equipment, including technology and vehicles needed to restock stations, and the construction of bicycle-related facilities to facilitate a bikeshare project. 
 
The bill also makes bikeshare projects eligible for funds if they shift traffic demand to non-peak hours or other transportation modes, increase vehicle occupancy rates, or otherwise reduce demand for roads.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E990)
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
Everyday Philanthropist Act

Bill: 116-hr-4002
Sponsor: Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Everyday Philanthropist Act
 
 
This bill allows employers to offer certain employees a tax-advantaged flexible giving account as a fringe benefit. Flexible giving accounts allow employees to set aside up to $2,700 of their annual pretax earnings to make tax-deductible charitable contributions without having to itemize tax deductions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
Unmasking Antifa Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4003
Sponsor: Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crimes against property
Criminal procedure and sentencing

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Unmasking Antifa Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes a new offense and strengthens the penalty for certain existing offenses involving prohibited conduct while wearing a disguise. 
 
Specifically, it establishes a new criminal civil rights violation for wearing a disguise while interfering with another person's exercise of a protected right or privilege. A violator is subject to criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to 15 years, or both.
 
Additionally, the bill establishes an enhanced penalty&#8212;a mandatory two-year prison term&#8212;for a person who wears a disguise during an offense involving the willful and malicious destruction of a building or property. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4004
Sponsor: Rep. Bustos, Cheri [D-IL-17]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Appropriations
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Executive agency funding and structure
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Intergovernmental relations
Medicaid
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2019

This bill establishes the Social Determinants Accelerator Interagency Council and provides funds for the council to (1) assist the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in awarding specified grants, (2) increase coordination among health and social service programs, and (3) provide program evaluation guidance and technical assistance to increase the impact of social service programs. Specifically, the bill provides funds for the CMS to award up to 25 grants to state, local, or tribal health or human services agencies for the development of social determinants accelerator plans that address at least one health and one social outcome for a specified target population. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
Tax Identity Protection Act

Bill: 116-hr-4005
Sponsor: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Taxpayer Identity Protection Act 

 
This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service to submit to Congress a report on the Taxpayer Identification Number Perfection Program, including an explanation of the extent to which the information could be used to identify individuals receiving wages without work authorization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in House