hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act

Bill: 116-s-1081
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Appropriations
Congressional oversight
Government trust funds
Hunting and fishing
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act

 
This bill makes permanent, beginning in FY2020, funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
 
The President shall annually submit to Congress specified details regarding the allocation of funds to the LWCF. Congress may provide for alternate allocations using specified procedures.

action_date: 2020-02-25
text: 

Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act

 
This bill makes permanent, beginning in FY2020, funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
 
The President shall annually submit to Congress specified details regarding the allocation of the full amounts of funds made available to the LWCF. Congress may provide for alternate allocations using specified procedures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-02-25
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 429.
action_date: 2020-02-25
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-02-25
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-11-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
BE HEARD in the Workplace Act

Bill: 116-s-1082
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Age discrimination
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Assault and harassment offenses
Census and government statistics
Civil actions and liability
Congressional agencies
Congressional officers and employees
Congressional oversight
Contracts and agency
Disability and health-based discrimination
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Genetics
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Indian social and development programs
Labor-management relations
Lawyers and legal services
Library of Congress
Public contracts and procurement
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Self-employed
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
State and local government operations
User charges and fees
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination in the Workplace Act or the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act

 
This bill sets forth provisions to prevent discrimination and harassment in the workplace and raises the minimum wage for tipped employees.
 
Specifically, the bill (1) makes it an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against an individual in the workplace based on sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, and a sex stereotype; (2) prohibits employers from entering into contracts or agreements with workers that contain certain nondisparagement or nondisclosure clauses; (3) prohibits predispute arbitration agreements and postdispute agreements with certain exceptions, and (4) establishes grant programs to prevent and respond to workplace discrimination and harassment, provide legal assistance for low-income workers related to employment discrimination, and establish a system of legal advocacy in states to protect the rights of workers.
 
Additionally, the bill, among other things
 
 
 requires employers who have 15 or more employees to adopt a comprehensive nondiscrimination policy; 
 
 requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to provide specified training and resource materials, establish and convene a harassment prevention task force, and establish an Office of Education and Outreach with regard to prohibited discrimination and harassment in employment; 
 
requires specified studies, reports, and research on prohibited harassment in employment; and
 
 grants employees the right to retain their tips.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
H.R. 40 Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act

Bill: 116-s-1083
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Civics education
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
Racial and ethnic relations
State and local government operations
U.S. history
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

H.R. 40 Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act

 
This bill establishes the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans. The commission shall examine slavery and discrimination in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present and recommend appropriate remedies. Among other requirements, the commission shall examine (1) the role of federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery, (2) forms of discrimination in the public and private sectors against freed slaves and their descendants, and (3) lingering negative effects of slavery on living African-Americans and society.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
DETOUR Act

Bill: 116-s-1084
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child health
Computers and information technology
Consumer affairs
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Licensing and registrations
Mental health
Right of privacy
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Deceptive Experiences To Online Users Reduction Act or the DETOUR Act

 
 This bill prohibits large online operators from manipulating their product to mislead consumers into providing personal information or giving consent. The bill further prohibits these operators from studying the behavioral patterns of subsets of users without first obtaining informed consent, and it prohibits designing online products that lead to compulsive usage by children.
 
 If meeting certain requirements, an association of large online operators may register with the Federal Trade Commission as a professional standards body to develop and promote best practices and guidance for complying with the requirements of this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Access to Birth Control Act

Bill: 116-s-1086
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Family planning and birth control
Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Access to Birth Control Act

 
This bill requires pharmacies to comply with certain requirements related to providing contraceptives. For example, a pharmacy must provide a customer with a requested contraceptive without delay if it is in stock and must ensure that customers are not intimidated, threatened, or harassed with respect to their requests for contraceptives. 

 
The bill establishes civil penalties and a private cause of action for violations of the bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Water Quality Certification Improvement Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1087
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Licensing and registrations
State and local government operations
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Water Quality Certification Improvement Act of 2019
 
 
This bill limits the authority of states with respect to water quality certifications. Specifically, the bill limits the authority of states to review federally permitted activities that may result in discharges into navigable waters.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-19
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-145.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
GRACE Act

Bill: 116-s-1088
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Immigration status and procedures
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement Act or the GRACE Act

 
This bill establishes that the maximum number of refugees admitted each fiscal year shall be no less than 95,000 and that the maximum number shall be treated as the numerical goal for refugee admissions for the applicable fiscal year. The President may set a higher number if it is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.
 
Currently, the number admitted each fiscal year may not exceed 50,000 unless the President determines that a higher number is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.
 
The bill directs the President to take into consideration information from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees when establishing the maximum admission number and making certain other related decisions. The President shall report to Congress quarterly on (1) the number of refugees admitted during the preceding quarter, (2) the number of aliens who were security-cleared during the preceding quarter, (3) a plan to reach the numerical goal for admitted refugees for that fiscal year, and (4) other related information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1089
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Income tax deductions
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Restoring Access to Medication Act of 201

9

 
 This bill repeals provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that limit payments for medications from health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, and health flexible spending arrangements to only prescription drugs or insulin (thus allowing distributions from such accounts for over-the-counter drugs).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Internal Revenue Service to provide Congress with sufficient notice prior to the closing of any Taxpayer Assistance Center.

Bill: 116-s-1090
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of the Treasury
Executive agency funding and structure
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Rural conditions and development
Small towns
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 
This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to notify Congress before closing a Taxpayer Assistance Center. At least 90 days before a proposed closure would take effect, the IRS must submit to Congress a report including the reasons for the closure and a description of the taxpayer assistance services that will be provided to taxpayers in certain areas that will be affected by the closure. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1091
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Corporate finance and management
Jurisdiction and venue
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 

 
This bill creates new bankruptcy procedures for small businesses filing under Chapter 11 and otherwise revises provisions related to venue and trustee responsibilities in Chapter 11 bankruptcies. 
 
For small businesses filing under these new procedures, the bill provides for the appointment of a trustee, sets forth requirements regarding the filing, contents, and confirmation of a plan of reorganization, and establishes the conditions of a discharge. 
 
Among other things, the bill provides authority to the bankruptcy court to approve a reorganization plan for these small businesses over the objections of the creditors. Currently, creditors must generally vote to approve such a plan. Additionally, only a debtor is allowed to file a plan. Under current law, creditors may also submit plans for court approval. The bill also generally reduces the required disclosures for these small businesses. 
 
The bill also provides additional standards a trustee must meet in order to void a preferential transfer for all Chapter 11 filers. (Preferential transfers generally occur when a debtor transfers property before filing bankruptcy that is beneficial to one creditor to the detriment of others.) Specifically, a trustee may only void such a transfer based on reasonable due diligence and must take into account a party's known or reasonably knowable affirmative defenses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
SECURE IP Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1092
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
China
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Crimes against property
Economic performance and conditions
Foreign and international corporations
Foreign property
Government information and archives
Intellectual property
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Public participation and lobbying
Sanctions
Trade secrets and economic espionage
Visas and passports
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Sanction Entities in China for Undermining Rules, Exploiting Intellectual Property Act of 2019 or the SECURE IP Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the President to publish a list identifying Chinese individuals and entities responsible for or involved in the misappropriation of intellectual property belonging to a U.S. individual or entity, if such infringement materially contributed to a significant threat to U.S. national security, foreign policy, or economic interests. 
 
The President shall impose property-blocking and visa denial sanctions on the Chinese individuals and entities on the list. The President may remove a person from the list if it is determined that the person has not engaged in any misappropriation of U.S. intellectual property in the past two years and has made assurances to not engage in such activity in the future.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 116-s-1093
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia
Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Military history
Military personnel and dependents
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Philippines
Smithsonian Institution
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill authorizes the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the troops from the United States and the Philippines who defended Bataan and Corregidor, in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service during World War II.
 
Following the award, the medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research.
 
The U.S. Mint may strike duplicates in bronze.
 
Medals struck under this bill are considered numismatic items (coins).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Driving America Forward Act

Bill: 116-s-1094
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Energy efficiency and conservation
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax credits
Motor vehicles

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Driving America Forward Act 

 
This bill expands the tax credit for new plug-in electric drive motor vehicles and extends the tax credit for new fuel cell motor vehicles. 
 
(Under current law, taxpayers who purchase a qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicle are eligible for a tax credit of up to $7,500, which begins to phase out once a manufacturer sells 200,000 qualified vehicles.) The bill allows an additional 400,000 vehicles per manufacturer to be eligible for a credit of up to $7,000 before the credit begins to phase out. 
 
The bill also extends the tax credit for fuel cell motor vehicles through 2028. (Under current law, the credit expired after 2017.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
American Dream Employment Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1095
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional officers and employees
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

American Dream Employment Act of 201

9

 
This bill permits the compensation of congressional employees who hold a current employment authorization document that was issued under the Department of Homeland Security Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program. 
 
The program enables many unlawfully present aliens who came to the United States as children to be granted deferred action (a type of relief from removal which does not confer immigration status) and work authorization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Defense Audit Improvement Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1096
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Department of Defense Audit Improvement Act of 2019

 
This bill revises requirements for semiannual briefings on the status of the consolidated corrective action plans of the Department of Defense for financial information.
 
Specifically, the bill adds the following requirements for the briefings relating to findings and recommendations in connection with auditing of financial statements:
 
 
details of modifications to a corrective action plan,
 
identificaiton of processes and systems to implement the modifications,
 
a determination of funds required to implement the processes and systems, and
 
an identification of how the modified corrective action plan supports the National Defense Strategy.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act

Bill: 116-s-1097
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Department of Transportation
Emergency communications systems
Emergency planning and evacuation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Fires
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Metals
Oil and gas
Pipelines
State and local government operations
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act

 
This bill addresses natural gas pipeline safety.
 
Among other things, the bill directs the Department of Transportation to require
 
 
each distribution integrity plan developed by an operator of a gas distribution pipeline to include the risks from the presence of cast iron pipes and mains and risks that may result from the operation of a pipeline above the maximum allowable operating pressure;
 
operators to establish protocols for communicating with fire, police, and other relevant public officials after a disaster that includes fires, explosions, or one or more fatalities;
 
procedural manuals for operations, maintenance, and emergencies to include certain written procedures;
 
operators to develop and implement a pipeline safety management systems framework;
 
operators to develop and maintain traceable, reliable, complete, and up-to-date records of the gas distribution system in each region of operation;
 
approval by a professional engineer before carrying out certain tasks on a gas pipeline system; and
 
the development of standards that promote sufficient staffing for monitoring and regulating gas pressure levels by each operator.
 
 
The bill increases civil penalties for violations of natural gas pipeline safety standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate