hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2517
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-09-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Inflation and prices
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: 

Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2019

 
This bill increases the excise tax on cigarettes and equalizes tax rates among all other tobacco products. 
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S5605-5606)
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Rural Economic Infrastructure Equity Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2518
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-09-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Department of Transportation
Economic development
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Rural conditions and development
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: 

Rural Economic Infrastructure Equity Act of 2019

 
This bill revises existing rural infrastructure functions within the Department of Transportation (DOT) by creating an Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Investment and an Office of Rural Economic Investment.
 
Specifically, the bill
 
 
sets forth the duties of the Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Investment and the mission and goals of the Office of Rural Economic Investment, including to improve coordination of DOT policies, programs, and activities in a manner that expands economic development in rural communities and regions;
 
provides for a rural stakeholder consultation process during the development of any regulation, guidance, or policy that would have substantial direct effects on one or more rural areas; and
 
establishes a rural transportation advisory council to consult with and advise the Office of Rural Economic Investment.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S5606-5607)
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Introduced in Senate
ENND Act

Bill: 116-s-2519
Sponsor: Sen. Romney, Mitt [R-UT]
Introduced: 2019-09-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child health
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical research
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: 

Ending New Nicotine Dependencies Act of 2019 or the
 
ENND Act

 
This bill revises requirements for electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, and vape pens).
 
Specifically, the bill
 
 
prohibits electronic nicotine delivery systems from containing flavors other than tobacco;
 
sets forth standards on the permissible design of these systems;
 
requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report on the public health risks of tobacco use, including a focus on these systems and other alternative tobacco products;
 
subjects these systems to excise tax requirements; and
 
directs HHS to conduct a public awareness campaign to educate the public about the health implications of using these systems.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Direct CARE Opportunity Act

Bill: 116-s-2521
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2019-09-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Allied health services
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Government information and archives
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Labor market
Medical education
Performance measurement
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: 

Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment Opportunity Act or the Direct CARE Opportunity Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants to recruit, retain, or provide advancement opportunities to direct care workers. The term &quot;direct care worker&quot; includes home health aides, psychiatric aides, nursing assistants, and personal care aides who assist seniors and persons with disabilities in their homes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5607)
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2523
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-09-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Temporary and part-time employment

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: 

Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2019

 
This bill allows part-time teachers to participate in the student loan forgiveness program for public service employees, if they (1) teach at least one course at an institution of higher education, a postsecondary vocational institution, or a tribal college or university; and (2) do not have another full-time job.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S5607)
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to identify and convey to the State of Colorado land for use as a storage site for residual radioactive material, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-2526
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2019-09-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Colorado
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Land transfers
Nuclear power
Radioactive wastes and releases
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to identify a portion of federal land within the Durango disposal site that is suitable for conveyance to Colorado to be used as a storage site for residual radioactive materials as part of remediation activities carried out by the state related to properties in the vicinity of the Durango processing site. 
 
DOE must ensure that the identified land is (1) approximately 0.25 acres, (2) located in the southwestern corner of the Durango disposal site, and (3) south of and bounded by County Road 212. 
 
After DOE offers to convey the identified land to the state, and the state accepts the offer, DOE shall convey to the state all interest of the United States in and to such land. 
 
As a condition of such conveyance, DOE must require the state to manage the conveyed land consistent with the requirements of the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 relating to the Durango disposal site, including after the use of it has ceased.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Introduced in Senate
BAN Oil Exports Act

Bill: 116-s-2527
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-09-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Coal
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Oil and gas
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: 

Block All New Oil Exports Act or the
 
BAN Oil Exports Act

 
This bill requires the President to ban the exportation of crude oil and natural gas from the United States.
 
The President may provide an exemption to the ban in specified circumstances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Director of National Intelligence to submit to Congress a report on the purpose, scope, and means of expanded Chinese influence in international organizations, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-2528
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2019-09-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia
China
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International organizations and cooperation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: 
This bill directs the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to report to Congress on China's expanded influence in international organizations, including the purpose of such influence and the tactics used to gain this expanded influence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence.
action_date: 2019-09-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Whistleblower Programs Improvement Act

Bill: 116-s-2529
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business ethics
Commodities markets
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Right of privacy
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-23
text: 

Whistleblower Programs Improvement Act

 
This bill expands whistleblower protections with regard to commodities and securities law violations. Specifically, the bill extends protections from retaliation to individuals who (1) assist in a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation of these violations, (2) make disclosures that are required or protected under any law subject to the CFTC's or the SEC's jurisdiction, or (3) provide information to supervisors or other employees with the authority to investigate potential misconduct. Currently, these protections apply only to individuals who report information directly to the CFTC or the SEC. 
 
The bill also provides for the processing of these whistleblower awards no later than one year after the deadline to file a claim.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2019-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
School Safety Clearinghouse Act

Bill: 116-s-2530
Sponsor: Sen. Perdue, David [R-GA]
Introduced: 2019-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Architecture
Building construction
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-23
text: 

School Safety Clearinghouse Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a School Safety Clearinghouse as a central resource for evidence-based practices and other information on school-safety topics.
 
DHS shall develop tiers for determining evidence-based practices that demonstrate a significant effect on improving the health, safety, and welfare of persons in school settings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Witness Security and Protection Grant Program Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2531
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Evidence and witnesses
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement administration and funding
Organized crime
Performance measurement
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: 

Witness Security and Protection Grant Program Act of 2019

 
 This bill directs the Department of Justice to award competitive matching grants to state, local, and tribal governments to establish or maintain witness protection programs in cases involving (1) a homicide, serious violent felony, or serious drug offense; or (2) gangs or organized crime.
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Privacy in Our Homes Act

Bill: 116-s-2532
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2019-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Computers and information technology
Consumer affairs
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Manufacturing
Photography and imaging
Sound recording

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: 

Protecting Privacy in Our Homes Act

 
 This bill requires manufacturers of internet-connected devices that are not specifically marketed as cameras or microphones to disclose to consumers whether a camera or microphone is a component of such device.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to exclude certain payments to Alaska Native elders for determining eligibility for certain programs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-2533
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2019-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Aging
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Federal-Indian relations
Indian claims
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: 
This bill excludes certain settlement trust payments to an Alaska Native or descendant of an Alaska Native who is 65 years of age or older for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility for need-based federal programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 116-380.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to exclude certain payments to Alaska Native elders for determining eligibility for certain programs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-2534
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2019-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Aging
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Federal-Indian relations
Indian claims
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: 
This bill excludes an interest in a settlement trust and certain settlement trust payments to an Alaska Native or descendant of an Alaska Native who is 65 years of age or older for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility for need-based federal programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Enhancing Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century Act

Bill: 116-s-2535
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Aging
Business investment and capital
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Financial crises and stabilization
General business and commerce matters
Government studies and investigations
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Student aid and college costs
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: 

Enhancing Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to conduct an assessment and analysis of the reasons underlying the decreasing rate of formation of new businesses (i.e., startups) in the United States. 

action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 

Enhancing Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to conduct an assessment and analysis of the reasons underlying the decreasing rate of formation of new businesses (i.e., startups) in the United States. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 633.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-11-13
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
E-Cigarette Device Standards Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2536
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Product safety and quality

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: 

E-Cigarette Device Standards Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to establish design standards that prevent consumers from modifying electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes and vape pens) or their components.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
National Patient Identifier Repeal Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2538
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2019-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: 

National Patient Identifier Repeal Act of 2019

 
This bill repeals the requirement that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopt a standard unique health identifier for each individual, employer, health plan, and health care provider. 
 
Historically, language has been included in annual appropriations bills for HHS that prohibits the use of federal funds related to the development of a unique individual identifier. In 2019, however, an appropriations bill passed the House of Representatives without such a prohibition. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2539
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2019-09-24 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Air quality
Appropriations
Asia
Atmospheric science and weather
China
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Congressional tributes
Cultural exchanges and relations
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Economic development
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Farmland
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Higher education
Historical and cultural resources
Hong Kong
Human rights
India
International exchange and broadcasting
Macau
Nepal
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Student aid and college costs
Tibet
U.S. and foreign investments
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: 

Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019

 
This bill modifies and reauthorizes various programs and provisions related to Tibet and China.
 
The President shall provide grants to nongovernmental organizations for projects supporting Tibetan communities in Tibet in areas such as sustainable economic development, cultural preservation, and education. 
 
The Department of State shall (1) seek to establish a U.S. consulate in Lhasa, Tibet; (2) establish a Tibet section in the U.S. embassy in Beijing; (3) make diplomatic efforts on issues such as water security in the region; and (4) encourage Nepal to provide legal documentation to certain Tibetan residents in Nepal. The State Department shall not authorize any additional Chinese consulates in the United States until the U.S. consulate in Lhasa is established.
 
The bill reauthorizes the Office of the U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues and expands the office's duties to include additional tasks, such as pursuing international coalitions to ensure that the next Dalai Lama is appointed solely by the Tibetan Buddhist faith community. 
 
The bill also adds China-related topics to an existing annual report on international religious freedom. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Introduced in Senate