hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Veterans' Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-408
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability assistance
Inflation and prices
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Veterans' Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act
 
of 2019

 
This bill provides that whenever there is a cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall increase by the same percentage the amounts payable for veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 116-s-409
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Music
Performing arts
Smithsonian Institution

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill instructs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Aretha Franklin. 
 
 After the award of the medal, it shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be displayed as appropriate and made available for research. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
FIND Trafficking Act

Bill: 116-s-410
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crimes against children
Currency
Digital media
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Human trafficking
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Fight Illicit Networks and Detect Trafficking Act or the FIND Trafficking Act 

 
This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on the use of virtual currencies and online marketplaces in sex and drug trafficking. The GAO must study topics including 
 
 
how illicit proceeds are transferred into the U.S. banking system, 
 
state and non-state actors that benefit from or participate in such activity, 
 
preventative efforts from federal and state agencies, and
 
how to use the unique characteristics of virtual currencies to track illicit activity.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Counter Threats Advisory Board Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-411
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Executive agency funding and structure
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a Counterintelligence Advisory Board, which shall be composed of senior representatives of DHS operational components and headquarters elements, and shall coordinate DHS intelligence activities and policy and information related to its mission and functions that counter terrorist threats.
 
The board's charter shall direct it to focus on the current threat environment and the importance of aligning departmental counterterrorism activities under the Secretary's guidance. 
 
The DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis shall serve as the chair of the board.

action_date: 2019-07-22
text: 

Counter Threats

 Advisory Board Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), for a two-year period, a Counter Threats Advisory Board, which shall be composed of senior representatives of DHS operational components and headquarters elements, and shall coordinate DHS intelligence activities, policy, and information related to its mission and functions that counter threats.
 
The board's charter shall direct it to focus on the current threat environment and the importance of aligning DHS activities to counter threats under the Secretary's guidance. 
 
The DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis shall serve as the chair of the board.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-22
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 158.
action_date: 2019-07-22
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 116-59.
action_date: 2019-07-22
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 116-59.
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
REMOTE Act

Bill: 116-s-412
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Child health
Department of Homeland Security
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Health technology, devices, supplies
Latin America
Law enforcement officers
Medical education
Mexico

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Remote, Emergency, Medical, Online Training, Telehealth, and EMT Act or the REMOTE Act

 
This bill directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to make emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic training available to selected border patrol agents along the southern border. Agents that complete the training or already have EMT or paramedic certifications shall receive specified pay increases. 
 
The bill imposes requirements related to (1) the percentage of agents with EMT or paramedic training assigned in each sector, and (2) minimum levels of various medical supplies in each sector.
 
CBP shall require all border patrol agents and officers to complete online training on how to (1) identify common signs of medical distress in children, and (2) timely transfer sick children to medical care. 
 
CBP shall ensure that all remote stations, forward operating bases, and remote ports of entry on the southern border have (1) voice access to a medical command physician, and (2) access to language interpretation services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Behavioral Health Crisis Response Improvements Act

Bill: 116-s-413
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Behavioral Health Crisis Response Improvements Act

 
This bill authorizes the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice to make grants to law enforcement agencies for behavioral health crisis response training.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Trade Facilitation and Security Enhancement Act

Bill: 116-s-414
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Customs enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government studies and investigations
Immigration status and procedures
Law enforcement officers
Motor carriers
Motor vehicles

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Trade Facilitation and Security Enhancement Act

 
This bill sets a minimum number of commercial hours of operation at certain ports of entry on the U.S.-Mexico border.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence Act

Bill: 116-s-415
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Domestic violence and child abuse
Family relationships
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Marriage and family status

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Protecting Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence Act

 
This bill allows an abused spouse or child whose immigrant status is derived from another alien (the principal alien) to obtain immigrant status independent of the principal alien under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). 
 
Such an abused spouse or child must be accompanying or following to join the principal alien, and have been subject to battery or extreme cruelty by the principal alien. An abused individual with immigrant status shall receive employment authorization, be eligible for renewal or extension of status, and become an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence under certain conditions.
 
Currently, the VAWA provides a path to immigrant status to abused individuals who derive their status from a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, but not to those covered under this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
FAFSA Fairness Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-416
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
School administration
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

FAFSA Fairness Act of 

2019

 
This bill revises the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process for certain students. Specifically, the Department of Education must allow students to complete FAFSA as independent students under special circumstances.
 
It also requires financial aid administrators to provide those students with a final determination regarding their assistance in the same manner as, and by no later than the date that, they provide other provisionally independent students with that determination. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1137; text: CR S1137-1138)
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Changing the Culture of the FDA Act

Bill: 116-s-417
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Changing the Culture of the FDA Act

 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to amend its mission statement to take responsibility for protecting the public health by considering the danger of addiction and overdose death when approving and regulating prescription opioid medications. (Opioid medications are drugs with effects similar to opium, such as certain pain medications.)

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
FDA Accountability for Public Safety Act

Bill: 116-s-418
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Federal officials
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Marketing and advertising
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

FDA Accountability for Public Safety Act

 This bill establishes additional procedures related to the market approval process for opioids. 
Under the bill, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee must make recommendations regarding supplemental applications for opioids. Current law requires only that an FDA committee make recommendations on new drug applications. 
 
The bill specifies that only the Commissioner of Food and Drugs may approve an opioid-related application against the recommendation of the committee. If the Commissioner approves such an application against a committee recommendation, the Commissioner must submit a report to Congress that includes (1) the evidence regarding patient safety that supports the Commissioner's decision, and (2) a disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest of FDA officials involved in the decision. The Commissioner must also testify before Congress regarding the decision, upon request. The drug in question may not be sold until the Commissioner has submitted the required report.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Americans from Dangerous Opioids Act

Bill: 116-s-419
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Protecting Americans from Dangerous Opioids Act

 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke approval for an opioid drug for every new opioid drug approved. (Opioids are drugs with effects similar to opium, such as certain pain medications.) In determining the drug for which to revoke approval, the FDA must prioritize revoking approval for drugs that are not abuse deterrent and consider the public health impact of drugs on the market.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act

Bill: 116-s-420
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Department of Justice
Department of the Treasury
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Executive agency funding and structure
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Judicial review and appeals
Licensing and registrations
Marketing and advertising
Retail and wholesale trades
Sales and excise taxes
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act 

 
This bill removes marijuana from the list of controlled substances and establishes requirements for the taxation and regulation of marijuana products. 
 
The bill imposes (1) an excise tax on marijuana products produced in or imported into the United States, and (2) an occupational tax on marijuana production facilities and export warehouses. 
 
The term "marijuana product" does not include (1) any article containing marijuana that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale for therapeutic purposes and is marketed and sold solely for such purpose, or (2) industrial hemp.
 
The excise tax includes exemptions for (1) products used for research or by government entities for nonconsumption purposes; and (2) the transfer of products between production, import, and export facilities.
 
The Department of Justice must remove marijuana from all schedules of controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act. The bill prohibits marijuana from being shipped or transported into any state or jurisdiction where it is illegal. 
 
 Producers, importers, and exporters of marijuana products must (1) obtain a permit from the Department of the Treasury, and (2) comply with certain requirements regarding recordkeeping, packaging, labeling, and advertising.
 
The bill also
 
 
establishes penalties for violations of marijuana laws; 
 
prohibits the sale of more than one ounce of marijuana in any single retail transaction; and 
 
provides specified authorities to the FDA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with respect to marijuana. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Responsibly Addressing the Marijuana Policy Gap Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-421
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Alternative treatments
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Bankruptcy
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Business expenses
Business records
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Veterans Affairs
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Federal-Indian relations
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health personnel
Higher education
Housing and community development funding
Immigration status and procedures
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Indian social and development programs
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Marketing and advertising
Medical research
Minority health
Personnel records
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Responsibly Addressing the Marijuana Policy Gap Act of 2019

 
This bill removes federal restrictions on, and creates new protections for, marijuana-related conduct and activities that are authorized by state or tribal law (i.e., state-authorized).
 
Among other things, the bill does the following:
 
 
eliminates regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act for state-authorized marijuana-related activities;
 
 allows businesses that sell marijuana in compliance with state or tribal law to claim certain federal tax credits and deductions;
 
eliminates restrictions on print and broadcast advertising of state-authorized marijuana-related activities;
 
creates protections for depository institutions that provide financial services to marijuana-related businesses;
 
 specifies that a marijuana-related business is entitled to federal bankruptcy protections;
 
establishes a process to expunge criminal records related to certain marijuana-related convictions;
 
 reestablishes federal student aid eligibility for certain students convicted of a misdemeanor offense for marijuana possession;
 
 exempts real property from civil forfeiture due to state-authorized marijuana-related conduct;
 
prohibits the inadmissibility or deportability of aliens for state-authorized marijuana-related conduct;
 
specifies that drug-related criminal activity, which is prohibited in federally assisted housing, does not include state-authorized marijuana-related conduct;
 
establishes a new, separate registration process to facilitate medical marijuana research;
 
 authorizes health care providers employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to recommend participation in state marijuana programs; and
 
authorizes medical providers through an Indian health program to make medical recommendations regarding marijuana.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Tax Equity Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-422
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative treatments
Business investment and capital
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Small Business Tax Equity Act of 201

9

 
This bill exempts a trade or business that conducts marijuana sales in compliance with state law from a provision in the Internal Revenue Code that prohibits business-related tax credits or deductions for expenditures in connection with trafficking in controlled substances. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Clean Start Act

Bill: 116-s-423
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2019-02-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Law enforcement administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: 

Clean Start Act

 
This bill establishes a process to seal records related to a nonviolent criminal offense committed by an individual whose substance use disorder is a substantial contributing factor in the commission of the offense. A nonviolent criminal offense is a federal criminal offense that is not a violent offense, a sex offense, a serious drug offense, or an offense with a victim under the age of 18.
 
To be eligible for sealing, an individual who is convicted of a nonviolent criminal offense must, among other things, complete a substance use disorder treatment program or recovery program and complete service in a substance use disorder peer mentorship program.
 
This bill also allows the Department of Justice to give preference to a Community Oriented Policing Services program grant applicant from a state that has in effect (1) a substantially similar law related to sealing adult records, or (2) a law that allows an individual who successfully seals a criminal record to be free from civil and criminal perjury laws.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-02-07
text: Introduced in Senate