hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Payments Modernization Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2243
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Consumer affairs
Federal Reserve System
Financial services and investments
Public utilities and utility rates

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Payments Modernization Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Federal Reserve Board to create a real-time payment system that allows funds to be available to any end user in real time, including funds deposited at a depository institution.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-30
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
METH Addiction Act

Bill: 116-s-2244
Sponsor: Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Health facilities and institutions
Health technology, devices, supplies
Licensing and registrations
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 
 
Modernizing Eligible Treatment centers for Healing Addiction Act of 2019 or the METH Addiction Act

 
This bill directs the Drug Enforcement Administration to register certain community addiction-treatment facilities and community mental-health centers to administer controlled substances via telemedicine.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Maximizing America’s Prosperity Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2245
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Economic performance and conditions

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Maximizing America's Prosperity Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes annual spending limits that are equal to specified percentages of potential gross domestic product (GDP). Potential GDP generally refers to the GDP that would occur if the economy were at full employment without inflation. The spending limits apply to all budget authority and outlays of the federal government excluding net interest.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Allergy Testing Access Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2246
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Allergies
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Allergy Testing Access Act of 2019

 
This bill requires equal coverage of two types of allergy tests under Medicaid and Medicare. 
 
Specifically, in vitro specific IgE tests (blood tests) and percutaneous tests (skin tests) must be treated equally with respect to (1) medical necessity or other coverage requirements, (2) frequency limits, and (3) allergen unit limits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Phair Relief Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2247
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care quality
Inflation and prices
Medicare
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Phair Relief Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes and otherwise modifies requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), particularly with respect to the disclosure of certain drug pricing information.
 
Among other things, the bill (1) requires PBMs to pass on a minimum percentage of negotiated rebates, discounts, or price concessions to plan sponsors; (2) temporarily requires negotiated prices for covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to be provided at the point-of-sale; and (3) requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish certain quality measures for determining pharmacy incentive payments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
HEROES Act

Bill: 116-s-2248
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Indian social and development programs
Licensing and registrations
Military personnel and dependents
Minority education
Public-private cooperation
School administration
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Special education
Tax-exempt organizations
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Heroes Entering Roles Of Education Service Act or the HEROES Act

 
This bill revises and expands the Troops-to-Teachers Program, which supports the transition of current and former military personnel to employment positions in education. The program places personnel in (1) elementary and secondary schools that serve more than a certain percentage of lower-income students or those who qualify for aid under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and (2) Bureau of Indian Affairs-funded schools.
 
The bill renames the program as the Troops-to-Support-Education Program and expands the positions covered to include a number of teaching support, administrative, and security personnel. Excluded from eligibility are positions performed outside the grounds of a school or for a contractor. For placement in non-teacher positions, the service member must obtain credentials required by the state in which the position is located.
 
The bill increases the total number of stipends and bonuses provided. It also increases the limit on the amount of obligations for the program for each fiscal year. The Department of Defense may enter into partnership agreements with tax-exempt charitable organizations to assist with the placement of participants.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
America's College Promise Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2250
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Appropriations
Congressional oversight
Department of Education
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational guidance
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Minority education
Minority employment
Performance measurement
School administration
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

America's College Promise Act of 2019

 
This bill provides funding and establishes grants for states, Native American tribes, historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, and minority-serving institutions.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to eligible states and Native American tribes to pay the federal share (75% of the average resident community college tuition and fees per student) of a program that provides funds to community colleges for waiving resident tuition and fees.
 
The bill also requires each state to ensure that a participating institution offers academic credits that are fully transferable to a four-year institution.
 
In addition, the bill establishes a grant program to encourage certain minority group students to enroll in and complete baccalaureate programs by requiring a university that receives grant funding to waive or significantly reduce tuition and fees for such students.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
AGED Spirits Act

Bill: 116-s-2251
Sponsor: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alcoholic beverages
Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Interest, dividends, interest rates

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Advancing Growth in the Economy through Distilled Spirits Act or the AGED Spirits Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude, after 2019, the aging period from the production period for distilled spirits, for purposes of determining whether a taxpayer can expense, rather than capitalize, interest costs paid or incurred during the production period. This allows producers of distilled spirits to deduct interest expense associated with production in the year it is paid.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S5064)
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Empowering States to Address Drug Costs Act

Bill: 116-s-2252
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Business records
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Inflation and prices
Medicaid
Prescription drugs
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Empowering States to Address Drug Costs Act

 
This bill expands the purposes for which states may use certain drug pricing information that is disclosed to them by manufacturers through the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program. Specifically, the bill allows states to use such information in furtherance of prescription drug affordability boards or state multi-payer purchasing pools.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Even Playing Field Act

Bill: 116-s-2253
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Sports and Recreation
Subjects: Athletes
Congressional oversight
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Olympic games
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Wages and earnings
Women's employment
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Even Playing Field Act

 
This bill addresses pay equity for amateur athletes and other personnel. It permits a national governing body of an amateur sports organization eligible to be recognized, or to continue to be recognized, only if it provides equal investment, working conditions, and wages and other compensation to all amateur athletes, without discrimination based on sex.
 
National governing bodies must report periodically to Congress regarding pay equity.
 
Each report shall include (1) the median compensation for amateur athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators, and officials, disaggregated by race, gender, and employment category; and (2) the minimum and maximum compensation paid to such personnel, disaggregated by race, gender, and employment category. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5064-5065)
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Butch Lewis Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2254
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Appropriations
Department of the Treasury
Employee benefits and pensions
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government trust funds
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Butch Lewis Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes the Pension Rehabilitation Administration within the Department of the Treasury and a related trust fund to make loans to certain multiemployer defined benefit pension plans. 
 
To receive a loan, a plan must be either in critical and declining status (including any plan with respect to which a suspension of benefits has been approved) or insolvent, if the plan became insolvent after December 16, 2014, and has not been terminated. 
 
Treasury must issue bonds to fund the loan program and transfer amounts equal to the proceeds to the trust fund established by this bill. The Pension Rehabilitation Administration may use the funds, without a further appropriation, to make loans, pay principal and interest on the bonds, or for administrative and operating expenses. 
 
The bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow the sponsor of a multiemployer pension plan that is applying for a loan under this bill to also apply to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) for financial assistance if, after receiving the loan, the plan will still become (or remain) insolvent within the 30-year period beginning on the date of the loan.
 
The bill also appropriates to the PBGC the funds that are necessary to provide the financial assistance required by this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Positive Outcomes After Release Act

Bill: 116-s-2255
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Detention of persons
Health care coverage and access
Medicaid

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Supporting Positive Outcomes After Release Act

 
This bill expands certain requirements relating to the eligibility of inmates of public institutions for Medicaid.
 
Currently, state Medicaid programs (1) may suspend, but not terminate, a juvenile's Medicaid eligibility while the juvenile is an inmate; and (2) must restore coverage or determine a juvenile's eligibility, as applicable, upon the juvenile's release. The bill extends these provisions to all inmates of public institutions, regardless of age.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Coordinating Care for Children Affected by Immigration Enforcement Act

Bill: 116-s-2256
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Child care and development
Child safety and welfare
Department of Homeland Security
Detention of persons
Family relationships
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Immigration status and procedures
Judicial procedure and administration
Separation, divorce, custody, support
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Coordinating Care for Children Affected by Immigration Enforcement Act

 
This bill provides protections for children whose parent or caregiver has been detained for immigration enforcement purposes.
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and entities cooperating with DHS on immigration enforcement shall determine as soon as possible whether a detained individual is a parent or caregiver of a child in the United States. Detained parents and caregivers shall (1) have the chance to make at least two phone calls to arrange for child care; and (2) receive contact information for child welfare agencies, family courts, consulates, attorneys, and other relevant entities.
 
DHS shall not transfer the detained individual to another geographical area until child care arrangements have been made, absent extraordinary circumstances. DHS shall (1) permit detained individuals regular contact with their children, and (2) give detained individuals the opportunity to participate in all proceedings impacting custody of their children.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Elections Now Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2257
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Appropriations
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Civil actions and liability
Congressional elections
Congressional oversight
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Judicial review and appeals
Licensing and registrations
Political advertising
Political parties and affiliation
Public contracts and procurement
Sales and excise taxes
Senate
Supreme Court
Telecommunication rates and fees
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Fair Elections Now Act
 
of 2019

 
This bill establishes the Fair Elections Fund, which shall provide funding to Senate candidates who meet specified conditions and agree to abide by certain requirements, such as limits on types of campaign funding sources. The bill also revises provisions related to broadcasts of Senate campaign advertisements and imposes a tax on certain U.S. government contracts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S5065-5070)
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2259
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Community life and organization
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Domestic violence and child abuse
Family services
Health programs administration and funding
Homelessness and emergency shelter

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2019

 
 This bill modifies, expands, and reauthorizes through FY2024 the Family Violence and Prevention Services program, which funds emergency shelters and supports related assistance for victims of domestic violence.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants and enter cooperative agreements with state and tribal domestic violence coalitions, and community-based organizations, to support prevention services. Depending on the type of organization, grant recipients must use funding to (1) provide technical assistance; (2) promote evidence-informed prevention strategies; (3) implement coordinated, community responses to reduce risk factors for family violence; and (4) develop prevention partnership strategies, among other uses.
 
Further, HHS must award specified grants to organizations that provide population-specific services in underserved communities and to community-based organizations that provide culturally-competent domestic violence services to racial and ethnic minority groups. The bill also establishes a grants program for tribal domestic violence coalitions to support the provision of local, tribal, family domestic or dating violence services and requires HHS to award a grant for the administration of a hotline dedicated to serving Indians affected by domestic violence.
 
 In addition, the bill modifies certain program-wide definitions; changes the requirements for specified grant applications, eligibility criteria, and use of funds; and makes other technical revisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Save Our Seas 2.0: Improving Domestic Infrastructure to Prevent Marine Debris Act

Bill: 116-s-2260
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2019-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Air quality
Chemistry
Congressional oversight
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental education
Environmental health
Environmental technology
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Infrastructure development
Marine pollution
Product development and innovation
Roads and highways
Solid waste and recycling
State and local finance
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: 

Save Our Seas 2.0: Improving Domestic Infrastructure to Prevent Marine Debris Act 

 
This bill seeks to address plastic waste in water by establishing grants, loans, and other programs for states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and local postconsumer materials management entities.

action_date: 2019-09-25
text: 

Save Our Seas 2.0: Improving Domestic Infrastructure to Prevent Marine Debris Act 

 
This bill seeks to address plastic waste in water by establishing grants and strategies for states, units of local government, Indian tribes, public water systems, nonprofit organizations, and local postconsumer materials management entities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 224.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Barrasso with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Barrasso with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held. Business Meeting printed. S. Hrg. 116-222.
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate
Clean Energy Victory Bond Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2261
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2019-07-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Building construction
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy research
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Environmental technology
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government trust funds
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax credits
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Manufacturing
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: 

Clean Energy Victory Bond Act of 2019 

 
This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to issue Clean Energy Victory Bonds for investment in clean energy projects at the federal, state, and local level.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-07-25
text: Introduced in Senate