hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-673
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Economic development
Government studies and investigations
Public contracts and procurement
Small business
Urban and suburban affairs and development
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019

 
This bill modifies provisions regarding the inclusion of option years in the award price for certain sole source contracts (i.e., contracts awarded without a competitive process) by requiring the base and each of the option years of the award, if any, to be of similar value. Under current law, option years in the award price for such contracts limit their dollar award threshold.
 
Specifically, the bill revises requirements for the award of these contracts to (1) qualified Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small businesses, (2) small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, (3) economically disadvantaged small businesses owned and controlled by women, (4) small businesses owned and controlled by women in substantially underrepresented industries, and (5) qualified socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses.
 
The Government Accountability Office must evaluate the policies and practices used by the Small Business Administration and other federal agencies to ensure that contracting officers are properly classifying sole source contracts under procurement programs for businesses owned by women and disabled veterans in the Federal Procurement Data System.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-12
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Clean Corridors Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-674
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Motor fuels
Regional and metropolitan planning
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Clean Corridors Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to award grants to certain governmental entities and planning organizations to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure and hydrogen fueling infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1707)
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Prompt and Fast Action to Stop Damages Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-675
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Congressional oversight
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Fires
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Land transfers
Military facilities and property
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Prompt and Fast Action to Stop Damages Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes military departments to provide water for agricultural purposes in areas in which activities on a military installation have contaminated a water source with perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The military departments may provide uncontaminated water or provide treatment for contaminated water. The agricultural products produced must be destined for human consumption. 
 
The Department of the Air Force may acquire certain real property adjacent to an Air Force base that has shown signs of contamination from PFOA and PFOS due to activities on the base.
 
The Department of Defense must submit to Congress a remediation plan for water at or adjacent to a military base that is contaminated with PFOA or PFOS.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-676
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Economic development
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Student aid and college costs
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act of 201

9

 
This bill modifies the requirements for calculating taxable income to exclude post-graduation scholarship grants from gross income in the same manner as scholarships are currently excluded. 
 
A "post-graduation scholarship grant" is a grant provided by a program that 
 
 
 is established by certain tax-exempt organizations;
 
requires the grantee to live and work in an applicable community that meets certain requirements regarding income, out-migration, and bachelor's degree attainment rates; and
 
 under which, in accordance with the conditions of a grant, the organization repays any portion of an education loan incurred by an individual to pay higher education expenses.
 
 
In implementing this bill, the Department of the Treasury must prescribe specified regulations and meet reporting requirements. The Government Accountability Office must report on the post-graduation scholarship grants covered by this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-677
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: American Samoa
Caribbean area
Food assistance and relief
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2019 

 
This bill allows Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) after submitting a plan of operation that is approved by the Department of Agriculture. (Under current law, the three territories receive block grants instead of participating in SNAP.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
English Language Unity Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-678
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Citizenship and naturalization
Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

English Language Unity Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes English as the official language of the United States. It establishes a framework for implementation and enforcement, including by testing English as part of the naturalization process. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
HAVEN Act

Bill: 116-s-679
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Disability assistance
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Honoring American Veterans in Extreme Need Act of 2019 or the HAVEN Act

 
This bill modifies the treatment of certain veterans' benefits in bankruptcy.
 
Specifically, the bill excludes from a debtor's current monthly income certain benefits, including disability benefits, paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
PHIT Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-680
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health promotion and preventive care
Income tax deductions
Physical fitness and lifestyle

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2019 or the PHIT Act of 201

9

 
This bill allows a medical care tax deduction for up to $1,000 ($2,000 for a joint return or a head of household) of qualified sports and fitness expenses per year. The bill defines "qualified sports and fitness expenses" as amounts paid exclusively for the sole purpose of participating in a physical activity, including (1) fitness facility memberships, (2) physical exercise or activity programs, and (3) equipment for a physical exercise or activity program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Student Right to Know Before You Go Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-681
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Department of Education
Educational technology and distance education
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Student records
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Student Right to Know Before You Go Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the National Center for Education Statistics to establish and maintain a new higher education data system. The Center must use the system to calculate student education, debt-related, and earning metrics (e.g., student graduation rates, transfer rates, rates of continuation to subsequent levels of education, dropout rates, loan debt amounts, loan repayment rates, and debt-to-earnings ratios) for each institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs. The metrics must be disaggregated and separately provided on the basis of specified categories.
 
The system must meet requirements for minimizing privacy and security risks.
 
The bill provides for the transition from the existing Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System to the new higher education data system.
 
The Department of Education (ED) must publish the metrics and post the metrics on its website. Within five years, an IHE that participates in federal student aid programs must display links on its website to ED's website that provides metrics data.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Save the Internet Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-682
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Save the Internet Act of 2019

 
This bill updates the regulatory framework for broadband access. Specifically, the bill repeals a 2017 order adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that classifies broadband internet access service as an information service, therefore placing it under Federal Trade Commission authority. The order also expands the public transparency rules and preempts local and state laws that conflict with the regulatory framework. 
 
The bill restores a 2015 FCC order, which classifies both mobile and fixed broadband internet access services as telecommunications services, therefore placing the services under FCC authority. Additionally, the bill would create a general conduct standard and restore regulations, including those that prohibit blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
American Cars, American Jobs Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-683
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Buy American requirements
Canada
Consumer affairs
Corporate finance and management
Department of Transportation
Foreign and international corporations
Government information and archives
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax deductions
Lease and rental services
Manufacturing
Motor vehicles
Retail and wholesale trades
Taxation of foreign income
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

American Cars, American Jobs Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the American Cars, American Jobs Program. Under the program, the Department of Transportation must issue vouchers of $3,500 to offset the purchase or lease price of a new automobile made in the United States if at least 45% of the automobile's parts come from the United States or Canada and assembly of the automobile occurs in the United States. The amount of the voucher for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles is $4,500.
 
The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a tax deduction for the global low-tax income of certain foreign subsidiaries of U.S. automakers whose profits exceed a specified percentage of their value.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-684
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 201

9

 
This bill repeals the excise tax on employer-sponsored health care coverage for which there is an excess benefit (high-cost plans). The repeal applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Inspector General Access Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-685
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Department of Justice
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Lawyers and legal services

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Inspector General Access Act of 2019

 
This bill transfers responsibility for investigating certain allegations of misconduct from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Professional Responsibility to the DOJ Office of the Inspector General. Specifically, the bill transfers responsibility for allegations relating to a DOJ attorney's authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice.

action_date: 2020-06-29
text: 

Inspector General Access Act of 2019

 
This bill transfers responsibility for investigating certain allegations of misconduct from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Professional Responsibility to the DOJ Office of the Inspector General. Specifically, the bill transfers responsibility for allegations relating to a DOJ attorney's authority to investigate, litigate, or provide legal advice.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-29
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 487.
action_date: 2020-06-29
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-06-29
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-06-25
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Strengthening American Communities Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-686
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Appropriations
Congressional oversight
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Health personnel
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Law enforcement officers
Military personnel and dependents
Minority education
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Student aid and college costs
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Strengthening American Communities Act of 2019

 

America's College Promise Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish programs that assist students in paying for the costs of higher education.
 
Specifically, ED must establish grants to assist students in paying for the costs of attending community colleges, historically black colleges and universities, minority serving institutions of higher education (IHEs), or nonprofit IHEs. This bill appropriates funds for such grants.
 
In addition, ED must establish grant programs to pay the costs of an undergraduate education for students who commit to working for at least three years in public service jobs upon graduation.
 
Finally, ED must cancel a certain percentage of the amount a borrower owes, based on the number of years of public service employment, on federal student loans made after this bill's enactment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1709)
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Taxpayer Penalty Protection Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-687
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax rates
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Taxpayer Penalty Protection Act of 

2019

 
This bill reduces the amount of estimated income tax that certain taxpayers are required to pay for 2018.
 
Presently, a penalty applies if taxpayers do not use either withholding or estimated tax payments to make a required annual payment before the end of the year. The required payment is the lesser of 90% of the tax for the taxable year or a specified percentage of the preceding year's tax.
 
For 2018, the bill reduces the percentage of the preceding year's tax from 100% to 80%. For taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes for the preceding year that exceed $150,000, the bill reduces the percentage from 110% to 100%.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to add Flagstaff and Yuma to the list of locations in which court shall be held in the judicial district for the State of Arizona.

Bill: 116-s-688
Sponsor: Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Arizona
Federal district courts
Jurisdiction and venue

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 
This bill adds Flagstaff and Yuma to the list of locations where court must be held in the U.S. District of Arizona.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act

Bill: 116-s-689
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal and plant health
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Livestock
Mammals
Medical research
Neurological disorders
Research administration and funding
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support state and tribal efforts to address chronic wasting disease. The transmissible disease afflicts deer, elk, and moose populations.
 
In addition, USDA must make grants to research centers to support efforts to expand and accelerate applied research on the disease.
 
Land management agencies of the USDA and the Department of the Interior must work cooperatively with states in researching the disease and implementing state management strategies to reduce the spread and prevalence of the disease.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
American Family Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-690
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Caribbean area
Immigration status and procedures
Income tax credits
Inflation and prices
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
Tax treatment of families
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

American Family Act of 2019 

 
This bill modifies the child tax credit to (1) make the credit fully refundable, (2) increase the amount of the credit and allow an additional credit for children who are under six years of age, (3) require the amount of the credit to be adjusted annually for inflation, and (4) require the Department of the Treasury to establish a program for making advance payments of the credit on a monthly basis. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Extra Rx HELP Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-691
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-03-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Medicare
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: 

Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 or the Medicare Extra Rx HELP Act of 2019

 
This bill expands eligibility for certain premium subsidies for low-income beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Specifically, the bill raises the maximum allowable income for beneficiaries to qualify from 135% to 200% of the federal poverty line.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in Senate