hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1487
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-05-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Civil actions and liability
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Government trust funds
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Manufacturing
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: 

Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a zero-emission passenger vehicle standard. Specifically, the bill sets a schedule for increasing the percentage of zero-emission vehicles a vehicle manufacturer delivers for sale, culminating in a requirement to sell only zero-emission vehicles from 2040 on. The bill also requires the EPA to establish a zero-emission vehicle credit program that approves one zero-emission vehicle credit for each zero-emission vehicle delivered for sale in the United States and partial credits for qualified electric vehicles based on the estimated proportion of the mileage driven on the battery.
 
Manufacturers that fail to meet the minimum required percentage of zero-emission vehicle sales must submit to the EPA a quantity of zero-emission vehicle credits sufficient to offset the excess.
 
Credits may also be sold, transferred, exchanged, or retired in certain circumstances.
 
The bill imposes civil penalties for the failure to comply with zero-emission vehicle credit standards, with collected penalties being deposited into the Highway Trust Fund. After 2040, the EPA may issue injunctions on the manufacture of passenger vehicles other than zero-emission vehicles.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Racehorse Doping Ban Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1488
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2019-05-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Sports and Recreation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Gambling
Mammals
Medical ethics
Professional sports
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: 

Racehorse Doping Ban Act of 2019

 
This bill requires that there be an independent anti-doping organization with responsibility for ensuring the integrity and safety of horse races that are the subject of interstate off-track wagers.
 
The bill prescribes conditions under which such organization may (1) suspend the period a person is excluded from participation, and (2) permit the use of furosemide in a horse participating in such a race during the two-year period following this bill's enactment.
 
A host racing association may conduct a horse race that is the subject of an interstate off-track wager, and an interstate off-track wager may be accepted by an off-track betting system, only if consent is obtained from such organization. Such organization must ensure that all costs incurred in carrying out its duties are defrayed pursuant to agreements for such consent.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S2889-2890)
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act

Bill: 116-s-1489
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2019-05-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Consumer credit
Domestic violence and child abuse
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Marriage and family status
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: 

Joint Consolidation Loan Separation Act

 
 This bill allows two borrowers, who had previously received a joint consolidation loan for their student debt under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, to submit a joint application to sever their consolidated loan. One borrower may submit a separate application in the event that the individual is experiencing domestic or economic abuse from the other individual borrower, or is unable to reasonably reach or access the loan information of the other borrower.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1490
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2019-05-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Licensing and registrations
Right of privacy
Student records

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: 

Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2019

 
This bill allows the release of a transfer student's educational records from an institution of postsecondary education where a student earned credit for coursework to an institution of postsecondary education where the student was previously enrolled in order to apply the student's coursework and credits toward completion of a recognized postsecondary credential, such as an associate's degree. Specifically, the bill allows the Department of Education to provide funding to an institution of postsecondary education that releases a student's records of postsecondary coursework and credits without the consent of the student or the student's parents if the student provides written consent prior to receiving the credential.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring Justice for Workers Act

Bill: 116-s-1491
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2019-05-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Labor-management relations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: 

Restoring Justice for Workers Act 

 
This bill prohibits predispute arbitration agreements that require arbitration of an employment dispute. 
 
It allows a postdispute arbitration agreement if the employee enters into it voluntarily without coercion and is informed in writing of rights and protections under such agreement. An employer may not retaliate against an employee for refusing to enter into an agreement for arbitrating an employment dispute. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1492
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2019-05-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Disability and health-based discrimination
Education programs funding
Government information and archives
Higher education
Racial and ethnic relations
School administration
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: 

Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2019

 
This bill addresses harassment at institutions of higher education (IHEs). Harassment includes certain conduct undertaken through technological means that limits a student's ability to benefit from the IHE's programs, or creates a hostile or abusive educational environment at the school.
 
 Specifically, the bill requires each IHE to include in its annual security report a statement of policy regarding harassment on the basis of a student's actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, and a sex stereotype), disability, or religion.
 
In addition, the Department of Education may award grants to IHEs to initiate, expand, or improve programs to (1) prevent the harassment of students; (2) provide counseling or redress services to students who have been harassed or accused of subjecting other students to harassment; or (3) educate and train students, faculty, or staff to prevent harassment or address harassment if it occurs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Developing the National Security Workforce Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1493
Sponsor: Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL]
Introduced: 2019-05-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Employment and training programs
Manufacturing
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: 
 
Developing the National Security Workforce Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense to develop incentives for a contractor to implement a qualified training program to enhance the workforce of the defense industrial base, as well as standards for such incentives.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Combating Military Sexual Assault Act

Bill: 116-s-1495
Sponsor: Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2019-05-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Defense
Domestic violence and child abuse
Due process and equal protection
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Judicial procedure and administration
Lawyers and legal services
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Military command and structure
Military education and training
Military law
Military personnel and dependents
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Research administration and funding
Right of privacy
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: 

Combating Military Sexual Assault Act

 
This bill addresses the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of sexual assault and related offenses in the Armed Forces.
 
For example, the bill (1) expands training for, and responsibilities of, commanders of the Armed Forces with respect to such assaults; (2) extends the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces; (3) increases the number of digital forensic examiners in each military criminal investigation organization; (4) expands the authority of military judges with respect to certain pretrial matters; (5) makes sexual harassment a specific offense in the Uniform Code of Military Justice; and (6) and requires a pilot program on defense investigators within the military justice system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act

Bill: 116-s-1496
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2019-05-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Educational guidance
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
School administration
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: 

Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act

 
This bill modifies student loan counseling requirements applicable to institutions of higher education (IHEs).
 
Currently, an IHE must provide entrance counseling to a student who is a first-time federal student loan borrower. This bill replaces required entrance counseling with required annual financial counseling concerning information on the terms, conditions, and responsibilities of the grant or loan. Also, it expands the required recipients of such annual counseling to include, in addition to student borrowers, Pell Grant recipients and parent PLUS Loan borrowers.
 
In additional, the bill revises, expands, or establishes specific annual counseling information requirements for student borrowers, Pell Grant recipients, or parent PLUS Loan borrowers.
 
The bill revises and expands exit counseling information requirements for borrowers to include an outstanding loan balance summary, the anticipated monthly payments under standard and income-based repayment plans, an explanation of the grace period preceding repayment, the option to pay accrued interest before it capitalizes, the right to request an annual credit report, and loan servicer contact information.
 
It directs the Department of Education to maintain a consumer-tested online counseling tool that provides annual and exit counseling.
 
 The Institute of Education Sciences must study the impact and effectiveness of exit counseling, annual counseling, and the online counseling tool.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Care Price Check Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1497
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-05-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care quality
Inflation and prices
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medicare
Prescription drugs
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: 

Health Care Price Check Act of 2019

 
This bill requires Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare prescription drug plan sponsors, and private health insurers to have a toll-free phone number and website through which enrollees may obtain certain health insurance information. Among other items, the phone number and website must provide information relating to cost-sharing requirements, the quality of covered items and services, and out-of-network providers, as applicable. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-05-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1499
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2019-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Aquatic ecology
Birds
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Department of the Interior
Ecology
Endangered and threatened species
Executive agency funding and structure
Genetics
Geography and mapping
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Indian lands and resources rights
Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Military facilities and property
Roads and highways
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: 

Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2019

 
This bill provides for the conservation and restoration of habitats that facilitate the movement of certain native or noninvasive species (e.g., fish, wildlife, or plant species) that may be at risk due to habitat loss or fragmentation.
 
The bill establishes a National Wildlife Corridor System and provides for the designation and management of such corridors on federal land and water. A 
corridor
 means a feature of the landscape or seascape that (1) provides habitat or ecological connectivity, and (2) allows for movement or dispersal of native or noninvasive fish, wildlife, or plants. Indian tribes may nominate a corridor within their land to be included in a Tribal Wildlife Corridor. 
 
In addition, the bill establishes a Wildlife Corridors Stewardship Fund to receive donations for the management and protection of the corridors.
 
It also establishes a wildlife movements grant program to encourage the passage of fish, wildlife, or plant species across a landscape or seascape. The National Coordination Committee, established by this bill, must recommend projects to fund under the grant program. The committee must also develop standards for regional wildlife movement plans to allow for better cross-regional collaboration. No fewer than four regional wildlife movement councils must be established. Among other things, the councils must submit to the committee regional wildlife movement plans as well as lists of funding priorities.
 
 Finally, the U.S. Geological Survey must establish a National Wildlife Corridors Database.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Special Victims Protection Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1500
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Assault and harassment offenses
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Crimes against children
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Domestic violence and child abuse
Mental health
Military command and structure
Military education and training
Military law
Military personnel and dependents
Personnel records
Sex offenses
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: 

Military Special Victims Protection Act of 2019

 
This bill modifies and establishes requirements relating to the prosecution of sexual misconduct and domestic violence in the Armed Forces, including by restricting initial case determinations to officers of at least a certain grade with special authority and by requiring additional review of certain decisions. The bill also expands legal services and options for victims, including by allowing certain victims who were discharged from service to correct their military records with respect to specified mental health diagnoses.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Blast Pressure Exposure Study Improvement Act

Bill: 116-s-1501
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Firearms and explosives
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Medical research
Military education and training
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: 

Blast Pressure Exposure Study Improvement Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense, as part of its study on traumatic brain injuries caused by blast pressure exposure, to assess the feasibility and advisability of uploading and sharing study data.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate
ACCESS Rural America Act

Bill: 116-s-1502
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2019-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Financial services and investments
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Telecommunication rates and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: 

Access to Capital Creates Economic Strength and Supports Rural America Act or the ACCESS Rural America Act 

 
This bill increases the shareholder registration threshold for issuers receiving support through federal universal service support mechanisms, which provide communication services to underserved areas. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Defense Ethics and Anti-corruption Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1503
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-05-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative remedies
Business records
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Department of Defense
Department of State
Department of the Treasury
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Executive Office of the President
Federal officials
Financial services and investments
Freedom of information
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Military command and structure
Military personnel and dependents
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Nuclear weapons
Personnel records
Public contracts and procurement
Public participation and lobbying
Securities
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: 

Department of Defense Ethics and Anti-corruption Act of 2019

 
This bill addresses the conduct of Department of Defense (DOD) officials regarding relationships with military contractors.
 
With respect to certain DOD officials involved in contracting, the bill increases the following: (1) the period during which an official leaving DOD and seeking compensation from a contractor must obtain an ethics opinion concerning post-employment restrictions, (2) the length of time such requests must be retained in a central repository, and (3) the frequency of Inspector General reviews of providing and retaining opinions.
 
Each procurement contract of a value exceeding $10 million must require the contractor to annually report information (including concerning lobbying activities) about former officials and military officers who received compensation within four years after leaving service. Such a contract shall include a clause prohibiting the contractor from receiving the compensation.
 
Contracts with contractors that received an average of more than $1 billion in revenue in the previous three years from DOD or the Department of Energy (related to the U.S. nuclear program) shall prohibit the employment or payment of certain DOD officials within four years of leaving DOD service.
 
In addition, the bill includes restrictions and conditions concerning:
 
 
lobbying by former officials and officers;
 
stock ownership and trading;
 
employment that is subject to the emoluments clause of the Constitution;
 
work by certain senior officials for a foreign entity (including work that conflicts with U.S. national security interests);
 
financial disclosure by large prospective contractors; and
 
public disclosure of information regarding the identification of general or flag officers and their finances and conduct.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: Introduced in Senate