hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
VA Newborn Emergency Treatment Act

Bill: 116-s-318
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2019-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Child health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Transportation costs
Veterans' medical care
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: 

VA Newborn Emergency Treatment Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish transportation in connection with the receipt of covered health care services for a newborn child of a woman veteran (and the child's parents). The bill expands covered health care services to include services furnished at health care facilities other than the facility where the child was delivered. 
 
Under the bill, the VA may furnish more than seven days of health care services and transportation to such services if a child is in need of additional care.
 
Expenses incurred for transportation furnished in order for a newborn child of a veteran to receive health care services prior to the enactment of this bill may be waived or reimbursed to the veteran by the VA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-22
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-319
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2019-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Adoption and foster care
Child care and development
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical research
Mental health
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
Sex and reproductive health
Veterans' medical care
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: 

Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2019

 
This bill addresses fertility treatments, counseling, and other health-related programs for veterans and members of the Armed Forces.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide fertility treatments and counseling to covered veterans and active duty servicemembers or a spouse, partner, or gestational surrogate of such veteran or servicemember. A covered veteran or service member is a severely wounded, ill, or injured former or current member of the Armed Forces who has an infertility condition incurred or aggravated while serving on active duty.
 
DOD must establish procedures related to gamete retrieval and storage.
 
 Fertility counseling and treatment are included within authorized VA medical services. 
 
The VA may pay the adoption expenses (for up to three adoptions) for a covered member who is enrolled in the VA health care system.
 
 The VA must facilitate specified reproduction and infertility research conducted collaboratively by DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services. 
 
 The VA shall enhance the capabilities of the VA women veterans contact center to respond to assistance requests and refer such veterans to federal or community resources. 
 
 The bill permanently extends and expands a VA pilot program related to group reintegration and readjustment services for certain women veterans.
 
 The bill provides child care assistance to qualified veterans receiving (1) mental health care services or intensive health care services, and (2) readjustment counseling and related mental health services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
SECURE Firearm Storage Act

Bill: 116-s-320
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Department of Justice
Firearms and explosives
Manufacturing
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: 

Safety Enhancements for Communities Using Reasonable and Effective Firearm Storage Act or the SECURE Firearm Storage Act

 
This bill establishes security requirements for the business premises of a licensed firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer.
 
Specifically, when the premises are closed for business, an importer, manufacturer, or dealer must secure the firearms inventory and securely store paper business records.
 
A violator is subject to penalties&#8212;a civil fine, suspension or revocation of a license, or both a civil fine and suspension or revocation of a license.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Retirement Security Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-321
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2019-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Department of the Treasury
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Government information and archives
Income tax credits
Income tax deferral
Small business
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: 

Retirement Security Act of 2019 

 
This bill modifies various requirements and tax credits for employer-provided retirement plans. 
 
The bill modifies the qualification requirements for certain multiple employer plans with pooled providers. The bill applies to defined contribution plans that (1) are maintained by employers that have a common interest other than having adopted the plan, or (2) have a pooled plan provider. Such a plan that meets specified requirements may not be disqualified or otherwise lose its tax-favored status because a participating employer fails to take actions required with respect to the plan. 
 
The bill also (1) permits pooled employer plans that meet certain requirements to be treated under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) as a single employee pension benefit plan or single pension plan that is a multiple employer plan, and (2) modifies reporting requirements for pooled employer and multiple employer plans. 
 
With respect to 401(k) retirement plans, the bill (1) modifies requirements related to default rates for elective deferrals under automatic enrollment plans, the election of safe harbor 401(k) status, and nondiscrimination rules; (2) allows a business-related safe harbor adoption tax credit for small employers, and (3) requires the Department of the Treasury to simplify regulations regarding the timing of participant notices. 
 
The bill also (1) increases the limit on the amount of the tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs, and (2) allows a business-related tax credit for small employers who include and maintain an automatic contribution arrangement in an employer-sponsored retirement plan. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S834-835)
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
SIMPLE Plan Modernization Act

Bill: 116-s-322
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2019-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Employee benefits and pensions
Government information and archives
Income tax deferral
Income tax exclusion
Income tax rates

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: 

SIMPLE Plan Modernization Act 

 
This bill modifies the requirements for SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), which are tax-favored retirement accounts that small businesses may provide to employees. The bill increases the contribution limits for certain SIMPLE IRAs and modifies the requirements for replacing SIMPLE IRAs with 401(k) plans. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S835)
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act

Bill: 116-s-323
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2019-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Higher education
Preschool education
School administration
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: 

Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to grant 
Recognizing Inspirational School Employees
 awards to classified school employees, within certain occupational specialties, who provide exemplary service to students in prekindergarten through high school.
 
ED must annually select an awardee, out of nominations received from states, from any of the following occupational specialties: (1) paraprofessional services, (2) clerical and administrative services, (3) transportation services, (4) food and nutrition services, (5) custodial and maintenance services, (6) security services, (7) health and student services, (8) technical services, and (9) skilled trades.
 
The award and recognition provided shall have no monetary value.
 
ED shall develop uniform national guidelines for evaluating nominations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Global Electoral Exchange Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-324
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
International exchange and broadcasting
International organizations and cooperation
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: 

Global Electoral Exchange Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes the Department of State to establish a Global Electoral Exchange Program to promote sound election-administration practices around the world. The State Department may award grants to qualified, tax-exempt, U.S.-based organizations that have expertise and experience in relevant topics, such as election-system integrity. Grants may be used to design programs to bring relevant individuals, such as election administrators and poll workers, together to study and discuss election procedures.
 
The State Department shall periodically report to Congress on the program's activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Garrison Diversion Unit Project Oakes Test Area Conveyance Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-325
Sponsor: Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]
Introduced: 2019-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Land transfers
North Dakota
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: 

Garrison Diversion Unit Project Oakes Test Area Conveyance Act of 2019

 
This bill provides for the conveyance of the Oakes Test Area in North Dakota from the Department of the Interior to the Dickey-Sargent Irrigation District.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-26
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 116-310.
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
RAIDER Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-326
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2019-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Appropriations
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Executive agency funding and structure
Land transfers
Latin America
Mexico
Military facilities and property
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
War and emergency powers
Water resources funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: 

Restrictions Against Illegitimate Declarations for Emergency Re-appropriations Act of 2019 or the RAIDER Act of 2019 

 
This bill prohibits funds that were appropriated or otherwise made available before the enactment of this bill from being used for the construction of barriers, land acquisition, or associated activities on the southern border without a specific statutory authorization from Congress. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Startup Act

Bill: 116-s-328
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2019-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Appropriations
Business investment and capital
Census and government statistics
Citizenship and naturalization
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Economic performance and conditions
Employee hiring
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign labor
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Immigration status and procedures
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Science and engineering education
Small business
State and local government operations
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Technology transfer and commercialization
Urban and suburban affairs and development
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: 

Startup Act

 
This bill provides conditional visas to certain immigrants with advanced educational credentials. It also establishes a grant program to promote innovation and imposes requirements on certain rulemaking activities. 
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may provide conditional permanent resident status to up to 50,000 aliens with advanced science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) degrees. Such aliens may remain in the country for up to one year after the expiration of a student visa to find employment, or indefinitely if already engaged in a STEM field.
 
DHS may issue conditional immigrant visas for up to 75,000 qualified alien entrepreneurs. The bill imposes various requirements on such entrepreneurs, such as creating a number of full-time jobs for a period of time, after which the alien shall receive permanent resident status.
 
The bill increases the per-country cap on family-based immigrant visas from 7% of the total number of such visas available that year to 15%, and eliminates the 7% cap for employment-based immigrant visas. It also removes an offset that reduced the number of visas for individuals from China.
 
The bill establishes a grant program to support the commercialization of federally-funded research. It also extends funding authorization through FY2024 for an existing regional innovation grant program and amends the program's provisions.
 
This bill requires federal agencies, before proposing a rule that may have a significant economic effect, to publish an analysis of the rule, including the problem the rule intends to address and a cost-benefit analysis. 
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Linear Generator Parity Act

Bill: 116-s-329
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2019-02-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: 

Linear Generator Parity Act

 
This bill modifies the tax credit for investments in energy property to make qualified fuel cell property (certain fuel cell power plants) that uses an electromechanical process eligible for the credit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: Introduced in Senate
The Free Speech Fairness Act

Bill: 116-s-330
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2019-02-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Public participation and lobbying
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: 

The Free Speech Fairness Act 

 
This bill permits a tax-exempt organization to make certain statements related to a political campaign without losing its tax-exempt status. An organization may not lose its tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be deemed to have participated in, or intervened in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, solely because of the content of any statement that (1) is made in the ordinary course of the organization's regular and customary activities in carrying out its exempt purpose, and (2) results in the organization incurring not more than de minimis incremental expenses.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Home Loan Quality Transparency Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-331
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2019-02-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business records
Government information and archives
Housing finance and home ownership

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: 

Home Loan Quality Transparency Act of 2019 

 
This bill expands requirements for public disclosures by depository institutions and credit unions regarding mortgages and home equity lines of credit. Specifically, institutions originating fewer than 500 mortgage loans or open-end lines of credit annually are no longer exempt from certain financial reporting. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-332
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2019-02-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia
Conflicts and wars
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Military personnel and dependents
Neurological disorders
Veterans' medical care
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: 

Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act of 2019

 
This bill expands eligibility for a presumption of service-connection for veterans exposed to certain herbicide agents (e.g., Agent Orange) during military service in Vietnam. Specifically, the bill removes the manifestation period required for the presumption of service-connection for chloracne and porphyria cutanea tarda. 
 
Additionally, the bill provides statutory authority for a presumption of service-connection for certain cases of acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy without a manifestation period. 
 
Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.

action_date: 2020-09-15
text: 
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to brief Congress and report on the efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide benefits to veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, and have specified diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents (i.e., chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, or acute or subacute peripheral neuropathy).
 
The VA must implement recommendations from the GAO report related to the adjudication of claims for benefits for veterans with the specified diseases.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 535.
action_date: 2020-09-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-09-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: Introduced in Senate
National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-333
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2019-02-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Department of Homeland Security
Emergency planning and evacuation
First responders and emergency personnel
Public-private cooperation
State and local government operations
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: 

National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2019

 
This bill allows the Department of Homeland Security to work together with a consortium composed of nonprofit entities to develop, update, and deliver cybersecurity training in support of homeland security.

action_date: 2019-03-12
text: 

National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2019

 
This bill allows the Department of Homeland Security to work together with a consortium composed of nonprofit entities to develop, update, and deliver cybersecurity training in support of homeland security.

action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2019

 
This bill allows the Department of Homeland Security to work together with a consortium composed of nonprofit entities to develop, update, and deliver cybersecurity training in support of homeland security.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation.
action_date: 2019-11-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2019-11-26
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2019-11-25
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6768; text: CR S6768)
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6768; text: CR S6768)
action_date: 2019-03-12
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 36.
action_date: 2019-03-12
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 116-5.
action_date: 2019-03-12
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 116-5.
action_date: 2019-02-13
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-05
text: Introduced in Senate