hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Protect Our Disabled Heroes Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1718
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Legal fees and court costs
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Protect Our Disabled Heroes Act of 2019

 
This bill imposes criminal penalties and/or fines on individuals for the commission or attempted commission of certain acts in connection with the representation of a veteran who is seeking Department of Veterans Affairs benefits or filing a claim for such benefits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Senior Security Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1719
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Aging
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Congressional oversight
Financial literacy
Financial services and investments
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

National Senior Investor Initiative Act of 2019 or the Senior Security Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes the Senior Investor Taskforce within the Securities and Exchange Commission. The taskforce must report on topics relating to investors over the age of 65, including industry trends and serious issues impacting such investors, and make recommendations for legislative or regulatory actions to address problems encountered by senior investors. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on the financial exploitation of senior citizens. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1720
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Intergovernmental relations
Meat
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act of 2019

 
This bill allows meat and poultry products inspected by State Meat and Poultry Inspection programs to be sold in interstate commerce. (Under the inspection programs, the Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service allows states that meet certain requirements to inspect meat and poultry. The state-inspected products are currently limited to intrastate commerce, unless a state opts into a separate Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1721
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2019

 
This bill generally prohibits a federal criminal defendant from asserting, as a defense, that the nonviolent sexual advance of an individual or a perception or belief of the gender, gender identify or expression, or sexual orientation of an individual excuses or justifies conduct or mitigates the severity of an offense.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
FHA Appraiser Eligibility Expansion Act

Bill: 116-s-1722
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Housing finance and home ownership
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

FHA Appraiser Eligibility Expansion Act

 
This bill modifies requirements for appraisers of Federal Housing Administration-insured mortgages. Currently, an appraiser must be certified by certain state or national entities. The bill removes the national entities from the list of approved certification entities and provides additional competency and education requirements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text: CR S3255-3256)
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Ski Area Fee Retention Act

Bill: 116-s-1723
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Executive agency funding and structure
Forests, forestry, trees
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Sports and recreation facilities
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Ski Area Fee Retention Act

 
This bill establishes the Ski Area Fee Retention Account. A specified portion of rental charges for ski area permits on a Forest Service unit shall be deposited in such account. Amounts in the fund shall be available to the unit for expenditure without further appropriation for ski area administration, improvements, visitor services, and leasing of administrative sites. Funds may be reallocated only if the rental charges collected exceed the reasonable needs of the unit. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-342.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Ending the Fentanyl Crisis Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1724
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Postal service
Trade restrictions
U.S. Sentencing Commission

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Ending the Fentanyl Crisis Act of 2019

 
 This bill reduces drug quantity thresholds that trigger certain mandatory minimum prison terms for a defendant who manufactures, distributes, imports, exports, or possesses with intent to distribute fentanyl.
 
Additionally, the bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to increase the availability of chemical screening devices and dedicate the appropriate number of personnel to interdict fentanyl and other substances that are unlawfully imported into the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1725
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Allied health services
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Home and outpatient care
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act 

of 2019

 
This bill establishes circumstances under which an occupational therapist may conduct an initial or comprehensive assessment for an individual who is eligible for home health services under Medicare. Specifically, an occupational therapist may conduct the assessment if the physician's referral order does not include skilled nursing care but does include (1) occupational therapy, and (2) physical therapy or speech language pathology.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Paying a Fair Share Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1726
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Employment taxes
Income tax deductions
Income tax rates
Inflation and prices
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax reform and tax simplification

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Paying a Fair Share Act of 201

9

 
 This bill requires an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million (high-income taxpayer) to pay a minimum tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year (tentative fair share tax). The amount of the tax is the excess (if any) of the tentative fair share tax over the excess of (1) the sum of the taxpayer's regular tax liability, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) amount, and the payroll tax for the taxable year; over (2) certain tax credits. 
 
The bill provides for a phase-in of such tax and requires an inflation adjustment to the $1 million income threshold for taxable years beginning after 2020.
 
The bill also expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should enact tax reform that repeals unfair and unnecessary tax loopholes and expenditures, simplifies the tax system, and makes sure that the wealthiest taxpayers pay a fair share of taxes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Partnership Fund for Peace Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1727
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
International organizations and cooperation
Israel
Middle East
Palestinians
Political movements and philosophies
Public-private cooperation
Research and development
Small business
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Partnership Fund for Peace Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish the Partnership Fund for Peace for promoting economic development in Palestine and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.
 
Specifically, the bill directs the USAID to establish this fund to finance (1) small and medium-sized Palestinian entrepreneurs and companies in order to promote the private sector and create jobs in Palestinian territories, and (2) people-to-people peacebuilding programs that support reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis. An economic partnership, entrepreneur, or company requesting support from the fund must include a Palestinian entrepreneur or company as a partner. A people-to-people partnership requesting support from the fund must include a nonprofit organization that brings Palestinians and Israelis together for reconciliation or nonprofit organizations that further reconciliation between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the United States Postal Service to sell the Alzheimer's semipostal stamp for 6 additional years.

Bill: 116-s-1728
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Aging
Health programs administration and funding
Medical research
Neurological disorders
Postal service
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 
This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to continue to sell the Alzheimer's disease semipostal stamp for an additional six years. The USPS must continue to transfer proceeds from the sale of the stamp to the National Institutes of Health to fund medical research relating to Alzheimer's disease.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
FIX Act

Bill: 116-s-1729
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Consumer credit

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

FIX Credit Reporting Errors Act or the FIX Act

 
This bill modifies the procedures followed by consumer reporting agencies when a consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of information contained in the consumer's credit report. Specifically, consumer reporting agencies are required to (1) include all documentation provided by the consumer in the dispute notification furnished to any person who provided disputed information, and (2) consider such consumer documentation when conducting reinvestigations of disputed information. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Living Shorelines Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-1730
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Air quality
Aquatic ecology
Atmospheric science and weather
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Disaster relief and insurance
Ecology
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Floods and storm protection
Land use and conservation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Natural disasters
Performance measurement
Seashores and lakeshores
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Living Shorelines Act of 2019 

 
This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to award grants to state or local governments, Indian tribes, or nonprofit organizations to (1) implement climate-resilient living shoreline projects; and (2) encourage innovation in the use of natural materials to protect coastal communities, habitats, and natural system functions.

action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 

Living Shorelines Act of 2020

 
This bill revises the National Sea Grant College Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and authorizes NOAA to provide grants to certain coastal states to assist with the design and implementation of climate-resilient living shoreline projects and the application of innovative uses of natural materials and systems to protect coastal communities, habitats, and natural system functions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 631.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-327.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-327.
action_date: 2020-07-22
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
EQUITABLE Act

Bill: 116-s-1731
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Asia
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business records
China
Financial services and investments
Foreign and international corporations
Government information and archives
Political parties and affiliation
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Ensuring Quality Information and Transparency for Abroad-Based Listings on our Exchanges Act or the EQUITABLE Act

 
This bill generally restricts the use of a foreign public accounting firm by a foreign issuer of securities.
 
The bill requires certain disclosures from a foreign issuer of securities that uses, for its required audit report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a foreign public accounting firm that is not subject to inspection by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. 
 
If an issuer uses such a foreign public accounting firm, the issuer is generally prohibited from listing its securities on a national securities exchange. Specifically, an issuer that is not currently listed on an exchange and uses such a firm may not be listed. A currently-listed issuer will be delisted beginning in 2025 if the issuer uses such a firm for three consecutive years. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
College Admissions Fairness Act

Bill: 116-s-1732
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Charitable contributions
Education programs funding
Family relationships
Government information and archives
Higher education
Income tax deductions
Student aid and college costs
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

College Admissions Fairness Act

 
This bill disallows tax deductions for certain charitable contributions made to an institution of higher education, or associated entity, within a specified period during which a specified family member (e.g. child or grandchild) attends that educational institution.
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits deductions for certain contributions to universities that do not have policies in place that prohibit as a factor in admissions decisions the consideration of direct or indirect donations from an applicant or family member of an applicant, and the financial ability of an applicant or family member of an applicant to make a donation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Families and Improving Immigration Procedures Act

Bill: 116-s-1733
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Border security and unlawful immigration
Child care and development
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Crimes against children
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Detention of persons
Family relationships
Government studies and investigations
Human trafficking
Immigration status and procedures
Judges
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement officers
Lawyers and legal services
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Separation, divorce, custody, support

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Protecting Families and Improving Immigration Procedures Act

 
This bill establishes limitations on separating alien children from parents and on detaining families, and also addresses other immigration-related matters.
 
A child may be separated from a parent or legal guardian at or near a port of entry or U.S. border only if (1) a state court has made a relevant ruling, such as terminating the parent's rights; (2) a qualified child welfare agency official has ruled that separation is in the child's best interest; or (3) a specified official makes certain determinations, such as concluding that a child is a trafficking victim.
 
A child may not be separated from a parent or guardian solely to deter migration or promote compliance with immigration laws.
 
This bill establishes presumptions (1) in favor of family unity and keeping siblings together, and (2) against detention.
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall (1) document all child separations, (2) develop training for officers handling separations, (3) publish guidance on how to locate a separated child, (4) periodically provide a parent or guardian information about a separated child, and (5) pay for counsel to represent unaccompanied alien children in removal proceedings.
 
The 
Flores
 settlement (an agreement imposing conditions on the treatment of detained alien minors) and a related court holding shall apply to the detention of families.
 
The Department of Justice shall increase the number of immigration judges and support staff. Immigration judges may suspend removal proceedings in certain instances, such as when the alien appears to be prima facie eligible for another immigration benefit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3256; text: CR S2356-3258)
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Flood Prevention Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1734
Sponsor: Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: District of Columbia
Floods and storm protection
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Flood Prevention Act of 2019

 
This bill makes the District of Columbia eligible to receive federal coastal zone management funding, including flood mitigation and prevention funds. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3258; text: CR S3258)
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1735
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2019-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Immunology and vaccination
Medicaid
Medical education
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Minority health
Sex and reproductive health
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: 

Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women's Health Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes, or authorizes to be established, a series of programs relating to cancer screenings for women. Among other things, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish demonstration programs that (1) support certain cancer-screening training for health care providers at family planning and community health centers, and (2) support increased co-testing of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer among demographics that have disproportionate rates of cervical cancer. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate