hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Family Friendly Schools Act

Bill: 116-s-2784
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child care and development
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Family services
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: 

Family Friendly Schools Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to provide grants to local educational agencies to establish family friendly school policies that align the school day with the work day to better support working families, and to establish a supplemental 21st century community learning centers grant program to support programs and activities during summer recess.
 
Specifically, ED shall
 
 
award five-year grants at 500 elementary schools that align the school day with the work day;
 
report to Congress at the three-year mark and at the conclusion of the five-year grant period on best practices and recommendations for aligning school and work schedules, and for strengthening partnerships between schools and community resources; and
 
carry out a supplemental grant program to establish or expand community learning center summer programs.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Indexing for Health Care Affordability Act

Bill: 116-s-2785
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2019-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Income tax credits
Insurance industry and regulation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: 

Fair Indexing for Health Care Affordability Act

 
This bill revises the method for determining the annual per capita change in health insurance premiums for the purpose of determining the premium adjustment percentage that is used to establish the annual limits on cost sharing for health insurance plans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Opportunity Zone Reporting and Reform Act

Bill: 116-s-2787
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Financial services and investments
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Sports and recreation facilities
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Opportunity Zone Reporting and Reform Act

 
This bill establishes annual reporting requirements for qualified opportunity funds and requires certain identifying information on persons investing in such funds. It also provides for penalties for failing to file reports or filing reports with incorrect information, and requires public online disclosure of information in the reports. 
 
The bill expands prohibitions of investments in certain luxury assets, including private planes, sports stadiums, self-storage facilities, and luxury rental properties. It also terminates designations of contiguous communities that are not low-income as opportunity zones. 
 
The Internal Revenue Service must provide a publicly available list of investment vehicles that are certified as qualified opportunity funds. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the effectiveness of the Opportunity Zone program in the fifth and tenth year after the enactment of this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2788
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Coal
Corporate finance and management
Employee benefits and pensions
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Health care costs and insurance
Labor-management relations
Mining
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019

 
This bill transfers certain funds to provide pension and health benefits for retired coal miners who have been affected by issues such as coal company bankruptcies. 
 
The Department of the Treasury must transfer additional funds to the 1974 United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Pension Plan to pay pension benefits required under that plan if the annual limit on transfers under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 exceeds the amount required to be transferred for existing obligations of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund. The bill also increases the annual limit on transfers from $490 million to $750 million. 
 
The bill also adds miners affected by 2018 and 2019 coal company bankruptcies to the group whose retiree health benefits are taken into account in determining the amount that Treasury must transfer under current law to the Multiemployer Health Benefit Plan.
 
Additionally, the bill allows in-service distributions under a pension plan or governmental section 457(b) plan at age 59-1/2. The distributions are currently permitted at age 62 for pension plans and at age 70-1/2 for governmental section 457(b) plans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
STAR Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2789
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Intellectual property
Television and film
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Satellite Television Access Reauthorization Act of 2019 or the STAR Act of 2019

 
This bill extends authority for certain provisions governing retransmission of network station signals by cable systems or other video programming distributors directly to a home satellite antenna. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Foster Opportunity EITC Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2790
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Higher education
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Income tax credits
Inflation and prices
Marriage and family status
Poverty and welfare assistance
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Foster Opportunity EITC Act of 2019

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify earned income tax credit provisions to increase such credit for individuals with no children and extend from 65 to 68 the age limit for such credit. It also lowers the credit eligibility age for individuals with no children and for homelesss and qualified foster youth. 
 
The bill establishes new reporting requirements by state, local, and tribal foster care agencies for youth in foster care.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
TSP Act

Bill: 116-s-2791
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Corporate finance and management
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Taxpayers and Savers Protection Act or the TSP Act

 
This bill prohibits any sums in the Thrift Savings Fund from being invested in a security that is listed on an exchange in a jurisdiction in which the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (1) has never conducted the mandatory inspection or investigation of a registered public accounting firm, and (2) is prevented from conducting such inspection or investigation because of a position taken by an authority in that jurisdiction. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Penny Plan to Enhance Infrastructure Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2792
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Appropriations
Aviation and airports
Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Infrastructure development
Marine and inland water transportation
Military facilities and property
Public transit
Railroads
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security
Water quality
Water resources funding
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Penny Plan to Enhance Infrastructure Act of 2019

 
This bill modifies the discretionary spending limits for FY2020 to (1) establish a separate discretionary spending limit for infrastructure spending, and (2) exclude infrastructure spending from the existing discretionary spending limits for defense and nondefense spending. 
 
The bill also specifies the appropriations accounts and programs that are categorized as infrastructure spending for the purposes of the modified discretionary spending limits. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Primary Care Patient Protection Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2793
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Income tax deductions
Income tax deferral

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Primary Care Patient Protection Act of 201

9

 
 This bill modifies the requirements for the high deductible health plans that are required for tax-preferred health savings accounts. The bill requires the plans to offer coverage with no deductible for primary care services provided during the first two visits during a year to an individual's designated primary care provider. The primary care provider must be a general practitioner, family physician, general internist, obstetrician, gynecologist, pediatrician, geriatric physician, or advanced practice registered nurse acting in accordance with state laws. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Bring Our Heroes Home Act

Bill: 116-s-2794
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Asia
China
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Libraries and archives
Military personnel and dependents
Missing persons
National Archives and Records Administration
North Korea
Personnel records
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Russia

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Bring Our Heroes Home Act

 
This bill establishes at the National Archives a collection of records that relate to the fate or status of missing Armed Forces personnel. 
 
Each government office must identify and locate such records in its possession and transmit them to the Archives.
 
The bill establishes a temporary board to ensure and facilitate the review, transmission, and public disclosure of such records.

 
The bill generally makes such records public, with specified exceptions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Gilbert, Arizona, as the "Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic".

Bill: 116-s-2795
Sponsor: Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Arizona
Congressional tributes
Department of Veterans Affairs
Health facilities and institutions
Home and outpatient care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 
This bill designates the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 3285 South Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, Arizona, as the Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Ensuring Disaster Recovery for Local Communities Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2796
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Economic development
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Floods and storm protection
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Housing and community development funding
Infrastructure development
Public contracts and procurement
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Ensuring Disaster Recovery for Local Communities Act of 2019

 
This bill addresses relief for areas impacted by a major disaster.
 
Specifically, the Department of Housing and Urban Development must provide disaster recovery assistance under the Community Development Block Grant program to states, local governments, certain territories, and Indian tribes. 
 
In addition, the Government Accountability Office must report on an existing grant program designed to help communities implement mitigation measures to reduce the risk of loss of life and property in future disasters.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Family Parole in Place Act

Bill: 116-s-2797
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Family relationships
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Military Family Parole in Place Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to parole into the United States an alien who is the spouse, widow or widower, parent, or child of a qualifying current or former member of the Armed Forces. A qualifying member of the Armed Forces shall be (1) a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, (2) a member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, or (3) a living or deceased individual who served in and was discharged from either service under a condition other than dishonorable.
 
Such parole may be denied only if DHS, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs jointly issue a detailed written justification for the denial. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Whistleblower Protection Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2798
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Due process and equal protection
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Whistleblower Protection Act of 2019

 
This bill retroactively prohibits a federal contractor from taking certain personnel actions with respect to specified employees.
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits a federal contractor from taking a personnel action against an employee who has lawfully disclosed information the employee reasonably believes shows (1) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or (2) gross mismanagement, waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.
 
Further, a federal contractor may not take a personnel action against an employee because of the employee's (1) lawful exercise of an appeal, complaint, or grievance right, or testifying or assisting in the exercise of such right; (2) cooperation with or disclosure of information to the agency's inspector general or special counsel; or (3) refusal to obey an order that would require the individual to violate a law, rule, or regulation.
 
A federal agency is prohibited from pressuring a federal contractor from taking any personnel action against an employee based on such disclosures or actions by the employee. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to strengthen the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Bill: 116-s-2801
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Executive agency funding and structure
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Interagency Council on Homelessness

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 
This bill permanently reauthorizes the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-07
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-125.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6450-6451)
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Marine Mammal Research and Response Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2802
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Alaska
Animal and plant health
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Aquatic ecology
Arctic and polar regions
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Health information and medical records
Mammals
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Marine Mammal Research and Response Act of 2019 

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and generally revises the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, including by renaming the program as the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Grant Program. The bill also establishes the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund for providing emergency financial assistance for certain stranded or entangled marine mammals and otherwise provides support for marine mammals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-11
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2803
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2019-11-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Low- and moderate-income housing
Public housing
User charges and fees
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: 

Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2019

 
 This bill requires public housing agencies (PHAs) that administer housing choice voucher programs to, in coordination with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, extend tenant-based assistance for youth aging out of foster care under specified circumstances. Under current law, public housing assistance is available for up to 36 months for low-income youth who are 18 to 24 years old, left foster care at age 16 or older (or will soon leave foster care), and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
 
 The bill requires PHAs to extend such housing assistance for up to 24 months (subject to available funds) for youth who are (1) employed; (2) enrolled in a workforce development program; (3) pursuing postsecondary education, high school diploma, or equivalent; or (4) participating in a family self-sufficiency program. Youth who are (1) parents (or have a dependent under age 6), (2) participating in an addiction recovery program, or (3) unable to comply due to a medical condition must receive extended housing assistance without meeting these requirements. 
 
 Further, youth receiving extended housing assistance are eligible for available supportive services. PHAs also must coordinate with local child welfare agencies to receive referrals for the housing assistance program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-07
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-125.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Introduced in Senate