hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
SERVE Act

Bill: 116-hr-8105
Sponsor: Rep. Lamb, Conor [D-PA-17]
Introduced: 2020-08-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Health personnel
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Licensing and registrations
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
Personnel records
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: 

Supporting Education Recognition for Veterans during Emergencies Act or the SERVE Act

 
This bill addresses opportunities for certain veterans with medical experience.
 
The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to update its web portals to allow the identification of veterans who had a medical occupation as a member of the Armed Forces. Specifically, the bill authorizes veterans to elect to provide their contact information and a history of their medical experience and trained competencies.
 
The VA, the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Labor must establish a program to share the veteran's provided information with specified entities (e.g., state credentialing bodies) for purposes of facilitating civilian medical credentialing and hiring of veterans seeking to respond to a national emergency, including a public health emergency.
 
The VA must implement a program to train and certify veterans who served as basic health care technicians during their service to work as VA intermediate care technicians, specifically at VA medical center locations with staffing shortages. Additionally, the VA must prepare a communications campaign under the Transition Assistance Program to convey opportunities related to the intermediate care technician program to members of the Armed Forces who are separating from active duty.
 
Finally, the bill requires the VA and DOD to notify veterans service organizations and members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces about the opportunities for veterans provided under this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
District of Arizona Judgeship Authorization Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-8106
Sponsor: Rep. Lesko, Debbie [R-AZ-8]
Introduced: 2020-08-25 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Arizona
Federal district courts
Judges

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: 

District of Arizona Judgeship Authorization Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the appointment of four additional U.S. district court judges for the district of Arizona and converts one judgeship that is currently temporary in that district into a permanent judgeship.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
VA Emergency Department Safety Planning Act

Bill: 116-hr-8107
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9]
Introduced: 2020-08-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment and training programs
Health care quality
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medical education
Mental health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: 

VA Emergency Department Safety Planning Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to report on its efforts to implement a suicide prevention program for veterans presenting to an emergency department or urgent care center of the Veterans Health Administration who are assessed to be at risk for suicide and are safe to be discharged home. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-10
text: Committee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
VA Serious Mental Illness Act

Bill: 116-hr-8108
Sponsor: Rep. Malinowski, Tom [D-NJ-7]
Introduced: 2020-08-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Drug therapy
Government studies and investigations
Medical research
Mental health
Military medicine
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: 

VA Serious Mental Illness Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to complete the development of a clinical practice guideline or guidelines for the treatment of serious mental illness. Under the bill, such guidelines must address the treatment of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and persistent mood disorder (including bipolar disorder I and II).
 
The VA must carry out an explicit plan to implement and disseminate the clinical practice guideline or guidelines that are developed.
 
The VA must establish the Serious Mental Illness Work Group with the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services to develop such clinical practice guideline or guidelines.
 
Finally, the VA must complete an assessment of the 
2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Major Depressive Disorders
 to determine if an update is necessary.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-10
text: Committee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
Nonpartisan Postmaster General Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-8109
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
Introduced: 2020-08-25 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Political parties and affiliation
State and local government operations
U.S. Postal Service

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: 

Nonpartisan Postmaster General Act

 
This bill restricts the political activities of the members of the Postal Service Board of Governors, including the Postmaster General and the Deputy Postmaster General.
 
Specifically, the bill (1) prohibits the Postmaster General and the Deputy Postmaster General from taking an active part in political management or political campaigns; (2) prohibits the Board of Governors, the Postmaster General, and the Deputy Postmaster General from holding any political position while in office or soliciting funds for the campaign of a candidate for elected office or for a political party; and (3) restricts nominees for Postmaster General and Deputy Postmaster General to those who have not engaged in political activities in the four years prior to their appointments.

action_date: 2020-10-27
text: 

Nonpartisan Postmaster General Act
 
of 2020

 
This bill restricts the political activities of the members of the Postal Service Board of Governors, including the Postmaster General and the Deputy Postmaster General.
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits (1) the Postmaster General and the Deputy Postmaster General from taking an active part in political management or political campaigns; and (2) the Board of Governors, the Postmaster General, and the Deputy Postmaster General from holding any political position while in office or soliciting funds for the campaign of a candidate for elected office or for a political party.
 
An individual must make certain financial disclosures prior to assuming the duties of Postmaster General or Deputy Postmaster General.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-27
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 462.
action_date: 2020-10-27
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Reform. H. Rept. 116-564.
action_date: 2020-10-27
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Reform. H. Rept. 116-564.
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
Campus Free Speech Restoration Act

Bill: 116-hr-8110
Sponsor: Rep. Murphy, Gregory [R-NC-3]
Introduced: 2020-08-25 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Department of Education
Education programs funding
First Amendment rights
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Judicial procedure and administration
Judicial review and appeals
Legal fees and court costs
Protest and dissent
Religion
School administration

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: 

Campus Free Speech Restoration Act

 
This bill generally prohibits public institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs from restricting noncommercial expressive activities (e.g., peacefully assembling, distributing literature, or carrying signs) on campus. It also requires private IHEs that receive federal funds to provide students with their policies related to expressive rights.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
RNC Act

Bill: 116-hr-8111
Sponsor: Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
Introduced: 2020-08-25 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: 

Reducing Nefarious Crimes Act or the RNC Act

 
This bill increases the penalties for violations and expands the scope of provisions that prohibit certain political activity by federal employees in the executive branch (commonly referred to as the Hatch Act).
 
Specifically, the bill (1) increases the maximum period of debarment from federal employment for violations from 5 years to 7 years; (2) increases the maximum civil penalty for violations from $1,000 to $50,000; and (3) explicitly includes the White House and surrounding grounds, including the Rose Garden but excluding the executive residence, as locations in which employees may not engage in political activity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
Increase Federal Disaster Cost Share Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-8112
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5]
Introduced: 2020-08-25 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Intergovernmental relations
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: 

Increase Federal Disaster Cost Share Act of 2020

 
This bill increases the federal cost share from 75% to 90% for any federal disaster declaration beginning on January 20, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-8113
Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
Introduced: 2020-08-25 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Caribbean area
Congressional oversight
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Political representation
Puerto Rico
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
State and local government operations
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: 

Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2020

 
This bill recognizes the right of the Puerto Rican people to call a Status Convention through which the people would exercise their right to self-determination and establishes a mechanism for congressional consideration of such decision.
 
Specifically, the bill provides for public financing of delegate elections and establishes a Congressional Bilateral Negotiating Commission to provide advice and consultation to delegates of such convention.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
DIGIT Act

Bill: 116-hr-8115
Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]
Introduced: 2020-08-25 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Computer security and identity theft
Digital media
Economic performance and conditions
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Health technology, devices, supplies
International scientific cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Public transit
Radio spectrum allocation
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: 

Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act or the DIGIT Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to convene a working group of federal stakeholders to provide recommendations regarding the Internet of Things (IoT), and it establishes a steering committee composed of stakeholders outside the federal government to advise the working group. The IoT is a system of interrelated devices connected to a network and each other that exchange data without requiring human interaction (e.g., smart home devices, medical monitoring devices, and wearable fitness trackers).
 
The working group must (1) identify federal laws and regulations, grant practices, budgetary or jurisdictional challenges, and other sector-specific policies that affect IoT development; (2) consider policies or programs that encourage and improve coordination among federal agencies with relevant responsibilities; (3) consider implementing recommendations from the steering committee; (4) examine how federal agencies can benefit from, use, prepare for, and secure the IoT; and (5) consult with nongovernmental stakeholders.
 
The steering committee must advise the working group about laws, budgets, individual privacy, security, small business challenges, and any international proceedings or negotiations affecting the IoT. 
 
Lastly, the Federal Communications Commission must (1) seek public comment on the IoT's spectrum needs, regulatory barriers, and growth with licensed and unlicensed spectrum; and (2) submit a summary of those comments to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-25
text: Introduced in House
Insular Area Liquidity Act

Bill: 116-hr-8116
Sponsor: Del. Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho [D-MP-At Large]
Introduced: 2020-08-28 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: American Samoa
Caribbean area
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
Public contracts and procurement
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: 

Insular Area Liquidity Act

 
This bill requires each department or agency making a grant to an Insular Area (the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands) to provide the Insular Area with (1) not less than 50% of the grant funds through advanced payments, and (2) additional monitoring and technical assistance to manage the grant funds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E800-801)
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House
Support Peaceful Protest Act

Bill: 116-hr-8117
Sponsor: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3]
Introduced: 2020-08-28 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Law enforcement administration and funding
Protest and dissent
Unemployment
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: 

Support Peaceful Protest Act

 
This bill requires an individual who is convicted of a federal offense related to the individual's conduct (e.g., rioting) during the course of a protest to pay the cost of federal policing activity during the protest. In addition, such an individual is ineligible for pandemic unemployment assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House
Foster Youth Dental Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-8118
Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37]
Introduced: 2020-08-28 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child health
Dental care
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health promotion and preventive care
Inflation and prices
Medicaid

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: 

Foster Youth Dental Act of 2020

 
This bill expands Medicaid coverage of current and former foster youth, particularly with respect to dental services.
 
Specifically, the bill requires state Medicaid programs to cover early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services, including dental services, for current and former foster youth under the age of 26. States must set a special payment rate, based on rates in the private sector, for dental services provided to such individuals; the bill provides an enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for excess expenses that result from such payments. The bill's requirements take effect 80 days after the date of enactment of the bill.
 
The bill also accelerates the application of certain provisions that require a state Medicaid program to cover former foster youth from other states until the age of 26; such provisions currently apply to former foster youth who reach the age of 18 on or after January 1, 2023. The bill instead applies these provisions to former foster youth who reach the age of 18 on or after the date of enactment of the bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House
Voter Integrity Protection Act

Bill: 116-hr-8119
Sponsor: Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]
Introduced: 2020-08-28 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional elections
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Immigration status and procedures

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: 

Voter Integrity Protection Act

 
This bill imposes additional immigration-related penalties for aliens who vote in an election for federal office.
 
 It shall be an aggravated felony for an alien who is unlawfully present to violate an existing prohibition against an alien voting in a federal election. (An aggravated felony conviction carries various immigration consequences, such as rendering the alien inadmissible, deportable, and barred from establishing good moral character for naturalization.)
 
An alien who is unlawfully present and who knowingly violates the prohibition against voting in a federal election shall be deportable.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House
Increasing Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-8120
Sponsor: Rep. Bishop, Dan [R-NC-9]
Introduced: 2020-08-28 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Economic development
Employment and training programs
Government information and archives
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: 

Increasing Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA), through specified offices, centers, and programs, to train and educate field representatives on investments in areas designated as qualified opportunity zones.
 
Opportunity zone designation is an economic development tool that facilitates investment in distressed areas to spur economic growth and job creation in low-income communities.
 
Field representatives shall (1) serve as the point of contact for questions and resources on such investments, (2) educate local elected leaders on such investments, and (3) hold an annual seminar in each state to provide education on how to benefit from such investments.
 
The SBA must submit an annual report on the efforts of the field representatives.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House
Protecting Tourism in the United States Act

Bill: 116-hr-8122
Sponsor: Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]
Introduced: 2020-08-28 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Travel and tourism
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: 

Protecting Tourism in the United States Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to study and report on the effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on the travel and tourism industry, including considerations of changes in industry employment rates and business revenues during the pandemic. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-08-28
text: Introduced in House