hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
VHA CRED Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-3041
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2019-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Employee performance
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Licensing and registrations
Personnel records
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: 

Veterans Health Administration Caregiver Retention and Eligibility Determination Act of 2019 or the VHA CRED Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prescribe regulations, administrative guidance, and management controls applicable to the credentialing of certain appointed health care positions. Under the bill, VHA personnel who verify credentials for appointees, review qualifications for such persons, or hire such persons must undergo periodic training to review relevant law and policy regarding provider qualifications for VHA employment.
 
The bill requires the VHA to enroll health care appointees in continuous query of their record within the National Practitioner Data Bank. The VHA must also develop and implement a mechanism for monitoring the continuous query and updating information within the VA's credentialing system.
 
At least once a year, the VHA must audit its appointed health care employees who have an adverse action reported on the National Practitioner Data Bank.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-3042
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Coast guard
Department of Homeland Security
Emergency planning and evacuation
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Fires
Marine and inland water transportation
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: 

Small Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 2019

 
This bill applies U.S. Coast Guard regulations regarding safety management systems to small passenger vessels and requires the Coast Guard to prescribe additional regulations to secure the safety of individuals and property on board certain small passenger vessels.
 
The regulations prescribed must include requirements for
 
 
the addition of interconnected fire detection, protection, and suppression equipment, including fire extinguishers, in all areas to which passengers have access, including dining areas, sleeping quarters, and lounges;
 
 fire detection, protection, and suppression systems in unmanned areas with machinery or areas with other potential heat sources;
 
 fire detection, suppression, and control in all areas to which passengers have access, including dining areas, sleeping quarters, and lounges;
 
all such vessels to have not less than two avenues of escape from all general areas accessible to passengers;
 
marine firefighting training programs to improve crew member training and proficiency; and
 
the handling, storage, and operation of flammable items, such as lithium ion batteries.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S7029-7030)
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-3043
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2019-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Licensing and registrations
Performance measurement
School administration
Transportation employees
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: 

Promoting Aviation Regulations for Technical Training (PARTT) 147 Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish requirements for issuing aviation maintenance technician school certificates and associated ratings.
 
Among other requirements, the bill
 
 
sets forth application requirements for a certificate to operate an aviation maintenance technician school, including that applications must include a description of the manner in which the school's curriculum will ensure students are capable of attaining a mechanic certificate and associated ratings;
 
establishes facility and instructor requirements for each school;
 
directs each school to establish and maintain a quality control system that provides procedures for recordkeeping, assessment, issuing credit for experience, issuing of final course grades, ensuring sufficient number of instructors, granting of graduation documentation, and corrective action for addressing deficiencies; and
 
requires schools to maintain a pass rate of at least 70% for students who take the written, oral, or practical (or any combination thereof) FAA mechanic tests.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Western Tribal Water Infrastructure Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3044
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Indian lands and resources rights
Oregon
Washington State
Water quality
Water resources funding
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: 

Western Tribal Water Infrastructure Act of 2019

 
This bill permanently reauthorizes, and expands, the Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program.
 
Specifically, the bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency to connect, expand, or repair existing public water systems that are on Indian reservations or off-reservation sites that serve tribes in the Columbia River Basin or its adjacent coastal river basins. Currently, only projects that are on Indian reservations in the Upper Missouri River Basin or the Upper Rio Grande Basin are eligible for the program.

action_date: 2020-12-09
text: 

Western Tribal Water Infrastructure Act of 2020

 
This bill permanently reauthorizes, and expands, the Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program.
 
Specifically, the bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency to connect, expand, or repair existing public water systems that are on Indian reservations or off-reservation sites that serve tribes in the Columbia River Basin or its adjacent coastal river basins. Currently, only projects that are on Indian reservations in the Upper Missouri River Basin or the Upper Rio Grande Basin are eligible for the program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-09
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 609.
action_date: 2020-12-09
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-309.
action_date: 2020-12-09
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-309.
action_date: 2020-07-29
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2020-06-24
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-338.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Cybersecurity Vulnerability Identification and Notification Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3045
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2019-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Business records
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Evidence and witnesses
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: 

Cybersecurity Vulnerability Identification and Notification Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue a subpoena for the production of information to identify and notify an entity that is put at risk by cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to detect, identify, and receive information about security vulnerabilities relating to critical infrastructure in the information systems and devices of public and private entities. To do this, the bill authorizes CISA, upon identification of a system determined to have such a security vulnerability, to issue a subpoena for the production of information that is necessary to identify and notify the at-risk entity. 

action_date: 2020-07-29
text: 

Cybersecurity Vulnerability Identification and Notification Act of 2020

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue a subpoena for the production of information to identify and notify an entity that is put at risk by cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to detect, identify, and receive information about security vulnerabilities relating to critical infrastructure in the information systems and devices of public and private entities. To do this, the bill authorizes CISA, upon identification of a system determined to have such a security vulnerability, to issue a subpoena for the production of information that is necessary to identify and notify the at-risk entity. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-07-29
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 500.
action_date: 2020-07-29
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-242.
action_date: 2020-07-29
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-242.
action_date: 2020-03-11
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Wastewater Efficiency and Treatment Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-3046
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental technology
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Poverty and welfare assistance
Rural conditions and development
Solid waste and recycling
Water resources funding
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: 

Wastewater Efficiency and Treatment Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a Water and Energy Efficiency Program. 
 
Under the program, DOE must award grants to certain small public wastewater treatment facilities that serve disadvantaged communities or populations that do not exceed 10,000. The facilities must use the grants to conduct energy efficiency audits of the facilities and update equipment based on the audits.
 
In addition, DOE must provide loan guarantees to eligible municipalities and Indian tribes for (1) projects that convert waste in the treatment process of wastewater treatment facilities into renewable fuels, biosolids, or other byproducts; and (2) projects that will assist in transitioning facilities towards the use of energy-efficient technologies. In carrying out the program, DOE must establish a small-scale extension services program to provide assistance to rural communities through grants, outreach, training, and technical assistance regarding energy-efficient technologies at wastewater treatment facilities in eligible municipalities and tribes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
COAL TeCC Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-3047
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2019-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Coal
Congressional oversight
Energy research
Government studies and investigations
Mining
Product development and innovation
Research and development
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: 

Creating Opportunities And Leveraging Technologies for Coal Carbon Act of 2019 or the COAL TeCC Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish two programs concerning coal-derived carbon products.
 
First, DOE must establish a program of research, development, and demonstration for carbon engineering solutions to enable new uses for coal-derived carbon for a variety of purposes, such as commercial, military, or medical purposes.
 
Second, DOE must establish a pilot and demonstration program to accelerate the commercial deployment of coal-carbon products. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-3048
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2019-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: 

Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide employment authorization for eligible asylum applicants. Currently, such individuals are not entitled to employment authorization but may be granted such by the Department of Justice. 
 
DHS shall grant employment authorization to an asylum seeker (1) who is not in detention, (2) whose application for asylum has not been deemed frivolous, and (3) whose identity has been checked against certain databases. Such employment authorization shall last for one year and be renewable for one-year terms during the period necessary to adjudicate the applicant's asylum claim.
 
The bill also shortens the waiting period for receiving employment authorization to 30 days from the filing of the asylum application.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S7030)
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
LAB Act

Bill: 116-s-3049
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2019-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health information and medical records
Inflation and prices
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: 

Laboratory Access for Beneficiaries Act or the LAB Act

 
This bill revises the periods during which laboratories must report clinical diagnostic test information to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for purposes of determining Medicare payment rates. Additionally, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission must evaluate the methodology used to determine a specified laboratory fee schedule.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 to provide designees of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Administrator of the Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture with positions on the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.

Bill: 116-s-3050
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2019-12-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Department of Agriculture
Department of Veterans Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: 
This bill adds to the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Rural Housing Service within the Department of Agriculture.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to implement the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada attached as an Annex to the Protocol Replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Bill: 116-s-3052
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Canada
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Labor
Department of the Interior
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental regulatory procedures
Executive agency funding and structure
Free trade and trade barriers
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
International organizations and cooperation
Judicial review and appeals
Labor standards
Labor-management relations
Lakes and rivers
Latin America
Mexico
Motor carriers
Multilateral development programs
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations
Water quality
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: 

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act

 
This bill provides statutory authority for the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada (USMCA), which replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement. Specifically, the bill implements provisions that include labor and environment monitoring and enforcement, de minimis levels for U.S. exports, and cooperation among treaty members to prevent duty evasion. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Food Safety Modernization for Innovative Technologies Act

Bill: 116-s-3053
Sponsor: Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY]
Introduced: 2019-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Agricultural practices and innovations
Animal and plant health
Consumer affairs
Department of Agriculture
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Livestock
Meat
Radiation
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: 

Food Safety Modernization for Innovative Technologies Act

 
This bill provides statutory authority for joint agency jurisdiction over food intended for humans that is produced using animal cell culture technology.
 
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shall oversee tissue collection, cell lines, and cell banks.
 
The FDA shall regulate food derived from cell lines of animals other than livestock or poultry, and the Department of Agriculture shall regulate food derived from cell lines of livestock and poultry. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
State-based Education Loan Awareness Act

Bill: 116-s-3054
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2019-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: 

State-based Education Loan Awareness Act

 
This bill excludes certain arrangements or agreements regarding education loans from the definition of a 
preferred lender arrangement
.
 
A preferred lender arrangement is an arrangement or agreement between a lender and an institution of higher education (IHE) that receives federal funding or assistance (1) under which a lender issues education loans to students attending the IHE; and (2) that relates to the IHE recommending, promoting, or endorsing the education loan products of the lender.
 
The bill provides that arrangements or agreements made under a state-based education loan program or that are funded, insured, or guaranteed by any federal agency other than the Department of Education do not meet the definition of a preferred lender agreement for purposes of certain required disclosures to student borrowers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Student Loan Repayment Freedom Act

Bill: 116-s-3055
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2019-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: 

Student Loan Repayment Freedom Act

 
This bill authorizes a federal student loan borrower to terminate repayment under an income-based repayment plan and instead elect to repay such loan under any other repayment plan for which they are eligible.
 
Currently, a federal student loan borrower repaying under an income-based repayment plan may only change to the standard repayment plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

Bill: 116-s-3056
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-12-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land transfers
Utah
Water use and supply
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: 

America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

 
This bill designates specified lands in the following areas of Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Great Basin, (2) Grand Staircase-Escalante, (3) Moab-La Sal Canyons, (4) Henry Mountains, (5) Glen Canyon, (6) San Juan-Anasazi, (7) Canyonlands Basin, (8) San Rafael Swell, and (9) Book Cliffs and Uinta Basin.
 
The bill sets forth administrative requirements for (1) the exchange of state-owned lands within such areas, (2) federal reservation of water rights, (3) measurement of setbacks for roads with adjacent wilderness, (4) authorized livestock grazing, and (5) withdrawal of such lands from disposition under certain public land laws.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S7050-7053)
action_date: 2019-12-16
text: Introduced in Senate