hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2350
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Sales and excise taxes
Small business
State and local taxation
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2019
 
 
This bill prohibits states from imposing a sales tax collection duty on a remote seller for any sale that occurred prior to June 21, 2018. A &quot;remote seller&quot; is a person without a physical presence in a state who makes a sale in the state. 
 
A state may impose a sales tax collection duty on a remote seller only for a sale that occurs after January 1, 2021. In the case of a small business remote seller (no more than $10 million in gross annual receipts in the United States), a state may not impose a sales tax collection duty on any person other than the purchaser if the sale is made (1) on or after June 21, 2018; and (2) before the date that is 30 days after the states develop and Congress approves an interstate compact, applicable to the state and sale, governing the imposition of tax collection duties on remote sellers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2351
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Detention of persons
Europe
Evidence and witnesses
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Middle East
News media and reporting
Protest and dissent
Religion
Sanctions
Saudi Arabia
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Turkey
Violent crime
Visas and passports
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to report to Congress about the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and imposes related sanctions.
 
The report shall present evidence about whether any current or former government official of Saudi Arabia had advanced knowledge of the killing, ordered the killing, or was involved in tampering with related evidence. 
 
It shall also list foreign persons that the ODNI has high confidence were responsible for Khashoggi's death, materially assisted in causing the death, or impeded any investigations into the death. The Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security shall bar such foreign persons from entering the United States and revoke visas belonging to such persons.
 
The State Department shall report to Congress about the extent to which Saudi Arabia is responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and about U.S. actions to address such violations. The report shall also describe the publication by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education of intolerant educational materials and U.S. actions to encourage an end to the production and use of such materials. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Retirement Security Preservation Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2352
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax deferral

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Retirement Security Preservation Act of 201

9

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the nondiscrimination requirements for certain defined benefit retirement plans that limit participation or certain features to a closed class, such as individuals who were hired before a certain date. 
 
(Under current law, the plans may not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees and must meet minimum participation requirements.) 
 
The bill applies only to a defined benefit plan that (1) closed before April 5, 2017; or (2) was in effect for at least five years when it closed and did not substantially increase the coverage or value of the benefits, rights, or features for the closed class during the five-year period before it closed, except as the result of certain business acquisitions or mergers. 
 
Such a plan meets the nondiscrimination requirements if it (1) satisfies certain testing rules for the year that the class closes and the two succeeding plan years, and (2) is not amended in a discriminatory manner after the class is closed. 
 
A defined contribution plan that offers additional contributions or benefits to a closed class whose benefits under a defined benefit plan have been reduced or eliminated meets the nondiscrimination requirements if (1) the group receiving the contributions or benefits satisfies certain testing rules for the year in which the group is closed and for two subsequent plan years, and (2) the plan is not amended in a discriminatory manner. 
 
A defined benefit plan that is either closed or has ceased benefit accruals for all participants (frozen plan) satisfies the minimum participation requirements if the plan met the requirements when it was closed or frozen. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
EFFORT Act

Bill: 116-s-2354
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Medical research
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Expanding Findings for Federal Opioid Research and Treatment Act or the EFFORT Act

 
This bill directs the National Science Foundation to support merit-reviewed and competitively awarded research on the science of opioid addiction. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
End Racial and Religious Profiling Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2355
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Border security and unlawful immigration
Civil actions and liability
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Customs enforcement
Department of Justice
Government information and archives
Government liability
Law enforcement administration and funding
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Right of privacy
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

End Racial and Religious Profiling Act of 2019 or ERRPA
 
This bill establishes a framework to eliminate racial profiling at the federal, state, and local levels. 
 
Specifically, it requires federal law enforcement agencies to maintain policies and procedures to eliminate racial profiling, including training, data collection, and complaint procedures. State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies must maintain similar policies and procedures as a condition of receiving funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program and the Community Oriented Policing Services program.
 
To enforce violations, the bill authorizes civil suits by the Department of Justice and affected individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Define WOTUS Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2356
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Army Corps of Engineers
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Judicial review and appeals
Licensing and registrations
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Define WOTUS Act of 2019 

 
This bill describes which bodies of water fall under federal jurisdiction for purposes of the Clean Water Act. Specifically, the bill (1) repeals the Clean Water Rule that was issued on May 27, 2015, by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; (2) redefines navigable waters; and (3) establishes a process for the U.S. Army to determine, upon request, whether certain waters are navigable waters. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Competitive Dollar for Jobs and Prosperity Act

Bill: 116-s-2357
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Federal Reserve System
Free trade and trade barriers
International monetary system and foreign exchange
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Competitive Dollar for Jobs and Prosperity Act

 
This bill requires the Federal Reserve Board to impose a market access charge on foreign purchasers of U.S. assets. The board must levy this charge in order to achieve and maintain a current account balance (i.e., current account surpluses or deficits that do not exceed an average of 0.5% of U.S. gross domestic product).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
WIC Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2358
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Child health
Food assistance and relief
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance
State and local government operations
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Wise Investment in Children Act of 2019 or the
 
WIC Act of 2019

 
This bill expands eligibility for children to receive benefits under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
 
Specifically, the bill
 
 
allows states to extend eligibility for the program until the period that ends on the earlier of the sixth birthday of a child or when the child enters kindergarten;
 
extends the certification period under the program for infants to two years, instead of the current one year; and
 
authorizes states to increase the certification time under the program for breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women to two years postpartum.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require consideration of the assets of a household for broad-based categorical eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Bill: 116-s-2359
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Food assistance and relief

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 
This bill revises eligibility requirements under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to require certain household assets (e.g., available cash, stock, savings bonds, mutual funds) to be considered when making a categorical eligibility determination for SNAP benefits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Unlocking Opportunities in Emerging Markets Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2360
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Executive agency funding and structure
Government lending and loan guarantees
Small Business Administration
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Unlocking Opportunities in Emerging Markets Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes the Office of Emerging Markets within the Small Business Administration to oversee the planning, coordination, implementation, evaluation, and improvement of efforts to enhance the economic well-being of small business concerns in emerging markets. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5252-5253)
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Closing the Credit Gap Act

Bill: 116-s-2361
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Economic performance and conditions
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Performance measurement
Public-private cooperation
Rural conditions and development
Small Business Administration
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Closing the Credit Gap Act

 
This bill establishes a Community Advantage Loan Program under which the Small Business Administration (SBA) may guarantee loans made by covered institutions to small business concerns in underserved markets.
 
Specifically, the bill makes the Community Advantage Pilot Program (CA) permanent and includes women and minorities as eligible groups for CA loans in addition to the other categories that are currently eligible. The bill requires at least 60% of loans made by a covered institution under the program be made to small business concerns in underserved markets, and it allows the SBA to waive the $250,000 cap on loan sizes up to $350,000. The bill further requires the SBA to provide both in-person and online training and technical assistance that is free or low-cost for covered institutions making loans under the program.
 
The SBA must establish a working group to develop recommendations for the SBA to effectively manage, support, and promote the program and its mission.
 
Lastly, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on program outcomes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5253)
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
American Business Tariff Relief Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2362
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Economic performance and conditions
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

American Business Tariff Relief Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the U.S. Trade Representative to establish a process whereby U.S. businesses may request that articles newly subject to raised import duties be excluded from such duties. For an exclusion to be granted, the business seeking the exclusion must demonstrate the article's unavailability from any other source or that the duty would cause economic harm to a U.S. interest.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
TOWER Infrastructure Deployment Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2363
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Telecommunications Opportunities for Workers Engaging in Real Infrastructure Deployment Act of 2019 or the TOWER Infrastructure Deployment Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes the Telecommunications Workforce Development Advisory Council to advise the Federal Communications Commission on (1) the needs of the communications industry workforce to promote infastructure deployment, and (2) recommendations to improve the industry's workforce development.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Save Our Seas 2.0: Enhancing the Domestic Marine Debris Response Act

Bill: 116-s-2364
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Floods and storm protection
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Licensing and registrations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Marine pollution
Natural disasters
Product development and innovation
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Solid waste and recycling
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Save Our Seas 2.0: Enhancing the Domestic Marine Debris Response Act 

 
This bill generally addresses efforts to reduce marine debris and establishes (1) the Marine Debris Response Trust Fund for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to respond to marine debris events, (2) the Marine Debris Foundation nonprofit organization, and (3) the Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2365
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Federal-Indian relations
Health facilities and institutions
Indian social and development programs
Military medicine
Minority health
Urban and suburban affairs and development
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to enter arrangements for the sharing of medical facilities and services with urban Indian organizations. The VA and DOD shall reimburse an urban Indian organization where services are provided to beneficiaries eligible for services from either department.

action_date: 2019-12-18
text: 

Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to enter arrangements for the sharing of medical facilities and services with urban Indian organizations. The VA and DOD shall reimburse an urban Indian organization where services are provided to beneficiaries eligible for services from either department.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-18
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 388.
action_date: 2019-12-18
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven without amendment. With written report No. 116-180.
action_date: 2019-12-18
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven without amendment. With written report No. 116-180.
action_date: 2019-12-11
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-11-20
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-183.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Commonsense Reporting Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2366
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of the Treasury
Employee benefits and pensions
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Income tax credits
Personnel records
Right of privacy
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Commonsense Reporting Act of 2019

 
This bill addresses the eligibility verification process for the premium assistance tax credit and cost-sharing subsidy under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). It requires the Department of the Treasury to develop and implement a reporting system that allows employers to voluntarily report information about their health plans for the current plan year prior to the beginning of open enrollment. The bill also allows electronic transmission of employee and enrollee statements and permits Treasury to accept full names and dates of birth in lieu of dependents' and spouses' Social Security numbers. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must evaluate (1) for the period beginning on January 1, 2015, and ending on December 31, 2018, the notification of employers by PPACA exchanges of the eligibility of employees for advance payments of the premium assistance tax credit or cost-sharing subsidies; and (2) for calendar year 2020, the functionality of the prospective reporting system established by this bill, including the accuracy of information collected.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2367
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Licensing and registrations
Performance measurement
Rural conditions and development
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish an Addressing Teacher Shortages Program. Through this program, ED shall award grants for local education agencies to address teacher shortage challenges. 
 
Specifically, grant funds may be used to establish or expand
 
 
teaching residency programs, 
 
teacher mentor programs, 
 
specified recruitment and training programs, and 
 
other evidence-based strategies to increase teacher retention and support teachers.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate