hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Botanical Sciences and Native Plant Materials Research, Restoration, and Promotion Act

Bill: 116-hr-1572
Sponsor: Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animal and plant health
Biological and life sciences
Congressional oversight
Ecology
Endangered and threatened species
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Genetics
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Higher education
Horticulture and plants
Land use and conservation
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Student aid and college costs
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Botanical Sciences and Native Plant Materials Research, Restoration, and Promotion Act

 
This bill directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and other appropriate entities to support a program of intramural and extramural botanical science research to support the land management responsibilities of the Department of the Interior. Interior may hire additional personnel to augment its expertise in the botanical sciences.
 
Interior's land management agencies and the Forest Service shall give preference to using locally adapted native plant materials when undertaking land management activities on lands under their respective jurisdictions. 
 
Specified federal agencies shall collaborate regarding land use responsibility when undertaking specified activities, including the development of genetically appropriate seed, related to native plant materials.
 
 The bill authorizes the BLM to undertake specified activities for the development and use of native plant materials, including the protection of rare plants on public lands. 
 
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation shall ensure that a program of activities which is focused on conservation and protection of native plants is incorporated into its existing programs and activities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-18
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2019-04-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
action_date: 2019-03-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
action_date: 2019-03-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2019-03-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
Disability Voting Rights Act

Bill: 116-hr-1573
Sponsor: Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Disability and health-based discrimination
Disability and paralysis
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government information and archives
State and local government operations
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Disability Voting Rights Act

 
This bill requires each state to allow individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections.
 
Among other things, each state must
 
 
accept and process any otherwise valid voter registration and absentee ballot applications from individuals with disabilities if such applications are received within 30 days of the federal election;
 
establish procedures for individuals with disabilities to request, and for the state to send, voter registration and absentee ballot applications by mail and through electronic means; 
 
create procedures for securely transmitting blank absentee ballots by mail and through electronic means to individuals with disabilities; 
 
designate a single office to provide information on voter registration and absentee ballot procedures for individuals with disabilities; and
 
specify a means of electronic communication for individuals with disabilities to request, and for the state to send, voter registration and absentee ballot applications.
 
 
Further, each state must transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an individual with a disability within 45 days of an election. However, the bill establishes a procedure for a state to apply to the Department of Justice for a waiver of this requirement. 
 
 The bill also permanently reauthorizes and expands a program under which the Department of Health and Human Services makes payments to eligible states and units of local government to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
Closing the Law Enforcement Consent Loophole Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-1574
Sponsor: Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Detention of persons
Government studies and investigations
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Sex offenses
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Closing the Law Enforcement Consent Loophole Act of 2019

 
This bill makes it unlawful for a federal law enforcement officer to engage in a sexual act while acting under color of law or with an individual who is under arrest, in detention, or in custody. 
 
Consent is not a defense to prosecution for unlawful conduct. A violator is subject to criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to 15 years, or both.
 
Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of Justice to make grants to states that have in effect similar laws. Grants must be used for the same purposes as formula grants under the STOP Violence Against Women Program and the Sexual Assault Services Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
Robocall Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-1575
Sponsor: Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [D-NJ-2]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Robocall Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2019

 
This bill extends the statute of limitations for enforcing robocall violations and authorizes the Federal Communications Commission to pursue violations of robocall rules without first issuing a citation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-30
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2019-03-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2655)
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-1576
Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: American Samoa
Caribbean area
Food assistance and relief
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2019 

 
This bill allows Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) after submitting a plan of operation that is approved by the Department of Agriculture. (Under current law, the three territories receive block grants instead of participating in SNAP.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act

Bill: 116-hr-1577
Sponsor: Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Government information and archives
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act

 
This bill addresses procurement procedures in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill requires the VA to record the amount of any cost savings realized by using competitive procedures in awarding contracts reported in the Federal Procurement Data System (or successor systems).
 
The VA shall make available and use on a VA-wide basis the standardized procurement templates already used internally at certain VA offices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
Plum Island Preservation Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-1578
Sponsor: Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. [R-NY-1]
Introduced: 2019-03-06 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Agricultural research
Animal and plant health
Congressional oversight
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
New York State
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: 

Plum Island Preservation Act of 2019

 
This bill repeals provisions requiring the sale of federal property and assets supporting the Department of Homeland Security's Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York. 
 
The property and assets subject to the disposition of Plum Island shall be limited to conservation, education, and research purposes. 
 
The Department of the Interior shall conduct a special resource study of the historic Plum Island Light Station to evaluate its national significance and determine the suitability and feasibility of designating it as a unit of the National Park System. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation.
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2019-03-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-06
text: Introduced in House
National POW/MIA Flag Act

Bill: 116-hr-1579
Sponsor: Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
Introduced: 2019-03-07 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays
Conflicts and wars
Military personnel and dependents
National symbols

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: 

National POW/MIA Flag Act

 
The bill changes the days on which the POW/MIA flag is required to be displayed at specified locations to all days on which the U.S. flag is displayed. (Current law requires the POW/MIA flag to be displayed only on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House
Global Fragility Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-1580
Sponsor: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16]
Introduced: 2019-03-07 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Crimes against children
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign aid and international relief
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Multilateral development programs
Political movements and philosophies
Public-private cooperation
Racial and ethnic relations
Reconstruction and stabilization
Religion
Research and development
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Terrorism
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: 

Global Fragility Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Department of State to establish the interagency Global Fragility Initiative to stabilize conflict-affected areas and prevent violence globally, and establishes funds to support such efforts.
 
The State Department shall devise a plan for the initiative, including its organizational structure and goals. The State Department shall lead in foreign policy, diplomatic, and political efforts. The U.S. Agency for International Development shall lead in development, humanitarian, and non-security policies. Other departments and agencies, including the Department of Defense, shall provide support as necessary. 
 
The State Department shall select priority countries and regions that are particularly at risk, and report to Congress 10-year plans for each. Each plan shall include information including descriptions of goals, plans for reaching such goals, and benchmarks for measuring progress.
 
The State Department shall report to Congress every two years about the initiative's progress. The Government Accountability Office shall consult Congress every two years about opportunities to assess the initiative and recommend improvements. 
 
The bill creates the Stabilization and Prevention Fund to support efforts to stabilize conflict-affected areas, including areas at risk from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or other terrorist organizations.
 
The bill establishes the Complex Crises Fund to support programs to address emerging, unforeseen, or complex challenges abroad. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Appropriations, 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: 2019-03-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Appropriations, 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: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House
Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-1581
Sponsor: Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5]
Introduced: 2019-03-07 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Abortion
Cancer
Congressional oversight
Crimes against women
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Family planning and birth control
Foreign aid and international relief
HIV/AIDS
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Human rights
International law and treaties
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Sexually transmitted diseases
Women's health
Women's rights
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: 

Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Department of State to include in its annual reports on human rights in countries receiving U.S. development and security assistance a discussion of the status of reproductive rights in each country, including whether a country has adopted and enforced policies to (1) promote access to contraception and accurate family planning information, (2) provide services to ensure safe and healthy pregnancy and childbirth, (3) expand or restrict access to safe abortion services, (4) prevent maternal deaths, and (5) prevent and treat sexually transmitted diseases.
 
For each country, the reports shall also contain (1) data related to maternal deaths, and (2) a description of the nature and extent of discrimination and violence against women and girls in health care settings and the relevant government's response to such actions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House
Senior and Disability Home Modification Assistance Initiative Act

Bill: 116-hr-1583
Sponsor: Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
Introduced: 2019-03-07 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Aging
Disability assistance
Government information and archives
Housing for the elderly and disabled
Residential rehabilitation and home repair

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: 

Senior and Disability Home Modification Assistance Initiative Act

 
This bill requires the Administration on Aging to take a series of actions relating to home modifications that support independent living for older individuals and individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the administration must (1) coordinate, evaluate, and report on existing federal programs that support such home modifications; and (2) publish an educational brochure about such home modifications and available resources.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House
Energy Sovereignty Act

Bill: 116-hr-1584
Sponsor: Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]
Introduced: 2019-03-07 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Air quality
Environmental health
Intergovernmental relations
International organizations and cooperation
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: 

Energy Sovereignty Act

 
This bill repeals the requirement that states must revise implementation plans to prevent or eliminate air pollution endangering public health or welfare in other countries when directed to do so by the Environmental Protection Agency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House
BRIDGE Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-1586
Sponsor: Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1]
Introduced: 2019-03-07 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Employment and training programs
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: 

Building Resources Into Digital Growth and Education Act of 2019 or the BRIDGE Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes a digital network technology program to award grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to eligible institutions.
 
Specifically, the bill provides funds to historically black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions for the acquisition and use of broadband internet service to improve the quality and delivery of educational services. Such funds shall be used to provide training and education for students and faculty, obtain technical assistance, and create centers at institutions to support innovation and opportunity for entrepreneurs and start-ups. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2019-03-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Introduced in House