hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Treating Workers with Dignity Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2937
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Labor standards
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Treating Workers with Dignity Act of 2019

 
This bill requires employers to compensate their employees for their meal, medical, and restroom breaks. Specifically, employers must compensate at prescribed rates employees who work a six-hour period for a 30-minute break to consume a meal. Additionally, employers must provide short-duration breaks to employees who have a documented medical condition and allow restroom breaks to their employees for every four-hour work period. 
 
The requirements of this bill shall not supercede any provision in a collective bargaining agreement. The bill further provides legal or equitable relief for violations of its requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Warning Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2938
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Business records
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government information and archives
Unemployment

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Fair Warning Act of 2019

 
This bill bars an employer from ordering a site closing or mass layoff until 90 calendar days after the employer has served written notice of such an order to (1) each representative of the affected employees as of the time of the notice or each affected employee, (2) the Department of Labor and the governor of the state where the site closing or mass layoff is to occur, and (3) the state or entity designated by the state to carry out rapid response activities. 
 
No notice shall be required if the site closing or mass layoff is because of any natural disaster, such as a flood, earthquake, or a drought ravaging the farmlands of the United States.
 
 Labor shall maintain a guide of benefits and services that may be available to affected employees, including unemployment compensation, trade adjustment assistance, COBRA continuation coverage, and early access to training services and other services, including counseling services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Against International Terrorism Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2939
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Business records
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board
Telephone and wireless communication
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Protecting Against International Terrorism Act of 2019

 
This bill reauthorizes through December 15, 2027, statutory provisions that allow the government to (1) access certain business records for foreign intelligence and international terrorism investigations, and (2) treat individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers in certain instances. The bill also terminates the government's authority to access call records on an ongoing basis as part of foreign intelligence and international terrorism investigations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
National Aviation Heritage Area Reauthorization Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2940
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Historic sites and heritage areas
Ohio
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

National Aviation Heritage Area Reauthorization Act of 2019

 
This bill extends through FY2022 the authority of the Department of the Interior to provide assistance for the National Aviation Heritage Area located in Indiana and Ohio. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
RECYCLE Act

Bill: 116-s-2941
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Census and government statistics
Congressional oversight
Elementary and secondary education
Environmental education
Government information and archives
Public contracts and procurement
Solid waste and recycling
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Recycling Enhancements to Collection and Yield through Consumer Learning and Education Act of 2019 or the RECYCLE Act

 
This bill provides support for recycling programs.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program to award grants to improve the effectiveness of residential and community recycling programs through public education and outreach.
 
In addition, the EPA must develop a model recycling program toolkit for states, Native American tribes, and local governments.
 
Finally, the bill specifies that the EPA's review of its federal procurement guidelines for purchasing certain recycled materials and items made with such materials must occur at least once every five years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that certain contributions by government entities are treated as contributions to capital.

Bill: 116-s-2942
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax exclusion
Public utilities and utility rates
Solid waste and recycling
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise requirements for the tax exclusion for contributions to the capital of a corporation. Specifically, the bill allows an exclusion for certain amounts received by a regulated public utility that provides water or sewerage disposal services. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2943
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Adult education and literacy
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Home and outpatient care
Judicial review and appeals
Labor-management relations
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicaid
Medicare
Neurological disorders
Nursing
Prescription drugs
State and local government operations
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes several requirements for Medicare skilled nursing facilities and Medicaid nursing facilities with respect to minimum staffing levels, training for nurses, and protections for whistleblowers and residents. The bill also requires specific consent procedures in relation to the administration of certain psychotropic drugs and prohibits the use of pre-dispute arbitration agreements in such facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
BRST Act

Bill: 116-s-2944
Sponsor: Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cancer
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Military medicine
Veterans' medical care
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Better and Robust Screening Today Act or the BRST Act

 
This bill revises revises coverage of primary and preventive health services for women under the TRICARE program to include the use of digital breast tomosynthesis in breast cancer screening.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 171 South Maple Street in Dana, Indiana, as the Ernest "Ernie" T. Pyle Post Office.

Bill: 116-s-2945
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Indiana
News media and reporting
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 171 South Maple Street in Dana, Indiana, as the Ernest "Ernie" T. Pyle Post Office.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 442.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-03-12
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-03-11
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Pathway to Stable and Affordable Housing for All Act

Bill: 116-s-2946
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Appropriations
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Executive agency funding and structure
Government trust funds
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Housing supply and affordability
Low- and moderate-income housing
Public housing
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Pathway to Stable and Affordable Housing for All Act

 
This bill provides appropriations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for several housing programs, including (1) Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, (2) the Housing Trust Fund, (3) the Continuum of Care Program, and (4) the Emergency Solutions Grants Program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
SCOPE Act

Bill: 116-s-2947
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Transportation
Motor vehicles
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Stop CO Poisoning Exposures Act or the
 
SCOPE Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to require that automobile manufacturers install technology in each motor vehicle equipped with a keyless ignition device and an internal combustion engine to automatically shut off the motor vehicle after the motor vehicle has idled for a specified period of time to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
K9s for Veterans Therapy Act

Bill: 116-s-2948
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Congressional oversight
Disability assistance
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Mammals
Mental health
Neurological disorders
Service animals
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

K9s for Veterans Therapy Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder through a method where veterans train service dogs for veterans with disabilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
PAWS Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2949
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Mammals
Mental health
Neurological disorders
Service animals
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2019 or the PAWS Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a grant program for the purpose of pairing service dogs with eligible veterans. Organizations that receive grants shall provide veterinary health insurance coverage, hardware, and travel expenses for each service dog and veteran participating in the program.
 
Eligible veterans are those who (1) are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) have been evaluated and treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but remain diagnosed with PTSD, (3) may benefit from a service dog, and (4) agree to successfully complete training provided by an eligible organization. Veterans are required to see a VA health care provider at least once every 180 days to determine whether the veteran continues to benefit from a service dog. 
 
Eligible organizations are nonprofit organizations that
 
 
provide service dogs to veterans with PTSD,
 
meet publicly available standards set forth by the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans,
 
have expertise in the needs of veterans with PTSD,
 
agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount to guarantee the benefits of the program,
 
agree to reaccept or replace a service dog provided to a veteran, and
 
submit an application to the VA.
 
 
Any improvement in PTSD symptoms as a result of the provision of a service dog shall not affect the veteran's eligibility for any other VA benefits.
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on the grant program.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Housing is Infrastructure Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2951
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Building construction
Disability assistance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental health
Floods and storm protection
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government trust funds
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing for the elderly and disabled
Housing supply and affordability
Indian social and development programs
Low- and moderate-income housing
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Public contracts and procurement
Public housing
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
Rural conditions and development
State and local government operations
User charges and fees
Water use and supply
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Housing is Infrastructure Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes additional funding for various housing assistance programs.
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes additional funding for
 
 
public housing agencies to maintain and improve public housing buildings;
 
states and communities to reduce the risk of flood damage to housing;
 
very low-income residents to improve and modernize rural housing;
 
Indian tribes to develop housing and housing services;
 
nonprofit organizations and community development financial institutions to conduct activities related to affordable housing and economic development;
 
state housing finance agencies to provide supportive housing for individuals with disabilities;
 
private nonprofit organizations to provide supportive housing for the elderly; and
 
states, counties, and cities to develop and preserve affordable housing. 

 
The bill also requires that specified portions of funding made available under the bill be used for water and energy efficiency.
 
In administering such funding made available under the bill, the relevant federal agencies must consult with grantees and recipients and meet with state and local government officials for the purpose of recommending and promoting funding opportunities and initiatives to include minority and women's business enterprises in such grant activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
National Heritage Areas Reauthorization Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2952
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Connecticut
Dams and canals
Historic sites and heritage areas
Massachusetts
New York State
Ohio
Oil and gas
Pennsylvania
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

National Heritage Areas Reauthorization Act of 2019

 
This bill reauthorizes certain National Heritage Areas and increases the total amount that may be made available for certain National Heritage Corridors. 
 
The bill increases the total amount that may be appropriated for (1) the Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor (formerly the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor) in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and (2) the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in New York. 
 
The bill reauthorizes through FY2022 (1) the National Aviation National Heritage Area in Ohio and Indiana, and (2) the Oil Region National Heritage Area in Pennsylvania. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Ensuring a Durable Afghanistan Peace Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2953
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Afghanistan
Alliances
Asia
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Human rights
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Minority education
News media and reporting
Racial and ethnic relations
Rule of law and government transparency
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Terrorism
Women's education
Women's employment
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Ensuring a Durable Afghanistan Peace Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of State and the President to report on any agreement with Taliban officials and the peace process in Afghanistan.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the State Department to submit to Congress any agreement with Taliban officials related to counterterrorism assurances by the Taliban, U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan, and the status of intra-Afghan negotiations and a comprehensive cease-fire.
 
Following the finalization of an agreement with Taliban officials, the State Department must report on Taliban officials' compliance with obligations and commitments under the agreement, whether Taliban officials and the Haqqani Network have broken ties with Al Qaeda, the viability of the intra-Afghan governing agreement, and whether the terms of the cease-fire are being met by all sides in the conflict. In addition, the President must submit a biannual report assessing whether key tenets of such agreement with Taliban officials are preserved and honored. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Toll Credit Marketplace Act

Bill: 116-s-2954
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2019-11-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Regional and metropolitan planning
Roads and highways
State and local finance
Transportation programs funding
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: 

Toll Credit Marketplace Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish and implement in at least 10 states a five-year pilot program to develop a toll credit marketplace for states to buy and sell toll credits. States may use funds from the sale of toll credits to offset the non-federal share of the cost of any transportation project.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-11-21
text: Introduced in Senate