hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act

Bill: 116-s-1394
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Federal Labor Relations Authority
Federal preemption
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health personnel
Labor-management relations
Law enforcement officers
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act

 
This bill addresses the rights of public safety officers or employees to form and join a labor organization and to participate in certain organized job actions.
 
The bill requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority (NLRA) to determine whether a state substantially provides public safety officers or employees
 
 
the right to form and join a labor organization; 
 
recognition by public safety employers of the employees' labor organization, agreement to bargain with the organization, and reduction of any agreements to writing in a contract or memorandum of understanding; 
 
the right to bargain over hours, wages, and terms and conditions of employment; and 
 
binding interest arbitration to resolve an impasse in collective bargaining negotiations. 

 
The bill makes the NLRA responsible for (1) determining the appropriateness of units for labor representation; (2) supervising elections; (3) conducting hearings and resolving complaints of unfair labor practices; and (4) protecting the right of employees to form, join, or assist any labor organization, or to refrain from doing so. 
 
An employer, public safety officer, or labor organization may not engage in a lockout, sickout, work slowdown, strike, or any other organized job action that will measurably disrupt the delivery of emergency services and is designed to compel an employer, public safety officer, or labor organization to agree to the terms of a proposed contract.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Age 21 Act

Bill: 116-s-1395
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Firearms and explosives
Licensing and registrations
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

Age 21 Act

 
This bill raises the minimum age to purchase a large capacity ammunition feeding device or semiautomatic assault weapon from 18 to 21 years of age.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect America's Paper for Recycling Act

Bill: 116-s-1396
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits
Solid waste and recycling

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

Protect America's Paper for Recycling Act

 
This bill modifies the tax credit for producing electricity from renewable resources to revise the definition of "municipal solid waste." 
 
The bill specifies that municipal solid waste does not include solid waste collected as part of a system which commingles commonly recycled paper with other solid waste which is not commonly recycled at any point from the time of collection through any materials recovery. The bill includes exceptions for incidental and residual waste.
 
In the case of a facility that produces electricity both from municipal solid waste and other solid waste that is not a qualified energy resource (1) the facility is a qualified facility if it otherwise meets the requirements for qualified facilities, and (2) the credit only applies to the portion of the electricity produced from municipal solid waste.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to provide for a national Federal write-in absentee ballot for domestic use.

Bill: 116-s-1397
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Atmospheric science and weather
Disaster relief and insurance
Election Assistance Commission
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Natural disasters
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 
This bill directs the Election Assistance Commission to create a national federal write-in absentee ballot that must be made available on the internet in a printable format.
 
States must permit certain individuals to use the ballot to cast a vote in any election for federal office. The individuals who qualify to use the ballot are those who
 
 
reside in an area where a state of emergency has been declared by the state due to a natural disaster,
 
expect to be absent from their jurisdiction on election day due to professional or volunteer service in response to a natural disaster or emergency,
 
expect to be hospitalized on election day, or
 
requested an absentee ballot but did not receive it in time for it to be counted in the election.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1398
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Air quality
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Community life and organization
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Employment and training programs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Infrastructure development
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Licensing and registrations
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
State and local government operations
Technology assessment
U.S. and foreign investments
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2019
 
 
This bill establishes programs for the implementation and use of smart technologies and systems in communities of various sizes. A &ldquo;smart city or community&rdquo; is one in which innovative, advanced, and trustworthy information, communication, and energy technologies are applied to (1) improve the health and quality of life of residents; (2) increase efficiency of operations and services; (3) promote economic growth; and (4) improve safety, security, sustainability, resiliency, livability, and work life.
 
The Department of Commerce shall establish a regional demonstration grant program focused on facilitating adoption, and allowing measurement and validation of performance, of advanced smart city or community technologies and systems. Commerce shall also convene a working group to develop tools for evaluating the cybersecurity of smart city or community technologies.
 
The Department of Labor shall establish the TechHire Workforce Training and Development Pilot Program to furnish competitive grants for technology-based job training and education programs that provide industry-recognized credentials.
 
The bill requires strong federal encouragement and support for private sector-led standards development activities.
 
The bill requires the establishment of a strategic international smart cities and communities trade program that includes trade missions to promote and assist smart-community activities, as by leveraging expertise in infrastructure development.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1399
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Medical education
Mental health
Nursing
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019

 
 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2024 grant programs that fund nursing workforce development and retention. Such grants must generally be used to develop high-quality nursing services in areas that have, or are projected to have, a nursing shortage. The bill also reauthorizes grant programs for nursing education, loan repayment, and geriatric care training.
 
 The bill further requires the Government Accountability Office to evaluate and report on the nursing education loan repayment program, including (1) the methods of payment, (2) existing and recommended oversight functions, (3) the number of nurses participating in the program, and (4) the type of facility at which participants are serving. 

action_date: 2019-11-05
text: 

Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2019

 
 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2024 grant programs that fund nursing workforce development and retention. Such grants must generally be used to develop high-quality nursing services in areas that have, or are projected to have, a nursing shortage. The bill also reauthorizes grant programs for nursing education, loan repayment, and geriatric care training.
 
 The bill further requires the Government Accountability Office to evaluate and report on the nursing education loan repayment program, including (1) the methods of payment, (2) existing and recommended oversight functions, (3) the number of nurses participating in the program, and (4) the type of facility at which participants are serving. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 285.
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Alexander with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-11-05
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Alexander with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
SAVE Act

Bill: 116-s-1400
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

State Allowance for a Variety of Exchanges Act or the SAVE Act

 
This bill allows the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to support the establishment of state-based health insurance exchanges in those states that have not already elected to do so. A state that receives a grant must ensure that the resulting exchange is self-sustaining by 2024. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
ESP Family Leave Act

Bill: 116-s-1401
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Employee leave
Food industry and services
Health personnel
School administration

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

ESP Family Leave Act

 
This bill provides that employees who are education support professionals will be considered as meeting the hours of service requirements to become eligible for family or medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, if they have worked a number of hours equal to not less than 60% of the total monthly hours expected for their job descriptions and duties, as assigned for the previous school year.
 
The bill defines an 
education support professional
 as an employee within a public school or public institution of higher education which may include (1) paraeducators who provide instructional and noninstructional support; (2) secretarial, clerical, and administrative support staff; (3) custodians and maintenance service workers who provide building and grounds maintenance and repair; (4) skilled trade workers who provide services in schools, e.g., electricians, carpenters, and machinery operators; (5) workers who provide food service; (6) workers who provide school transportation and delivery services; (7) computer audiovisual, and language technical support staff; (8) security staff; (9) nursing, health, and therapy support staff; and (10) other staff that may serve public education students. 
 
The Department of Labor may provide a method for calculating leave under the Act for education support professionals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Honoring Family-Friendly Workplaces Act

Bill: 116-s-1402
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child care and development
Child health
Employee benefits and pensions
Employee leave
Family relationships
Labor standards

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

Honoring Family-Friendly Workplaces Act

 
 This bill directs the Department of Labor to establish a national certification program to award certifications to recognize employers that have a commitment to helping employees balance employment responsibilities and family obligations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding On-Campus Child Care to Help Student Parents Succeed Act

Bill: 116-s-1403
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Child care and development
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Government information and archives
Higher education
Preschool education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

Expanding On-Campus Child Care to Help Student Parents Succeed Act

 
This bill permanently reauthorizes and revises the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program. (The program awards grants to support the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of campus-based child care services.)
 
Among other revisions to the program, the bill allows grant funds to be used for additional purposes (e.g., child care subsidies and support services) and specifies additional grant application requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
End Diaper Need Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1404
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Family services
Government information and archives
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Income tax deductions
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

End Diaper Need Act of 2019

 
 This bill establishes various programs to increase access to diapers for low-income families with infants and toddlers. Specifically, the bill provides grants to agencies or organizations with experience in community distribution services for the purchase, warehousing, and distribution of diapers and diapering supplies (e.g., diaper wipes and creams) to families with (1) at least one child under the age of 4, and (2) an income of no more than 200% of the federal poverty level.
 
 The bill also permits states to use Medicaid funds to provide diapers and diapering supplies to low-income families with a child 3 or older who has been diagnosed with one or more specified forms of conditions that create a need for the use of diapers. Additionally, the bill includes diapers and diapering supplies as qualifying medical expenses under (1) health and medical savings accounts, and (2) flexible health spending and reimbursement arrangements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the credit for production of refined coal.

Bill: 116-s-1405
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Coal
Electric power generation and transmission
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 
This bill extends the tax credit for the production of refined coal by allowing eligible taxpayers to claim the credit for an additional two years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to revise the boundaries of a unit of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System in Topsail, North Carolina, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-1406
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
North Carolina
Seashores and lakeshores

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 
This bill modifies certain boundaries of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Unit located in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Aviation Empowerment Act

Bill: 116-s-1407
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Department of Transportation
Licensing and registrations
Transportation employees

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

Aviation Empowerment Act

 
This bill modifies regulations for pilots within the aviation sector.
 
Specifically, the bill
 
 
sets forth definitions for the terms &quot;common carrier&quot; and &quot;personal operator;&quot; and
 
 directs the Department of Transportation to issue regulations authorizing (1) a pilot who wants to share aircraft operating expenses to communicate with the public regarding an aircraft flight; and (2) a pilot who has a private pilot certificate to receive compensation for flying persons or property, and not be subject to certain common carrier or commercial airliner regulations as long as the private pilot flies an aircraft with eight or fewer seats.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Child Care Protection Improvement Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1408
Sponsor: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Child care and development
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Crimes against children
Criminal justice information and records
Domestic violence and child abuse
Employee hiring
Executive agency funding and structure
Intergovernmental relations
Personnel records
Sex offenses
State and local government operations
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

Child Care Protection Improvement Act of 2019

This bill establishes an interagency task force, chaired by the Administration for Children and Families, to support states in conducting required criminal background checks for childcare staff members. Specifically, the task force must consult with relevant state agencies and develop recommendations and best practices. This includes evaluating how agencies are responding to interstate requests for information about staff, or prospective staff, who have lived in another state within the preceding five years. The task force must submit a final report with its recommendations within one year of the first meeting of the task force.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1409
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2019-05-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business education
Government information and archives
Public contracts and procurement
Small Business Administration
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: 

Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to coordinate with various regulatory agencies in developing best practices for providing assistance to small businesses. The best practices shall assist the agencies in conducting programs, education, and training to help small businesses meet regulatory requirements. The SBA must also work with each agency to develop outreach initiatives to increase businesses' awareness of such assistance. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-22
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management. Hearings held.
action_date: 2019-05-22
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Introduced in Senate