hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-877
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-03-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Civil actions and liability
Fishes
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: 

Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2019

 
This bill makes it illegal to possess, buy, sell, or transport shark fins or any product containing shark fins, except for certain dogfish fins. A person may possess a shark fin that was lawfully taken consistent with a license or permit under certain circumstances.
 
Penalties are imposed for violations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.The maximum civil penalty for each violation shall be $100,000, or the fair market value of the shark fins involved, whichever is greater.

action_date: 2019-12-12
text: 

Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act of 2019

 
This bill makes it illegal to possess, buy, sell, or transport shark fins or any product containing shark fins, except for certain dogfish fins. A person may possess a shark fin that was lawfully taken consistent with a license or permit under certain circumstances.
 
Penalties are imposed for violations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.The maximum civil penalty for each violation shall be $100,000, or the fair market value of the shark fins involved, whichever is greater.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 325.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker without amendment. With written report No. 116-173.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker without amendment. With written report No. 116-173.
action_date: 2019-04-03
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-878
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2019-03-26 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Asia
China
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military operations and strategy
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Taiwan
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: 

Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the President to review the Department of State's guidance on diplomatic practice with Taiwan and to reissue such guidance to the relevant executive branch departments and agencies. It also directs the President to report to Congress on the results of the review and on the implementation of the Taiwan Travel Act, which states that it is U.S. policy to allow and encourage engagement between U.S. and Taiwanese officials.
 
The Department of Defense shall make efforts to include Taiwanese forces in bilateral and multilateral military exercises to bolster Taiwan's defense capabilities.
 
The bill states that Taiwan is an important part of U.S. strategy in the region and urges the United States to conduct regular transfers of defense articles to enhance Taiwan's self-defense capabilities. 
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Introduced in Senate
SECURE Act

Bill: 116-s-879
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-03-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign labor
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Right of privacy
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: 

Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency Act or the SECURE Act

 
This bill allows qualified nationals of a country that has or had a temporary protected status designation to obtain permanent resident status.
 
Such an alien qualifies for permanent residence if the alien 
 
 
 had temporary protected status, qualified for such status on certain dates, or was present in the United States due to having been granted deferred enforced departure status that extended past a certain date; 
 
has been continuously present in the United States for three years before applying for adjustment or before being removed after a certain date; 
 
is not inadmissible or deportable for certain reasons; and 
 
passes applicable background checks.
 
 
The continuous presence requirement may be waived in certain instances. 
 
A spouse, domestic partner, child, or unmarried child of a qualifying alien may also obtain permanent resident status under the bill upon meeting certain requirements.
 
An alien with a pending application shall receive work authorization and be eligible for travel authorization.
 
An alien may not be removed if the alien (1) has a pending application, or (2) is prima facie eligible for permanent resident status under this bill and intends to apply. 
 
Information from applications may not be used or shared for immigration enforcement, with limited exceptions such as for identifying fraudulent claims. 
 
The Department of Homeland Security must report to Congress when terminating a country's temporary protected status designation with an explanation justifying the termination.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving HOPE for Alzheimer's

Bill: 116-s-880
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2019-03-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical education
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare
Neurological disorders

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: 

Improving HOPE for Alzheimer's

 
This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct outreach to health care practitioners regarding comprehensive care planning services that are available under Medicare for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The CMS must report on its outreach efforts, as well as on the number of beneficiaries receiving such services and any barriers to access.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-882
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-03-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Federal officials
Financial services and investments
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Public contracts and procurement
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: 

Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the President and Vice President to submit to Congress and the Office of Government Ethics a disclosure of financial interests.
 
The President and Vice President shall (1) include a detailed description of each financial interest of the President and Vice President, the spouse of the President and Vice President, or a minor child of the President and Vice President; and (2) include the tax returns filed by or on behalf of the President and Vice President for the three most recent taxable years.
 
The President, the Vice President, the spouse of the President or Vice President, and any minor child of the President or Vice President must divest any financial interest posing a potential conflict of interest by transferring such interest to a qualified blind trust. 
 
The Office of Government Ethics shall submit to Congress, the President, and the Vice President an annual report regarding the financial interests of such officials, their spouses, and any of their minor children.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Flagstaff Federal Reversion Relief Act

Bill: 116-s-883
Sponsor: Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2019-03-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Arizona
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: 

Flagstaff Federal Reversion Relief Act

 
This bill releases any land (including the parcel of land in Flagstaff, Arizona, that is owned by Win Oil Co., Inc.,) that is subject to a federal reversionary interest pursuant to the Act of July 27, 1866, from any longer being subject to that interest. (That Act granted lands to aid in the construction of a railroad and telegraph line extending from Missouri and Arkansas to the West Coast.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Economic Mobility Corps Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-884
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2019-03-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Consumer credit
Credit and credit markets
Economic performance and conditions
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing supply and affordability
Low- and moderate-income housing
National and community service
Small business
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: 

Economic Mobility Corps Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes the Economic Mobility Corps for the purpose of providing support to community development financial institutions and projects related to financial counseling, financial services, job placement, small business financing, affordable rental housing financing, commercial facility financing, community facility financing, single-family home financing, and foreclosure prevention services. Specifically, the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Department of the Treasury must establish grants and other support for this program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Introduced in Senate
GAAME Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-885
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2019-03-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Art, artists, authorship
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Music
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: 

Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act of 2019 or the GAAME Act of 2019

 
This bill specifies that funds that support the instructional needs of elementary and secondary students from low-income families shall be used for arts and music programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-887
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Financial literacy
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: 

Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act of 2019

 
This bill expands lender disclosure requirements and modifies loan counseling requirements.
 
A lender must provide a quarterly statement to a Federal Family Education Loan or Direct Loan borrower during a period when loan payments are not required, including specified information on the loan and interest amounts. The statement must also explain the option to pay accrued interest while a student is in deferment or forbearance. 
 
The bill requires an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs to provide pre-loan counseling to a student borrower of a federal student loan upon or prior to the first disbursement of each new loan. Currently, an IHE must provide one-time entrance counseling to a student who is a first-time federal student loan borrower. 
 
The bill also revises and expands required elements of pre-loan counseling to include an estimate of the borrower's monthly payment amount compared to the borrower's estimated monthly income after taxes and other expenses, a statement to borrow the minimum necessary amount, a warning that a high debt-to-income ratio makes repayment more difficult, options to reduce borrowing, and an explanation of the importance of on-time graduation. 
 
Prior to certifying a Federal Direct Loan disbursement to a student, an IHE must ensure that the student manually enters the exact dollar amount of the loan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-888
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Financial literacy
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: 

Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2019 

 
This bill requires standardized financial aid terminology and offer forms. 
 
The Department of Education (ED) must develop standard terminology and a format for financial aid offer forms based on recommendations from representatives of certain groups, including students, veterans, and institutions of higher education (IHEs). 
 
The consumer-friendly form must include specified details and disclosures, including
 
 
 the estimated cost of attendance,
 
financial aid that does not need to be repaid,
 
 the net price that a student or family is estimated to pay,
 
 work-study employment opportunities,
 
 loans the IHE recommends for the student for the academic period covered by the offer,
 
 deadlines and the process for accepting financial aid,
 
 default rates,
 
the percentage of students who have student loans and the median debt at graduation for students,
 
 private loans,
 
scholarships, and 
 
the terms and conditions of financial aid. 
 
 
ED must (1) test the form with representatives of students, students' families, IHEs, secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer groups; and (2) use the results to develop the final form. 
 
Each IHE that participates in federal student aid programs must (1) use the standard form when offering financial aid to students, and (2) use the standard terminology and definitions developed by ED for all communications related to financial aid offers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Net Price Calculator Improvement Act

Bill: 116-s-889
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Government information and archives
Higher education
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: 

Net Price Calculator Improvement Act

 
This bill establishes requirements concerning the information that must be provided to prospective students about the cost of an institution of higher education (IHE). Specifically, the bill establishes the minimum requirements for the net price calculator that an IHE must include on its website. An IHE's net price is the average yearly price actually charged to first-time, full-time undergraduate students receiving student aid at the school after deducting such aid.
 
It authorizes the Department of Education to develop a universal net price calculator that enables users to answer one set of questions and receive net prices for several IHEs and compare those prices.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Senate Cybersecurity Protection Act

Bill: 116-s-890
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Congressional officers and employees
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Espionage and treason
Government studies and investigations
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Members of Congress
Right of privacy
Senate
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: 

Senate Cybersecurity Protection Act

 
This bill authorizes the Senate Sergeant at Arms to provide cybersecurity assistance to protect the personal accounts and personal technology devices of Senators and certain Senate staff. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Medal of Honor Surviving Spouses Recognition Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-891
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2019-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: 

Medal of Honor Surviving Spouses Recognition Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay the Medal of Honor special pension to certain surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-892
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2019-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
District of Columbia
Manufacturing
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Smithsonian Institution
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
U.S. history
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: 

Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act
 
of 2019

 
This bill directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to make appropriate arrangements for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to Rosie the Riveter (i.e., any female individual who held employment or volunteered in support of the war efforts during World War II), in recognition of their contributions to the United States and the inspiration they have provided to ensuing generations.
 
The medal shall be displayed at the National Museum of American History, which is urged to make the medal available for display at other locations associated with Rosie the Riveter.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-894
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Hate crimes
Intergovernmental relations
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Military personnel and dependents
Political movements and philosophies
Racial and ethnic relations
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: 

Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes domestic terrorism offices in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and requires specified steps to prevent and report on domestic terrorism.
 
The bill also authorizes a Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee, which shall coordinate with key public safety officials to promote information sharing and ensure an effective joint effort to combat domestic terrorism.
 
The joint terrorism task forces of the FBI and state, local, and regional fusion centers shall each, in coordination with the committee and such offices (1) share intelligence to address domestic terrorism activities; (2) conduct an annual, intelligence-based assessment of domestic terrorism activities in their jurisdictions; and (3) formulate and execute a plan to address and combat such activities.
 
DOJ, the FBI, DHS, and the Department of Defense shall establish an interagency task force to combat white supremacist and neo-Nazi infiltration of the uniformed services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2046-2048)
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Rural Hospital Regulatory Relief Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-895
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2019-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health personnel
Home and outpatient care
Hospital care
Medicare
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: 

Rural Hospital Regulatory Relief Act of 2019

 
This bill permanently extends the rule to not enforce the Medicare direct-supervision requirements for outpatient, therapeutic services at critical access hospitals and small, rural hospitals. Such rule permits therapeutic services to be administered at such hospitals outside a physician or nonphysician practitioner's presence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S2048)
action_date: 2019-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate