hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit treatment of certain non-native, non-indigenous hoofstock born within the borders of the United States as an endangered species, a threatened species, an essential experimental population, or a nonessential experimental population.

Bill: 116-hr-4208
Sponsor: Rep. Yoho, Ted S. [R-FL-3]
Introduced: 2019-08-23 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Endangered and threatened species
Mammals

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-23
text: 
This bill revises endangered or threatened species requirements with respect to hoofstock born within the borders of the United States. Under this bill, 
hoofstock
 means barasingha, red lechwe, Arabian oryx, Eld's deer, Grevy's zebra, gaur, or banteng.
 
The bill prohibits such hoofstock from being treated as endangered species, threatened species, essential experimental populations, or nonessential experimental populations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
action_date: 2019-08-23
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-08-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-23
text: Introduced in House
CRITICAL Act

Bill: 116-hr-4209
Sponsor: Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16]
Introduced: 2019-08-27 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
Foreign aid and international relief
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
International organizations and cooperation
Performance measurement
Public-private cooperation
Rule of law and government transparency
Russia
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Subversive activities

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: 

Countering Russian Influence Through Interagency Coordination And Leadership Act or the CRITICAL Act

 
This bill establishes two bodies to address malign foreign influence, the Russia Influence Group and the Commission on Countering Global Malign Influence.
 
The Russia Influence Group shall (1) coordinate and provide guidance on interagency efforts to counter malign Russian influence in Europe and the United States, (2) regularly meet with federal departments and agencies to address specific malign Russian influence tools such as election interference and disinformation, (3) work with U.S. embassies and international actors to counter malign Russian influence in foreign countries, and (4) report to Congress a strategy to counter malign Russian influence. 
 
The Commission on Countering Global Malign Influence shall (1) examine global malign influence from sources such as China and Iran, (2) conduct a review of U.S. preparedness to counter such malign influence, and (3) issue a final report on its findings. The commission shall terminate six months after the report is submitted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
Fair Pay for the Modesto VA Act

Bill: 116-hr-4210
Sponsor: Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-10]
Introduced: 2019-08-27 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: California
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: 

Fair Pay for the Modesto VA Act

 
This bill provides that the cost of living shall be included in any determination of the rate of basic pay for employees of a Department of Veterans Affairs duty station in Stanislaus County, California. The bill also requires the rate of basic pay in such location be redetermined at least once every five years.
 
The bill includes Stanislaus County, California, in the locality pay area applicable to San Francisco, California.
 
The changes implemented in the bill shall not be construed to (1) result in a lower rate of basic pay for any employee, (2) affect any payment in addition to basic pay that an employee is eligible to receive, or (3) supersede or otherwise effect any limitation on total pay.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act

Bill: 116-hr-4211
Sponsor: Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
Introduced: 2019-08-27 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Civil actions and liability
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Licensing and registrations
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: 

Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act

 
This bill revises the licensing process of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for animal dealers and exhibitors to expand USDA's oversight and enforcement of animal welfare requirements. The bill also authorizes citizen suits to enforce the Animal Welfare Act.
 
Dealers and exhibitors must apply to USDA for licenses or renewal licenses each year. Before issuing or renewing licenses, USDA must conduct unannounced facility inspections.
 
 USDA must deny an application for
 
 
 a new license if the applicant fails to meet animal welfare standards during a second inspection,
 
a renewal license if the applicant violates such standards in more than one inspection in the previous two years, or
 
a new or renewal license if the dealer or exhibitor has violated laws relating to animals or if the issuance of the license would facilitate the circumvention of state or local laws that prohibit the private ownership of certain animals.
 
 
Further, USDA must suspend the licenses of dealers or exhibitors whose violations present a risk to animal welfare. USDA must revoke the licenses if the violations persist or if the licensees commit multiple violations. Dealers and exhibitors with suspended or revoked licenses may not be (1) granted another license, (2) granted another license through another person or entity, or (3) employed by another licensee to work with animals during the period of the suspension or revocation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
America’s College Promise Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4212
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9]
Introduced: 2019-08-27 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Appropriations
Congressional oversight
Department of Education
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational guidance
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Executive agency funding and structure
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
Minority education
Minority employment
Performance measurement
School administration
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: 

America's College Promise Act of 2019

 
This bill provides funding and establishes grants for states, Native American tribes, historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, and minority-serving institutions.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to eligible states and Native American tribes to pay the federal share (75% of the average resident community college tuition and fees per student) of a program that provides funds to community colleges for waiving resident tuition and fees.
 
The bill also requires each state to ensure that a participating institution offers academic credits that are fully transferable to a four-year institution.
 
In addition, the bill establishes a grant program to encourage certain minority group students to enroll in and complete baccalaureate programs by requiring a university that receives grant funding to waive or significantly reduce tuition and fees for such students.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
Universal Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4213
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2019-08-27 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Preschool education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: 

Universal Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes through FY2025 a grant program for states to establish or expand full-day prekindergarten programs that (1) permit each three- or four-year old child in the state to be voluntarily enrolled by the child's parent, regardless of income, in the program at the public school in which the child would be enrolled for kindergarten; (2) run the length of the regular school year; and (3) are taught by teachers who possess equivalent or similar qualifications to those of teachers of other grades in the school.
 
The federal share of such a grant shall not exceed 80% of the costs of carrying out these activities. Grant funds received under the program shall be used to supplement and not supplant other federal early childhood education funds in the state. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1078-1079)
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
Preserving Qualified Housing Assistance Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4214
Sponsor: Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. [R-NY-1]
Introduced: 2019-08-27 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Housing and community development funding
Immigration status and procedures
Low- and moderate-income housing

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: 

Preserving Qualified Housing Assistance Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to verify the declaration of immigration status made by an individual receiving financial assistance for housing. Under current law, verification is required only if a declaration states that the individual is not a U.S. citizen or national and is younger than 62 years of age. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-27
text: Introduced in House
Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4215
Sponsor: Rep. Bucshon, Larry [R-IN-8]
Introduced: 2019-08-30 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Congressional oversight
Employment and training programs
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Health programs administration and funding
Medical education
Minority health
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: 

Excellence in Maternal Health Act of 2019

 
 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish specified grant programs to support positive maternal health care outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants. Specifically, grants must be used to (1) develop best practices to reduce preventable maternal mortality; (2) train health care professionals about reducing and preventing discrimination when providing maternal health services; (3) support the collaboration of professionals across health settings with respect to maternal health; and may be used to (4) establish evidence-informed, integrated health care services to pregnant and postpartum women and their infants.
 
 HHS also must contract with an independent research organization to study and make recommendations about best practices for reducing and preventing discrimination in the provision of maternal health services. HHS also must meet certain reporting requirements for specified maternal and child health care grant programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
Strengthening Financial Aid for Students Act (Strengthening FAFSA)

Bill: 116-hr-4216
Sponsor: Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19]
Introduced: 2019-08-30 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Government information and archives
Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: 

Strengthening Financial Aid for Students Act (Strengthening FAFSA) 

 
This bill increases the income protection allowance levels used to calculate a working student's expected family contribution and need for financial assistance. An income protection allowance is an amount for basic living expenses that is protected from being considered income available for postsecondary educational expenses.
 
The bill also raises from 12 to 14 the total number of semesters during which a student may receive a federal Pell Grant.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act

Bill: 116-hr-4217
Sponsor: Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24]
Introduced: 2019-08-30 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Government information and archives
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: 

State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act
 
 
This bill directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security to develop a resource guide for use by state, local, and tribal officials, including law enforcement officers, to help such officials prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate cyberattacks.
 
CISA shall establish initiatives to make grants to state and local governments to (1) identify high value assets and critical system architecture in order to assess cybersecurity risks, and (2) conduct tabletop and live training exercises to assess the capability of the state or local government to respond to a cyberattack.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
Poland Visa Waiver Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-4218
Sponsor: Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
Introduced: 2019-08-30 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Europe
Poland
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: 

Poland Visa Waiver Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to designate Poland as a program country under the visa waiver program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 28, United States Code, to provide that an appeal of an order granting a nationwide injunction issued by a district court of the United States shall lie to the Supreme Court.

Bill: 116-hr-4219
Sponsor: Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6]
Introduced: 2019-08-30 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Federal district courts
Judicial procedure and administration
Judicial review and appeals
Jurisdiction and venue
Supreme Court

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: 
This bill gives the U.S. Supreme Court exclusive jurisdiction to hear appeals from a nationwide injunction issued by a U.S. district court.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
Chronic Absenteeism Reduction in Every School (CARES) Act

Bill: 116-hr-4220
Sponsor: Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]
Introduced: 2019-08-30 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Educational guidance
Elementary and secondary education
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Student records
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: 

Chronic Absenteeism Reduction in Every School (CARES) Act

 
This bill allows local educational agencies to use specified federal funds for mentoring programs and other activities that address chronically absent students (i.e., students who miss 10% or more of school days). 
 
Such activities may include, among other things
 
 
implementing data collection systems that assist schools in collecting and tracking attendance data;
 
creating data-sharing and confidentiality agreements between schools, social service agencies, city and county governments, and partner agencies or community organizations working with students;
 
partnering with local health, transportation, and service providers to target intervention efforts;
 
training and integrating school personnel for mentoring; and
 
implementing evidence-based restorative justice strategies aimed at reducing suspensions in order to keep students in school.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
Teacher Health and Wellness Act

Bill: 116-hr-4221
Sponsor: Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]
Introduced: 2019-08-30 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Elementary and secondary education
Employee performance
Government studies and investigations
Medical research
Mental health
School administration
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: 

Teacher Health and Wellness Act

 
This bill directs the National Institutes of Health to carry out a five-year study on reducing teacher stress and increasing teacher retention and well-being by implementing and analyzing the results of any of several types of programs, including (1) teacher stress management programs, (2) mentoring and induction programs during the school year and teacher pre-service, and (3) organizational interventions such as principal training programs. 
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
Indigenous STEM Professional Development Act

Bill: 116-hr-4222
Sponsor: Del. Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho [D-MP-At Large]
Introduced: 2019-08-30 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Education programs funding
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Minority education
Science and engineering education

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: 

Indigenous STEM Professional Development Act

 
This bill expands the grant program for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs that benefit Native American students. Under current law, this program only applies to programs that benefit Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. The bill expands grant eligibility to include programs that benefit American Indians and other Native American Pacific Islanders.
 
Additionally, the bill authorizes grants under the program for the creation of new programs for the development of Native American STEM professionals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1084-1085)
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act

Bill: 116-hr-4223
Sponsor: Rep. Spano, Ross [R-FL-15]
Introduced: 2019-08-30 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care costs and insurance

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: 

Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act

 
 This bill prohibits balance billing the holder of a self-insured group health plan (plans in which an employer pays claims to providers for health benefits offered to employees) for emergency and specified nonemergency services. Balance billing is the practice of charging a plan holder for the difference between a provider's rate for a service and the in-network rate.
 
 First, the bill requires self-insured group health plans that cover emergency services to comply with the requirements for other types of group health plans. This includes the requirement to bill a plan holder no more than the in-network cost-sharing amount for covered emergency services, even if the provider is out-of-network. Second, the bill prohibits emergency services providers from billing a self-insured group plan holder for any remaining balance for covered services not paid to the provider by the employer.
 
 Further, unless a plan holder has the option to select an in-network provider, an out-of-network provider of covered, nonemergency services is prohibited from billing plan holders for the difference in rates for such services when provided at an in-network facility.
 
 Employers must pay out-of-network providers for services subject to the requirements of this bill (1) the amount the provider claims, (2) the usual and customary amount for such services in that community, or (3) an amount agreed to within 60 days of when the claim is submitted. Otherwise the parties may enter voluntary binding arbitration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H7587-7588)
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
For the relief of Edith Espinal Moreno.

Bill: 116-hr-4224
Sponsor: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
Introduced: 2019-08-30 in the House
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Provides for the relief of Edith Espinal Moreno.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-09-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-08-30
text: Introduced in House