hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
We PAID Act

Bill: 116-s-2387
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Business ethics
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Competition and antitrust
Congressional oversight
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Inflation and prices
Intellectual property
Licensing and registrations
Medical research
Prescription drugs
Public contracts and procurement
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Retail and wholesale trades
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

We Protect American Investment in Drugs Act or the We PAID Act

 
This bill limits the price of certain prescription drugs that rely on patents developed with federal support.
 
The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with the National Academy of Medicine to conduct a study for determining the reasonableness of the price of such prescription drugs. The bill also establishes the Drug Affordability and Access Committee, which must use the study to develop a methodology and then determine whether the price of each applicable drug is reasonable after the drug enters the market.
 
Further, the bill establishes certain pricing requirements for such prescription drugs. First, the manufacturer must submit to the committee the list and retail prices for the drug as well as specified expenditure information. Second, after a drug is on the market for one year, the manufacture must set the drug&rsquo;s list price at no more than the committee&rsquo;s reasonable price determination. Third, subsequent price increases are capped at the annual percentage change in the medical care consumer price index for prescription drugs. The penalties for noncompliance with these requirements include expiration of marketing exclusivity, fines, and prohibitions on entering licensing agreements for the applicable drug. 
 
 Additionally, the bill revises the patent application requirements for drugs to include the disclosure of specified federal grants.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit the postponement of certain deadlines by reason of significant fires.

Bill: 116-s-2388
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Fires
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 
This bill allows the postponement of certain tax deadlines due to significant fires for which assistance is provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
FAIR Proceedings Act

Bill: 116-s-2389
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Border security and unlawful immigration
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Detention of persons
Disability and paralysis
Immigration status and procedures
Judicial procedure and administration
Lawyers and legal services
Poverty and welfare assistance
Specialized courts

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Funding Attorneys for Indigent Removal Proceedings Act or the FAIR Proceedings Act
 
 
This bill expands access to counsel for aliens in immigration proceedings and provides for protections related to such proceedings.
 
An alien shall have the privilege of being represented by counsel in any immigration proceeding, whereas currently this privilege is statutorily provided for only in removal proceedings.
 
Similarly, the Department of Justice (DOJ) may provide counsel at government expense to aliens in any immigration proceeding, whereas currently DOJ is statutorily authorized to provide counsel to aliens only in removal proceedings and at no expense to the government.
 
Under this bill, DOJ shall provide counsel to children and vulnerable individuals in such proceedings, at government expense if necessary. If DOJ fails to do so, certain limits on filing a motion to reopen removal proceedings (such as the time limit for filing) shall not apply, and the alien's removal shall be stayed upon the motion's filing.
 
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall provide each alien, generally at the beginning of proceedings, a complete copy of the alien's case file in DHS possession, unless the alien waives this right in writing. Failure to provide such documents shall delay the alien's removal proceeding.
 
DHS shall facilitate for all detained aliens access to counsel and programs that inform such aliens of their immigration-related rights and obligations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the imposition of the death penalty for any violation of Federal law, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-2390
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 
This bill prohibits the imposition of a death penalty sentence for a violation of federal law. 
 
A person sentenced to death before enactment of this bill must be resentenced. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S5253)
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Stock Buyback Reform and Worker Dividend Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2391
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Corporate finance and management
Employee benefits and pensions
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Stock Buyback Reform and Worker Dividend Act of 2019

 
This bill revises requirements related to stock buybacks (i.e., a company repurchasing shares of common stock). Specifically, issuers of securities must provide an annual dividend to non-executive employees in certain circumstances. The calculation of this dividend is based on (1) the amount the issuer spends on stock buybacks, (2) increases in dividends, and (3) any special dividends. 
 
Additionally, an issuer is prohibited from repurchasing shares unless details of the buyback are disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the rationale for the repurchase. The buyback must also comply with certain purchasing requirements. The bill lowers the allowed daily amount of repurchased shares. Executive officers may not sell shares for seven days beginning on the date of an announced buyback, subject to certain exceptions. 
 
The SEC may enforce these provisions. Employees are afforded a private right of action against an issuer regarding required employee dividends. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
VREASA

Bill: 116-s-2392
Sponsor: Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Veterans Reimbursement for Emergency Ambulance Services Act or VREASA

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat ambulance services as reimbursable emergency services in certain circumstances. Specifically, services are reimbursable when the ambulance request was made because of the sudden onset of a medical condition that would reasonably be expected to be hazardous to the individual in the absence of immediate medical attention.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Richard G. Lugar and Ellen O. Tauscher Act to Maintain Limits on Russian Nuclear Forces

Bill: 116-s-2394
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International law and treaties
Nuclear weapons
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Russia

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Richard G. Lugar and Ellen O. Tauscher Act to Maintain Limits on Russian Nuclear Forces

 
This bill imposes reporting requirements relating to the possible expiration of the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START treaty) between the United States and Russia, which is set to expire in in February 2021 but may be extended to February 2026.
 
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence shall report to Congress on the intelligence implications of the treaty's expiration without a new U.S.-Russia arms control agreement. The report shall contain specified elements including assessments of (1) the size and posture of Russia's nuclear forces with and without a treaty extension, (2) the impact of the treaty's expiration on U.S. allies, and (3) the impact of the treaty's expiration on U.S. intelligence capabilities. The office shall also report to Congress on the size and posture of China's nuclear forces..
 
The Department of State shall report to Congress on the likely reactions of U.S. allies, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, to a U.S. decision to not extend the treaty or enter into a similar agreement with Russia. The State Department shall periodically report to Congress until the treaty's extension or expiration on discussions with Russia on extending the treaty or entering into a similar agreement. 
 
If the treaty expires without a new arms control agreement, the President shall provide Congress a justification for allowing the treaty to expire and certify that extending the treaty was not in U.S. national security interests.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Jumpstart on College Act

Bill: 116-s-2395
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Congressional oversight
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Performance measurement
School administration
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Jumpstart on College Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to support early-college high schools and dual- or concurrent-enrollment programs. Specifically, ED must award grants to (1) institutions of higher education in partnership with one or more local educational agencies to assist them in establishing or supporting early-college high schools or dual- or concurrent-enrollment programs, and (2) states to assist them in supporting or establishing such schools or programs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
PROFILED Act

Bill: 116-s-2396
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Border security and unlawful immigration
Child care and development
Child safety and welfare
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Detention of persons
Due process and equal protection
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Federal-Indian relations
Foreign aid and international relief
Forests, forestry, trees
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
Latin America
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Lawyers and legal services
Legal fees and court costs
Mexico
Organized crime
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Racial and ethnic relations
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Right of privacy
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Violent crime
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Protecting the Rights of Families and Immigrants Who Legally Entered from Detention Act or the PROFILED Act 

 
This bill establishes a framework to eliminate racial profiling at the federal, state, and local levels. It also addresses the rights of individuals during immigration-related enforcement activities. 
 
First, the bill requires federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to maintain policies and procedures to eliminate racial profiling, including training, data collection, and complaint procedures. To enforce violations, the bill authorizes civil suits by the Department of Justice and affected individuals.
 
Next, it requires that law enforcement agents give notice to individuals suspected of immigration violations of their right to counsel (at no expense to the federal government), the right to remain silent, and notice that any statements given by the individual can be used against them in a removal or criminal proceeding. Any evidence obtained in violation of this requirement cannot be used against the individual in a removal proceeding.
 
Not later than 48 hours after an individual has been detained, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall file a notice to appear with the closest immigration court. Further, the bill requires a detained individual to have access to a telephone.
 
In addition, the bill defines various rights accorded to vulnerable populations and to parents who have been detained by immigration officers.
 
Finally, the position of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Ombudsman is established in DHS.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
E-SERVICE Act

Bill: 116-s-2397
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime victims
Criminal justice information and records
Domestic violence and child abuse
Due process and equal protection
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement administration and funding
State and local courts

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Electronic Service for Effectiveness, Reduction of Violence, and Improved Court Efficiency Act of 2019 or the E-SERVICE Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Justice to award demonstration grants to certain state or tribal courts to implement a program for properly and legally serving protection orders electronically. Courts that receive these grants must be part of a multidisciplinary partnership of government entities and various domestic violence stakeholders.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Voter Privacy Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2398
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Political advertising
Political parties and affiliation
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Voter Privacy Act of 2019 

 
This bill establishes protections regarding the use of personal information for political purposes. Specifically, it provides an individual the right to obtain from an entity such as a candidate, political committee, or political party the personal information the entity possesses on that individual. An individual may also demand the deletion of this information, prohibit the transfer of this information to another party, and prohibit targeted communications from these entities. 
 
An entity must notify an individual when they receive that individual's personal information from a third party. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to improve State loan eligibility for projects for innovative technologies.

Bill: 116-s-2399
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Air quality
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Energy efficiency and conservation
Federal-Indian relations
Government lending and loan guarantees
Oil and gas
Public-private cooperation
State and local finance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 
This bill makes state energy financing institutions eligible for the Title XVII Innovative Energy Loan Guarantee Program. Such an institution's projects are exempted from the program's requirement to employ new or significantly improved technologies.

action_date: 2019-12-18
text: 
This bill makes projects receiving financial support or credit enhancements from a state energy financing institution eligible for the Title XVII Innovative Energy Loan Guarantee Program. Such projects are exempted from the program's requirement to employ new or significantly improved technologies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-18
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 386.
action_date: 2019-12-18
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-12-18
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-12-12
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding Cannabis Research and Information Act

Bill: 116-s-2400
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Alternative treatments
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Higher education
Medical research
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Expanding Cannabis Research and Information Act

 
 This bill changes marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance, which allows it to be dispensed, subject to certain limitations, for accepted medical uses with a written or oral prescription.
 
 The bill also requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to collaborate with specified agencies to develop a national cannabis research agenda that must address (1) the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, (2) how it effects specified populations, (3) its long-term effects, (4) clinically appropriate methods to deliver it to the body, and (5) other public safety considerations. Additionally, the bill directs NIH to designate centers of excellence in cannabis research at institutions of higher education to conduct interdisciplinary research about biomedical, behavioral, and social issued related to cannabis.
 
 Further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must work with other agencies to collect population-wide data about cannabis use, including (1) demographic factors, (2) health outcomes, (3) health care utilization rates, (4) product variety, (5) delivery methods, and (6) other relevant health information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S5253-5254)
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
JUSTICE Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2401
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crimes against children
Sex offenses
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Jurists United to Stop Trafficking Imitation Child Exploitation Act of 2019 or the JUSTICE Act of 2019

 
This bill broadens the prohibition on importation or transportation of obscene materials.
 
Specifically, the bill makes it a crime to import, or knowingly use a common carrier or interactive computer service to transport, a child sex doll.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate
COAT Act

Bill: 116-s-2402
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-07-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Emergency planning and evacuation
Environmental health
Fires
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Life, casualty, property insurance
Pollution liability
Railroads
Transportation employees
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: 

Crude Oil Advance Tracking Act or the COAT Act 

 
This bill addresses safety concerns regarding railroad carriers transporting Class 3 flammable liquids (e.g., crude oil) and other high hazardous liquids or gases.
 
Specifically, the bill
 
 
requires railroad carriers transporting Class 3 flammable liquids to (1) share information regarding such shipments with state emergency responders, including the number of gallons of the liquids; and (2) include in each annual report information regarding their ability to pay all costs of cleaning up a reasonable, worst-case spill;
 
provides grants for local communities to develop, improve, and implement emergency plans that address responses to high-hazard rail shipments; and
 
provides financial assistance for local projects, activities, and personnel that mitigate the impacts of, and public health or environmental risks associated with, the transport of flammable liquids or gases by rail.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Introduced in Senate