hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Transportation Alternatives Enhancements Act

Bill: 116-s-1098
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Parks, recreation areas, trails
Pedestrians and bicycling
Public transit
Regional and metropolitan planning
Roads and highways
State and local government operations
Transportation programs funding
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Transportation Alternatives Enhancements Act

 
This bill revises and reauthorizes the surface transportation block grant program (Transportation Alternatives Program) in the Department of Transportation.
 
States are allowed to allocate funds under the program to counties, metropolitan planning organizations, regional transportation planning organizations, and local governments.
 
 Metropolitan planning organizations that serve an urbanized area with a population of 200,000 or fewer are eligible for funding.
 
The bill adjusts the funding limits for states to improve the ability of applicants to access funding in an efficient and expeditious manner.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Restraining Excessive Seizure of Property through the Exploitation of Civil asset forfeiture Tools Act

Bill: 116-s-1099
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 

Clyde-Hirsch-Sowers RESPECT Act or the Restraining Excessive Seizure of Property through the Exploitation of Civil Asset Forfeiture Tools Act 

 
This bill revises the authority and procedures that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses to seize property that has been structured to avoid Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) reporting requirements. 
 
 The IRS may only seize property it suspects has been structured to avoid BSA reporting requirements if the property was derived from an illegal source or the funds were structured to conceal the violation of a criminal law or regulation other than structuring transactions to evade BSA reporting requirements. 
 
Within 30 days of seizing property, the IRS must (1) make a good faith effort to find all owners of the property, and (2) notify the owners of the post-seizure hearing rights established by this bill. The IRS may apply to a court for one 30-day extension of the notice requirement if it can establish probable cause of an imminent threat to national security or personal safety. 
 
If the owner requests a court hearing within 30 days after notice is provided, the property must be returned unless the court holds a hearing within 30 days after notice is provided and finds that there is probable cause to believe that the property was derived from an illegal source or the funds were structured to conceal the violation of a criminal law or regulation other than a structuring violation. 
 
For tax purposes, the bill excludes from gross income any interest received from the federal government with respect to an action to recover property seized by the IRS pursuant to a claimed violation of the structuring provisions of the BSA. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to institute a program for the disclosure of taxpayer information for third-party income verification through the Internet.

Bill: 116-s-1100
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Government trust funds
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: 
 This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to implement a program to ensure that certain disclosures of tax returns or return information for third-party income verification are (1) fully automated and accomplished through the Internet, and (2) accomplished in as close to real-time as is practicable. 
 
The requirement applies to IRS disclosures of returns or return information to a person verifying the income or creditworthiness of a taxpayer who is a borrower in the process of a loan application. 
 
In implementing the program, the IRS must (1) ensure that the program complies with applicable security standards and guidelines; and (2) assess and collect a fee for the disclosures at rates that are sufficient to cover the costs related to implementing the program, including the costs of necessary infrastructure or technology. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
BEST for Vets Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1101
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Health personnel
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

Better Examiner Standards and Transparency for Veterans Act of 2019 or the BEST for Vets Act of 2019

 
This bill provides that only health care providers who are licensed and not barred from practice may furnish medical disability examinations under the Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program related to using contract physicians for disability examinations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-22
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
RAISE Act

Bill: 116-s-1103
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Athletes
Business investment and capital
Citizenship and naturalization
Congressional oversight
Debt collection
Department of Homeland Security
Family relationships
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Olympic games
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Research and development
U.S. and foreign investments
Visas and passports
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act or the RAISE Act

 
This bill eliminates the diversity visa program, replaces employment-based immigration programs with a points-based system, and imposes various limits on various types of immigration.
 
Aliens that reach the minimum number of points may apply for a points-based visa. Points are awarded for various characteristics including age, English language proficiency, education level, and investments made in the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shall periodically invite the highest scoring applicants to petition for visas.
 
The bill limits eliminates various preference allocations (visa categories subject to various annual caps) for family-sponsored immigrant visas, such as those for the adult children of U.S. citizens. Only the spouses and children of U.S. citizens shall qualify as 
immediate relatives
, whereas currently parents also qualify (visas for immediate relatives are not subject to direct numerical caps). The bill creates a nonimmigrant visa for such alien parents.
 
The bill reduces the baseline annual cap for family-sponsored visas from 480,000 to 88,000 and revises the methods for calculating the cap. It also imposes a limit of 50,000 refugees admitted in any fiscal year.
 
An alien who received needs-based public benefits shall not be naturalized as a U.S. citizen until the individual who signed the affidavit of support for the alien has reimbursed the federal government for such benefits. 
 
The bill imposes various reporting requirements related to the points-based system. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
No Red and Blue Banks Act

Bill: 116-s-1104
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

No Red and Blue Banks Act

 
This bill prohibits the General Services Administration from awarding a contract to a bank or savings association insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation if the institution avoids doing business with companies based solely on social policy considerations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
PFAS Registry Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1105
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health information and medical records
Public-private cooperation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

PFAS Registry Act

 of 2019

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a registry for current or past members of the Armed Forces who may have been exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances due to the environmental release of aqueous film-forming foam at a military installation or other Department of Defense location. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Rent Relief Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1106
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Housing supply and affordability
Income tax credits
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

Rent Relief Act of 201

9

 
This bill allows a refundable tax credit for individuals who pay rent for a principal residence that exceeds 30% of the individual's gross income for the taxable year. 
 
The amount of the credit ranges from 25% to 100% of the excess rent, depending on the gross income of the taxpayer. The credit is not available for taxpayers with gross income that exceeds $100,000 ($125,000 for a taxpayer whose principal residence is located in a high-cost area, as defined by the bill). Rent that exceeds 100% of the small area fair market rent (including the utility allowance) for the residence may not be taken into account for the purpose of determining the amount of the credit. 
 
For individuals who reside in government-subsidized housing, the bill allows a credit equal to 1/12 of the rent paid by the taxpayer (and not subsidized under the program) during the year with respect to the residence. 
 
The Department of the Treasury must establish a program for making advance payments of the credit on a monthly basis. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1107
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an interagency review of the status of women and lung cancer. The review must
 
 
report on the status of existing research and current knowledge gaps;
 
identify new opportunities for collaborative research to determine the causes of lung cancer and advance prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment; and
 
provide recommendations for a national cancer screening strategy and public education campaign.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1108
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Computers and information technology
Consumer affairs
Contracts and agency
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Right of privacy
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2019

 
 This bill requires specified commercial entities to conduct assessments of high-risk systems that involve personal information or make automated decisions, such as systems that use artificial intelligence or machine learning.
 
 Specifically, high-risk automated decision systems include those that (1) may contribute to inaccuracy, bias, or discrimination; or (2) facilitate decision-making about sensitive aspects of consumers' lives by evaluating consumers' behavior. Further, an automated-decision system, or information system involving personal data, is considered high-risk if it (1) raises security or privacy concerns, (2) involves the personal information of a significant number of people, or (3) systematically monitors a large, publicly accessible physical location.
 
 Assessments of high-risk automated-decision systems must (1) describe the system in detail, (2) assess the relative costs and benefits of the system, (3) determine the risks to the privacy and security of personal information, and (4) explain the steps taken to minimize those risks, if discovered. Assessments of high-risk information systems involving personal information must evaluate the extent to which the system protects the privacy and security of such information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2389)
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act

Bill: 116-s-1109
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
California
Forests, forestry, trees
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Military facilities and property
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act

 
This bill establishes the San Gabriel National Recreation Area in California as a unit of the National Park System, consisting of 51,107 acres of federal lands and interests in land.
 
The Department of the Interior must (1) cooperate with the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop opportunities for the management of the federal lands under DOD jurisdiction that are included within the recreation area, (2) create a comprehensive management plan for the recreation area, and (3) develop an integrated visitor services plan for the recreation area.
 
The bill establishes (1) the San Gabriel National Recreation Area Public Advisory Council to advise Interior on the development and implementation of the management plan and the visitor services plan, and (2) the San Gabriel National Recreation Area Partnership to coordinate activities of governmental and private entities in advancing the purposes of this bill and to improve management and recreational opportunities within the recreation area.
 
The Department of Agriculture must modify the boundaries of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in California to include 109,143 acres of additional, identified National Forest System lands and administer those lands as part of the monument. 
 
The bill designates (1) specified areas as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and (2) specified river and creek segments as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act

Bill: 116-s-1110
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Air quality
California
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Ecology
Economic development
Emergency planning and evacuation
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Fires
Fishes
Floods and storm protection
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Historical and cultural resources
Hunting and fishing
Indian lands and resources rights
Insects
Lakes and rivers
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Livestock
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Motor vehicles
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Pedestrians and bicycling
Public-private cooperation
Research and development
Roads and highways
Water quality
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act

 
This bill sets forth provisions concerning the restoration, economic development, and conservation of, and recreational access to, certain public lands in Northern California. 
 
The bill establishes
 
 
the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area, 
 
the Northwest California Public Lands Remediation Partnership, 
 
the Trinity Lake and Del Norte County visitor centers, 
 
the Horse Mountain Special Management Area, 
 
the Elk Camp Ridge National Recreation Trail, and 
 
the Sanhedrin Conservation Management Area. 

 
The bill designates
 
 
specified federal lands as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, 
 
the North Fork Wilderness as the North Fork Eel River Wilderness, 
 
specified federal lands as potential wilderness areas, and 
 
specified segments of certain rivers and creeks and of a specified river estuary as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 

 
Also, the bill 
 
 
authorizes the use of certain forest residues for research and development of biobased products that result in net carbon sequestration; 
 
authorizes initiatives to restore degraded redwood forest ecosystems in the Redwood National Forest and state parks; 
 
requires studies concerning certain visitor accommodations and recreational trails in the Six Rivers, Shasta-Trinity, and Mendocino National Forests, as applicable; 
 
authorizes partnerships for trail and campground maintenance, public education, visitor contacts, and visitor center staffing on federal lands in Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, and Del Norte Counties; and 
 
adjusts the boundaries of the Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Central Coast Heritage Protection Act

Bill: 116-s-1111
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: California
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal-Indian relations
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Historical and cultural resources
Lakes and rivers
Motor vehicles
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Pedestrians and bicycling
Religion
Right of privacy
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

Central Coast Heritage Protection Act

 
This bill designates specified land within the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management and in the Los Padres National Forest in California
 
 
 as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and 
 
as the Black Mountain Scenic Area. 
 
 
The bill designates certain land in the Los Padres National Forest as 
 
 
the Machesna Mountain Potential Wilderness Area, to be incorporated into the Machesna Mountain Wilderness Area; 
 
the Fox Mountain Potential Wilderness Area, to be incorporated into the San Rafael Wilderness; the Condor Ridge Scenic Area; and 
 
the Condor National Scenic Trail. 
 
 
The bill also designates specified segments of the Indian, Mono, Matilija, Sespe, and Piru Creeks and Sisquoc River in California as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and requires studies of new trails for recreation opportunities in California. 
 
Indian tribes shall be assured access to the wilderness areas, scenic areas, and potential wilderness areas designated by this bill for traditional cultural and religious purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Cabin Air Safety Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-1112
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2019-04-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Air quality
Aviation and airports
Census and government statistics
Department of Transportation
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Motor fuels
Transportation employees
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: 

Cabin Air Safety Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement regulations regarding smoke or fume incidents on commercial aircraft (excluding helicopters).
 
Specifically, the bill requires
 
 
flight attendants, pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, airport first responders, and emergency response teams to receive annual training on how to respond to incidents involving smoke or fumes on board commercial aircraft;
 
the FAA to develop a standardized form for reporting incidents involving smoke or fumes;
 
the FAA to conduct an investigation after a report is submitted about incidents of smoke or fumes; and
 
commercial air carriers to install and operate onboard carbon monoxide detectors.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-04-10
text: Introduced in Senate