hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Department of Education Protection Act

Bill: 119-hr-433
Sponsor: Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Appropriations
Department of Education
Executive agency funding and structure

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

Department of Education Protection Act

This bill prohibits the use of appropriated funds made available to the Department of Education (ED) to decentralize, reduce the staffing level of, or alter the responsibilities or functionality of ED compared to its organization or operation on January 1, 2025.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
CBP Workload Staffing Model Act

Bill: 119-hr-434
Sponsor: Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

CBP Workload Staffing Model Act

This bill requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to develop and implement a workload staffing model for each of the U.S. Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations.

Such model shall include (1) consideration for essential frontline operator activities and functions, (2) variations in operating environments, and (3) present and planned infrastructure and technology. The CBP must also develop standard operating procedures for a workforce tracking system, train the workforce on the use of such system, and implement internal controls to ensure timely and accurate scheduling and reporting.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must review the model and provide feedback regarding the degree to which it is responsive to certain DHS recommendations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Direct Hire To Fight Fires

Bill: 119-hr-435
Sponsor: Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Agriculture
Department of the Interior
Employee hiring
Federal officials
Fires
First responders and emergency personnel
Forests, forestry, trees
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

Direct Hire To Fight Fires

This bill provides permanent direct-hire authority to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to fill wildland firefighter and firefighting support positions in the Forest Service and Interior agencies.

The bill also requires USDA and Interior to implement policies to recruit and retain wildland firefighters and related personnel, such as by streamlining the hiring process and reducing barriers for firefighters transferring between agencies.

Further, the bill requires USDA and Interior to annually report related data to Congress, including the number of firefighters needed for the coming year, the number of firefighting vacancies in each state, and existing barriers to filling such vacancies. The report must also be made available on a public website.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-07-15
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2025-07-15
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2025-04-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture, 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: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture, 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: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture, 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: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
To prohibit the use of Federal funds to support or facilitate the participation of the Russian Federation in the Group of Seven, and for other purposes.

Bill: 119-hr-436
Sponsor: Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
International organizations and cooperation
Russia

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 
This bill prohibits using federal funds to support or facilitate (1) Russia's participation in a Group of Seven (G-7) proceeding, or (2) a reconstituted Group of Eight (G-8) that includes Russia. (The G-7 is an informal group consisting of seven of the world's largest advanced economies. In 2014, the G-8 became the G-7 when Russia 's membership was suspended following Russia's annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
SNOW Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-437
Sponsor: Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

Support Neighborhoods Offset Winter Damage Act of 2025 or the SNOW Act of 2025

This bill authorizes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funding for winter storm hazard mitigation and requires FEMA rulemaking to expand assistance for winter storms. It also increases the federal cost share for various FEMA grants, for any hazard type, in rural or disadvantaged areas.

The bill specifically authorizes the use of grant funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program to reduce the risk of future damage in areas affected by winter storms, such as by acquiring snow removal equipment. 

Also, under current FEMA policy, in determining eligibility and recommending a presidential major disaster declaration for a snowstorm, FEMA’s considerations include whether data shows record (or near record) snowfall and whether estimated statewide costs meet applicable thresholds. The bill requires FEMA to create regulations waiving these eligibility requirements for a major disaster declaration for a snowstorm in certain circumstances. FEMA must also create regulations to provide certain assistance for winter storms, including for debris removal and specified infrastructure, as well as individual and emergency assistance when the state determines the storm exceeds state and local capacity. 

In addition, for any hazard type, the bill requires FEMA to increase the federal cost share from 75% to 90% for certain assistance provided in rural or disadvantaged areas. It also authorizes an increased HMGP federal cost share amount from 75% to 90% for assistance in rural or disadvantaged areas. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act

Bill: 119-hr-438
Sponsor: Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Government lending and loan guarantees
Mental health
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program to make grants to eligible entities for peer-to-peer mental health programs for veterans. 
 
Eligible entities include (1) a nonprofit organization that has historically served the mental health needs of veterans; (2) a congressionally chartered veteran service organization; or (3) a state, local, or tribal veteran service agency, director, or commissioner. 
 
The VA shall establish an advisory committee to create appropriate program standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-02-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Veterans Foreign Medical Coverage Equality and Modernization Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-439
Sponsor: Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Health care coverage and access
Internet, web applications, social media
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

Veterans Foreign Medical Coverage Equality and Modernization Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish hospital care and medical services abroad (i.e., outside any state) to a veteran with a service-connected disability rated as permanent and total who is otherwise eligible for such care if the VA determines certain requirements are met. Specifically, the VA must furnish such care to an eligible veteran if it determines (1) the hospital care or medical services are consistent with the standard medical practice in the United States, and (2) any prescription medication furnished is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

For any care provided abroad, the VA must ensure (1) reimbursements made to veterans and medical providers can be made by direct deposit; and (2) the VA’s mobile applications provide for digital submission, real-time tracking of required forms, and the availability of specified documents associated with care or services, such as a benefits authorization letter.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
READY Accounts Act

Bill: 119-hr-440
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

READY Accounts Act

This bill establishes a new Residential Emergency Asset-accumulation Deferred Taxation Yield (READY) account, allows individuals to make tax-deductible contributions of up to $4,500 per year to such accounts (adjusted annually for inflation), and allows individuals to take tax-free distributions from such accounts to pay for qualified home disaster mitigation and recovery expenses related to a principal residence owned by the taxpayer.

Under the bill, qualified home disaster mitigation expenses include expenses certified by a qualified industry professional as meeting criteria to mitigate damage from a natural or other disaster, including

installing a roofing underlayment to sheathing, impact-resistant windows, impact-resistant entry doors, or ground anchors;

replacing a roof covering;

applying a foam adhesive to reinforce the roof structure;

strengthening the connection of the roof deck to roof framing, roof-to-wall connections, soffits, or attic ventilation openings;

elevating a residence; or

achieving the current building code standard.

Qualified home disaster recovery expenses include costs for repairing damage to a residence resulting from fire, storm, or other casualty (provided such costs are not reimbursed).

Distributions from a READY account used for anything other than qualified home disaster mitigation and recovery expenses must be included in gross income and are subject to a 20% penalty. (Some exceptions apply.)

Finally, the bill imposes a 6% tax on contributions in excess of the annual limit. (Some exceptions apply.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Drought Assistance Improvement Act

Bill: 119-hr-441
Sponsor: Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

Drought Assistance Improvement Act

This bill modifies access to two Farm Service Agency (FSA) administered programs: the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).

The bill modifies the LFP to allow for one monthly payment when a county has four consecutive weeks of a D2 rating (severe drought) and two payments for eight consecutive weeks of D2. Currently, one payment is available for eight consecutive weeks of D2. As background, LFP makes payments to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses on drought-affected pastureland, including cropland planted specifically for grazing.

The bill also expands coverage under ELAP for losses caused by adverse weather or drought. The bill includes under ELAP the loss of a crawfish harvest due to adverse weather or drought. As background, ELAP provides payments to producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish as compensation for losses due to disease, adverse weather, feed or water shortages, or other conditions that are not covered under other programs.

The FSA must establish ELAP documentation standards for (1) collecting data, (2) the production of crawfish, and (3) defining loss conditions due to drought.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-02-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
action_date: 2025-02-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act

Bill: 119-hr-442
Sponsor: Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act

This bill directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to review and revise quality loss adjustment coverage and provides for the establishment of a regional discount factor for soybeans, as needed.

The FCIC is a government corporation that finances and administers the federal crop insurance program (FCIP) operations. Under the FCIP, farmers may purchase insurance coverage against financial losses caused by certain adverse growing and market conditions, including for quality losses. The federal government subsidizes the premiums that farmers pay for these insurance policies. 

The bill directs the FCIC to contract with a qualified entity to conduct a review at least once every five years of the quality loss adjustment procedures. Based on each review, the FCIC must make adjustments to the procedures. Each review must include engagement from regionally diverse industry stakeholders for each agricultural commodity for which a quality loss adjustment is offered.

The bill also directs the FCIC, in certain circumstances, to establish a state or regional discount factor for soybeans to reflect the average quality discounts applied to the local or regional market prices of the soybean crop. The FCIC must take this action in the event of (1) specific emergency or disaster declarations for a state or region, or (2) the occurrence of a salvage market for soybeans in a state or region.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-02-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Parris Island Protection Act

Bill: 119-hr-443
Sponsor: Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military facilities and property
South Carolina

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

Parris Island Protection Act

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to close or realign Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island in South Carolina, or to conduct any planning or other activity related to such closure or realignment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Native American Health Savings Improvement Act

Bill: 119-hr-444
Sponsor: Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Border Security Investment Act

Bill: 119-hr-445
Sponsor: Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

Border Security Investment Act

This bill imposes a fee on the electronic transfer of funds (i.e., remittances) sent to certain countries and provides funding for border security activities from the collected amounts.

Specifically, the fee shall apply to remittances sent through money services business to one of the five countries that had the most citizens or nationals unlawfully enter the United States in the previous fiscal year, as determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The fee must be 37% of the amount sent.

Half of the money collected by the fee must be placed in a trust fund for reimbursing border states for expenses incurred for border security enforcement measures. The other half must be placed in another trust fund for (1) deploying technology and installing physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, and (2) paying the wages and salaries of U.S. Border Patrol agents.

If the amount in the trust funds exceeds a certain threshold, the excess money must be used only for deficit reduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Endowment Tax Fairness Act

Bill: 119-hr-446
Sponsor: Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

Endowment Tax Fairness Act

This bill increases the excise tax on the net investment income of certain private university and college endowments. 

Under current law, certain private universities and colleges with 500 or more tuition-paying students (of which more than 50% are located in the United States) and endowments that are at least $500,000 per student pay an excise tax in the amount of 1.4% on the net investment income from such endowments.

The bill increases the amount of the excise tax to 21% of the net investment income from such university and college endowments. 

Further, the bill provides that amounts collected from the increase to the excise tax on the net investment income from such university and college endowments are (1) to be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury; and (2) used to reduce the national deficit and, subsequently, the national debt. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Reliability for Ratepayers Act

Bill: 119-hr-447
Sponsor: Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

Reliability for Ratepayers Act

This bill modifies provisions concerning the hiring and compensation of employees of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which is a nonprofit federal power marketing administration that sells hydropower in the Northwest.

Specifically, it directs BPA to develop and implement a plan that specifies and fixes the compensation for its employees, including members of the Senior Executive Service. Within a year, BPA must develop an initial compensation plan, which must be approved by the Department of Energy. BPA must implement the plan no later than one year after the plan is developed. 

The compensation plan must be based on an annual survey of the prevailing compensation for similar positions in the public sectors of the electric industry, provide compensation that is competitive with similar positions among consumer-owned utilities in the Western Interconnection, be consistent with BPA's approved annual general and administrative budget, and meet other criteria as outlined in the bill. 

BPA must (1) annually review the compensation plan and make any updates as appropriate, and (2) publish the plan and any updates made to the plan.

The bill exempts BPA from certain civil service laws when it is carrying out its hiring authority.

Finally, the bill subjects BPA's employees to certain merit system principles.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Silver Cliff Community Act

Bill: 119-hr-448
Sponsor: Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
Introduced: 2025-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: 

Silver Cliff Community Act

This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to designate ZIP Code 81249 to the area encompassing only Silver Cliff, Colorado.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-15
text: Introduced in House