hyperdemocracy/usc-textversion huggingface dataset:
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1664 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 7, 2013 Mr. Paul introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration A BILL To end the practice of including more than one subject in a single bill by requiring that each bill enacted by Congress be limited to only one subject, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the One Subject at a Time Act . 2. One subject at a time (a) One subject Each bill or joint resolution shall embrace no more than one subject. (b) Subject in title The subject of a bill or joint resolution shall be clearly and descriptively expressed in the title. (c) Appropriation bills An appropriations bill shall not contain any general legislation or change of existing law provision, the subject of which is not germane to the subject matter of each such appropriations bill; provided, however, that this section shall not be construed to prohibit any provision imposing limitations upon the expenditure of funds so appropriated. 3. Enforcement (a) Multiple subjects in title If the title of an Act or joint resolution addresses two or more unrelated subjects, then the entire Act or joint resolution is void. (b) Provisions not expressed in title If the title of an Act or joint resolution addresses a single subject, but the Act contains one or more provisions concerning a subject that is not clearly and descriptively expressed in its title, then only such provision or provisions concerning the subject not clearly and descriptively expressed in the title shall be void. (c) Appropriation provisions outside subcommittee jurisdiction If an Act appropriating funds contains a provision outside of the jurisdiction of the relevant subcommittee of the Committees on Appropriations of the House and of the Senate, and therefore outside the subject of the bill, then such provision shall be void. (d) Provisions of appropriation bills not germane to subject matter If an Act appropriating funds contains general legislation or change of existing law provision not germane to the subject matter of such bill, then each and every such provision shall be void. (e) Commencement of an action Any person aggrieved by the enforcement of, or attempt or threat of enforcement of, an Act passed without having complied with section 2 or this section, or any Member of Congress aggrieved by the failure of the House of Congress of which that individual is a member to comply with any requirement of those sections, shall, regardless of the amount in controversy, have a cause of action under sections 2201 and 2202 of title 28, United States Code, against the United States to seek appropriate relief, including an injunction against the enforcement of any law, the passage of which did not conform to section 2 or this section. (f) State of review In any judicial action brought pursuant to subsection (e), the standard of review shall be de novo.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1667 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 7, 2013 Mr. Vitter (for himself, Mr. Heller , Mr. Kirk , Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Toomey , and Mr. Enzi ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs A BILL To amend the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to provide consumers with a free annual disclosure of information the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection maintains on them, and for other purposes.

1. Annual disclosure to consumers (a) In general Section 1022(c)(9) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 ( 12 U.S.C. 5512(c)(9) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (C) Annual disclosure to consumers (i) In general Once during any 12-month period, upon request of a consumer and without charge to the consumer, the Bureau shall clearly and accurately disclose to the consumer, before the end of the 15-day period beginning on the day the request is made, the following: (I) All information with respect to the consumer held by the Bureau at the time of the request, except that if the consumer to whom the information relates requests that the first 5 digits of the social security number (or similar identification number) of the consumer not be included in the disclosure, and the Bureau has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester, the Bureau shall so truncate such number in such disclosure. (II) The sources of the information. (III) Any person or other Federal department or agency to which the Bureau disclosed information described under subclause (I). (ii) Method of request The Bureau shall allow consumers to make a request under clause (i)— (I) online, with a link prominently displayed on the Bureau’s website; (II) via United States mail; and (III) via a toll-free telephone number established by the Bureau for such purpose. . (b) Effective date Section 1022(c)(9)(C) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 ( 12 U.S.C. 5512(c)(9)(C) ), as added by subsection (a), shall take effect with respect to consumer requests made after the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1668 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 7, 2013 Mr. Bennet introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To require a Comptroller General of the United States report on the impact of certain mental and physical trauma on the discharge of members of the Armed Forces for misconduct.

1. Comptroller General of the United States report on impact of certain mental and physical trauma on discharges from military service for misconduct (a) Report required The Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the impact of mental and physical trauma relating to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), behavioral health matters not related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and other neurological combat traumas (in this section referred to as covered traumas ) on the discharge of members of the Armed Forces from the Armed Forces for misconduct. (b) Elements The report required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of the extent to which the Armed Forces have in place processes for the consideration of the impact of mental and physical trauma relating to covered traumas on members of the Armed Forces who are being considered for discharge from the Armed Forces for misconduct, including the compliance of the Armed Forces with such processes and mechanisms in the Department of Defense for ensuring the compliance of the Armed Forces with such processes. (2) An assessment of the extent to which the Armed Forces provide members of the Armed Forces, including commanding officers, junior officers, and noncommissioned officers, training on the symptoms of covered traumas and the identification of the presence of such conditions in members of the Armed Forces. (3) An assessment of the extent to which members of the Armed Forces who receive treatment for a covered trauma before discharge from the Armed Forces are later discharged from the Armed Forces for misconduct. (4) An identification of the number of members of the Armed Forces discharged as described in paragraph (3) who are ineligible for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs based on characterization of discharge. (5) An assessment of the extent to which members of the Armed Forces who accept a discharge from the Armed Forces for misconduct in lieu of trial by court-martial are counseled on the potential for ineligibility for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a result of such discharge before acceptance of such discharge.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1669 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 7, 2013 Mr. Heinrich (for himself and Mr. Vitter ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To provide for proper reimbursement of the Department of Defense for assistance provided to nongovernmental entertainment-oriented media producers.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Military Equitable Reimbursement Act of 2013 . 2. Reimbursement of Department of Defense for assistance provided to nongovernmental entertainment-oriented media producers (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) The Department of Defense benefits when the entertainment industry produces media portraying the skill, heroism, capability, and challenges of members of the Armed Forces and their families through increased morale, better recruitment and retention, and improved understanding by the public. (2) The Department of Defense is in often the best position to ensure realism in productions. (3) The Department of Defense is sometimes forced to decline assisting in productions because expenses incurred are not reimbursed to the accounts withdrawn. (b) Reimbursement (1) In general Subchapter II of chapter 134 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2263 the following new section: 2264. Reimbursement for assistance provided to nongovernmental entertainment-oriented media producers (a) In general There shall be credited to the applicable appropriations account or fund from which the expenses described in subsection (b) were charged any amounts received by the Department of Defense as reimbursement for such expenses. (b) Description of expenses The expenses referred to in subsection (a) are any expenses— (1) incurred by the Department of Defense as a result of providing assistance to a nongovernmental entertainment-oriented media producer; (2) for which the Department of Defense requires reimbursement under section 9701 of title 31, United States Code, or any other provision of law; and (3) for which the Department of Defense received reimbursement after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 . . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such subchapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section 2263 the following new item: 2264. Reimbursement for assistance provided to nongovernmental entertainment-oriented media producers. .
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1672 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 7, 2013 Mr. Nelson (for himself, Mr. Grassley , Mr. Rockefeller , and Mr. Enzi ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to empower individuals with disabilities to establish their own supplemental needs trusts.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act of 2013 . 2. Fairness in Medicaid supplemental needs trusts (a) In general Section 1917(d)(4)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396p(d)(4)(A) ) is amended by inserting the individual, after for the benefit of such individual by . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to trusts established on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1676 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 7, 2013 Mr. Bennet (for himself, Mr. Vitter , Mr. Wicker , Mr. Heinrich , Mr. Shelby , and Mr. Nelson ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget A BILL To exempt certain payments to States from sequestration.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Return Our State Shares Act . 2. Exemption of certain payments from sequestration (a) In general Section 255(g)(1)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act (2 U.S.C. 905(g)(1)(A)) is amended— (1) by inserting before Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Deposit Insurance Fund (51–4596–0–4–373). the following: Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (14–5029–0–2–303). ; (2) by inserting after Financial Agent Services (20–1802–0–1–803). the following: Financial assistance to States pursuant to section 105(a)(2)(B) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 ( 43 U.S.C. 1331 note) from the Land Acquisition and State Assistance account (14–5035–0–2–303). ; (3) by inserting before Hazardous Waste Management, Conservation Reserve Program (12–4336–0–3–999). the following: Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund (20–8625–0–7–452). ; (4) by inserting before Payments to Copyright Owners (03–5175–0–2–376). the following: Payments of States' shares from certain Gulf of Mexico leases (14–5535–0–2–302). ; (5) by inserting before Payments to the United States Territories, Fiscal Assistance (14–0418–0–1–806). the following: Payments to States under the Mineral Leasing Act and Associated Payments (14–5003–0–2–999). ; and (6) by inserting before Tennessee Valley Authority Fund, except nonpower programs and activities (64–4110–0–3–999). the following: Sport Fish Restoration (14–8151–0–7–303). . (b) Applicability The amendment made by this section shall apply to any sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900 et seq.) on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1679 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 12, 2013 Mr. Toomey introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To require a study on the Russian RD–180 rocket engine.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Security Rocket Engine Study Act of 2013 . 2. Report on Russian RD–180 rocket engine (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the Russian RD–180 rocket engine. (b) Elements The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following elements: (1) An assessment of the feasibility of manufacturing an alternative rocket engine in the United States. (2) An estimate of the cost of manufacturing an alternative rocket engine in the United States, including any cost savings that manufacturing a domestic alternative provides compared to the cost of buying Russian engines over the life of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. (3) A description of policy benefits and policy concerns related to where the rocket engine is manufactured. (c) Comptroller General review The Comptroller General shall review the report submitted under subsection (a) and submit the results of its study to the congressional defense committees.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1684 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 12, 2013 Mr. Toomey introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To require a pilot program on the provision of certain information to State veterans agencies to facilitate the transition of members of the Armed Forces from military service to civilian life.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Servicemembers Transition Improvement Act of 2013 . 2. Pilot program on provision of certain information to State veterans agencies to facilitate the transition of members of the Armed Forces from military service to civilian life (a) Pilot program required Commencing not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing the information described in subsection (b) on members of the Armed Forces who are separating from the Armed Forces to State veterans agencies as a means of facilitating the transition of members of the Armed Forces from military service to civilian life. (b) Covered information The information described in this subsection with respect to a member is as follows: (1) Department of Defense Form DD 214. (2) A personal email address. (3) A personal telephone number. (4) A mailing address. (c) Voluntary participation The participation of a member in the pilot program shall be at the election of the member. (d) Form of provision of information Information shall be provided to State veterans agencies under the pilot program in digitized electronic form. (e) Use of information Information provided to State veterans agencies under the pilot program may be shared by such agencies with appropriate county veterans service offices in such manner and for such purposes as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of the pilot program. (f) Report Not later than 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program. The report shall include a description of the pilot program and such recommendations, including recommendations for continuing or expanding the pilot program, as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the pilot program.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1686 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 12, 2013 Mrs. Feinstein (for herself and Mr. Grassley ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide enhanced penalties for marketing controlled substances to minors.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Saving Kids From Dangerous Drugs Act of 2013 . 2. Offenses involving controlled substances marketed to minors Section 401 of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 841 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) Offenses involving controlled substances marketed to minors (1) Unlawful act Except as authorized under this title, including paragraph (3), it shall be unlawful for any person at least 18 years of age to— (A) knowingly or intentionally manufacture or create a controlled substance listed in schedule I or II that is— (i) combined with a beverage or candy product; (ii) marketed or packaged to appear similar to a beverage or candy product; or (iii) modified by flavoring or coloring; and (B) know, or have reasonable cause to believe, that the combined, marketed, packaged, or modified controlled substance will be distributed, dispensed, or sold to a person under 18 years of age. (2) Penalties Except as provided in section 418, 419, or 420, any person who violates paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be subject to— (A) an additional term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years for a first offense involving the same controlled substance and schedule; and (B) an additional term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years for a second or subsequent offense involving the same controlled substance and schedule. (3) Exceptions Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any controlled substance that— (A) has been approved by the Secretary under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( 21 U.S.C. 355 ), if the contents, marketing, and packaging of the controlled substance have not been altered from the form approved by the Secretary; or (B) has been altered at the direction of a practitioner who is acting for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice. . 3. Sentencing Guidelines Pursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance with this section, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review its guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the guidelines provide an appropriate additional penalty increase to the sentence otherwise applicable in Part D of the Guidelines Manual if the defendant was convicted of a violation of section 401(i) of the Controlled Substances Act, as added by section 2 of this Act.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1689 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 13, 2013 Mr. Schumer introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To treat payments by charitable organizations with respect to certain firefighters as exempt payments.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fallen Firefighters Assistance Tax Clarification Act of 2013 . 2. Payments by charitable organizations with respect to certain firefighters treated as exempt payments (a) In general For purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, payments made to— (1) any firefighter who was injured as a result of the ambush of firefighters responding to an emergency on December 24, 2012, in Webster, New York, (2) the spouse of any firefighter who died as a result of such ambush, or (3) any dependent (as defined in section 152 of such Code) of any firefighter who died as a result of such ambush, by an organization described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 509(a) of such Code shall be treated as related to the purpose or function constituting the basis for such organization’s exemption under section 501 of such Code if such payments are made in good faith using a reasonable and objective formula which is consistently applied. (b) Application Subsection (a) shall apply only to payments made on or after December 24, 2012, and before the later of— (1) January 1, 2014, or (2) the date which is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1692 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 13, 2013 Mrs. Boxer (for herself, Ms. Cantwell , Ms. Klobuchar , and Mr. Markey ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require the Secretary of Transportation to modify the final rule relating to flightcrew member duty and rest requirements for passenger operations of air carriers to apply to all-cargo operations of air carriers, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Safe Skies Act of 2013 . 2. Modification of final rule relating to flightcrew member duty and rest requirements for passenger operations to apply to all-cargo operations (a) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall modify the final rule specified in subsection (b) so that the flightcrew member duty and rest requirements under that rule apply to flightcrew members in all-cargo operations conducted by air carriers in the same manner as those requirements apply to flightcrew members in passenger operations conducted by air carriers. (b) Final rule specified The final rule specified in this subsection is the final rule of the Federal Aviation Administration— (1) published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2012 (77 Fed. Reg. 330); and (2) relating to flightcrew member duty and rest requirements. (c) Applicability of rulemaking requirements The requirements of section 553 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the modification required by subsection (a).
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1693 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 13, 2013 Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Udall of Colorado , Ms. Landrieu , Mr. Merkley , and Mrs. Feinstein ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to extend the initial open enrollment period.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the ACA Enrollment Extension Act . 2. Extension of open enrollment period (a) Extension Section 1311(c)(6)(A) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18031(c)(6)(A) ) is amended to read as follows: (A) an initial open enrollment period, to close on a date determined appropriate by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and which shall be the later of— (i) May 31, 2014; or (ii) a later date determined by the Secretary after considering the progress made on improving the functionality of the Federally-facilitated health insurance marketplace and related factors; . (b) Extension for other plans Section 2702(b) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300gg–1(b) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (4) Initial open enrollment period A health insurance issuer described in subsection (a) that provides health insurance coverage in the individual market shall provide for an initial open enrollment or special enrollment period applicable to such coverage that begins on the effective date of this section and ends on the date determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 1311(c)(6)(A) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. . (c) Nonapplication of penalty Section 5000A(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following: (E) Application to 2014 For purposes of imposing a penalty under this section for taxable year 2014, the amount of the penalty to be imposed shall not include any month ending prior to the closing date determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 1311(c)(6)(A) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. .
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1694 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 13, 2013 Mr. Harkin (for himself and Mr. Heller ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against income tax for the purchase of hearing aids.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act . 2. Credit for hearing aids (a) In general Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25D the following new section: 25E. Credit for hearing aids (a) Allowance of credit In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter an amount equal to the amount paid during the taxable year, not compensated by insurance or otherwise, by the taxpayer for the purchase of any qualified hearing aid. (b) Maximum amount The amount allowed as a credit under subsection (a) shall not exceed $500 per qualified hearing aid. (c) Qualified hearing Aid For purposes of this section, the term qualified hearing aid means a hearing aid— (1) which is described in sections 874.3300 and 874.3305 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, and is authorized under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for commercial distribution, and (2) which is intended for use— (A) by the taxpayer, or (B) by an individual with respect to whom the taxpayer, for the taxable year, is allowed a deduction under section 151(c) (relating to deduction for personal exemptions for dependents). (d) Election once every 5 years This section shall apply with respect to any individual for any taxable year only if there is an election in effect with respect to such individual (at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe) to have this section apply for such taxable year. An election to have this section apply with respect to any individual may not be made for any taxable year if such an election is in effect with respect to such individual for any of the 4 taxable years preceding such taxable year. (e) Denial of double benefit No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any expense for which a deduction or credit is allowed under any other provision of this chapter. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25D the following new item: Sec. 25E. Credit for hearing aids. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2013.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1695 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 13, 2013 Ms. Cantwell (for herself and Mr. Kirk ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To designate a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness.

1. Designation of portion of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness Section 4 of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 ( 16 U.S.C. 668dd ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (p) Designation of certain land as wilderness Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska comprising approximately 1,559,538 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—1002 Area. Alternative E—Wilderness Designation, October 28, 1991 and available for inspection in the offices of the Secretary, is designated as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.). .
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1699 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 13, 2013 Mr. Udall of Colorado (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To permit individuals to renew certain health insurance coverage offered in the individual or small group markets and to provide that such individuals would not be subject to the individual mandate penalty.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Continuous Coverage Act . 2. Providing individuals with the opportunity to renew their health insurance coverage Notwithstanding any provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( Public Law 111–148 ) or the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–152 ), and the amendments made by such Acts— (1) a health insurance insurer shall offer an individual the opportunity to renew enrollment in health insurance coverage offered in the individual market if such individual was enrolled in such coverage on September 30, 2013, and such individual continues to meet the requirements of eligibility for such coverage (such as timely payment of premiums); (2) an individual may renew enrollment in health insurance coverage described in paragraph (1) for plan years through December 31, 2015; (3) health insurance coverage described in paragraph (1) shall not be required to meet the requirements of 1302 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( 42 U.S.C. 18022 ); and (4) health insurance coverage described in paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be minimum essential coverage for purposes of section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986l.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1703 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 14, 2013 Ms. Murkowski introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To require the provision of information to members of the Armed Forces on availability of mental health services and related privacy rights.

1. Provision of information to members of the Armed Forces on availability of mental health services and related privacy rights (a) In general Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1090a the following new section: 1090b. Notice to members of the armed forces on availability of mental health services and privacy rights related to receipt of such services (a) Provision of information required The Secretaries of the military departments shall ensure that the information described in subsection (b) is provided— (1) to each officer candidate during initial training; (2) to each recruit during basic training; and (3) to other members of the armed forces at such times as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate. (b) Required information The information required to be provided under subsection (a) shall include at a minimum the following: (1) Information regarding the availability of mental health services under this chapter. (2) Information on the applicability of Department of Defense Directive 6025.18 and other regulations regarding privacy prescribed pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ( Public Law 104–191 ) to records regarding a member seeking and receiving mental health services, including the extent to which— (A) any such records can be shared with promotion boards, commanding officers, and other members of the armed forces; (B) any adverse actions can be taken against the member for seeking and receiving mental health services; and (C) a diagnosis of a mental health condition can result in negative personnel action. (c) Reduction of perceived stigma As provided in section 1090a(b)(1) of this title, in providing information under subsection (a), the Secretary of a military department shall seek to eliminate perceived stigma associated with seeking and receiving mental health services and to promote the use of mental health services on a basis comparable to the use of other medical and health services. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 55 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1090a the following new item: 1090b. Notice to members of the armed forces on availability of mental health services and privacy rights related to receipt of such services. . (c) Provision of information to current members As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that all members of the Armed Forces, including members of the reserve components, serving in the Armed Forces as of that date are provided the information required to be provided to new recruits and officer candidates pursuant to section 1090b of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1707 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 14, 2013 Mr. Heller (for himself and Ms. Heitkamp ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs A BILL To exclude from consideration as income under the United States Housing Act of 1937 payments of pension made under section 1521 of title 38, United States Code, to veterans who are in need of regular aid and attendance, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act . 2. Exclusion from income Section 3(b)(4) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(4) ) is amended— (1) by striking and any amounts and inserting , any amounts ; (2) by striking or any deferred and inserting , any deferred ; and (3) by inserting after prospective monthly amounts the following: , and any expenses related to aid and attendance as detailed under section 1521 of title 38, United States Code . 3. Utility allowances and data Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) Utility allowance (i) In general In determining the monthly assistance payment for a family under subparagraphs (A) and (B), the amount allowed for tenant-paid utilities shall not exceed the appropriate utility allowance for the family unit size as determined by the public housing agency regardless of the size of the dwelling unit leased by the family. (ii) Exception for certain families Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), upon request by a family that includes a person with disabilities, an elderly family, or a family that includes any person who is less than 18 years of age, the public housing agency shall approve a utility allowance that is higher than the applicable amount on the utility allowance schedule, except that in the case of a family that includes a person with disabilities, the agency shall approve such higher amount only if a higher utility allowance is needed as a reasonable accommodation to make the program accessible to and usable by the family member with a disability. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (21) Utility data (A) Publication The Secretary shall, to the extent that data can be collected cost effectively, regularly publish such data regarding utility consumption and costs in local areas as the Secretary determines will be useful for the establishment of allowances for tenant-paid utilities for families assisted under this subsection. (B) Use of data The Secretary shall provide such data in a manner that— (i) avoids unnecessary administrative burdens for public housing agencies and owners; and (ii) protects families in various unit sizes and building types, and using various utilities, from high rent and utility cost burdens relative to income. .
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1708 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 14, 2013 Mr. Merkley (for himself, Ms. Ayotte , and Mr. Schatz ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to the establishment of performance measures for the highway safety improvement program, and for other purposes.

1. Establishment of performance measures for highway safety improvement program Section 150(c)(4)(B) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting for both motorized and nonmotorized transportation before the period at the end.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1710 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 14, 2013 Mr. Whitehouse introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require Amtrak to propose a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domesticated cats and dogs on certain Amtrak trains, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Pets on Trains Act of 2013 . 2. Amtrak policy for passengers transporting domesticated cats and dogs (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall propose a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs on certain trains operated by Amtrak. (b) Pet policy In the proposal required under subsection (a), Amtrak shall— (1) designate, where feasible, at least one car of each passenger train that is comprised of more than one car in which a ticketed passenger may transport a domesticated cat or dog in the same manner as carry-on baggage if— (A) the cat or dog is contained in a pet kennel; (B) the pet kennel can be stowed in accordance with Amtrak size requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage; (C) the passenger is ticketed for traveling a distance less than 750 miles; and (D) the passenger pays a fee described in subsection (c); and (2) allow ticketed passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs in the same manner as cargo if— (A) the cat or dog is contained in a pet kennel; (B) the pet kennel can be stowed in accordance with Amtrak requirements for cargo stowage; (C) the passenger is ticketed for traveling a distance less than 750 miles; (D) the cargo area is temperature controlled in a manner protective of dog and cat health; and (E) the passenger pays a fee described in subsection (c). (c) Fee collection Under the pet policy described in subsection (b), Amtrak shall collect a fee for each cat or dog transported by a ticketed passenger in an amount that, at a minimum, covers the costs of administration of the policy. (d) Limitation on statutory construction (1) Service animals The proposal required under subsection (a) shall be separate from and in addition to the policy governing Amtrak passengers traveling with service animals. Nothing in this section may be interpreted to limit or waive the rights of passengers to transport service animals. (2) Additional train cars Nothing in this section may be interpreted to require Amtrak to add additional train cars or modify existing train cars.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1711 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 14, 2013 Mr. Barrasso (for himself, Mr. Graham , and Ms. Ayotte ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To enable States to opt out of certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the State Health Care Choice Act . 2. Purpose It is the purpose of this Act to protect States' rights and to ensure that States have the option to continue to implement State laws relating to health care delivery and health insurance that were in effect prior to the date of enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( Public Law 111–148 ). 3. Protection of State flexibility to provide health coverage (a) State opt out of certain provisions of PPACA (1) In general A State described in subsection (b) may elect to limit the application of any or all of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( Public Law 111–148 ) described in paragraph (2) with respect to health insurance coverage within that State. (2) Provisions described The provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act described in this paragraph are as follows: (A) Subtitles A through C of title I (and the amendments made by such subtitles), except for sections 1253 and 1254. (B) Parts I, II, III, and V of subtitle D of title I (and the amendments made by such parts). (C) Part I of subtitle E of title I (and the amendments made by such part). (D) Subtitle F of title I (and the amendments made by such part). (E) Section 1561 (and the amendment made by such section). (F) Sections 10101 through 10107 (and the amendments made by such sections). (b) State described (1) Enactment of State law A State described in this subsection is a State that enacts a law after the date of enactment of this Act that— (A) expresses the intent of the State to opt out of one or more of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( Public Law 111–148 ) described in subsection (a); (B) contains a list of the provisions of such Act which will not apply to the State under the State law; and (C) expresses the intent of the State to continue to administer health coverage-related laws as in effect in the State on March 23, 2010, or that provides for the implementation of related State laws enacted after such date. (2) Repeal If a State repeals a law described in paragraph (1), the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act listed in such law shall apply with respect to such State beginning on the date of such repeal. (c) Regulations The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall promulgate regulations to provide for the implementation of this Act.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1713 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 14, 2013 Mr. Murphy introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the dollar limitation on the exclusion for employer-provided dependent care assistance.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Child Care Flex Spending Act of 2013 . 2. Increase in dollar limitation on exclusion for employer-provided dependent care assistance (a) In general Subparagraph (A) of section 129(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking shall not exceed and all that follows and inserting the following: shall not exceed— (i) in the case of a taxpayer whose modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year is less than $100,000 (twice such amount in the case of a joint return), $10,000 (half such amount in the case of a separate return by a married individual), and (ii) in any other case, $5,000 (half such amount in the case of a separate return by a married individual). . (b) Modified adjusted gross income Paragraph (2) of section 129(a) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) Modified adjusted gross income For purposes of this paragraph, the term modified adjusted gross income means the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer for the taxable year increased by any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or 933. . (c) Inflation adjustment Paragraph (2) of section 129(a) of such Code, as amended by subsection (b), is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (E) Inflation adjustment In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2014, each dollar amount contained in subparagraph (A) shall be increased by an amount equal to— (i) such dollar amount, multiplied by (ii) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting calendar year 2013 for calendar year 1992 in subparagraph (B) thereof. Any increase determined under the preceding sentence shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50. . (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2013.
II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1718 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 18, 2013 Mr. Reid (for Mr. Warner (for himself and Mr. Kaine )) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To modify the boundary of Petersburg National Battlefield in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and for other purposes.

1. Petersburg National Battlefield boundary modification (a) In general The boundary of the Petersburg National Battlefield is modified to include the land and interests in land as generally depicted on the map titled Petersburg National Battlefield Boundary Expansion , numbered 325/80,080, and dated June 2007. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service. (b) Acquisition of properties The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the Secretary ) is authorized to acquire the land and interests in land, described in subsection (a), from willing sellers only, by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, exchange, or transfer. (c) Administration The Secretary shall administer any land or interests in land acquired under subsection (b) as part of the Petersburg National Battlefield in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. (d) Administrative jurisdiction transfer (1) In general There is transferred— (A) from the Secretary to the Secretary of the Army administrative jurisdiction over the approximately 1.170-acre parcel of land depicted as Area to be transferred to Fort Lee Military Reservation on the map described in paragraph (2); and (B) from the Secretary of the Army to the Secretary administrative jurisdiction over the approximately 1.171-acre parcel of land depicted as Area to be transferred to Petersburg National Battlefield on the map described in paragraph (2). (2) Map The land transferred is depicted on the map titled Petersburg National Battlefield Proposed Transfer of Administrative Jurisdiction , numbered 325/80,801A, dated May 2011. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service. (3) Conditions of transfer The transfer of administrative jurisdiction under paragraph (1) is subject to the following conditions: (A) No reimbursement or consideration The transfer is without reimbursement or consideration. (B) Management The land conveyed to the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be included within the boundary of the Petersburg National Battlefield and shall be administered as part of that park in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.