hyperdemocracy/usc-textversion huggingface dataset:
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 112 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 7, 2015 Mr. Heller introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary of the Interior to publish and make available for public comment a draft economic analysis at the time a proposed rule to designate critical habitat is published.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Common Sense in Species Protection Act of 2015 . 2. Draft economic analysis for critical habitat designation Section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(2) ) is amended— (1) in the first sentence, by striking (2) The Secretary shall and inserting the following: (2) Critical habitat designation (A) In general The Secretary shall ; (2) in the second sentence, by striking The Secretary may and inserting the following: (B) Exclusions The Secretary shall ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (C) Draft economic analysis (i) In general At the time a proposed rule to designate critical habitat is published, the Secretary shall publish and make available for public comment a draft analysis that— (I) examines the incremental and cumulative economic effects of all actions to protect the species and habitat of the species (including the effects of the proposed designation) upon each State and locality that is the subject of, or affected by, the proposed designation; (II) includes consideration of public and private economic effects on— (aa) possible uses of land and property values; (bb) the provision of water, power, or other public services; (cc) employment; and (dd) revenues available for State and local governments, including school districts, any political subdivision of a State that directly or indirectly provides public services, and any other instrumentality of a State; (III) complies with the guidelines issued pursuant to section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001 ( Public Law 106–554 ; 114 Stat. 2763A–153); and (IV) assesses such effects on a quantitative and qualitative basis. (ii) Determination factors not affected Nothing in clause (i) adds to, subtracts from, or otherwise modifies the factors set forth in subsection (a)(1) or the bases set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection. .
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 113 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 7, 2015 Mr. Heller introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To ensure that Federal Register notices submitted to the Bureau of Land Management are reviewed in a timely manner.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Public Land Job Creation Act of 2015 . 2. Review of certain Federal Register notices If, by the date that is 45 days after the date on which a State Bureau of Land Management office has submitted a Federal Register notice to the Washington, DC, office of the Bureau of Land Management for Department of the Interior review, the review has not been completed— (1) the notice shall consider to be approved; and (2) the State Bureau of Land Management office shall immediately forward the notice to the Federal Register for publication.
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 115 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 7, 2015 Mr. Heller introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship A BILL To increase oversight of small business assistance programs provided by the Small Business Administration.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Transparency in Small Business Assistance Act . 2. Oversight of small business assistance programs (a) Definitions In this Act— (1) the terms Administration and Administrator mean the Small Business Administration and the Administrator thereof, respectively; and (2) the term small business concern has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 632 ). (b) Oversight of small business assistance programs (1) In general The Administrator shall collect information from each small business concern that receives assistance from the Administration, including a loan, a loan guarantee, a grant, or counseling services. (2) Information to be collected The information collected under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) the operational status of each small business concern, to be collected 6 months after and 1 year after the date on which the small business concern receives assistance from the Administration; (B) if a small business concern is no longer operational, the reason for the closure of the small business concern; (C) the number of part-time employees and full-time employees that each small business concern employs, to be collected— (i) 6 months after the date on which the small business concern receives assistance from the Administration, and every 6 months thereafter, during the time the small business concern is receiving assistance from the Administration; and (ii) 6 months after and 1 year after the date on which the small business concern ceases to receive assistance from the Administration; and (D) if the Administration is unable to provide assistance to the small business concern, the number of referrals that the Administration makes to another assistance program within the Administration or to another Federal agency. (3) Report The Administration shall include the information collected under this subsection in the annual report required under section 10(a) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 639(a) ). (c) Effective date This Act shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 116 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 7, 2015 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 repeal the excise tax on telephone and other communications services.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Telephone Excise Tax Elimination Act of 2015 . 2. Repeal of excise tax on telephone and other Communications Services (a) In general Chapter 33 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subchapter B. (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 4293 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking chapter 32 (other than the taxes imposed by sections 4064 and 4121) and subchapter B of chapter 33, and inserting and chapter 32 (other than the taxes imposed by sections 4064 and 4121), . (2) Subsection (e) of section 6302 of such Code is amended— (A) in the subsection heading, by striking Communications Services and , (B) in paragraph (1), by striking section 4251 or , and (C) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking 4251, 4261, and inserting 4261 , and (ii) by striking bills rendered or . (3) Section 6415 of such Code is amended by striking 4251, 4261, or 4271 each place it appears and inserting 4261 or 4271 . (4) Paragraph (2) of section 7871(a) of such Code is amended— (A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting or at the end, (B) by striking subparagraph (C), and (C) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C). (5) The table of subchapters for chapter 33 of such Code is amended by striking the item relating to subchapter B. (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to amounts paid pursuant to bills first rendered more than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 119 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mrs. Shaheen (for herself and Ms. Collins ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To amend the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide for a lifetime National Recreational Pass for any veteran with a service-connected disability.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wounded Veterans Recreation Act of 2015 . 2. National recreational passes for disabled veterans Section 805(b) of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act ( 16 U.S.C. 6804(b) ) is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: (2) Disability discount The Secretary shall make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, without charge and for the lifetime of the passholder, to the following: (A) Any United States citizen or person domiciled in the United States who has been medically determined to be permanently disabled for purposes of section 7(20)(B)(i) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 705(20)(B)(i) ), if the citizen or person provides adequate proof of the disability and such citizenship or residency. (B) Any veteran with a service-connected disability, as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (3) Adjustment of entrance fees The Secretary shall adjust entrance fees applicable to individuals that are not holders of a pass made available under paragraph (2)(B) in a manner so as to maintain total receipts. .
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 120 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. Nelson (for himself and Mr. Rubio ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to authorize the Central Everglades Planning Project, Florida.

1. CERP, Central everglades planning project, Florida Section 601 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 ( Public Law 106–541 ; 114 Stat. 2680) is amended by adding at the end the following: (q) CERP, Central Everglades Planning Project, Florida (1) Authorization In accordance with subsection (d), the project for environmental restoration, CERP, Central Everglades Planning Project, Florida, is authorized to be carried out by the Secretary substantially in accordance with the plans, and subject to the conditions, recommended in the final report of the Chief of Engineers signed on December 23, 2014. (2) Total cost The project authorized under paragraph (1) is authorized to be carried out by the Secretary at a total cost of $1,900,000,000, with an estimated Federal cost of $950,875,000 and an estimated non-Federal cost of $949,125,000. .
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 121 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. McCain (for himself and Mr. Barrasso ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To establish a certification process for opting out of the individual health insurance mandate.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Obamacare Opt-Out Act of 2015 . 2. Health insurance mandate opt-out (a) Obtaining exemption Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an applicable individual (as defined in subsection (d) of section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) desiring an exemption from the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage under section 5000A(a) of such Code may— (1) request a certification from the Secretary of the Treasury, through the State Exchange or Federal Exchange, as applicable, that such individual is exempt from the requirements of section 5000A(a) of such Code, which such Secretary shall grant upon request; or (2) indicate on the Federal income tax return of such individual that such individual elects an exemption from the requirements of section 5000A(a) of such Code. (b) Exemption from penalty (1) In general Subsection (e) of section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following: (6) Certification of exemption; exemption claims (A) Certification of exemption An applicable individual for any month during the taxable year in which such individual receives a certification of exemption under section 2(a)(1) of the Obamacare Opt-Out Act of 2015 , and for any month during any subsequent taxable year. (B) Exemption claim An applicable individual, for any month in a taxable year for which an election for an exemption under section 2(a)(2) of the Obamacare Opt-Out Act of 2015 is made. . (2) Effective date The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to months beginning after December 31, 2014.
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 123 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. Rubio (for himself, Mr. Flake , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Lee , Mr. McCain , Mr. Paul , Mr. Roberts , Mr. Rounds , and Mr. Vitter ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To prevent a taxpayer bailout of health insurance issuers.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Obamacare Taxpayer Bailout Prevention Act . 2. Prevention of bailout of health insurance issuers The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is amended by striking section 1342 ( 42 U.S.C. 18062 ).
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 124 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. Rubio (for himself and Mr. Nelson ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to deauthorize the Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area Critical Restoration Project.

1. Project deauthorization Section 528(b)(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 ( Public Law 104–303 ; 110 Stat. 3768) is amended by adding at the end the following: (E) Project deauthorization (i) In general The project identified as the Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area Critical Restoration Project , carried out pursuant to this paragraph, shall no longer be authorized as a Federal project upon execution of a transfer agreement between the Secretary and the South Florida Water Management District. (ii) Requirement A transfer agreement referred to in clause (i) shall require that the South Florida Water Management District operate the transferred project as an environmental restoration project to provide water storage and water treatment options. .
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 126 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. Heller (for himself, Ms. Cantwell , Mr. Enzi , Mr. Thune , Mr. Cornyn , Mrs. Murray , Mr. Nelson , and Mr. Alexander ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To provide a permanent deduction for State and local general sales taxes.

1. Permanent extension of deduction for State and local general sales taxes (a) In general Subparagraph (I) of section 164(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by section 105 of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, is amended by striking , and before January 1, 2015 . (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014.
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 127 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Johnson , Mr. Manchin , Ms. Collins , and Ms. Ayotte ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To prohibit Federal funding for motorcycle checkpoints, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act . 2. Grant restriction Notwithstanding section 153 of title 23, United States Code, the Secretary of Transportation may not provide a grant or any funds to a State, county, town, township, Indian tribe, municipality, or other local government that may be used for any program— (1) to check helmet usage; or (2) to create checkpoints that specifically target motorcycle operators or motorcycle passengers.
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 134 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. Wyden (for himself, Mr. Merkley , Mr. McConnell , and Mr. Paul ) 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 exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marihuana, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015 . 2. Exclusion of industrial hemp from definition of marihuana Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 802 ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (16)— (A) by striking (16) The and inserting (16)(A) The ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (B) The term marihuana does not include industrial hemp. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (57) The term industrial hemp means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. . 3. Industrial hemp determination by States Section 201 of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 811 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) Industrial hemp determination If a person grows or processes Cannabis sativa L. for purposes of making industrial hemp in accordance with State law, the Cannabis sativa L. shall be deemed to meet the concentration limitation under section 102(57), unless the Attorney General determines that the State law is not reasonably calculated to comply with section 102(57). .
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 135 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. Wyden introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To prohibit Federal agencies from mandating the deployment of vulnerabilities in data security technologies.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Secure Data Act of 2015 . 2. Prohibition on data security vulnerability mandates (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), no agency may mandate that a manufacturer, developer, or seller of covered products design or alter the security functions in its product or service to allow the surveillance of any user of such product or service, or to allow the physical search of such product, by any agency. (b) Exception Subsection (a) shall not apply to mandates authorized under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act ( 47 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. ). (c) Definitions In this section— (1) the term agency has the meaning given the term in section 3502 of title 44, United States Code; and (2) the term covered product means any computer hardware, computer software, or electronic device that is made available to the general public.
One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America 1st Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the sixth day of January, two thousand and fifteen S. 136 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To amend chapter 21 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans shall be included with mothers of such veterans as preference eligibles for treatment in the civil service.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015 . 2. Preference eligible treatment for fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans Section 2108(3) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs (F) and (G) and inserting the following: (F) the parent of an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the armed forces during a period named by paragraph (1)(A) of this section, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; (G) the parent of a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; and . 3. Effective date The amendment made by this Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate
114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 136 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To amend chapter 21 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans shall be included with mothers of such veterans as preference eligibles for treatment in the civil service.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015 . 2. Preference eligible treatment for fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans Section 2108(3) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs (F) and (G) and inserting the following: (F) the parent of an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the armed forces during a period named by paragraph (1)(A) of this section, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; (G) the parent of a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; and . 3. Effective date The amendment made by this Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Passed the Senate May 11, 2015. Secretary
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 136 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. Wyden (for himself and Mr. Brown ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To amend chapter 21 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans shall be included with mothers of such veterans as preference eligibles for treatment in the civil service.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015 . 2. Preference eligible treatment for fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans Section 2108(3) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs (F) and (G) and inserting the following: (F) the parent of an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the armed forces during a period named by paragraph (1)(A) of this section, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; (G) the parent of a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; and . 3. Effective date The amendment made by this Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
IC 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 136 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 12, 2015 Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform AN ACT To amend chapter 21 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans shall be included with mothers of such veterans as preference eligibles for treatment in the civil service.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015 . 2. Preference eligible treatment for fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans Section 2108(3) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs (F) and (G) and inserting the following: (F) the parent of an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the armed forces during a period named by paragraph (1)(A) of this section, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; (G) the parent of a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; and . 3. Effective date The amendment made by this Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Passed the Senate May 11, 2015. Julie E. Adams Secretary
ID Union Calendar No. 199 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 136 [Report No. 114–263] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 12, 2015 Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform September 18, 2015 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To amend chapter 21 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans shall be included with mothers of such veterans as preference eligibles for treatment in the civil service.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015 . 2. Preference eligible treatment for fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans Section 2108(3) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs (F) and (G) and inserting the following: (F) the parent of an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the armed forces during a period named by paragraph (1)(A) of this section, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; (G) the parent of a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; and . 3. Effective date The amendment made by this Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

September 18, 2015 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
II Calendar No. 67 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 136 [Report No. 114–35] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. Wyden (for himself, Mr. Brown , and Ms. Collins ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs May 5, 2015 Reported by Mr. Johnson , without amendment A BILL To amend chapter 21 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans shall be included with mothers of such veterans as preference eligibles for treatment in the civil service.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015 . 2. Preference eligible treatment for fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans Section 2108(3) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs (F) and (G) and inserting the following: (F) the parent of an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the armed forces during a period named by paragraph (1)(A) of this section, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; (G) the parent of a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if— (i) the spouse of that parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (ii) that parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or, if married, legally separated from his or her spouse; and . 3. Effective date The amendment made by this Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

May 5, 2015 Reported without amendment
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 137 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. Wyden (for himself and Mr. Cardin ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title 31, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to regulate tax return preparers.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Taxpayer Protection and Preparer Proficiency Act of 2015 . 2. Regulation of tax return preparers (a) In general Subsection (a) of section 330 of title 31, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) regulate— (A) the practice of representatives of persons before the Department of the Treasury; and (B) the practice of tax return preparers; and , and (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by inserting or tax return preparer after representative each place it appears, and (B) by inserting or in preparing their tax returns, claims for refund, or documents in connection with tax returns or claims for refund after cases in subparagraph (D). (b) Authority To sanction regulated tax return preparers Subsection (b) of section 330 of title 31, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking before the Department , (2) by inserting or tax return preparer after representative each place it appears, and (3) in paragraph (4), by striking misleads or threatens and all that follows and inserting misleads or threatens— (A) any person being represented or any prospective person being represented; or (B) any person or prospective person whose tax return, claim for refund, or document in connection with a tax return or claim for refund, is being or may be prepared. . (c) Tax return preparer defined Section 330 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (e) Tax return preparer For purposes of this section— (1) In general The term tax return preparer has the meaning given such term under section 7701(a)(36) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (2) Tax return The term tax return has the meaning given to the term return under section 6696(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (3) Claim for refund The term claim for refund has the meaning given such term under section 6696(e)(2) of such Code. .
One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America 1st Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the sixth day of January, two thousand and fifteen S. 139 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To permanently allow an exclusion under the Supplemental Security Income program and the Medicaid program for compensation provided to individuals who participate in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2015 . 2. Elimination of sunset provision Effective as if included in the enactment of the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–255 , 124 Stat. 2640), section 3 of that Act is amended by striking subsection (e).

Speaker of the House of Representatives Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate
114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 139 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To permanently allow an exclusion under the Supplemental Security Income program and the Medicaid program for compensation provided to individuals who participate in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2015 . 2. Elimination of sunset provision Effective as if included in the enactment of the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–255 , 124 Stat. 2640), section 3 of that Act is amended by striking subsection (e).

Passed the Senate July 16, 2015. Secretary
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 139 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. Wyden (for himself, Mr. Hatch , Mr. Markey , and Mr. Brown ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To permanently allow an exclusion under the Supplemental Security Income program and the Medicaid program for compensation provided to individuals who participate in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2015 . 2. Elimination of sunset provision Effective as if included in the enactment of the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–255 , 124 Stat. 2640), section 3 of that Act is amended by striking subsection (e).
IC 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 139 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 20, 2015 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means , and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned AN ACT To permanently allow an exclusion under the Supplemental Security Income program and the Medicaid program for compensation provided to individuals who participate in clinical trials for rare diseases or conditions.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2015 . 2. Elimination of sunset provision Effective as if included in the enactment of the Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–255 , 124 Stat. 2640), section 3 of that Act is amended by striking subsection (e).

Passed the Senate July 16, 2015. Julie E. Adams, Secretary
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 141 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 8, 2015 Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Ms. Ayotte , Mr. Barrasso , Mr. Blunt , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Burr , Mr. Cassidy , Mr. Coats , Mr. Cochran , Ms. Collins , Mr. Crapo , Mr. Daines , Mrs. Fischer , Mr. Flake , Mr. Graham , Mr. Grassley , Mr. Heller , Mr. Hoeven , Mr. Inhofe , Mr. Isakson , Mr. Johnson , Mr. Kirk , Mr. Moran , Mr. Paul , Mr. Portman , Mr. Roberts , Mr. Rubio , Mr. Scott , Mr. Thune , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Toomey , and Mr. Wicker ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To repeal the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act providing for the Independent Payment Advisory Board.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act of 2015 . 2. Repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board Effective as of the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ( Public Law 111–148 ), sections 3403 and 10320 of such Act (including the amendments made by such sections) are repealed, and any provision of law amended by such sections is hereby restored as if such sections had not been enacted into law.
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 145 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 12, 2015 Mr. Flake (for himself, Mr. Alexander , Mr. Bennet , Mr. Corker , Mr. Gardner , Mr. Lee , Mr. McCain , Mr. Hatch , and Mr. Thune ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To require the Director of the National Park Service to refund to States all State funds that were used to reopen and temporarily operate a unit of the National Park System during the October 2013 shutdown.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Park Access Act . 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) during the period in October 2013 in which there was a lapse in appropriations (referred to in this section as the Government shutdown ), the National Park Service entered into agreements with the States of Arizona, Colorado, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Utah to temporarily reopen iconic national treasures in the National Park System, such as the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, and the Statue of Liberty; (2) pursuant to the agreements described in paragraph (1), the States listed in paragraph (1) advanced approximately $2,000,000 to the National Park Service to pay for park operations during the Government shutdown; (3) the units of the National Park System that were temporarily reopened using State funds also collected gate entry fees; (4) the Government shutdown ended when Congress passed the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 ( Public Law 113–46 ), which retroactively funded Federal agencies and Federal employee salaries for the period of time during which the Government was shut down; (5) by virtue of the retroactive appropriation made by Congress, the National Park Service retained an unintended shutdown windfall from the States listed in paragraph (1) of approximately $2,000,000; and (6) the States listed in paragraph (1) that entered into agreements described in paragraph (1) with the National Park Service should be fully reimbursed for advancing funds to maintain public access to iconic national treasures in the National Park System during the Government shutdown. 3. Refund of funds used by States to operate national parks during shutdown (a) In general The Director of the National Park Service shall refund to each State all funds of the State that were used to reopen and temporarily operate a unit of the National Park System during the period in October 2013 in which there was a lapse in appropriations for the unit. (b) Funding Funds of the National Park Service that are appropriated after the date of enactment of this Act shall be used to carry out this section.
II Calendar No. 204 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 145 [Report No. 114–124] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 12, 2015 Mr. Flake (for himself, Mr. Alexander , Mr. Bennet , Mr. Corker , Mr. Gardner , Mr. Lee , Mr. McCain , Mr. Hatch , Mr. Thune , Mr. Inhofe , and Mr. Heinrich ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources September 9, 2015 Reported by Ms. Murkowski , without amendment A BILL To require the Director of the National Park Service to refund to States all State funds that were used to reopen and temporarily operate a unit of the National Park System during the October 2013 shutdown.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Park Access Act . 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) during the period in October 2013 in which there was a lapse in appropriations (referred to in this section as the Government shutdown ), the National Park Service entered into agreements with the States of Arizona, Colorado, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Utah to temporarily reopen iconic national treasures in the National Park System, such as the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, and the Statue of Liberty; (2) pursuant to the agreements described in paragraph (1), the States listed in paragraph (1) advanced approximately $2,000,000 to the National Park Service to pay for park operations during the Government shutdown; (3) the units of the National Park System that were temporarily reopened using State funds also collected gate entry fees; (4) the Government shutdown ended when Congress passed the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 ( Public Law 113–46 ), which retroactively funded Federal agencies and Federal employee salaries for the period of time during which the Government was shut down; (5) by virtue of the retroactive appropriation made by Congress, the National Park Service retained an unintended shutdown windfall from the States listed in paragraph (1) of approximately $2,000,000; and (6) the States listed in paragraph (1) that entered into agreements described in paragraph (1) with the National Park Service should be fully reimbursed for advancing funds to maintain public access to iconic national treasures in the National Park System during the Government shutdown. 3. Refund of funds used by States to operate national parks during shutdown (a) In general The Director of the National Park Service shall refund to each State all funds of the State that were used to reopen and temporarily operate a unit of the National Park System during the period in October 2013 in which there was a lapse in appropriations for the unit. (b) Funding Funds of the National Park Service that are appropriated after the date of enactment of this Act shall be used to carry out this section.

September 9, 2015 Reported without amendment
II Calendar No. 2 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 147 [Report No. 114–1] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 12, 2015 Ms. Murkowski , from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources , reported the following original bill; which was read twice and placed on the calendar A BILL To approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act . 2. Keystone XL approval (a) In general TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. may construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities described in the application filed on May 4, 2012, by TransCanada Corporation to the Department of State (including any subsequent revision to the pipeline route within the State of Nebraska required or authorized by the State of Nebraska). (b) Environmental impact statement The Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement issued by the Secretary of State in January 2014, regarding the pipeline referred to in subsection (a), and the environmental analysis, consultation, and review described in that document (including appendices) shall be considered to fully satisfy— (1) all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ); and (2) any other provision of law that requires Federal agency consultation or review (including the consultation or review required under section 7(a) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1536(a) )) with respect to the pipeline and facilities referred to in subsection (a). (c) Permits Any Federal permit or authorization issued before the date of enactment of this Act for the pipeline and cross-border facilities referred to in subsection (a) shall remain in effect. (d) Judicial review Except for review in the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over any civil action for the review of an order or action of a Federal agency regarding the pipeline and cross-border facilities described in subsection (a), and the related facilities in the United States, that are approved by this Act (including any order granting a permit or right-of-way, or any other agency action taken to construct or complete the project pursuant to Federal law). (e) Private property savings clause Nothing in this Act alters any Federal, State, or local process or condition in effect on the date of enactment of this Act that is necessary to secure access from an owner of private property to construct the pipeline and cross-border facilities described in subsection (a).

January 12, 2015 Read twice and placed on the calendar
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 148 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 12, 2015 Mr. Portman (for himself, Mr. Cardin , Mr. Hoeven , Mr. Casey , and Mr. Bennet ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require State licensure and bid surety bonds for entities submitting bids under the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive acquisition program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Improvement Act of 2015 . 2. Requiring State licensure and bid surety bonds for entities submitting bids under the Medicare DMEPOS competitive acquisition program Section 1847(a)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–3(a)(1) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs: (G) Requiring State licensure and bid bonds for bidding entities With respect to rounds of competitions beginning under this subsection on or after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the Secretary may not accept a bid from an entity for an area unless, as of the deadline for bid submission— (i) the entity meets applicable State licensure requirements for such area for all items in such bid for a product category; and (ii) the entity has obtained (and provided the Secretary with proof of having obtained) a bid surety bond (in this paragraph referred to as a bid bond ) in a form specified by the Secretary consistent with subparagraph (H) and in an amount that is not less than $50,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such area. (H) Treatment of bid bonds submitted (i) For successful bidders that do not accept the contract In the case of a bidding entity that is offered a contract for an area for a product category, if the entity’s composite bid— (I) is at or below the product category's median composite bid rate for the area and the entity does not accept the contract offered for the product and area, the bid bond submitted shall be forfeited by the bidding entity and the Secretary shall collect on it; or (II) is above such median composite bid rate and the entity chooses not to accept a contract for the product category, the bid bond submitted shall be returned within 90 days of the date of notice of nonacceptance. (ii) For losing bidders If a bidding entity submits a bid that is not accepted for an area, the bid bond submitted for the entity for such area shall be returned within 90 days of the date of notice of nonacceptance. .
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 149 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 13, 2015 Mr. Hatch (for himself, Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Toomey , Mr. Donnelly , Mr. Burr , Mr. Franken , Mr. Portman , Mr. Casey , Mr. Coats , Mrs. Shaheen , Mr. Alexander , Ms. Ayotte , Mr. Cassidy , Mr. Isakson , Ms. Murkowski , Mr. Scott , and Mr. Wicker ) 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 repeal the excise tax on medical devices.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medical Device Access and Innovation Protection Act . 2. Repeal of medical device excise tax (a) In general Chapter 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subchapter E. (b) Conforming amendments (1) Subsection (a) of section 4221 of such Code is amended by striking the last sentence. (2) Paragraph (2) of section 6416(b) of such Code is amended by striking the last sentence. (c) Clerical amendment The table of subchapter for chapter 32 of such Code is amended by striking the item related to subchapter E. (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to sales after December 31, 2012.
II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 151 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 13, 2015 Mr. Heller (for himself and Ms. Hirono ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To require the Secretary of Defense to establish a process to determine whether individuals claiming certain service in the Philippines during World War II are eligible for certain benefits despite not being on the Missouri List, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Filipino Veterans Promise Act . 2. Determination of certain service in Philippines during World War II (a) In general The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and such military historians as the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate, shall establish a process to determine whether a covered individual served as described in subsection (a) or (b) of section 107 of title 38, United States Code, for purposes of determining whether such covered individual is eligible for benefits described in such subsections. (b) Covered individuals For purposes of this section, a covered individual is any individual who— (1) claims service described in subsection (a) or (b) of section 107 of title 38, United States Code; and (2) is not included in the Approved Revised Reconstructed Guerilla Roster of 1948, known as the Missouri List .