hyperdemocracy/usc-textversion huggingface dataset:
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3417 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2017 Ms. Schakowsky introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a pilot program to improve community-based care infrastructure.

1. Pilot program To improve community-based care infrastructure (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services may award grants to qualified teaching health centers (as defined in section 340H of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 256h )) and behavioral health care centers (as defined by the Secretary, to include both substance abuse and mental health care facilities) to support the improvement, renovation, or modernization of infrastructure at such centers. (b) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000, to remain available until expended.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3418 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2017 Mrs. Lawrence (for herself, Mr. Franks of Arizona , Ms. Bass , Mr. Langevin , and Ms. Moore ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To require States to inform children in foster care under the responsibility of the State who have attained 14 years of age of all government programs under which the child may be eligible for financial assistance for expenses related to higher education.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fostering Academic Information and Resources Act or the FAIR Act . 2. Requirement that States provide foster children aged 14 or over with information on governmental education aid programs (a) In general Section 475(5) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 675(5) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (H)— (A) by inserting (including the information described in subparagraph (J)) after education ; and (B) by striking and after the semicolon; (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (I) and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (J) each child in foster care under the responsibility of the State who has attained 14 years of age receives, in writing or orally, information on all government programs under which the child may be eligible for assistance for expenses relating to higher education, including associated housing expenses, tuition assistance programs, and other fees related to cost of attendance. . (b) Effective date (1) In general The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the 1st day of the 4th calendar quarter beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply to payments under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act for calendar quarters beginning on or after such day. (2) Delay permitted if state legislation required If the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is required in order for a State plan developed pursuant to part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this Act, the plan shall not be regarded as failing to meet any of the additional requirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if the State has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3419 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2017 Mr. Biggs (for himself, Mr. Gohmert , Mr. Franks of Arizona , and Mr. Jones ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture , and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform , and Science, Space, and Technology , 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 A BILL To repeal the Department of Agriculture bioenergy subsidy programs and other related subsidy programs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Farewell to Unnecessary Energy Lifelines Reform Act of 2017 or FUEL Reform Act . 2. Repeal of Department of Agriculture bioenergy subsidy programs and other related subsidy programs Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 ( Public Law 113–79 ; 7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.), as amended by title IX of the Agricultural Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–79 ; 128 Stat. 926), is repealed.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3421 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2017 Mr. Bucshon (for himself and Mr. Welch ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Transportation to establish a database of exemptions for motor vehicles from the Federal motor vehicle safety standards, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Increasing Information and Notification to Foster Openness Regarding Highly Automated Vehicle Matters to States Act or the INFORM Act . 2. Exemption database Section 30113 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) Exemption Database (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a publically available and searchable electronic database of each motor vehicle for which an exemption from motor vehicle safety standards prescribed under this chapter or a bumper standard prescribed under chapter 325 has been granted. (2) Vehicle Identification Number The database established under paragraph (1) shall be searchable by Vehicle Identification Number and shall include no information identifying the vehicle owner. .
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3426 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2017 Mrs. Dingell (for herself, Mr. Kilmer , Ms. McCollum , Ms. DeLauro , Ms. Kaptur , Ms. Slaughter , Ms. Matsui , Ms. Schakowsky , and Miss Rice of New York ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means , 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 A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the exclusion of Medicare coverage for hearing aids and examinations therefor, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2017 . 2. Removing Medicare exclusion of coverage of hearing aids and examinations therefor (a) In general Section 1862(a)(7) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(7) ) is amended by striking hearing aids or examinations therefor, . (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2018. 3. GAO study and report on hearing aid programs (a) Study The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of programs, including Federal programs and health insurance coverage, that provide assistance for hearing aids and related examinations for individuals with hearing loss. Such study shall include an examination of the number of individuals in the United States with hearing loss who need hearing aids, their coverage under such programs, and the effectiveness of such programs in meeting such need. Such study may also address programs that are designed to reduce or mitigate the incidence of hearing loss. (b) Report Not later than 18 months after the date specified in section 2(b), the Comptroller General shall submit a report to Congress on the study conducted under subsection (a). Such report shall include such recommendations on changes in such programs, including the establishment of new programs, as would meet the needs of individuals with hearing loss.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3431 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2017 Mr. Higgins of Louisiana (for himself, Mr. Graves of Louisiana , and Mr. Abraham ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the volumetric excise tax credit for liquid fuel derived from natural gas through the Fischer-Tropsch process.

1. Volumetric excise tax credit for liquid fuel derived from natural gas through Fischer-Tropsch process (a) In general Section 6426(d)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1) by inserting or at the end; (2) by striking liquid fuel which meets and inserting the following: liquid fuel which— (i) meets ; and (3) by adding at the end, as amended by the preceding provisions of this section, the following new clause: (ii) is derived from natural gas through such process, . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to any sale or use for any period after the date of the enactment of this Act.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3432 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2017 Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To amend title II of the Social Security Act relating to the reimbursement of travel expenses.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Social Security Travel Reimbursement Reform Act of 2017 . 2. Reimbursement of travel expenses (a) Reduction of trust fund expenses Section 201(j) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 401(j) ) is amended— (1) by striking , their representatives, ; and (2) by striking the last sentence. (b) Authorization for certain representative travel expenses To be collected from claimants Section 206(a)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 406(a)(1) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the Commissioner may authorize a representative to collect from a claimant travel expenses incurred by the representative attending reconsideration interviews and proceedings on behalf of the claimant. Such amount authorized to be collected shall not exceed the amount that would be available under section 201(j) for such travel originating within the geographic area of the office having jurisdiction over such proceeding. If a representative receives a fee under an agreement pursuant to paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection, the total amount the representative receives shall be equal to the amount specified under such paragraph plus the amount of any travel expenses authorized under this paragraph. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to applications for monthly insurance benefits filed on or after the date of the enactment of this section.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3433 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2017 Ms. Kelly of Illinois (for herself and Mr. Bost ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To amend the Agricultural Act of 2014 to increase the number of base acres upon which agricultural producers are authorized to grow fruits and vegetables without a resulting reduction in payment acres on their farm when the resulting produce is used to help alleviate a food desert, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Feeding America through Farm Flexibility Act of 2017 . 2. Producer discretion to plant additional fruits and vegetables on base acres without a resulting reduction in payment acres Section 1114(e) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 ( 7 U.S.C. 9014(e) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) Producer discretion to plant additional fruits and vegetables to alleviate food deserts (A) Additional planting authority; purpose The percentages specified in paragraphs (2) and (3) are increased by an additional five percent of base acres, to 20 percent and 40 percent respectively, if the crops referred to in paragraph (1) grown on the additional base acres are grown solely for sale or donation, directly or indirectly by the producer and with or without processing, in a food desert. (B) Food desert defined In this paragraph, the term food desert means a census tract that, as determined by the Secretary— (i) has a poverty rate of 20 percent or greater; and (ii) provides difficult access to a retail outlet that provides a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. .
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3435 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2017 Mrs. Lowey (for herself and Mr. Garamendi ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To prohibit the transportation of certain volatile crude oil by rail.

1. Transportation of crude oil by rail (a) Amendment Subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 20169. Transportation of crude oil. (a) Initial rule Effective on the date of enactment of this section, no crude oil with a Reid vapor pressure level greater than 8.5 psi may be transported by rail in interstate commerce. (b) Maximum volatility standard The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall establish an appropriate national standard for the maximum volatility of crude oil to be permitted to be shipped by rail. (c) Subsequent rule After a standard is established under subsection (b), no crude oil with a volatility level greater than that standard may be transported by rail in interstate commerce, and the rule under subsection (a) shall expire. . (b) Conforming amendment The table of sections of such subchapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section 20168 the following: 20169. Transportation of crude oil. .
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3437 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2017 Mrs. Noem introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To prevent States from counting certain expenditures as State spending to reduce TANF work requirements.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the TANF Accountability and Integrity Improvement Act . 2. No counting of third-party spending to meet State spending requirement (a) Exclusion of third-Party contributions Section 409(a)(7)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)(B)(i) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (VI) Exclusion of third-party contributions Such term shall not include— (aa) for fiscal year 2018, the amount (if any) by which— (AA) the value of all goods and services provided by a source other than the State or a local government during the fiscal year; exceeds (BB) the value of all such goods and services claimed by the State as qualified State expenditures for fiscal year 2017; (bb) for fiscal year 2019, the amount (if any) by which— (AA) the value referred to in subclause (aa)(AA); exceeds (BB) 50 percent of the value referred to in subclause (aa)(BB); and (cc) for any fiscal year after 2019, the value referred to in subclause (aa)(AA). . (b) Exclusion of expenditures for the provision of medical services Section 409(a)(7)(B)(i) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7)(B)(i) ), as amended by subsection (a) of this section, is amended by adding at the end the following: (VII) Exclusion of expenditures for the provision of medical services Such term shall not include any amount expended for the provision of medical services. . 3. Effective date The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on October 1, 2017.
IB 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3441 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To clarify the treatment of two or more employers as joint employers under the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Save Local Business Act . 2. Clarification of joint employment (a) National Labor Relations Act Section 2(2) of the National Labor Relations Act ( 29 U.S.C. 152(2) ) is amended— (1) by striking The term employer and inserting (A) The term employer ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (B) A person may be considered a joint employer in relation to an employee only if such person directly, actually, and immediately, and not in a limited and routine manner, exercises significant control over essential terms and conditions of employment, such as hiring employees, discharging employees, determining individual employee rates of pay and benefits, day-to-day supervision of employees, assigning individual work schedules, positions, and tasks, or administering employee discipline. . (b) Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 Section 3(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 ( 29 U.S.C. 203(d) ) is amended— (1) by striking Employer includes and inserting (1) Employer includes ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) A person may be considered a joint employer in relation to an employee for purposes of this Act only if such person meets the criteria set forth in section 2(2)(B) of the National Labor Relations Act ( 29 U.S.C. 152(2)(B) ). .

Passed the House of Representatives November 7, 2017. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3441 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Mr. Byrne (for himself, Ms. Foxx , Mr. Walberg , Mr. Wilson of South Carolina , Mr. Hunter , Mr. Roe of Tennessee , Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania , Mr. Guthrie , Mr. Rokita , Mr. Barletta , Mr. Messer , Mr. Grothman , Ms. Stefanik , Mr. Allen , Mr. Lewis of Minnesota , Mr. Francis Rooney of Florida , Mr. Mitchell , Mr. Garrett , Mr. Smucker , Mr. Ferguson , Mrs. Handel , Mr. Chabot , Mr. Cuellar , Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania , Mr. Barr , Mr. Perry , Mr. Rouzer , Mrs. Mimi Walters of California , Mr. Collins of Georgia , and Mr. Correa ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To clarify the treatment of two or more employers as joint employers under the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Save Local Business Act . 2. Clarification of joint employment (a) National Labor Relations Act Section 2(2) of the National Labor Relations Act ( 29 U.S.C. 152(2) ) is amended— (1) by striking The term employer and inserting (A) The term employer ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (B) A person may be considered a joint employer in relation to an employee only if such person directly, actually, and immediately, and not in a limited and routine manner, exercises significant control over the essential terms and conditions of employment (including hiring employees, discharging employees, determining individual employee rates of pay and benefits, day-to-day supervision of employees, assigning individual work schedules, positions, and tasks, and administering employee discipline). . (b) Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 Section 3(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 ( 29 U.S.C. 203(d) ) is amended— (1) by striking Employer includes and inserting (1) Employer includes ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) A person may be considered a joint employer in relation to an employee for purposes of this Act only if such person meets the criteria set forth in section 2(2)(B) of the National Labor Relations Act ( 29 U.S.C. 152(2)(B) ). .
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3441 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 8, 2017 Received AN ACT To clarify the treatment of two or more employers as joint employers under the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Save Local Business Act . 2. Clarification of joint employment (a) National Labor Relations Act Section 2(2) of the National Labor Relations Act ( 29 U.S.C. 152(2) ) is amended— (1) by striking The term employer and inserting (A) The term employer ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (B) A person may be considered a joint employer in relation to an employee only if such person directly, actually, and immediately, and not in a limited and routine manner, exercises significant control over essential terms and conditions of employment, such as hiring employees, discharging employees, determining individual employee rates of pay and benefits, day-to-day supervision of employees, assigning individual work schedules, positions, and tasks, or administering employee discipline. . (b) Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 Section 3(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 ( 29 U.S.C. 203(d) ) is amended— (1) by striking Employer includes and inserting (1) Employer includes ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) A person may be considered a joint employer in relation to an employee for purposes of this Act only if such person meets the criteria set forth in section 2(2)(B) of the National Labor Relations Act ( 29 U.S.C. 152(2)(B) ). .

Passed the House of Representatives November 7, 2017. Karen L. Haas, Clerk
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3442 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Mr. Budd introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary , and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform , and Rules , 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 A BILL To provide for a study and reconsideration by Congress of certain major rules, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reset Act of 2017 . 2. Government accountability office study of rules (a) In general The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to determine, as of the date of the enactment of this Act— (1) how many rules (as such term is defined in section 804 of title 5, United States Code) were in effect; (2) how many major rules (as such term is defined in section 804 of title 5, United States Code) were in effect; and (3) the total estimated economic cost imposed by all such rules. (b) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress that contains the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a). 3. Major rules currently in effect In the case of any major rule (as such term is defined in section 804 of title 5, United States Code) that is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, for purposes of chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, the rule shall be deemed to be a major rule for which a report was submitted under section 801(a)(1) of such title on the date the report under section 2 is submitted, and the provisions of such chapter shall apply for purposes of providing for a period of review in which a joint resolution of disapproval may be enacted.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3443 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Ms. DelBene (for herself, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts , Ms. Speier , Ms. Norton , Mr. Meeks , Miss Rice of New York , Mrs. Napolitano , Mr. Cummings , Mr. Aguilar , Ms. Judy Chu of California , Ms. McCollum , Mr. Takano , Mr. Ryan of Ohio , Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York , Mr. Cicilline , Mr. Engel , Ms. Bonamici , Mr. Hastings , Ms. Wasserman Schultz , Mr. Evans , Mr. Kilmer , Ms. Moore , Mr. Welch , Ms. Slaughter , Mr. Heck , Mr. Ellison , Mr. Khanna , Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York , Ms. Lofgren , Mr. McGovern , Mr. Gallego , Mr. Conyers , Ms. Lee , Mr. Grijalva , Ms. Velázquez , Mr. Langevin , Ms. Castor of Florida , Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois , Ms. Shea-Porter , Ms. Kelly of Illinois , Ms. Barragán , Mr. Gutiérrez , Mr. Vargas , Mr. McNerney , Ms. Sánchez , Ms. Bordallo , and Mr. Keating ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit wellness programs, including those offered by health insurance issuers or in connection with a group health plan, from disclosing personally identifiable information related to individuals’ use or non-use of contraceptives.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Birth Control Privacy Act . 2. Prohibition on disclosing personally identifiable information related to individuals’ use or non-use of contraceptives (a) In general Section 2705 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.300gg–4) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (n) as subsection (o); and (2) by inserting after subsection (m) the following new subsection: (n) Privacy of individuals’ use or non-Use of contraceptives (1) In general A wellness program described in subsection (j) (or its third-party administrator or service provider), including those offered by health insurance issuers or in connection with a group health plan, shall not disclose to an employer, directly or indirectly, personally identifiable information related to the use or non-use of contraceptives by an individual employed by that employer. (2) Regulations The Secretary may promulgate such regulations, including interim final regulations, as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure against indirect disclosure to employers, as described in paragraph (1). . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3449 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Ms. Schakowsky (for herself, Mr. Pallone , Mr. Rush , Mr. Butterfield , and Ms. Matsui ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To require auto dealers to fix outstanding safety recalls before selling or leasing a used passenger motor vehicle.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act . 2. Used passenger motor vehicle consumer protection Section 30120 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (k) Limitation on sale or lease of used passenger motor vehicles (1) Except as provided under paragraphs (2) and (4), a dealer may not sell or lease a used passenger motor vehicle until after any defect or noncompliance determined under section 30118 with respect to the vehicle has been remedied. (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if— (A) the recall information regarding the used passenger motor vehicle— (i) was not available at the time of sale or lease using the means established by the Secretary under section 31301 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act ( 49 U.S.C. 30166 note); and (ii) was not available on the manufacturer’s website; or (B) notification of the defect or noncompliance is required under section 30118(b), but enforcement of the order is set aside in a civil action to which section 30121(d) applies. (3) Notwithstanding section 30102(a)(1), in this subsection— (A) the term dealer means a person that has sold at least 10 motor vehicles to one or more consumers during the most recent 12-month period; and (B) the term used passenger motor vehicle means a motor vehicle that has previously been purchased other than for resale. (4) By rule, the Secretary may exempt the auctioning of a used passenger motor vehicle to dealers from the requirements under paragraph (1) if such exemption does not harm public safety. . 3. Effective date This Act shall take effect on that date that is 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3452 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Mr. Weber of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend section 5307 of title 49, United States Code, with respect to the treatment of a community as an urbanized area following a major disaster.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Relief for Recovering Communities Act . 2. Availability of urbanized area formula grants following a major disaster Section 5307 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) Urbanized areas following a major disaster (1) Major disaster defined In this section, the term major disaster has the meaning given such term in section 102(2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5122(2) ). (2) Urbanized area major disaster population criteria Notwithstanding section 5302, the Secretary shall treat an area as an urbanized area for purposes of this section until the second decennial census conducted after a major disaster in such area if— (A) the population of the area fell below 50,000 as a result of such major disaster; (B) the area was defined and designated as an urbanized area by the Secretary of Commerce in the decennial census immediately preceding such major disaster, beginning with the 2000 decennial census; and (C) the area was not so defined and designated in the decennial census immediately following such major disaster. (3) Population calculation An area treated as an urbanized area under this subsection shall be assigned the population and square miles of the urban cluster with respect to the area designated by the Secretary of Commerce in the most recent decennial census. (4) Savings provision Nothing in this subsection may be construed to affect apportionments made under this chapter before the date of the enactment of this subsection. .
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3453 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Ms. Velázquez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a standard deduction for the trade or business expenses of artists.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Tax Relief for Artists Act of 2017 . 2. Standard deduction for the trade or business expenses of artists (a) In general Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating subsection (q) as subsection (r) and by inserting after subsection (p) the following new subsection: (q) Standard deduction for trade or business expenses of artists (1) In general In the case of a qualified taxpayer who elects the application of this subsection for any taxable year, there shall be allowed as a deduction for such taxable year an amount equal to the lesser of— (A) $2,500, or (B) the gross income of the taxpayer derived from one or more artistic trades or businesses carried on by the taxpayer (or, if less, taxable income). (2) Qualified taxpayer For purposes of this subsection, the term qualified taxpayer means any taxpayer with respect to any taxable year if— (A) the taxpayer’s household income for the taxable year does not exceed 250 percent of the poverty line for a family of the size involved, and (B) the taxpayer has gross income derived from one or more artistic trades or businesses carried on by the taxpayer. (3) Artistic trade or business For purposes of this subsection, the term artistic trade or business means any trade or business in the literary, graphic design, film, visual, media, musical, theatre, recording, or dance arts. (4) Other definitions and special rules For purposes of this subsection— (A) Definitions related to household income Terms used in paragraph (2)(A) which are also used in section 36B shall have the same meaning as when used in such section. (B) Joint returns In the case of a joint return, paragraph (1)(A) shall be applied by substituting $5,000 for $2,500 if both spouses would be treated as a qualified taxpayer if each spouse filed a separate return. (C) Denial of double benefit If the taxpayer elects the application of this subsection for any taxable year, no deduction (other than the deduction allowed under paragraph (1)) shall be allowable under this chapter to the taxpayer with respect to any amount paid or incurred during such taxable year with respect to any artistic trade or business carried on by the taxpayer. (D) Regulations The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations or other guidance as the Secretary determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3454 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Mr. Johnson of Georgia introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure , and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend title 40, United States Code, to reauthorize regional economic and infrastructure development programs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2017 . 2. Authorization of appropriations Section 15751(a) of title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking 2018 and inserting 2023 . 3. Technical amendments Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of subtitle V of title 40, United States Code, are redesignated as chapters 151, 153, 155, and 157, respectively.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3455 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Mr. Abraham (for himself, Mr. Peterson , and Mr. Crawford ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat certain farming business machinery and equipment as 5-year property for purposes of depreciation.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fairness for Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Act . 2. Certain farming business machinery and equipment treated as 5-year property (a) In general Clause (vii) of section 168(e)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows: (vii) any machinery or equipment (including any grain bin, cotton ginning asset, or fence, and excluding any other land improvement) which is used in a farming business (as defined in section 263A(e)(4)) the original use of which commences with the taxpayer after the date of the enactment of the Fairness for Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Act. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service after the date of the enactment of this Act.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3456 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Ms. Barragán introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform A BILL To amend title 39, United States Code, to provide that care packages mailed to a member of the Armed Forces by any family member shall be carried at no cost to the family member, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Military Care Package Program Act . 2. No-cost mailing of care packages to members of the Armed Forces (a) In general Chapter 34 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3401 the following new section: 3402. Mailing privileges of family members of members of Armed Forces of the United States (a) A military care package shall be carried at no cost to the sender if the package— (1) is mailed to an individual who is a member of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation; (2) is mailed by a family member of such individual; and (3) is addressed to a postal facility located at an Armed Forces installation. (b) The Department of Defense shall reimburse the Postal Service for carrying out this section consistent, to the greatest extent practicable, with the requirements of the second sentence of subsection (c) and subsection (e) of section 3401. (c) This section shall be administered under such conditions, and under such regulations, as the Postal Service and the Secretary of Defense jointly may prescribe. (d) In this section— (1) the term contingency operation has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(13) of title 10; and (2) the term family member means a parent, sibling, spouse, or child of an individual who is a member of the Armed Forces. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3401 the following new item: 3402. Mailing privileges of family members of members of Armed Forces of the United States. .
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3457 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Mr. Bilirakis (for himself and Ms. Eshoo ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means , 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 A BILL To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct an evaluation on the extent to which the Medicare and Medicaid programs provide reasonable accommodations to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

1. GAO study on Medicare and Medicaid programs Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an evaluation, and submit to Congress a report, on the extent to which reasonable accommodations, as required under Federal law, are provided under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act and the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Such evaluation and report shall include information on— (1) an estimate of the number of Medicare beneficiaries and the number of Medicaid enrollees who are blind or visually impaired or would self-identify as such using available data, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health Interview Survey or Medicare/Medicaid ICD codes or Census data or other data sources; (2) how the Medicare and Medicaid programs inform blind or visually impaired individuals that information can be available in other formats; (3) the number of complaints submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or State Medicaid agencies claiming materials are not being provided in an accessible format and whether such a failure to provide such materials in such a format resulted in— (A) an interruption in coverage or denial in care; or (B) the failure to appeal such a denial before the specified deadline (and the number of times such a deadline had been extended); (4) how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and State Medicaid agencies identify Medicare beneficiaries and Medicaid beneficiaries who are blind or visually impaired or who self-identify as such; and (5) the accommodations that the Medicare and Medicaid programs make to ensure communications, including written materials, are accessible for the blind, visually impaired, or individuals who self-identify as such, and how individuals are informed of these options.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3459 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Mr. Brown of Maryland (for himself and Mr. DeFazio ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain improvements in the transparency of the personnel vacancies and staffing levels of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the VA Staffing and Vacancies Transparency Act of 2017 . 2. Sense of Congress regarding Department of Veterans Affairs staffing levels (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) The Department of Veterans Affairs needs to fill at least 45,000 positions. (2) Prolonged personnel vacancies in the Department result in staffing shortages that cause veterans to receive delayed benefits and services. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the Department should make the resolution of staffing shortages a top priority. 3. Department of Veterans Affairs personnel transparency (a) Publication of staffing and vacancies (1) Website required Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make publicly available on an internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs the following information, which shall be displayed by departmental component or, in the case of information relating to Veterans Health Administration positions, by medical facility: (A) The number of personnel encumbering positions. (B) The number of accessions and de-accessions of personnel during the month preceding the date of the publication of the information. (C) The number of vacancies, by occupation. (D) The number of active job postings that have been filled during the 30-day period ending on the date of publication of the information, including the length of time for which each position was posted prior to being filled. (2) Update of information The Secretary shall update the information on the website required under paragraph (1) on a monthly basis. (3) Treatment of contractor positions Any Department of Veterans Affairs position that is filled through a contractor employee may not be treated as a Department position for purposes of the information required to be published under paragraph (1). (4) Inspector General review On a semi-annual basis, the Inspector General of the Department shall review the administration of the website required under paragraph (1) and make recommendations relating to the improvement of such administration. (b) Report to Congress The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress an annual report on the steps the Department is taking to achieve full staffing capacity. Each such report shall include the amount of additional funds necessary to enable the Department to reach full staffing capacity.
I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 3460 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To designate the United States courthouse located at 323 East Chapel Hill Street in Durham, North Carolina, as the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse .

1. John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse (a) Designation The United States courthouse located at 323 East Chapel Hill Street in Durham, North Carolina, shall be known and designated as the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse during the period in which the facility is used as a Federal courthouse. (b) References During the period in which the facility referred to in subsection (a) is used as a Federal courthouse, any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the United States courthouse referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse .

Passed the House of Representatives July 16, 2018. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.
I One Hundred Fifteenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, two thousand and eighteen H. R. 3460 AN ACT To designate the United States courthouse located at 323 East Chapel Hill Street in Durham, North Carolina, as the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse .

1. John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse (a) Designation The United States courthouse located at 323 East Chapel Hill Street in Durham, North Carolina, shall be known and designated as the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse during the period in which the facility is used as a Federal courthouse. (b) References During the period in which the facility referred to in subsection (a) is used as a Federal courthouse, any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the United States courthouse referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse .

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.
I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3460 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Mr. Butterfield (for himself, Mr. Price of North Carolina , Ms. Adams , Mr. Rouzer , Mr. Jones , Mr. Hudson , Ms. Foxx , Mr. Walker , Mr. Budd , Mr. McHenry , and Mr. Meadows ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To designate the United States courthouse located at 323 East Chapel Hill Street in Durham, North Carolina, as the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse .

1. John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse (a) Designation The United States courthouse located at 323 East Chapel Hill Street in Durham, North Carolina, shall be known and designated as the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse . (b) References Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the United States courthouse referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse .
II 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 3460 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 17, 2018 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs November 15, 2018 Committee discharged; referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works AN ACT To designate the United States courthouse located at 323 East Chapel Hill Street in Durham, North Carolina, as the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse .

1. John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse (a) Designation The United States courthouse located at 323 East Chapel Hill Street in Durham, North Carolina, shall be known and designated as the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse during the period in which the facility is used as a Federal courthouse. (b) References During the period in which the facility referred to in subsection (a) is used as a Federal courthouse, any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the United States courthouse referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse .

Passed the House of Representatives July 16, 2018. Karen L. Haas, Clerk
IIB 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 3460 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 17, 2018 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs AN ACT To designate the United States courthouse located at 323 East Chapel Hill Street in Durham, North Carolina, as the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse .

1. John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse (a) Designation The United States courthouse located at 323 East Chapel Hill Street in Durham, North Carolina, shall be known and designated as the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse during the period in which the facility is used as a Federal courthouse. (b) References During the period in which the facility referred to in subsection (a) is used as a Federal courthouse, any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the United States courthouse referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the John Hervey Wheeler United States Courthouse .

Passed the House of Representatives July 16, 2018. Karen L. Haas, Clerk