hyperdemocracy/usc-textversion huggingface dataset:
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1206 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 23, 2017 Mr. King (for himself and Ms. Collins ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To ensure fair treatment in licensing requirements for the export of certain echinoderms.

1. Exemption of exportation of certain echinoderms from permission and licensing requirements (a) Exemption Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall amend section 14.92 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify that— (1) fish or wildlife described in subsection (b) are fishery products exempt from the export permission requirements of section 9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1) ); and (2) any person may engage in business as an exporter of fish or wildlife described in subsection (b) without procuring— (A) permission under section 9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1) ); or (B) an export license under subpart I of part 14 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (b) Covered fish or wildlife The fish or wildlife referred to in subsection (a) are members of the phylum Echinodermata that are commonly known as sea urchins and sea cucumbers (including any products of those members of the phylum Echinodermata) that— (1) do not require a permit under part 16, 17, or 23 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); (2) (A) are harvested in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States; or (B) are processed in the United States; and (3) are— (A) exported for purposes of human or animal consumption; or (B) taken in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States or on the high seas for recreational purposes.
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1207 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 23, 2017 Mrs. Fischer (for herself, Mr. Risch , Mr. Boozman , Mr. Wicker , Mrs. Ernst , Mr. Moran , Mr. Sasse , Mr. Hoeven , and Mr. Roberts ) 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 Reform and Development Act of 2014 with respect to the application of the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure rule to certain farms, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship Act or the FUELS Act . 2. Applicability of spill prevention, control, and countermeasure rule Section 1049 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 ( 33 U.S.C. 1361 note; 128 Stat. 1257; 130 Stat. 1902) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking 20,000 and inserting 42,000 ; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: (A) an aggregate aboveground storage capacity greater than 10,000 gallons but less than 42,000 gallons; and ; (C) in paragraph (3)— (i) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: (A) with an aggregate aboveground storage capacity of less than or equal to 10,000 gallons; and ; and (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ; and and inserting a period; and (D) by striking paragraph (4); (2) in subsection (c)(2)(A)— (A) in clause (i), by striking 1,000 and inserting 1,320 ; and (B) in clause (ii), by striking 2,500 and inserting 3,000 ; and (3) by striking subsection (d).
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1209 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 23, 2017 Mr. Graham (for himself, Mr. Cotton , Mr. Blumenthal , and Mr. Markey ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of special pension for Medal of Honor recipients, and for other purposes.

1. Increase in special pension for Medal of Honor recipients (a) In general Section 1562(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking $1,000 and inserting $3,000 . (b) Effective date (1) In general The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is— (A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (B) in the case that the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act is not the first day of a month, the first day of the first month beginning after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Delay of annual cost-of-living adjustment (A) In general The Secretary shall not make an increase pursuant to section 1562(e) of such title effective December 1, 2017, if the amendment made by subsection (a) takes effect before such date. (B) Resumption In the case that the Secretary, pursuant to subparagraph (A), does not make an increase pursuant to section 1562(e) of such title effective December 1, 2017, the Secretary shall resume making increases pursuant to such section with the first such increase effective December 1, 2018.
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1211 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2017 Mr. Blunt (for himself and Mrs. McCaskill ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To require the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake remediation oversight of the West Lake Landfill located in Bridgeton, Missouri.

1. Transfer of oversight authority from EPA to Corps of Engineers (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers. (2) Site The term site means the West Lake Landfill located in Bridgeton, Missouri. (b) Transfer Notwithstanding any other provision of law, as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— (1) under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, undertake the functions and activities described in section 611 of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2000 ( 10 U.S.C. 2701 note; Public Law 106–60 ) as the lead agency responding to radioactive contamination at the site; and (2) carry out remediation activities at the site in accordance with that section. (c) Cost recovery The Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Attorney General, shall— (1) seek to recover any response costs incurred by the Secretary in carrying out this section in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ( 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.); and (2) return any funds that are recovered under paragraph (1) to be used to carry out the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program of the Corps of Engineers. (d) Funding The Secretary shall use amounts made available to the Secretary to carry out the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program to carry out this section. (e) Savings provisions (1) No liability Nothing in subsection (b) creates liability for— (A) the Secretary for— (i) contamination at the site; or (ii) any actions or failures to act by any past, current, or future licensees, owners, operators, or users of the site; or (B) any other party involved with the site. (2) No effect on liability under other law Nothing in subsection (b) alters the liability of any party relating to the site under any other provision of law. (3) No effect on Superfund status; national priorities list designation Nothing in this Act affects the designation of the site as a Superfund site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ( 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) or the listing of the site on the national priorities list under section 105 of that Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9605 ).
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1213 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2017 Mr. Peters (for himself and Ms. Stabenow ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require the Secretary of Transportation to post a copy of the most recent response plan for each onshore oil pipeline on a publicly accessible website.

1. Pipeline facility response plans Section 60138 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end; (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) subject to subsection (b), post a copy of the most recent response plan on a publicly accessible website maintained by the Department of Transportation; and ; and (D) in paragraph (3), as redesignated, by striking provide upon written request to a person a copy of the plan and all that follows and inserting subject to subsection (b), provide to a person, upon written request, a copy of the most recent response plan. ; (2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) Exclusions The Secretary may exclude from the plan posted or provided under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a), as the Secretary determines appropriate— (1) proprietary information; (2) security-sensitive information, including information described in section 1520.5(a) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations; (3) specific response resources and tactical resource deployment plans; and (4) the specific amount and location of worst case discharges (as defined in part 194 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations), including the process by which an owner or operator determines the worst case discharge. .
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1214 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2017 Mr. Thune (for himself and Ms. Klobuchar ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to clarify the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to certain sporting good articles, and to exempt those articles from a definition under that Act.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Protection Act . 2. Modification of definition Section 3(2)(B) of the Toxic Substances Control Act ( 15 U.S.C. 2602(2)(B) ) is amended— (1) in clause (v), by striking , and and inserting , or any component of any such article including, without limitation, shot, bullets and other projectiles, propellants, and primers, ; (2) in clause (vi) by striking the period at the end and inserting , and ; and (3) by inserting after clause (vi) the following: (vii) any sport fishing equipment (as such term is defined in section 4162(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) the sale of which is subject to the tax imposed by section 4161(a) of such Code (determined without regard to any exemptions from such tax provided by section 4162 or 4221 or any other provision of such Code), and sport fishing equipment components. .
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1215 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2017 Mr. Grassley (for himself and Mr. Reed ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to allow States that provide foster care for children up to age 21 to serve former foster youths through age 23 under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Foster Youth Independence Act of 2017 . 2. Authority for certain States to serve former foster youths up to age 23 under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (a) In general Section 477(b)(3) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 677(b)(3) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) by inserting (i) before A certification ; (B) by striking children who have left foster care and all that follows through the period and inserting youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained age 21. ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (ii) If the State has elected under section 475(8)(B) to extend eligibility for foster care up to age 21, or if the Secretary determines that the State agency responsible for administering the State plans under this part and part B uses State funds or any other funds not provided under this part to provide services and assistance for youths who have aged out of foster care that are comparable to the services and assistance such youths would receive if the State had made such an election, the certification required under clause (i) may provide that the State will provide assistance and services to youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained age 23. ; and (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking children who have left foster care and all that follows through the period and inserting youths who have aged out of foster care and have not attained age 21 (age 23, in the case of a State with a certification under clause (i) of subparagraph (A) to provide assistance and services to youths who have aged out of foster care up to such age, in accordance with clause (ii) of subparagraph (A)). . (b) Conforming amendment Section 477(a)(5) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 677(a)(5) ) is amended by inserting (23 years of age in the case of a State with a certification under clause (i) of subsection (b)(3)(A) to provide assistance and services to youths who have aged out of foster care up to such age, in accordance with clause (ii) of such subsection) after 21 years of age . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section take effect on October 1, 2017.
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1216 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2017 Mr. Lee (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Cruz , Mr. Whitehouse , Ms. Collins , and Mr. Coons ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To clarify that an authorization to use military force, a declaration of war, or any similar authority shall not authorize the detention without charge or trial of a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Due Process Guarantee Act . 2. Prohibition on the indefinite detention of citizens and lawful permanent residents (a) In general Section 4001 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: (a) No citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States shall be imprisoned or otherwise detained by the United States except consistent with the Constitution and pursuant to an Act of Congress that expressly authorizes such imprisonment or detention. . (b) Relationship to an authorization To use military force, declaration of war, or similar authority Section 4001 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a) is further amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) (1) A general authorization to use military force, a declaration of war, or any similar authority, on its own, shall not be construed to authorize the imprisonment or detention without charge or trial of a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States apprehended in the United States. (2) Paragraph (1) applies to an authorization to use military force, a declaration of war, or any similar authority enacted before, on, or after the date of the enactment of the Due Process Guarantee Act . (3) This section shall not be construed to authorize the imprisonment or detention of a citizen of the United States, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or any other person who is apprehended in the United States. .
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1217 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2017 Mr. Isakson (for himself, Mr. Alexander , Mr. Corker , Mr. Cornyn , Mr. Hatch , Mr. McConnell , Mr. Perdue , Mr. Risch , Mr. Roberts , Mr. Scott , Mr. Wicker , and Mr. Boozman ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To amend the National Labor Relations Act to provide for appropriate designation of collective bargaining units.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Representation Fairness Restoration Act . 2. Amendment to the National Labor Relations Act Section 9(b) of the National Labor Relations Act ( 29 U.S.C. 159(b) ) is amended to read as follows: (b) In each case, prior to an election, the Board shall determine, in order to ensure to employees the fullest freedom in exercising the rights guaranteed by this Act, the unit appropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining. Unless otherwise stated in this Act, excluding acute health care facilities, the unit appropriate for purposes of collective bargaining shall consist of employees that share a sufficient community of interest. In determining whether employees share a sufficient community of interest, the Board shall consider (1) similarity of wages, benefits, and working conditions; (2) similarity of skills and training; (3) centrality of management and common supervision; (4) extent of interchange and frequency of contact between employees; (5) integration of the work flow and interrelationship of the production process; (6) the consistency of the unit with the employer's organizational structure; (7) similarity of job functions and work; and (8) the bargaining history in the particular unit and the industry. To avoid the proliferation or fragmentation of bargaining units, employees shall not be excluded from the unit unless the interests of the group sought are sufficiently distinct from those of other employees to warrant the establishment of a separate unit. Whether additional employees should be included in a proposed unit shall be based on whether such additional employees and proposed unit members share a sufficient community of interest, with the exception of proposed accretions to an existing unit, in which the inclusion of additional employees shall be based on whether such additional employees and existing unit members share an overwhelming community of interest and the additional employees have little or no separate identity. .
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1220 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2017 Ms. Hirono (for herself, Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Kaine , Ms. Cortez Masto , Ms. Murkowski , and Mr. Schatz ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To exempt children of certain Filipino World War II veterans from the numerical limitations on immigrant visas, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2017 . 2. Exemption from immigrant visa limit Section 201(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (F) Aliens who— (i) are eligible for a visa under paragraph (1) or (3) of section 203(a); and (ii) have a parent (regardless of whether the parent is living or dead) who was naturalized pursuant to— (I) section 405 of the Immigration Act of 1990 ( Public Law 101–649 ; 8 U.S.C. 1440 note); or (II) title III of the Act of October 14, 1940 (54 Stat. 1137, chapter 876), as added by section 1001 of the Second War Powers Act, 1942 (56 Stat. 182, chapter 199). .
115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 1223 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To repeal the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Act.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Repeal Act . 2. Repeal Public Law 89–224 (commonly know as the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Act ) (79 Stat. 897) is repealed. 3. Disbursement of remaining funds Notwithstanding any provision of Public Law 89–224 (79 Stat. 897) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act) relating to the distribution or use of funds, as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall disburse to the Klamath Tribe the balance of any funds that, on or before the date of enactment of this Act, were appropriated or deposited into the trust accounts for remaining legal fees and administration and per capita trust accounts, as identified by the Secretary of the Interior, under that Act (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act).

Passed the Senate March 22, 2018. Secretary
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1223 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2017 Mr. Merkley (for himself and Mr. Wyden ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs A BILL To repeal the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Act.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Repeal Act . 2. Repeal Public Law 89–224 (commonly know as the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Act ) (79 Stat. 897) is repealed.
IC 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 1223 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 26, 2018 Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources AN ACT To repeal the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Act.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Repeal Act . 2. Repeal Public Law 89–224 (commonly know as the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Act ) (79 Stat. 897) is repealed. 3. Disbursement of remaining funds Notwithstanding any provision of Public Law 89–224 (79 Stat. 897) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act) relating to the distribution or use of funds, as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall disburse to the Klamath Tribe the balance of any funds that, on or before the date of enactment of this Act, were appropriated or deposited into the trust accounts for remaining legal fees and administration and per capita trust accounts, as identified by the Secretary of the Interior, under that Act (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act).

Passed the Senate March 22, 2018. Julie E. Adams, Secretary
II Calendar No. 272 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1223 [Report No. 115–190] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 24, 2017 Mr. Merkley (for himself and Mr. Wyden ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs December 5, 2017 Reported by Mr. Hoeven , with an amendment Insert the part printed in italic A BILL To repeal the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Act.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Repeal Act . 2. Repeal Public Law 89–224 (commonly know as the Klamath Tribe Judgment Fund Act ) (79 Stat. 897) is repealed. 3. Disbursement of remaining funds Notwithstanding any provision of Public Law 89–224 (79 Stat. 897) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act) relating to the distribution or use of funds, as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall disburse to the Klamath Tribe the balance of any funds that, on or before the date of enactment of this Act, were appropriated or deposited into the trust accounts for remaining legal fees and administration and per capita trust accounts, as identified by the Secretary of the Interior, under that Act (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act).

December 5, 2017 Reported with an amendment
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1232 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2017 Mr. King (for himself and Mr. Paul ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act to exempt from inspection the slaughter of animals and the preparation of carcasses conducted at a custom slaughter facility, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act or the PRIME Act . 2. Exemption for slaughter and preparation occurring at custom slaughter facilities Section 23 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act ( 21 U.S.C. 623 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) Exemption for slaughter and preparation occurring at custom slaughter facilities (1) Definition of State In this subsection, the term State means any State or Territory. (2) Exemption The provisions of this title requiring inspection of the slaughter of animals and the preparation of the carcasses, parts thereof, meat, and meat food products at establishments conducting those operations for commerce shall not apply to the slaughtering by any person of animals at a custom slaughter facility and the preparation at that custom slaughter facility and transportation in commerce of the carcasses, parts thereof, meat, and meat food products of those animals if— (A) the slaughtering and preparation carried out at the custom slaughter facility is carried out in accordance with the law of the State in which the custom slaughter facility is located; and (B) the animals are slaughtered and the carcasses, parts thereof, meat, and meat food products of the animals are prepared exclusively for distribution to— (i) household consumers within the State in which the custom slaughter facility is located; or (ii) restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, grocery stores, or other establishments located in the State in which the custom slaughter facility is located that— (I) are involved in the preparation of meals served directly to consumers; or (II) offer meat and meat food products for sale directly to consumers in the State. ; and (3) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), in the second sentence, by striking paragraph (b) and inserting subsection . 3. No preemption of State law Nothing in an amendment made by section 2 preempts any State law relating to— (1) the slaughter of animals or the preparation of carcasses, parts thereof, meat, and meat food products at a custom slaughter facility; or (2) the sale of meat or meat food products.
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1234 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2017 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 2000 to provide for expedited project implementation relating to the comprehensive Everglades restoration plan.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Everglades for the Next Generation Act . 2. Comprehensive Everglades restoration plan Section 601(d) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 ( Public Law 106–541 ; 114 Stat. 2684) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting and subject to paragraph (3) after subsection (b) or (c) ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (3) Expedited project implementation After completing a project implementation report prepared in accordance with subsections (f) and (h), the Secretary may carry out, without any further congressional authorization— (A) any project identified in the Plan for which a project implementation report is completed that is in accordance with an integrated delivery schedule approved by the Chief of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District, in consultation with the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, subject to the condition that the report is completed not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph; and (B) any group of projects under the Plan that the Secretary determines will provide regional or watershed ecosystem or water supply benefits if the group of projects is constructed in accordance with a project implementation report approved by the Chief of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District, in consultation with the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph. .
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1238 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2017 Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Cardin , Mr. Schumer , Mr. Blumenthal , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Rounds , and Mr. Merkley ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase and make permanent the exclusion for benefits provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act of 2017 . 2. Benefits provided to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders (a) Increase in dollar limitation on qualified payments Subparagraph (B) of section 139B(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking $30 and inserting $50 . (b) Reimplementing and making permanent benefits Section 139B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subsection (d). (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1239 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2017 Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Cardin , and Mr. Schumer ) 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 modify the rules applicable to length of service award plans.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Length of Service Award Program Cap Adjustment Priority Act or the LOSAP CAP Act . 2. Modification of rules applicable to length of service award plans (a) Maximum deferral amount Clause (ii) of section 457(e)(11)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking $3,000 and inserting $6,000 . (b) Cost of living adjustment Subparagraph (B) of section 457(e)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following: (iii) Cost of living adjustment In the case of taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the Secretary shall adjust the $6,000 amount under clause (ii) at the same time and in the same manner as under section 415(d), except that the base period shall be the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2016, and any increase under this paragraph that is not a multiple of $500 shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $500. . (c) Application of limitation on accruals Subparagraph (B) of section 457(e)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by subsection (b), is amended by adding at the end the following: (iv) Special rule for application of limitation on accruals for certain plans In the case of a plan described in subparagraph (A)(ii) which is a defined benefit plan (as defined in section 414(j)), the limitation under clause (ii) shall apply to the actuarial present value of the aggregate amount of length of service awards accruing with respect to any year of service. Such actuarial present value with respect to any year shall be calculated using reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods, assuming payment will be made under the most valuable form of payment under the plan with payment commencing at the later of the earliest age at which unreduced benefits are payable under the plan or the participant’s age at the time of the calculation. . (d) Effective date The amendments made by this Act shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1243 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2017 Mrs. Ernst (for herself and Mrs. Gillibrand ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To require sexual assault prevention and response training for all individuals enlisted in the Armed Forces under a delayed entry program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Educating Ser­vice­mem­bers in Training on Prevention Act or E–STOP Act . 2. Sexual assault prevention and response training for all individuals enlisted in the Armed Forces under a delayed entry program (a) Training required Commencing not later than January 1, 2018, each Secretary concerned shall provide training on sexual assault prevention and response to each individual under the jurisdiction of such Secretary who is enlisted in the Armed Forces under a delayed entry program such that each such individual completes such training before the date of commencement of basic training or initial active duty for training in the Armed Forces. (b) Elements (1) In general The training provided pursuant to subsection (a) shall meet such requirements as the Secretary of Defense shall establish for purposes of this section. Such training shall, to the extent practicable, be uniform across the Armed Forces. (2) Sense of Congress on provision and nature of training It is the sense of Congress that the training should— (A) be provided through in-person instruction; and (B) include instruction on the proper use of social media. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) The term delayed entry program means the following: (A) The Future Soldiers Program of the Army. (B) The Delayed Entry Program of the Navy and the Marine Corps. (C) The program of the Air Force for the delayed entry of enlistees into the Air Force. (D) The program of the Coast Guard for the delayed entry of enlistees into the Coast Guard. (E) Any successor program to a program referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (D). (2) The term Secretary concerned has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1244 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2017 Mr. Schumer (for Ms. Hirono (for herself, Mr. Sullivan , Mr. Schatz , and Ms. Murkowski )) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To extend the authorization of appropriations for additional funds for the essential air service program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Keeping Our Commitment to Essential Air Service Act of 2017 . 2. Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) The intent of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 ( Public Law 95–504 ; 92 Stat. 1705) was to benefit consumers by expanding competition and allowing United States air carriers greater ability to decide which destinations to serve and set pricing on airfares. (2) Congress recognized that the intended benefits of deregulation may not reach all small communities, so the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 also authorized the essential air service program so that small communities would not lose air service or consumer choice if air carriers chose to serve the larger and more profitable markets. (3) According to the Department of Transportation, more than 170 communities in 35 States were served by the essential air service program in fiscal year 2016. (4) Without the essential air service program, air service would be cost prohibitive in many smaller communities, especially in Alaska and Hawaii where air travel is often the only mode of transportation. (5) The essential air service program provides small communities greater consumer choice and a lifeline to essential goods and services such as medical care, increases economic opportunity, and attracts visitors and new businesses. 3. Extension of authorization of appropriations for additional funds for essential air service program Section 41742(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking and 2017 and inserting through 2022 .
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1249 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2017 Mr. Rubio (for himself and Mr. Nelson ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To authorize additional district court judgeships for the northern, middle, and southern districts of Florida.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Florida Federal Judicial Relief Act . 2. District judges for the district courts (a) Additional judgeships The President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate— (1) 6 additional district judges for the middle district of Florida; (2) 1 additional district judge for the northern district of Florida; and (3) 3 additional district judges for the southern district of Florida. (b) Conversion of temporary judgeships The existing judgeship for the southern district of Florida authorized by section 312(c) of the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act ( Public Law 107–273 ; 28 U.S.C. 133 note), as of the date of enactment of this Act, shall be authorized under section 133 of title 28, United States Code, and the incumbent in that office shall hold the office under section 133 of title 28, United States Code, as amended by this Act. (c) Technical and conforming amendments The table contained in section 133(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking the items relating to Florida and inserting the following: Florida: Northern 5 Middle 21 Southern 21 .
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1254 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2017 Ms. Stabenow (for herself, Mr. Peters , and Ms. Baldwin ) 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 expand the small employer health insurance credit.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Health Care for Small Business Act . 2. Expansion of Small Employer Health Insurance Credit (a) In general Section 45R of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking in the credit period , (2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows: (c) Phaseout of credit amount based on average wages The amount of the credit determined under subsection (b) without regard to this subsection shall be reduced (but not below zero) by such amount multiplied by a fraction— (1) the numerator of which is the average annual wages of the employer in excess of the dollar amount in effect under subsection (d)(3)(B), and (2) the denominator which is the amount equal to the difference between— (A) the dollar amount in effect under subsection (d)(1)(B), and (B) the dollar amount in effect under subsection (d)(3)(B). , (3) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 25 and inserting 50 , and (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking an amount equal to twice the dollar amount in effect under paragraph (3)(B) for the taxable year and inserting $75,000 , and (B) in paragraph (3), by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: (B) Dollar amount The dollar amount under this subparagraph shall be $50,000. , (4) in subsection (e)— (A) by striking paragraph (2), and (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively, (5) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows: (g) Cost-of-Living adjustment (1) In general In the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2017, each dollar amount in paragraphs (1)(B) and (3)(B) of subsection (d) shall be increased by an amount equal to— (A) such dollar amount, multiplied by (B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year, determined by substituting calendar year 2016 for calendar year 1992 in subparagraph (B) thereof. (2) Rounding If any increase under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $1,000, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $1,000. , and (6) in subsection (i), by striking 2-year limit on the credit period through the use of successor entities and the avoidance of the limitations and inserting limitation . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1262 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2017 Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Franken , Mr. Blumenthal , Ms. Hirono , Ms. Warren , Mr. Reed , Mr. Wyden , Ms. Baldwin , Ms. Hassan , Mr. Kaine , and Mr. Murphy ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend title 11, United States Code, with respect to certain exceptions to discharge in bankruptcy.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2017 . 2. Exceptions to discharge Section 523(a)(8) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by striking dependents, for and all that follows through the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting dependents, for an educational benefit overpayment or loan made, insured, or guaranteed by a governmental unit or made under any program funded in whole or in part by a governmental unit or an obligation to repay funds received from a governmental unit as an educational benefit, scholarship, or stipend; .
II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1263 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2017 Mr. Booker (for himself, Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Nelson , Mr. Blumenthal , Mr. Menendez , Mr. Cardin , Mr. Markey , Ms. Hassan , Ms. Warren , Mrs. Shaheen , and Mr. Sanders ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit oil-, gas-, and methane hydrate-related seismic activities in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas of the outer Continental Shelf, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection Act . 2. Moratorium on oil-, gas-, and methane hydrate-related seismic activities in North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas of outer Continental Shelf Section 11 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1340 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) Moratorium on oil-, gas-, and methane hydrate-Related seismic activities in North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person or agency of the United States may conduct geological or geophysical activities (as those terms are described in the final programmatic environmental impact statement of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management entitled Atlantic OCS Proposed Geological and Geophysical Activities, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Planning Areas and completed February 2014) in support of oil, gas, or methane hydrate exploration and development in any area located in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, or Straits of Florida planning areas of the outer Continental Shelf. .
One Hundred Fifteenth Congress of the United States of America 1st Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the third day of January, two thousand and seventeen S. 1266 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts with nonprofit organizations to investigate medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Enhancing Veteran Care Act . 2. Investigation of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may contract with a nonprofit organization that accredits health care organizations and programs in the United States to investigate a medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs to assess and report deficiencies of the facilities at such medical center. (b) Authority of directors (1) In general Subject to coordination under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall delegate the authority under subsection (a) to contract for an investigation at a medical center of the Department to the Director of the Veterans Integrated Service Network in which the medical center is located or the director of such medical center. (2) Coordination Before entering into a contract under paragraph (1), the Director of a Veterans Integrated Service Network or the director of a medical center, as the case may be, shall notify the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Comptroller General of the United States for purposes of coordinating any investigation conducted pursuant to such contract with any other investigations that may be ongoing. (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this section may be construed— (1) to prevent the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs from conducting any review, audit, evaluation, or inspection regarding a topic for which an investigation is conducted under this section; or (2) to modify the requirement that employees of the Department assist with any review, audit, evaluation, or inspection conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate
115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1266 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts with nonprofit organizations to investigate medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Enhancing Veteran Care Act . 2. Investigation of medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may contract with a nonprofit organization that accredits health care organizations and programs in the United States to investigate a medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs to assess and report deficiencies of the facilities at such medical center. (b) Authority of directors (1) In general Subject to coordination under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall delegate the authority under subsection (a) to contract for an investigation at a medical center of the Department to the Director of the Veterans Integrated Service Network in which the medical center is located or the director of such medical center. (2) Coordination Before entering into a contract under paragraph (1), the Director of a Veterans Integrated Service Network or the director of a medical center, as the case may be, shall notify the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Comptroller General of the United States for purposes of coordinating any investigation conducted pursuant to such contract with any other investigations that may be ongoing. (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this section may be construed— (1) to prevent the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs from conducting any review, audit, evaluation, or inspection regarding a topic for which an investigation is conducted under this section; or (2) to modify the requirement that employees of the Department assist with any review, audit, evaluation, or inspection conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department.

Passed the Senate November 9, 2017. Secretary