lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-03-17 00:00:00

Protect America from Homemade Explosives Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise federal explosives laws.

It includes, within the meaning of "explosives," black powder substitutes and smokeless powder.

Additionally, the bill revises certain exceptions to federal explosives laws to specify that: (1) activities related to small arms ammunition do not include activities involving smokeless powder in excess of 50 pounds; and (2) the 50-pound maximum quantity, with respect to a lawful purchase of commercially manufactured black powder, includes aggregate quantities of black powder and black powder substitutes.

Finally, it amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose penalties on an individual who attempts to make an illegal firearm.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Congress
Date: 2016-04-06 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

Fallen Heroes Flag Act of 2016

(Sec. 3) This bill allows the Representative or Senator of an immediate family member of a deceased firefighter, law enforcement officer, member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew, or public safety officer who died in the line of duty to give the family, on request, a Capitol-flown flag, together with a certificate, signed by the official providing the flag (the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Representative, or the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Senator), that contains an expression of sympathy for the family.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Health
Date: 2016-04-14 00:00:00

Firefighter Cancer Registry Act

This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and maintain a voluntary patient registry to monitor, collect, and make available epidemiological information related to cancer incidence and trends among firefighters. The CDC should seek to include specified information in the registry, including the number and types of fire incidents attended by an individual.

To collect information for the registry, the CDC may incorporate questions into existing public health surveys, questionnaires, and other databases.

The CDC must: (1) encourage the inclusion in the registry of data on minority, female, and volunteer firefighters; and (2) seek feedback on the registry from nonfederal experts.

The CDC must develop an approval process for making registry data available for research without a fee if findings or publications derived from the research are made public or available to stakeholders.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-04-14 00:00:00

Protecting Gun Rights and Due Process Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code and other laws to raise the threshold that must be met with respect to disqualifying an individual, for reasons relating to mental health, from possessing or receiving a firearm. Specifically, such an individual must have been either adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a psychiatric hospital.

In addition, the bill excludes, for purposes of a determination of whether an individual is disqualified from possessing or receiving a firearm: (1) certain state health reports, and (2) specified determinations made by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Social Security Administration.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-04-21 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Protecting Our Lives by Initiating COPS Expansion Act of 2016 or the POLICE Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand the allowable use of grant funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to include participation in active shooter training programs.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-05-16 00:00:00

Fix Gun Checks Act of 2016

This bill amends the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 to revise an eligibility condition for a state to receive a grant under the NICS Act Record Improvement Program and a waiver of the grant match requirement under the National Criminal History Improvement Program.

Specifically, it directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a four-year state implementation plan, including benchmarks, to maximize the automation and submission of mental health and criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Back Check System (NICS). DOJ must reduce the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program funding for a state that fails to comply with benchmarks.

The bill amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require each federal agency and department, including a federal court, to certify whether it has provided to the Federal Bureau of Investigation disqualifying records of persons prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm.

It amends the federal criminal code and the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 to define the terms "adjudicated as a mental defective" and "committed to a mental institution."

The bill extends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act background check requirements to a transfer of a firearm between private parties by prohibiting such a transfer unless a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer has first taken possession of the firearm for the purpose of submitting a background check.

A gun owner must report a lost or stolen firearm to DOJ and local law enforcement authorities within 48 hours of discovery.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-05-18 00:00:00

Public Safety Officers' Benefits Improvement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to revise requirements for the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program. (The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty.)

It authorizes the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to establish PSOB program rules, regulations, and procedures based on standards developed by another federal agency.

In determining a claimant's eligibility for death or disability benefits, the BJA must give substantial weight to evidence and facts presented by a state, local, or federal agency.

The BJA must also publish and update information on pending claims and report to Congress on submitted claims for death, disability, and educational benefits.

(Sec. 3) This section extends the age limitation for a PSOB claim for death, disability, or education benefits that is approved more than one year after the date on which it was filed.

(Sec. 4) The BJA must attempt to obtain necessary documentation to determine a claimant's eligibility for death, disability, or education benefits. If it cannot determine eligibility due to a lack of documentation from a third party (e.g., a public agency), then the BJA may abandon the claim only after it utilizes investigative tools, including subpoenas, to obtain the information.

(Sec. 5) The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that a public safety officer acted properly at the time of injury or death and that no specified limitation (e.g., voluntary intoxication at the time of injury or death) bars the payment of death or disability benefits. The BJA may rebut the presumption by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.

(Sec. 6) This bill's provisions apply to a claim that is pending on or submitted on or after enactment.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2016-05-18 00:00:00

Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act

 This bill expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" under provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to include: (1) federal employees not otherwise covered whose duties include the investigation or apprehension of suspected or convicted criminals and who are authorized to carry a firearm; (2) Internal Revenue Service employees whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and the securing of delinquent returns; (3) U.S. Postal Inspection Service employees; (4) Department of Veterans Affairs police officers; and (5) certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who are seized-property specialists with duties relating to custody, management, and disposition of seized and forfeited property.

Service performed by an incumbent (an individual appointed before enactment of this bill to a position that is considered to be a law enforcement officer under FERS and the CSRS only by virtue of the expanded definition in this bill) on or after enactment of this bill shall be treated as service performed as a law enforcement officer. Service performed by an incumbent before enactment of this bill shall be treated for federal retirement purposes as service performed as such an officer only if a written election is submitted to the Office of Personnel Management within five years after enactment of this bill or before separation from service, whichever is earlier. An incumbent who makes an election before enactment of this bill may pay a deposit into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund to cover prior service.

Nothing under current law respecting mandatory separation from government service under CSRS or FERS shall cause the mandatory separation of an officer during the three-year period beginning on the enactment of this bill.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2016-05-23 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill applies provisions governing availability pay for criminal investigators to any employee of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations who is a law enforcement officer.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2016-05-23 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 7, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) continue to administer the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System; (2) provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources to assist states and local governments in responding to hazards; (3) designate urban search and rescue teams to participate in the system, determine participation criteria, and enter into an agreement with the state or local government agency sponsoring each team with respect to such participation; and (4) maintain management and technical teams necessary to administer the system.

FEMA may appoint a system member for a period of federal service to provide for the participation of such member in exercises, pre-incident staging, major disaster and emergency response activities, and training events sponsored or sanctioned by FEMA.

FEMA shall enter into: (1) an annual preparedness cooperative agreement under which amounts shall be made available to a sponsoring agency for training and exercises, acquisition and maintenance of equipment, and medical monitoring required for responder safety and health; and (2) a response cooperative agreement under which FEMA shall reimburse a sponsoring agency for costs incurred in responding to a major disaster or emergency.

FEMA shall submit a report on the development of a plan to finance, maintain, and replace system equipment.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-07-12 00:00:00

Help End Assault Rifle Tragedies Act of 2016 or the HEART Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly transfer, loan, or dispose of a machinegun or semiautomatic assault weapon to an individual who is known or reasonably believed to be less than 16 years of age.

It defines the term "semiautomatic assault weapon."

A violator is subject to a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-07-13 00:00:00

Back the Blue Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code by establishing mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in prison for offenders who kill, or attempt or conspire to kill, current or former U.S. judges and federal law enforcement officers. Offenders are subject to 30 years in prison or the death penalty if death results.

Additionally, the bill makes it illegal to kill, or attempt or conspire to kill, current or former public safety officers or judicial officers who work for state or local governments that are federally funded if the officers were engaged in official duties or targeted on account of their duties. The penalties for crimes against federal officials are also applied for crimes against federally funded public safety officers.

The bill: (1) makes it a crime to assault an individual involved in crime and juvenile delinquency control or reduction, or enforcement of the laws of states; and (2) increases penalties based on the degree of bodily injury caused by the assault and the type of weapon used.

A new federal crime is established for fleeing authorities to avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement after conviction for a killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill, a federal judge or law enforcement officer, or a federally funded public safety officer.

The bill expands the authority of federal and state law enforcement officers to carry firearms in federal facilities.

The Department of Justice must award grants to state, local, or tribal enforcement agencies for improving their relationships with the communities they serve.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Social welfare
Date: 2016-09-08 00:00:00

Social Security Fairness for Firefighters and Police Officers Act

This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to exempt firefighters and law enforcement officers with at least five years of service from the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination provisions.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-09-28 00:00:00

Support Experienced Law Enforcement Countering Terrorism Act of 2016 or the SELECT Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to require a federal agency, upon request, to issue a photo identification that allows a current or retired law enforcement officer employee to carry a concealed firearm across state lines.

It expresses the sense of Congress that state and local agencies should issue photo identification to allow qualified law enforcement officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms in accordance with this bill.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2016-12-09 00:00:00

Wildland Firefighter Retirement and Disability Compensation Benefits Act of 2016

This bill allows wildland firefighters of the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior who sustained injuries in the performance of their duty that prevent them from performing the physical duties of a firefighter, but who commence an equivalent federal position after receiving compensation for their work injuries, to retain the same retirement benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) that they would have received in their former position had they not been injured or disabled, without requiring them to complete any more years of service than they would have otherwise been required to complete.

Such a federal firefighter injured during the 20-year period before enactment of this bill may not receive such retirement benefits without a requirement to complete more years of service unless they first pay the Forest Service or Interior an amount equal to the amount that would have been deducted from their pay under CSRS or FERS had they not been injured or disabled.

The monetary compensation for disability or death of Forest Service and Interior wildland firefighters that is computed based on monthly pay must include overtime pay received for wildfire suppression activity.
Topic: Law and Crime — Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-12-09 00:00:00

Protect Our Heroes Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime: (1) to kill, or attempt or conspire to kill, a federal judge, a federal law enforcement officer, or a federally funded public safety officer who is on duty; or (2) to kill a former federal judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer on account of their past performance of duties. An offender is subject to criminal penalties—a fine and a mandatory minimum prison term.

This bill also makes it a crime: (1) to assault, or attempt to assault, a federally funded public safety officer who is on duty; or (2) to assault a former federally funded public safety officer on account of their past performance of official duties or because of their perceived status as a federally funded public safety officer. An offender is subject to criminal penalties—a fine and a mandatory minimum prison term.
Topic: Civil Rights — General
Subject: Agriculture and food
Date: 2007-02-07 00:00:00

Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2007 - Declares that any Pigford claimant (relating to a racial discrimination action against the Department of Agriculture) who has not previously obtained a determination on the merits of a Pigford claim may, in a civil action, obtain that determination. Asserts that it is Congress' intent that this Act be liberally construed so as to effectuate its remedial purpose of giving a full determination on the merits for each denied Pigford claim. Defines: (1) "Pigford claimant" as an individual who previously submitted a late-filing request under the consent decree in the case of Pigford v. Glickman (1999); and (2) "Pigford claim" as a discrimination complaint as defined and documented by such consent decree.
Topic: Civil Rights — General
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-02-12 00:00:00

English Language Unity Act of 2007 - Amends federal to declare English to be the official language of the United States. Requires: (1) official functions of the United States (meaning in this case the states and the District of Columbia) to be conducted in English; and (2) a uniform English language rule for U.S. naturalization, and all naturalization ceremonies to be conducted in English. Sets forth exceptions to and rules of construction for such requirements. Declares that English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing of English language ability of candidates for naturalization, based upon the principles that: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States; and (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.
Topic: Civil Rights — General
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2007-03-15 00:00:00

Civil Rights Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an exclusion from gross income for amounts received (either backpay or frontpay or punitive damages) on account of an unlawful discrimination claim; and (2) allow income averaging for backpay and frontpay amounts received from such claims.
Topic: Civil Rights — General
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2007-03-29 00:00:00

Ending Tax Breaks for Discrimination Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny all tax deductions for business expenses (including advertising expenses) associated with the use of a private club that discriminates on the basis of sex, race, or color.
Topic: Civil Rights — General
Subject: Labor and employment
Date: 2007-04-24 00:00:00

Fair Pay Act of 2007 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin. (Allows payment of different wages under seniority systems, merit systems, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, or differentials based on bona fide factors that the employer demonstrates are job-related or further legitimate business interests.) Prohibits the discharge of, or any other discrimination against, an individual for opposing any act or practice made unlawful by this Act or for assisting in an investigation or proceeding under it. Directs courts, in any action brought under this Act for violation of such prohibition, to allow expert fees as part of the costs awarded to prevailing plaintiffs. Allows any such action to be maintained as a class action. Directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to: (1) undertake studies and provide information and technical assistance to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning effective means available to implement this Act; and (2) carry on a continuing program of research, education, and technical assistance with specified components related to the purposes of this Act. Makes conforming amendments, relating to congressional and executive branch employees, to the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and the Presidential and Executive Office Accountability Act.
Topic: Civil Rights — General
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Date: 2007-05-01 00:00:00

Equal Opportunity Protection and Civil Rights Restoration Act of 2007 - Prohibits discrimination or preferences in federal employment and contracting and other federal programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex. Prohibits requiring or encouraging any federal contractor or subcontractor to so discriminate or grant a preference. Prohibits states and private entities that receive federal financial assistance from so discriminating or granting a preference in connection with any contract or subcontract, employment, or admission to any educational institution. Prohibits construing this Act to prohibit or limit: (1) any act designed to benefit historically Black colleges or universities; or (2) any action under a federal law or treaty relating to the Indian tribes. Declares that this Act does not prohibit or limit employment classifications based on sex if sex is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to normal operation or the classification is applied regarding an armed forces member. Allows any aggrieved person to obtain, in a civil action, appropriate relief (including back pay) from the violator, including from a government entity. Requires awarding a prevailing plaintiff attorney's fees as part of the costs.
Topic: Civil Rights — General
Subject: Labor and employment
Date: 2007-06-11 00:00:00

2007 Civil Rights Pay Fairness Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to increase the length of time an aggrieved person has to file a charge of an alleged unlawful employment practice. Declares that, for enforcement of unlawful employment practices provisions, an unlawful employment practice occurs with respect to compensation when an aggrieved person is injured as a result of a compensation calculation attributable in whole or in part to the application or continuation of a compensation decision that was made at any time before a charge relating to such calculation is filed and was made for an intentionally discriminatory purpose.