United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2017
Fruit and Vegetables Access for Children Act of 2017 This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to allow the Department of Agriculture Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to include canned, dried, frozen, or pureed fruits and vegetables. (Under current law, the program provides grants to states to make fresh fruits and vegetables available in elementary schools.)
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2017
National Scenic Trails Parity Act This bill amends the National Trails System Act to require the North Country, Ice Age, and New England National Scenic Trails to be administered as units of the National Park System.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2017
Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments Act of 2017 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish a reciprocal marketing approval process that allows for the sale of a drug, biological product, or medical device that has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if the product is approved for sale in another country. For a product to be granted reciprocal marketing approval, the product's sponsor must submit a request to the FDA that demonstrates: (1) the product may be sold in at least one country from a specified list of countries, (2) the FDA and listed countries have not withdrawn approval of the product because of safety or effectiveness concerns, and (3) there is a public health or unmet medical need for the product. The FDA may: (1) require post-market studies of a product granted reciprocal marketing approval, or (2) decline to approve a product that is not safe and effective. The FDA must grant or decline reciprocal marketing approval not later than 30 days after receiving a request. During that period, the FDA and product sponsor must negotiate and finalize product labeling and, for a medical device, classify the device. Congress may pass a joint resolution to grant reciprocal marketing approval to a product that the FDA declines to approve through this process. User fees apply to requests for reciprocal marketing approval. The FDA must encourage the sponsors of potentially eligible products to request reciprocal marketing approval.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2017
Condemns the attack at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 1, 2017, and honors the memory of the victims killed. Expresses hope for the recovery of those injured, and applauds the efforts of law-enforcement and counterterrorism officials and emergency-medical and healthcare professionals in response to the attack.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2017
Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus is 20 weeks or more. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. The bill provides exceptions for an abortion: (1) that is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion under an exception must comply with specified requirements. A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2017
TSA LEAP Pay Reform Act of 2017 This bill makes changes to the treatment of availability pay for federal air marshals or criminal investigators of the Transportation Security Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2017
Whistleblower Protection Coordination Act (Sec. 2) This bill permanently extends the requirement for inspectors general (IGs) to designate a Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman to educate agency employees about prohibitions on retaliation, and the rights and remedies against retaliation, for protected disclosures. The bill renames the Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman as the Whistleblower Protection Coordinator. It also expands the responsibilities of a Whistleblower Protection Coordinator to include the following: educating employees about specific rights and remedies (e.g., the means by which an employee may seek review of an allegation of reprisal); assisting the IG in promoting the timely and appropriate handling and consideration of protected disclosures and allegations of reprisal; and assisting the IG in facilitating communication and coordination with other relevant persons and entities regarding timely and appropriate handling and consideration of protected disclosures, allegations of reprisal, and other general matters. A Whistleblower Protection Coordinator must have direct access to the IG to accomplish such responsibilities. The bill also expands the responsibilities of the Council on the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency to include the following: facilitating the work of the Whistleblower Protection Coordinators; and developing best practices for promoting the timely and appropriate handling and consideration of protected disclosures, allegations of reprisal, and other matters. Finally, the bill adds reporting requirements for semiannual reports. Specifically, with respect to instances of whistle-blower retaliation by an official, an Office of Inspector General must report on (1) the actual consequences imposed on the official who engaged in retaliation, and (2) whether a settlement agreement was entered with that official.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2017
Healthcare Tax Relief Act This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to delay the imposition of an annual fee on health insurance providers until after December 31, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2017
This bill alters provisions relating to the determination of geographic adjustment factors for the payment of physician services under Medicare, and makes permanent certain adjustments for services furnished in Wisconsin and Iowa.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2017
Federal Perkins Loan Program Extension Act of 2017 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend the Federal Perkins Loans program through September 30, 2019.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2017
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Pete V. Domenici, former member of the U.S.Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns September 13, 2017, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Senator Domenici.
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2017
Employee Rights Act This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act to: (1) make it an unlawful labor practice for a labor organization to interfere (currently, restrain or coerce) with the rights of employees to organize and collectively bargain; (2) require union recertification after a turnover in the workforce exceeding 50% of the bargaining unit; (3) require the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to give 14 days advance notice before a hearing investigating an election petition; and (4) require an employer to provide the NLRB with a list consisting only of employee names and addresses of all eligible voters within seven days after an NLRB determination of the appropriate bargaining unit or an agreement on eligible voters. The bill: (1) grants union and nonunion employees the right to vote by secret ballot on whether to ratify a collective bargaining agreement or engage in a strike, (2) prohibits the use of union dues for any purpose not directly related to collective bargaining, (3) prohibits a strike without the consent of a majority of all represented employees determined by secret ballot, and (4) prohibits the use or threat of force or violence to obtain the right to represent employees.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2017
Building America's Trust Act This bill provides for strengthening the barriers along the U.S. land and maritime borders to deter illegal activity, including through U.S. Border Patrol and law enforcement enhancements and personnel increases and National Guard use. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall: (1) establish a National Border Security Advisory Committee; (2) submit a southern border threat analysis; (3) implement the Border Security Deployment Program; (4) establish a biometric exit data system; (5) reestablish the Secure Communities program immigration enforcement program; (6) expand criminal alien repatriation programs; and (7) increase visa security at high-risk posts. The Department of Agriculture may carry out livestock or plant disease prevention/eradication operations. The bill: (1) makes it a crime to unlawfully hinder immigration, border, and customs controls; (2) requires increases in immigration and law enforcement personnel and district judgeships; (3) authorizes appropriations for specified immigration purposes; and (4) requires electronic passport screening and biometric matching at airports of entry. Operation Stonegarden is established as a DHS program to provide border security grants. The Department of Justice shall provide grants for identification of victims of cross-border human smuggling. The bill revises provisions regarding: (1) apprehension and detention of aliens; (2) nonimmigrant admissions; (3) criminal alien detention and removal; (4) parole entry of aliens; (5) sanctuary jurisdictions; (6) unaccompanied alien children; (7) human trafficking, drug trafficking, criminal organizations, and money laundering; (8) terrorism and national security; (9) gangs; (10) criminal penalties, including penalties for drug trafficking and crimes committed by illegal aliens; (11) human rights violations; (12) visa/document fraud and other grounds for exclusion; (13) student and exchange visitor verification; and (14) use of immigration-related information. An alien may not be granted any immigrant status or benefits until positive background and security checks are concluded. The Department of State shall deny or revoke the passport of a person affiliated with a foreign terrorist organization.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2017
CBO Show Your Work Act This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to make available to Congress and the public each fiscal model, policy model, and data preparation routine that the CBO uses to estimate the costs and other fiscal, social, or economic effects of legislation. For each estimate of the costs and other fiscal effects of legislation, the CBO must also disclose, in a manner sufficient to permit replication by individuals not employed by the CBO, the data, programs, models, assumptions, and other details of the computations used to prepare the estimate. For data that may not be disclosed, the CBO must make available to Congress and the public: a complete list of all data variables for the data; descriptive statistics for all data variables for the data, to the extent that the descriptive statistics do not violate the rule against disclosure; a reference to the statute requiring that the data not be disclosed; and contact information for the individual or entity who has unrestricted access to the data.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2017
Advancing Innovation and Reinvigorating Widespread Access to Viable Electromagnetic Spectrum Act or the AIRWAVES Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete auctions during each of the next three calendar years that will grant new broadcast licenses for specified frequency spectrum bands. The FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration are directed to identify frequencies in specified spectrum bands that may be utilized for: (1) non-federal unlicensed use; and (2) commercial licensed use. The FCC must allocate 10% of proceeds from each of the spectrum band auctions specified in the bill to expand wireless infrastructure in rural areas that are underserved or unserved. The FCC shall conduct a study on how unlicensed frequency spectrum bands can be utilized for: (1) the provision of healthcare in rural areas, (2) distance learning, and (3) facilitating innovations in agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2017
Javier Vega, Jr. Memorial Act of 2017 This bill designates the checkpoint of the U.S. Border Patrol located on U.S. Highway 77 North in Sarita, Texas, as the "Javier Vega, Jr. Border Patrol Checkpoint."
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2017
Bob Dole Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Bob Dole in recognition for his service to the nation as a soldier, legislator, and statesman.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017
Social Security Identity Defense Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Department of the Treasury and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to disclose certain tax return information in cases of identity theft. If Treasury believes that there has been a fraudulent use of a Social Security number on a statement submitted regarding wages paid to employees, Treasury must disclose to the individual who was validly assigned the Social Security number: (1) that there is reason to believe that there has been a fraudulent use of such account number in an employment context, and (2) other information that Treasury determines would be helpful and appropriate to provide to a victim of identity theft. If the SSA believes that the Social Security number included on such a statement is not the correct number for an employee, the SSA must provide a notification to the employer that includes: (1) the name of the employee and the Social Security number included on the statements, and (2) relevant information regarding the availability of the Social Security Number Verification Service. The bill also imposes new criminal and civil penalties for tax-related identity theft and misappropriation of tax identification numbers.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2017
This joint resolution nullifies a rule submitted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding arbitration agreements. (The rule regulates the use of arbitration agreements in contracts for specific consumer financial products and services. It prohibits the use of a predispute arbitration agreement to prevent a consumer from filing or participating in certain class action suits. The rule also requires consumer financial product and service providers to furnish the CFPB with particular information regarding arbitrations.)
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2017
This bill amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to make permanent the authority of the Judicial Conference to redact personal and sensitive information from the financial disclosure report of a judge or judicial employee if it finds that revealing the information could endanger that individual or a family member of that individual.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2017
Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to add certain fentanyl analogues to schedule I. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that: has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2017
Celebrates 20 years of close, strategic partnership between the United States and Romania and affirms the desire to continue strengthening that partnership. Applauds Romania's significant contributions and commitment to transatlantic security and prosperity. Commends the Romanian government for its advancements in democratic governance, the rule of law, and a principled and inclusive society which provides opportunities for development and growth and urges continued progress.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017
Hunting Heritage and Environmental Legacy Preservation for Wildlife Act or the HELP for Wildlife Act This bill revises a variety of existing programs to expand access to, and opportunities for, hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. The bill reauthorizes through FY2022 the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act, the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, and the Chesapeake Bay Program. It also reauthorizes through FY2023 the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Grants Assistance Program. The proportion of funding from the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act that states may use for public target ranges is increased. The bill revises standards for determining what a baited area is for purposes of the prohibition on taking migratory game birds. The Department of the Interior must reissue two rules that removed protections under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 for the gray wolf populations located in the western Great Lakes (all of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, as well as portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio) and Wyoming. Interior's prior rules that removed the protections were overruled by district courts. Components of firearms and ammunition and sport fishing equipment and its components (such as lead sinkers) are exempted from regulations of chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The National Fish Habitat Board is established to: (1) promote, oversee, and coordinate the implementation of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan; (2) establish national goals and priorities for fish habitat conservation; (3) recommend the designation of Fish Habitat Partnerships; and (4) review and make recommendations regarding fish habitat conservation projects.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2017
Silencers Help Us Save Hearing Act or the SHUSH Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code: (1) to remove silencers from the list of firearms subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act (NFA), and (2) to specify that a person who lawfully acquires or possesses a silencer under provisions of the federal criminal code meets the registration and licensing requirements of the NFA. Additionally, the bill amends the federal criminal code: to preempt state or local laws that tax or regulate firearm silencers, to exclude a muffler or silencer from the list of firearms subject to regulation, to eliminate mandatory minimum prison terms for a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense in which a defendant uses or carries a firearm equipped with a silencer, and to permit active and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed silencer.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2017
Affirms the importance of Rib Mountain to Wisconsin's culture and economy. Recognizes the legend of Pual Bunyan as the embodiment of the frontier spirit. Requests the Department of the Interior to recognize the legendary burial site of Paul Bunyan by adding Rib Mountain to the National Register of Historic Places.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2017
Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the President to require an independent regulatory agency to: (1) comply with regulatory analysis requirements applicable to other federal agencies, (2) provide the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with an assessment of the costs and benefits of a proposed or final economically significant rule and an assessment of costs and benefits of potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives to the rule, (3) publish the assessments with the rules, and (4) submit to the office for review any proposed or final economically significant rule. An economically significant rule means a rule that is likely to: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; or (2) adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities. In addition, it prohibits judicial review of an independent regulatory agency's compliance with the requirements of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2017
Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas Act or the SHIPS Act This bill declares that it shall be the policy of the United States to have available, as soon as practicable, at least 355 battle force ships, comprised of the optimal mix of platforms, with funding subject to the annual authorization and appropriation of funds.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2017
Recognizes: U.S. Capitol Police Special Agents David Bailey, Crystal Griner, and Henry Cabrera for responding to and ultimately ending the threat to Members of Congress, their staff, and others during the shooting at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14, 2017; the Police Department, the Office of the Sheriff, and the Fire Department of Alexandria, Virginia, and the first responders who reported to the scene; victims Steve Scalise, Zachary Barth, and Matthew Mika, who survived the shooting; and the U.S. Capitol Police for their professionalism, vigilance, and self-sacrifice in protecting Members of Congress and congressional employees, visitors, and facilities. Recognizes that threats to Members of Congress also threaten the foundations of our representative democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2017
Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act of 2017 or the SITSA Act This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish a new, sixth schedule of controlled substances—schedule A. A drug or substance in schedule A has a chemical structure that is similar to, and an effect on the body that is similar to or greater than, a controlled substance in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V. The bill adds 13 synthetic fentanyl-related substances to schedule A. It also authorizes, and establishes procedures for, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to temporarily and permanently place a drug or substance in schedule A. The bill establishes criminal penalties for an individual who imports, exports, manufactures, distributes, or possesses with intent to distribute a schedule A substance. However, it explicitly prohibits criminal and civil penalties solely for possession of a schedule A controlled substance. The bill makes it unlawful to import, export, manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a schedule A substance that is not clearly labeled. Finally, it establishes new, separate DEA registration requirements for manufacturers, distributors, and importers and exporters of schedule A substances.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2017
Advancing Medical Resident Training in Community Hospitals Act of 2017 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise payment rules for graduate medical education (GME) costs with respect to a hospital that establishes a new medical residency training program. With respect to a hospital that has not entered into a GME affiliation agreement, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall establish the hospital's full-time equivalent (FTE) resident amount only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period. In the case of a hospital with an approved FTE resident amount based on the training of no more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period before October 1, 1997, or 3.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period after that date, CMS shall provide the hospital an opportunity to have its FTE resident amount reestablished when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold. Current law limits the number, subject to the application of certain adjustments, of FTE residents a hospital may have in allopathic and osteopathic medicine for purposes of Medicare payment. The bill specifies that CMS shall determine a hospital's limitation adjustment only after determining that the hospital's medical residency training program trains more than 1.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period. In the case of a hospital with a limitation adjustment based on the training of no more than 1.0 FTE resident in a cost reporting period before October 1, 1997, or 3.0 FTE residents in a cost reporting period after that date, CMS shall provide the hospital an opportunity to have its adjustment re-determined when the hospital begins training FTE residents in excess of the applicable threshold.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2017
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Jim Bunning, former member of the U.S. Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on June 5, 2017, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Bunning.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2017
Border Enforcement Security Task Force Reauthorization Act of 2017 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), before establishing a Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) unit, to apply risk-based criteria that takes into consideration specified factors, including: whether the area in which the unit would be established is significantly impacted by threats posed by transnational criminal organizations; the extent to which the unit would advance DHS's homeland and border security strategic priorities and related objectives; and whether departmental Joint Task Force operations would be enhanced, improved, or otherwise assisted by the unit. A BEST unit with a port security nexus must be composed of at least one member of: (1) the Coast Guard Investigative Service, and (2) the geographically responsible Coast Guard Sector Intelligence Office. The bill requires DHS to submit an annual report on the BEST program for the next five years, and such report must include: a description of the effectiveness of BEST in disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations; an assessment of how BEST enhances information-sharing, including the dissemination of homeland security information, among federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement agencies; a description of how BEST advances DHS's homeland and border security strategic priorities and effectiveness of BEST in achieving related objectives; and an assessment of BEST's joint operational efforts with departmental Joint Task Force operations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2017
Advancing America's Missile Defense Act of 2017 This bill directs the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to use Department of Defense (DOD) policies to accelerate the development, testing, and fielding of the redesigned kill vehicle, the multi-object kill vehicle, the C3 booster, a space-based sensor layer, an airborne laser on unmanned aerial vehicles, and an additional missile defense site, including the completion of any outstanding environmental impact statements for an additional missile defense site on the east coast or in the midwest regions of the United States. DOD shall, subject to National Missile Defense funding, increase the number of U.S. ground-based interceptors by 28. The MDA shall report to Congress on: (1) infrastructure requirements to increase the number of ground-based interceptors at Missile Field 1 and Missile Field 2 at Fort Greely to 20 ground-based interceptors each, (2) increasing the capacity of the ground-based mid-course defense element of the ballistic missile defense system, (3) the status of the integrated layers of missile defense radars, and (4) a revised missile defense testing campaign plan that accelerates the development and deployment of new missile defense technologies. DOD, by December 31, 2021, shall: (1) execute any requisite construction to ensure that such missile fields or alternative fields at Fort Greely are capable of supporting and sustaining additional ground-based interceptors, (2) deploy 14 additional ground-based interceptors to field 1 or an alternative field at as soon as technically feasible, and (3) identify a ground-based interceptor stockpile storage site for a minimum of 14 ground-based interceptors. The MDA shall develop, test, and deploy a highly reliable space-based missile defense sensor architecture for the ground-based midcourse defense system that provides specified functions and capabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2017
Designates the week of May 15-May 21, 2017, as National Police Week. Expresses support for law enforcement officers across the United States for their efforts to build safer and more secure communities. Recognizes: (1) the need to ensure that law enforcement officers have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect their health and safety; and (2) the members of the law enforcement community for their selfless acts of bravery. Honors and remembers law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Expresses condolences to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2017
Protecting Our Ability to Counter Hacking Act of 2017 or the PATCH Act of 2017 This bill establishes the Vulnerability Equities Review Board to establish and make available to the public policies on matters relating to whether, when, how, to whom, and to what degree information about a vulnerability in a technology, product, system, service, or application that is not publicly known should be shared or released by the government to a non-federal entity. The board must submit to Congress and the President a draft of such policies, along with a description of challenges or impediments requiring legislative or administrative action. Each federal agency shall, upon obtaining information about such a vulnerability, subject such information to a process established by the board for sharing or releasing the information. Process considerations shall include: which technologies, products, systems, services, or applications are subject to the vulnerability; the potential risks of leaving the vulnerability unpatched or unmitigated; the likelihood that a non-federal entity will discover the vulnerability; and whether the vulnerability can be patched or otherwise mitigated. An agency may share or release such information to a non-federal entity without subjecting it to such process if the agency determines that the information is presumptively shareable or releasable. If the board determines that such information should be shared with or released to the vendor that developed or maintains the technology, it shall provide the information to the Department of Homeland Security, which shall share or release the information as directed by the board.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2017
Securing the Border and Protecting Our Communities Act This bill prohibits any sanctuary jurisdiction from receiving any federal infrastructure or transportation funds authorized under: (1) the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grant program, (2) the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-Term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program, or (3) the surface transportation block grant program. Funds that are not allocated to a sanctuary jurisdiction because of such prohibition shall be available for activities carried out under the Secure Fence Act of 2006. "Sanctuary jurisdiction" is defined as a state or state political subdivision that the Department of Justice determines has in effect a statute, ordinance, policy, or practice that: (1) prohibits or interferes with a government entity or official or a person sharing information with federal immigration authorities regarding an individual's immigration status; (2) prohibits any government entity or official from complying with a lawfully-issued Department of Homeland security detainer or notification request concerning the release of an alien; or (3) restricts a person's ability to bid for or be awarded a contract or otherwise retaliates against a person that assists in construction activity pursuant to the Secure Fence Act of 2006.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2017
Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act of 2017 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the Blue Campaign to unify and coordinate DHS efforts to address human trafficking. The campaign shall provide guidance and training to appropriate DHS personnel and other law enforcement personnel regarding: programs to help identify instances of human trafficking; the types of information that should be collected and recorded in information technology systems utilized by DHS to help identify individuals suspected or convicted of human trafficking; systematic and routine information sharing within DHS and among law enforcement agencies regarding such individuals and patterns and practices of human trafficking; techniques to identify suspected trafficking victims along the U.S. border and at airport security checkpoints; methods to be used to train Transportation Security Administration employees to identify trafficking victims and to serve as a liaison and resource regarding trafficking prevention to appropriate state, local, and private sector aviation workers and the traveling public; utilizing resources to educate partners and stakeholders and to increase public awareness of human trafficking; and leveraging partnerships with governmental, nongovernmental, and private organizations to raise such awareness. DHS shall: (1) ensure the integration of information technology systems utilized within DHS to record and track information regarding individuals suspected or convicted of human trafficking; and (2) report to Congress describing the status and effectiveness of, and providing recommendation regarding the appropriate DHS office for, such campaign.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2017
This bill provides that if the Merit Systems Protection Board lacks the number of members required to constitute a quorum, any remaining member of the board shall, upon request by the Special Counsel, extend the period of any stay of any personnel action granted.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2017
Thin Blue Line Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to expand the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty determinations to also include killing or targeting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017
Promotes increased public awareness of motorcycle profiling. Encourages collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement to engage in efforts to end motorcycle profiling. Urges state law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcycle profiling in written policies and training materials.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2017
State Sponsored Visa Pilot Program Act of 2017 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a three-year renewable nonimmigrant W-visa for state-sponsored aliens (and their spouses and children) coming temporarily to the United States to reside in a state to perform services, provide capital investment, direct an enterprise, or otherwise contribute to the state's economic development. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall approve an application for a state sponsored program that: (1) is approved by the state legislature, (2) regulates the employment and residence of state-sponsored nonimmigrants, (3) implements procedures to inform DHS of an individual's failure to comply with the program when the state is made aware of such failure, (4) allows individuals to change employers within a sponsoring state, and (5) implements procedures to annually inform DHS of the address and employment of all such individuals residing in the state. DHS shall terminate the period of authorized status if: (1) the individual resides or works outside the sponsoring state or states, (2) the individual fails to follow state rules, or (3) the state requests such termination, unless another state sponsors the individual. The bill: (1) provides employment authorization for such individuals, (2) allows states to enter into multi-state compacts for joint program implementation or administration, (3) allows states to enforce program rules and regulations against employers, and (4) sets forth compliance and penalty provisions. DHS and the Department of Justice shall jointly develop a visa application fraud prevention program.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2017
Therapeutic Hemp Medical Access Act of 2017 This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA): to add definitions for the terms "cannabidiol," "cannabidiol-rich plants," and "tetrahydrocannabinol concentration"; to exclude cannabidiol and cannabidiol-rich plants from the definition of marijuana; and to remove cannabidiol and cannabidiol-rich plants from coverage under the CSA. It also specifies that no provision of this bill prohibits or restricts the use, production, or distribution of marijuana in a state in which such activities are legal under state law.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2017
Restoring Internet Freedom Act This bill nullifies the rule adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on February 26, 2015, relating to the reclassification of broadband Internet access service as a telecommunications service. The FCC is prohibited from reissuing such rule in substantially the same form, or from issuing a new rule that is substantially the same, unless the rule is specifically authorized by a law enacted after enactment of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2017
Congratulates the students, families, teachers, administrators, and staff of public charter schools across the United States for: (1) making ongoing contributions to public education, (2) making impressive strides in closing the academic achievement gap in U.S. schools, and (3) improving and strengthening the public school system. Expresses support for the ideals and goals of the 18th annual National Charter Schools Week (May 1-May 5, 2017).
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2017
Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017 This bill codifies and revises notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures to require federal agencies to consider: (1) whether a rulemaking is required by statute or is within the discretion of the agency, (2) whether existing federal laws or rules could be amended or rescinded to address the problem, and (3) reasonable alternatives for a new rule. For major or high-impact rules, an agency must: publish a notice of initiation of rulemaking to invite interested parties to propose alternatives and ideas that accomplish the agency's objectives and benefit the public; allow persons interested in high-impact or certain major rules to petition for a public hearing with oral presentation, cross-examination, and the burden of proof on the proponent of the rule; adopt the most cost-effective rule among reasonable alternatives that meet statutory objectives, unless additional benefits justify additional costs; and publish a framework and metrics for measuring the effectiveness of the rule on an ongoing basis. The bill defines: a "high-impact rule" as a rule likely to cause an annual effect on the economy of $1 billion or more; and a "major rule" as a rule likely to cause an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, a major increase in costs or prices, or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, public health and safety, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. Agencies proposing a rule must notify the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and publish a notice of proposed rulemaking that includes: (1) a text of the proposed rule; (2) rulemaking considerations; and (3) for any major rule or high-impact rule, a discussion of alternatives and a preliminary explanation of how the rules meets statutory objectives and how benefits justify costs. When adopting a rule, an agency must publish a notice of final rulemaking that explains its determinations and responds to comments. To obtain public comment on whether rules adopted at the end of a presidential administration should be amended or rescinded, agencies may delay rules that have not yet become effective before the inauguration of a new President. OIRA must establish rulemaking guidelines for: (1) assessing costs and benefits, economic issues, and risk assessments; and (2) avoiding inconsistency or duplication with other agency rules. The bill revises the scope of judicial review to: (1) establish a substantial evidence standard for high-impact rules, (2) allow courts to remand a matter to an agency without setting aside the agency's action, and (3) prohibit review of a determination of whether a rule is a major rule based on an increase in costs or adverse effects. Agencies issuing guidance are: (1) prohibited from foreclosing consideration of issues, (2) required to state that guidance is not legally binding, and (3) required to confer with OIRA on major guidance.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2017
Budgetary Accuracy in Scoring Interest Costs Act of 2017 or the BASIC Act This bill amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require any cost estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Committee on Taxation to include the cost of servicing the public debt.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2017
Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2017 or the Fair Chance Act This bill prohibits: (1) federal agencies and federal contractors from requesting that applicants for employment disclose criminal history record information before receiving a conditional offer of employment, and (2) agencies from requiring an individual or sole proprietor who submits a bid for a contract to disclose criminal history record information regarding that individual or sole proprietor before determining the apparent awardee. The bill: (1) sets forth positions to which such prohibitions shall not apply, such as positions for which prior consideration of criminal history record information is otherwise required by law, positions with law enforcement and national security duties, and positions requiring access to classified information; and (2) requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) to issue regulations identifying additional positions with respect to which the prohibition shall not apply, giving due consideration to positions that involve interaction with minors, access to sensitive information, or managing financial transactions, consistent with relevant federal civil rights laws. The OPM, the Office of Compliance, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the GSA, and DOD must: (1) establish procedures for submitting complaints about, and taking actions against, agency employees and contractors for violating such prohibitions and for appealing such an action; and (2) issue regulations to implement this bill. The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall revise the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement the requirements of this bill. The Bureau of Justice Statistics, in coordination with the Bureau of the Census, must: (1) design and initiate a study on the employment of individuals who are released from federal prison after completing a term of imprisonment for a federal criminal offense, and (2) report to Congress at specified intervals.
![Official portrait of Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d522c3b291177f5fea1f3259232301ee_200.jpg)