Computerworldis reporting that Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) is preparingan H-1B bill, which could raise the H-1B cap as high as 195,000 visas.  The current H-1B cap ceiling is 85,000, ofwhich 20,000 are reserved for graduates of at least a US Master’s degreeprogram. 
Sen. Hatch’s bill reportedly is an update ofhis 2015 I-Squared Bill.  TheI-Squared bill was first offered in 2013. The 2015bill contained many excellent provisions for the IT industry and H-1Bemployers.  It remains to be seen whichof these provisions will be in the 2017 version of the bill.  Sen. Hatch is to be applauded for his long-standingbelief in the employment-based immigration system and the contributions made byemployment-based visa holders.
The 2015 bill included these provisions:

-provided H-4 spousal work authorization.
-reduced the ability of the USCISto issue harassing H-1B RFEs.
-gave an H-1B worker a 60 day graceperiod at the conclusion of H-1B status.
-allowed H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-1, E-2,and P-1 visa holders the ability to have their visas extended in the US.
-increased green card numbers.
-eliminated the per-countryimmigrant visa quota.
-created funding for US training programsin STEM fields by increasing USCIS filing fees.