Records
Bill· HRH.R. 192 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act This bill requires Amtrak to publicly disclose the annual base pay and bonus compensation paid to an Amtrak executive in a required annual report to Congress. Specifically, Amtrak must incorporate into the annual report the annual base pay and any bonus compensation paid to a member of the executive leadership team. This must include the criteria and metrics used to determine any bonus compensation. Further, Amtrak must make the annual report available on Amtrak's public website.
Bill· HRH.R. 207 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025 or the SHARKED Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish a task force to address and report to Congress about critical needs with respect to shark depredation. (Shark depredation is the partial or complete removal of a hooked fish by a shark directly from a fishing line before the line is retrieved.) The duties of the task force are, among other responsibilities, to (1) develop ways to improve coordination and communication across the fisheries management and shark research communities; (2) identify research priorities and funding opportunities; (3) develop recommended management strategies to address shark depredation; and (4) coordinate the development and distribution of educational materials. The bill specifies that the task force must include representatives of each Regional Fishery Management Council, each Marine Fisheries Commission, the fish and wildlife agencies of coastal states, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The task force must also include researchers and others with relevant expertise. The task force must report its findings to Congress within two years after the bill's enactment and every two years thereafter until the task force is terminated. The task force sunsets within seven years after the date of its establishment.
Bill· HRH.R. 139 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 2025
Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 This bill makes daylight saving time the new, permanent standard time. States with areas exempt from daylight saving time may choose the standard time for those areas.
Bill· SS. 29 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025
Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 This bill makes daylight saving time the new, permanent standard time. States with areas exempt from daylight saving time may choose the standard time for those areas.
Bill· SS. 28 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2025
Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act This bill requires manufacturers of internet-connected devices (e.g., smart appliances) that are equipped with a camera or microphone to disclose to consumers prior to purchase that a camera or microphone is part of the device. The bill does not apply to mobile phones, laptops, or other devices that a consumer would reasonably expect to include a camera or microphone.
Bill· HRH.R. 261 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the Department of Commerce from enforcing certain permit requirements for activities related to undersea fiber optic cables in national marine sanctuaries. Specifically, Commerce may not prohibit or require an authorization for any covered activities related to undersea fiber optic cables if a license, lease, or permit has been issued by a state or federal agency to authorize the covered activity. Covered activities are the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary. The bill also authorizes Commerce to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to engage in interagency cooperation regarding federal agency actions that are likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure a resource in a national marine sanctuary and involve covered activities.
Bill· HRH.R. 252 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Secure Our Ports Act of 2025 This bill prohibits owners or operators of certain U.S. maritime transportation facilities from contracting for the lease, ownership, or operation of facilities with enterprises partly or wholly owned by China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia. The covered facilities are located at ports in areas that are subject to enhanced transportation security requirements, including the requirement for an Area Maritime Transportation Security Plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 248 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Baby Changing on Board Act This bill requires Amtrak passenger rail trains to have a baby changing table in at least one restroom in each car, including in an Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990-compliant restroom. The bill applies to passenger rail trains that are (1) owned and operated by Amtrak, and (2) solicited for purchase after the bill's enactment for use by Amtrak.
Bill· SS. 69 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2025
Curtailing Online Limitations that Lead Unconstitutionally to Democracy's Erosion Act or the COLLUDE Act This bill limits federal liability protection, sometimes referred to as Section 230 protection, that generally precludes providers and users of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company) from being held legally responsible for content provided by a third party. Specifically, the bill removes the protection if a provider restricts access to or availability of content containing political speech because of a governmental request unless the request serves a legitimate law enforcement or national security purpose. In addition, the bill changes legal procedures for applying the protection. Currently, the protection serves as broad immunity that typically allows the early dismissal of lawsuits, thereby preempting lawsuits and statutes that impose liability for third-party content. This bill makes the protection an affirmative defense, which means the provider or user must prove that the protection applies before the lawsuit may be dismissed.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 22 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025
This resolution calls on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to revoke its transgender student-athlete eligibility policy and urges the NCAA to require its member conferences to conform to a biological sex-based policy across all sports and all divisions.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 21 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025
This resolution recognizes October 10, 2025, as American Girls in Sports Day. The resolution also calls on sports-governing bodies in the United States and abroad to protect biological women and girls in sports.
Bill· SS. 71 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2025
Baby Changing on Board Act This bill requires Amtrak passenger rail trains to have a baby changing table in at least one restroom in each car, including in an Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990-compliant restroom. The bill applies to passenger rail trains that are (1) owned and operated by Amtrak, and (2) solicited for purchase after the bill's enactment for use by Amtrak.
Bill· SS. 93 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025 This bill extends through FY2030 and modifies the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act to address algal blooms and hypoxia (deficiency of oxygen) in U.S. marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems. Harmful algal blooms are high concentrations of algae that may create nuisance or toxic conditions that are harmful to humans, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy. The bill directs the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia to submit to Congress an action strategy for harmful algal blooms at least once every five years. The bill also expands the task force's membership to include the Department of Energy. The bill also expands the duties of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia program. NOAA must also carry out a variety of activities related to monitoring, predicting, preventing, mitigating, and responding to marine, coastal, and Great Lakes harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events. For example, NOAA must establish (1) a national network of observing systems for monitoring, detecting, and forecasting harmful algal blooms; and (2) a national-level incubator program to increase the number of strategies, technologies, and measures available to prevent, mitigate, and control harmful algal blooms. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency must develop and enhance operational freshwater harmful algal bloom monitoring, observing, and forecasting programs in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs and carry out other activities related to researching freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events.
Bill· HRH.R. 390 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2025
Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations Act or the ACERO Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project. The ACERO project conducts research and development activities regarding aerial response to wildfires using uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and other advanced aviation technologies. It is administered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The bill directs the ACERO project to address airspace management and deconfliction during wildfire response efforts, including through real-time information sharing among response teams and the development of a platform to provide situational awareness of aerial assets. The bill also directs the ACERO project to establish a multiagency concept of operations to facilitate the coordination of aerial wildfire response among federal, state, and local government agencies. NASA must consult with other federal agencies and departments to avoid duplication of these efforts. NASA generally may not procure UAS manufactured or assembled by specified foreign entities, including entities domiciled in or controlled by China, for use by the ACERO project.
Bill· SS. 103 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Bill· SS. 97 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act This bill requires the SelectUSA program to solicit comments from state economic development organizations regarding federal efforts to increase foreign direct investment in semiconductor-related manufacturing and production. SelectUSA must then report to Congress on such comments and the strategies that SelectUSA may employ to increase such investment and to secure the U.S. semiconductor supply chain. SelectUSA is a Department of Commerce program established to coordinate federal efforts to attract and retain business investment in the United States.
Bill· SS. 99 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Strengthening Support for American Manufacturing Act This bill requires the Department of Commerce to contract with the National Academy of Public Administration to study and report on the offices and bureaus of the department that are relevant to critical supply chain resilience and manufacturing and industrial innovation. The report must evaluate the purpose, statutory authority, effectiveness, efficiency, and limitations of each such office and bureau and provide recommendations to improve their effectiveness, efficiency, and impact.
Law· SS. 98 (119th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2025
Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a process to vet applicants for certain funding programs that support affordable broadband deployment in high-cost areas, including rural communities. Specifically, the FCC must conduct a rulemaking to develop a vetting process for applicants seeking funding under high-cost universal service programs for the deployment of a broadband-capable network and the provision of supported services over the network. The FCC must require applications for such funding to document each applicant’s technical, financial, and operational capabilities related to the proposed deployment, as well as a reasonable business plan. The FCC must evaluate applications against reasonable and well-established standards and must consider each applicant’s history of compliance with the requirements of other government broadband funding programs. After the rulemaking is finalized, funds may only be awarded to applicants that satisfy the standards established therein. Finally, the FCC must set financial penalties for applicants that default in some manner during the evaluation process before they are authorized to begin receiving support.
Bill· HRH.R. 531 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act of 2025 This bill revises federal requirements for U.S. commercial fishing vessels operating in the South Pacific. The changes reflect amendments to the South Pacific Tuna Treaty that were agreed to at Nadi, Fiji, on December 3, 2016. The treaty details mutual obligations of the United States and 16 Pacific Island countries when U.S. fishing vessels operate in the region.
Law· SS. 146 (119th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act or the TAKE IT DOWN Act This bill generally prohibits the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals, both authentic and computer-generated, and requires certain online platforms to promptly remove such depictions upon receiving notice of their existence. Specifically, the bill prohibits the online publication of intimate visual depictions of an adult subject where publication is intended to cause or does cause harm to the subject, and where the depiction was published without the subject’s consent or, in the case of an authentic depiction, was created or obtained under circumstances where the adult had a reasonable expectation of privacy; or a minor subject where publication is intended to abuse or harass the minor or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. Violators are subject to mandatory restitution and criminal penalties, including prison, a fine, or both. Threats to publish intimate visual depictions of a subject are similarly prohibited under the bill and subject to criminal penalties. Separately, covered platforms must establish a process through which subjects of intimate visual depictions may notify the platform of the existence of, and request removal of, an intimate visual depiction including the subject that was published without the subject’s consent. Covered platforms must remove such depictions within 48 hours of notification. Under the bill, covered platforms are defined as public websites, online services, or applications that primarily provide a forum for user-generated content.
Bill· SS. 111 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2025
Red Snapper Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from restricting certain fishing activities in the South Atlantic until data from the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count study is integrated into the next South Atlantic red snapper Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment. The bill provides that NOAA may not issue an interim rule, final rule, or Secretarial Amendment establishing an area closure or a bottom fishing closure for specified species until (1) the study is complete; and (2) the study data is integrated into the first South Atlantic red snapper SEDAR stock assessment that is carried out after the bill's enactment. The limitation applies to fishing for species managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, including red snapper, grouper, and porgy. (Closures generally restrict recreational and commercial fishing to prevent overfishing and for other conservation purposes.)
Bill· SS. 153 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2025
Repeal the TikTok Ban Act This bill repeals the prohibition on distributing, maintaining, updating, or providing internet hosting services for a foreign adversary controlled application (e.g., TikTok) and nullifies any existing designation of a website or application as a foreign adversary controlled application. Under current law, a foreign adversary controlled application is a website or application directly or indirectly operated by (1) ByteDance, Ltd., TikTok, their subsidiaries, successors, or related entities they control; or (2) a social media company that is controlled by a foreign adversary country and determined by the President to present a significant threat to national security. (Here, the term social media company excludes any website or application primarily used to post product reviews, business reviews, or travel information and reviews. The term foreign adversary country means North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran.) Current law generally prohibits the distribution, maintenance, implementation of updates, or provision of hosting services for a foreign adversary controlled application, unless an approved divestiture transaction results in the application no longer being controlled by a foreign adversary country, among other requirements.
Bill· SS. 174 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025
Amtrak Transparency Act This bill increases Amtrak's open meeting and public disclosure requirements. Specifically, the Amtrak Board of Directors must comply with federal open meeting requirements under the Government in the Sunshine Act. In addition, at least 30 days prior to the board convening, the board must publicly post an announcement of the meeting and the anticipated meeting agenda. The board must also annually convene a meeting to which state departments of transportation with long-distance routes or state-supported routes are invited to participate. Further, Amtrak must publicly disclose the discretionary bonus compensation paid to an Amtrak officer or non-bargaining unit employee. Upon request, Amtrak must also disclose to a state or the State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee vendor agreements of $250,000 or more for certain services on state-supported routes.
Bill· SS. 161 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2025
She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety Act or the She DRIVES Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to revise motor vehicle safety standards to require the use of certain anthropomorphic test devices (i.e., crash test dummies) and testing on female crash test dummies. Specifically, DOT must issue final rules to revise the current testing regulations to include specific adult male and adult female frontal impact and side impact crash test dummies. The final rules must establish or update the testing injury criteria based on real-world injuries and the greatest potential to increase safety. The injury criteria must include head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, upper leg, and lower leg criteria for the crash test dummies. The final rules must also establish crashworthiness frontal and side impact tests for adult female occupants in all front seating positions that are currently tested for adult male occupants (as of the date of the bill's enactment). Further, DOT must promulgate a final decision notice to update the testing procedures for the New Car Assessment Program of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require the use of these crash test dummies for frontal and side impact crashworthiness testing. Finally, DOT must submit reports to Congress that, among other things, identify timelines for DOT to incorporate additional types of crash test dummies into the regulations and identify testing devices used in other countries for similar crashworthiness standards.
Bill· SS. 191 (119th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025
Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently Act of 2025 or the LICENSE Act of 2025 This bill requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCA) to revise regulations to relax certain requirements related to commercial driver's license (CDL) testing. Specifically, the FMCA must allow a state or third-party examiner who has maintained a valid CDL test examiner certification and has previously completed a CDL skills test examiner training course to administer the CDL knowledge test, so long as they have completed one unit of instruction regarding the CDL knowledge test. The FMCA must also allow a state to administer a driving skills test to any CDL applicant regardless of the applicant's state of domicile or where the applicant received driver training. As background, the FMCA implemented temporary waivers for similar CDL testing-related requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These waivers have since expired.
Bill· SS. 195 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025
American Music Tourism Act of 2025 This bill directs the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) of the Department of Commerce to promote tourism to music-related and sports attractions. The bill requires NTTO to promote domestic and international travel and tourism to U.S. music festivals, concert venues, and other music-related attractions and locations. The bill also expands NTTO's current mandate to facilitate sports and recreation events and activities to include the promotion of international travel and tourism to such activities in the United States. NTTO must report its activities and findings to Congress within one year after the bill's enactment and, thereafter, every two years.
Bill· SS. 196 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025
Mitigating Automated Internet Networks for Event Ticketing Act or the MAIN Event Ticketing Act This bill expands measures to protect the security and integrity of online ticket sales. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of applications that perform automated tasks to purchase event tickets from online ticket sellers in circumvention of the seller's posted ticket purchasing order rules. This includes using software applications that circumvent access control systems or security measures. In addition, online ticket sellers must establish, implement, and maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the seller's website or service. Further, online ticket sellers must report known incidents of circumvention to the Federal Trade Commission and take reasonable steps to address any such incidents. The bill establishes civil penalties for violations of the provisions of this bill (and related prohibitions under current law) and authorizes the commission to bring civil actions for such violations. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies must coordinate as appropriate with the commission to share information about known instances of cyberattacks against the websites or online services used by ticket sellers. The commission must report to Congress on the status of enforcement actions taken under this bill.
Bill· SS. 190 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 2025
North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act This bill makes certain changes to the North Pacific Research Board, including changes to the board’s composition and allocations for funding for administrative expenses. The board sets research priorities and administers grants to support research on fisheries and marine ecosystems in the waters surrounding Alaska. Specifically, this bill adds to the board one additional member to represent Alaska Natives. This board member must have personal knowledge of and direct experience with subsistence uses of resources (the practice of relying on the surrounding environment as a source of food and material). The bill also imposes a three-year term limit on those board members representing fishing interests and Alaska Natives, and permits such members to serve one additional term upon reappointment. With respect to funding, under current law the board may use up to 15% of grant program funding for administrative expenses (e.g., support for the board and grant administration). Under the bill, if the program's total funding in a given fiscal year is less than its total funding in the prior fiscal year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may increase the 15% cap on administrative expenses for that fiscal year. Any such increase must prioritize supporting the board’s continued operation, maximizing funds directed to research, and maintaining high-quality grant administration. Further, the bill waives the 15% cap altogether for five years following the bill’s enactment.
Bill· SS. 233 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025
Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act of 2025 This bill requires the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to annually evaluate the governance and procedures of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Specifically, the ONDCP, in consultation with the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the Athletes' Advisory Council (Team USA AC), must determine whether WADA has a credible and independent governance model that provides for fair representation of the United States; fully implements or has implemented governance reforms to ensure independent governance; and has fair processes and procedures for selecting independent athletes for decision-making roles on the WADA Executive Committee, the WADA Foundation Board, and relevant expert advisory groups, standing committees, permanent special committees, and working groups of WADA. If the ONDCP determines WADA has not met these criteria, the ONDCP must use all available tools and efforts to bring WADA into compliance with them. Further, upon such a determination, the ONDCP may withhold up to the full amount of the United States' membership dues to WADA.
Law· SS. 216 (119th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2025
Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act This bill reauthorizes and modifies administration of Marine Debris Program (MDP) activities and the Marine Debris Foundation. (The program and the foundation support efforts to assess, prevent, and otherwise address marine debris and its adverse impacts on the U.S. economy, the marine environment, and navigation safety.) First, the bill reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Marine Debris Program through FY2029. The bill authorizes NOAA to provide contributions for MDP project costs on an in-kind basis in an amount that NOAA determines represents the value it derives from the project. The bill also authorizes NOAA to enter into agreements other than cooperative agreements, contracts, and grant agreements for projects. Next, the bill modifies requirements for the Marine Debris Foundation and reauthorizes it for FY2025. Among other changes, the bill designates the current Chief Operating Officer (i.e., the first officer or employee appointed by the board) as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and specifies that the board has the authority to appoint, review the performance of, and remove the CEO. The bill authorizes the CEO to appoint, supervise, and remove foundation employees and officers. Further, the bill directs the foundation to develop and implement best practices for conducting outreach to Indian tribes and tribal governments. The foundation must locate its principal office in the National Capital Region or a coastal shoreline community. Finally, the bill authorizes the foundation to match contributions from regional organizations, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and foreign governments.
Bill· SS. 245 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025
Insure Cybersecurity Act of 2025 This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to establish a working group on cyber insurance policies. Under the bill, these are defined as policies that offer coverage for losses, damages, and costs incurred due to cyberattacks and related incidents. The working group is directed to analyze and address issues in the cyber insurance market facing both insurers and their customers. Specifically, the working group must develop information for customers on how to effectively evaluate policy options, and for insurers on how to clearly communicate with customers regarding policy provisions. Additionally, the working group is directed to analyze and explain in layman’s terms terminology commonly used in cyber insurance policies, including terminology used to include or exclude coverage for losses from cyber incidents; how common policy provisions correspond to cyber incidents and potential responses, including ransomware and potential ransom payments; and constraints faced by insurers in covering higher losses in cyber risk areas, such as reputational damage and loss of intellectual property. At the conclusion of the working group's term, NTIA must publish and disseminate informative resources for cyber insurance stakeholders, including any recommendations formulated by the working group.
Bill· SS. 246 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025
Interstate Transport Act of 2025 This bill permits an individual to transport a knife between two places (e.g., states) where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport the knife. The knife must be transported in compliance with the bill's accessibility and secure storage requirements, unless it is an emergency knife or tool designed to cut seat belts. An individual who is transporting a knife in compliance with this bill may not be arrested for a knife violation unless there is probable cause to believe the individual failed to comply with the accessibility or secure storage requirements.
Law· SS. 254 (119th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025
Alaska’s Right To Ivory Sales and Tradition Act or the ARTIST Act This bill prohibits states from imposing bans on marine mammal products produced by Alaska Natives. Specifically, states may not prohibit the importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of marine mammal ivory, marine mammal bone, or baleen legally produced by an Alaska Native as an authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing.
Bill· SJRESS.J.Res. 7 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2025
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Federal Communications Commission titled Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program and published on August 20, 2024. The rule permits schools and libraries participating in the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support program (E-Rate) to purchase discounted Wi-Fi hotspots and associated mobile connectivity service for off-premises use by students, school staff, and library patrons. Under the rule, E-Rate participants must implement acceptable use policies that require hotspots to be used primarily for educational purposes.
Bill· SS. 244 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2025
Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act or the ROUTERS Act This bill requires the Department of Commerce, in consultation with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, to conduct a study on the national security risks posed by consumer routers and modems (including devices that combine a modem and router) and provide the results of the study to Congress. The study must address devices developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons (i.e., individuals and entities) owned by, controlled by, or subject to the influence of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.
Bill· SS. 258 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2025
Tornado Observations Research and Notification Assessment for Development of Operations Act or the TORNADO Act This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to evaluate and improve its communications about hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, and other hazardous weather events. Specifically, NOAA must establish a Risk Communication Office to evaluate the effectiveness of NOAA's communications and to identify ways to provide simpler and clearer information to the public about hazardous weather events. NOAA must also (1) establish a research program to modernize its communication systems, and (2) establish a pilot program to implement the research with respect to communications about tornadoes. Additionally, the bill requires NOAA to develop a strategic plan for implementing the Warn-on-Forecast System, which aims to provide more advanced warnings of thunderstorm-related events (e.g., tornadoes). The bill also requires NOAA to evaluate its tornado rating system and to conduct post-storm assessments of significant events. The bill also provides statutory authority for NOAA's Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (known as VORTEX-USA), a collaborative project between meteorologists and social scientists to study the conditions that contribute to dangerous tornadoes in the Southeast and the best ways to communicate these events to the public. Finally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the National Weather Service's communication technology, particularly with respect to timely notices of hazardous weather events.
Bill· SS. 259 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2025
Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to annually publish a list of entities that hold a license or other authorization granted by the FCC and have ties to specified foreign countries. With respect to entities holding cable landing licenses (for the placement and operation of submarine communications cables) or other licenses granted via competitive auction, the FCC must publish a list of all such entities (1) in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest, or (2) that have been determined by a national security agency to be subject to the control of a covered entity. With respect to entities holding all other categories of FCC licenses or other authorizations, the FCC must first issue rules facilitating the collection of information on such licensees’ ownership structure. After that information is obtained, the FCC must add to the published list any such entity in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest. Under the bill, a covered entity is defined as an entity organized in China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; a subsidiary of such an entity; or the government of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.
Law· SS. 260 (119th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2025
Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration to issue or update guidance to minimize the risk for contamination of breast milk, baby formula, purified deionized water for infants, juice, and related products that are subject to re-screening or additional screening, including by ensuring adherence to hygienic standards. Related products include ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs, and other accessories required to cool breast milk, baby formula, and juice. In addition, the bill directs the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General to audit compliance with these requirements and submit a report to Congress.
Bill· SS. 257 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2025
Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2025 This bill requires the Industry and Analysis office of the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce to monitor and respond to disruptions in critical industries and supply chains. Specifically, the office must (1) establish the Supply Chain Resilience Working Group; (2) assess, map, and model critical supply chains; (3) identify high-priority supply chain gaps and vulnerabilities in critical industries; (4) identify and evaluate the effect of potential supply chain disruptions on market stability; and (5) collaborate with other governmental bodies and key international partners to identify opportunities to reduce supply chain gaps and vulnerabilities. Additionally, the office, in consultation with the working group and specified nongovernmental entities, must make recommendations and implement a strategy to improve the security and resiliency of manufacturing capacity and supply chains for critical industries (including critical industries for emerging technologies). The bill includes various reporting requirements.
Bill· SS. 281 (119th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2025
Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act or the TICKET Act This bill requires ticket sellers (including sellers on the secondary market) for concerts, performances, sporting events, and similar activities to clearly and prominently disclose the total ticket price for the event at the time the ticket is first displayed to an individual (and anytime thereafter during the purchasing process). Prior to completing a purchase, ticket sellers also must provide an itemized list of the base ticket price and each fee (e.g., service fee, processing fee, or other charge). The total ticket price must also be disclosed in any advertisement, marketing, or price list. Additionally, a ticket seller, secondary market seller, or ticket exchange that does not have actual or constructive possession of an event ticket is prohibited from selling or advertising a ticket for the event. However, a secondary market seller or exchange may sell or advertise a service to obtain an event ticket for an individual if the seller or exchange (1) does not market the service as an event ticket, (2) maintains a clear separation between the provided service and the event tickets throughout the entire purchasing process, and (3) clearly discloses that the service is not an event ticket. The bill establishes additional disclosure requirements for ticket sellers, secondary market sellers, and ticket exchanges, and requires such entities to issue a refund for the total ticket price if an event is canceled or postponed. The Federal Trade Commission must enforce these requirements.