United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2020
More Opportunities for Rural Economies from DOT Grants Act or the MORE DOT Grants Act This bill revises the process for awarding grants under certain programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to high-density public land counties and any units of tribal and local governments within such counties. A high-density public land county is a county that has a population of not more than 100,000 people and in which more than 50% of the land is owned or managed by the federal government. Any requirement for local matching funds under a qualifying grant program must be reduced by 50% with respect to such jurisdictions. On request, DOT must provide additional technical assistance to such jurisdictions during the annual application period for each qualifying grant program. DOT must also prioritize grant applications from such jurisdictions that have not received support under the qualifying grant program during the 10-year period preceding the date of the application.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2020
Apple Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area Establishment Act This bill directs, within five years of enactment of this bill, the Department of the Interior to convey to the town of Apple Valley, California, without consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the surface estate of approximately 4,630 acres of identified land to be known and designated as the Apple Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area . Such conveyance does not include the mineral estate. The conveyance permits the town to use the conveyed land to provide a suitable location for the establishment of a centralized off-road vehicle recreation park; the public with opportunities for off-road vehicle recreation, including a location for races, competitive events, training and other commercial services that directly support a centralized off-road vehicle recreation area and town park; and a designated area and facilities that would discourage unauthorized use of off-highway vehicles in areas that have been identifiedy as containing environmentally sensitive land. The land conveyed may not be disposed of by the town without the approval of Interior. Interior may develop a special management plan for the Apple Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area to enhance the safe use of off-highway vehicles for recreational purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2020
California Desert Conservation Enhancement Act This bill permits an assembled land exchange (i.e., an exchange of federal land for a package of multiple ownership parcels of non-federal land consolidated for purposes of one land exchange transaction) to be used to carry out provisions pertaining to California State School lands through the sale of surplus federal property and subsequent acquisitions of such land. Past and future receipts from the sale of such property, less any costs incurred related to the sale, shall be deposited in a Special Deposit Fund Account. Funds accumulated in the special account may be used by the Department of the Interior to acquire state school lands or an interest in the lands.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2020
Twentynine Palms Outdoor Recreational Enhancement Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to convey, without consideration, to the city of Twentynine Palms in California, at its request, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the surface estate of the land generally identified as Proposed Conveyance to Twentynine Palms . Such conveyance must occur not later than five years after the enactment of this bill. The conveyed land may be used by the city to provide (1) a suitable location for the establishment of a centralized off-road vehicle recreation park, (2) the public with opportunities for off-road vehicle recreation, and (3) a designated area and facilities that will discourage unauthorized use of off-highway vehicles in areas containing environmentally sensitive land.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 2020
Historic Routes Preservation Act This bill allows any state, county, political subdivision or agency of a state, company, or other person asserting the public acceptance of an open-ended grant or dedication of land by the United States for a right-of-way allowing public use and passage for the construction of highways over public lands to file a claim if such claimant, before enactment of this bill (1) filed a notice of an intent to file suit with respect to a claim asserting the public acceptance of such a right-of-way; or (2) filed suit with respect to such a claim under the Quiet Title Act. The bill sets forth (1) a procedure for conclusively verifying, proving, and establishing the acceptance of such rights-of-way; and (2) provisions governing judicial review of a denial of such a claim.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2020
This bill withdraws 370 acres of specified land in San Bernardino National Forest in California from (1) entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2020
This bill withdraws 3,055 acres of specified land in San Bernardino National Forest in California from (1) entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2020
Solar Jobs Preservation Act of 2020 This bill allows a taxpayer election for payments in lieu of the energy tax credit. It also extends such credit for one year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2020
Soda Ash Funding for Education Act of 2020 This bill requires the payment to the Treasury of royalties collected on the quantity or gross value of the output of sodium compounds and related products from federal land. Of the funds deposited in the Treasury, the Department of the Treasury shall (1) disburse 50% to the state within which such leased federal land is located, and (2) deposit 50% in the Soda Ash Education Equalization Fund established by this bill. The fund shall be administered by the Department of Education (ED) to provide resources to local educational agencies impacted by changes in sodium royalty rates or changes in soda ash production levels. ED shall use amounts available in the fund to provide grants to local school districts that meet specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 South Willowbrook Avenue in Compton, California, as the "PFC James Anderson, Jr., Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2020
Native American Language Resource Center Act This bill authorizes the Department of Education to make a grant to or enter into a contract with an eligible entity (e.g., an institution of higher education) to establish, operate, and staff a Native American language resource and training center. The center must serve as a resource to, among other things, improve the capacity to teach and learn Native American languages.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2020
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act This bill establishes grant programs to address neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), and contains other related provisions. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall award grants to eligible entities to support research on and facilitate access to investigational drugs that diagnose or treat ALS. The Food and Drug Administration shall award grants to public and private entities to cover the costs of research and development of drugs that diagnose or treat ALS and other severely debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. HHS shall also establish the Collaborative for Neurodegenerative Diseases, which shall support the development and regulatory approval of drugs that address ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2020
Organizational Fee Fairness Act This bill revises the annual land use fee for organizational camps for their occupancy and use of National Forest System lands in counties in which less than 2% of land is used for farming.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2020
Japanese American Confinement Education Act This bill establishes a museum program on the historical importance of Japanese American confinement during World War II and permanently reauthorizes the Japanese American Confinement Sites preservation program. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish a program of grants to a Japanese American museum to educate individuals in the United States on the historical importance of such confinement and the commitment of the United States to equal justice.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020
Air Carrier Worker Support Extension Act of 2020 This bill extends authority for the Department of the Treasury to provide financial assistance to passenger air carriers, cargo air carriers, and contractors of passenger air carriers for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries, and benefits. The maximum amounts of financial assistance that may be provided by Treasury for this purpose are $25.5 billion for passenger air carriers, $300 million for cargo air carriers, and $3 billion for contractors . The bill provides specific deadlines and procedures under which Treasury must provide financial assistance to air carriers and contractors. To be eligible for financial assistance, an air carrier or contractor must (1) agree not to reduce pay and benefits or conduct involuntary furloughs until March 31, 2021; and (2) agree, through March 31, 2022, not to repurchase stock, pay dividends, or make other capital distributions. Additionally, Treasury may require carriers that receive assistance to maintain service to points served before March 1, 2020. Such authority terminates on April 1, 2022. The bill limits the maximum allowable compensation of an officer or employee of an air carrier or contractor that receives assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020
This resolution recognizes and celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Impact Aid Program. The program provides funding to local educational agencies that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal property or to those that have experienced increased expenditures due to enrollment of federally connected children (e.g., children living on Indian lands or military bases).
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2020
BUILDER Act of 2020 or the Building United States Infrastructure through Limited Delays and Efficient Reviews Act of 2020 This bill revises the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, including by establishing procedures for determining the level of review needed for proposed agency actions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2020
Operation Feed Our Kids Act This bill extends authority through December 31, 2021, for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue waivers of requirements under the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the summer food service program for children due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Under current law, such waiver authority expires on September 30, 2020. Additionally, USDA must extend through at least the end of the 2020-2021 school year all of the child nutrition waivers granted under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that as of September 11, 2020, were set to expire on December 31, 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to furnish, under the Veterans Community Care Program, hyperbaric oxygen therapy to veterans with traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020
Reducing Veteran Homelessness Act of 2020 This bill modifies certain Department of Veterans Affairs programs and services for homeless veterans, including by increasing the per diem rate for grant recipients that provide services to homeless veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2020
This resolution supports the announcements of (1) the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and between Israel and Bahrain, and (2) the suspension of Israeli actions to apply sovereignty in parts of the West Bank. Further, it calls on each of these countries to encourage greater people-to-people normalization, and it calls on other Arab and Muslim countries to establish full relations with Israel. It also reaffirms the House of Representatives' support for a negotiated, two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2020
This bill allows Class II gaming (i.e., bingo and related games) on the approximately 39.36 acres of federal land in Mono County, California, that is held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Bridgeport Indian Colony.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2020
Mono Lake Kutzadikaᵃ Tribe Recognition Act This bill extends federal recognition to the Mono Lake Kutzadikaᵃ Tribe. The bill makes the tribe and its members eligible for services and benefits provided to federally recognized tribes and their members, without regard to the existence of a reservation or the location of the residence of any member. The service area of the tribe is considered to be Mono and Inyo counties, California. In addition, the bill grants the tribe hunting and fishing rights on all federal lands within its aboriginal land area. Further, the tribe must submit a membership roll to the Department of the Interior as a condition of receiving recognition, services, and benefits. The tribe must maintain the membership roll. Interior, upon the request of the tribe, must take into trust certain land in Mono County, California, for the benefit of the tribe.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2020
Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out a five-year pilot program to provide on-campus benefits assistance and counseling to eligible students at tribal colleges and universities. An eligible student is a student who (1) is a veteran, service member, or dependent of a veteran or service member; and (2) is eligible for any service or benefit under the VetSuccess on Campus program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 September 2020
This resolution reaffirms U.S. commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and commends U.S. service members and NATO allies who planned and participated in the DEFENDER-EUROPE 2020 training exercise.
United States · United States Congress · 18 August 2020
Protect Conservation Funds Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of the Interior to issue a grant for the conservation of a species or the habitat of a species that is listed as threatened or endangered under state law only if the listing is consistent with specified federal standards or such species is listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
David Dorn Act of 2020 This bill increases criminal penalties for rioting and related acts, such as inciting or organizing a riot. Specifically, this bill increases the maximum term of imprisonment for such offenses from 5 to 10 years. Additionally, if a fine is imposed for an offense, the bill sets a minimum fine amount of $1,000.
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
This bill increases certain criminal penalties for assaulting, resisting, or otherwise interfering with a federal officer or employee who is performing official duties.
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
This resolution recognizes that federal law enforcement, federal property, and citizens' rights must be protected. The resolution strongly condemns the violence, destruction, crimes, and terrorism throughout our nation and urges justice, order, and domestic tranquility to be restored immediately. Finally, the resolution urges the Department of Justice to prosecute all individuals engaged in these activities to the fullest extent of the law.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020 This bill addresses wildfire preparedness and response. Among other things, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to select three forest landscapes on which to conduct projects to reduce the risk of wildfire, restore ecological health, or adapt to the increased risk of wildfire due to climate change. USDA and the Department of the Interior shall expedite the placement of wildfire detection equipment in areas at risk of wildfire, expedite related permitting, expand the use of satellite data to assist wildfire response, and establish a center to train individuals in methods to mitigate wildfire risk. The bill excludes certain forest management activities from environmental review requirements. Interior may make a determination that an emergency situation exists regarding National Forest System land and authorize specified emergency actions. Such a determination and such actions are not subject to administrative review. Interior shall provide grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support biomass conversion facilities. The bill allows the export of unprocessed timber of dead and dying trees from federal land in California. Interior shall establish a grant program to assist in the development and utilization of innovative activities relating to workforce development in the forest sector, raise public awareness about the forest sector, and connect individuals to careers in the forest sector. The Department of Energy shall provide support to improve the energy resilience, power needs, and energy efficiency of critical facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Qualified Immunity Act of 2020 This bill codifies the defense of qualified immunity for law enforcement officers in any case under provisions regarding civil actions for deprivation of rights under color of law. Specifically, a law enforcement officer subject to such an action in his or her individual capacity shall not be found liable if the officer establishes that the right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Constitution or federal law was not clearly established at the time of the deprivation, or that at this time, the state of the law was not sufficiently clear that every reasonable law enforcement officer would have understood that the conduct alleged constituted a violation of the Constitution or federal law; or a court of competent jurisdiction had issued a final decision on the merits holding, without reversal, vacatur, or preemption, that the specific conduct alleged to be unlawful was consistent with the Constitution and federal laws. A law enforcement agency or unit of local government that employed a law enforcement officer subject to such an action shall not be liable if the officer is found not liable and to have been acting within the scope of his or her employment.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 183 San Geronimo Valley Drive in Woodacre, California, as the "Marylu Giddings Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
This resolution states that Hong Kong's loss of judicial and political autonomy renders individuals residing in the United States vulnerable to a Chinese-controlled judicial system. The resolution urges the United States to suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong until the reestablishment of Hong Kong's judicial independence can be certified.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2020
Save our Stages Act or the SOS Act This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on certain live venues. Specifically, the SBA may make (1) an initial grant of up to $12 million dollars to an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative; and (2) a supplemental grant that is equal to 50% of the initial grant. An initial grant must be used for costs incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, but a supplemental grant may be used for expenses incurred through June 30, 2021. Such grants shall be used for specified expenses such as payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2020
COVID-19 Mine Worker Protection Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to promulgate health and safety standards to protect coal miners from occupational exposure to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Labor shall promulgate emergency standards within seven days of this bill's enactment, and such emergency standards shall be in force until permanent standards are established. Labor shall also collect data to track and investigate cases of exposure to COVID-19 among coal miners.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
This bill extends through December 30, 2022, the coverage period for the Coronavirus Relief Fund to make payments to tribal governments for necessary expenditures incurred as a result of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2020
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. (A journeyman lineworker is a person who builds and maintains electrical power systems.)
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2020
This resolution condemns the advancement of China's national security legislation for Hong Kong. The resolution also advises the United States to coordinate with allies to respond to developments in Hong Kong, including by providing Hong Kong residents who face well-founded fears of persecution an opportunity to emigrate from Hong Kong.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2020
Taiwan Defense Act This bill requires, no later than April 30 every year, beginning in 2021 and ending in 2026, the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit to Congress a report on the progress of DOD with respect to improving the ability of the U.S. Armed Forces to conduct combined joint operations to deny the ability of China to execute a fait accompli against Taiwan. The bill defines fait accompli as the strategy of China designed to allow it to use military force to seize control of Taiwan before the U.S. Armed Forces are able to respond effectively, while simultaneously deterring an effective combined joint response by the Armed Forces by convincing the United States that mounting such a response would be prohibitively difficult or costly.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Improving College Affordability for our Guard and Reserve Act This bill authorizes all members of the Armed Forces—including reservists or those in the National Guard and regardless of their duty status—to claim independent student status when applying for federal financial aid. Currently, active duty service members and veterans of the Armed Forces may claim such independent student status.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2020
The COVID-19 Hospital and Health Provider Loan Forgiveness Act of 2020 This bill establishes and otherwise modifies requirements for the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment Program during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The program provides Medicare payments in advance to eligible providers experiencing claims or cash flow disruptions, such as during national emergencies; the program was specifically expanded in response to COVID-19 to encompass more types of providers, subject to certain recoupment and repayment provisions. The bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to waive recoupment and repayment for providers who meet specified requirements. Among other criteria, providers must not have engaged in surprise billing practices with respect to COVID-19 patients. Providers must still repay any amounts not used for COVID-19 expenses; the bill caps the interest rate on such repayments at 2% upon a demonstration of hardship. The bill also requires private health insurers to treat out-of-network COVID-19 services as in-network for purposes of payment and cost-sharing.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2020
Rent the Camo: Access to Maternity Wear Act This bill directs the Defense Logistics Agency of the Department of Defense to carry out a pilot program to establish an office for issuing maternity-related uniform items to pregnant members of the Armed Forces, on a temporary basis through FY2026 and at no cost to such members.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Just and Unifying Solutions To Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act of 2020 or the JUSTICE Act This bill addresses policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. The bill funds state and local grants, incentivizes state and local reporting on the use of certain policing practices, creates new federal offenses for certain misconduct, establishes a commission to study the conditions affecting Black men and boys, and establishes best practices and training requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
Tribal Reservation Pandemic Protection Act This bill prohibits for one year any federal action to (1) revoke the status of land that is held in trust for the benefit of a federally recognized Indian tribe, (2) revoke a reservation proclamation, or (3) rescind a record of decision on which a trust status or reservation proclamation was established. The bill also nullifies any such federal action taken during the one-year period preceding the bill's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
Operation Overlord Study Abroad Program Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the Department of State to establish a two-week study abroad program in Normandy, France, for eligible U.S. high school students to learn about the historical relationship between the United States and France. The State Department may accept and use donations for program expenditures and shall use such funds before any funds appropriated by the government.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
This bill requires flexible spending arrangements established for 2020 to provide for the rollover of unused benefits or contributions to 2021. It also permits plan participants to modify their election amount and extends the grace period for the 2020 plan year to 12 months after the end of such plan year.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
Holding China Accountable Act This bill prohibits certain Chinese nationals from receiving visas, requires higher education institutions to disclose certain foreign gifts, and restricts the use of foreign public accounting firms by foreign issuers of securities. Specified visas may not be issued to Chinese nationals seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of (1) studying science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a related field; (2) employment in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a related field; or (3) attending a business meeting, conference, or academic or cultural exchange that includes activities related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a related field. The bill also lowers the disclosure threshold regarding gifts to higher education institutions from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Additionally, the bill requires certain disclosures from foreign issuers of securities that use, for the required audit report to the Securities and Exchange Commission, a foreign public accounting firm that is not subject to inspection by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. If an issuer uses such a foreign public accounting firm, the issuer is generally prohibited from listing its securities on a national securities exchange.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020
Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2020 This bill addresses the employment and retraining of veterans, specifically during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a program under which the VA must provide up to 12 months of nontransferable retraining assistance to up to 35,000 eligible veterans for the pursuit of a specified program of education. Under the bill, an eligible veteran is an individual who, among other requirements, is unemployed due to COVID-19. Veterans who receive retraining assistance may only use such assistance to pursue specified programs, including those designed to provide training for high-demand occupations. The Government Accountability Office must report on the outcomes and effectiveness of the retraining assistance program. The bill provides access to the National Directory of New Hires to the VA and the Department of Labor for the purpose of tracking the employment of veterans. The bill makes updates to the VA's High Technology Pilot Program, including by expanding the class of providers of high technology education programs. The bill reauthorizes and expands the program for the provision of off-base transition training for veterans and their spouses, including by requiring a preference for participation by states with economies significantly impacted by COVID-19. Finally, the bill implements a five-year grant program requiring the VA to make grants to organizations for the provision of transition assistance to members of the Armed Forces who are separated, retired, or discharged from the Armed Forces, and spouses of such members.
