Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6]

United States-Israel Health Technologies Cooperation Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023

Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program Reauthorization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023

Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. Under the program, certain health care providers may receive up to $250,000 in repayment assistance for higher education loans if they provide treatment or recovery services for those with substance use disorders. Providers must work full-time for at least six years at an approved facility that is in a locality with a higher-than-average rate of drug overdose deaths or that is in a mental health professional shortage area. 

Recycling and Composting Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023

Recycling and Composting Accountability Act This bill establishes data collection and reporting requirements concerning composting and recycling programs. Specifically, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must issue several reports related to composting and recycling, including a report on the capability of the United States to implement a national composting strategy in order to reduce contamination rates for recycling. The EPA must also inventory certain facilities that recycle residential materials and describe the materials that the facilities can process; collect data related to curbside and drop-off recycling and composting programs in order to establish a comprehensive baseline of data for the U.S. recycling system; and develop and disseminate best practices that states, local governments, and Indian tribes may use to enhance recycling and composting. The EPA must also develop a metric for determining the proportion of recyclable materials in commercial and municipal waste streams that is being diverted from circular markets, which are markets that utilize industrial processes and economic activities to enable post-industrial and post-consumer materials used in those processes and activities to maintain their highest values for as long as possible. After developing the metric, the EPA must then study the proportion of recyclable materials in such waste streams that were diverted from those markets in the prior ten years. Finally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the recycling practices of federal agencies.

HEAL Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023

Halting the Epidemic of Addiction and Loss Act of 2023 or the HEAL Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that references in its grant programs to opioid overdose reversal agents are inclusive of any such agents that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, HHS must ensure that regulations, guidance, and other documents for grant programs that include references to opioid overdose reversal agents (e.g., naloxone) encompass any opioid overdose reversal agent that has been approved by the FDA. HHS must also update such references with respect to materials that were previously issued for State Opioid Response Grants, Tribal Opioid Response Grants, and Programs of Regional and National Significance for substance use disorder prevention. 

North Pacific Ocean Protection Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023

North Pacific Ocean Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in the following areas of the Outer Continental Shelf: the Washington/Oregon planning area, the Northern California planning area, or the Central California planning area.

Relieving Economic Strain to Enhance American Resilience and Competitiveness in Higher Education and Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023

Relieving Economic Strain to Enhance American Resilience and Competitiveness in Higher Education and Research Act or the RESEARCHER Act  This bill requires executive guidance and policy changes with respect to the compensation and benefits afforded to graduate and postdoctoral researchers. Specifically, the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy must develop a set of policy guidelines for federal agencies to address the financial instability of graduate and postdoctoral researchers. The guidelines must address certain issues, including stipends that are appropriately indexed to cost-of-living adjustments, health care benefits, and affordable housing and child care. Federal agencies must develop policies that are consistent with such guidelines within six months of the guidelines' issuance. Additionally, the National Science Foundation must (1) provide awards to institutions of higher education or nonprofits to collect data on the financial instability of graduate and postdoctoral researchers, and (2) contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to report on stipends for graduate and postdoctoral researchers relative to their cost-of-living expenses. The Government Accountability Office must report on the implementation of relevant policy changes. 

Expressing support for the designation of June 12, 2023, as "Women Veterans Appreciation Day".

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023

This resolution expresses support for the designation of Women Veterans Appreciation Day to recognize the service and sacrifices of women veterans.

Condemning the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

This resolution condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i religious minority and Iran's continued violation of international human rights treaties. The resolution calls on Iran to (1) immediately release Baha'is and others imprisoned or detained solely on account of religion, (2) end its state-sponsored campaign of hate propaganda against the Baha'is, and (3) reverse certain policies that discriminate against Baha'is and other religious minorities. The resolution also urges the President and the Department of State to impose sanctions on Iranian officials and others who are responsible for serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran's Baha'i community.

To amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize grants to Indian Tribes to further achievement of Tribal coastal zone objectives, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

This bill authorizes the Department of Commerce to award competitive grants to (1) tribal governments to further achievement of tribal coastal zone objectives, and (2) Native Hawaiian organizations to further achievement of the coastal zone objectives identified in a corresponding approved management program. Tribal coastal zone objective means, with respect to a tribal government and its tribal coastal zone, any of the following objectives: protecting, restoring, or preserving areas in the zone that hold important ecological, cultural, or sacred significance for the tribal government or traditional, historic, and aesthetic values essential to the tribal government; preparing and implementing a special area management plan and technical planning for important coastal areas; and taking any coastal or shoreline stabilization measure for the purpose of public safety, public access, or cultural or historical preservation.

Recognizing World Oceans Day and the necessity to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild our ocean and its resources.

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

This resolution recognizes World Oceans Day and affirms the individual and collective duty, both nationally and internationally, to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild our oceans and its resources. It also expresses commitment to increasing the investment of federal funds into scientific research and monitoring to better understand the changing oceans, empower the federal government to address and mitigate the effects of the changing climate, and accomplish the goals of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

IT Service Corps Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

LGBTQ I+ Data Inclusion Act This bill addresses federal data collection of voluntary, self-disclosed information on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics. Specifically, the bill requires federal agencies that collect information through a survey for statistical purposes that includes demographic data (where subjects self-report information or a proxy provides information about the subject or responds for all persons in a household) to review existing data sets to determine which data sets do not include information about sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics. Such agencies must assess needed changes in survey methods related to asking questions on such matters. Agencies that publish reports relying on survey demographic data must include information on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics. Agencies may waive this publication requirement on a case-by-case basis if the confidentiality of the information cannot be maintained or if adding such information to the survey would impair the agency's ability to preserve the utility, accuracy, or objectivity of the survey while also generating relevant evidence about the LGBTQI+ community. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the implementation of this bill's requirements by agencies.

Neighborhood Homes Investment Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

Neighborhood Homes Investment Act This bill allows a business-related tax credit for certain development costs for the acquisition, rehabilitation, or remediation of qualified real property (i.e., real property affixed on a permanent foundation and comprised of four or fewer residential units, a condominium unit, or a house or apartment owned by a cooperative housing corporation). The bill also provides for the exclusion from gross income, for income tax purposes, of the value of any subsidy provided to a taxpayer by any state energy office for purposes of improvements made to a qualified residence.

Sustaining Healthy Ecosystems, Livelihoods, and Local Seafood Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

Sustaining Healthy Ecosystems, Livelihoods, and Local Seafood Act or the SHELLS Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an Office of Aquaculture and an Aquaculture Advisory Committee. The term aquaculture means the propagation and rearing of aquatic species in controlled or selected environments, including ocean ranching (with exclusions). Specifically, the Office of Aquaculture must encourage and promote aquaculture operations that promote U.S. food security and limit adverse environmental effects. USDA must also establish a 14-member Aquaculture Advisory Committee to advise USDA on (1) developing and advancing aquaculture best practices; (2) the history, use, and preservation of indigenous and traditional aquaculture practices and ecological knowledge; and (3) providing technical assistance to aquaculture farmers and businesses.

Forest Data Modernization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023

Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 2023 This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a grant program to support youth fishing projects. Under the program, NOAA must award grants to nonprofit organizations; educational institutions; state, local, or tribal governments; or Native Hawaiian organizations for conducting youth fishing projects. Funds from the grants must be used for related purposes, such as (1) the purchase or rental of fishing equipment; (2) fees for boats, piers, or other facilities; (3) fishing licenses; and (4) fishing guide costs. In awarding such grants, NOAA must prioritize proposals for projects focused on underserved communities. NOAA must also provide technical assistance related to the youth fishing projects. The bill also requires NOAA to report to Congress regarding (1) the entities that were awarded grants, (2) the amount of funds disbursed, and (3) the activities and number of participants funded by the grants.

TAP Promotion Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

American Family Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023

American Family Act This bill provides for a new fully refundable child tax credit and monthly advance payments of credit amounts.

Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023

Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2023 This bill provides for coverage under Medicare of genetic counseling services that are furnished by genetic counselors. Covered services include those services, as well as incidental services and supplies, that would otherwise be covered under Medicare if provided by a physician.

Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023

Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act This bill revises the licensing process of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for animal dealers and exhibitors to expand USDA's oversight and enforcement of animal welfare requirements. Dealers and exhibitors must apply to USDA for licenses or renewal licenses each year. In order to obtain the licenses or renewals, dealers and exhibitors must meet certain standards for the humane treatment of animals and pass inspections as specified by this bill. USDA may not issue or renew such licenses if the dealers or exhibitors have violated laws relating to animals or if the issuance of the licenses would facilitate the circumvention of state or local laws that prohibit the private ownership of certain animals. Further, USDA must suspend the licenses of dealers or exhibitors whose violations present a risk to animal welfare. USDA must revoke the licenses if the violations persist or if the licensees commit multiple violations. Dealers and exhibitors with suspended or revoked licenses may not be (1) granted another license, (2) granted another license through another person or entity, or (3) employed by another licensee to work with animals during the period of the suspension or revocation.

Pride In Mental Health Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023

Pride in Mental Health Act of 2023 This bill establishes grants and reporting requirements concerning the mental and behavioral health of youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or questioning, nonbinary, intersex, or Two Spirit (gender-variant members of indigenous communities). Specifically, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must award grants to assess and improve mental health and substance abuse outcomes for those youth. Recipients may use grants for providing mental and behavioral health resources for such youth (including training for caregivers and school-based interventions) and collecting data. Recipients may not use grants for any practice or treatment that seeks to change another individual's sexual orientation or gender (i.e., conversion therapy). Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must (1) conduct a survey to measure issues related to mental health and health care among such youth; and (2) report about the mental health and related care of such youth who are in foster care and otherwise participate in federal social services programs. HHS must also review existing publications on SAMHSA's website that focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit individuals and update or commission new publications to fill information gaps related to the mental and behavioral health of those individuals.

Supporting Families through Addiction Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023

Supporting Families through Addiction Act of 2023 This bill directs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to certain nonprofits to develop or expand services for individuals with substance use disorders and their families. 

Trucker Bathroom Access Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023

Trucker Bathroom Access Act This bill expands access to restroom facilities for certain commercial truck drivers, including drayage truck operators. Drayage truck operator means the driver of any in-use on-road vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 33,000 pounds operating on or transgressing through port or intermodal rail yard property for the purpose of loading, unloading, or transporting cargo, including containerized, bulk, or break-bulk goods. Specifically, the bill requires certain retailers, warehouses, and other establishments to give commercial truck drivers access to existing restroom facilities when they are loading or delivering cargo, or waiting to load or transport cargo. Further, operators of marine terminals, including port authorities, must provide drayage truck operators with (1) access to existing restrooms, (2) additional restrooms if necessary, and (3) parking while accessing such restrooms. 

Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023

Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Commerce to designate at least seven entities as Ocean Innovation Clusters. Ocean Innovation Clusters are hubs for private, public, and academic stakeholders to collaborate on opportunities to promote and enhance the maritime industry and the Blue Economy. In designating entities, Commerce shall prioritize entities with a history of supporting cross-sector growth and development of the Blue Economy. (Under the bill, the term Blue Economy generally refers to the value and impact of sustainable industries related to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts on the economy of the United States.) Additionally, Commerce must designate at least one Ocean Innovation Cluster in (1) each of the regions covered by the five regional offices of the National Marine Fisheries Service, (2) the Great Lakes region, and (3) the Gulf of Mexico region. Commerce may award competitive grants for the establishment, operation, and administration of Ocean Innovation Clusters.  

Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2023

Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award supplemental grants to certain federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) for recruiting and retaining mental health care providers who are fluent in another language besides English. HHS must award the grants to FQHCs that are already receiving federal assistance to support outpatient primary care for low-income individuals or other underserved populations. Additionally, HHS must give preference to FQHCs where at least 10% of the patients are best served in a language other than English.

SHIP Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2023

Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act or the SHIP Act This bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions against foreign persons that knowingly transport, process, refine, or otherwise deal in petroleum and petroleum products originating in Iran. These sanctions also extend to certain foreign persons associated with the sanctioned individual, such as adult family members and any entities owned or controlled by the sanctioned individual.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should enact the Older Americans Bill of Rights to establish that older Americans should have the right to live with dignity and with independence.

United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2023

This resolution expresses support for the enactment of the Older Americans Bill of Rights.

Midwives for MOMS Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2023

Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2023 or the Midwives for MOMS Act of 2023 This bill establishes grants within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for establishing or expanding midwifery programs at institutions of higher education and nursing schools. In awarding grants, HRSA must give special consideration to institutions that focus on increasing the number of midwife professionals from underrepresented groups and promote practicing in areas with limited access to professional health care.

Expressing support for Black service members this Memorial Day who gave their lives to protect and defend the United States at home and abroad despite facing racism in the Armed Forces and systemic inequities on United States soil.

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2023

This resolution expresses support for Black service members who gave their lives to protect and defend the United States at home and abroad.

HERO Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023

Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Act or the HERO Act This bill establishes and authorizes a series of programs relating to the behavioral health of law enforcement officers, first responders, 9-1-1 operators, and other public safety officers and health care providers. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must develop best practices for identifying, preventing, and treating post-traumatic stress and co-occurring disorders in public safety officers. HHS must work with the Fire Administration (a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and other federal agencies to incorporate the best practices into education and training programs for public safety officers. In addition, the Fire Administration must develop resources to educate mental health professionals about the workplace stressors and evidence-based therapies to treat mental health issues common to firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) providers. The bill also permits HHS to establish (1) a system at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for reporting suicides of public safety officers, and (2) grant programs to support behavioral health and wellness programs for fire departments, EMS agencies, and health care providers.

Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023

Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2023 This bill provides specific statutory authority for the Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) State Educational Agency Grant Program that is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The program supports school-based mental health services, including screening, treatment, and outreach programs.

Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023

Cady Housh and Gemesha Thomas Student Suicide Prevention Act of 2023 This bill revises certain grants administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that support youth suicide early-intervention and prevention strategies. Specifically, the bill requires SAMHSA to award a portion of the grants for statewide training programs on emotional well-being, mental health, and suicide awareness and prevention for elementary and secondary school students and staff.

Access Technology Affordability Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023

Access Technology Affordability Act of 202 3 This bill allows a refundable tax credit equal to the amounts paid for qualified access technology for use by a blind individual who is the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. Qualified access technology is hardware, software, or other information technology with the primary function of converting or adapting information that is visually represented into forms or formats usable by blind individuals. The credit is limited to (1) costs that are not compensated by insurance or otherwise, and (2) an aggregate amount of $2,000 per blind individual in any period of three consecutive taxable years. The credit must be adjusted for inflation after 2024 and terminates after 2028.

Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2023

Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2023 This bill expands access to menstrual products through federal programs, in certain locations, and for particular groups. It also prohibits states and localities from taxing retail sales of a range of menstrual products (e.g., sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups). The bill expands access to that range of menstrual products by requiring Medicaid to cover those products, establishing a grant program in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to provide benefits to ensure access to those products, and increasing Social Services Block Grant funding for providing those products to low-income individuals and exempting that increase from sequestration (a process of automatic, usually across-the-board cancellations of budgetary resources to enforce specific budget policy goals). Additionally, the bill sets out requirements to make free sanitary napkins and tampons available in federal and state correctional facilities (including Department of Homeland Security detention facilities) and restrooms in federal buildings that are open to the public. Further, the bill (1) establishes a grant program to support the provision of free sanitary napkins and tampons on campuses of institutions of higher education, and (2) permits elementary and secondary schools to use certain grants to provide sanitary napkins and tampons to students. In addition, the bill requires employers with at least 100 employees to provide free sanitary napkins and tampons for employees. It also permits the Emergency Food and Shelter Program to provide sanitary napkins and tampons to homeless individuals.

Congressional Evidence-Based Policymaking Resolution

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2023

Congressional Evidence-Based Policymaking Resolution This concurrent resolution establishes the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking in the legislative branch to review, analyze, and make recommendations for promoting the use of federal data for evidence-building and evidence-based policymaking. Current Members of Congress may not serve on the commission.

VA Work-Study Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2023

VA Work-Study Improvement Act This bill modifies certain pay and eligibility requirements under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) work-study program, including minimum wage and timesheet requirements. The bill expands the list of qualifying work-study activities to include state government, local government, or nonprofit organization activities that would benefit veterans or members of the Armed Forces. The bill also modifies minimum wage requirements under the work-study program. Under the bill, the hourly minimum wage paid under the work-study program must be the higher of (1) the minimum rate of basic pay for any federal employee (under the general schedule or federal wage system pursuant to specified regulations), (2) the hourly minimum wage in the state where the services are to be performed, or (3) the hourly minimum wage of the local government with jurisdiction over the area in which the services are to be performed. Additionally, the VA must ensure that (1) an individual participating in a qualifying work-study activity may electronically record such hours, and (2) the supervisor may electronically approve such records. Finally, the VA must annually publish specified information regarding qualifying work-study activities carried out during the year, including the demographics of individuals participating in the program.

Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023

Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and modifies the authority of the Forest Service to lease its administrative sites. The Forest Service may accept services occurring off of the administrative site as consideration for a lease. The Forest Service may lease an administrative site for up to 100 years, and leases must provide for renewal.

Affordability is Access Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023

PUMP Technical Correction Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023

PUMP Technical Correction Act This bill extends the rights and protections of the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act), enacted in 2022, to congressional employees and other legislative branch staff. Under the act, a covered employee must be provided with break time and private space for expressing breast milk during work hours.  

SAFE Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023

Simplify Automatic Filing Extensions Act or the SAFE Act This bill eliminates the penalty for failure to pay income tax for individual taxpayers who timely pay 125% of their income tax liability for the immediately preceding taxable year.

Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 22 through 26, 2023, as "Educator Mental Health Awareness Week".

United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023

This resolution supports the designation of Educator Mental Health Awareness Week.

FAMILY Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023

Yes In My Backyard Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023

Yes In My Backyard Act This bill requires certain Community Development Block Grant program recipients to submit to the Department of Housing and Urban Development information regarding their implementation of certain land-use policies, such as policies for expanding high-density single-family and multifamily zoning.

HELP Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023

Human-Services Emergency Logistic Program Act of 2023 or the HELP Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to allot funding to states, tribal nations, and territories to improve the 2-1-1 and 9-8-8 telecommunication systems. The 2-1-1 system provides callers with information and referrals with respect to health and human services and other provider agencies, and the 9-8-8 system provides callers with mental health or suicide crisis support and resources through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The funds must be used solely for making the call systems available to all individuals in the service area, enhancing community information and referrals with respect to human services, or both. As a condition of this funding, recipients must appoint a lead entity to manage activities to improve the call systems. Recipients must also establish a Human Services State Oversight Council to provide the lead entity with guidance and oversight related to the call systems. In addition, HHS must establish a Human Services National Board, comprised of federal and non-federal representatives, to manage the allocation of funds and evaluate the call systems.  

Hot Foods Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023

Hot Foods Act of 2023 This bill expands the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to permit the use of SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption.

SAFE Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023

Save America's Forgotten Equines Act of 2023 or the SAFE Act of 2023 This bill permanently prohibits the slaughter of equines (e.g., horses and mules) for human consumption. (Current law prohibits the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. This bill extends the prohibition to equines.) Specifically, this bill prohibits a person from knowingly slaughtering an equine for human consumption; or shipping, transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating an equine to be slaughtered for human consumption or equine parts for human consumption. The bill subjects a violator to a fine. The bill applies to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. However, it does not apply to an activity carried out by an Indian for a religious ceremony. In recent years, appropriations acts have prohibited the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using federal funds to inspect horses before they are slaughtered for human consumption. Therefore, there are currently no USDA-inspected horse slaughter facilities in the United States.

Promoting American Competition in Aquaculture Research Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023

Promoting American Competition in Aquaculture Research Act This bill amends certain limitations on the use of Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding for indirect costs for aquaculture assistance programs. The bill also reauthorizes USDA aquaculture assistance programs through FY2028, which includes research and extension programs.

Keeping All Students Safe Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023

Keeping All Students Safe Act This bill prohibits the use of seclusion and limits the use of physical restraint in schools and Head Start programs that receive federal funding. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of seclusion, which is the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room or area from which the student is physically prevented from leaving. The term does not include a time out, which may involve separating the student from others in a non-locked setting. The bill prohibits the use of mechanical or chemical restraints or physical restraints that restrict breathing or are life threatening. The bill outlines the requirements for the use of physical restraint, including that the student's behavior must pose an imminent danger of serious physical injury to the student or other individual. Each state must ensure that a sufficient number of program personnel are trained and certified by a state-approved crisis intervention training program. Additionally, each program must establish procedures to follow after an incident involving physical restraint. Further, the bill establishes enforcement provisions, including a private right of action for a student who has been subjected to unlawful seclusion or restraint. The Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services must withhold payments from a program for unlawful seclusion or restraint. Finally, the bill requires each state educational agency (SEA) to establish, implement, and enforce policies and procedures required by the bill. It also creates a grant program to assist SEAs with these activities.

Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023

Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2023 This bill authorizes states and local educational agencies (LEAs) to use grant funds provided through the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program for accounting education. In particular, LEAs may use these grant funds to implement programs to teach accounting, including by increasing access to high-quality accounting courses through 12th grade for students who are members of underrepresented groups.

Ritchie Boys Congressional Gold Medal Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023

Ritchie Boys Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the military intelligence professionals at Camp Ritchie, commonly known as the "Ritchie Boys," in recognition of their contributions to the field of human intelligence and their service during World War II.