United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower Act or the RISE Act This bill establishes requirements for institutions of higher education (IHEs) concerning students with disabilities. Specifically, the bill requires IHEs to allow students to use certain documents, such as individualized education programs, to establish their disabilities. In addition, IHEs must make the process for determining the eligibility for accommodations transparent. Finally, IHEs must submit key data related to their undergraduate students with disabilities for inclusion in federal postsecondary institution data collection efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Hammers' Law This bill authorizes a party in a civil suit to recover nonpecuniary damages (i.e., damages for loss of care, comfort, and companionship) when an individual dies as a result of a cruise ship accident that occurred on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles from the U.S. shore. The nonpecuniary damages may be in addition to other damages, but punitive damages are not recoverable. Current law already permits these damages to be recovered if a death was caused by a commercial aviation accident on the high seas.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Coal Council Certainty Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to reinstate the National Coal Council (NCC), which provided DOE with advice and guidance about policies concerning coal until its charter expired in November 2021. The bill permanently extends the NCC's original charter and thus prevents the reinstated council from expiring.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Rural Hospital Support Act This bill modifies and extends certain payment adjustments for rural hospitals under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system. Specifically, the bill indexes payment adjustments for sole community hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals to FY2016 operating costs, if it results in higher payments for such hospitals. The bill also makes payment adjustments for Medicare-dependent hospitals and low-volume hospitals permanent (the adjustments currently expire at the end of FY2024).
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2023 or the ADVANCE Act of 2023 This bill sets forth provisions to develop and deploy advanced nuclear fuel for the United States and certain allied countries, restrict the possession or ownership of enriched uranium from Russia or China, clean up hazardous land, and establish related requirements. Specifically, the bill provides incentives for developing and deploying new nuclear technologies, such as reduced licensing fees and prize awards for deploying such technologies. It also extends through 2045 the indemnification policy under the Price-Anderson Act that limits liability related to the nuclear industry. It also requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to (1) develop a process that enables timely licensing of nuclear production facilities or utilization facilities at brownfield sites, and (2) establish an initiative to enhance preparedness and coordination with respect to the qualification and licensing of advanced nuclear fuel. NRC may hire specialized staff without regard to civil service laws to address its critical licensing or regulatory oversight needs. The NRC must also coordinate certain international nuclear activities and may establish an International Nuclear Reactor Export and Innovation Branch within the Office of International Programs. The bill allows certain foreign entities to receive licenses under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 for nuclear utilization facilities as specified by the bill. The bill also allows the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct activities to assist in cleaning up certain abandoned mining sites on tribal lands that are hazardous.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service titled Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Northern Long-Eared Bat and published on November 30, 2022. This rule reclassifies the northern long-eared bat ( Myotis septentrionalis ) from a threatened species to an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. The rule also removes the northern long-eared bat's species-specific rule, which applied only when the bat was listed as a threatened species.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Don't Weaponize the IRS Act This bill codifies regulations promulgated by the Trump Administration exempting certain tax-exempt organizations from specified reporting requirements. Specifically the bill increases from $5,000 to $50,000 the gross receipts threshold used to determine the eligibility of tax-exempt organizations for the exemption from certain disclosure and reporting requirements; expands the definition of organization to include tax-exempt charitable organizations and organizations with no significant activities relating to lobbying, political activity, and the operation of a trade or business; exempts from disclosure the names and addresses of contributors to an organization in its annual informational return; and extends exemptions from reporting requirements to political action committees (i.e., 527 organizations).
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Ally's Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover certain hearing devices and systems (e.g., bone-anchored auditory implants) and related items and services. The financial requirements and treatment limitations applicable to such coverage may be no more restrictive than the requirements and limitations for other medical and surgical benefits covered under the plan. Further, a plan may not deny or limit coverage based on the plan's review of the medical necessity of such items or services.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act This bill places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. Additionally, the bill establishes a new, alternative registration process for schedule I research that is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Veterans Affairs or that is conducted under an investigative new drug exemption from the Food and Drug Administration. The bill also makes several other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances, waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
This resolution recognizes the 30th anniversary of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program and commends the accomplishments of its graduates. Additionally, the resolution reaffirms the commitment of the Senate to support the program and its mission to help and develop the character of at-risk youth in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
This resolution encourages (1) the people of the United States to join in a national effort to salute AmeriCorps members, alumni, and Americorps Seniors volunteers and to raise awareness about the importance of national and community service; and (2) all individuals to consider opportunities to serve in AmeriCorps and Americorps Seniors.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act of 2023 This bill requires pass-through pricing models, and prohibits spread-pricing, for payment arrangements with pharmacy benefit managers under Medicaid. The bill also extends funding for retail pharmacy surveys and requires additional information with respect to price concessions and survey participation to be made publicly available.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
Ending China's Unfair Advantage Act of 202 3 This bill prohibits the expenditure of federal funds to implement the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer until the agreement is amended to remove China from the list of developing countries . The bill also prohibits the expenditure of federal funds to support the operations and meetings of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change until China is moved to the list of high-income countries that have more specific commitments regarding national plans, reporting, and assisting low-income countries.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
National Plan to End Parkinson's Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a project to prevent and cure Parkinson's disease (a progressive brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements) and related conditions. Among other components of the project, HHS must (1) implement and periodically update a national plan to coordinate and guide efforts to prevent, slow the progression of, and cure the disease; and (2) improve diagnosis, treatment, and care of those with the disease. HHS must also annually assess the preparations for and response to the increased burden of Parkinson's disease. In addition, the bill establishes a council, comprised of federal and nonfederal stakeholders, to advise HHS on and make recommendations concerning the prevention and treatment of Parkinson's disease. The provisions of the bill terminate at the end of calendar year 2035.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
One Stop Shop for Small Business Licensing Act of 2023 This bill requires the Office of Entrepreneurship Education of the Small Business Administration to establish a website that provides licensing and business permit information for small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
Combating Illicit Xylazine Act This bill criminalizes the illicit use of xylazine. (Xylazine, also known as Tranq , is a sedative that is approved for use in animals. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported an increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine.) Specifically, the bill establishes criminal penalties for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, xylazine for illicit use (i.e., for use in humans) in accordance with the penalties for schedule III substances (up to 10 years imprisonment or, if death or serious bodily injury occurs, up to 15 years imprisonment, as well as criminal fines). In addition, the DEA must coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration to report on the prevalence of the illicit use of xylazine, including associated supply chains. The bill also declares the illicit use of xylazine as an emerging drug threat.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
This resolution designates March 2023 as National Women's History Month. The resolution also recognizes the celebration of such month as a time to reflect on the contributions that women have made to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
FAST Fix Act of 2023 This bill modifies provisions governing the administration of the Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) program. Specifically, the bill encourages FAST program grants to be awarded to small businesses in underperforming states by requiring the Small Business Administration (SBA) to prioritize such applicants and authorizing the SBA to provide additional assistance to such applicants. The bill defines underperforming states as being the 18 states that receive the fewest Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer awards. Additionally, the bill removes the limit on the number of proposals that may be submitted for inclusion in the FAST program to provide services in any one state. The bill also lowers the matching requirements for the bottom tier of FAST recipients, sets limits on the amount of each award, and extends the period for distribution of grants to two years.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023
Providing Resources for Exceptional Veterans to End Narcotic Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the PREVENT Fentanyl Act This bill expands the Human Exploitation Rescue Operation Child-Rescue Corps program to address fentanyl trafficking. (The program, which is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, trains eligible members and veterans of the Armed Forces as computer forensic analysts to combat child exploitation.) Under this bill, program participants must investigate and analyze fentanyl trafficking in addition to the issues required under current law, such as child exploitation and human trafficking. The bill also changes the name of the program to the Human Exploitation Rescue Operation Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023
STOP Act 2.0 This bill revises requirements related to advance electronic data (AED) on international mail shipments. (The STOP Act of 2018 requires international mail shipments coming into the United States to have AED to address the threat of synthetic opioids and other dangerous items.) Specifically, the bill establishes a new criminal penalty for knowingly misrepresenting the country of origin of an international mail shipment in order to avoid AED requirements. Additionally, five years after enactment, the bill terminates U.S. Customs and Border Protection's authority to exclude countries from AED requirements. The bill establishes additional reporting requirements related to AED, including a requirement for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report the results of randomized tests of packages entering the United States. Further, the bill authorizes DHS, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Postal Service to enter into partnerships with private parcel services or other private information technology entities to develop technology and processes for identifying the origin of fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, and other narcotics and psychoactive substances. The bill also authorizes DHS to share with and receive information from foreign governments regarding (1) shippers with a history of transporting illegal substances, and (2) best practices for detecting the substances. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must train its officers in detecting illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Finally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the implementation of the STOP Act of 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Department of Education on October 12, 2022, that suspends federal student loan payments and discharges debt.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023
This resolution congratulates the people of Greece as they celebrate the 202nd anniversary of the independence of Greece. The resolution also (1) expresses support for the principles of democratic governance to which the people of Greece are committed, and (2) commends Greece's support for the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russian aggression.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023
This resolution designates March 23, 2023, as National Women in Agriculture Day. It also recognizes the important role of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, mentors, and more.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Commission Extension Act This bill extends the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Commission through FY2034.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Not Just a Number Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take specified actions related to its suicide prevention services. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to annually submit a National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report and publish it on a VA website. The VA must also analyze and report on which benefits and services from the VA have the greatest impact on suicide prevention among veterans. The VA must collaborate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a toolkit for state and local coroners and medical examiners that contains best practices for accurately identifying and reporting suicide deaths of veterans. The toolkit must be available on a publicly available website, and the VA and CDC must conduct outreach to state and local agencies to promote the availability and use of the toolkit. The VA must review the findings and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office's management review of the VA's mental health and suicide prevention services and study the feasibility and advisability of creating a suicide prevention office within the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Rural America Health Corps Act This bill establishes a student loan repayment demonstration program for eligible providers who agree to work for five years in a rural area with a shortage of primary, dental, or mental health care providers. For each year of this service, the Department of Health and Human Services must pay one-fifth of the principal and interest on a provider's qualifying loans. Total payments to a provider may not exceed $200,000.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors at certain multilateral development banks, such as the Asian Development Bank, to oppose providing a loan, financial assistance, or technical assistance to China. The executive directors must also advocate and vote to end lending and assistance to a country that has exceeded certain income thresholds.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Strengthening Enforcement to Curtail Unlawful, Risky Entrance to Flights Act of 2023 or the SECURE Flights Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the use of certain warrants and other documents issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as proof of identification at airport security checkpoints. If an individual uses a prohibited document as proof of identification, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must inform ICE, CBP, and local law enforcement to determine whether the individual is in violation of any term of release from custody of the agency. An individual who is in violation may not be permitted to enter a sterile area (e.g., the boarding area) unless the individual (1) is being removed or deported from the United States, or (2) presents a covered valid and unexpired identification document. Examples of covered identification documents include a U.S. passport, a biometrically secure card issued by a DHS trusted or registered traveler program, a state-issued enhanced driver's license, and an employment authorization document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Further, prior to authorizing entry into a sterile area, the TSA must collect biometric information from an individual who (1) does not present a covered identification document, and (2) the TSA cannot verify is a U.S. national. The TSA must submit the information to the national Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT).
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2023
Women's Suffrage National Monument Location Act This bill authorizes the location of a monument on the National Mall to commemorate the women's suffrage movement and the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act of 2023 This bill allows meat and poultry products inspected by State Meat and Poultry Inspection programs to be sold in interstate commerce. Under the inspection programs, the Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service allows states that meet certain requirements to inspect meat and poultry. The state-inspected products are currently limited to intrastate commerce, unless a state opts into a separate Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
American Innovation and Jobs Act This bill revises and expands the deductibility of research and experimental expenditures to allow immediate expensing of such expenditures. It also allows the amortization over a period of at least 60 months of certain other types of research and experimental expenditures not treated as expenses. The bill increases the maximum amount eligible for the tax credit for new and small businesses and increases to 20% the rate of the credit for business startups.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
Improving Access to Mental Health Act of 2023 This bill increases the Medicare reimbursement rate for clinical social worker services. The bill excludes clinical social worker services from the prospective payment system in which predetermined amounts form the basis for payment under Medicare. Additionally, the bill alters the definition of clinical social worker services as it relates to Medicare. Under current law, such services (1) include services performed for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, and (2) exclude services furnished to an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility as a condition of the facility's participation in the Medicare program. The bill repeals these provisions and instead specifies that such services include certain types of health behavior assessment and intervention.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023
Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps, commonly known as the Hello Girls , in recognition of their military service, devotion to duty, and 60-year struggle for veterans' benefits and recognition as soldiers.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives titled Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached "Stabilizing Braces" and published on January 31, 2023. The rule establishes criteria for determining whether a firearm equipped with an attached stabilizing brace that facilitates shoulder fire is a rifle subject to regulation (e.g., registration) under the National Firearms Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 This bill modifies provisions regarding the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly referred to as the duck stamp , including to allow an individual to be carrying an electronic stamp, rather than a paper stamp, at the time of taking waterfowl. The bill requires states to issue electronic stamps at the time of purchase and the Department of the Interior to issue a paper stamp after March 10 each year to each individual who purchased an electronic stamp during that hunting year. The electronic stamps are valid through the first June 30 after issuance.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Airline Operational Resiliency Act of 2023 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report on air carriers' operational preparedness for changing weather and other events related to changing conditions and natural hazards (e.g., flooding, extreme heat, storms, and fire conditions). GAO must also make recommendations for any related legislative and administrative action. As part of the study, GAO must assess the extent to which air carriers are preparing for weather events and natural disasters, as well as changing conditions, that may have an impact on air carriers' operational investments, staffing levels and safety policies, and mitigation strategies; how the Federal Aviation Administration oversees air carriers' operational resilience to these types of events; and steps the federal government and air carriers can take to improve their operational resilience.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023 This bill waives National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements for discharges of fire retardant in connection with fire suppression, control, or prevention activities carried out by a federal land management agency, a state government, a political subdivision of a state, or a tribal government. Federal land management agency is defined as the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2023 or the PHIT Act of 2023 This bill allows a medical care tax deduction for up to $1,000 ($2,000 for a joint return or a head of household) of qualified sports and fitness expenses per year. The bill defines qualified sports and fitness expenses as amounts paid exclusively for participating in a physical activity, including (1) fitness facility memberships, (2) physical exercise or activity programs, or (3) equipment for a physical exercise or activity program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2023 This bill allows a physical therapist to receive payment under Medicare for services provided to the physical therapist's patients by another physical therapist through a qualifying temporary arrangement, regardless of the geographic area or population served. Currently, physical therapists may only receive payment with respect to such arrangements for services provided in medically underserved, rural, or health professional shortage areas.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act of 2023 or the GUARD VA Benefits Act of 2023 This bill imposes criminal penalties on individuals for directly or indirectly soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The commission or attempted commission of such offenses is punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
This resolution (1) recognizes Girl Scouts of the United States of America for 111 years of providing girls with a safe, inclusive, all-girl space where they can hone their skills and develop leadership abilities; and (2) congratulates all Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award in 2022.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
This concurrent resolution declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023
Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the service that working dogs provide to society. The designs of the coins minted under this bill shall be emblematic of the contributions of working dogs to society, including in detection, military service, therapy, and assistance. Treasury may issue coins only during the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2025. All sales of coins shall include a surcharge, which shall be paid to America's VetDogs for general expenses associated with the fulfillment of its mission.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023
Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act of 2023 This bill provides for Medicare and Medicaid coverage of prescription digital therapeutics (i.e., software applications that are used to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must establish a Medicare payment methodology for payments to manufacturers that takes into account certain factors (e.g., ongoing use); manufacturers must report specified information about private payors, subject to civil penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023
Network Equipment Transparency Act or the NET Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to determine (subject to available data) whether the lack of network equipment significantly impacted the deployment of broadband and other advanced telecommunications capability. The FCC must include this determination in its biennial report on the state of the communications marketplace.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023
Sultana Steamboat Disaster Commemorative Coin Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the Sultana steamboat explosion that occured on April 27, 1865, on the Mississippi River. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to the Sultana Historical Preservation Society for the purpose of establishing, operating, and maintaining a museum.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023
Taylor Force Martyr Payment Prevention Act of 2023 This bill expands the institutional factors the Department of the Treasury must consider when making a finding that a foreign financial institution is of primary money laundering concern and is therefore subject to special measures, including the prohibition of opening or maintaining correspondent accounts in U.S financial institutions. Specifically, Treasury must consider (1) the extent to which an institution knowingly provides financial services to Hamas, or to an agent of Hamas; and (2) the extent to which an institution, transaction, or type of account is used to facilitate or promote payments for certain acts of terrorism against U.S. and Israeli citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023
Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology Act or the RESTRICT Act This bill requires federal actions to identify and mitigate foreign threats to information and communications technology (ICT) products and services (e.g., social media applications). It also establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations under the bill. Specifically, the Department of Commerce must identify, deter, disrupt, prevent, prohibit, investigate, and mitigate transactions involving ICT products and services (1) in which any foreign adversary (such as China) has any interest, and (2) that pose an undue or unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the safety of U.S. persons. Additionally, Commerce must identify and refer to the President any covered holding (e.g., stock or security) that poses an undue or unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the security and safety of U.S. persons. If the President determines that the holding poses such a risk, the President may compel divestment of or otherwise mitigate the risk associated with the holding. Commerce may (1) designate any foreign government or regime as a foreign adversary upon a determination that the foreign government or regime is engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to U.S. national security or the security and safety of U.S. persons, and (2) remove such a designation. Commerce must notify Congress before making or removing a designation; these actions are subject to congressional disapproval. The bill outlines (1) enforcement mechanisms, including actions by the Department of Justice; and (2) civil and criminal penalties for violations.