United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
21st Century Assistive Technology Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2024, modifies the funding allocations for, and makes administrative and other changes to certain grants and programs to increase access to assistive technology devices and assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities. These devices include any item, piece of equipment, or system that is used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities (e.g., wheelchairs, hearing aids, or screen readers and computer software), and an assistive technology service is a service that directly assists an individual with a disability with selecting or using such devices, including by evaluating the individual's needs or expanding access to such devices and technology. Among other changes, the bill revises requirements for certain technical assistance to support grant recipients with data collection and other activities, increases requirements for collaboration between agencies that are implementing certain state grants for assistive technology and other state agencies that receive other sources of federal funding for this technology, and includes older adults more explicitly in the scope of particular programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
Grant Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency Act of 2019 or the GREAT Act This bill requires the establishment and use of data standards for information reported by recipients of federal grants. The bill requires the Office of Management and Budget, jointly with the executive department that issues the most federal grant awards, to (1) establish government-wide data standards for information reported by grant recipients, (2) issue guidance directing federal agencies to apply those standards, and (3) require the publication of recipient-reported data collected from all agencies on a single public website. Each agency shall ensure its awards use the data standards for future information collection requests.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2019
Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone Calls Act of 2019 or the DO NOT Call Act This bill increases and establishes criminal penalties, which include imprisonment for up to one year, for an intentional violation of the prohibition on automated telephone marketing and messaging. In addition, a person may be imprisoned for up to three years for an aggravated violation of such prohibition if the person (1) previously has been convicted of such an offense, (2) initiates a certain high volume of such calls during specified periods of time, (3) commits the offense in the furtherance of a felony, or (4) causes losses of at least $5,000 during any one year period to one or more persons. The bill also increases from $10,000 to $20,000 the fine for intentionally transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller identification information.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019
Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act or the Broadband DATA Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to change the way broadband data is collected, verified, and reported. Specifically, the FCC must collect and disseminate granular broadband service availability data (broadband maps) from wired, fixed-wireless, satellite, and mobile broadband providers. To do this, the FCC is required to establish the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric (a dataset of geocoded information for all broadband service locations, atop which broadband maps are overlaid) as the vehicle for reporting broadband service availability data. Additionally, the FCC must put forth specified requirements for service availability data collected from broadband providers, and it must create a challenge process to enable the submission of independent data challenging the accuracy of FCC broadband maps.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019
Horseracing Integrity Act of 2019 This bill establishes the Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority as an independent, private non-profit corporation with responsibility for developing and administering an anti-doping and medication control program for (1) Thoroughbred, Quarter, and Standardbred horses that participate in horse races; and (2) the personnel engaged in the care, training, or racing of such horses. The Federal Trade Commission shall have oversight over the authority. An interstate compact may be established after five years to take over the authority's duties. The sale of a Thoroughbred, Quarter, or Standardbred horse shall be considered an unfair or deceptive act or practice if the seller (1) knows or has reason to know the horse has been administered a substance that the authority determines has a long-term degrading effect on the soundness of the horse, and (2) fails to disclose to the buyer the administration of such substance.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019
Kids Eat Local Act of 2019 This bill modifies Department of Agriculture requirements for the national school food programs relating to the purchases of locally produced food. The bill allows institutions participating in the school food programs to use locally grown, locally raised, or locally caught as a product specification in food procurement requests.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019
Affordable Medications Act This bill revises and expands various requirements relating to prescription-drug pricing and affordability. Specifically, the bill expands financial reporting requirements for drug manufacturers and establishes corresponding civil penalties for noncompliance; adds reporting requirements for certain nonprofit patient-assistance programs; requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to negotiate prices for certain prescription drugs under Medicare; requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation within the CMS to test specified models for negotiating drug prices; establishes reporting requirements, and corresponding civil penalties for noncompliance, for pharmaceutical companies with respect to spikes in prescription-drug prices; establishes an excise tax on prescription drugs subject to price spikes; lessens prescription-drug cost-sharing requirements under qualified health plans and group health plans; modifies requirements for the importation of prescription drugs; requires drug manufacturers to provide drug rebates for drugs dispensed to certain low-income individuals under the Medicare program; limits the time frame that trade agreements are required to provide market exclusivity for biological products; establishes an innovation incentive fund for new or more effective treatments of bacterial infections; establishes a Center for Clinical Research within the National Institutes of Health; revises certain time frames and conditions related to drug exclusivity; requires the Food and Drug Administration to establish a database of generic drugs; and modifies other provisions related to generic drugs, prescription-drug advertising, disclosure of wholesale acquisition prices, and patent-infringement proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2019
This resolution expresses support for the rights, freedoms, and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. The resolution r ecognizes that LGBTQ rights are human rights and protected by the U.S. Constitution and international treaties. Additionally, the resolution encourages the celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month in June.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2019
Every Child Deserves a Family Act This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or religion in the provision of child welfare programs and services by entities receiving federal funding. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must provide technical assistance to help states follow this requirement, including (1) guidance for bringing state laws into compliance, (2) developing training to increase cultural competency related to social identity, and (3) training for judges and attorneys involved in child welfare cases, among other supports. Additionally, HHS must establish the National Resource Center on Safety, Well-Being, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ Children and Youth Involved with Child Welfare Services to provide training, technical assistance, and guidance to applicable state and local agencies and service providers. Further, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act may not be the basis for challenging the application or enforcement of this bill. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on states' compliance with the requirements of the bill no later than three years after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2019
Military Justice Improvement Act of 2019 This bill modifies the process for convening courts-martial for sexual assault cases and certain other offenses. For example, the bill authorizes independent military prosecutors to decide whether to convene courts-martial for (1) sexual assault cases and other specified crimes punishable by confinement of more than one year; and (2) other specified offenses, such as retaliation for reporting a crime, regardless of the maximum punishment authorized for the offenses. Under current law, the military's chain of command generally has sole decisionmaking authority as to whether to prosecute such cases.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2019
Fair and Accurate Medicaid Pricing Act of 2019 or the Fair AMP Act This bill alters certain requirements and definitions under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program relating to rebate calculations. Specifically, the bill repeals the requirement that drug manufacturers include the prices of certain authorized generic drugs when determining the average manufacturer price (AMP) of brand-name drugs (also known as a "blended AMP"), and excludes manufacturers from the definition of "wholesalers" for purposes of rebate calculations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2019
Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers Act of 2019 or the POST Act of 2019 This bill modifies requirements for a proprietary (i.e., for-profit) institution of higher education (IHE) to participate in federal student aid programs. Current law requires a proprietary IHE to derive at least 10% of its revenue from sources other than federal student aid. This bill requires a proprietary IHE to derive at least 15% of its revenue from sources other than federal funds (i.e., it replaces the so-called 90/10 rule with an 85/15 rule). Additionally, the bill limits what a proprietary institution may treat as revenue to the school in calculating whether it derives at least 15% of its revenue from sources other than federal funds. Finally, the bill makes compliance with the 85/15 rule a condition of institutional eligibility to participate in federal student aid programs (i.e., failure to comply results in immediate loss of institutional eligibility). Currently, a proprietary IHE must violate the rule for two consecutive years before losing eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2019
Task Force on the Impact of the Affordable Housing Crisis Act of 2019 This bill establishes the Task Force on the Impact of the Affordable Housing Crisis and requires the task force to make recommendations on how to use affordable housing to improve the effectiveness of federal programs and improve life outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to arrange for the award of a single gold medal to the U.S. Army Ranger veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated wartime service. Following its award, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it shall be available for display and research.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2019 This bill directs the President to establish and implement a five-year strategy to contribute toward ending preventable child and maternal deaths globally by 2030. The President shall designate a current U.S. Agency for International Development employee to serve as the Child and Maternal Survival Coordinator. The coordinator shall oversee (1) the five-year strategy, and (2) international maternal and child health and nutrition programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2019
Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act or the REAADI for Disasters Act This bill establishes programs and requirements to assist individuals with disabilities and the elderly with disaster preparedness. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall award disaster response grants to eligible entities to carry out projects to create opportunities for disabled individuals and older adults to contribute to disaster response and mitigation. The bill also establishes the National Commission on Disability and Aging Rights and Disasters to address the rights of disabled individuals and older adults throughout the period of preparation for and response to disasters. The Government Accountability Office must study the compliance of federal agencies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in expending funds to support disabled individuals and older adults in responding to and mitigating disasters.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
Ski Area Fee Retention Act This bill establishes the Ski Area Fee Retention Account. A specified portion of rental charges for ski area permits on a Forest Service unit shall be deposited in such account. Amounts in the fund shall be available to the unit for expenditure without further appropriation for ski area administration, improvements, visitor services, and leasing of administrative sites. Funds may be reallocated only if the rental charges collected exceed the reasonable needs of the unit.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
This concurrent resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. The resolution also honors the bravery and skill of the crew of Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong, Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, and Michael Collins; and commends the efforts of all individuals of the United States who contributed to the achievement of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2019
International Climate Accountability Act This bill prohibits implementation of the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the United Nations agreement to address climate change adopted December 12, 2015. The President shall annually report to Congress a plan for how the United States will achieve its goals to reduce greenhouse gases under the agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2019
Strengthen And Fortify Existing Bridges Act of 2019 or the SAFE Bridges Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish a program to assist states to rehabilitate or replace bridges found to be structurally deficient. States shall use program funds for projects to rehabilitate and replace such bridges and to maintain their surface coating and corrosion protection systems.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2019
Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2019 This bill revises provisions of the low-income housing tax credit and renames it as the affordable housing credit . The bill increases the per capita dollar amount of the credit and its minimum ceiling amount beginning in 2019 and extends the inflation adjustment for such amounts. The bill modifies tenant income eligibility requirements and the average income formula for determining such income. It also revises rules for student occupancy of rental units and tenant voucher payments and prohibits any refusal to rent to victims of domestic abuse. The bill further modifies the credit to establish a 4% minimum credit rate for certain housing projects, repeal the qualified census tract population cap, prohibit local approval and contribution requirements, increase the credit for certain projects designated to serve extremely low-income households, increase the credit for certain bond-financed projects designated by state agencies, eliminate the basis reduction for properties that receive certain energy-related tax benefits, and increase the population cap for difficult development areas (i.e., areas with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to area median gross income). The bill also includes Indian and rural areas as difficult development areas and modifies other requirements relating to casualty losses, acquisition credits, and foreclosures.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Advancing Education on Biosimilars Act of 2019 This bill addresses education for the public and for health care providers regarding biosimilars. (Biosimilars are biological products approved by the Food and Drug Administration based on their similarity to an already approved biological product.) The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a website for educational materials on the meaning and use of biosimilars and interchangeable biological products. HHS must also develop or improve continuing medical education programs for health care providers regarding biosimilars.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Ticks: Identify, Control, and Knockout Act or the TICK Act This bill establishes the Office of Oversight and Coordination for Vector-Borne Diseases within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The office must develop a national strategy to address, and coordinate the federal response to, Lyme disease and other tick- and vector-borne diseases. The office must support research initiatives, tick- and disease-surveillance programs, and diagnostic-testing development, among other activities. HHS must also award grants to support the establishment of Regional Centers of Excellence in Tick and Vector-Borne Diseases. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must form cooperative agreements with state, local, and tribal health departments to address such diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
This resolution designates June 2019 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month and June 27, 2019, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day. The resolution supports (1) the education of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, their families, and the public about post-traumatic stress; and (2) efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to foster cultural change around the issue of post-traumatic stress. The resolution also encourages officers of the Armed Forces to support treatment of members of the Armed Forces who suffer from post-traumatic stress.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Tax Relief for Student Success Act This bill treats certain scholarship or fellowship grants received by children as earned income of the child for the purposes of the kiddie tax (the tax on the unearned income of children). This has the effect of exempting the grants from such tax. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Worker Ownership, Readiness, and Knowledge Act or the WORK Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to (1) establish within the Employment and Training Administration an Employee Ownership and Participation Initiative to promote employee ownership and participation in business decisionmaking; and (2) establish a program that may include grants for outreach, technical assistance, and training, to encourage new and existing state programs to foster employee ownership and participation in business decisionmaking.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish the U.S. Employee Ownership Bank, which must provide, in accordance with specified terms, conditions, and other requirements, financial assistance to increase employee ownership of a company. The bill specifies that, in general, if an employer orders the closing of a plant or facility, the employer must offer its employees an opportunity to purchase the plant or facility through an employee stock-ownership plan or an eligible worker-owned cooperative.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Grandfamilies Act of 2019 This bill expands access to specified programs for children living with grandparents or other family members who are not their legal guardian. Specifically, the bill provides that a child of a relative eligible for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance benefits is eligible for such benefit payments if that child (1) began living with such relative before age 18, (2) receives at least 50% of their support from such relative, and (3) has lived with such relative pursuant to a court order for at least 12 months. Additionally, the bill revises the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility requirements for children living with specified caretaker relatives. First, the bill lessens the requirement for TANF applicants to assign their rights to child support when such assignment may impact the likelihood of reunifying the child with their noncustodial parent, such as where the noncustodial parent is working to gain financial stability so they may reunify with their child. Further, when a child, but not the caretaker relative, receives TANF benefits (i.e., child-only cases), or if the caretaker relative is 55 or older, the bill (1) excludes such caretaker’s income from that child’s eligibility determination, (2) removes the 5-year cap on assistance, and (3) exempts such caretaker relatives from TANF work requirements. The bill also (1) encourages states to enact temporary guardianship laws, (2) establishes the National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies, and (3) provides grants supporting caretaker relatives.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
Women's Health Protection Act of 2019 This bill prohibits state or local governments from imposing certain restrictions on access to abortion services. Specifically, state or local government may not require unnecessary tests or procedures in connection with the provision of abortion services, the same health care provider who provides abortion services to perform such tests or procedures, providers to offer medically inaccurate information to patients before or during abortion services, providers to refrain from prescribing certain drugs, certain hospital facility transfer agreements, one or more medically unnecessary in-person visits, or patients to disclose the reason for seeking abortion services. The bill also prohibits limitations or requirements that both single out and impede access to abortion services based on a number of factors (e.g., restrictions that are reasonably likely to decrease the availability of abortion services in a state). A state or local government also may not prohibit abortions prior to fetal viability nor prohibit abortions after fetal viability in cases where the health care provider determines that continuing the pregnancy poses a risk to the patient's life or health. Additionally, the Department of Justice, individuals, or health care providers may bring a lawsuit to prospectively enjoin a limitation or restriction that is prohibited by this bill. The bill further requires the government defending such a limitation or restriction to show that (1) it significantly advances the safety of abortion services or patient health, and (2) such advancement cannot be met by a less-restrictive measure.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Foster Care Month and for the designation of May 31, 2019, as National Foster Parent Appreciation Day.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2019
This resolution acknowledges the 55th anniversary of the election to the House of Representatives of Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color in Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2019
Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes Act of 2019 or the ECHO 2019 Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a grant program that supports the implementation of certain educational, specialty health care technology in rural or medically underserved areas. Specifically, HHS must award grants to health care entities serving rural areas, health-professional shortage areas, medically underserved populations, or Native Americans for specified videoconferencing technology that connects health professionals with specialists (e.g., chronic-disease, mental-health, and substance-use disorder specialists).
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2019
Rescuing Animals With Rewards Act of 2019 or the RAWR Act This bill modifies the Department of State rewards program to authorize rewards to individuals who furnish information that assists in the prevention or identification of crimes related to wildlife trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2019
Better Energy Storage Technology Act or the BEST Act This bill addresses grid-scale energy storage systems. The bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish within its Office of Electricity a research, development, and demonstration program for grid-scale energy storage systems. DOE must enter into agreements to carry out not more than five demonstration projects and develop a 10-year strategic plan and cost targets for grid-scale energy storage systems.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2019
Promoting Grid Storage Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish certain programs for energy storage. DOE must establish a program for the research of energy storage systems, components, and materials. DOE must also establish a technical assistance and grant program for (1) disseminating information and providing technical assistance directly to nonprofit or for-profit entities so those entities can identify, evaluate, plan, and design energy storage systems; and (2) making grants to those entities so that they may contract to obtain technical assistance to identify, evaluate, plan, and design energy storage systems. The bill provides for the establishment of a competitive grant program for pilot energy storage systems.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2019
Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower Act of 2019 or the RISE Act of 2019 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 · 21 May 2019
Behavioral Health Coverage Transparency Act This bill requires the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury to (1) cooperatively issue regulations to require group health plans and health insurance issuers to annually disclose the analyses performed to ensure compliance with mental health parity laws, and (2) conduct annual random audits of group health plans and health insurance issuers to determine compliance. (Mental health parity laws prohibit health insurance plans that cover mental health and substance use disorder services from imposing less favorable limitations on those benefits than are placed on medical and surgical benefits under that plan.) Additionally, HHS must establish a consumer parity unit: (1) to facilitate the collection of, monitoring of, and response to consumer complaints; and (2) to provide consumers information about the disclosure requirements and enforcement of the mental health parity laws.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2019
No Junk Plans Act This bill nullifies a rule by the Department of Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services regarding short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans. Short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans are plans that may only offer coverage for a limited amount of time under law and that are exempt from the market requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (e.g., coverage of individuals with preexisting conditions). The rule increases the maximum authorized duration of such plans from less than 3 months (including renewals) to an initial maximum duration of less than 12 months (with a total duration of up to 36 months, including renewals). The rule took effect October 2, 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2019
Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2019 This bill provides for the automatic acquisition of citizenship for certain individuals adopted by a U.S. citizen. A child born outside the United States and adopted by a U.S. citizen shall automatically acquire citizenship upon meeting certain requirements, regardless of when the adoption was finalized. Currently, adoptees who were over the age of 18 on February 27, 2001, do not automatically acquire citizenship. An individual born outside the United States and residing in the United States shall automatically acquire citizenship if the individual (1) was adopted by a citizen before becoming 18 years old, (2) was physically present in the United States in the citizen parent's custody pursuant to lawful admission before becoming 18 years old, (3) never acquired citizenship before this bill's enactment, and (4) was lawfully residing in the United States on this bill's enactment date. An individual born outside the United States and residing outside the United States but who otherwise meets all of the requirements shall automatically acquire citizenship upon being physically present in the United States pursuant to lawful admission. Such an individual shall be subject to a background check. If the background check reveals the individual has committed a crime that was not properly resolved, the individual may not receive a visa unless the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State have coordinated with law enforcement to ensure that action was taken to resolve the issue.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2019
This resolution recognizes the contributions made by the Air Force personnel responsible for operating and maintaining the Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation of satellites; those made by the Department of Transportation in coordinating interactions with civil users of the GPS; and the importance of continuous availability, accuracy, efficiency, robustness, reliability, and resiliency of the GPS constellation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2019
This concurrent resolution expresses support for efforts to ensure that all women have access to comprehensive, preventative, and affordable health care services and are able to receive unbiased information about those services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
Protecting Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations From Terrorism Act of 2019 This bill establishes in the Department of Homeland Security a Nonprofit Security Grant Program, under which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall make grants to eligible nonprofit organizations (tax-exempt organizations and those determined to be at risk of a terrorist attack) for target hardening and other security enhancements to protect against terrorist attacks.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to specify that National Urban Search and Rescue Response System task forces may include federal employees.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
This resolution celebrates the 100th anniversary of the passage and ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, providing for women's suffrage. The resolution also reaffirms the desire of Congress to continue strengthening democratic participation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
Election Security Act of 2019 This bill addresses election security through grant programs and requirements for voting systems and paper ballots. The bill establishes requirements for voting systems, including that systems (1) use individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots; (2) make a voter's marked ballot available for inspection and verification by the voter before the vote is cast; (3) ensure that individuals with disabilities are given an equivalent opportunity to vote, including with privacy and independence, in a manner that produces a voter-verified paper ballot; and (4) be manufactured in the United States. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) must award grants to study, test, and develop accessible voter-verified paper ballot voting and best practices to enhance the accessibility of such voting for individuals with disabilities, for voters whose primary language is not English, and for voters with difficulties in literacy. The EAC must award grants to states to (1) replace certain voting systems, carry out voting system security improvements, and implement and model best practices for ballot design, ballot instructions, and the testing of ballots; and (2) conduct risk-limiting audits. The bill provides for information sharing with states regarding threats to election infrastructure. The Department of Homeland Security must issue a national strategy to protect against cyberattacks, influence operations, disinformation campaigns, and other activities that could undermine the security and integrity of democratic institutions. The EAC must provide for the testing of voting system hardware and software and decertify such technology that does not meet guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
Stopping The Outrageous Practice of Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2019 or the STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2019 This bill prohibits health care providers and health insurance plans from billing enrollees in excess of the in-network amount for specified health care services provided out-of-network. Specifically, a plan or provider may not charge an enrollee more than the in-network amount for services that are emergency services provided by an out-of-network provider or at an out-of-network facility; nonemergency services provided at an in-network facility by an out-of-network provider; or nonemergency services provided out-of-network to an enrollee who initially enters through an emergency room for emergency services, except under specified circumstances. Additionally, health insurance plans must pay the median in-network amount, minus the enrollee's in-network cost-sharing amount, directly to a health care provider. The bill also establishes an independent review process to resolve billing disputes between insurance plans and providers.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
RTP Funding Transparency Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation to carry out an assessment of the best available estimate of the total amount of nonhighway recreational fuel taxes received by the Department of the Treasury and transferred to the Highway Trust Fund for the period covered by the assessment.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
Promoting Readiness in Education to Prevent Additional Remediation and Expense Act This bill establishes grants and subgrants to address rates of postsecondary remediation. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states for certain activities, including aligning high school graduation requirements with entrance requirements for credit-bearing coursework in institutions of higher education (IHEs); developing statewide articulation agreements between IHEs and local educational agencies (LEAs); developing statewide standards for student placement in remedial coursework based on multiple indicators, including grade point average and completion of high school courses; and providing monitoring, training, technical assistance, and capacity building to entities receiving subgrants. States receiving such grants must award subgrants to partnerships between LEAs and IHEs. Entities receiving such subgrants must use funds to develop and implement programs and activities that improve high school education to prevent remedial education at the postsecondary education level, including activities related to advanced coursework and summer bridge programs; and strengthen remedial education at the postsecondary education level, including activities related to corequisite courses, technology-enhanced diagnostics and delivery of remedial education, and additional supports for certain students. The bill directs ED and the Institute of Education Sciences to contract with a third party to conduct an independent evaluation of the policies and services provided by the bill. The bill also specifies reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2019
Rural Reasonable and Comparable Wireless Access Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish a national standard—informed by data gathered on broadband service in the 20 most populous metropolitan areas in the United States—to determine whether the broadband service available in rural areas is reasonably comparable to that of urban areas.
![Official portrait of Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h001076_200.jpg)