United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2020
Save our Stages Act or the SOS Act This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on certain live venues. Specifically, the SBA may make (1) an initial grant of up to $12 million dollars to an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative; and (2) a supplemental grant that is equal to 50% of the initial grant. An initial grant must be used for costs incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, but a supplemental grant may be used for expenses incurred through June 30, 2021. Such grants shall be used for specified expenses such as payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020
This bill allows employers a 50% payroll tax credit for the cost of qualified employee protection expenses and qualified workplace reconfiguration expenses paid in a calendar quarter. The bill defines qualified employee protection expenses as the cost of testing employees for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), equipment to protect employees from COVID-19, and cleaning products or services for preventing the spread of COVID-19; and qualified workplace reconfiguration expenses as amounts paid to design and reconfigure retail space, work areas, break areas, or other employee or customer areas for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and such design and reconfiguration is completed pursuant to a plan in place before March 13, 2020, and completed before January 1, 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2020
Assessing a Cyber State of Distress Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing (1) an authority for the declaration of a cyber state of distress, and (2) a Cyber Response and Recovery Fund. Both required assessments shall include a review of recommendations by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission established to develop a consensus on a strategic approach to defending the United States in cyberspace against cyberattacks of significant consequences. Further, the assessment of an authority for declaring a cyber state of distress shall include the development of additional recommendations relating to (1) any determinations that DHS should make and other actions that should be taken before DHS is authorized to declare or renew a cyber state of distress, (2) the definition of the term significant cyber incident, and (3) the appropriate duration of a cyber state of distress. The assessment of a Cyber Response and Recovery Fund shall include the development of additional recommendations relating to (1) the administration of such a fund, (2) the eligibility of entities that may receive support from such fund, and (3) allowable expenses for such fund. DHS must provide a briefing that includes findings from each assessment and legislative proposals for the establishment of an authority for the declaration of a cyber state of distress and a Cyber Response and Recovery Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program Act This bill requires the General Service Administration (GSA) to establish an Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program to facilitate the adoption of modern technology by executive agencies. The bill lists program responsibilities, including to modernize information technology used by an executive agency and how a customer interacts with the agency; improve cooperation between commercial and executive agency information technology sectors; encourage the adoption of commercial items; and assist executive agencies, on a reimbursable basis, with planning and adoption of technology in focus areas designated by the GSA, which may include, among other things, artificial intelligence. The GSA, for each reimbursable agreement entered into, shall make specified information available on a public website within 30 days of the signing of the agreement and updated upon completion. This bill shall sunset seven years after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
This bill waives certain eligibility requirements for hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program (i.e., a program that allows entities to receive covered outpatient drugs at reduced prices from manufacturers) during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, the bill waives the required minimum proportion of low-income patients served for hospitals that began participating in the program during or prior to the COVID-19 emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2020 This bill alters several programs and requirements relating to the prices of prescription drugs under Medicare and Medicaid. Among other things, the bill requires drug manufacturers to issue rebates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for certain drugs covered under Medicare for which the average manufacturer price increases faster than inflation; requires drug manufacturers to issue rebates to the CMS for discarded amounts of certain single-dose drugs covered under Medicare, based on information reported by providers; reduces the annual out-of-pocket spending threshold, and eliminates beneficiary cost-sharing above this threshold, under the Medicare prescription drug benefit; requires the CMS to publish certain information, as reported by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), relating to drug discounts and rebates, and payments between PBMs, health plans, and pharmacies; requires pass-through pricing models, and prohibits spread-pricing, for payment arrangements with PBMs under Medicaid; and increases the maximum rebate payable by drug manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take specified actions to expedite the provision of broadband internet access service in unserved rural areas. Specifically, the FCC must modify the framework for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction, which aims to facilitate the provision of broadband service to areas that are wholly unserved. Among other requirements, the FCC (1) must accept long-form applications prior to such auction from applicants that are willing to commit to a specified schedule for deploying broadband internet access service, and (2) shall not require applicants to be designated as eligible telecommunications carriers in order to receive Rural Digital Opportunity Fund support. In addition, the bill establishes a deadline of October 1, 2020, for the FCC to create broadband maps that depict the extent of availability of broadband service in the United States and the areas that remain unserved.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act This bill provides emergency funding for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Specifically, it establishes and makes appropriations to a Postal Service COVID-19 Emergency Fund from which the Department of the Treasury shall transfer up to $25 billion certified by the USPS as necessary to cover lost revenue or operational expenses resulting from the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Treasury shall lend the USPS, under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, up to $10 billion at the request of the USPS subject to the terms and conditions of the note purchase agreement between the USPS and the Federal Financing Bank in effect on September 29, 2018. The USPS shall, in coordination with its Board of Governors, develop a plan to ensure the long-term solvency of the USPS.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to provide grants and other forms of emergency assistance to certain providers of transportation services that have experienced a significant revenue loss as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Treasury must ensure equal access to the assistance for small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. As a condition of receipt of assistance, Treasury must require that a provider of transportation services agree to (1) use the funds, on a priority basis, to maintain through December 31, 2020, pay, paid administrative leave, and benefits to all employees after making any adjustments required for retirement or voluntary employee separation; and (2) recall or rehire any employee laid off, furloughed, or terminated because of reduced service as a result of COVID-19, to the extent warranted by increased service levels.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2020
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the World Trade Organization (WTO) is in need of significant reforms and that the United States, acting through the U.S. Trade Representative, must lead efforts to achieve such reforms. Specifically, the Senate urges reforms to the negotiating and dispute settlement functions of the WTO, as well as to the rules for special and differential treatment for disadvantaged countries.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2020
Peace Corps Commemorative Work Extension Act This bill extends through January 24, 2028, the authority of the Peace Corps Commemorative Foundation to establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to commemorate the mission of the Peace Corps and the ideals on which the Peace Corps was founded.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2020
Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services Act or the TREATS Act This bill modifies requirements relating to coverage of certain telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill permanently allows telehealth services for substance-use disorders to be provided via audio-only technology, if a physician or practitioner has already conducted an in-person or video telehealth evaluation. Schedule III or IV controlled substances may also be prescribed online if a practitioner has conducted a telehealth evaluation with video.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act This bill revises rulemaking requirements with respect to unfunded mandates. Specifically, the bill requires federal agencies to prepare and publish in the Federal Register an initial and final regulatory impact analysis prior to promulgating any proposed or final major rule. The analysis must include regulatory alternatives to the rule. Major rule means a rule that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs determines is likely to cause an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, federal, state, local, or tribal government agencies, or geographic regions; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, public health and safety, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets. Before promulgating any proposed or final major rule, an agency shall select the regulatory alternative that maximizes net benefits, taking into consideration only the costs and benefits that arise within the scope of the statutory provision that authorizes the rulemaking, with exceptions. The bill prohibits Congress from considering a bill that increases private sector costs more than a certain amount unless certain conditions are met.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Artificial Intelligence Standards and National Security Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit certain reports with respect to artificial intelligence. Specifically, DOD must report to Congress on the role of DOD in the development of artificial intelligence standards, including an assessment of the ways in which an artificial intelligence standards strategy will improve the national security; and the feasibility and current status of assigning members of the Armed Forces on active duty to the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center of DOD.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2020
Neighborhood Homes Investment Act This bill establishes a new business-related tax credit to finance home building and rehabilitation in neighborhoods that meet certain eligibility criteria relating to poverty rates, income, and home values. The credit is limited to 35% of the lesser of the qualified development cost (i.e., the cost of construction, substantial rehabilitation, demolition, and environmental remediation of residential properties) or 80% of the national median sale price for new homes. The credit applies to single family homes containing four or fewer residential units, condominiums, or houses or apartments owned by cooperative housing corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Safeguarding American Innovation Act This bill addresses the security of federally funded research and development grants and export-controlled goods, technologies, or sensitive information. The bill establishes in the Office of Management and Budget a Federal Research Security Council to develop federally funded research and development grant making policy and management guidance to protect the national and economic security interests of the United States. Each executive agency on the council shall be responsible for assessing federal research security risks posed by persons participating in federally funded research and development. The bill prohibits any individual from knowingly (1) preparing or submitting a federal grant application that fails to disclose the receipt of any outside compensation, including foreign compensation, by the individual; or (2) forging, counterfeiting, or otherwise falsifying a document to obtain a federal grant. An alien shall be inadmissible to the United States if a consulate or the Department of Justice knows the alien seeks to enter the United States to acquire export-controlled goods, technologies, or sensitive information if the Department of State has determined that such acquisition would be contrary to U.S. national security (including economic security). The bill revises provisions relating to the disclosure of foreign gifts.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
This bill modifies U.S. policy and establishes requirements with respect to knowledge diplomacy (i.e., the role of international science and technology agreements in foreign relations). Specifically, the bill declares it to be U.S. policy that federally supported international science and technology agreements should serve U.S. national security and economic interests. Further, it requires the Department of State to (1) identify vulnerabilities in international cooperation that may place federally funded research at risk, (2) strengthen the security and integrity of U.S. scientific and research collaborations with foreign partners, and (3) encourage the international scientific community to adopt and adhere to U.S. scientific values. The bill also requires the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to submit a biennial report on compliance with U.S. policy across such science and technology agreements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Securing Inspector General Independence Act of 2020 This bill limits the circumstances under which the President or certain agency heads may remove an Inspector General or place an Inspector General on non-duty status. Before an Inspector General may be removed, Congress must be given a detailed account of the reasons for the removal and the Inspector General shall remain on the job for 30 days while Congress considers those reasons.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Remote and Mobile Worker Relief Act of 2020 This bill prohibits the wages or other remuneration earned by an employee who performs employment duties in more than one taxing jurisdiction (i.e., states, localities, the District of Columbia, territories or possessions) from being subject to income tax in any other taxing jurisdiction other than (1) the taxing jurisdiction of the employee's residence, and (2) the taxing jurisdiction within which the employee is present and performing employment duties for more than 30 days during the calendar year in which the wages or remuneration are earned. The 30-day requirement is extended to 90 days in 2020 for employees performing duties outside the taxing jurisdiction of their residence during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The bill exempts employers from income tax withholding and information reporting requirements for employees not subject to income tax in the taxing jurisdiction. For purposes of determining penalties related to withholding and information reporting requirements, an employer may rely on an employee's annual determination of the time expected to be spent in the taxing jurisdiction in the absence of the employer's actual knowledge of fraud or collusion between the employer and employee to evade tax. For the purposes of this bill, the term employee excludes professional athletes, professional entertainers, production employees who perform services in connection with certain film, television, or other commercial video productions, and public figures who are persons of prominence who perform services for wages or other remuneration on a per-event basis. The bill also sets forth a rule for the classification of wages earned by employees working remotely.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2020
Just and Unifying Solutions To Invigorate Communities Everywhere Act of 2020 or the JUSTICE Act This bill addresses policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability. The bill funds state and local grants, incentivizes state and local reporting on the use of certain policing practices, creates new federal offenses for certain misconduct, establishes a commission to study the conditions affecting Black men and boys, and establishes best practices and training requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2020
This bill expands the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), to include amounts from a paycheck protection loan that a recipient expends for waste and recycling collection services.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2020
This resolution expresses remembrance for the life of Otto Frederick Warmbier on the third anniversary of his death. The resolution condemns North Korea for his death and calls for sanctions against North Korea to remain fully implemented until North Korea commits to the suspension of its proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2020
Artificial Intelligence for the Armed Forces Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to (1) exercise authority and direction over the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center; (2) develop a training and certification program on software development, data science, and artificial intelligence that is tailored to the needs of the covered human resources workforce (i.e., the human resources professionals, hiring managers, and recruiters who are or will be responsible for hiring software developers, data scientists, or artificial intelligence professionals); (3) issue guidance to the secretaries of the military departments and the heads of the defense components on improved use of the direct hiring processes for artificial intelligence professionals and other data science and software development personnel; and (4) modify the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test to add a new subtest addressing computational thinking skills relevant to military applications.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2020
This resolution designates June 2020 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month and June 27, 2020, 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 the leadership of the Armed Forces to support treatment of members of the Armed Forces who suffer from post-traumatic stress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
Twentieth Amendment Section Four Study Act This bill establishes the Twentieth Amendment Section Four Panel, which must recommend to Congress model legislation to resolve any vacancy created by the death of a candidate in a contingent presidential or vice-presidential election. Such panel terminates 90 days after submitting its final report. (The Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution requires that presidential and vice-presidential candidates gain a majority of electoral votes to win an election. In the event that no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, the Twelfth Amendment requires the House of Representatives to elect the President and the Senate to elect the Vice President, which is known as a contingent election. The Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution allows Congress to establish a process in the case of the death of a candidate in a contingent presidential or vice-presidential election.)
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020
National AI Research Resource Task Force Act of 2020 This bill directs the National Science Foundation, in coordination with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, to establish the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Task Force to investigate the feasibility and advisability of establishing a national artificial intelligence research resource. The task force must develop a coordinated roadmap and implementation plan for establishing and sustaining such a research resource.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2020
SFC Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit quarterly reports on veterans' burn pit exposure, and to inform veterans of the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry if a veteran presents at a medical facility for treatment related to exposure to toxic chemicals caused by open burn pits. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2020
Paycheck Protection Program Second Chance Act This bill requires specified treatment of certain criminal violations under the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill provides that an entity shall not be ineligible for a paycheck protection loan if certain owners have prior arrests or convictions, unless the owner (1) is incarcerated as of the date of the loan application, or (2) has been convicted of a felony of financial fraud or deception during the five-year period prior to the loan application.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2020
Leasing Relief for Dependents of Fallen Heroes and Injured Servicemembers Act of 2020 This bill allows an adult dependent or certain other specified representatives of a service member who was killed or catastrophically injured in military service to terminate the service member's lease of a premises or of a motor vehicle without financial penalty.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2020
Reviving the Economy Sustainably Towards A Recovery in Twenty-twenty Act or the RESTART Act This bill extends the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), for certain businesses, and it establishes a loan program whereby the Small Business Administration (SBA) shall guarantee loan amounts to certain businesses affected by COVID-19. Specifically, the bill provides a paycheck protection loan recipient with 16 weeks to use such funds if the recipient has (1) less than 500 full-time employees, and (2) suffered a decline in revenues of at least 25%. The bill also establishes a loan program whereby the SBA shall guarantee 100% of program loan amounts made to certain small businesses that have not more than 5,000 full-time employees. The terms for such loans shall include (1) a maximum duration of not more than seven years; (2) an amount that is not greater than 45% of 2019 gross receipts, up to $12 million; and (3) no payment on principal for the first two years of the loan. A lender that is otherwise approved to make paycheck protection loans may make and approve loans established by the bill, and a recipient may use loan funds for specified allowable expenses including payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment. Such loans may be forgiven up to the amount of total losses incurred by the recipient in the taxable year 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2020
Global Health Security and Diplomacy Act of 2020 This bill establishes measures to detect, deter, and contain infectious disease outbreaks overseas before they become global pandemics. The President must establish a Global Health Security Strategy for advancing U.S. global health security and diplomacy objectives. To promote such strategy, the bill establishes the role of Coordinator of U.S. Government Activities to Advance Global Health Security and Diplomacy overseas, who shall coordinate, manage, and oversee U.S. diplomatic efforts and foreign assistance resources. In responding to an international infectious disease outbreak, the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development shall lead diplomatic, coordination, and response efforts. Further, specified foreign assistance funds may be used for the cost to detail or employ certain individuals to carry out programs in response to global health emergencies and natural or man-made disasters. The United States may participate in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, which is a global partnership focused on developing vaccines to stop future epidemics. The State Department must seek to establish a Trust Fund for Global Health Security within the World Bank. The fund shall enable developing countries to strengthen and sustain health systems and supply chains with the resources, capacity, and personnel necessary to prevent, detect, mitigate, and respond to infectious disease threats before they become pandemics. The Government Accountability Office must report on the effectiveness of the programs, projects, and activities supported by the fund and assess the merits of continued U.S. participation in the fund.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2020
This bill reauthorizes through FY2036 the authority of the Department of the Interior to make any grants or provide any financial assistance for the Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway in Ohio. The bill increases the total amount that may be appropriated for the canalway.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
This resolution declares that the Senate (1) has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Thomas Allen Coburn, former member of the U.S. Senate; (2) recognizes his life and achievements; and (3) expresses condolences to the family of the former Senator on his passing. Furthermore, this resolution declares that when the Senate adjourns on May 19, 2020, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable Thomas Allen Coburn.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2020
Improving Social Security's Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act This bill requires the Social Security Administration to provide a single point of contact for any individual whose Social Security account number has been misused. The single point of contact must track the individual's case to completion and coordinate with other specialized units to resolve case issues as quickly as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2020
Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 This bill imposes sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region and requires various reports on the topic. The President shall periodically report to Congress a list identifying foreign individuals and entities responsible for such human rights abuses. The President shall impose (1) property-blocking sanctions on the identified individuals and entities, and (2) visa-blocking sanctions on the identified individuals. The bill requires reports to Congress on (1) human rights abuses in Xinjiang; (2) efforts to protect U.S. citizens and residents, including ethnic Uyghurs and Chinese nationals studying or working in the United States, from harassment and intimidation by the Chinese government; and (3) the Chinese government's acquisition and development of technology to facilitate internment and mass surveillance in Xinjiang. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence shall submit a classified report to Congress on (1) Chinese government policies in Xinjiang that constitute gross violations of human rights, and (2) the scope and scale of the detention and forced labor of Muslim minority groups in China.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2020
This resolution condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the international covenants on human rights. Further, it calls on Iran to immediately release all imprisoned or detained Baha'is, and it 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.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2020
Support our National Guard Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to provide a National Guard member separating from active service after full-time duty in support of the government response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) with the transitional health benefits provided to a separating active-duty reservist.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2020
This resolution designates April 18-April 26, 2020, as National Park Week. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States and the world to virtually visit, experience, and support the treasured national parks of the United States while protecting public health during the coronavirus pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2020
Coronavirus Relief Fund Flexibility Act This bill allows Coronavirus Relief Fund payments to be used to replace state, tribal, or local government revenue shortfalls resulting from COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) during the period from March 1-December 31, 2020.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2020
Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act This bill makes previously unused immigrant visas available to nurses and physicians who petition for such a visa before the date that is 90 days after the end of the declared national emergency relating to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. The number of visas available shall be the total number of unused employment-based immigrant visas from FY1992-FY2020, up to 40,000. Of such visas, 25,000 shall be reserved for nurses and 15,000 for physicians. Certain family members may accompany the principal beneficiary of a visa provided under this bill, and visas for such family members shall (1) be made available from the unused visas from FY1992-FY2020, and (2) not be counted against the 40,000 cap. Visas provided under this bill shall be exempt from per-country limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2020
This resolution designates April 2020 as Second Chance Month to promote awareness of unnecessary legal and social barriers that prevent individuals with criminal records from becoming productive members of society.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2020
This resolution sets forth procedures that allow Senators to cast their votes from outside of the Senate chamber. Specifically, these votes may be cast using certain technology approved by the Secretary of the Senate and Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper if the majority leader and minority leader determine that an extraordinary crisis of national extent exists in which it would be infeasible for Senators to cast their votes in person.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020
Great American Outdoors Act This bill establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to support deferred maintenance projects on federal lands. For FY2021-FY2025, there shall be deposited into the fund an amount equal to 50% of all federal revenues from the development of oil, gas, coal, or alternative or renewable energy on federal lands and waters. Deposited amounts must not exceed $1.9 billion for any fiscal year. The fund must be used for priority deferred maintenance projects in specified systems that are administered by the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Government Accountability Office must report on the effect of the fund in reducing the backlog of priority deferred maintenance projects for the specified agencies. Additionally, the bill makes funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) permanent. The President shall annually report to Congress specified details regarding the allocation of funds to the LWCF. Congress may provide for alternate allocations using specified procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020
Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act of 2020 or the EARN IT Act of 2020 This bill revises the framework governing the prevention of online sexual exploitation of children. Among other things, the bill does the following: establishes the National Commission on Online Child Sexual Exploitation Prevention; directs the commission to develop best practices for interactive online services providers (e.g., Facebook and Twitter) to prevent the online sexual exploitation of children; requires interactive online service providers to certify compliance with the best practices (or implement other reasonable practices to prevent the online sexual exploitation of children), or else they lose liability protections from claims alleging violations of child sexual exploitation laws; and replaces statutory references to child pornography with child sexual abuse material .
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020
This bill allows a veteran with a combat-related disability and fewer than 20 years of creditable service to receive retirement pay, without reduction, concurrent with disability compensation.
![Official portrait of Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000449_200.jpg)