United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020
Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to establish demonstration and pilot projects, through the awarding of grants or contracts, to facilitate training and education in advanced manufacturing. A local educational entity (e.g., technical college, community college, or an entity that assists educationally underserved communities) in partnership with a manufacturer that employs individuals who have advanced manufacturing skills is eligible to receive such grants or contracts. The corresponding project must (1) develop skills and competencies in communities with expected growth in advanced manufacturing; (2) provide education and training for available and anticipated jobs in advanced manufacturing; (3) educate individuals about career advancement opportunities within advanced manufacturing; and (4) give priority to incumbent workers, dislocated workers, and unemployed individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2020
United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2020 This bill provides for security assistance to Israel and authorizes actions to further U.S.-Israel cooperation. Specifically, under the Foreign Military Financing Program, the bill makes no less than $3.3 billion annually available to Israel through FY2028. The bill also extends through FY2025 (1) authority to stockpile war reserves in Israel, and (2) loan guarantees to Israel for up to $9 billion. The President is authorized to transfer munitions from reserve stocks to Israel for its self-defense. Further, the President must report on steps to include Israel in the list of countries eligible for the strategic trade authorization exception, which authorizes exports, reexports, and in-country transfers in lieu of a license that would otherwise be required. Lastly, the President must establish and update contingency plans to provide Israel with defense articles and services necessary for its defense. The Department of State is authorized to (1) enter into memoranda of understanding with Israel with a focus on strengthening mutual ties and cooperation with nations throughout the world; and (2) establish a program between the United States, Israel, and other countries or territories to provide for cooperation in the Middle East region by financing and cooperating in programs related to innovation and advanced technologies. Further, the United States is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with Israel and developing countries to identify and support local solutions for addressing sustainability challenges. The Department of Defense is authorized to carry out activities with Israel to establish directed energy capabilities that address threats to the United States, deployed forces of the United States, or Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 7 January 2020
Data Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to include data on certain maternal health outcomes in its broadband health mapping tool (an online platform that allows users to visualize, overlay, and analyze broadband and health data at national, state, and county levels). The FCC must consult with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine which maternal health outcomes should be incorporated.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Desert National Wildlife Refuge and Nevada Test and Training Range Withdrawal and Management Act This bill provides for the termination or expansion of certain withdrawn and reserved military lands in Nevada and designates certain lands within the Desert National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The bill terminates the withdrawal and reservation of lands for the Naval Air Station Fallon Ranges and the Nevada Test and Training Range in 2021 and 2041, respectively. The bill expands the boundaries of Nellis Air Force Range to comprise 3,006,386 acres of land. The Department of the Air Force and the Department of the Interior shall not withdraw the new lands until they implement a cultural resources plan. The bill provides for fish and wildlife habitat support in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Mitigation payments shall be provided by the Air Force to Interior for such support on lands withdrawn and reserved for use by the Air Force within the refuge. Interior and the Air Force must jointly establish (1) an interagency committee to facilitate coordination and minimize potential conflict regarding joint operating areas within the refuge, and (2) an intergovernmental executive committee for the management of the natural and cultural resources of the withdrawn and reserved lands of the ranges and certain other ranges. Interior shall facilitate public access to portions of the joint use area of the refuge for tribal, recreational, educational, and research purposes. The bill sets the western boundary of refuge between the refuge and the land jointly managed by the Air Force and Interior concerning Nellis Air Force Range.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Labor to award grants to certain national youth-serving organizations for comprehensive workforce readiness programs provided to youth that take place before or after school, during summer vacation or holiday, or on the weekend (i.e., out-of-school-time programs). Such grants must be used to develop and implement youth workforce readiness programs, including for activities such as on-the-job and leadership opportunities, internships, and other supportive services. The bill also requires local workforce development boards to establish youth councils as subgroups of the boards.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Food Donation Improvement Act of 2019 This bill expands liability protections for the donation of food and grocery products. Specifically, the bill expands the liability protections to include donations of an apparently fit grocery product or apparently wholesome food: for which the recipient receives at zero cost or is charged a good Samaritan reduced price that is no greater than the cost of handling, administering, and distributing the product; or that is donated directly to a needy individual by a retail grocer, wholesaler, agricultural producer, restaurant, caterer, school food authority, or institution of higher education. The Department of Agriculture must issue regulations that clarify the quality and labeling standards that food products donated under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act must meet to be eligible for liability protection.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019
Extinction Prevention Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of the Interior to provide financial assistance for the conservation of butterflies and moths in North America; plant species in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands; freshwater mussels in the United States; and bony fish found in desert ecosystems in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Utah. Among other things, the bill establishes the North America Butterfly Conservation Fund, the Pacific Islands Plant Conservation Fund, the Freshwater Mussel Conservation Fund, and the Southwest Desert Fish Conservation Fund. In selecting projects for assistance, Interior must prioritize projects that conserve threatened and endangered species.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that (1) it is the civic duty of the people of the United States to help ensure that the 2020 Census is as accurate as possible; (2) the federal government, state and local governments, civil society, businesses, religious institutions, libraries, and other national and local organizations should work together as partners to inform the public that the 2020 Census is safe, easy, and important; (3) individuals who want to help administer the 2020 Census should apply for a job at 2020census.gov/jobs; and (4) U.S. residents should plan to respond to the 2020 Census to ensure that all people living in a household in the United States are included.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019
Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act or the AIM HIGH Act This bill creates a commission to develop voluntary guidelines for postsecondary electronic instruction materials and related technologies. Specifically, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Secretary of Education must establish an independent commission to (1) develop and issue voluntary accessibility guidelines for postsecondary electronic instructional materials and related technologies, (2) develop a model framework for pilot testing such materials and technologies, and (3) produce an annotated list of information technology standards. The Department of Education must review and, as appropriate, update the voluntary guidelines, pilot testing framework, and information technology standards every five years.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019
Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the NOPAIN Act This bill temporarily establishes separate payments for certain non-opioid treatments under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services and the payment system for ambulatory surgical center services. The bill applies to pain management treatments that are able to replace or reduce opioid consumption, as shown through clinical trials or data.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2019
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act This bill designates specified lands in the following areas of Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Great Basin, (2) Grand Staircase-Escalante, (3) Moab-La Sal Canyons, (4) Henry Mountains, (5) Glen Canyon, (6) San Juan-Anasazi, (7) Canyonlands Basin, (8) San Rafael Swell, and (9) Book Cliffs and Uinta Basin. The bill sets forth administrative requirements for (1) the exchange of state-owned lands within such areas, (2) federal reservation of water rights, (3) measurement of setbacks for roads with adjacent wilderness, (4) authorized livestock grazing, and (5) withdrawal of such lands from disposition under certain public land laws.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019
Teacher Education for Computer Science Act or the Teach CS Act This bill authorizes the Department of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education for establishing and maintaining teacher education programs for computer science. It also includes computer science as an eligible education category with respect to receiving various teacher preparation grants and graduate fellowships.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2019
Affordable Housing for Educational Achievement Demonstration Act or the AHEAD Act This bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to community partnerships for demonstration projects to provide educational and housing support for children.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 2019
This resolution congratulates and expresses pride in Dr. Jessica U. Meir and Christina H. Koch for successfully completing the first all-female spacewalk in history. The resolution also supports the efforts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to (1) fully integrate women into the astronaut corps, and (2) ensure that one of the next humans to walk on the Moon shall be a woman.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019
Volunteer First Responder Housing Act This bill expands eligibility for assistance under the Department of Agriculture Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program with respect to qualified volunteer first responders.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2019
Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act of 2019 This bill directs the Bureau of Reclamation to provide financial assistance to states with Reclamation projects to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species into and out of reservoirs operated and maintained by Reclamation, including assistance to purchase, establish, operate, or maintain a watercraft inspection and decontamination station that has the highest likelihood of preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. In providing financial assistance, Reclamation must prioritize projects that (1) prevent the spread of an aquatic invasive species to waters under its jurisdiction, including irrigation, reclamation, or other water projects; and (2) align with the priorities of the state and with the document titled Quagga-Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters , published in February 2010. The bill provides authority for each federal agency on the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to (1) conduct mandatory inspections and decontamination of watercraft; and (2) if necessary, impound, quarantine, or otherwise prevent entry of a watercraft. The membership of the task force is expanded to include the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Reclamation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2019 This bill establishes a presumption, for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits and wartime disability compensation, that a veteran was exposed to certain toxins, chemicals, and hazards from burn pits if such veteran served on active duty in a covered location during a specified time frame. A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air. Specifically, the bill identifies the following covered locations and corresponding time periods Iraq, between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, as well as from March 19, 2003, until burn pits are no longer used in this location; Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates), from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; Afghanistan and Djibouti from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and other locations and time periods set forth by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry or determined by the VA. Under the bill, if an exposed veteran submits insufficient evidence to establish a service-connection for purposes of disability compensation, the VA shall provide a medical examination and request medical opinions regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxin, chemical, or hazard.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2019 or the PAWS Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a grant program for the purpose of pairing service dogs with eligible veterans. Organizations that receive grants shall provide veterinary health insurance coverage, hardware, and travel expenses for each service dog and veteran participating in the program. Eligible veterans are those who (1) are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) have been evaluated and treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but remain diagnosed with PTSD, (3) may benefit from a service dog, and (4) agree to successfully complete training provided by an eligible organization. Veterans are required to see a VA health care provider at least once every 180 days to determine whether the veteran continues to benefit from a service dog. Eligible organizations are nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to veterans with PTSD, meet publicly available standards set forth by the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans, have expertise in the needs of veterans with PTSD, agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount to guarantee the benefits of the program, agree to reaccept or replace a service dog provided to a veteran, and submit an application to the VA. Any improvement in PTSD symptoms as a result of the provision of a service dog shall not affect the veteran's eligibility for any other VA benefits. The Government Accountability Office must report on the grant program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
K9s for Veterans Therapy Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement a pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder through a method where veterans train service dogs for veterans with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2020 and revises the University Sustainability program, which awards grants for designing and implementing sustainability practices on college campuses.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
This resolution recognizes and celebrates small businesses by (1) acknowledging the importance of promoting a business-friendly environment for small business owners, (2) encouraging young entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and create more startup businesses, and (3) conveying appreciation for the ways small businesses support their communities and workers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019
This resolution expresses support for National Adoption Month and National Adoption Day and encourages people to consider adoption to increase the number of children living in safe, permanent homes.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019
Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers Act of 2019 or the CONTRACT Act of 2019 This bill exempts certain air traffic controllers from a required reduction in their retirement annuity payment on account of earnings from certain work performed while entitled to such annuity. Under current law, retired Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers receive an annuity payment during the period between the mandatory retirement age of 56 and the social security minimum age of 62. Such annuity payment is required to be reduced by a certain percentage of any excess earnings during this period. The bill exempts from such reduction in annuity payments an air traffic controller who participates in the Air Traffic Control Contract Program (a public-private partnership for air traffic control services) following mandatory retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2019
Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act This bill provides for the conveyance, sale, or management of specified federal lands in Nevada. The bill conveys 67 acres of Forest Service land in the Lake Tahoe area for the conservation of wildlife or natural resources or for a public park. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall implement a cooperative management agreement for the Tahoe Rim Trail North Parcel to (1) improve the quality of recreational access for such land, and (2) conserve the land's natural resource values. The Forest Service and the Department of the Interior shall convey 7,777 acres of specified federal land to Douglas County, Nevada, for flood control or any other public purpose. The Forest Service and Interior shall select jointly with the county federal land to be sold to qualified bidders or for the county to obtain for public purposes. USDA shall convey 1,084 acres of specified federal land to the county for recreation and any other public purpose. U.S. interest in 2,669 acres of certain federal land shall be held in trust for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. The bill designates 12,392 acres of Bureau of Land Management land as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System to be known as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness. USDA may transfer to Nevada or the county certain Forest Service land or interest in such land that is unsuitable for Forest Service administration or is necessary for a public purpose. The recipient of the land must protect its environmental quality and use the land for recreation or other public purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2019
Stop Marketing And Revealing The Wearables And Trackers Consumer Health Data Act or the SMARTWATCH Data Act This bill prohibits entities that collect personal health information from consumer devices (e.g., smart watches) from transferring, selling, sharing, or allowing access to individually identifiable consumer health information from such devices for commercial purposes, subject to certain exceptions such as if an entity obtains informed consent from the consumer or sends such information to a health plan or health provider.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2019
Wildfire Defense Act This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a community wildfire defense grant program and requires other actions by FEMA, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the Forest Service with respect to wildfires. In awarding grants, FEMA must give priority to state and local governments, Indian tribes, and joint authorities that will carry out projects or plans supporting a low-income community in a fire-hazard area or a severe disaster impacted community in a fire-hazard area. The GAO shall publish (1) a report on authorities and programs that are available to protect communities from wildfires; and (2) a study on the potential for a community wildfire defense plan to qualify for a certification identifying a level of wildfire survivability and resilience, and how to incentivize insurance companies to accept the certification. The Forest Service shall develop and publish a map depicting at-risk communities. FEMA shall prepare a report relating to insufficient radio frequencies, barriers to interoperability of radio frequencies, and available products and technologies for overcoming barriers to interoperability for wildland fire management.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2019
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2025 programs and activities under the Violence Against Women Act that seek to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Among other things, the bill also authorizes new programs, makes changes to federal firearms laws, and establishes new protections to promote housing stability and economic security for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019
Put Patients First Act This bill prohibits the application of the rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services on May 21, 2019, that strengthens the enforcement of conscience and anti-discrimination laws related to the rights of covered health care providers to refuse to participate in certain procedures, such as abortions, sterilization, or assisted suicide.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019
Access to Affordable Housing for Veterans Act of 2019 This bill provides additional notifications to service members regarding home loans available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill requires a Federal Housing Administration mortgage notice to a veteran to contain comparative rate and fee information about VA home loans. The uniform residential loan application developed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must include a check box to indicate that the applicant is a veteran, the statement "If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for a VA mortgage," and a place to acknowledge such statement. Preseparation counseling for a service member prior to discharge from active duty must include information regarding the authority of a member to use an honorable discharge certificate as a certificate of eligibility for a VA guaranteed housing loan or to request a specific certificate of eligibility for such loan, and counseling on responsible borrowing practices.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019
21st Century Space Grant Modernization Act of 2019 This bill revises provisions relating to the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall carry out the program with the objective of providing hands-on research, training, and education programs with measurable outcomes in each state. NASA shall carry out the program through a space grant consortium in each state. The bill revises the purposes of the program to support space research programs that promote equally the state and regional STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) interests of each space grant consortium. NASA shall award grants to the lead institution of each state's space grant consortium to carry out at least three of six specified research, training, and education programs. The bill repeals certain provisions relating to the program, including provisions establishing the space grant review panel.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019
GI Bill Planning Act of 2019 This bill extends or removes specified deadlines for certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits. Specifically, the bill updates the Montgomery GI Bill program by extending the period of time under which an election must be made for entitlement to educational assistance under the program. The bill phases the program out to end on September 30, 2029. The bill also removes a deadline that prevents certain veterans from receiving in-state tuition, regardless of their state of residence, using VA education benefits at public institutions of higher education. Currently, a veteran who is discharged or released after at least 90 days of active service must be within three years of their discharge from active duty to receive in-state tuition (regardless of their state of residence). The VA must post on a public VA website a database explaining any requirements established by a public institution of higher learning for an individual to be charged in-state tuition. The VA must disapprove a course of education at a public institution of higher learning that does not provide the VA with an explanation of the requirements (or a timely update of such requirements) for an individual to be charged in-state tuition.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2019
Broadband Parity Act of 2019 This bill prohibits an agency from providing assistance to a broadband internet access service through a federal broadband support program unless the service to be assisted meets or exceeds (or will meet or exceed when deployed) minimum download and upload speeds established by the Federal Communications Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2019
National Purple Heart Honor Mission Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the mission of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. The bill limits the issuance of such coins to the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2022. The bill prescribes surcharges for coin sales, which shall be paid to the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, Inc., to support the mission of such organization, including capital improvements to the National Purple Heart Honor Mission facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2019
This resolution designates November 4–8, 2019, as National Veterans Small Business Week, expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Veterans Small Business Week, celebrates the millions of people in the United States—especially veterans and their spouses—who benefit from Small Business Administration programs, and expresses appreciation for the continued service of the nation's veterans through small business ownership and entrepreneurship.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2019
Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act This bill designates specified federal land in Nevada as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System and directs the Department of the Interior to conduct sales or exchanges of eligible lands in Pershing County, Nevada, identified as the Checkerboard Lands Resolution Area. Interior and the county shall jointly select which parcels of eligible land shall be offered for sale or exchange. Within one year, Interior shall offer to exchange all of the eligible land for private land. Interior shall seek to enter into agreements with one or more owners of private land that is adjacent to the eligible land for the exchange of the private land for the eligible land, if the exchange would consolidate federal land ownership and facilitate improved federal land management. In acquiring private land, Interior must give priority to the acquisition of private land in higher-value natural resource areas in the county. Interior shall offer to convey, for fair market value, the remaining U.S. right, title, and interest in land within the Checkerboard Land Resolution Area that is encumbered by mining claims, millsites, or tunnel sites to entities with an interest in the land. The bill prescribes requirements for the disposition of proceeds from the sales of lands. Interior shall convey to the county, without consideration, Unionville Cemetery. The bill releases specified wilderness study areas from further review for designation as wilderness.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2019
Military Family Parole in Place Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to parole into the United States an alien who is the spouse, widow or widower, parent, or child of a qualifying current or former member of the Armed Forces. A qualifying member of the Armed Forces shall be (1) a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, (2) a member of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, or (3) a living or deceased individual who served in and was discharged from either service under a condition other than dishonorable. Such parole may be denied only if DHS, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs jointly issue a detailed written justification for the denial.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2019
Harvesting American Cybersecurity Knowledge through Education Act of 2019 or the HACKED Act of 2019 This bill expands and coordinates federal agencies' cybersecurity recruitment and education initiatives.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2019
Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Justice to establish a Veterans Treatment Court Program to provide grants and technical assistance for state, local, and tribal governments to develop and maintain veterans treatment courts.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019
This resolution recognizes the October 2019 celebration of Filipino American History Month as a testament to the advancement of Filipino Americans and a time to reflect on and remember the many notable contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019
This resolution recognizes October 2019 as National Women's Small Business Month, honoring the role of women small business owners and entrepreneurs and encouraging the support and creation of women-owned small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act of 2019 or the CONNECT for Health Act of 2019 This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Among other things, the bill allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain restrictions, such as geographic restrictions, for services provided in high-need health professional shortage areas; excludes mental health and emergency medical services, as well as services provided at rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and Indian Health Service facilities, from such geographic restrictions; and allows the CMS to generally waive coverage restrictions during national emergencies. Additionally, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission must report on information relating to the access of Medicare beneficiaries to telehealth services at home. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation may also test alternative payment models relating to expanded telehealth services.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019
This resolution declares that (1) the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Kay Hagan, former Member of the Senate; and (2) when the Senate adjourns on October 30, 2019, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable Kay Hagan.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2019
Educational Notification and Disclosure of Actions risking Loss of Life by Hazing Act or the END ALL Hazing Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs to collect information and publicly report on hazing-related misconduct. Specifically, IHEs must prepare biannual reports and post such reports on their websites. The reports must include information on hazing-related misconduct committed by a student organization, including the name of the student organization that committed the violation, a description of the violation, and sanctions placed on the organization. IHEs must report to campus police and law enforcement authorities within 72 hours of becoming aware of any allegation of hazing that involved serious bodily injury or a significant risk of serious bodily injury. The bill does not apply to foreign IHEs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
Technology Transitions Act of 2019 This bill addresses technology programs within the Department of Energy (DOE). Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for the creation of DOE's Office of Technology Transitions. The office aims to (1) expand the commercialization of DOE's research investments; and (2) focus on commercializing technologies that support DOE's missions, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the bill requires DOE to review all of its emission reduction research and development programs. Under the review, DOE must identify each program with a mission to develop technologies that reduce emissions, identify the technologies available to reduce emissions that are not covered by such programs, and recommend how overlapping programs may be combined or restructured to be more efficient.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2019 This bill imposes sanctions targeting Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and any affiliate or successor groups. The President shall periodically report to Congress a list of each foreign person or instrumentality that knowingly assists, provides significant support or services to, or is involved in a significant transaction with a senior member or supporter of any of the targeted groups. The President shall impose two or more sanctions on the named persons. Specifically, such a person may be (1) denied credit and services from the Export-Import Bank, (2) barred from purchasing certain controlled defense articles, (3) denied exports of items on the U.S. Munitions List, (4) prevented from receiving exports of certain goods or technology controlled for national security reasons, (5) prohibited from receiving financing of more than $10 million from any U.S. financial institution, or (6) subject to property-blocking restrictions. The President shall periodically report to Congress a list of foreign governments that have repeatedly provided material support for the targeted groups' terrorist activities. The President shall bar such governments from receiving for one year (1) U.S. assistance, or (2) exports of controlled munitions. The Department of Treasury shall instruct U.S. leadership of international financial institutions to oppose the provision of assistance to an identified government for one year. The bill provides for certain exceptions and waivers, such as for transactions that would serve U.S. national interests. The President shall report to Congress and periodically provide briefings on other specified topics related to the targeted groups, such as where such groups secure financing and surveillance equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
Investing in 21st Century Workforce Partnerships Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish grant programs for educational or career training programs for students. First, ED must establish a career pathways innovation grant program. Under the program, ED must award grants to address the specialized skill needs of business and industry by carrying out programs that support career pathways in high school or career exploration in the middle grades. Second, ED must award grants for partnerships—between certain educational entities and employers—that provide educational or career training programs leading to recognized postsecondary credentials.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 2019
This resolution expresses support for the designation of a national day of remembrance on October 23, 2019, for members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were killed or injured by the terrorist attack on the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 2019
Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2019 This bill sets forth provisions regarding development of geothermal, solar, or wind energy on public lands. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish priority areas on covered land (i.e., public land administered by Interior and not excluded under law from the development of geothermal, solar, or wind energy) for geothermal, solar, or wind energy projects. Other areas shall also be considered for the development of renewable energy projects under this bill, consistent with the principles of multiple use. Interior shall establish a program to improve federal permit coordination with respect to renewable energy projects carried out on covered land. Interior and the Department of Agriculture shall seek to issue permits that in total authorize the production of at least 25 gigawatts of electricity from geothermal, solar, or wind energy projects by the end of 2025. The bill provides for the disposition of revenues from the development of wind or solar energy on covered land. The bill establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund to make funds available to federal, state, and tribal agencies for distribution in regions in which renewable energy projects are located on federal land for (1) restoring and protecting fish and wildlife habitat and corridors for affected species and water resources in areas affected by geothermal, solar, or wind energy development; and (2) preserving and improving recreational access to federal land and water in an affected region.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2019
Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2019 This bill allows a beneficiary (or an heir of a beneficiary) of certain insurance policies in effect during the Holocaust to sue in U.S. district court to enforce rights under such policies. An insurance policy covered under this bill must have been (1) in effect at any time between January 31, 1933, and December 31, 1945, and (2) issued to a policyholder domiciled in Nazi-controlled territory or Switzerland. A court shall award to a prevailing beneficiary (1) the amount due under a policy, (2) prejudgment interest of 6% a year, (3) attorney's fees and costs, and (4) treble damages if the insurer acted in bad faith. An action under this bill or state law related to a covered insurance policy shall be considered timely if filed within 10 years of this bill's enactment. Judgments and agreements entered before this bill's enactment shall not preclude a claim brought under the bill, with certain exceptions. Neither executive agreements between the United States and a foreign government nor U.S. executive foreign policies shall (1) affect or preclude claims brought under this bill, or (2) supersede or preempt any state laws relating to insurance policies covered by this bill.