United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Dignity for Aborted Children Act This bill sets out requirements for the disposition of human fetal tissue from an abortion. Specifically, it requires abortion providers to obtain a patient's informed consent for one of two specified methods of disposition. First, patients may choose to retain possession of the tissue. A patient may choose to transfer the tissue to an entity that provides interment or cremation services. Second, the patient may elect to release the tissue to the provider. Providers must ensure any tissue released to them is interred or cremated within seven days of the procedure in a manner consistent with state law regarding the disposal of human remains. Abortion providers must report annually about these requirements and other specified information. The bill provides civil or criminal penalties for violations of disposal, informed consent, and reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
This resolution honors the life and memory of Jereima "Jeri" Bustamante and encourages the recipients of the Jereima Bustamante Memorial Scholarship to carry on her legacy.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
Sanctions Targeting Aggressors of Neighboring Democracies with Taiwan Act of 2023 or the STAND with Taiwan Act of 2023 This bill requires the imposition of sanctions in the event of a military invasion of Taiwan by China and addresses related issues. If the President determines that China or any of its proxies has initiated a military invasion of Taiwan, or if a joint resolution making such a determination is enacted, the bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on certain senior officials of China's government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP); the Department of the Treasury to impose property-blocking sanctions on specified foreign financial institutions, including banks under the jurisdiction of China and in which China's government holds an interest; Treasury to impose property-blocking sanctions on any entity affiliated with China's government or the CCP; the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to prohibit the trading of the securities of an issuer affiliated with China's government or the CCP on a national securities exchange; Treasury to prohibit U.S. financial institutions from making certain investments, such as investments in an entity owned or controlled by China's government, the CCP, or China's military; the prohibition of the importation of certain goods, including goods produced wholly or in part in China or by certain entities owned or financed by China's government or the CCP; and a prohibition on any depository institution or SEC-registered securities broker or dealer processing funds transfers to or from China or for the benefit of Chinese government officials or CCP members.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
Farmer-Informed WOTUS Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an advisory committee that is representative of the U.S. farming and ranching sectors to make recommendations on the impact of waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations on U.S. agriculture and environmental protection. (The Clean Water Act [CWA] protects navigable waters , which the statute defines as WOTUS. Because the CWA does not further define this term, the agencies that implement the CWA have defined WOTUS in regulations.) Specifically, USDA must establish an advisory committee to study and develop recommendations to address matters such as the impact of the prior-converted farmland exemption on agricultural operations, the impact of WOTUS regulations on secure food supply chains and rural infrastructure, and how to develop safe harbor conditions for farmers who observe certain conservation practices. Federal agencies must provide to the committee any information requested by the committee chair. The advisory committee terminates 90 days after completing reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
Protect American Power Infrastructure Act This bill prohibits certain transactions that involve using equipment used in bulk-power system substations, control rooms, or power generating stations to provide power for defense critical electric infrastructure in the United States if a foreign adversary owns or exercises influence over the equipment. Examples of such transactions include transactions that (1) involve equipment designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the direction of a foreign adversary; and (2) pose an undue risk of catastrophic effects on the security or resiliency of such infrastructure. However, the Department of Energy may approve transactions if it designs or negotiates measures to mitigate such risks.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
Ending China's Unfair Advantage Act of 202 3 This bill prohibits the expenditure of federal funds to implement the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer until the agreement is amended to remove China from the list of developing countries . The bill also prohibits the expenditure of federal funds to support the operations and meetings of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change until China is moved to the list of high-income countries that have more specific commitments regarding national plans, reporting, and assisting low-income countries.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
National Plan to End Parkinson's Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a project to prevent and cure Parkinson's disease (a progressive brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements) and related conditions. Among other components of the project, HHS must (1) implement and periodically update a national plan to coordinate and guide efforts to prevent, slow the progression of, and cure the disease; and (2) improve diagnosis, treatment, and care of those with the disease. HHS must also annually assess the preparations for and response to the increased burden of Parkinson's disease. In addition, the bill establishes a council, comprised of federal and nonfederal stakeholders, to advise HHS on and make recommendations concerning the prevention and treatment of Parkinson's disease. The provisions of the bill terminate at the end of calendar year 2035.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
Combating Illicit Xylazine Act This bill criminalizes the illicit use of xylazine. (Xylazine, also known as Tranq , is a sedative that is approved for use in animals. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported an increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine.) Specifically, the bill establishes criminal penalties for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, xylazine for illicit use (i.e., for use in humans) in accordance with the penalties for schedule III substances (up to 10 years imprisonment or, if death or serious bodily injury occurs, up to 15 years imprisonment, as well as criminal fines). In addition, the DEA must coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration to report on the prevalence of the illicit use of xylazine, including associated supply chains. The bill also declares the illicit use of xylazine as an emerging drug threat.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Recoupment Act This bill extends the time period when a state must recover improperly paid pandemic unemployment insurance (UI) benefits and bring related criminal charges or enforcement actions to 10 years. The bill also adds certain recovery requirements to two pandemic UI programs—Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Lost Wages Assistance (LWA)—that match the requirements of other pandemic UI programs. Specifically, the state must (1) repay itself by deducting the PUA or LWA funds from any UI benefits a recipient may later qualify to receive; and (2) ensure the recipient is provided with notice, a hearing, and a final determination.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
Venezuelan Democracy Act This bill requires or authorizes various actions, including sanctions, targeting the current government of Venezuela and any nondemocratic successor government. The bill also authorizes certain types of assistance for the people of Venezuela and to support democracy-building efforts. Under this bill, the President (1) must impose property-blocking sanctions on Venezuela; and (2) may withhold U.S. foreign assistance or arms-related assistance from any country that provides assistance to the government of Venezuela. The bill also prohibits U.S. persons (individuals or entities) from engaging in transactions involving (1) the debt of Venezuela's government, or (2) any digital currency issued by Venezuela's government. Additionally, the Department of the Treasury must oppose Venezuela's admission to certain international financial institutions (such as the International Monetary Fund) and to withhold certain payments to such institutions if they approve loans or other assistance to Venezuela. Some of the actions required under this bill, including the imposition of sanctions, may be modified or suspended if the President determines that a transition government is in power in Venezuela. Criteria for a determination that a transition government is in power include full reinstatement of the National Assembly convened on January 6, 2016, and public commitments to organizing free and fair elections. Sanctions under this bill shall be terminated if the President determines that a democratically elected government is in power. Assistance under certain programs (such as assistance under the Food for Peace Act) may be provided to Venezuela once it has a democratically elected government.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023
Providing Resources for Exceptional Veterans to End Narcotic Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the PREVENT Fentanyl Act This bill expands the Human Exploitation Rescue Operation Child-Rescue Corps program to address fentanyl trafficking. (The program, which is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, trains eligible members and veterans of the Armed Forces as computer forensic analysts to combat child exploitation.) Under this bill, program participants must investigate and analyze fentanyl trafficking in addition to the issues required under current law, such as child exploitation and human trafficking. The bill also changes the name of the program to the Human Exploitation Rescue Operation Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023
Equal Campus Access Act of 2023 This bill prohibits funding made available under the Higher Education Act of 1965 from being provided to any public institution of higher education (IHE) that denies to religious student organizations any right, benefit, or privilege that is otherwise afforded to other student organizations at the IHE because of the religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or standards of conduct of the religious student organization.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023
Overcoming Prevalent Inadequacies in Overdose Information Data Sets Act or the OPIOIDS Act This bill establishes and revises certain grants and resources to address opioid-related overdoses. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to states, territories, and localities to improve data and surveillance related to opioid overdoses. Additionally, the bill directs DOJ to award grants to law enforcement agencies and forensic laboratories in communities with high rates of drug overdoses to (1) provide training to help officers better identify overdoses, (2) upgrade essential systems for drug tracing and processing samples in forensic laboratories, or (3) provide training to better trace criminals through the dark web. The bill requires the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers to provide training to state and local law enforcement agencies on how to best coordinate with state and federal partners for tracking drug-related activity. The bill allows funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program to be used to provide training and resources for equipment that protects first responders from secondary fentanyl exposure. Finally, the bill directs the Drug Enforcement Administration to (1) develop uniform reporting standards for information concerning drug control activities, and (2) budget for a program that analyzes fentanyl samples.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Department of Education on October 12, 2022, that suspends federal student loan payments and discharges debt.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023
This resolution congratulates the people of Greece as they celebrate the 202nd anniversary of the independence of Greece. The resolution also (1) expresses support for the principles of democratic governance to which the people of Greece are committed, and (2) commends Greece's support for the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russian aggression.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023
This resolution designates March 23, 2023, as National Women in Agriculture Day. It also recognizes the important role of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, mentors, and more.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023
Protecting Equal Opportunity from ESG Act This bill prohibits racial hiring quotas by federal contractors. Specifically, the bill requires each executive agency to take steps to ensure that each contract entered into by the agency includes requirements that the contractor certify that, during the five-year period immediately preceding the date on which the contract is entered into, the contractor did not initiate, carry out, or enforce any system of quotas, benchmarks, or goals regarding employment practices that encourage or require discrimination on the basis of race; and not, during the performance of the contract, initiate, carry out, or enforce any such system. The bill makes an exception where the Department of Labor determines that special circumstances in the national interest so require. Labor shall have the authority to investigate potential violations and obtain compliance. The bill establishes penalties for noncompliance.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023
Stopping Traffickers and Their Accomplices Act of 2023 This bill requires an abortion provider to notify the National Human Trafficking Hotline if the provider has a reasonable suspicion that a patient is a victim of trafficking. It also requires each abortion provider to require its employees to complete annual training on how to identify and respond appropriately to individuals who are at risk of or who have experienced trafficking. The bill establishes penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023
No Central Bank Digital Currency Act or the No CBDC Act This bill generally prohibits the Federal Reserve Board, Federal Reserve Banks, the Department of the Treasury, and other agencies from issuing or using a central bank digital currency.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023
Keep China Out of Solar Energy Act of 2023 This bill prohibits federal procurement of solar panels manufactured or assembled in China. Specifically, the bill directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop standards and guidelines for executive agencies to prohibit (1) federal funds from being awarded for the procurement of solar panels that are manufactured or assembled by any entity domiciled in China or subject to influence or control by the government of China or the Chinese Communist Party, and (2) the use of government-issued purchase cards to purchase solar panels that are manufactured or assembled by any such entity. The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement the prohibition with respect to federal contracts and subcontracts. The bill sets forth provisions regarding waivers, quarterly reports by the OMB to Congress, and a report by the Government Accountability Office. The OMB shall seek to enter into a contract with a federally funded research and development center under which the center will study (1) the current and future domestic market of solar panel production, (2) the ability of the solar panel domestic market to keep pace with technological advancements across the industry, and (3) the current global supply chain and workforce involved with solar panel production.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
No Congressionally Obligated Recurring Revenue Used as Pensions To Incarcerated Officials Now Act or the No CORRUPTION Act This bill makes a Member of Congress who has been convicted of a crime related to public corruption ineligible to receive retirement payments pursuant to the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees' Retirement System based on service as a Member. Under current law, a Member must forgo receipt of these payments only after a final conviction (i.e., after the exhaustion of all appeals under the judicial process).
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023 This bill extends death and disability benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (PSOB) to certain public safety officers who suffer from exposure-related cancer while on duty and their survivors. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty and their survivors. The bill specifies that exposure-related cancer shall be presumed to constitute a personal injury in the line of duty if the public safety officer was exposed to or in contact with heat, radiation, or a carcinogen that is linked to an exposure-related cancer; the officer began serving as an officer not later than 5 years before the date of the diagnosis of an exposure-related cancer and the diagnosis occurred not later than 15 years after the last date of active service; and the exposure-related cancer directly and proximately resulted in the death or permanent and total disability of the officer. The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) must periodically review the definition of exposure-related cance r. It directs the BJA to add additional cancers to the definition under certain circumstances (e.g., a petition process).
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Tribal Firearm Access Act This bill allows members of federally recognized Indian tribes to use their valid identification documents issued by tribal governments to obtain a firearm from a federally licensed dealer.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Financial Oversight and Management Board Integrity Act of 2023 This bill disqualifies certain third-party advisory or consulting firms with a potential conflict of interest from advising a Financial Oversight and Management Board. Such a board has been established for Puerto Rico. Specifically, a board must establish rules to disqualify any third-party advisory or consulting firm from advising the board for any period during which the firm has a client, or provides consulting services to, an individual, corporation, or other business entity that is competing for or performing a contract with the territorial government, the performance of which is within the board's jurisdiction.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors at certain multilateral development banks, such as the Asian Development Bank, to oppose providing a loan, financial assistance, or technical assistance to China. The executive directors must also advocate and vote to end lending and assistance to a country that has exceeded certain income thresholds.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
This bill requires the inspector general of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The inspector general shall also have authority over the Federal Reserve banks. Under current law, this appointment is made by the chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2023
This bill prohibits a Federal Reserve bank from offering products or services directly to an individual, maintaining an account on behalf of an individual, or issuing a central bank digital currency directly to an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
Transaction and Sourcing Knowledge Act or the TASK Act This bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to mandate the reporting of certain information by publicly traded companies. Specifically, companies must report on the sourcing and due diligence involving products imported into the United States utilizing forced labor from Xinjiang, China; transactions with companies on the Department of Commerce's trade restriction list or designated as Chinese military-industrial complex companies; and for U.S. companies with facilities in China, whether there is a Chinese Communist Party committee in the operations of the company, and a summary of that committee's activity.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
Sanction Transactions Originating from Pernicious Chinese Companies and Policies Act of 2023 or the STOP CCP Act of 202 3 This bill prohibits U.S. persons (generally individuals and entities subject to U.S. jurisdiction) from trading in publicly traded securities with certain ties to China and expands the list of Chinese entities subject to sanctions. The bill prohibits the purchase or sale, or related transaction, of securities issued by any person that operates or has operated in the defense sector or the surveillance technology sector of the economy of China. Further, the Department of the Treasury must expand the Non-Specially Designated Nationals Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control to include any entity that supports the Chinese military-industrial complex. (This list identifies individuals and entities subject to U.S. sanctions.)
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
International Port Security Enforcement Act This bill prohibits the Coast Guard from cooperating with a state sponsor of terrorism or foreign terrorist organization when assessing anti-terrorism security measures at a foreign port. It also requires the Coast Guard to apply sanctions to a port controlled by a state sponsor of terrorism. The bill specifies that the Coast Guard cannot (1) adopt a port security assessment conducted by a state sponsor of terrorism, or (2) enter into an agreement with a state sponsor of terrorism or foreign terrorist organization to assess a port's security measures or share information related to such an assessment. If a port is under the jurisdiction of a state sponsor of terrorism, the Coast Guard must deem the port to not have effective anti-terrorism measures and apply certain sanctions, such as requiring vessels arriving from the port to meet certain conditions for entry into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
Protecting American Capital Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to annually report to Congress on U.S. portfolio investments in China. The report must include the U.S. persons making the investments, including state pension funds and those making more than 2% of the total annual investments; and the Chinese entities receiving the investments, including Chinese entities subject to U.S. sanctions and Chinese entities receiving more than $100 million. The initial report must include investment information back to January 1, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
Respect for the Second Amendment Act This bill prohibits enforcement of any federal, state, or local law that restricts or otherwise regulates privately owned firearms or ammunition, unless it is consistent with the historical tradition of firearm regulation in the United States. The bill allows the Department of Justice to bring civil actions and creates a private right of action for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
Trading and Investing with Clear Knowledge and Expectations about Risk Act or the TICKER Act This bill requires the identification of consolidated variable interest entities on securities exchanges. Specifically, the symbol used on the exchange must identify these entities as consolidated variable interest entities. (A consolidated variable interest entity is a business structure where an investor holds a controlling interest in an entity through contractual agreements rather than having a majority of voting rights.) In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission must require brokers and dealers to warn investors in these entities that those investors may lack legal recourse with respect to these investments.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
Secure America's Financial Exchanges Act or the SAFE Act This bill requires an issuer of securities, as a condition of listing its securities on a national exchange, to disclose (1) any financial support from China and the terms of any such support, and (2) whether any officer or director holds or previously held a position with the Chinese government or with the Chinese Communist Party.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
Protecting Against Tyrants by Restoring Internet Access and Yielding Vital Interconnectivity in Designated Areas Act of 2023 or the PATRIA Y VIDA Act of 2023 This bill requires activities to expand the capacity of the U.S. government to transmit internet access and counter foreign internet censorship. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must obtain the capacity to transmit internet access domestically in the event of emergency-related network disruptions, while the Department of State must obtain the capacity to transmit internet access in foreign countries with repressive regimes. FEMA and the State Department must consult with other federal agencies on their efforts, including the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration. Consulted agencies must provide necessary authorizations and support to allow FEMA and the State Department to transmit internet access. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must identify effective tools to counter large-scale internet censorship by foreign governments. In the event of increased demand for the tools, the FCC must rapidly provide funding to U.S. companies capable of deploying the tools to significant numbers of simultaneous users to circumvent internet censorship. The FCC and the U.S. Agency for Global Media must jointly report on matters concerning the capacity to domestically and globally transmit internet access and tools to circumvent internet censorship by foreign governments.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023
Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps, commonly known as the Hello Girls , in recognition of their military service, devotion to duty, and 60-year struggle for veterans' benefits and recognition as soldiers.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023
Modification to Department of Defense Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from providing certain funding related to abortion services. First, the bill terminates the DOD memorandum titled Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care (October 20, 2022). Such memo sets forth DOD policies and procedures in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization . Under the bill, DOD may not obligate or expend funds to carry out the objectives of the memo or any successor memo. Next, the bill prohibits DOD from providing any actual or necessary expenses of travel or transportation related to official travel for a member of the Armed Forces or a dependent of such a member who is seeking an abortion or any abortion-related service (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger). The bill provides that limited access of a member of the Armed Forces or a dependent to an abortion or abortion-related services due to the member's duty location does not constitute an unusual, extraordinary, hardship, or emergency circumstance for which travel and transportation allowances may be provided (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger). The bill also prohibits a member of the Armed Forces from taking convalescent leave or using an administrative absence for travel related to receiving an abortion or abortion-related service (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger).
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023
This resolution condemns China's Hong Kong national security law (officially called The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ) and related human rights abuses. The resolution also (1) supports the people of Hong Kong as they fight to exercise fundamental rights and freedoms; and (2) calls upon the Hong Kong government to drop all sedition and national security law-related charges and free all defendants immediately, including Jimmy Lai and Cardinal Zen.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives titled Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached "Stabilizing Braces" and published on January 31, 2023. The rule establishes criteria for determining whether a firearm equipped with an attached stabilizing brace that facilitates shoulder fire is a rifle subject to regulation (e.g., registration) under the National Firearms Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023
Security to Avoid Violence in Educational Settings Act or the SAVES Act This bill transfers certain funds to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to carry out a grant program for school safety and security. Specifically, the bill transfers funds appropriated for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements at public school facilities (currently known as the Department of Energy's Renew America's Schools Program) to DOJ for the grant program. DOJ must award grants to states (and states must provide subgrants to eligible entities, such as local educational agencies and schools) for planning and designing school buildings and facilities, installing infrastructure, and implementing technology or other measures that strengthen security on school premises.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Duplication Scoring Act of 202 3 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to analyze legislation reported by a congressional committee and report on whether the legislation would create a risk of a new duplicative or overlapping program, office, or initiative in an area previously identified as an area of duplication, overlap, or fragmentation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Furthering Resource Exploration and Empowering American Energy Act or the FREE American Energy Act This bill expedites the review of energy projects, limits executive power over certain energy projects, delegates certain energy permitting authority to states, provides statutory authority for specified environmental rules, and terminates tax credits for certain vehicles. Specifically, the bill establishes deadlines by which applicable federal agencies must approve or deny permits or other authorizations for certain natural gas, oil, alternative energy (e.g., solar), oil or gas pipelines, liquefied natural gas terminals, or hydropower projects. In addition, the bill limits executive power by (1) exempting certain projects related to oil pipelines, natural gas pipelines, or electric transmission facilities from permits required under any executive orders; and (2) rescinding Executive Order 13990, which is about protecting public health and the environment and addressing climate change. Further, the Office of Management and Budget must initiate a rule making that establishes a process to delegate the authority to approve or deny certain oil or gas projects on federal land to states that contain the federal land. The bill also provides statutory authority for rules issued in 2020 and titled (1) Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act ; and (2) The Navigable Waters Protection Rule: Definition of "Waters of the United States ." Finally, the bill terminates a tax credit for certain clean vehicles placed in service after 2024 (currently 2032).
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Cost Openness and Spending Transparency Act of 2023 or the COST Act of 2023 This bill requires recipients of federal funds to disclose financing information relating to programs, projects, or activities carried out using such funds. Specifically, such a recipient (including a state or local government or a recipient of a federal research grant) must clearly state in any press release, request for proposals, bid solicitation, or other document describing the activity the amount and percentage of federal funding and the amount and percentage of nongovernmental funding. An individual or entity carrying out a program, project, or activity that is carried out using federal funds must, as part of the performance progress reporting, include a certification indicating whether the individual or entity complied with the disclosure requirements for communications containing not more than 280 characters relating to the program, project, or activity. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must annually review a random sampling of public communications issued by agencies and recipients of federal funds for compliance with the disclosure requirements, and make publicly available the findings of the review. The OMB must make available to the public a mechanism to anonymously report communications that do not comply.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Guidance Out Of Darkness Act or the GOOD Act This bill establishes requirements concerning the posting of agency guidance documents. Specifically, an agency must publish guidance documents online on the dates they are issued, publish all of its guidance documents that are in effect in a single location on a designated website, display a hyperlink on its website that provides access to the guidance documents on such website, and indicate on such website if a guidance document has been rescinded. The documents must be categorized as guidance documents and further divided into subcategories.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Give Americans Stability at Pumps as Rising Inflation Causes Emergencies Act or the GAS PRICE Act This bill requires the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to report on any policy, regulation, or executive order with an effective date of January 20, 2021, or later that the EIA determines has increased or may increase energy prices in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the President to lend or lease defense articles to Taiwan for protection against potential Chinese military aggression and requires the President to establish expedited procedures for delivering loaned or leased defense articles to Taiwan. The bill also authorizes the President to finance Taiwan's procurement of certain services in connection with the loan or lease of a defense article, provided Taiwan repays the United States within 12 years.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
Hurricane Tax Relief Act This bill modifies tax rules relating to personal casualty losses for taxpayers affected by Hurricanes Ian, Nicole, and Fiona. It eliminates the requirements that such taxpayers must itemize their tax deductions as a condition of eligibility for relief and that their losses exceed 10% of their adjusted gross income. The bill applies these modified requirements to residents of Puerto Rico affected by the Hurricanes.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2023 This bill establishes specified measures to combat forced organ harvesting and the international trafficking in persons for the purpose of removing their organs. These measures include (1) establishing property-blocking and visa-blocking sanctions, and (2) requiring the Department of State to report on these practices.