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Bill· HRH.R. 7308 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
Research Investment to Spark the Economy Act or the RISE Act This bill authorizes the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, the Interior, and Health and Human Services and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation, and Environmental Protection Agency to provide support for research regarding COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) or research disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Support under this bill shall be provided through federal science agencies with at least $50 million in basic and applied research obligations in FY2020. Support may be used to provide supplemental funding to extend the duration of a grant to a research institution or national laboratory that was awarded prior to the enactment of this bill, or to expand the purposes of such a grant as specified; provide supplemental funding through existing competitively awarded cooperative agreements and contracts to cover the increased costs of construction of scientific facilities and equipment that have been delayed because of COVID-19; and award grants and cooperative agreements to institutions of higher education to conduct research on the behavioral, social, or economic effects of COVID-19 and the responses to the disease or on the effectiveness of such responses. Agencies must provide the support as rapidly as possible. Provided funds shall remain available for expenditure for up to two years.
Bill· SS. 4057 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
This bill specifies that neither the Forest Service nor the Department of the Interior may be required to reinitiate consultation on a land management plan based on new information relating to a threatened or endangered species or a critical habitat.
Bill· SS. 4061 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2020
State Emergency Restaurant and Vendor Enhancement and COVID-19 Anti-hunger Restaurant Relief for You Act or the SERVE and CARRY Act This bill provides nutrition assistance to states during an emergency such as COVID-19 by (1) establishing a State Emergency Restaurant and Vendor Enhancement (SERVE) Program that authorizes funding for states to contract with restaurants and provide nutrition benefits to participants for the purchase of meals and food through electronic benefit transfer transactions; (2) providing funds for states to purchase, store, process, package, harvest, and distribute locally grown commodities, fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, dairy, and other consumable items; and (3) expanding eligibility for benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).
Bill· SS. 4050 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2020
Public Health Emergency Production Act of 2020 This bill modifies the administration of the Defense Production Act of 1950 and requires reporting on the use of authorities under the act during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. (That act confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods needed for the national defense.) Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must require companies to prioritize the fulfillment of federal contracts or orders necessary for pandemic preparedness and response upon finding that (1) a material is essential to the public health, and (2) public health needs cannot be met through normal distribution channels. HHS must also establish, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, an office responsible for Defense Production Act of 1950 activities. Other changes include (1) eliminating a requirement to transfer any balance in excess of $750 million from the Defense Production Act Fund to the General Fund of the Department of the Treasury, and (2) enabling personnel to rotate between the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy and specified components of HHS. With respect to reporting, the Defense Production Act Committee must report general information concerning the use of Defense Production Act of 1950 authorities, and the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Agriculture must report on the use of such authorities specifically with respect to the operations of meat processing facilities, during the COVID-19 emergency.
Bill· HRH.R. 7271 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
SNAP Provisions to Lower Undue Struggle Act of 2020 or the SNAP PLUS Act of 2020 This bill expands the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to permit the use of SNAP benefits to purchase items such as vitamins, household supplies, personal hygiene items, and menstrual hygiene products. Additionally, the bill requires specified annual increases for the value of the allotment of SNAP benefits that state agencies are authorized to issue to eligible households.
Bill· HRH.R. 7240 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
Housing Efficiency Standards Act of 2020 This bill updates energy efficiency requirements for new construction or rehabilitation of certain federally assisted housing, as well as for new construction of manufactured housing. Specifically, new construction or rehabilitation of certain federally assisted housing must comply with recently updated energy efficiency standards issued by certain industry bodies. Current law requires compliance with older versions of these standards. The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture may establish additional or different energy efficiency requirements if they are at least as stringent as the otherwise applicable standards. Additionally, new construction of manufactured housing must comply with standards issued by certain industry bodies or by the Department of Energy.
Bill· HRH.R. 7264 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2020
21st Century Conservation Corps for Our Health and Our Jobs Act This bill provides supplemental appropriations for FY2020 to the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Commerce for expenses primarily for federal land management and other conservation purposes. The funding provided by this bill is designated as emergency spending and thus exempt from discretionary spending limits. The bill also establishes the Outfitters and Guides Relief Fund; includes as students fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students and home-schooled learners 10 to 12 years of age who shall be provided free access to federal lands and waters under the Every Kid Outdoors Program, and makes such program permanent; establishes the Forest Service Legacy Roads and Trails Remediation Program; establishes the Civilian Conservation Corps program; provides for the temporary waiver of ski area permit and rental fees; and provides for the temporary waiver of outdoor recreation land use permit fees.
Bill· SS. 3980 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2020
American Agriculture First Act This bill requires the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to purchase at least 75% of an agricultural commodity for the Food Purchase and Distribution Program from domestically owned enterprises if it is necessary to respond to trade damage from retaliation by foreign nations with respect to the agricultural commodity. The requirement does not apply if the Department of Agriculture reports to Congress that meeting the requirement is not possible because the quantity of the agricultural commodity available from domestically owned enterprises cannot meet the supply needs of the AMS; or would result in a greater than 150% increase between the amount necessary to purchase the agricultural commodity, and the average cost of the agricultural commodity purchased by the AMS in the prior three years. The authority provided by this bill expires on September 30, 2023.
Bill· SS. 3970 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2020
American Farmers, Food Banks, and Families Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the position of Domestic Agriculture Supply Chain Administrator. The Administrator must carry out activities in the interest of assisting farmers in entering their products into the domestic market; act as a liaison to connect farmers with food banks, schools, grocers, restaurants, and nonprofit organizations to expand domestic market access for organizations that are in need of agricultural products; identify barriers, either regulatory or legal, that prevent or inhibit farmers from entering their products into the domestic market through food distribution networks or other entities; and make recommendations to USDA regarding the means by which to remove such barriers. Additionally, USDA must establish a catalog or data resource that is capable of recording (1) farms that have excess agricultural products, and (2) food distribution organizations that are in need of certain agricultural products.
Bill· HRH.R. 7175 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
Paycheck Protection for Producers Act This bill modifies the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), by allowing certain farmers to calculate (or recalculate) their paycheck protection loan amount based on 2019 gross income. Under current law, such farmers must calculate their paycheck protection loan amount based on net income.
Bill· HRH.R. 7162 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2020
Expanding Markets for State-Inspected Meat Processors Act of 2020 This bill allows meat and meat food products inspected by State Meat and Poultry Inspection programs to be sold in interstate commerce. (Under the inspection program, the Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service allows states that meet certain requirements to inspect meat and meat food products. The state-inspected products are currently limited to intrastate commerce, unless a state opts into a separate Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program.)
Bill· SS. 3934 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2020
Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2020 This bill allows Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) after submitting a plan of operation that is approved by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). (Under current law, the three territories receive block grants instead of participating in SNAP.) Such territories may request from USDA a one-time grant to pay the cost of the technology infrastructure necessary to implement SNAP, including the cost of information technology, information technology personnel, and training relating to program implementation.
Bill· SS. 3917 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2020
Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2020 This bill establishes a grant program to fund demonstration projects to provide mental health services to medically underserved individuals in rural areas or in the farming, fishing, and forestry industries. Specifically, the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth within the Health Resources and Services Administration must award grants to public or nonprofit telemental health provider networks to deliver, and evaluate the impact of, home-based telemental services for such individuals. The office must coordinate activities with the Rural Health Liaison of the Department of Agriculture.
Bill· SS. 3918 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2020
Paycheck Protection for Producers Act This bill modifies the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), by allowing certain farmers to calculate (or recalculate) their paycheck protection loan amount based on 2019 gross income. Under current law, such farmers must calculate their paycheck protection loan amount based on net income.
Bill· SS. 3910 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2020
COVID-19 as a Presumptive Disease in Wildland Firefighters Act This bill entitles federal wildland firefighters who contract COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) to federal workers' compensation benefits and also establishes certain testing and screening requirements for such firefighters during the wildfire season (May 15-November 15, 2020). Specifically, the bill provides that if a federal wildland firefighter exhibits specified symptoms, tests positive, or is otherwise determined by a physician as likely having COVID-19 during the wildfire season or during a specific wildfire (or in the following 28 days), the firefighter is presumed to have incurred an injury while on duty that qualifies for workers' compensation benefits. Additionally, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture must ensure that all of their firefighters are tested for COVID-19 or related symptoms, or self-quarantine for at least 14 days with no symptoms, before the wildfire season or before responding to a wildfire.
Bill· HRH.R. 7099 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to convey to the Arizona Board of Regents, on behalf of the University of Arizona Experiment Station, 13.3 acres of land within the Coconino National Forest, in Yavapai County, Arizona, and an easement, if the board offers 7.5 acres of identified nonfederal land in exchange.
Bill· HRH.R. 7108 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020
This bill provides authority for the Department of Agriculture during a pandemic to permit activities such as emergency haying and grazing on land that is subject to a contract under the Conservation Reserve Program.
Bill· SS. 3894 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020
Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish a voluntary program to certify technical assistance providers and third-party verifiers that assist farmers, ranchers, or private forest landowners in preventing or mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, sequestering carbon, or verifying processes described in protocols for greenhouse gas credit markets.
Bill· SS. 3893 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2020
Pandemic Authority Suitable To Utilize Reserve Easements Act or the PASTURE Act This bill provides authority for the Department of Agriculture during a pandemic to permit activities such as emergency haying and grazing on land that is subject to a contract under the Conservation Reserve Program.
Bill· SS. 3884 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2020
Essential Transportation Employee Safety Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to support the efforts of state and local governments to provide for priority COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) testing of transportation workers who are categorized as essential critical infrastructure workers. ( Essential critical infrastructure employees include, but are not limited to, medical and health care, telecommunications, information technology systems, defense, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, energy, water and wastewater, law enforcement, and public works.) Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, DOT must require (1) the owners and operators of equipment or facilities used by passenger or freight transportation employers implement personal protective equipment and disinfection and sanitization procedures; and (2) an air carrier to submit to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) a proposal to permit pilots to wear masks or protective face coverings in the flight deck, including a safety risk assessment with respect to such proposal. The bill sets forth requirements for owners or operators who cannot acquire necessary personal protective equipment due to market unavailability. For the duration of the COVID-19 national emergency, the FAA must (1) provide certain employees, including any air traffic controller and airway transportation systems specialist, with personal protective and sanitizing equipment; (2) ensure that each air traffic control facility is cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized frequently; and (3) ensure its contractors provide their employees with personal protective equipment.
Bill· HRH.R. 7082 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2020
Ensuring Safety Tools so that Employees are All Kept Secure Act of 2020 or the Ensuring STEAKS Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue regulations with respect to protection against COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) for workers in meat processing establishments. Through the end of the COVID-19 emergency period, USDA must review and update such regulations at least every 90 days to ensure worker safety. Until such regulations are issued, the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with respect to worker safety must be used as interim requirements for meat processing establishments.
Bill· HRH.R. 7045 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2020
This bill directs the Forest Service to conduct a study to identify available land within the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu and Kauai that could be included in a national forest in Hawaii.
Bill· HRH.R. 7051 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2020
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to provide emergency relief to hog producers to aid in the reduction of intentional depopulation losses of market-ready hogs due to the closure or the reduction in processing capacity of a processing plant related to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. USDA may not make a payment for the losses of market-ready hogs unless a veterinarian certifies that such hogs are market-ready hogs, and the number of such hogs for which the hog producer claims a loss. Additionally, USDA may not make payments for (1) any hog losses for which the hog producer does not provide sufficient documentation of ownership; (2) the losses of packer-owned hogs; or (3) the losses of hogs of a producer that is owned, in whole or in part, by any person who is not a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or entity. The bill applies for the period beginning on April 1, 2020, and ending on the date that national processing capacity of hog processing plants is equal to or greater than such capacity was on February 1, 2020.
Bill· HRH.R. 7047 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2020
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to award expedited additional grants for FY2020, within 60 days, to certain entities under the farm and ranch stress assistance network. Each awarded grant may not exceed $500,000. The bill also provides additional funding for the program.
Bill· HRH.R. 7035 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2020
Farm to Fridge Act This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide grants to eligible entities under the local agriculture market program for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) losses. Eligible entities must submit USDA an application containing (1) a description of how the applicant's business has been impacted by COVID-19, (2) a narrative explaining how the applicant proposes to use such payments to expand the capacity of their sales in order to properly package and sell agricultural products to consumers either through grocery stores or direct sale, and (3) other information as USDA may require.
Bill· HRH.R. 7030 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2020
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to use $1.2 billion of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to provide emergency relief to swine producers to aid in the reduction of intentional depopulation losses of swine due to the closure or the reduction in processing capacity of a processing plant related to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Producers shall be eligible for payments based on losses incurred on or after April 19, 2020.
Bill· HRH.R. 6968 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
Meals on Wheels for Kids Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make available an option to states to provide program meals to children through service institutions that provide off-site consumption. USDA must ensure that off-site consumption is only available to a child if they qualify for free or reduced price lunch and breakfast and present certain conditions, including not being able to travel to congregate feeding sites because of distance or concerns for safety. Additionally, USDA must establish a three-year pilot program to award competitive grants for states to enter into contracts with eligible service institutions to deliver meals during non-school summer months to these children and those who qualify for the summer meals program and live in a rural or hard-to-reach area. USDA must prioritize applications submitted by eligible service institutions (1) from states with high low-income child populations, or high child populations in rural areas or hard-to-reach areas; or (2) that plan to provide educational enrichment opportunities to children who receive meals under the pilot program. USDA must provide for an independent study on the impact of such grants on the reduction of hunger and access to meals for children residing in rural or hard-to-reach areas and low-income areas during summer months.
Bill· HRH.R. 6977 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2020
Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief for COVID-19 Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to reduce the fees charged to small meat, poultry, and egg processing plants for inspections that occur during overtime hours or on holidays. The bill also provides funding to implement the requirements.
Bill· SS. 3840 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2020
Food Supply Protection Act of 2020 This bill provides assistance to food organizations to protect the continuity of the food supply chain during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency, including by providing grants that support the purchase or distribution of surplus perishable food or meals prepared with such food.
Bill· SS. 3797 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 2020
Small Packer Overtime and Holiday Fee Relief for COVID-19 Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to reduce the fees charged to small meat, poultry, and egg processing plants for inspections that occur during overtime hours or on holidays. The bill also provides funding to implement the requirements.
Bill· SS. 3785 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 2020
Farming Support to States Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish the Food and Agriculture Emergency Response and Resiliency Program to provide aid for the states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to carry out activities to respond to urgent and emerging issues in the agriculture economy and food supply chain impacted by COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and related food system threats. The bill also provides funding for the program.
Bill· HRH.R. 6921 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
Healthy Dog Importation Act This bill imposes requirements on the importation of live dogs. Specifically, the bill prohibits the importation of a live dog into the United States unless the Department of Agriculture (USDA) determines the dog (1) is in good health, (2) has received all necessary vaccinations and demonstrated negative test results as evidenced by a certificate from a licensed veterinarian, and (3) is officially identified by a permanent method approved by USDA. Additionally, dogs entering the United States for transfer must be at least six months of age and accompanied by a USDA permit. Transfer is defined as a change of ownership or control of an imported dog to another person, including by sale, adoption, exchange, or donation. USDA must provide an exception to any requirements under the bill for dogs that are transferred for (1) research purposes; (2) veterinary treatment under certain conditions, including appropriate quarantining; or (3) lawful importation into the state of Hawaii if the dog is not transported out of Hawaii for resale at less than six months of age. USDA also has enforcement authority under the bill.
Bill· HRH.R. 6956 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
Farming Support to States Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish the Food and Agriculture Emergency Response and Resiliency Program to provide aid for the states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to carry out activities to respond to urgent and emerging issues in the agriculture economy and food supply chain impacted by COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and related food system threats. The bill also provides funding for the program.
Bill· SS. 3756 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
Renewable Fuel Feedstock Reimbursement Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to carry out a program to provide payments to certain renewable fuel producers to reimburse them for purchases of renewable fuel feedstock that were made between January 1, 2020, and March 31, 2020. The payment amount shall be equal to 75% of the purchase price of such feedstock.
Bill· SS. 3759 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2020
Global Wildlife Health and Pandemic Prevention Act This bill establishes measures to close high-risk wildlife markets and prevent outbreaks of diseases of wildlife origin. A high-risk wildlife market is a commercial market that sells or processes wildlife for human consumption where (1) the species of wildlife or regulation of the market is a risk factor for zoonotic (i.e., naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans) disease spread or is linked with the global illegal trade in wildlife, or (2) the manner of processing the wildlife is a risk factor for zoonotic disease spread. The Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must (1) prioritize the closure of high-risk wildlife markets around the world, (2) provide support for foreign governments in their efforts to close such markets, (3) work with foreign governments and multilateral organizations to develop agreements around closing such markets, and (4) coordinate these activities with existing efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. Further, if a country is determined to be willfully harboring high risk wildlife markets, the President may impose certain sanctions, such as import bans. The State Department, the USAID, the FWS, USDA, and the U.S. Geological Survey must leverage public health, animal health, and environmental health expertise to, among other things (1) identify high-risk wildlife markets; (2) strengthen global capacity for detection of zoonotic diseases with pandemic potential; and (3) coordinate an approach to global zoonotic disease preparedness, surveillance, and response.
Bill· HRH.R. 6889 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2020
Northern Nevada Economic Development, Conservation and Military Modernization Act of 2020 This bill provides for the designation, withdrawal, conveyance, exchange, sale, or disposal of certain federal and nonfederal lands in Nevada, including land associated with the Fallon Range Training Complex. The bill designates the Stillwater and Grimes Point National Conservation Areas and specified parcels of federal land as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture shall not issue an oil or gas lease within the area identified as National Forest System Lands as depicted on the map titled S. 258 Ruby Mountains Protective Act and dated December 5, 2019. The bill establishes a federal complex for specified Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bureau of Indian Affairs offices or headquarters in Nevada. The bill requires the issuance of corrective patents for private lands adjacent to public land in White Pine County when (1) a cloud on the title demonstrates that the private land had been patented before 1976, and (2) the correction is for five acres or less.
Bill· HRH.R. 6904 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2020
Increasing Access to SNAP Delivery During COVID-19 Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase access to food delivery under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) national emergency. Specifically, the bill requires USDA to notify authorized program retailers of existing opportunities through which they can deliver food to SNAP participants, including allowing an electronic benefit transfer card to be swiped on delivery of food to the home (with a mobile device); authorizes public-private partnerships between USDA, authorized program retailers, and community-based organizations to support food delivery, including through the use of private funds; provides funding, which USDA must use to reimburse certain retailers for the costs of delivering food to program participants who are seniors, immunocompromised individuals, or other individuals who are unable to travel safely to a program retailer; and requires each state to submit a plan that describes how it will coordinate with program retailers and community-based partners to expand delivery, administer reimbursements, and ensure retailers meet eligibility requirements. Authority for USDA to carry out the bill with respect to each state shall terminate on the later of (1) the date on which the national emergency declared by the President with respect to COVID-19 is terminated, and (2) the date on which the state emergency declared in such state with respect to COVID-19 is terminated.
Bill· SS. 3736 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2020
Increasing Access to SNAP Delivery During COVID-19 Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase access to food delivery under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) national emergency. Specifically, the bill requires USDA to notify authorized program retailers of existing opportunities through which they can deliver food to SNAP participants, including allowing an electronic benefit transfer card to be swiped on delivery of food to the home (with a mobile device); authorizes public-private partnerships between USDA, authorized program retailers, and community-based organizations to support food delivery, including through the use of private funds; provides funding, which USDA must use to reimburse certain retailers for the costs of delivering food to program participants who are seniors, immunocompromised individuals, or other individuals who are unable to travel safely to a program retailer; and requires each state to submit a plan that describes how it will coordinate with program retailers and community-based partners to expand delivery, administer reimbursements, and ensure retailers meet eligibility requirements. Authority for USDA to carry out the bill with respect to each state shall terminate on the later of (1) the date on which the national emergency declared by the President with respect to COVID-19 is terminated, and (2) the date on which the state emergency declared in such state with respect to COVID-19 is terminated.
Bill· SS. 3728 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2020
Critical Infrastructure Employee Protection Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Transportation to support state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions in providing (1) priority COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) testing for essential critical infrastructure employees; and (2) priority access to personal protective equipment, sanitizers, face coverings, and health-related or protective supplies necessary to safely perform essential critical infrastructure work. ( Essential critical infrastructure employees include, but are not limited to, medical and health care, telecommunications, information technology systems, defense, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, energy, water and wastewater, law enforcement, and public works.)
Bill· SS. 3719 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2020
Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2020 This bill revises the requirements for calculating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) benefits. The bill increases the minimum SNAP benefit and requires benefits to be calculated using the value of a low-cost food plan. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must determine the requirements for the low-cost food plan, which is the diet required to feed a family of four, consisting of a man and a woman 19-50 years of age, a child 6-8 years of age, and a child 9-11 years of age. USDA must make adjustments to the plan to account for household size, changes in the cost of the diet, and the costs of food in specified areas, including U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and American Samoa. The bill modifies the requirements for calculating household income to determine SNAP eligibility by (1) authorizing a standard medical expense deduction for households containing an elderly or disabled member, and (2) eliminating the cap on the deduction for excess shelter expenses. The bill eliminates certain work requirements for SNAP. The requirements apply to able-bodied adults who are ages 18-49 and have no dependent children. Under current law, the requirements are partially suspended due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The bill allows Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in SNAP after submitting a plan of operation that is approved by USDA. Under current law, the three territories receive block grants instead of participating in SNAP.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 575 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2020
This resolution expresses that the Senate urges the President to require the U.S. Trade Representative to enter into the trade negotiations necessary to implement mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, in order to allow consumers to make an informed and free choice about where their food comes from.
Bill· HRH.R. 6846 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2020 This bill allows Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) after submitting a plan of operation that is approved by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). (Under current law, the three territories receive block grants instead of participating in SNAP.) Such territories may request from USDA a one-time grant to pay the cost of the technology infrastructure necessary to implement SNAP, including the cost of information technology, information technology personnel, and training relating to program implementation.
Bill· HRH.R. 6800 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act or the HEROES Act This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak and its impact on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses. Among other things, the bill provides FY2020 emergency supplemental appropriations to federal agencies; provides payments and other assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; provides additional direct payments of up to $1,200 per individual; expands paid sick days, family and medical leave, unemployment compensation, nutrition and food assistance programs, housing assistance, and payments to farmers; modifies and expands the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides loans and grants to small businesses and nonprofit organizations; establishes a fund to award grants for employers to provide pandemic premium pay for essential workers; expands several tax credits and deductions; provides funding and establishes requirements for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing; eliminates cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatments; extends and expands the moratorium on certain evictions and foreclosures; and requires employers to develop and implement infectious disease exposure control plans. The bill also modifies or expands a wide range of other programs and policies, including those regarding Medicare and Medicaid, health insurance, broadband service, medical product supplies, immigration, student loans and financial aid, the federal workforce, prisons, veterans benefits, consumer protection requirements, the U.S. Postal Service, federal elections, aviation and railroad workers, and pension and retirement plans.
Bill· HRH.R. 6834 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Farmer's Milk in Low-Income Kitchens Act or the MILK Act This bill revises and expands the milk donation program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Specifically, the bill (1) increases funding for the program, and (2) requires USDA to carry out a program to match eligible dairy organizations with eligible distributors in order to facilitate the formation of eligible partnerships.
Bill· HRH.R. 6841 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Assistance and Gratitude for Coronavirus Heroes in Agribusiness who are Invaluable to the Nation Act or the AG CHAIN Act This bill allows an exclusion from gross income, for income tax purposes, of wages and other income earned by certain qualified employees for the period between February 15, 2020, and June 15, 2020. The aggregate amount of such exclusion for any such employee may not exceed $25,000. A qualified employee is an essential food and agriculture employee who provides services at grocery stores, gasoline stations, restaurants, and other food service establishments that are located in a county that has at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The Department of the Treasury may extend the exclusion period for an additional three months if it determines that the COVID-19 emergency is likely to be ongoing. The bill also suspends the payment of payroll taxes for employee wages not exceeding $75,000 for the same period.
Bill· HRH.R. 6819 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
COVID-19 Designation of Immediate Special Authority of Spectrum for Tribes' Emergency Response in Indian Country Act or the COVID-19 DISASTER in Indian Country Act This bill grants emergency special temporary authority and provides funds to deploy wireless broadband service on tribal lands and Hawaiian home lands. Specifically, the bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to grant emergency special temporary authority to Indian tribes, certain tribal entities, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands if they request such authority to use electromagnetic spectrum to provide wireless broadband service over tribal lands or Hawaiian home lands. The FCC must grant such emergency authority within 10 days of receiving a request. In addition, the bill provides funds to specified Department of Agriculture grant programs for (1) immediate deployment of wireless broadband service on tribal lands and Hawaiian home lands, including repairs to damaged infrastructure and backhaul costs; and (2) technical assistance and training.
Bill· HRH.R. 6801 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Funding Emergency Eating Distribution for the Children or the FEED the Children Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allocate additional funds to states to reimburse school food authorities for a specified percentage of the costs incurred from March 2020 through June 2020 to operate school food programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, USDA must issue guidance for the implementation of this bill not later than 10 days after enactment.
Bill· HRH.R. 6811 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
Wise Investment in Children Act of 2020 or the WIC Act of 2020 This bill expands eligibility for children to receive benefits under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Specifically, the bill allows states to extend eligibility for the program until the period that ends on the earlier of the sixth birthday of a child or when the child enters kindergarten; extends the certification period under the program for infants to two years, instead of the current one year; and authorizes states to increase the certification time under the program for breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women to two years postpartum.
Bill· SS. 3697 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
SNAP COVID-19 Anti-Hunger Restaurant Relief for You Act of 2020 This bill modifies the Restaurant Meals Program under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to make additional individuals and food retailers eligible to use and participate in the program during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Bill· SS. 3693 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2020
This bill establishes that a minimum of 50% of a covered packer's daily volume of livestock slaughter must be purchased through spot market sales from nonaffiliated producers. (The term covered packer applies to a packer that is required to report to the Department of Agriculture each reporting day information on the price and quantity of livestock purchased by such packer and does not include a packer that owns only one livestock processing plant.) A spot market sale is a purchase and sale of livestock by a packer from a producer under (1) an agreement that specifies a firm base price that may be equated with a fixed dollar amount on the date the agreement is entered into, (2) which the livestock are slaughtered not more than 14 days after the date on which the agreement is entered into, and (3) circumstances in which a reasonable competitive bidding opportunity exists on the date on which the agreement is entered into.