HRES 1396 is a procedural resolution that sets rules for the House of Representatives to consider three separate bills. It waives objections to debate, limits discussion time to one hour per bill (divided equally between parties), and establishes specific amendment procedures for each bill. This resolution does not change policy but streamlines the process for voting on:
- H.R. 3843 (adjusting antitrust filing fees),
- H.R. 7780 (school mental health funding), and
- S. 3969 (voting access grants for Northern Mariana Islands and tribal systems).
The resolution itself has no direct policy impact - it only governs how the House will handle these bills.
National Computer Forensics Institute Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the National Computer Forensics Institute within the U.S. Secret Service.
Mental Health Justice Act of 2022 This bill creates a grant program for states, tribal entities, and local governments to train and dispatch mental health professionals to respond, instead of law enforcement officers, to emergencies that involve people with behavioral health needs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must manage the program in consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ). SAMHSA may cancel grants that increase incarceration or institutionalization. The Department of Health and Human Services and DOJ must evaluate this program.
Nonprofit Security Grant Program Improvement Act of 2022 This bill modifies the Nonprofit Security Grant Program of the Department of Homeland Security and reauthorizes appropriations for such program through FY2028. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must establish an office, headed by a senior FEMA official, to administer the program. Office responsibilities include those related to outreach, engagement, education, and technical assistance. FEMA must also publish grant guidelines and may prohibit states from closing application processes before the publication of the guidelines. FEMA must seek to enter into a contract or other agreement with an independent research organization for the conduct of a study that analyzes and reports on (1) the effectiveness of the program for preparedness against terrorism and other threats; (2) the risk-based formula and allocations under the program; and (3) the risk profile of and any identifiable factors leading to the low participation of traditionally underrepresented groups and states under the program.
Japanese American World War II History Network Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish the Japanese American World War II History Network within the National Park Service. In carrying out the network, Interior shall review studies and reports to complement and not duplicate studies of Japanese American World War II history and Japanese American experiences during World War II, including studies related to relocation centers and confinement sites; and produce and disseminate appropriate educational materials, such as handbooks, maps, interpretive guides, or electronic information relating to Japanese American World War II history and Japanese American experiences during that war.
Invest to Protect Act of 2022 This bill directs the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice to award grants to local and tribal governments that employ fewer than 125 law enforcement officers. Grant funds may be used for various activities, including to provide de-escalation training and improve recruitment and retention.
National Liberty Memorial Preservation Act This bill extends through FY2027 the authority of the National Mall Liberty Fund D.C. to establish a memorial on eligible federal land to honor the slaves and free Black persons who served as soldiers and sailors or provided civilian assistance during the American Revolution.
Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Act of 2022 or VICTIM Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Justice to establish a grant program for state, tribal, or local law enforcement agencies or prosecuting offices (or groups of tribal agencies or offices) to establish, implement, and administer violent incident clearance and technological investigative methods.
Break the Cycle of Violence Act This bill establishes federal grant programs and related entities to support violence intervention initiatives. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for coordinated community violence intervention initiatives in communities disproportionately impacted by homicides and community violence. HHS must also establish several related entities, including an Office of Community Violence Intervention to administer programs and activities related to violence intervention; the Community Violence Intervention Advisory Committee to advise and assist the office and HHS; and the National Community Violence Response Center to provide training and technical assistance, coordinate research, and develop data collection policies. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants for job training and workforce programs in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence to connect youth ages 16 to 24 to in-demand occupations.
This Senate resolution (SRES 794) officially designates the week of September 26-30, 2022, as "National Clean Energy Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific people or groups; instead, it symbolically recognizes the importance of clean energy. The resolution encourages Americans, businesses, and governments to support clean energy solutions and invest in affordable, low-emission technologies. It highlights clean energy’s role in job creation and economic growth but contains no binding requirements or policy changes.
Presidential Election Reform Act This bill revises the process of casting and counting electoral votes for presidential elections. The bill specifies that the choice of electors must occur in accordance with the laws of the state enacted prior to election day. Next, the bill specifies that the voting time for a state's presidential election may only be extended due to a catastrophic event. Catastrophic event means a major natural disaster, act of terrorism, or widespread power outage if it (1) prevents a substantial portion of a state's electorate from casting a ballot on election day, or (2) causes a substantial number of ballots already cast in a state to be destroyed or rendered unreadable. Additionally, the bill requires each state's governor to certify the appointment of electors for the state. Further, the bill provides for expedited judicial review for an action brought by an aggrieved presidential or vice-presidential candidate with respect to the issuance or transmission of a certificate of appointment. The bill revises the framework for the joint session of Congress to count electoral votes and make a formal declaration of which candidates have been elected President and Vice President. Among other changes, the bill (1) specifies that the role of the presiding officer (the Vice President or, in the absence of the Vice President, the President pro tempore) during the joint session shall be ministerial in nature, and (2) raises the objection threshold in Congress to at least one-third of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Securing Global Telecommunications Act This bill requires the Department of State develop and submit to Congress a strategy to promote the use of secure telecommunication infrastructure in countries other than the United States. The State Department must also report to Congress on (1) efforts by China and Russia to advance authoritarian interests or oppose fair, industry-led processes at the International Telecommunication Union, the U.N. agency involved with setting telecommunications standards and related regulatory activities; and (2) opportunities for greater collaboration with allies and partners to promote secure information and communications technology infrastructure in countries other than the United States.
