Preventing Youth Substance Abuse Act of 2021 This bill authorizes for FY2022-FY2026 the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative, which is administered by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
HR 5544 would remove the requirement for annual U.S. presidential determinations about Kazakhstan's trade status under the Trade Act of 1974. Specifically, it allows the President to formally extend permanent "normal trade relations" (NTR) treatment to Kazakhstan's products, ending the need for yearly reviews under Title IV of the Trade Act. This bill directly affects U.S. trade with Kazakhstan by making the country's trade status with the U.S. permanent and predictable, rather than subject to annual renewal. The key provision streamlines trade relations by eliminating the existing Title IV review process once the President extends NTR treatment.
Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2021 or the HELPER Act of 2021 This bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a one-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance premium.
Competitive Onshore Mineral Policy via Eliminating Taxpayer-Enabled Speculation Act or the COMPETES Act This bill revises the process of leasing public land for oil and gas development. For example, it requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to issue all onshore oil and gas leasing through a competitive bidding process. Further, the BLM must ensure the receipt by the United States of fair market value for any land or resources leased and any rights covered by the United States.
American Energy Worker Opportunity Act of 2021 This bill establishes the Office of American Energy Workers in the Department of the Treasury to provide displaced coal workers with wage replacement, health care premiums, retirement savings contributions, and educational assistance. The bill also provides educational assistance for the children of displaced coal workers and provides an incentive for clean energy employers to hire displaced coal workers.
NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act This bill establishes the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to analyze and develop policies related to internet and communications technologies. Specific activities of the office include, for example, developing policies that promote (1) innovation, competition, and other elements of the communications, media, and technology markets; (2) security and resilience to cybersecurity incidents while fostering innovation; and (3) commercialization of communications technologies.
Amache National Historic Site Act This bill directs the National Park Service (NPS) to establish, when sufficient land within the exterior boundary of what is to be the Amache National Historic Site has been acquired to constitute a manageable unit, to establish such historic site in Colorado as a unit of the National Park System to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present and future generations resources associated with the incarceration of civilians of Japanese ancestry during World War II at Amache, also known as the Granada Relocation Center, and the military service of incarcerees at the Granada Relocation Center. The NPS may acquire by donation or purchase any land or interests in land located within the exterior boundary of the National Historic Site, except that the NPS may acquire personal property associated with the purposes of the historic site only by donation. The NPS must prepare a general management plan for the historic site. The NPS may enter into agreements with public or private entities to establish and operate facilities outside of the exterior boundary of the historic site for administration, visitor services, and curation of personal property; and other public or private entities to carry out this bill.
Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole Protecting Family Legacies Act This joint resolution consents to the Hawaii legislature's amendments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. In 2017, the Hawaii legislature reduced the minimum Native Hawaiian blood quantum required for an individual to inherit a homestead lease under the act.
Voter Choice Act This bill directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to establish a program to support state and local governments in the transition to ranked choice voting (a system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference). Specifically, the EAC must provide technical assistance to state and local governments that are considering whether to make, or that are in the process of making, the transition to a ranked choice voting system for their elections. The EAC must also award grants to support such transition, including through the acquisition of voting equipment and tabulation software, appropriate ballot design, educational materials, and voter outreach.
Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2021 or the BURMA Act of 2021 This bill imposes sanctions pertaining to Burma (Myanmar) and addresses related issues. The President must impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain foreign persons (i.e., an individual or entity), including those that (1) knowingly operate in Burma's defense sector, (2) are responsible for or complicit in undermining Burma's democratic processes, or (3) are senior leaders in Burma's military or government. The Department of the Treasury must prohibit or impose strict conditions on certain accounts used to facilitate transactions for such sanctioned persons. The President may impose sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise if such sanctions would support certain objectives, including reducing the Burmese military's ability to undermine democracy in Burma. The President may also prohibit imports of precious and semiprecious gemstones from Burma. Before removing certain foreign persons from a list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons (commonly known as the SDN list), the President must certify to Congress that the person in question has not knowingly engaged in certain activities, such as supporting terrorism. The bill authorizes Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development activities in Burma and the surrounding region to support democracy activists, humanitarian assistance, and reconciliation efforts. The State Department may (1) continue to assist organizations supporting political prisoners in Burma, and (2) provide assistance to entities investigating crimes against humanity. The President must direct U.S. representatives to the United Nations to vote and advocate for certain actions related to Burma, such as cutting off assistance to Burma's government.
Whistleblower Protection Reform Act of 2021 This bill expands and revises whistleblower protections applicable to individuals who provide information to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to a violation of securities laws. The prohibition of retaliation against whistleblowers is expanded to include individuals who provide information regarding potential violations to supervisors or other employees in positions of authority, including as part of their job duties. Additionally, the bill establishes the burden of proof regarding an unfavorable personnel action against a whistleblower, including evidence needed to prove that the whistleblower's conduct was a contributing factor in such an action. The bill also deems as unenforceable a predispute arbitration agreement regarding such an action and makes additional categories of sanctions eligible for distribution as part of whistleblower awards.
Housing for our Firefighters Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide a housing allowance to any federal wildland firefighter hired at a location more than 50 miles from the firefighter's primary residence. The allowance shall be in an amount determined appropriate by Interior and USDA and adjusted based on the cost of housing in the area of deployment.
