Helping Open Underutilized Space to Ensure Shelter Act of 2022 or the HOUSES Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the sale of certain federal land to states and units of local government for projects to provide housing. Specifically, the bill authorizes a state or unit of local government to nominate, for consideration for conveyance by the Department of the Interior, one or more tracts of public lands within the boundary of the state or unit of local government to carry out an eligible project to provide housing. Interior may not offer to convey to a unit of local government such a tract until it receives from the governor of the state approval for the conveyance. Interior may not convey to a state or unit of local government such a tract until the state or unit of local government has in effect any ordinances, statutes, or regulations that are necessary to ensure compliance with the project proposal.
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This bill designates the Provo Veterans Center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Orem, Utah, as the Col. Gail S. Halvorsen "Candy Bomber" Veterans Center.
This joint resolution nullifies the interim final rule submitted by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security and published on March 29, 2022, concerning procedures for the consideration of asylum claims and other related issues. (Among other changes, the interim final rule requires an asylum seeker subject to expedited removal to be screened by an asylum officer for a credible fear of persecution or torture, rather than a credible fear of persecution, reasonable possibility of persecution, or reasonable possibility of torture.)
No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act This bill establishes that any convention or agreement on pandemic-related issues reached by the World Health Assembly (WHA) pursuant to a specified negotiating body shall be deemed to be a treaty requiring the advice and consent of the Senate. Specifically, this bill applies to any international instrument negotiated by the intergovernmental negotiating body established by the WHA in December 2021 to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the President, in consultation with Congress, should work to conclude negotiations for comprehensive trade agreements between the United States and the United Kingdom and between the United States and the European Union.
Formula Act of 2022 This bill temporarily provides duty-free treatment to infant formula imported from countries meeting certain standards. The bill also makes formula imported under this bill eligible for purchase using benefits received under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The Department of Agriculture may modify or waive certain qualified administrative requirements related to infant formula.
Competition and Transparency in Digital Advertising Act This bill limits certain large digital advertising companies from owning multiple types of advertising exchanges or brokerages and imposes certain duties with respect to the interests of the customers of such brokerages. Advertising exchanges and brokerages generally facilitate advertisers and publishers in buying and selling advertising inventory through an automated bidding process. Specifically, companies with more than $20 billion in annual digital advertising revenue are prohibited from owning more than one type of service within the digital advertising marketplace. For example, a company, such as Google, may not own a digital advertising exchange and provide software that assists publishers of online advertisements in selling advertising space on their websites. Additionally, companies with more than $5 billion in annual digital advertising revenue that provide brokerage services to buyers or sellers of digital advertisements must act in the best interest of their brokerage customers. The bill also establishes transparency and privacy requirements for such brokerages. The bill provides for enforcement of these requirements by the Department of Justice, state attorneys general, and private right of action.
Maddy summarySRES 643 is a Senate resolution designating the week of May 15-21, 2022, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who serve and sacrifice in their communities. The resolution recognizes the service of law enforcement officers, particularly those killed or injured in the line of duty, and acknowledges their sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It expresses support for officers' needs for proper equipment, training, and resources, and encourages the public to observe the week by honoring law enforcement personnel. This designation serves as a formal recognition of law enforcement service without creating new legal requirements or policy changes.
Freedom to Import Infant Formula Act of 2022 This bill provides duty-free treatment to infant formula. The bill prohibits U.S. Customs and Border Protection from seizing or enforcing restrictions on the importation of infant formula from specified countries (e.g., Canada and the United Kingdom) if the formula meets the legal requirements for sale in that country. The bill also deems formula imported under the bill's provisions to be in compliance with section 412 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which contains requirements related to infant formula manufacturing practices and nutrients.
Opportunities for the Nation and States to Harness Onshore Resources for Energy Act or the ONSHORE Act This bill makes various changes to expand and otherwise addresses onshore oil and gas resources on federal land and non-federal surface estates. Specifically, the bill requires, subject to some limits, the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to lease certain public lands and Forest System land with known or potential oil or gas deposits. (Current law authorizes but does not require leasing.) Other changes in the bill include (1) allowing Interior to delegate authority over certain federal permitting and other regulatory responsibilities for oil and gas leases to states; (2) exempting some oil and gas activities conducted on non-federal surface estates from certain permitting and environmental review requirements; and (3) requiring deference to state regulations, guidance, and permit requirements for all activities regarding hydraulic fracturing (a type of process used to extract underground energy resources) on federal land.