Sen. James E. Risch

This resolution recognizes the efforts and sacrifices of the wildland firefighters who have risked their lives to fight intense wildfires in 2022. The resolution also (1) expresses support for communities throughout the West as they focus on recovery and rebuilding areas and communities affected by wildfires, and (2) extends gratitude to the families and loved ones of wildland firefighters for supporting the wildland firefighter community.

This bill provides that independent agents and brokers who are contracted to market Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug benefit plans do not have to record calls with beneficiaries.

Restoring Military Focus Act This bill eliminates the position of Chief Diversity Officer within the Department of Defense (DOD), as well as the position of Senior Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion within the military departments. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to establish similar positions to that of Chief Diversity Officer or Senior Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion within DOD.

Guidance Clarity Act of 2021 This bill requires federal agencies to state on the first page of guidance documents that such guidance (1) does not have the force and effect of law, and (2) is intended only to provide clarity to the public about existing legal requirements or agency policies.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 63 (SJRES 63) proposes to terminate the national emergency declared by President Trump on March 13, 2020, under Proclamation 9994. If enacted, it would end the legal status of this emergency, removing the basis for federal agencies to use emergency powers during the pandemic. This resolution does not change existing laws but formally ends the emergency declaration under the National Emergencies Act. It directly affects federal agencies and programs operating under the emergency authority, such as those waiving regulations or accessing emergency funds.

This bill addresses consultation after approval of certain land and resource management plans and land use plans. Specifically, the bill provides that the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management shall not be required to reinitiate consultation under the Endangered Species Act on a completed land resource management plan or a completed land use plan that has no on-the-ground effects when a new species is listed or a new critical habitat is designated under that act, or new information reveals effects of such plan that may affect a species listed or critical habitat designated under that act in a manner or to an extent not previously considered.

This bill expands eligibility for the Bureau of Reclamation's competitive grant program for small water storage and groundwater storage projects. Under the bill, eligible projects must have a capacity of not less than 200 acre-feet (AF) of water. Current law requires an eligible project to have a capacity of not less than 2,000 AF of water. The bill also allows Reclamation to provide additional grants to certain dam rehabilitation and reconstruction projects provided that projects previously eligible under the program have received the necessary funding.

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2022 This act reauthorizes the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom through FY2024. The commission is an independent federal commission that monitors international religious freedom violations and makes policy recommendations.

This resolution supports the designation of October 2-October 8, 2022, as National 4-H Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of 4-H in youth development and education, and (2) encourages all citizens to recognize 4-H for the significant impact the organization and members have made and continue to make by empowering young people with the skills needed to lead for a lifetime.

This resolution condemns the arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen (a Roman Catholic bishop emeritus of Hong Kong) by the Hong Kong authorities at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party. The resolution calls for all charges to be immediately dropped against Cardinal Zen. The resolution reaffirms religious freedom as a fundamental right. Finally, the resolution also urges the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to cease targeting Hong Kong's civil society and to immediately release and drop all charges against all political prisoners who have been unjustly detained and charged.