This bill allows funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program to be used to provide training to officers and recruits who agree to serve in law enforcement agencies in their communities.
Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 This bill makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD). The prohibition does not apply to a firearm that is (1) manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, except for certain shotguns; (2) permanently inoperable; (3) an antique; (4) only capable of firing rimfire ammunition; or (5) a rifle or shotgun specifically identified by make and model. The bill also exempts from the prohibition the following, with respect to a SAW or LCAFD: importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and possession by a retired law enforcement officer. The bill permits continued possession, sale, or transfer of a grandfathered SAW, which must be securely stored. A licensed gun dealer must conduct a background check prior to the sale or transfer of a grandfathered SAW between private parties. The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD. Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification. Newly manufactured SAWs and LCAFDs must display the date of manufacture. The bill also allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender a SAW or LCAFD under a buy-back program.
Spectrum Innovation Act of 2022 This bill addresses auctions of, and other matters related to, portions of the electromagnetic spectrum allocated for federal use. The bill also establishes grants for and otherwise modifies provisions concerning next generation 9-1-1 systems (i.e., interoperable Internet Protocol-based systems for receiving 9-1-1 calls). The bill extends to March 31, 2024, the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to auction and license electromagnetic spectrum. (Under current law, the authority expires on September 30, 2022.) Additionally, the bill establishes a process for auctioning specified parts of the spectrum currently allocated for federal use. The Office of Management and Budget must transfer certain funding to federal entities for planning activities related to reallocating and auctioning spectrum while the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Executive Office of the President must oversee the planning. The Department of Commerce must, informed by the planning, identify the spectrum to auction. Further, the bill addresses shared use of spectrum bands by federal and nonfederal users. For example, the NTIA must implement an incumbent informing capability system to manage harmful interference when nonfederal users and incumbent federal entities share spectrum. The bill also establishes the Public Safety and Secure Networks Fund and directs a portion of spectrum auction proceeds to the fund for, among other purposes, reimbursing telecommunications providers for replacing equipment that poses risks to national security and safety.
National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act This bill directs the National Weather Service (NWS) to improve the instant messaging service used by NWS personnel by implementing a commercial, off-the-shelf communications solution hosted on the public cloud to serve as a replacement for the communications system in use, commonly referred to as NWSChat.
Susan Muffley Act of 2022 This bill restores the full vested monthly benefits for eligible participants of certain pension plans that were sponsored by Delphi Corporation and terminated as a result of General Motors' bankruptcy in 2009. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) must recalculate and adjust each plan participant's monthly benefits payment. The PBGC must also apply the recalculation to previously-made monthly payments and make a lump-sum payment for any additional benefits based on the recalculation. The bill establishes and provides appropriations to a fund for the payment of these benefits and specifies how the lump-sum payments are treated for tax purposes. Finally, the bill requires the PBGC to report on recommendations to ensure the long-term solvency of its insurance programs.
Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022 This bill modifies the extension of certain Medicare telehealth flexibilities after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Specifically, the bill provides that certain flexibilities continue to apply until December 31, 2024, if the emergency period ends before that date. The bill allows beneficiaries to continue to receive telehealth services at any site, regardless of type or location (e.g., the beneficiary's home); occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists to continue to furnish telehealth services; federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to continue to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); evaluation and management and behavioral health services to continue to be provided via audio-only technology; and hospice physicians and nurse practitioners to continue to complete certain requirements relating to patient recertifications via telehealth. The bill also delays implementation of certain in-person evaluation requirements for mental health telehealth services until January 1, 2025, or the first day after the end of the emergency period, whichever is later.
Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2022 or the SECURE Notarization Act of 2022 This bill allows a notary public commissioned under state law to remotely notarize electronic records and perform notarizations for remotely located individuals. The bill provides technical requirements for such notarizations, including the creation and retention of video and audio recordings and the use of communication technologies (i.e., video chat). Additionally, the bill requires U.S. courts and states to recognize notarizations—including remote notarizations of electronic records and notarizations of remotely-located individuals—that occur in or affect interstate commerce and are performed by a notary public commissioned under the laws of other states. The bill also allows a notary public to remotely notarize electronic records involving an individual located outside of the United States, subject to certain requirements.
NOAA Chief Scientist Act This bill revises requirements concerning the qualifications and responsibilities of the Chief Scientist in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Specifically, the bill establishes new minimum qualification requirements for the position of the Chief Scientist. It also outlines new responsibilities of the Chief Scientist. For example, the Chief Scientist must follow NOAA's scientific integrity policies and ensure NOAA's employees and contractors adhere to the policies as well. In addition, the Chief Scientist must (1) provide policy and program direction for the science and technology priorities of NOAA, and (2) manage the Office of the Chief Scientist.
South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to establish programs that support heart-disease research and awareness among communities disproportionately affected by heart disease, including the South Asian population of the United States. The programs include (1) grants to states for awareness initiatives and educational materials; and (2) research regarding heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other heart health-related ailments with respect to the South Asian population and other at-risk populations.
Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 a pediatric disease research initiative within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and requires the NIH to coordinate pediatric research activities to avoid duplicative efforts. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services must report, within five years, to Congress about research funded through the initiative.
Original Slavery Remembrance Day Resolution of 2021 This resolution supports the designation of a Slavery Remembrance Day and condemns slavery and its progenies.
Federal PFAS Research Evaluation Act This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to complete various studies and reports related to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Specifically, the bill requires the EPA to enter into an agreement with NASEM to (1) study and report on research and knowledge gaps identified by the Federal Government Human Health PFAS Research Workshop (October 26 and 27, 2020); and (2) identify research and development needed to identify, categorize, evaluate, and address individual or total PFAS. Additionally, the EPA and other relevant federal agencies must enter into an agreement with NASEM to submit a study and report to better understand the research and development needed to better understand the extent and implications of human and environmental contamination by PFAS and any management and treatment options. After NASEM submits the required reports, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy must submit an implementation plan to Congress for increased collaboration and coordination of federal PFAS research, development, and demonstration activities.
