Clean Energy for America Act This bill provides for tax incentives for investments in clean electricity, clean transportation, energy efficiency, and the termination of certain provisions relating to oil, gas, and other fossil fuels. Among other provisions, the bill allows new tax credits for investment in clean energy facilities and for the production of electricity from clean energy and clean fuel; allows a new tax credit for expenditures for clean energy property used in connection with a principal residence; allows a new tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel; allows an alternative motor vehicle tax credit for fuel cell motor vehicles, electric vehicles, and for refueling property; allows a tax credit for the production of electricity from clean hydrogen; extends for one year the second generation biofuel producer tax credit and the tax credit for alternative fuels; modifies existing tax credits for energy efficient residential buildings, energy efficient home improvement expenditures, geothermal heat pumps, and the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; terminates certain provisions relating to oil, gas, and other fossil fuels; requires that at least 15% of the total workforce labor hours be performed by qualified apprentices; requires that projects receiving federal assistance comply with federal prevailing wage requirements; and allows the issuance of tax-exempt private activity bonds for qualified carbon dioxide capture facilities.
Puppy Protection Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs adequate housing, exercise, and veterinary care; appropriate and nutritious food; continuous access to potable water; and meaningful socialization with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day. The standards must also include requirements for breeders to use safe breeding practices and make all reasonable efforts to find humane placement for retired breeding dogs.
Renewable Energy for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Act This bill addresses renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Specifically, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish a grant program under which USDA may award grants for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency activities, energy storage, smart grids, or microgrids. In addition, USDA may award grants to train residents of Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands to develop, construct, maintain, or operate renewable energy systems. The Department of Energy must ensure that its national laboratories offer to provide technical assistance to grant recipients. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on renewable energy and energy efficiency in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2021 This bill specifies requirements for the leasing of oil and gas resources on federal lands. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), with respect to certain federal land that is covered by a reasonably foreseeable development scenario (i.e., a long-term projection of oil and gas development) shall not offer the land for lease until such scenario includes an assessment of the land's oil and gas potential that specifically identifies the potential for all acres subject to decisions on availability for leasing. If certain federal land that is otherwise available for leasing of oil and gas resources is not covered by a reasonably foreseeable development scenario, the BLM shall complete such a scenario in accordance with the requirements and factors described in this bill. In general, the BLM shall not offer for lease certain federal land otherwise available for leasing of oil and gas resources if such land is designated in the applicable reasonably foreseeable development scenario as having low or no potential for the development of oil or gas resources. However, the bill provides for a variance process. With respect to each of these requirements, exceptions apply for federal land that is leased for the purpose of preventing oil or gas drainage or that meets specified requirements related to size and proximity to an oil- or gas-producing well.
Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2021 This bill exempts traditional large and premium cigars from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation and FDA-assessed user fees.
National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2021 This bill sets forth environmental review requirements for the mine permitting process and limits the review to 30 months. Under the bill, projects that provide minerals vital to job creation, energy infrastructure, coastal resilience and restoration, economic competitiveness, and national security must be considered to be infrastructure projects as described in Executive Order 13807, titled Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects and dated August 15, 2017.This order directed agencies to ensure that the environmental review and permitting process for infrastructure is coordinated, predictable, and transparent. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)or the Forest Service must appoint a project lead for the mine permitting process to coordinate with other agencies to ensure that the agencies minimize delays, set and adhere to timelines for completion of the permitting process, set clear permitting goals, and track progress against goals. The project lead must also determine the amount of financial assurance required for reclamation of a mineral exploration or mining site. The bill considers the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969to be satisfied if the BLM or the Forest Service determines that the agency issuing the permit will address specified factors, such as environmental impacts of the permit or alternatives to issuance of the permit. Additionally, the bill exempts projects on National Forest System land from regulations that prohibit timber tree cutting and road construction in areas without roads.
This resolution acknowledges and condemns the discrimination against, wrongful termination of, and exclusion from the federal civil service, the Foreign Service, and the Armed Forces of the thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals who were affected by the anti-LGBT policies of the federal government. The resolution expresses that the Senate, on behalf of the United States, apologizes to the affected LGBT military service members, Foreign Service members, veterans, and federal civil service employees and their families. Finally, the resolution reaffirms the commitment of the federal government to treat all military service members, Foreign Service members, veterans, and federal civil service employees and retirees, including LGBT individuals, with equal respect and fairness.
Jury Access for Capable Citizens and Equality in Service Selection Act of 2021 or the Jury ACCESS Act This bill prohibits the exclusion of individuals from jury service on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from detaining an individual during pregnancy or postpartum recovery and addresses related issues. DHS must immediately release any detainee found to be pregnant, unless the detainee presents an immediate and serious threat of hurting themselves or others. A DHS detention facility may not use a restraint on a detainee who is known to be pregnant, including during labor, transport to a medical facility or birthing center, and delivery, or during postpartum recovery, except for medical or safety purposes. The bill requires DHS to use the least restrictive restraint necessary and prohibits certain specified restraint types, including four-point restraints and binding hands behind the detainee's back. The bill prohibits DHS detention officers from being present during a detainee's pelvic exam, labor, delivery, or treatment relating to a pregnancy, unless specifically requested by medical personnel. If a detention officer is requested by medical personnel, such officer shall be female, if practicable, and remain at a reasonable distance from the detainee. A pregnant detainee must have access to health care services, including comprehensive services relating to reproductive health care and pregnancy. DHS must provide annual training about this bill's requirements to each employee who has a role in the detention or care of a pregnant detainee or a postpartum parent of a newborn. DHS must also provide each detainee notice of their rights under this bill in the detainee's native language.
Physician Shortage GME Cap Flex Act of 2021 This bill excludes certain hospitals that establish shortage specialty programs from the cap on full-time equivalent residents that is otherwise applicable, and provides for a new building period, for purposes of graduate medical education payments under Medicare.
United States–Israel Artificial Intelligence Center Act This bill requires the Department of State to establish the United States–Israel Artificial Intelligence Center to leverage the experience, knowledge, and expertise of institutions of higher education and private sector entities in the United States and Israel to develop more robust research and development cooperation in specified areas (e.g., machine learning, object detection, and speech recognition).
Juneteenth National Independence Day Act This bill establishes Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19, as a legal public holiday.
