Sen. Mike Rounds

This resolution celebrates the successes of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women and the contributions they have made in the United States. The resolution also recognizes the importance of supporting equity, providing safety, and upholding the interests of these women.

Conservation Reserve Program Improvement Act of 2022 This bill revises the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) of the Farm Service Agency. The CRP is a land conservation program that provides an annual rental payment to farmers in exchange for farmers removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and planting species that will improve environmental health and quality. Specifically, the bill establishes a continuous enrollment procedure for the conservation reserve of land that will be enrolled under the state acres for wildlife enhancement initiative; provides federal cost sharing payments for the establishment of grazing infrastructure on all CRP contracts and practices, if grazing is included in the conservation plan and addresses a resource concern; and increases the CRP annual rental payment limitation from $50,000 to $125,000.

Employee Rights Act This bill makes various changes with respect to the collective bargaining process and labor relations. For example, the bill permits an employer to refuse to collectively bargain with a union within 90 days prior to the expiration of a collective bargaining agreement if the employer receives evidence that the majority of the employees in the bargaining unit do not support the union. The bill requires support from a majority of the employees in the bargaining unit (not just a majority of the employees voting) when electing union representation. The bill also requires unions to provide bargaining unit employees with the right to vote by secret ballot, including when voting whether to engage in a strike or refusal to work. Further, union dues, fees, assessments, and other contributions may be used for only collective bargaining or contract administrative functions. Additionally, the bill establishes a process for nullifying executive orders that the Office of Management and Budget determines are likely to result in an employer ordering a plant closure or mass layoff.

Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2022 or the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act This bill addresses home care and caregiver programs for veterans.

This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on February 3, 2021, that requires the use of face masks on planes, trains, buses, and other public conveyances and at transportation hubs to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Maddy summarySRES 545 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating the week beginning March 13, 2022, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." It directly recognizes 35 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) serving over 230 federally recognized tribes across 15 states. The resolution calls on the public and organizations to observe the week with activities supporting TCUs, which provide culturally grounded education, open enrollment, and workforce preparation in underserved communities. This is a non-binding commemorative measure with no new policy or funding changes.

"Six Triple Eight" Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (commonly known as the Six Triple Eight) in recognition of their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and contributions to increase the morale of personnel stationed in the European theater of operations during World War II.

Ultrasound Informed Consent Act This bill requires abortion providers, as a condition of receiving federal funding, to conduct an ultrasound before performing an abortion. Specifically, before a woman gives informed consent to any part of an abortion, the abortion provider must perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman; display the ultrasound images and make audible (when present) the heartbeat and related cardiac sounds for the woman to view and hear while simultaneously explaining the ultrasound depiction and the cardiac sounds; provide a complete medical description of the images, including the dimensions of the embryo or fetus, cardiac activity if present and visible, and the presence of external members and internal organs if present and viewable; and provide the woman with a copy of the ultrasound image. Providers are subject to civil actions and penalties for violations. The bill's ultrasound requirements do not apply in cases where a physical disorder, illness, or injury caused by the pregnancy endangers a woman's life. A woman is also not required to view the ultrasound images; nor may she or the provider be penalized if she declines to do so.

Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act This bill provides for the transition of certain financial contracts away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a reference interest rate based upon the lending terms certain banks offer to each other for various lengths of time. LIBOR is set to be retired in 2023. Various financial contracts reference LIBOR as a benchmark for prevailing interest rates and use LIBOR in calculating certain payments or obligations. In the event a contract referencing LIBOR does not have a fallback or replacement rate provision in effect when LIBOR is retired, or a replacement rate is not selected by a determining person as defined by the bill, the bill provides for a transition to a replacement rate selected by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The bill also provides for conforming changes to these contracts, the continuity and enforceability of these contracts, and protections against liability as a result of such a transition.

Home Front Energy Independence Act This bill prohibits the importation of petroleum and petroleum products from Russia until Russia recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The bill allows a new tax credit for the sale or blending of ethanol fuels. It also extends through 2025 the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel. The bill modifies requirements relating to the waiver of ethanol reid vapor pressure limitations and E15 labeling. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to award grants to certain governmental entities for expanding the biofuel infrastructure and agriculture product market.