Justice for Angel Families Act This bill expands the allowable uses of state compensation payments for crime victims to include certain expenses for angel families. Angel family refers to the immediate family members of any individual who is a victim of homicide committed by (1) an individual who is unlawfully present in the United States, or (2) a member of an international criminal organization involved in the unlawful trafficking of controlled substances. The bill also reestablishes the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office within the Department of Homeland Security.
State Antitrust Enforcement Venue Act of 2022 This bill limits the transfer and consolidation of antitrust cases that are brought by states in federal court. Current law generally permits federal civil cases that are related to be transferred to a single district court and consolidated for pretrial proceedings. However, under current law, antitrust cases brought by the federal government are exempt from transfer and consolidation. This bill adds to that exemption antitrust cases brought by states.
Preserving the Readiness of our Armed Forces Act of 2022 This bill provides that a member of the National Guard (or another reserve component) must maintain access to pay and benefits while a request for a religious or health accommodation is pending. Additionally, a member of an active or reserve component of the Armed Forces may not be involuntarily separated from the Armed Forces based solely on COVID-19 vaccination status until specified recruiting goals are achieved.
Preventing Underhanded and Nefarious Iranian Supported Homicides Act of 2022 or the PUNISH Act of 2022 This bill extends sanctions and national emergencies related to Iran established by specified executive orders and limits the authority of the President to waive sanctions related to Iran. The bill requires the Department of State to periodically report whether Iran or any foreign person has supported specified activities, including murder or politically motivated detention in Iran of a U.S. citizen.
Defense Export Promotion Of Relevant Technology and Supplies Act or the Defense EXPORTS Act This bill provides funding to (1) develop program protection strategies for Department of Defense systems that may be exported, (2) design and incorporate exportability features into such systems during the research and development phases of such systems, and (3) integrate design features that enhance interoperability of such systems with those of friendly foreign countries.
NRCS Wetland Compliance and Appeals Reform Act This bill revises provisions related to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), including by (1) revising the appeals process of the NRCS for wetland certification requests, (2) requiring USDA to establish oversight committees in each state that will oversee the appeals of wetland determinations, and (3) prohibiting the NRCS from acquiring any permanent easement.
Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2022 This bill bars the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal land or water that is under the jurisdiction of such departments and made available for hunting or fishing. The bill makes exceptions for specified existing regulations and where the applicable department determines that a decline in wildlife population at the specific unit of federal land or water is primarily caused by the use of lead in ammunition or tackle, based on the field data from such unit, and the state approves the regulations.
Restoring Accountability in the Indian Health Service Act of 2022 This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements relating to recruitment and retention in the Indian Health Service, including provisions regarding pay, credentialing, and housing needs of workforce personnel.
Clean Slate Act of 2021 This bill establishes a framework for sealing records related to certain federal criminal offenses. Courts must automatically seal records related to (1) a conviction for simple possession of a controlled substance or for any nonviolent offense involving marijuana, or (2) an arrest for an offense that does not result in a conviction. Additionally, an individual who meets certain criteria may petition to seal records related to a conviction for other nonviolent offenses.
Trucking Regulations Unduly Constricting Known Service-providers Act of 2022 or the TRUCKS Act of 2022 This bill revises requirements for obtaining a commercial driver's license. The bill allows states to exempt employees in certain agriculture-related industries and employees of state, local, and tribal governmental entities from entry-level driver training requirements to obtain a commercial driver's license. Additionally, a state may issue restricted commercial driver's licenses to owners and employees of certain small businesses, including those that employ not more than nine employees who hold a commercial driver's license as of the date on which the restricted commercial driver's license is issued.
Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act This bill establishes a new criminal offense for performing or attempting to perform an abortion if the probable gestational age of the fetus is 15 weeks or more. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. The bill provides exceptions for an abortion (1) that is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. A physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion under an exception must comply with specified requirements. A woman who undergoes a prohibited abortion may not be prosecuted for violating or conspiring to violate the provisions of this bill.
S 4825, the Safe Passage on Interstates Act, makes it a federal crime to intentionally obstruct interstate highways by deliberately delaying traffic, standing near vehicles, or endangering safe vehicle movement with the intent to block normal use. It directly affects individuals who engage in such obstruction, including protesters or drivers causing blockages on interstate highways. The bill establishes penalties of up to $10,000 fines or 15 years in prison for general violations, with enhanced penalties for obstructing emergency vehicles ($15,000/$20 years) or causing death (life imprisonment). The law explicitly exempts lawful activities authorized by federal, state, or local governments.
