Noncontiguous Shipping Competition Act This bill revises coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, that govern domestic transportation of merchandise or passengers by vessels. The Jones Act requires that vessels transporting merchandise or passengers between Puerto Rico and other U.S. ports be built in the United States, be at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and be mostly crewed by U.S. citizens. The bill exempts carriage on a route in noncontiguous trade from Jones Act requirements unless (1) at least three owners or operators of certain coastwise vessels regularly operate such a vessel on the route, (2) each of such owners or operators transports at least 20% of the volume of goods on that route, and (3) none of such owners or operators are under common ownership.
Noncontiguous Shipping Reasonable Rate Act of 2021 This bill provides that a rate for service in noncontiguous domestic ocean trade or water carrier for port-to-port service in that trade is reasonable if such rate is within 10% of a rate set by a comparable international ocean rate index recognized by the Federal Maritime Commission.
FEMA Empowering Essential Deliveries Act or the FEED Act This bill authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve state, local, and Indian tribal government plans to partner with small and mid-size restaurants and nonprofit organizations to provide nutritious meals to individuals in need. Specifically, during the period following the President's emergency declaration of March 13, 2020, and under any subsequent major disaster declaration that supersedes it, FEMA may approve plans from state, local, and Indian tribal governments that (1) establish contracts with small and mid-sized restaurants and nonprofits, including faith-based organizations and soup kitchens, to prepare healthy meals for people in need; and (2) provide for partnerships with nonprofit organizations to purchase directly from food producers and farmers. FEMA shall waive federal matching requirements under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act during such period.
Farm-to-Market Road Repair Act of 2021 This bill expands eligibility for the surface transportation block grant program to include (1) projects for the construction of roads in rural areas that primarily serve to transport agricultural products from a farm or ranch to a marketplace, and (2) special allocations of apportioned funds under the program to areas with a population of less than 50,000.
Putting Our Resources Toward Security (PORTS) Act This bill authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) for FY2022-FY2024 to make improvements to existing ports of entry in the United States to improve border security. In making improvements, the GSA must prioritize the ports of entry that are in the most need of repairs to improve border security.
Build America Act of 20 21 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to carry out a national infrastructure investment grant program for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure. Projects eligible for funding under the program include, at a minimum, highway and bridge projects, public transportation projects, passenger and freight rail transportation projects, and port infrastructure investments. In distributing grants under the program, DOT shall ensure an equitable geographic distribution of funds, an appropriate balance in addressing the needs of urban and rural areas, and investment in a variety of transportation modes. At least 20% of grant funds must be set aside for projects in rural areas. The bill also establishes a National Infrastructure Investment Trust Fund and increases the excise tax on gasoline other than aviation gasoline and on diesel fuel or kerosene.
National Bridge Replacement and Improvement Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a national bridge replacement and improvement grant program. Under the program, DOT may provide competitive grants to governmental entities and planning organizations to assist a bridge project that is eligible for federal-aid highway funding and will (1) restore or increase the structural capacity of the bridge; (2) correct a major safety defect of the bridge; or (3) replace an existing bridge with a new bridge that meets specific requirements, including being located in the same general traffic corridor as the bridge being replaced.
National Intersection and Interchange Safety Construction Program Act of 20 21 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a national intersection and interchange safety construction grant program. Under the program, DOT may make grants to governmental entities and planning organizations to assist a project that is eligible for federal-aid highway funding and will improve the safety of intersections or interchanges on the National Highway System that are used by an average of 50,000 vehicles a day and are in immediate need of safety improvement.
Driver and Officer Safety Education Act This bill increases authorization levels for FY2019-FY2020 for national priority safety programs of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Additionally, the bill decreases the allocation of funds under such programs for (1) occupant protection, (2) state traffic safety information system improvements, and (3) impaired driving countermeasures. DOT must award grants to states that enact a commuter safety education program for educational and training programs concerning law enforcement practices during traffic stops and other in-person encounters. In each fiscal year, 2% of the funds provided for commuter safety education shall be allocated among states that implement commuter safety education programs.
Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to distribute a payment of $25,000 to U.S. merchant marines who engaged in qualified service during World War II. To be eligible, an individual must apply for the benefit and must not have received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. The bill sets forth what constitutes qualified service, including time frame of service and licensing requirements.
Care Veterans Deserve Act of 2021 This bill expands the availability of care for veterans at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and non-VA facilities. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to furnish hospital care, medical services, and extended care services via providers under the Veterans Community Care Program to veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 50% or more who elect to receive care or services through a non-VA provider. The bill requires the VA to extend the operating hours of its pharmacies. The VA must enter into contracts with physicians and nurses to work at VA medical facilities during nights and weekends. Finally, the bill authorizes the VA to provide for a best-practices peer review of each VA medical center by a nongovernmental hospital organization to evaluate the efficacy of the care provided at each center. VA medical centers with the longest wait times for appointments or the worst health outcomes shall be given priority for peer review.
Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms Act This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include algal blooms in the definition of a major disaster .
