This is a non-binding House resolution (HRES 707) introduced on October 8, 2021, that formally supports recognizing October 8, 2021, as "National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day." It does not create new laws or policies - it is a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the importance of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The resolution cites their role in energy, transportation, and environmental applications but does not affect any specific groups or require government action. It has no legislative effect beyond raising awareness.
Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2021 or the HELPER Act of 2021 This bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a one-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance premium.
NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act This bill establishes the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to analyze and develop policies related to internet and communications technologies. Specific activities of the office include, for example, developing policies that promote (1) innovation, competition, and other elements of the communications, media, and technology markets; (2) security and resilience to cybersecurity incidents while fostering innovation; and (3) commercialization of communications technologies.
Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2021 This bill extends liability protection for harm caused by acts or omissions by volunteer health care professionals in the course of providing certain health care services during specified public-health or national emergencies or major disasters. However, such liability protection shall not apply if (1) the harm was caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed; or (2) the health care professional provided services under the influence of alcohol or an intoxicating drug.
Better Enforcement of Grievous Offenses by unNaturalized Emigrants or the BE GONE Act This bill expands, for immigration purposes, the definition of aggravated felony to include sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence. (Under current law, a conviction for an aggravated felony is grounds for deportation and may bar an individual from other immigration-related benefits.)
This bill extends through FY2036 the authority of the Department of the Interior to make any grants or provide any assistance for the National Coal Heritage Area and the Wheeling National Heritage Area in West Virginia. The bill extends by one year the deadline for completion of proposed management plans for the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area in West Virginia and Maryland, the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area in Washington. the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area in Washington, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area in California, the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area in Arizona, and the Susquehanna National Heritage Area in Pennsylvania.
Expanding Markets for State-Inspected Meat Processors Act of 202 1 This bill allows meat and meat food products inspected by State Meat and Poultry Inspection programs to be sold in interstate commerce. Under the inspection program, the Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service allows states that meet certain requirements to inspect meat and meat food products. The state-inspected products are currently limited to intrastate commerce, unless a state opts into a separate Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program.
SRES 407 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating October 3-9, 2021, as "Religious Education Week" to recognize the role of religious education in the U.S. It celebrates schools and organizations providing religious instruction, which the resolution states supports civic and moral development. The resolution calls on all 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia to accommodate public school students who wish to attend religious classes during school hours (a practice permitted under court rulings like *Zorach v. Clauson*). It does not create new laws or policies but symbolically affirms the value of religious education as highlighted by historical figures and legal precedents.
Furthering Opioid Services, Training, and Education Resources Act or the FOSTER Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and expands the scope of grants available for states and Indian tribes to address the opioid crisis. Specifically, the bill allows the use of grant funds for workforce recruitment and training, health care services, and foster and adoptive parent recruitment and training to support opioid abuse prevention and treatment services for children and caregivers, kinship care families, and kinship caregivers.
American Broadband Buildout to Eliminate America's Digital Divide Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish a program to provide funding to states for expanding access to broadband service in unserved areas. States must distribute these funds to certain broadband service providers for projects that offer a low-cost broadband service option for low-income subscribers. The bill also provides funding to carry out this program.
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act This bill prohibits employment practices that discriminate against making reasonable accommodations for qualified employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. A qualified employee is an employee or applicant who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position, with specified exceptions. Specifically, the bill declares that it is an unlawful employment practice to fail to make reasonable accommodations to known limitations of such employees unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on an entity's business operation; require a qualified employee affected by such condition to accept an accommodation other than any reasonable accommodation arrived at through an interactive process; deny employment opportunities based on the need of the entity to make such reasonable accommodations to a qualified employee; require such employees to take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided; or take adverse action in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment against a qualified employee requesting or using such reasonable accommodations. The bill sets forth enforcement procedures and remedies that cover different types of employees in relation to such unlawful employment practices. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission must provide examples of reasonable accommodations that shall be provided to affected employees unless the employer can demonstrate that doing so would impose an undue hardship. The bill prohibits state immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution from an action for a violation of this bill.
Protecting Financial Privacy Act of 2021 This bill prohibits a federal agency from creating, implementing, or administering a program that requires financial institutions or individuals to report on the balances of, transactions involving, or transfers into and out of financial accounts. This prohibition does not apply to laws or regulations in effect on September 1, 2021, or to the Bank Secrecy Act (laws that require financial institutions and other entities to report on certain financial transactions to prevent money laundering, the financing of terrorism, and other criminal activity). This prohibition does apply, however, to regulations issued under the Bank Secrecy Act after September 1, 2021.
