cheaptrix/billsum-US_congress_and_house huggingface dataset:
Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update the appraisal requirements for certain loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022 2. Update of appraisal requirements for certain loans guaranteed by Department of Veterans Affairs (a) Updated regulations or program requirements required Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe updated regulations or program requirements to clarify when an appraisal is required, how an appraisal is to be conducted, and who is eligible to conduct an appraisal for purposes of a loan that is— (1) guaranteed under chapter 37 (2) for any purpose described in section 3710(a) of such title. (b) Considerations In prescribing updated regulations or program requirements under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider making changes applicable to— (1) certification requirements for appraisers; (2) minimum property requirements; (3) the process for selecting and reviewing comparable sales; (4) quality control processes; (5) the assisted appraisal processing program of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and (6) the use of waivers or other alternatives to existing appraisal processes. (c) Desk top appraisals In prescribing updated regulations or program requirements under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide guidance for the use of the authority under section 3731(b)(3) of title 38, United States Code, taking into consideration— (1) situations in which the use of such authority would provide cost savings for the borrower; and (2) situations in which a traditional appraisal requirement could cause a delay substantial enough to jeopardize the ability of a borrower to complete a transaction.

Summary: Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to update regulations, requirements, and guidance related to appraisals for housing loans guaranteed by the VA. Specifically, such regulations or requirements must specify when an appraisal is required, how an appraisal is to be conducted, and who is eligible to conduct an appraisal for such loans. The VA must also provide additional guidance for desktop appraisals, which are performed remotely using information gathered by third parties with whom a VA-approved appraiser has entered into an agreement for such appraisal. In updating such guidance, the VA must specifically take into account situations where (1) desktop appraisals provide cost savings for borrowers, and (2) a traditional appraisal requirement could cause time delays and jeopardize the completion of a transaction.
Western Tribal Water Infrastructure Act of 2021

To amend the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 to expand the Indian reservation drinking water program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Western Tribal Water Infrastructure Act of 2021 2. Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program Section 2001 of the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (42 U.S.C. 300j–3c note; Public Law 115–270 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator The Administrator (B) in paragraph (1), by striking and (C) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (D) by adding at the end the following: (3) 10 eligible projects described in subsection (b) that are within— (A) the Columbia River Basin; or (B) a coastal basin adjacent to the Columbia River. ; (2) in subsection (b)(1)— (A) by striking is on a reservation is on— (A) a reservation ; (B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by striking and or (C) by adding at the end the following: (B) an off-reservation site that serves an Indian Tribe described in subsection (c)(2)(B); and ; (3) in subsection (c)— (A) by striking the subsection designation and heading and all that follows through In carrying out (c) Requirements (1) Upper Missouri River Basin In carrying out ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (2) Columbia River Basin In carrying out the program under subsection (a)(3), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall— (A) give priority to projects that respond to emergency situations where a lack of access to clean drinking water threatens the health of Tribal populations; (B) select not fewer than 1 eligible project that serves 1 or more Tribal communities of federally recognized Indian Tribes the Federal recognition of which has been terminated and subsequently restored; and (C) ensure that not fewer than 1 eligible project under that subsection is carried out in— (i) the area described in subparagraph (A) of that subsection; and (ii) an area described in subparagraph (B) of that subsection. ; (4) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); (5) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) Federal share The Federal share of a project carried out under this section shall be 100 percent. ; and (6) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated), by striking $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2022 $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024 April 28, 2021 Reported without amendment

Summary: Western Tribal Water Infrastructure Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024, and expands, the Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program. Specifically, the bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency to connect, expand, or repair existing public water systems that are on Indian reservations or off-reservation sites that serve tribes in the Columbia River Basin or its adjacent coastal river basins. Currently, only projects that are on Indian reservations in the Upper Missouri River Basin or the Upper Rio Grande Basin are eligible for the program.
Mother and Baby Formula Safety Act

To require the Food and Drug Administration to publish guidelines for parents to prepare baby formula at home. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Mother and Baby Formula Safety Act 2. Guidelines on preparing baby formula The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall publish on the website of the Food and Drug Administration guidelines for parents unable to obtain commercially available baby formula that include— (1) do-it-yourself instructions for preparing safe baby formulas at home; (2) resources for parents on how to find baby formula alternatives; and (3) other suggested alternatives.

Summary: Mother and Baby Formula Safety Act This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to publish on its website guidelines for individuals unable to obtain commercially available baby formula. The guidelines must include (1) instructions for preparing safe baby formula at home, (2) resources on how to find baby formula alternatives, and (3) other suggested alternatives.
Equal COLA Act

To amend title 5, United States Code, to achieve parity between the cost-of-living adjustment with respect to an annuity under the Federal Employees Retirement System and an annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Equal COLA Act 2. Increase in COLA for FERS annuities (a) In general Section 8462 of title 5, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by adding and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ; and (C) by striking paragraph (3); and (2) by amending subsection (b)(1) to read as follows: (b) (1) Except as provided in subsection (c), effective December 1 of each year, each annuity payable from the Fund having a commencing date not later than such December 1 shall be increased by the percent change in the price index for the base quarter of such year over the price index for the base quarter of the preceding year in which an adjustment under this subsection was made, adjusted to the nearest 1/10 . (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Application The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to— (1) any cost-of-living adjustment under section 8462 of title 5, United States Code, made after the effective date described in subsection (b); and (2) any annuity covered by section 8462 of title 5, United States Code, commencing before, on, or after the effective date described in subsection (b).

Summary: Equal COLA Act This bill revises the formula used to calculate the cost-of-living adjustment for annuities paid under the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022

To increase, effective as of December 1, 2022, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022 2. Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation (a) Rate adjustment Effective on December 1, 2022, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2022, for the payment of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation under the provisions specified in subsection (b). (b) Amounts To be increased The dollar amounts to be increased pursuant to subsection (a) are the following: (1) Wartime disability compensation Each of the dollar amounts under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code. (2) Additional compensation for dependents Each of the dollar amounts under section 1115(1) of such title. (3) Clothing allowance The dollar amount under section 1162 of such title. (4) Dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouse Each of the dollar amounts under subsections (a) through (d) of section 1311 of such title. (5) Dependency and indemnity compensation to children Each of the dollar amounts under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of such title. (c) Determination of Increase Each dollar amount described in subsection (b) shall be increased by the same percentage as the percentage by which benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 401 et seq. 42 U.S.C. 415(i) (d) Special rule The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may adjust administratively, consistent with the increases made under subsection (a), the rates of disability compensation payable to persons under section 10 of Public Law 85–857 chapter 11 3. Publication of adjusted rates The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register the amounts specified in section 2(b), as increased under that section, not later than the date on which the matters specified in section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(D)

Summary: Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Specifically, the VA must increase the amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients that is effective on December 1, 2022. The bill requires the VA to publish the amounts payable, as increased, in the Federal Register. The VA is authorized to make a similar adjustment to the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for service-connected disability or death.
Make Border Security a Priority Act of 2022

To require the expenditure of an equal amount on border security as on the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and to confiscate Russian assets and make such assets available for border security, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Make Border Security a Priority Act of 2022 2. Requirement to expend equal amount on border security as on Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative During fiscal years 2022 and 2023, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall expend on efforts to enhance security along the southern land border of the United States an amount that is equal to the amount appropriated to the Secretary of Defense for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative for that fiscal year. 3. Confiscation of assets of Russian persons subject to sanctions; use of funds for border security (a) Confiscation (1) In general The President— (A) may confiscate and vest, through instructions or licenses or in such other manner as the President determines appropriate, property described in paragraph (2); (B) may liquidate or sell any of such property; and (C) shall deposit any funds confiscated and vested under subparagraph (A) and any funds resulting from the liquidation or sale of property under subparagraph (B) in the account established under subsection (b). (2) Property described Property described in this paragraph is funds and other property (including cryptocurrency)— (A) of Russian persons subject to sanctions imposed by the United States; and (B) subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. (3) Vesting All right, title, and interest in funds and other property confiscated under paragraph (1) shall vest in the Government of the United States. (b) Establishment of account for confiscated property (1) In general The President shall establish a non-interest-bearing account to consist of the funds deposited into the account under subsection (a)(1)(C). (2) Use of funds The funds in the account established under paragraph (1) shall be available, without further appropriation, to the Secretary of Homeland Security for physical infrastructure and equipment for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to enhance security along the southern land border of the United States as required by section 2. (c) Russian person defined In this section, the term Russian person (1) an individual who is a citizen or national of the Russian Federation; or (2) an entity organized under the laws of the Russian Federation.

Summary: Make Border Security a Priority Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to, for FY2022 and FY2023, expend on enhancing security along the U.S.-Mexico border an amount that is equal to the amount appropriated to the Department of Defense for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative for that fiscal year. The bill also authorizes the President to liquidate property seized from sanctioned Russian individuals and entities. The resulting funds shall be available without further appropriation to DHS for physical infrastructure and equipment to enhance security along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Urgently Feeding America’s Babies Act of 2022

To designate baby formula as a scarce and critical material under the Defense Production Act of 1950, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Urgently Feeding America’s Babies Act of 2022 2. Designation of infant formula as critical material Immediately upon the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall determine under subsection (b) of section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 ( 50 U.S.C. 4511 (1) infant formula is scarce and a critical material essential to the national defense; and (2) the requirements of the national defense for infant formula cannot be met without exercising the authority provided by subsection (a) of that section. 3. Waiver by Food and Drug Administration (a) In general Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary 21 U.S.C. 350a (b) Publication of guidelines The Secretary shall publish safety guidelines for each infant formula for which a waiver is issued under this section.

Summary: Urgently Feeding America's Babies Act of 2022 This bill addresses a shortage in the domestic supply of infant formula. Specifically, the bill directs the President to immediately use existing authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to ensure the supply of infant formula. That act confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods needed for the national defense. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration must (1) establish, within 15 days, a process to allow importation of infant formula from the European Union; and (2) publish safety guidelines for imported infant formula.
A bill to streamline the oil and gas permitting process and to recognize fee ownership for certain oil and gas drilling or spacing units, and for other purposes.

To streamline the oil and gas permitting process and to recognize fee ownership for certain oil and gas drilling or spacing units, and for other purposes. 1. Compliance with BLM permitting (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law but subject to any State requirements, a Bureau of Land Management drilling permit shall not be required under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 ( 30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (a) In general Notwithstanding the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. 30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq. (1) less than 50 percent of the minerals within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit are minerals owned by the Federal Government; and (2) the Federal Government does not own or lease the surface estate within the area directly impacted by the action. (b) Notification Each State with an approved permit to drill or drilling plan that would impact or extract oil and gas owned by the Federal Government shall notify the Secretary of the Interior of the approved permit to drill or drilling plan not later than 45 days after the date on which the permit or plan is approved. (c) Royalties Nothing in this section affects the amount of royalties due to the Federal Government from the production of the Federal minerals within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit. (b) Notification For each State permit to drill or drilling plan that would impact or extract oil and gas owned by the Federal Government— (1) each lessee, or designee of a lessee, shall— (A) notify the Secretary of the Interior of the submission of a State application for a permit to drill or drilling plan on submission of the application; and (B) provide a copy of the application described in subparagraph (A) to the Secretary of the Interior not later than 5 days after the date on which the permit or plan is submitted; and (2) each lessee, designee of a lessee, or applicable State shall notify the Secretary of the Interior of the approved State permit to drill or drilling plan not later than 45 days after the date on which the permit or plan is approved. (c) Nonapplicability to Indian lands Subsection (a) shall not apply to Indian lands (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 ( 30 U.S.C. 1702 (d) Effect Nothing in this section affects— (1) other authorities of the Secretary of the Interior under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 ( 30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (2) the amount of royalties due to the Federal Government from the production of the Federal minerals within the oil and gas drilling or spacing unit. November 17, 2022 Reported with amendments

Summary: This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from requiring a drilling permit under the Mineral Leasing Act for an action occurring within an oil and gas drilling or spacing unit, if (1) less than 50% of the minerals within the unit are federally owned, and (2) the federal government neither owns nor leases the surface estate within the unit's boundaries.
A bill to address the recovery of certain costs with respect to certain Reclamation facilities in the Colorado River Basin, and for other purposes.

To address the recovery of certain costs with respect to certain Reclamation facilities in the Colorado River Basin, and for other purposes. 1. Recovery of certain costs with respect to certain Colorado River Basin Reclamation facilities (a) In general With respect to hydropower production from any Reclamation facility in the Colorado River Basin with hydropower as an authorized project purpose, the Secretary of the Interior shall not— (1) allocate to preference hydropower contractors who receive power from the applicable Reclamation facility any operations and maintenance costs for any period during which the applicable facility is not able to generate hydropower as a result of dry hydrologic conditions; or (2) recover from preference hydropower contractors construction costs for the Reclamation facility for any water year during which, for a period of more than 180 days, no power is produced by the applicable facility. (b) Nonreimbursable costs Any costs incurred by the United States under subsection (a) shall be nonreimbursable to the United States. (c) Effect Nothing in this section alters or affects any water right with respect to— (1) the United States; (2) any Indian Tribe, band, or community; (3) any State or political subdivision of a State; or (4) any person. (d) Funding In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration for each fiscal year, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as are necessary for the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration, respectively, to carry out authorized activities and obligations that would otherwise be carried out using amounts collected from preference hydropower contractors as payments for the costs described in subsection (a).

Summary: This bill prohibits the federal government from recovering certain costs related to certain hydropower facilities in the Colorado River Basin (e.g., Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona) when no power is being produced. The bill provides funding to the Bureau of Reclamation and the Western Area Power Administration to cover activities and obligations that otherwise rely on the recovery of these costs.
Platte River Basin Critical Maintenance and Repair Act

To amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to provide for critical maintenance and repair of certain Bureau of Reclamation reserved or transferred works, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Platte River Basin Critical Maintenance and Repair Act 2. Critical maintenance and repair Section 40904 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3204 (1) in subsection (a)(1)(B)— (A) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (B) by striking (B) a unit (B)(i) a unit (C) by adding at the end the following: (ii) in the case of reserved or transferred works located within the Platte River Basin, the reserved or transferred works had a structural failure in Bureau of Reclamation infrastructure resulting in a declaration of emergency by the applicable State during the 3-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (c) Authorization of appropriations In addition to amounts otherwise made available to carry out subsection (a), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out that subsection $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, to remain available until expended. .

Summary: Platte River Basin Critical Maintenance and Repair Act This bill expands federal government funding to allow for the critical maintenance and repair of certain Bureau of Reclamation-owned facilities located within the Platte River Basin in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. The bill applies to those basin facilities that have had a structural failure resulting in a declaration of emergency in the 3-year period ending on the date the bill is enacted (e.g., the Fort Laramie Canal in both Wyoming and Nebraska, which had a tunnel collapse in July 2019). Current law limits funding eligibility to certain Reclamation-owned facilities that suffered a critical failure during a 2-year period ending on November 15, 2021.