hyperdemocracy/usc-textversion huggingface dataset:
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2609 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Barrasso (for himself, Mr. Lankford , Mrs. Blackburn , Mr. Tillis , Mr. Braun , Mr. Risch , and Mr. Cramer ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the dollar limitation for the election to expense certain depreciable business assets.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Small Business Growth Act . 2. Increase in limitations on expensing of depreciable business assets (a) In general Section 179(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (1) by striking $1,000,000 in paragraph (1) and inserting $2,500,000 , and (2) by striking $2,500,000 in paragraph (2) and inserting $4,000,000 . (b) Inflation adjustment Section 179(b)(6)(A) of such Code is amended— (1) by striking 2018 and inserting 2024 (2018 in the case of the dollar amount in paragraph (5)(A)) , and (2) by striking calendar year 2017 in clause (ii) thereof and inserting calendar year 2023 ( calendar year 2017 in the case of the dollar amount in paragraph (5)(A)) . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023.
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2611 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Ms. Collins , and Mr. King ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To require the Secretary of Agriculture to expand the snow survey and water supply forecasting program to serve the Northeastern United States.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Snow Survey Northeast Expansion Act of 2023 . 2. Expansion of NRCS snow survey and water supply forecasting (a) Definition of Northeastern United States In this section, the term Northeastern United States means the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and any other States determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. (b) Expansion The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, shall expand the snow survey and water supply forecasting program carried out by the Natural Resources Conservation Service to serve the Northeastern United States.
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2613 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Braun introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To modify certain technical data rights with respect to contracts.

1. Modifications to rights in technical data Section 3771(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting for which the United States shall have government purpose rights, unless the Government and the contractor negotiate different license rights after component) ; and (2) in paragraph (4)(A)— (A) in clause (ii), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (B) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and (C) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause (iii): (iii) is a release, disclosure, or use of detailed manufacturing or process data— (I) that is necessary for operation, maintenance, installation, or training and shall be used only for operation, maintenance, installation, or training purposes supporting wartime operations or contingency operations; and (II) for which the head of an agency determines that the original supplier of such data will be unable to satisfy military readiness or operational requirements for such operations; or .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2616 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Schmitt introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To provide for a right of action against Federal employees for violations of rights secured by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Censorship Accountability Act . 2. Right of action against Federal employees for violations of rights secured by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States (a) Definition In this section, the term Federal employee means an individual, other than the President or the Vice President, who occupies a position in any agency or instrumentality in the executive branch of the Federal Government, including in any independent agency in that branch. (b) Liability (1) In general A Federal employee who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of the United States, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or any person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress. (2) Exception Under paragraph (1), a Federal employee may not bring suit against the agency or instrumentality employing the Federal employee, or against the Federal Government, for conduct that is within the scope of the employment relationship. (c) Attorney’s fees In any action or proceeding to enforce this section, the court, in the discretion of the court, may allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs. (d) Severability If any provision of this section, or the application of a provision of this section to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this section, and the application of the provisions of this section to any person or circumstance, shall not be affected by that holding.
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2617 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Rubio introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from restricting direct access by health care facilities to medical countermeasures.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Treatment Restoration for Every American's Trial Act or the TREAT Act . 2. Prohibition on restrictions on direct access to medical countermeasures (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may not implement any policy that would restrict hospitals or other appropriate health care facilities from ordering and receiving medical countermeasures, including biological products, drugs, and devices, directly from manufacturers and distributors of such countermeasures. (b) Definition In this section, the term medical countermeasure has the meaning given the term qualified countermeasure in section 319F–1 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 247d–6a ).
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2619 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Ms. Hirono (for herself and Mr. Wicker ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to eliminate the prohibition on indirect costs with respect to aquaculture assistance, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Promoting American Competition in Aquaculture Research Act . 2. Reauthorizing aquaculture assistance programs; treatment of indirect costs (a) In general Section 1477(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3324(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (3) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028. . (b) Indirect costs Section 1477 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3324 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (c) Indirect costs Effective beginning on the date of enactment of this subsection— (1) the limitation with respect to indirect costs under section 1462 shall apply with respect to awards made under this subtitle; and (2) the limitation with respect to indirect costs under section 1473 shall not apply with respect to those awards. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2622 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Cruz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To clarify the application of the appointment and confirmation requirements for the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Accountability for the CDC, improving Congressional Oversight, and Ratification of its Director Act or the ACCORD Act . 2. Appointment and confirmation of the Director of the CDC Section 2101(b) of division FF of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 ( Public Law 117–328 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: Any Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that is in place on the day before such effective date shall be subject to the appointment requirements of such section 305(a), effective January 20, 2025. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2623 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Rounds introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs A BILL To require the Secretary of the Treasury to harmonize the effective dates of all rules that the Secretary is required to issue under the Corporate Transparency Act, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Small Business Information Act of 2023 . 2. Harmonizing beneficial ownership rulemaking effective dates (a) In general In issuing the rules that the Secretary of the Treasury is required to issue under the Corporate Transparency Act (title LXIV of division F of Public Law 116–283 ) (including under the amendments made by that Act), the Secretary shall ensure that all such rules take effect on the same date. (b) Delay of effective dates A final rule issued by the Secretary of the Treasury under the Corporate Transparency Act (title LXIV of division F of Public Law 116–283 ) (or under any amendment made by that Act), including the final rule issued by the Secretary of the Treasury entitled Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements (87 Fed. Reg. 59498; published September 30, 2022), shall not take effect until after the date on which the Secretary of the Treasury certifies to Congress, and makes that certification available to the public, that— (1) all final rules that the Secretary is required to issue under that Act (including under the amendments made by that Act) have been issued by the Secretary; and (2) all final rules described in paragraph (1) will take effect on the same date.
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2628 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Rounds introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs A BILL To amend title 31, United States Code, to require the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Accountability through Confirmation Act . 2. Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (a) Appointment of Director Section 310(b)(1) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking who shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury and inserting who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate . (b) Pay of Director Section 310(b)(1) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: The Director shall be compensated at the annual rate of basic pay for a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule, as provided under section 5315 of title 5. . (c) Transition provision The individual serving as the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury on the day before the date of enactment of this Act shall continue to serve in that position until the date on which the first Director is confirmed by the Senate pursuant to section 310(b)(1) of title 31, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a).
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2635 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Ricketts ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that flexible fuel vehicles may use certain gram per mile carbon dioxide values for purposes of determining fleet average carbon dioxide standards for certain vehicles.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Flex Fuel Fairness Act of 2023 . 2. Finding Congress finds that the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET) model developed by Argonne National Laboratory finds that E85 fuel made with average corn starch ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 31 percent per mile traveled as compared to gasoline with no ethanol. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. (2) Flexible fuel vehicle The term flexible fuel vehicle has the meaning given the term in section 86.1803–01 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act). (3) Manufacturer The term manufacturer has the meaning given the term in section 216 of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7550 ). 4. Flexible fuel vehicle compliance value (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise section 86.1818–12 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, to ensure that, for purposes of determining fleet average CO 2 standards under that section, manufacturers may use a gram per mile CO 2 value for flexible fuel vehicles that is 31 percent lower than the gram per mile CO 2 value for the same vehicle make and model that is not a flexible fuel vehicle. (b) Further adjustment The Administrator may, by regulation, apply a larger percentage reduction in the gram per mile CO 2 value for flexible fuel vehicles than the percentage described in subsection (a) if the Administrator determines that the larger percentage reduction is appropriate based on a version of the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET) model developed by Argonne National Laboratory after the date of enactment of this Act.
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2640 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Brown (for himself, Mr. Tillis , and Mr. Boozman ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To amend the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 to reauthorize the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fugitive Safe Surrender Reauthorization Act of 2023 . 2. Fugitive safe surrender program Section 632(c) of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 ( 34 U.S.C. 20989(c) ) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (3) and inserting the following: (1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; (2) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; (3) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and (4) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2027. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2643 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Luján (for himself and Mr. Marshall ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to modify eligibility for prevented planting insurance under certain drought conditions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Farmers from Drought Act of 2023 . 2. Eligibility for prevented planting insurance under certain drought conditions Section 508A(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1508a(c) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (6) 1-in-5 rule for certain drought conditions (A) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Covered county The term covered county means a county that experienced, in each of 3 consecutive years, extreme drought (D3 or worse intensity), as measured by, and indicated in a report of, the United States Drought Monitor, in any area of the county at any time during the normal planting period. (ii) Covered rule The term covered rule means the eligibility requirement for prevented planting insurance, described in section 17(f)(8) of the most recent version of the Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions, under which planting of a crop must have occurred once in the 4 most recent crop years preceding the current crop year (commonly referred to as the 1 in 4 rule ). (B) 1-in-5 rule The covered rule shall be modified for a covered county to require the planting of a crop once in the 5 most recent crop years preceding the current crop year. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2648 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Braun (for himself and Ms. Hirono ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to treat certain individuals who served in Vietnam as a member of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea as a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States for purposes of the provision of health care by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief Act or the Korean American VALOR Act . 2. Provision of certain benefits to individuals who served in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea Section 109 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) (1) Any person described in paragraph (2) is eligible for the benefits specified in subsection (a) to the same extent and under the same conditions (including with respect to applicable reciprocity requirements) as a discharged member of the Armed Forces of a government specified in such subsection who is eligible for such benefits under such subsection. (2) A person described in this paragraph is a person whom the Secretary determines served in Vietnam as a member of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea at any time during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, or such other period as determined appropriate by the Secretary for purposes of this subsection. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2655 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Kennedy introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs A BILL To require certain entities to submit to Congress information on the Basel Committee on Bank Supervision, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Transparency in Banking Act . 2. Basel Committee on Bank Supervision (a) In general The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall— (1) not later than January 31 of each year, jointly submit to Congress, and make available on the website of the Board of Governors, a report on the Basel Committee on Bank Supervision, including the goals of the entities for the Basel Committee on Bank Supervision meetings, including— (A) who from each entity will be attending the meetings; (B) the various problems to be addressed; (C) the various options likely to be considered; (D) the nature of the standards being considered for application in the United States or affecting United States persons or businesses; (E) what authority will be relied upon to implement the proposed standards; and (F) the activities or proposed activities of all of the subcommittees that report to the Basel Committee on Bank Supervision; and (2) not later than 30 days after the date of any significant change in the planned activities described in the report submitted under paragraph (1), inform Congress of such changes, including— (A) the meeting results; (B) the economy in general; (C) a summary of the minutes of the meeting that includes the proposed changes and a public record of votes or any other of the positions taken by members of the Committee; (D) the description of any proposals being discussed at the meeting; and (E) the position taken by each of the United States representatives attending the meeting. (b) Testimony The Chair and Vice Chair for Supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall include in their annual testimony before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives the details of the annual report required under subsection (a).
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2667 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Luján introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to include support for sustainable fibers in the Local Agriculture Market Program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sustainable Farms, Fibers, and Forests Act of 2023 . 2. Sustainable farms, fibers, and forests (a) Definitions Section 210A(a) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 ( 7 U.S.C. 1627c(a) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (11), (12), and (13) as paragraphs (5) through (12), (14), and (15), respectively; (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: (4) Food The term food includes sustainable fibers. ; and (3) by inserting after paragraph (12) (as so redesignated) the following: (13) Sustainable fibers The term sustainable fibers means fibers produced by farming operations that use sustainable cropping or grazing systems, or other systems and practices beneficial to natural ecosystems, as determined by the Secretary, including— (A) textile products from plant-based fibers, such as cotton, flax, and hemp; (B) animal-based fibers and products, such as wool, alpaca, and leather; and (C) natural dye products, such as plant extracts. . (b) Technical assistance and outreach Section 210A(c)(3) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 ( 7 U.S.C. 1627c(c)(3) ) is amended by striking services, and inserting services and the National Agroforestry Center, . (c) Eligible activities Section 210A(d)(2)(A) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 ( 7 U.S.C. 1627c(d)(2)(A) ) is amended— (1) in clause (v), by striking or at the end; (2) in clause (vi), by inserting or after the semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (vii) agroforestry, including demonstration infrastructure for farmer or landowner learning; . (d) Regional food partnerships Section 210A(e)(2) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 ( 7 U.S.C. 1627c(e)(2) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (C) Agricultural product diversity To the maximum extent practicable, in selecting partnerships to receive grants under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall ensure diversity among the types of agricultural products supported by the partnerships, including sustainable fibers. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2671 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Daines (for himself, Mr. Thune , Mr. Lee , Mr. Marshall , Mr. Wicker , and Mr. Rounds ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from issuing a rule or promulgating a regulation requiring certain vehicles to be equipped with speed limiting devices, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-wheelers Act or the DRIVE Act . 2. Prohibition on requiring speed limiting devices Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration may not issue any rule or promulgate any regulation to require vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds operating in interstate commerce to be equipped with a speed limiting device set to a maximum speed.
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2674 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Daines (for himself, Mr. Warner , Mr. Crapo , and Mr. Warnock ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs A BILL To amend the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to increase transparency and accountability regarding the operations of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the CDFI Fund Transparency Act . 2. Requirement to testify Section 104(b) of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 ( 12 U.S.C. 4703(b) ) is amended by adding to the end the following: (5) Annual testimony The Secretary of the Treasury (or a designee of the Secretary) shall, at the discretion of the chairman of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and chairman of the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives, annually testify before such committees (or a subcommittee of such committees) regarding the operations of the Fund during the previous fiscal year. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2680 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Ossoff (for himself and Mr. Rounds ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To require the provision of information and counseling regarding Federal food assistance programs as part of the Transition Assistance Program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Transitioning Servicemember Food Security Act of 2023 . 2. Provision of food assistance program information as part of Transition Assistance Program Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (20) Information and counseling developed and provided in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, regarding Federal food and nutrition assistance programs, including the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq. ) and the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 ( 42 U.S.C. 1786 ). .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2684 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself and Mr. Van Hollen ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to verify whether a health care provider is licensed in good standing before issuing the provider a unique health identifier, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medical License Verification Act . 2. Requirement to verify that a health care provider is licensed in good standing before issuing a unique health identifier Section 1173(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1320d–2(b) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) Verification of license in good standing Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall establish and implement an automated system that enables the Secretary to verify whether a person described in section 1172(a)(3) who is an applicant for a unique health identifier and who claims in the application to be licensed in a State is actually licensed in that State and that such license is in good standing. Such verification shall be done before providing the applicant with such an identifier. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2685 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Peters (for himself and Mr. Lankford ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To make data and internal guidance on excess personal property publicly available, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reuse Excess Property Act . 2. Reporting on excess personal property (a) In general Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code, is amended— (1) in section 529, by adding at the end the following: (c) Compilation of data Not later than 180 days following the close of a fiscal year, the Administrator shall compile the data in the reports submitted under subsection (a) and publish a publicly available report on a centralized online website, which shall include— (1) the complete data provided in each report in a user-friendly format; (2) a summary of the findings of each report, including the aggregate dollar amount of personal property determined to be no longer required for the purpose of the appropriation used to make the purchase; and (3) any other recommendations from the Administrator. ; and (2) by inserting after section 529 the following: 530. Internal guidance on excess personal property (a) Initial report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, each executive agency shall submit to the Administrator and make publicly available on the website of the executive agency the internal guidance of the executive agency on considering using excess personal property to meet the needs of the executive agency, which shall include— (1) a requirement to consider excess personal property before buying new; (2) when it is practicable to check for and obtain excess personal property; (3) how to evaluate the suitability of excess personal property for use; and (4) defined roles and responsibilities relevant to considering the potential use of excess personal property, including the designation of an employee as responsible for searching through available excess personal property for items that meet the needs of the executive agency. (b) Updates Each executive agency shall submit to the Administrator and update on the website of the executive agency any changes to the internal guidance submitted and made available under subsection (a). . (b) Report on interagency working group Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of General Services shall publish a publicly available report on a centralized online website that includes a summary of findings from the interagency working group on the acquisition of personal property that was first convened in February 2023 on ways to improve the use of excess personal property. (c) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 529 the following: 530. Internal guidance on excess personal property. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2686 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Braun introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the economic impact and health outcomes associated with the response to the COVID–19 pandemic in the United States.

1. Assessment of COVID–19 mitigation policies (a) GAO study The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the economic impact and health outcomes associated with the response to the COVID–19 pandemic in the United States. Such study shall include— (1) a summary of strategies used by local governmental entities, States, and the Federal Government to contain and mitigate the spread of COVID–19 during the public health emergency declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 247d ) on January 31, 2020, including— (A) limitations on large gatherings of people; (B) the closure of schools, businesses, houses of worship, and other facilities; (C) masking policies; (D) testing policies; and (E) vaccination policies; (2) an analysis and review of the scientific evidence related to the effectiveness of such strategies in preventing or mitigating the spread of COVID–19, including estimates of the burden of disease and death that were avoided through such interventions; (3) an analysis and review of the economic and health impacts of such strategies, including impacts related to mental and physical health and student learning loss; and (4) an accounting of Federal funding used to implement such strategies. (b) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report on the study under subsection (a) to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. Such report shall include recommendations based on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a) regarding the impact of such strategies during the COVID–19 public health emergency, including how to improve future responses.
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2696 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Marshall , Mr. Bennet , Mr. Luján , Mr. Padilla , Mr. Kelly , Ms. Sinema , and Mr. Heinrich ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to modify the water conservation or irrigation efficiency practice waiver authority.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the EQIP Water Conservation Act of 2023 . 2. Water conservation or irrigation efficiency practice waiver authority Section 1240B(h)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(h)(2) ) is amended by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) and inserting the following: (C) Waiver authority The Secretary shall waive the applicability of the limitations in sections 1001D(b) and 1240G for a payment made under a contract entered into under this paragraph if the payment does not exceed— (i) the product obtained by multiplying— (I) the maximum payment under section 1240G; and (II) the number of producers served by the contract through the entity that is party to the contract; less (ii) the sum of any other payments received under the program during the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 by— (I) producers served by the contract; and (II) the entity that is party to the contract, limited to the proportion of those payments that benefit the producers served by the contract. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2697 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mrs. Feinstein (for herself and Mr. Padilla ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to modify the definitions of the terms rural and rural area for purposes of grants and loans to remedy a lack of compliance with certain drinking water standards, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Clean Drinking Water for Rural Communities Act of 2023 . 2. Definition of rural and rural area Section 343(a)(13)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(B) ) is amended— (1) by striking For the purpose and inserting the following: (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), for the purpose ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (ii) Projects for compliance For the purpose of grants and loans described in clause (i) to be used for projects to remedy a lack of compliance with enforceable Federal or State drinking water standards, the terms rural and rural area mean a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 20,000 inhabitants. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2702 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Padilla (for himself, Mr. Booker , Mr. Brown , Mrs. Feinstein , Mrs. Gillibrand , Ms. Warren , Mr. Welch , and Mr. Wyden ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to reauthorize the position of Farmworker Coordinator.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Voice for Farm Workers Act of 2023 . 2. Farmworker Coordinator Section 226B(f) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 ( 7 U.S.C. 6934(f) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking organizations and inserting organizations, institutions of higher education, and local educational agencies ; (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking institutions on research, program improvements, or agricultural education opportunities and inserting institutions or community-based nonprofit organizations on research, program improvements, agricultural education opportunities, or technical skills and job training programs ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (G) Assessing the effectiveness with respect to farmworkers of Department outreach programs. (H) Developing and implementing a plan to coordinate outreach activities and services provided by the Department with respect to farmworkers. (I) Collaborating with and providing input on programmatic and policy decisions relating to farmworkers to the agencies and offices of the Department, including— (i) the Farm Service Agency; (ii) the Natural Resources Conservation Service; (iii) the rural development mission area; (iv) the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; (v) the Food and Nutrition Service; (vi) the Agricultural Marketing Service; (vii) the Forest Service; (viii) the National Agricultural Statistics Service; and (ix) any other agency or office that the Coordinator determines to be appropriate. (J) Communicating to employers of farmworkers, and publicizing on the website of the Department, information about Federal programs for which the employees of those employers may be eligible. (K) Identifying research priorities to inform the research activities of the Department relating to farmworkers. (L) Measuring and analyzing outcomes of the programs and activities of the Department on farmworkers. (M) Recommending new initiatives and programs to the Secretary. (N) Carrying out any other related duties that the Secretary determines to be appropriate. ; (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); (3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) Staff The Secretary, acting through the Coordinator, shall employ such staff as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the duties described in paragraph (2). ; and (4) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph (B), by striking 2023 and inserting 2029 .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2704 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mr. Tillis ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish an exception to certain payment limitations in the case of person or legal entity that derives income from agriculture, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act of 2023 . 2. Exception for income derived from agriculture Section 1001D(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a(b)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking paragraph (3) and inserting paragraphs (3) and (4) ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (4) Exception (A) In general In the case of a payment or benefit described in subparagraph (B), the limitation established by paragraph (1) shall not apply to a person or legal entity during a crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, if not less than 75 percent of the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity derives from farming, ranching, or silviculture activities, including agritourism, direct-to-consumer marketing of agricultural products, the sale of agricultural equipment owned by such person or entity, and other agriculture-related activities, as determined by the Secretary. (B) Payment or benefit described A payment or benefit referred to in subparagraph (A) is— (i) a payment or benefit under subtitle E of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 ( 7 U.S.C. 9081 ); or (ii) a payment or benefit under section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 ( 7 U.S.C. 7333 ). .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2709 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 27, 2023 Mr. Heinrich introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Tribal Relations, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening the Office of Tribal Relations Act of 2023 . 2. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Tribal Relations (a) In general Section 218 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 ( 7 U.S.C. 6918 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (2), by striking and at the end; (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (4) Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Tribal Relations. ; (2) in subsection (b), by striking (1) or (3) and inserting (1), (3), or (4) ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (d) Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Tribal Relations (1) Appointment In appointing an individual to the position of Assistant Secretary for Tribal Relations, the Secretary shall give priority to an individual who has a background in Tribal relations or affairs. (2) Duties The Secretary may delegate to the Assistant Secretary for Tribal Relations responsibility for— (A) overseeing the Office of Tribal Relations of the Department; (B) planning, coordinating, and implementing policies and programs of the Department serving Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations; (C) coordinating Tribal programs and activities in all offices and agencies of the Department; and (D) being a participant in any negotiated rulemakings relating to, or having an impact on, projects, programs, or funding associated with the Tribal programs of the Department. . (b) Compensation Section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture (3) and inserting Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture (4) . (c) Conforming amendment Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 ( 7 U.S.C. 7014(b) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (11) The authority of the Secretary to establish within the Department the position of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Tribal Relations, and delegate duties to the Assistant Secretary, under section 218. .
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2716 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 5, 2023 Ms. Ernst introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to support animal experimentation in the laboratories of adversarial nations.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act . 2. Prohibition on funding research on animals in certain foreign countries (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services may not— (1) directly or indirectly conduct research that involves testing on vertebrate animals in any facility, or through any entity, owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by— (A) any of the foreign countries specified in subsection (b); or (B) such other foreign country that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, determines is a foreign country of concern for the purposes of this Act; or (2) support, through grants, subgrants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other funding vehicles, research that involves testing on vertebrate animals conducted by any entity based in a foreign country referred to in paragraph (1). (b) Foreign countries specified The foreign countries specified in this subsection are the following: (1) The People’s Republic of China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (2) The Islamic Republic of Iran. (3) The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. (4) The Russian Federation. (c) Report on addition to list of foreign countries (1) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the chairperson and ranking member of each of the appropriate committees of Congress a report with respect to each instance in which the Secretary makes a determination with respect to a country under subsection (a)(1)(B) that contains a detailed accounting of the Secretary’s reasoning for such determination. (2) Timing A report shall be submitted under paragraph (1) not later than 60 days after the date of an instance described in such paragraph. (3) Appropriate committees of Congress In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; (C) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; (E) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and (F) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives.
118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2717 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 231 North Franklin Street in Greensburg, Indiana, as the Brigadier General John T. Wilder Post Office .

1. Brigadier General John T. Wilder Post Office (a) Designation The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 231 North Franklin Street in Greensburg, Indiana, shall be known and designated as the Brigadier General John T. Wilder Post Office . (b) References Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Brigadier General John T. Wilder Post Office .

Passed the Senate April 23, 2024. Secretary
II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2717 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 5, 2023 Mr. Braun (for himself and Mr. Young ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 231 North Franklin Street in Greensburg, Indiana, as the Brigadier General John T. Wilder Post Office .

1. Brigadier General John T. Wilder Post Office (a) Designation The facility of the United States Postal Service located at 231 North Franklin Street in Greensburg, Indiana, shall be known and designated as the Brigadier General John T. Wilder Post Office . (b) References Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Brigadier General John T. Wilder Post Office .