Alaska Congressional Bills

in committee · Alaska · Senate Jul 11, 2023

S 2243: Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act

This bill creates federal grant programs to expand education and training for health professionals in palliative care and hospice services. It establishes requirements for training programs to emphasize interprofessional team-based care, patient and family engagement, and addressing gaps in care for individuals with serious or life-threatening illnesses. The bill prioritizes programs serving rural areas, medically underserved populations, pediatric patients, and racial/ethnic minorities, and authorizes $15 million annually for 2024-2028 to support these initiatives. It also includes provisions for disseminating palliative care information to patients, families, and health professionals through federal agencies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Tammy Baldwin (D) · 20 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · House Jul 11, 2023

HR 4550: To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program to support the recruitment and retention of paraprofessionals in public elementary schools, secondary schools, and preschool programs, and for other purposes.

HR 4550 creates a federal grant program to help public elementary, secondary, and preschool schools recruit and retain paraprofessionals (school support staff like teaching assistants). The bill directs the Secretary of Education to fund state education agencies, which then distribute subgrants to schools - prioritizing those serving high numbers of low-income students - to support activities like mentoring programs, professional development, and wage increases or certification assistance (e.g., for special education or English learner support). States must report annually on wage baselines, paraprofessional numbers, and program outcomes. This bill directly affects schools and paraprofessionals, with funding authorized for fiscal years 2024-2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Ann M. Kuster (D) · 55 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · House Jul 11, 2023

HR 1118: DISCLOSE Act of 2023

The DISCLOSE Act of 2023 would increase transparency in political spending by requiring organizations making campaign-related disbursements over $10,000 to disclose the names and addresses of their major donors, including the top five funders for political communications. It would close loopholes allowing foreign nationals to secretly fund election activities through corporations or other entities by expanding the definition of prohibited foreign contributions. The bill would mandate "stand by every ad" disclosure requirements for political communications across all media, including audio, video, and internet ads, requiring clear identification of funders. It would also require reporting of disbursements related to Federal judicial nominations, which currently aren't subject to disclosure requirements. These provisions would apply to corporations, labor organizations, and certain nonprofits that engage in political activity.

in committee · Alaska · House Jul 10, 2023

HR 4519: IDEA Full Funding Act

The IDEA Full Funding Act (HR 4519) mandates specific annual increases in federal funding for special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It requires Congress to appropriate increasing amounts each fiscal year - from $5.87 billion for 2024 up to $55.53 billion for 2033 - to reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for public schools by 2033. This directly affects all public school districts serving students with disabilities, as federal IDEA funding supports their special education services. The bill sets fixed dollar amounts or percentage targets (whichever is greater) for each fiscal year, aiming to gradually close the long-standing gap between promised and actual federal funding. It does not alter eligibility for services but mandates higher, phased funding levels to meet the 40% target.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Jared Huffman (D) · 157 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · House Jul 10, 2023

HR 3870: Food Security for All Veterans Act

The Food Security for All Veterans Act (HR 3870) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Agriculture to jointly produce an annual report on food insecurity among veterans. This report must include detailed data on veterans experiencing food insecurity, broken down by factors like race, gender, disability, location, and tribal affiliation, as well as specific information on how veterans are assisted to access the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It mandates tracking of screening efforts, referrals to nutrition services, and the number of veterans receiving help with SNAP applications. The bill aims to provide Congress and agencies with comprehensive data to better understand and address food insecurity among veterans.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Alaska · House Jun 30, 2023

HRES 566: Remembering kindness in the United States and affirming our commitment to fostering community and building resiliency through every day acts of kindness.

HRES 566 is a non-binding resolution introduced by Representative Correa in 2023 that expresses the House of Representatives' support for recognizing and encouraging everyday acts of kindness as a means to strengthen community bonds and societal resilience. It does not create new laws or policies but symbolically affirms that kindness - defined as selfless actions without expectation of return - can improve social connections, health, and conflict resolution. The resolution serves as a statement of shared values rather than a concrete policy change.

J. Luis Correa (D) · 45 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · House Jun 30, 2023

HRES 561: Expressing opposition to the use of State power against people in the United States seeking essential health care, including criminalization of the full range of sexual and reproductive health care such as abortion, gender-affirming care, and contraceptive care, and disapproving of State punishment of people for their pregnancy outcomes.

HRES 561 is a non-binding House resolution opposing state laws that criminalize access to essential health care. It specifically condemns using criminal penalties against people for pregnancy outcomes (such as miscarriages), seeking abortion or contraception, or receiving gender-affirming care, and disapproves of punishing health care providers or supporters for facilitating such care. The resolution affirms that patients deserve access to reproductive and gender-affirming health services without fear of prosecution or discrimination. It emphasizes that criminalizing these health care decisions violates patient rights and ethical provider obligations, without creating new legal requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Nikema Williams (D) · 139 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · House Jun 30, 2023

HR 4439: Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2023

Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2023 This bill prohibits discrimination, in the context of various housing practices, against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Alaska · House Jun 26, 2023

HR 4323: Protecting Whales, Human Safety and the Economy Act of 2023

HR 4323 delays any changes to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) current rule limiting ship speeds to protect North Atlantic right whales. The bill requires NOAA to wait until two conditions are met: (1) new whale protection protocols from the 2022 Coast Guard Act are fully developed and deployed, and (2) the Secretary submits a report to four congressional committees detailing how those protocols will shape future rule updates. This directly affects NOAA's regulatory authority and vessel operators who must follow the existing speed rules. The law does not change the current rule but pauses any amendments until these specific steps are completed.

in committee · Alaska · House Jun 26, 2023

HR 4362: Saving Organs One Flight at a Time Act

Saving Organs One Flight at a Time Act This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to jointly issue regulations, as necessary, to enable air carriers to transport human organs for transplant above wing (i.e., in the cabin of an aircraft). Among other things, the regulations must include consideration of protocols for air control outages; a requirement that air carriers implement a protocol for a person to accompany organs to and from the aircraft and between connecting flights; and a standardized process for commercial air carriers to accept, handle, and manage organs in transit. The TSA and the FAA must also consult with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to identify metrics for the handling of organs and organ-related tissue by air carriers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Beth Van Duyne (R) · 34 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · House Jun 23, 2023

HR 4335: VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2023

HR 4335, the VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2023, requires mortgage lenders to include specific information about VA home loan programs in standard mortgage disclosures. The bill amends the National Housing Act to mandate that lenders provide details on VA loans (guaranteed under Title 38) alongside other loan options, including assumptions about prevailing interest rates. This change directly affects lenders processing VA-guaranteed mortgages, ensuring borrowers receive clearer comparisons between VA loans and other financing. The law does not require lenders to verify borrower eligibility for VA loans, only to include the specified disclosure language.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Derek Kilmer (D) · 169 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · House Jun 23, 2023

HR 4274: HERO Act

The HERO Act establishes a national data system to track suicides among public safety officers, including firefighters, EMTs, police, and telecommunicators, collecting detailed statistics by age, gender, occupation, and employment status (career, volunteer, or retired). It mandates annual reports to Congress and public availability of findings to identify suicide trends and effective interventions. The bill also funds peer-support wellness programs for fire/EMS departments, behavioral health programs for healthcare providers, and resources to train mental health professionals on treating public safety personnel. All data collection and program provisions include strict privacy safeguards to protect confidentiality and prohibit using suicide data to deny survivor benefits.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Ami Bera (D) · 63 co-sponsors

Alaska Congressional Bills

Bill results