Facilitating Relief for Efficient Intermodal Gateways to Handle Transportation Act or the FREIGHT Act This bill makes multiple changes to address the efficiency of ports and the intermodal shipping of cargo. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the Department of Transportation must publish data about the dwell time of marine shipping containers and chassis (i.e., the quantity of time such equipment is subject to maintenance versus in use). The bill also requires a study on best practices for operating a chassis pool to optimize supply chains. In addition, the bill modifies duties and authorities of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), including by providing statutory authority for an office that offers mediation and related services to resolve issues under the FMC's jurisdiction; and authorizing the FMC to expand data-sharing between port operators, shippers, and other stakeholders to facilitate efficient freight operations if the FMC determines port congestion constitutes an emergency.
Alaska Land Conveyances and Trails Act This bill addresses issues involving Alaska lands and trails and Alaska Natives. Specifically, the bill establishes within the Bureau of Land Management a program to (1) identify and convey available state-selected land to the University of Alaska to support higher education in the state; and (2) acquire, by purchase or exchange, University of Alaska-owned inholdings (certain interests in land owned by the university) in the state. The bill provides for exclusion of certain settlement trust payments to Alaska natives for purposes of determining eligibility for certain federal programs. The bill (1) designates the Chilkoot National Historic Trail, and (2) provides for a study of the feasibility and desirability of designating the Alaska Long Trail as a national scenic trail.
This resolution declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Alan R. Parker, former Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate.
First Responder Fair Return for Employees on Their Initial Retirement Earned Act or the First Responder Fair RETIRE Act This act allows disabled federal first responders (e.g., law enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, and firefighters) to continue receiving federal retirement benefits in the same manner as though they had not been disabled. Under current law, federal first responders are subject to a mandatory retirement age of 57. To facilitate this earlier retirement, federal first responders are required to pay a greater percentage of their salary towards retirement. Additionally, their annuity amount is calculated at a higher rate than other federal employees. This act allows a federal first responder to remain in the accelerated retirement system if they are placed in another civil service position outside of that system after returning to work from a work-related injury or illness. Further, if such an employee is separated from service before they are entitled to receive an annuity, they may receive a refund of their accelerated contributions.
This bill treats certain activities (e.g., harvesting, processing, transportation, sales, and marketing of fish and fish products) that are substantially related to participation or investment in fisheries in areas of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands as related to an exempt purpose and thus exempt from taxation.
Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act of 2022 This bill allows a new investment tax credit for 30% of the basis of any hydropower improvement property. The bill defines such property as property that, amount other things (1) adds or improves fish passage at a qualified dam (i.e., a hydroelectric dam licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or legally operating without such a license before the enactment of this bill); (2) maintains or improves the quality of the water retained or released by such a dam; (3) promotes downstream sediment transport processes and habitat maintenance for such a dam; (4) removes an obsolete river obstruction; or (5) places into service an approved remote dam (i.e., a hydroelectric dam that services certain communities and does not contribute to atmosphere pollution).
Local Assistance Fairness Act This bill expands eligibility for the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund to revenue-sharing consolidated governments. (The Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund is a general revenue enhancement program that provides additional assistance to eligible counties and tribal governments for any governmental purpose except lobbying.)
Critical Mineral Independence Act of 2022 This bill requires the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Defense Logistics Agency to develop and implement a strategy to transition the supply chain for critical minerals in the National Defense Stockpile away from reliance on geostrategic competitors and adversaries by 2027 through acquisition of critical minerals processed by the United States or allied countries.
HR 7075 designates a specific triangular area in Washington, D.C. (bounded by 22nd Street NW, P Street NW, and Florida Avenue NW) as "Ukrainian Independence Park," including National Park Service reservations 57D and 360 (which contains the Taras Shevchenko Memorial). The bill updates all federal references to this area to use the new name and authorizes signage highlighting Ukraine's independence and U.S.-Ukraine solidarity. This is a procedural designation bill with no substantive policy changes, solely renaming a park area.
This bill confers jurisdiction to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma's land claim arising under the Treaty of Grouseland. The court may hear, determine, and render judgement on this land claim without regard to the statute of limitations and delay-based defenses. The United States is the only entity liable for such a claim. This jurisdiction expires unless such a claim is filed within one year. All other claims of the tribe, including claims to title arising under the Treaty of Grouseland and the Northwest Ordinance, are extinguished.
Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States and sets forth its powers, duties, and membership. Among other duties, the commission must investigate the impacts and ongoing effects of the Indian Boarding School Policies (federal policies under which American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children were forcibly removed from their family homes and placed in boarding schools). Further, the commission must develop recommendations on ways to (1) protect unmarked graves and accompanying land protections; (2) support repatriation and identify the tribal nations from which children were taken; and (3) discontinue the removal of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from their families and tribal communities by state social service departments, foster care agencies, and adoption agencies.
This bill increases tax credit limits for homeowners installing qualifying biomass stoves and boilers under the energy efficient home improvement credit. It raises the maximum credit to $2,000 for certain stoves/boilers and $8,000 for others, replacing previous limits. The change directly affects homeowners who purchase and install eligible biomass heating equipment after December 31, 2022. The policy modifies existing tax code provisions without altering eligibility criteria or creating new programs. The amendment applies to property placed in service after the specified date.
