Alaska Congressional Bills

in committee · Alaska · House Aug 30, 2024

HR 7285: To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to increase the Federal cost share for the supplemental nutrition assistance program administration to improve staffing and retention.

This bill would require the federal government to cover 100% of state agencies' costs for SNAP program staff salaries, hiring, and training. It sets minimum wage standards for SNAP workers at the same rate as federal employees, with annual updates tied to federal pay increases. States must submit detailed wage plans for federal approval. The policy aims to improve staffing stability and retention for SNAP operations.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Jahana Hayes (D) · 19 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · House Aug 29, 2024

HRES 1015: Expressing support for the designation of February 17 through February 24, 2024, as "National FFA Week", recognizing the important role of the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of globally conscious leaders who will change the world, and celebrating the 10th anniversary of the "Give the Gift of Blue" program, which has donated more than 17,000 of the iconic FFA jackets to FFA members in need.

This resolution supports the designation of National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of globally conscious leaders who will change the world; and (2) celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Give the Gift of Blue program, which has donated more than 17,000 FFA blue jackets to FFA members in need.

Tracey Mann (R) · 102 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · House Aug 23, 2024

HR 9406: Summer Meals Act of 2024

The Summer Meals Act of 2024 amends the National School Lunch Act to improve access to summer meals for children, primarily affecting public schools, community organizations, and low-income families. Key changes include reducing the required integration of summer education and meals from 50% to 40%, expanding meal service to include after-school hours, weekends, and school holidays for non-school sites, and creating a $10 million annual grant program to support mobile meal trucks and transportation in underserved areas. The bill authorizes grants for service institutions that serve both breakfast and lunch or offer educational programs, with priority given to those increasing participation at congregate feeding sites. These provisions aim to simplify program administration and reach more children during summer breaks in hard-to-access communities.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

in committee · Alaska · House Aug 23, 2024

HR 9394: HOPE Act of 2024

The HOPE Act of 2024 would establish HOPE Accounts, tax-advantaged savings accounts for paying qualified medical expenses. These accounts would allow individuals to save for medical costs with tax-free growth and distributions, with contribution limits of up to $4,000 per month for self-only coverage or $8,000 for family coverage. To qualify, individuals must have minimum essential health coverage and cannot have other health savings accounts like HSAs or FSAs. Contributions are generally not deductible but may be excluded from gross income for lower-income individuals, and distributions for qualified medical expenses would be tax-free. The bill also includes rules for employer contributions and coordination with existing health savings mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Blake D. Moore (R) · 23 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · House Aug 22, 2024

HR 9050: To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a grant program for the transportation of veterans who reside in highly rural areas to medical facilities.

HR 9050 creates a new grant program under the U.S. Code to help veterans living in highly rural areas access medical care. The bill authorizes $3 million annually (2025-2030) for grants up to $50,000 each to state veterans agencies or recognized veterans service organizations. These grants can cover transportation costs for veterans traveling to Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, with "highly rural" defined as areas with fewer than seven people per square mile or specific U.S. territories like Guam or Puerto Rico (excluding San Juan). The program requires no matching funds from grant recipients and directly benefits veterans in remote locations who face transportation barriers to care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

in committee · Alaska · House Aug 6, 2024

HJRES 200: Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Control of Communicable Diseases; Foreign Quarantine: Importation of Dogs and Cats".

This joint resolution (HJRES 200) disapproves a rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning the importation of dogs and cats. The rule, published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2024, established requirements for foreign quarantine of these animals to prevent communicable diseases. By passing this resolution, Congress directs that the HHS rule has no legal effect and cannot be enforced. The measure directly affects pet importers, breeders, and travel-related businesses handling international pet shipments.

in committee · Alaska · House Aug 2, 2024

HR 9274: SHAWL Act

HR 9274, the SHAWL Act, establishes two new Smithsonian museums: the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women’s History Museum. It authorizes both museums to be located within the National Mall’s "Reserve" area, overriding prior restrictions, and requires federal agencies managing potential sites to transfer jurisdiction to the Smithsonian after notifying congressional committees. The bill mandates that both museums accurately represent diverse cultures, histories, and viewpoints within Latino and women’s communities through exhibits and programs, requiring input from a broad range of community experts. It also requires the Smithsonian to submit biennial reports to Congress detailing compliance with these representation requirements.

passed · Alaska · Senate Aug 1, 2024

SRES 797: A resolution designating August 16, 2024, as "National Airborne Day".

SRES 797 designates August 16, 2024, as National Airborne Day to honor the history and contributions of U.S. airborne forces, commemorating the first official U.S. Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940. The resolution calls on the American public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities recognizing airborne forces' legacy in military operations from World War II through modern conflicts. This is a symbolic, non-binding designation with no direct legal or financial impact on specific groups.

Lisa Murkowski (R) · 21 co-sponsors

passed · Alaska · Senate Aug 1, 2024

SRES 800: A resolution condemning the attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump during a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, honoring the victims who were killed and injured at the rally, and calling for unity and civility in the United States.

SRES 800 is a symbolic Senate resolution introduced on August 1, 2024, by a bipartisan group of senators. It condemns the July 13, 2024, attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally and honors three individuals affected: Corey D. Comperatore (who died shielding his family), David Dutch (critically injured), and James Copenhaver (critically injured). The resolution calls for national unity and civility following the violent incident. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's stance on the event.

John Barrasso (R) · 90 co-sponsors

in committee · Alaska · Senate Aug 1, 2024

S 4958: A bill to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture to withdraw a final determination relating to energy efficiency standards for housing, and for other purposes.

S 4958 requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to withdraw a specific federal energy efficiency standard for new housing financed by these agencies (89 Fed. Reg. 33112). The bill mandates that these agencies revert to the previous energy efficiency standards and prohibits them from using federal funds to implement or enforce this withdrawn standard or any substantially similar rule. It also extends this prohibition to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), preventing them from finalizing or enforcing similar energy efficiency standards for housing. This bill directly affects federal housing programs and agencies that set energy efficiency requirements for new construction.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · Alaska · Senate Aug 1, 2024

S 3943: ANCHOR Act

The ANCHOR Act requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) Director to develop a plan within one year to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet - university-operated ocean research vessels funded by NSF. The plan must assess fleet-wide needs for network speed, data transmission, telemedicine, real-time research support, and educational outreach, along with cost estimates for equipment, personnel, and implementation timelines. It also mandates collaboration with cybersecurity agencies and consideration of international standards to address vulnerabilities in vessel operations. This bill directly affects NSF, research universities, and the fleet vessels themselves, without altering funding or creating new mandates beyond the required plan.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Alaska · Senate Aug 1, 2024

S 3788: National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2024

This bill reauthorizes the National Landslide Preparedness Act through 2034, extending existing programs. It increases annual funding from $25 million to $40 million, requiring at least $15 million specifically for purchasing and deploying landslide early warning systems in high-risk areas. The bill also extends the 3D Elevation Program through 2034. These changes directly affect communities in landslide-prone regions by expanding access to early warning technology. The key provision is the dedicated funding allocation for early warning systems, aiming to improve community safety through enhanced monitoring.

Topics ✓ Environment

Alaska Congressional Bills

Bill results