This resolution states that the August 9, 2020, election in Belarus was neither free nor fair and, as such, the House of Representatives does not recognize Alyaksandr Lukashenka as the country's legitimate president. The resolution also states that the people of Belarus have the right to determine the country's future without unwelcome intervention from outside actors and condemns the human rights violations committed by Belarusian authorities.
Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2021 or the SAFE Banking Act of 2021 This bill generally prohibits a federal banking regulator from penalizing a depository institution for providing banking services to a legitimate cannabis-related business. Prohibited penalties include terminating or limiting the deposit insurance or share insurance of a depository institution solely because the institution provides financial services to a legitimate cannabis-related business and prohibiting or otherwise discouraging a depository institution from offering financial services to such a business. Additionally, proceeds from a transaction involving activities of a legitimate cannabis-related business are not considered proceeds from unlawful activity. Proceeds from unlawful activity are subject to anti-money laundering laws. Furthermore, a depository institution is not, under federal law, liable or subject to asset forfeiture for providing a loan or other financial services to a legitimate cannabis-related business. The bill also provides that a federal banking agency may not request or order a depository institution to terminate a customer account unless (1) the agency has a valid reason for doing so, and (2) that reason is not based solely on reputation risk. Valid reasons for terminating an account include threats to national security and involvement in terrorist financing, including state sponsorship of terrorism. Finally, the bill decreases the cap on the surplus funds of the Federal Reserve banks. (Amounts exceeding this cap are deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.)
Southeast Asia Strategy Act This bill directs the Department of State to submit to Congress a strategy for engagement with Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The strategy shall include various elements including (1) an identification of enduring U.S. interests in the region and efforts to bolster ASEAN's effectiveness; (2) a list of ongoing and planned initiatives to strengthen U.S. relationships in the region, including efforts to promote inclusive economic growth and energy innovation; and (3) a summary of ongoing efforts to promote human rights and democracy and strengthen the rule of law.
Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 This bill extends through FY2026 authority for debt-for-nature swaps and debt buyback programs that reduce or convert debt obligations from an eligible country to the United States into funding for nature conservation and protection efforts in that country.
This resolution condemns the actions taken by the governments of China and Hong Kong to put in place national security legislation that violates the freedoms and rights guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong. (Hong Kong is a part of China but, by agreement, has operated a legal and economic system largely separate from China's.)
504 Credit Risk Management Improvement Act of 2021 This bill revises the duties of the Office of Credit Risk Management to include oversight of a certified development company (CDC) that participates in the 504 Loan Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA), and it requires the SBA to issue rules related to certain environmental requirements. The 504 Loan Program provides a small business with SBA financing—through a CDC intermediary—for expansion or modernization. Specifically, the bill requires the office to oversee any CDC that participates in the program and to conduct file reviews with respect to loan closings under the program. Further, the bill authorizes the office to take formal and informal enforcement actions against a CDC for specified violations and to charge each CDC a fee. The SBA must issue rules to clarify the procedures necessary for an eligible CDC to comply with certain environmental requirements.
504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2021 This bill modifies the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Loan Program, which provides a small business with SBA financing—through a certified development company (CDC) intermediary—for expansion or modernization. Specifically, the bill adds policy goals, at least one of which a CDC must demonstrate to be eligible for assistance. These include (1) enhancing the ability of a small business to reduce costs by using energy efficient products and generating renewable energy, and (2) aiding the revitalization of any area for which a disaster has been declared or determined. The bill also authorizes a CDC to take specified actions to facilitate the closing of a 504 loan, such as correcting borrower or lender information on loan documents or reallocating up to 10% of the cost of a project. For small manufacturers, the bill (1) increases the maximum loan amount from $5.5 million to $6.5 million, (2) reduces the amount that they must contribute to project costs, (3) increases job retention requirements, and (4) revises collateral requirements and debt refinancing considerations. Further, each SBA district office must partner with a resource partner to provide certain training for small manufacturers.
Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to address workplace violence in health care, social service, and other sectors. Specifically, Labor must issue an interim occupational safety and health standard that requires certain employers to take actions to protect workers and other personnel from workplace violence. The standard applies to employers in the health care sector, in the social service sector, and in sectors that conduct activities similar to those in the health care and social service sectors. In addition, Labor must promulgate a final standard within a specified time line.
This resolution congratulates the Stanford University Cardinal on winning the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I women's basketball championship and completing a successful 2020-2021 season.
This resolution designates April 17, 2021, through April 25, 2021, as National Park Week. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States and the world to responsibly visit, experience, and support the treasured national parks of the United States while protecting public health during the coronavirus pandemic.
United States Anti-Doping Agency Reauthorization Act of 2021 This bill authorizes appropriations for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) through FY2030. The bill adds requirements that USADA be responsible for certifying in advance any testing conducted by international organizations under the World Anti-Doping Code for international amateur athletes and athletic competitions occurring within the jurisdiction of the United States; and promote a positive youth sport experience by using a portion of its funding to provide educational materials on sportsmanship, character building, and healthy performance for those participating in youth sports. The bill requires any action taken by USADA to enforce a policy, procedure, or requirement against a person with respect to a violation of federal law, including an investigation, disciplinary action, sanction, or any other administrative action, to be carried out in a manner that provides due process protection. The Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Food and Drug Administration must provide to USADA information relating to the prevention of the use of performance-enhancing drugs or the prohibition of performance-enhancing methods.
This resolution elects Representative Julia Letlow to the House Committee on Education and Labor and the House Committee on Agriculture.
