Bicycle Commuter Act of 2021 This bill modifies provisions relating to the tax exclusion for employer-provided fringe benefits for bicycle commuting. Specifically, the bill (1) repeals the suspension (for the period between 2018 and the end of 2025) of the exclusion, (2) includes bikeshare (a bicycle rental operation providing for pick up and drop off) and low-speed electric bicycle within the definition of bicycle for purposes of the exclusion, and (3) modifies the limitation on the exclusion to provide for a specified monthly limitation amount (i.e., 30% of the parking fringe benefit amount).
Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act This bill modifies certain pay calculations that are used to determine retirement and annuity benefits for federal firefighters. Specifically, the bill adjusts the method of determining the average pay of a federal firefighter by adding one-half of a firefighter's basic hourly rate multiplied by the number of overtime hours included as part of such firefighter's regular tour of duty.
Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act or the FAIR Act This bill modifies pay rates for federal employees in 2022. Specifically, the bill increases rates under the statutory pay systems and for prevailing rate employees by 2.2%, and increases locality pay by 1%.
COVID-19 Student Loan Relief Extension Act This bill extends certain temporary relief related to federal student loans and expands eligibility for such relief to additional types of loans. Specifically, the bill extends the current suspension of payments due on federal student loans to 30 days after the end of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. It also extends the suspension of interest due on these loans until the economy shows specified initial signs of recovery. Further, the bill expands eligibility for temporary relief on federal student loans to include Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) and Federal Perkins Loans that are not held by the Department of Education (ED) and certain health profession and nursing loans. (Currently, these temporary relief provisions are only applicable to certain Federal Direct Loans and FFELs that are held by ED.) Additionally, the bill makes this eligibility retroactive to March 13, 2020. Finally, ED and the Department of Health and Human Services must carry out a program, beginning on August 1, 2021, to provide at least six notices to borrowers that normal payment obligations will resume.
Civics Learning Act of 2021 This bill expands the use of American History and Civics Education—National Activities grants to prioritize innovative civics learning and teaching. Specifically, the bill expands the allowable uses of these grants to include before-, during-, and after-school activities and extracurricular activities; activities that include service learning and community service projects that are linked to school curriculum; activities that encourage and support student participation in school governance; and online and video game-based learning. Further, the Department of Education must ensure that specified percentages of grant funds are awarded on a diverse basis to eligible entities (e.g., institutions of higher education) that serve students and teachers at elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
This bill repeals the prohibition on the use of certain funds by the Securities and Exchange Commission to implement a rule, regulation, or order to require the disclosure of political contributions, contributions to tax exempt organizations, or dues paid to trade associations.
Paris Agreement Constitutional Treaty Act This bill prohibits taking any action to carry out the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—commonly known as the Paris Agreement—unless the Senate first ratifies the agreement. Further, the bill prohibits the use of any funds to advance the agreement.
Excluding Pandemic Unemployment Compensation from Income Act This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, unemployment compensation paid under provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act relating to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. It also disregards such compensation for purposes of determining eligibility for federally-assisted programs.
This bill allows a medical expense tax deduction for face masks and hand sanitizers during the period of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency beginning on the enactment of this bill and ending when the COVID-19 emergency period has terminated.
No Taxpayer Funding for the World Health Organization Act This bill prohibits the United States from providing any assessed or voluntary contributions to the World Health Organization.
No Taxpayer Funding for Paris Climate Agreement Act This bill prohibits the use of any funds to take action providing for the United States to become a party to the Paris Agreement.
This resolution supports the designation of National School Choice Week.
