State Fiscal Flexibility Act of 2021 This bill removes a prohibition on states and territories using COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) relief funding under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to offset a reduction in revenue resulting from a reduction in taxes or a delay in the imposition of a tax or tax increase.
RTP Full Funding Act of 202 1 This bill revises provisions regarding the recreational trails program of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Specifically, the bill requires DOT to estimate the total amount of nonhighway recreational fuel taxes received by the Department of the Treasury and transferred to the Highway Trust Fund; the Federal Highway Administration to establish financial management information system codes for certain motorized and non-motorized use projects, including single and diverse use projects; DOT to reserve amounts of the state-apportioned funds for administrative, research, technical assistance, and training expenses to carry out the recreational trails program; and states to obligate a specific amount of reserved funds each fiscal year for the recreational trails program.
Let States Cut Taxes Act This bill removes a prohibition on states and territories using COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) relief funding under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to offset a reduction in revenue resulting from a reduction in taxes or a delay in the imposition of a tax or tax increase.
Helping Unleash Benefits and Services for Veterans Act of 2021 or the HUBS for Veterans Act of 2021 This bill establishes a grant program to assist the transition of military personnel to civilian life. It directs the Department of Labor to carry out a five-year program of grants to nonprofit organizations that assist the transition of the following persons from Armed Forces service to civilian life: members eligible for preseparation counseling, former members who are transitioning to civilian life, and spouses of such members or former members. Funds must be used for a broad range of supportive programs, such as job recruitment training.
Hotspots and Online Technology and Services Procurement for Our Tribes and States Act or the HOTSPOTS Act This bill establishes a two-year pilot program through which the Institute of Museum and Library Services must award grants to states, territories, Indian tribes, and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians to purchase and distribute internet-connected devices to libraries in rural and low-income areas.
Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act or the DRIVE-SAFE Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations to implement an apprenticeship program for licensed commercial motor vehicle drivers under the age of 21. Under the program, an apprentice must complete two probationary periods that total 400 hours of on-duty time, of which at least 240 hours must be driving time in a commercial motor vehicle. Additionally, the apprentice must be accompanied in the cab of the commercial motor vehicle by an experienced driver. Further, the bill requires all commercial motor vehicles used in the program for training to be equipped with safety technology such as active braking collision mitigation systems and video event capturing systems. An employer shall not knowingly allow, require, permit, or authorize a driver under the age of 21 to operate a commercial motor vehicle unless the driver is participating in, or has completed, an apprenticeship program that meets the requirements set forth in this bill.
Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act or the DRIVE Safe Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to promulgate regulations to implement an apprenticeship program for licensed commercial motor vehicle drivers under the age of 21. Under the program, an apprentice must complete two probationary periods that total 400 hours of on-duty time, of which at least 240 hours must be driving time in a commercial motor vehicle. Additionally, the apprentice must be accompanied in the cab of the commercial motor vehicle by an experienced driver. Further, the bill requires all commercial motor vehicles used in the program for training to be equipped with safety technology such as active braking collision mitigation systems and video event capturing systems. An employer shall not knowingly allow, require, permit, or authorize a driver under the age of 21 to operate a commercial motor vehicle unless the driver is participating in, or has completed, an apprenticeship program that meets the requirements set forth in this bill.
Strengthening Trade, Regional Alliances, Technology, and Economic and Geopolitical Initiatives concerning China Act or the STRATEGIC Act This bill contains provisions addressing China and foreign relations generally. The provisions include directing the Department of State to establish a program to facilitate dialogues between U.S. regulatory and technical agencies and their counterparts in partner countries to promote U.S. regulatory standards; authorizing the State Department to help U.S. companies address China-related supply chain management issues, including by relocating production to other countries; directing the President to establish an interagency working group to strengthen U.S. leadership in international standards-setting bodies for mobile telecommunications technology, including fifth generation (5G) technology; requiring the President to establish a process for a U.S. person to petition for sanctions against a foreign person involved in a significant act of intellectual property theft or the forced transfer of technology; prohibiting any individual who has directly represented the government of a country designated by the President as a country of national security concern from serving in a State Department position that requires Senate confirmation; directing the State Department to establish the Office of Integrity in the United Nations System to counter undue influence by authoritarian nations in the United Nations; and authorizing through FY2026 various State Department programs in Southeast Asia related to maritime security and diplomatic outreach activities.
Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021 This bill generally prohibits the federal government, states, tribal nations, or localities from discriminating or taking adverse action against a child welfare provider that declines to provide services due to the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. However, government entities may still take adverse action against a provider that declines to provide adoption or foster care services based on race, color, or national origin. The Department of Health and Human Services must withhold a portion of federal funding for family services and child welfare activities from a government entity that discriminates against a child welfare provider in violation of this bill. Child welfare providers may also sue the government entity for such discrimination. A prevailing provider may recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Furthermore, government entities that accept certain federal funding for family services and child welfare activities must waive sovereign immunity as a defense to lawsuits brought under this bill. (In many cases, sovereign immunity shields states, territories, tribal nations, and some localities against private suits.)
Fair Access to Banking Act This bill restricts certain banks, credit unions, and payment card networks from refusing to do business with a person who is in compliance with the law. Restrictions include prohibiting the use of certain lending programs, initiating the process of terminating an institution's depository insurance, and instituting specified civil penalties.
This resolution supports the designation of a 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 leaders who will change the world, and (2) celebrates 50 years of National FFA alumni and supporters.
More Opportunities for Rural Economies from USDA Grants Act or the MORE USDA Grants Act This bill revises the process for awarding grants under certain programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to high-density public land counties and any units of tribal and local governments within such counties. A high-density public land county is a county that has a population of not more than 100,000 people and in which more than 50% of the land is owned or managed by the federal government. Any requirement for local matching funds under a qualifying grant program must be reduced by 50% with respect to such jurisdictions. On request, USDA must provide additional technical assistance to such jurisdictions before and during the annual application period for each qualifying grant program. USDA must also prioritize grant applications from such jurisdictions that have not received support under the qualifying grant program during the 10-year period preceding the date of the application.
