Rep. Darren Soto

Puerto Rico Recovery Accuracy in Disclosures Act of 2021 or PRRADA This bill requires professionals employed in debt adjustment cases involving Puerto Rico to file verified statements disclosing their connections with interested parties before seeking compensation for their services. The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico must establish a list of such interested parties, which shall include the debtor, creditors, any attorney or accountant of the debtor or creditors, persons employed by the U.S. Trustee Program, persons employed by the board, and any other interested party. Compensation may be denied to such a professional if these disclosures are not filed, are inadequate, or if the professional is found to have certain conflicts of interest.

Climate Risk and Emergency Support In Livable Inclusive and Equitable Neighborhoods and Communities Everywhere Act or the Climate RESILIENCE Act This bill makes changes to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to take into account climate change. The bill includes extreme temperature events, such as heat waves or freezes, within the scope of the act and defines resilience for purposes of disaster assistance and mitigation efforts. Federal and state preparedness and mitigation assistance may be used for reducing the impacts of extreme temperatures and improving air quality and mitigating against wildfire smoke.. The bill authorizes implementing predisaster hazard mitigation measures that will be cost-effective and equitable long-term and provide enhanced protection to the community. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must (1) provide technical assistance to underserved and disadvantaged communities for such measures; and (2) provide guidance to implement the latest published editions of relevant consensus-based codes, specifications, and standards that incorporate the latest hazard-resistant designs. The bill includes within the hazard mitigation program requirements the abatement of lead, mold, mildew, radon, asthma, and allergen triggers, or other pollutants and hazardous materials directly caused by a major disaster or emergency. FEMA must report to Congress regarding challenges posed by FEMA requirements for determining the cost-effectiveness of mitigation activities and how such requirements may disproportionately burden underserved or disadvantaged communities.

This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Korean American Day and honors the 119th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H.J.Res. 68) is a symbolic, procedural measure that would require the President to issue an annual proclamation designating a day as "Democracy Day." It directs the President to call on state/local governments and citizens to observe the day through programs and activities, with January 6 referenced as a potential date. The bill does not create new government programs or change existing laws - it only establishes a recurring presidential proclamation. It directly affects federal, state, and local governments by encouraging them to participate in annual observances. The bill has no budgetary impact and remains focused on promoting civic engagement through a designated day.

PrEP Access and Coverage Act This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover prescription drugs that prevent HIV, including related screenings, diagnostic procedures, administrative fees, and clinical follow-ups, without any cost-sharing obligation for the plan holder. Further, insurance plans must not impose any preauthorization requirement for this coverage. These coverage requirements also apply to public health insurance programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Additionally, the bill prohibits denying, limiting, or qualifying coverage or increasing premiums for disability insurance, long-term care insurance, or life insurance policies based on an individual taking medication for HIV prevention. The bill further requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to states, or directly to eligible local organizations, to provide uninsured individuals and underinsured individuals access to prescription drugs and related services that prevent HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also must develop a public awareness campaign that focuses efforts in communities with a high need for HIV prevention treatment.

SNAP Provisions to Lower Undue Struggle Act of 2021 or the SNAP PLUS Act of 2021 This bill expands the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to permit the use of SNAP benefits to purchase prepared foods fit for immediate consumption and hot foods.

Cures 2.0 Act This bill addresses pandemic preparedness and public health issues, caregiver and patient engagement, drug development, insurance coverage, and biomedical research. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must undertake research and other activities concerning COVID-19 and develop a strategy for future pandemics and declared emergencies. Additionally, the bill specifies actions to combat antimicrobial resistance. HHS may award grants for caregiver training. The bill also addresses diversity in clinical trials, collecting patient experience data during clinical trials, and coverage for care related to participation in specified clinical trials. The bill modifies the timeframe and requires additional guidance relating to expedited approval of certain breakthrough drugs, devices, or products. It also establishes two intercenter institutes within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) focused on particular diseases that meet specified criteria. The bill also addresses (1) coverage in Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program for telehealth, genetic and genomic testing, and other services; (2) electronic prescribing standards for Medicare drug benefits; and (3) access to Medicare and Medicaid claims data by certain registries. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the use of geographic tracking or biometrics in Medicaid electronic visit verification systems. The bill establishes the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) within the National Institutes of Health to accelerate biomedical research and innovation through grants, contracts, cash prizes, and other means. The FDA may work with ARPA-H to expedite the development of medical products through specified activities.

Domain Reform for Unlawful Drug Sellers Act or the DRUGS Act This bill requires a website domain name registrar (or registry operator) to take down a domain name under the registrar's control upon receiving an eligible notification that the domain name is facilitating illegal online drug sales. Upon receiving an eligible notification, the registrar must lock the domain name within 24 hours and suspend the domain name within seven days. An eligible notification must come from a trusted notifier and include certain information, such as a summary of the alleged illegal activities and a statement that the evidence supporting the allegations is available to be shared with the registrar. The bill defines trusted notifiers as (1) certain government agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration or the office of a state attorney general; and (2) qualifying private or nonprofit entities given such status by specified government agencies. The registrant of the affected domain name may appeal a lock or suspension by providing the trusted notifier with information to establish that the registrant's drug sales are legal, such as pharmacy licenses and the licensing information of the prescribing medical practitioners, if applicable. The trusted notifier must conduct a reasonable investigation and consider the information provided by the registrant. If the appeal is successful, the registrar must reverse the lock and suspension within 15 days. The domain name must remain locked and suspended while the appeal is pending.

This bill authorizes the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia in honor of the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients. The foundation shall be solely responsible for the acceptance of contributions for, and the payment of expenses of, the establishment of the commemorative work. Federal funds may not be used to pay any expenses for the establishment of the commemorative work. The establishment of the commemorative work shall be in accordance with the Commemorative Works Act.

Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act This bill establishes grant programs to address neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), and contains other related provisions. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall award grants to eligible entities for scientific research utilizing data from expanded access to investigational ALS treatments for individuals who are not otherwise eligible for clinical trials.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shall award grants to public and private entities to cover the costs of research and development of drugs that diagnose or treat ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases. HHS shall also establish the Public-Private Partnership for Neurodegenerative Diseases between the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, and at least one eligible entity (generally, an institution of higher education or a nonprofit organization). The partnership shall support the development and regulatory review of drugs that address ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases. The FDA shall publish on its website a five-year action plan for fostering the development of drugs that improve or extend the lives of people living with rare neurodegenerative diseases. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress about the grants provided under this bill, including an analysis of the impact of such grants on research and development of treatments for ALS.