Sen. Dan Sullivan

This resolution condemns the death and detention of Mahsa Amini (an Iranian woman who died in the custody of the Morality Policy of Iran after being detained for purportedly wearing her hijab improperly). It also calls on Iran to end its systemic persecution of women.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a requirement that Medicare beneficiaries must have an in-person visit before receiving mental health services via telehealth (like video calls or phone appointments). It applies to all Medicare beneficiaries seeking mental health treatment through telehealth, effective after specific dates: July 1, 2019, for substance use disorder services, and after the end of a federal public health emergency for general mental health care. The bill amends Medicare rules to eliminate geographic restrictions and prior in-person visit requirements for these services. It specifically updates sections of the Social Security Act governing telehealth mental health services under Medicare Part B.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 794) officially designates the week of September 26-30, 2022, as "National Clean Energy Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific people or groups; instead, it symbolically recognizes the importance of clean energy. The resolution encourages Americans, businesses, and governments to support clean energy solutions and invest in affordable, low-emission technologies. It highlights clean energy’s role in job creation and economic growth but contains no binding requirements or policy changes.

Preventing Underhanded and Nefarious Iranian Supported Homicides Act of 2022 or the PUNISH Act of 2022 This bill extends sanctions and national emergencies related to Iran established by specified executive orders and limits the authority of the President to waive sanctions related to Iran. The bill requires the Department of State to periodically report whether Iran or any foreign person has supported specified activities, including murder or politically motivated detention in Iran of a U.S. citizen.

Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2022 This bill bars the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal land or water that is under the jurisdiction of such departments and made available for hunting or fishing. The bill makes exceptions for specified existing regulations and where the applicable department determines that a decline in wildlife population at the specific unit of federal land or water is primarily caused by the use of lead in ammunition or tackle, based on the field data from such unit, and the state approves the regulations.

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Council on Environmental Quality titled National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions and published on April 20, 2022. The rule restores regulatory provisions issued under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) that were in effect before being modified in 2020 by the Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act rule.

This resolution expresses concern for the environmental, economic, and humanitarian threats to the Mekong River in Southeast Asia and declares the policy of the U.S. government to coordinate aid and other support throughout the Mekong River Basin.

Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and expands programs for runaway, homeless, and disconnected youth, including resources and services to support youth victims of human trafficking and youth at risk of being trafficked.

University of Alaska Fiscal Foundation Act This bill directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to establish a program to identify and convey available federal land in Alaska to the University of Alaska for a land grant to support higher education. The bill also permits the BLM or the Department of Agriculture to acquire by purchase or exchange, with the university's consent, university-owned inholdings within conservation system units. Any land exchanged shall be of equal value. No later than four years after enactment of the bill, Alaska and the university may jointly identify no more than 500,000 acres of land for inclusion in the program, of which not more than 360,000 acres may be conveyed and patented to the university. Upon the request of Alaska and the university, the BLM shall provide technical assistance in the identification of land. If Alaska and the university notify the BLM in writing that Alaska and the university jointly concur with the conveyance of all or a portion of the land identified for conveyance, and that Alaska relinquishes its selection rights to the land covered by the notification, the BLM shall convey the land to the university, to be held in trust for the exclusive use and benefit of the university. The BLM shall notify Congress of the land conveyed and patented.

National Plan to End Parkinson's Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a project to prevent and cure Parkinson's disease (a progressive brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements) and related conditions. Among other components of the project, HHS must (1) implement and periodically update a national plan to coordinate and guide efforts to prevent and cure the disease; (2) improve diagnosis, treatment, and care of those with the disease; and (3) address health and other disparities related to the disease. HHS must also conduct annual assessments on the preparation for and response to the increased burden of Parkinson's disease. In addition, the bill establishes a council, comprised of federal and nonfederal stakeholders, to advise HHS on and make recommendations concerning the prevention and cure of Parkinson's disease. The bill's provisions terminate at the end of calendar year 2035.