Fair Elections Now Act of 2022 This bill establishes the Freedom from Influence Fund, which shall provide funding to Senate candidates who meet specified conditions and agree to abide by certain requirements, such as limits on types of campaign funding sources. The bill also imposes a tax on certain U.S. government contracts.
Right to Private Conduct Act of 2022 This bill provides statutory authority for the right of adults to engage in private, consensual sexual conduct with other adults.
Volcanic Ash and Fumes Act of 2022 This bill incorporates the capacities and expertise of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) into the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System. Specifically, the bill integrates into the purposes of the system relevant capacities of NOAA to strengthen the warning and monitoring systems of volcano observatories in the United States. This includes observations and modeling of the results from volcanic eruptions (e.g., emissions of gases, aerosols, and ash; atmospheric dynamics and chemistry; and ocean chemistry) that are carried out by NOAA's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers located in Anchorage, Alaska, and the District of Columbia. The bill provides for a memorandum of understanding to establish cooperative support for the activities of the system from NOAA, including environmental observations, modeling, and temporary duty assignments of personnel to support emergency activities. The Department of Commerce must (1) submit to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) annual cost estimates for modernization activities and support of the system for NOAA; and (2) collaborate with the USGS to implement activities related to the expertise of NOAA, including observations and modeling of results from volcanic eruptions. Commerce must develop a plan to implement this bill during the five-year period beginning on the date on which the plan is developed. The plan shall include an estimate of the cost and schedule required for implementation. Upon the plan's completion, Commerce shall make it publicly available.
This resolution declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of Alan R. Parker, former Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate.
This bill authorizes grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations for activities related to recreational travel and tourism. Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Indian tribes and tribal organizations; (2) the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Native Hawaiian organizations; and (3) other federal agencies to make these grants to and enter into agreements with tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
This resolution recognizes November 2022 as National Native American Heritage Month and the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.
Maddy summarySRES 838 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing concern about the increasing number of book bans in schools and libraries across the U.S. It highlights that over 2,500 book restrictions affected more than 4 million students in 32 states during the 2021-2022 school year, including bans on titles addressing LGBTQ+ themes, racial history, and diverse perspectives (such as *The Handmaid’s Tale* and *Maus*). The resolution reaffirms the importance of free expression under the First Amendment and calls on schools and libraries to follow established guidelines when addressing book challenges, rather than removing materials based on political or ideological preferences. It emphasizes protecting students’ access to diverse viewpoints and educators’ ability to teach without censorship.
This resolution congratulates and celebrates Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on the 50th anniversary of their establishment.
Reinvesting In Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act of 2022 or the RISEE Act of 2022 This bill expands the amount of revenue generated from leases for energy development on federal land or submerged lands in the Outer Continental Shelf that is shared with certain states and coastal communities. For example, the bill dedicates a percentage of the revenue generated from offshore wind leases for coastal states. Currently, this revenue is deposited in the U.S. Treasury. In addition, the bill increases the amount of revenue generated from offshore oil and gas leases that is shared with states under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act. States must use the funding from the revenue for specified purposes, such as coastal restoration, conservation, or infrastructure.
This resolution recognizes Filipino American History Month in October 2022 as a testament to the advancement of Filipino Americans and a time to renew efforts toward researching and examining the history of Filipino Americans to give all people of the United States an opportunity to learn about their contributions.
