Sen. Tina Smith

This resolution designates the week of September 26-October 2, 2022, as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week and recognizes the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program.

This resolution supports the designation of October 2-October 8, 2022, as National 4-H Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of 4-H in youth development and education, and (2) encourages all citizens to recognize 4-H for the significant impact the organization and members have made and continue to make by empowering young people with the skills needed to lead for a lifetime.

This resolution designates September 15, 2022, as International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day. Myotonic dystrophy is an inherited disorder characterized by progressive muscle loss and weakness.

Maddy summarySRES 774 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating September 2022 as "National Democracy Month." It encourages the U.S. government, states, and local communities to observe this month through ceremonies and activities that reflect on the U.S. system of government and its global contributions to democracy. The resolution emphasizes educating citizens about democratic principles and honoring historical sacrifices that preserved U.S. freedoms. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, as it is a symbolic, ceremonial designation.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates November 5, 2022, as National Bison Day to honor the historical, cultural, and economic significance of bison in the United States. It specifically recognizes bison as the national mammal (adopted in 2016), their vital role in Native American tribal heritage and conservation, and their contributions to rural economies. The resolution encourages the public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities, building on an annual tradition celebrated since 2012. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or regulations.

Bus Integration Dedicated to Improving Resilience, Eliminating Congestion, and Triggering Innovation Over Numerous Applications and Localities Act or the BIDIRECTIONAL Act This bill establishes requirements to encourage the deployment of vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-everything technologies and applications that enable bidirectional charging, such as technologies that enable electric vehicles to use their batteries to power the energy grid or homes when they are not being driven. Specifically, the bill requires states to consider measures to promote vehicle-to-grid integration under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act. The bill also directs the Department of Energy to establish a grant program for projects that use at least one electric school bus with such technology. Grants may be awarded to electric energy suppliers, state public utility commissions, school bus manufacturers, school districts, suppliers of charging infrastructure, renewable energy developers, and other eligible entities.

Maddy summarySRES 799 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating October 5, 2022, as "Energy Efficiency Day." It commemorates the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency, citing historical achievements like $800 billion in annual energy cost savings and 2 million jobs in the sector. The resolution does not create new policies or affect any group; it solely encourages public recognition through events and awareness activities. It references past bipartisan energy efficiency legislation but does not alter existing laws. This is a symbolic gesture celebrating existing progress, not a policy change.

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.

This resolution designates September 2022 as National Voting Rights Month, encourages people to uphold the right to vote, encourages Congress to pass certain voting rights legislation, recommends the development of a curriculum in public schools and universities regarding voting, encourages the U.S. Postal Service to issue a special Representative John R. Lewis stamp during the month of September, and invites Congress to allocate funds for public service announcements regarding elections.

Election Worker Protection Act of 2022 This bill addresses certain protections for election workers. Among other provisions, the bill (1) establishes grants for the recruitment, training, and safety of election workers; and (2) makes it a crime to intimidate, threaten, coerce, or harass an election worker with the intent to interfere with the official duties of, or retaliate against, the worker.