Sen. Thom Tillis

Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 or the RPM Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the modification of a vehicle's air emission controls for vehicles that are not legal for operation on a street or highway and are used solely for competition. In relation to the exemption of competition vehicles from anti-tampering provisions, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is prohibited from creating or authorizing a database of vehicle registration information that is required to be consulted at the point of manufacture, sale, installation, or use of parts or components. Additionally, the EPA may not require the registration of a vehicle, or part or component of a vehicle, by the manufacturer, seller, purchaser, installer, or user of the vehicle. The regulation prescribed by the EPA regarding the exemption must include certain components, including a description of the reasonable conditions for the applicability of the exemption.

This resolution expresses that the Senate has heard the announcement of the death of the Honorable Jacqueline R. Walorski, Congresswoman for the Second Congressional District of Indiana. The resolution also honors Representative Walorski for her service to Indiana and the United States. The resolution expresses that when the Senate adjourns today, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Representative Walorski.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August 16, 2022, as "National Airborne Day" to honor the history of U.S. airborne forces. It recognizes August 16, 1940, as the date of the first official U.S. Army parachute jump, marking the beginning of airborne operations. The resolution calls on the public to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, acknowledging the service of airborne troops from World War II through modern conflicts. It is a ceremonial resolution with no legal effect or direct impact on policy or individuals.

This resolution designates August 2022 as National Catfish Month. It also recognizes (1) the contributions of all workers, past and present, that produce, process, and provide catfish for the people of the United States; and (2) that purchasing U.S. farm-raised catfish supports farmers, jobs, and the economy of the United States.

Raising Expectations with Child Opportunity Vouchers for Educational Recovery Act or the RECOVER Act This bill directs local educational agencies to use certain federal COVID-19 relief funds to address student learning loss by distributing direct financial assistance (i.e., Child Opportunity Scholarships) to the parent or guardian of an eligible student for certain qualified educational expenses (e.g., educational materials, tutoring, or private school tuition). Eligible student refers to a child who is a member of a household with an income that is not more than 300% of the federal poverty level.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August as "National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month" to raise public awareness about the dangers of counterfeit products. It directly affects consumers, businesses, and brands by promoting education on how counterfeit goods - such as unsafe medical products or fake electronics - threaten health, safety, and the economy. The key mechanism is encouraging existing efforts (led by agencies like the FTC and FBI) to educate the public through campaigns that help identify counterfeit items in both physical and online markets. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but affirms support for ongoing awareness initiatives to reduce consumer harm and economic losses from counterfeiting.

First Responders' Equipment Access Act This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to revise regulations to exempt from emission standards engines and equipment of certain marine vessels that are owned by emergency response or public safety agencies with responsibility for domestic response or homeland security activities.

Maddy summaryS 4710 adds phosphate and potash to the Department of the Interior's official list of critical minerals, updating the 2022 final list published in the Federal Register (87 Fed. Reg. 10381). This change directly affects industries relying on these minerals, such as agricultural fertilizer production and chemical manufacturing. The bill amends the existing list without creating new regulations or requirements.

Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2022 This bill amends the law relating to patent subject matter eligibility to establish that only specified subject matter (e.g., a natural process wholly independent of human activity) are ineligible for patenting. (Currently, subject matter eligibility is determined by examining whether the claimed invention is directed to certain ineligible categories, and if so, whether there is an inventive concept.)

Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act This bill addresses economic and political development in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), including by supporting anti-corruption and trade initiatives.