American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)to establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee. The committee must provide advice to NOAA on an existing program that awards grants for fisheries research and development projects, such as projects concerning fisheries science or recreational fishing. Specifically, the committee must (1)identify the needs of the fishing community, (2) develop the request for proposals for the grant program, (3)review grant applications, and (4)provide NOAA with grant applications for approval. NOAA must establish six regions within the committee.In addition, NOAA must select members that represent the regions as well as at-large members that represent certain sectors of the fishing industry.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 630 is a Senate resolution expressing support for designating the week of May 1-7, 2022, as "National Small Business Week" to honor small businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. It highlights that small businesses support over 61 million jobs and demonstrate resilience amid pandemic challenges, though the resolution does not create new legal requirements or funding. The resolution symbolically recognizes their economic contributions and role in community rebuilding without imposing binding obligations. As a commemorative measure, it aligns with longstanding presidential designations dating to 1963.
Consumer Protection Remedies Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to seek, and courts to order, certain types of equitable relief such as restitution, contract rescission, and disgorgement in suits to enforce the laws within the commission's jurisdiction.
Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act This bill requires employers to make initial and modified disclosures to employees of the terms of their employment, provide such employees with regular paystubs, and make a final payment to an employee for uncompensated work hours within 14 days of the employee's termination. Employers must also allow employees access to wage records. An employer must compensate an employee at the rate specified in an employment contract, including a collective bargaining agreement, that specifies a rate of pay higher than the minimum wage rate. The bill makes all of such unpaid wages recoverable through civil enforcement. The bill establishes new and increased civil and criminal penalties for violations of overtime or minimum wage requirements, including referral to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution of employers who engage in wage theft, falsification of wage records, or retaliation against employees. The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor must provide grants to specified organizations, including nonprofits and educational institutions, to enhance the enforcement of wage and hour laws. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on successful grant programs.
This resolution expresses that the Senate has heard of the death of the Honorable Orrin G. Hatch, former U.S. Senator for the state of Utah. The resolution also expresses that the Senate honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Hatch for his unwavering dedication to Utah as a Senator and a public servant and accomplishments in legislating with principle and dedication for the good of the people of the United States. The resolution states when the Senate adjourns today, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Hatch.
William T. Coleman, Jr. and Norman Y. Mineta Department of Transportation Headquarters Act This bill designates the headquarters building of the Department of Transportation located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, in Washington, DC, as the William T. Coleman, Jr. and Norman Y. Mineta Federal Building.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates May 5, 2022, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls." It directly honors Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women and girls who are victims of violence or disappearance, referencing documented statistics showing they face disproportionately high rates of violent crime and homicide. The resolution calls on the public and organizations to commemorate these victims and show solidarity with affected families. As a symbolic measure with no binding policy changes, it aims to raise awareness about this issue without creating new legal requirements.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates April 2022 as "Preserving and Protecting Local News Month." It affirms that local news serves an essential function in U.S. democracy, recognizes local journalism as a public good, and acknowledges journalists' contributions to community well-being. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or requirements - it is a symbolic recognition of local news' role in informing citizens and supporting democratic engagement. It follows extensive context about declining local news outlets and workforce challenges, but the resolution itself only makes these affirmations.
Maddy summarySRES 599 is a Senate resolution (not a law) introduced in April 2022 that honors military children during the National Month of the Military Child (observed each April). It recognizes the sacrifices of approximately 2 million military children who have experienced parental deployment since 9/11, live with disabled veterans, or have lost a military parent. The resolution urges all Americans to support military children through ceremonies and activities during April, aligning with existing Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs programs. It does not create new policies or funding but symbolically acknowledges military children's contributions and challenges.
Samya Rose Stumo National Air Grant Fellowship Program Act of 2022 This bill commemorates the lives lost as a result of Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane crashes. In particular, the bill changes the name of the National Air Grant Fellowship Program to the Samya Rose Stumo National Air Grant Fellowship Program in honor of a public health advocate who died in one of the crashes. (The fellowship provides graduate students in aerospace engineering and related fields with aviation policy experience.)