National Strategy to Utilize Microreactors for Natural Disaster Response Efforts Act This bill directs the President to develop a national strategy to utilize microreactors to assist with natural disaster response efforts. A microreactor is a nuclear reactor with at most 20 megawatts of thermal energy generating capacity. Specifically, such strategy must include an assessment of the effectiveness of utilizing diesel generators to assist with natural disaster response efforts; a comprehensive, research-based, and long-term discussion of goals, objectives, and priorities for utilizing microreactors instead of diesel generators to assist with such efforts; a Department of Defense analysis regarding the use of such microreactors to assist with such efforts; recommendations on how the Nuclear Regulatory Commission may expedite the approval of designs for microreactors and issuing licenses; an assessment of the challenges and barriers to deploying microreactors to assist with such efforts and solutions; and recommendations on how to utilize microreactors as charging stations for electric vehicles in the event of a mass evacuation resulting from a natural disaster.
This bill prohibits the Securities and Exchange Commission from finalizing the rule proposed on April 11, 2022, and titled The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors . The proposed rule requires registrants to disclose their climate-related risks.
Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the President to lend or lease defense articles to Taiwan for protection against potential Chinese military aggression and requires the President to establish expedited procedures for delivering loaned or leased defense articles to Taiwan.
Crime Doesn't Pay Act of 2022 This bill requires that pre-separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces include training regarding the consequences to members who are convicted of a crime, specifically regarding the loss of benefits.
VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2022 or the VALID Act of 2022 The bill requires a Federal Housing Administration mortgage notice to a veteran to contain comparative rate and fee information about loans available under the Veterans Affairs home loan program.
SRES 729 is a Senate resolution designating the week beginning November 7, 2022, as "National Pregnancy Center Week." It recognizes community-supported pregnancy centers across the United States for providing services like counseling, pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and material resources to individuals facing pregnancy decisions. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally acknowledges these centers' work through symbolic recognition. It highlights their role in serving over 2 million people annually, though the resolution itself has no binding policy effect.
Farmland Security Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to submit to Congress an annual report on foreign investments in agricultural land in the United States, including a description of the impact that foreign ownership of agricultural land has on family farms, rural communities, and the domestic food supply. USDA must also establish a public database that contains data from each report submitted.
Federal Bureau of Investigations Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act This bill allows whistleblowers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to appeal agency decisions regarding alleged reprisals to the Merit Systems Protection Board. Whistleblowers may also seek action directly from the board if the agency does not issue a decision within 180 days of receiving such an allegation.
Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act of 2021 This bill increases civil and administrative monetary penalties for securities laws violations. The bill also adds a fourth tier of monetary penalties for violations by a person that, within the five-year period preceding the violation (1) was criminally convicted for securities fraud; or (2) became subject to a judgment or order imposing monetary, equitable, or administrative relief in a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) action alleging fraud. In addition, the bill expands penalties for violations of certain federal court injunctions or SEC orders.
Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act of 2022 This bill expressly classifies broadband internet as a telecommunications service rather than an information service for purposes of regulation by the Federal Communications Commission. (Current law treats providers of telecommunications services as common carriers and subjects them to more stringent requirements.)
Travel Nursing Agency Transparency Study Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study the effects of travel nurse agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study must consider matters that include agency business and payment practices, the effects of travel nurse agency practices on workforce shortages, and the acquisition of travel nurse agencies by private equity firms.
This resolution expresses support for U.S. Border Patrol agents, denounces the politicization and falsification of claims against agents in Del Rio, Texas, and calls on the Biden administration to support front line agents.
