Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act This bill prohibits any person from selling, during a proclaimed energy emergency, a consumer fuel at a price that (1) is unconscionably excessive, and (2) indicates that the seller is exploiting the emergency to increase prices unreasonably. The President may issue a proclamation of such an emergency that specifies the consumer fuel and geographic area covered and how long the proclamation applies. The bill provides for enforcement of these provisions by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general. Civil penalties collected by the commission through such enforcement must be used to provide assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Additionally, the commission must investigate whether the price of gasoline is being manipulated through reducing refinery capacity or other manipulative practices. The commission also must establish a Transportation Fuel Monitoring and Enforcement Unit to collect, monitor, and analyze crude oil and transportation fuel market data. The bill further includes specified transportation fuels within the prohibitions against (1) manipulative market practices, and (2) reporting false price information. It also increases the penalty for violations of those prohibitions. Finally, the Energy Information Administration must survey energy companies to facilitate transparent and competitive crude oil and transportation fuel markets.
SRES 643 is a Senate resolution designating the week of May 15-21, 2022, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who serve and sacrifice in their communities. The resolution recognizes the service of law enforcement officers, particularly those killed or injured in the line of duty, and acknowledges their sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It expresses support for officers' needs for proper equipment, training, and resources, and encourages the public to observe the week by honoring law enforcement personnel. This designation serves as a formal recognition of law enforcement service without creating new legal requirements or policy changes.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and expands programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The bill also revises workforce investment, vocational rehabilitation, employment, training, and literacy programs for eligible individuals. For example, the bill increases workforce representation on state and local workforce investment boards from 20% to 30%; reworks one-stop center infrastructure funding by requiring costs to be covered by state allocations of WIOA funds; establishes subsidized youth employment programs that include work-readiness training and mentoring; allows states and localities to partner with educational institutions to address the skill needs for in-demand jobs; establishes grants to connect youth in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence with in-demand jobs; eliminates a requirement that the Department of Labor ensure that individuals participating in WIOA activities comply with Selective Service laws; modifies the allotment of youth workforce investment funds to states; requires Labor to prioritize providing access to certain services to girls and women and applications for assistance from minority-serving institutions; expands the Job Corps program, including by serving individuals in outlying areas and relaxing age requirements; establishes grants to expand training programs through industry or sector partnerships; expands grants for integrated English literacy and civics education to outlying areas; and expands Wagner-Peyser employment services to the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. The bill also provides statutory authority for Labor to award competitive grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to improve employment and training outcomes and reduce recidivism of justice-involved youth; and competitive grants for states to create workforce longitudinal administrative databases.
Cybersecurity Grants for Schools Act of 2022 This bill allows the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to award grants or other financial assistance for cybersecurity and infrastructure security education and training programs at the elementary and secondary education levels. Entities eligible for the assistance include states, localities, institutions of higher education, and nonprofits. Additionally, CISA must include information about how the grants and assistance enhance cybersecurity education for underserved populations or communities in annual briefings.
Bombing Prevention Act of 2022 This bill establishes within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) an Office for Bombing Prevention. The office shall advise DHS on matters related to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States, coordinate DHS efforts to counter such threats and attacks, and take other specified steps, including promoting security awareness. The bill also requires DHS to provide to the public and private sector technical assistance to counter terrorist explosive threats and attacks that pose a risk in certain jurisdictions to critical infrastructure facilities or to special events. The office shall develop a strategy to align the office's activities with the threat environment and stakeholder needs, and to make the public and private sector aware of the office's capabilities. DHS must also ensure coordination and information sharing regarding nonmilitary research, development, testing, and evaluation activities relating to terrorist explosive threats and attacks in the United States.
Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the National World War II Memorial in the District of Columbia. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the memorial and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II. All surcharges received from the sale of such coins shall be paid to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the National Park Service in maintaining and repairing the memorial, and for educational and commemorative programs.
SRES 634 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating May 2022 as National Foster Care Month. It recognizes the challenges faced by the approximately 407,000 children in foster care in the U.S., highlights issues like prolonged stays and educational instability, and acknowledges foster parents and youth resilience. The resolution encourages Congress to implement policies improving foster care outcomes but does not create new laws or funding. It specifically supports May 31, 2022, as National Foster Parent Appreciation Day and reaffirms existing federal efforts like the Family First Prevention Services Act. This resolution serves solely to raise awareness, not to enact policy changes.
Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Act This bill establishes formal sexual assault and harassment policies for the transportation industry. Among other things, the bill requires certain passenger transportation carriers, including passenger airlines and vessels, buses, commuter and intercity passenger railroads, and transportation network companies (e.g., Uber or Lyft) to establish formal policies, training, and reporting structures regarding sexual assault and harassment; sets forth civil penalties for individuals who physically assault or sexually assault or threaten to assault transportation personnel; directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to collect information on the number of sexual assault and harassment incidents reported by the carriers and make such information publicly available; expands the reporting process for individuals involved in transportation sexual assault or harassment incidents by allowing such individuals to report allegations to law enforcement in a manner that protects their privacy and confidentiality; assesses the accuracy of the reporting of transportation sexual assault or harassment incidents by the carriers; and requires DOT to develop and publish a definition of sexual harassment.
Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Technical Corrections Act This bill revises provisions related to the hazard mitigation revolving loan fund program, including by requiring capitalization grant recipients to carry out the latest two published editions of relevant building codes, specifications, and standards.
Community Services Block Grant Modernization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes the Community Services Block Grant program through FY2032 and otherwise modifies the program. The program supports various antipoverty activities, primarily through formula-based allotments to states, Indian tribes, and territories. In particular, the bill makes changes to the program's administration and leadership; performance measurement; and allotments to states and territories. The bill also expands eligibility for services and activities funded by the program to 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL). Under current law, eligibility is generally set at the FPL.
Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act of 2022 or the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2022 This bill modifies the workplace rights, protections, and benefits applicable to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel. Specifically, the bill by December 31, 2022, eliminates personnel authorities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation governing the conditions of employment for TSA employees, thus making TSA employees subject to the personnel management system applicable to other federal employees; sets forth transition rules that protect the pay rates, leave rights, and other rights of TSA employees; and requires DHS to consult with the exclusive representative of TSA screening employees to carry out the conversion of those positions. The bill also permits the TSA to consult with organizations representing federal air marshals to address concerns, including mental health and suicide rates; directs the TSA to ensure its employees are provided proper guidance regarding prevention and protections against COVID-19; requires the TSA to provide a one-time bonus payment of $3,000 to each TSA employee carrying out duties that require substantial contact with the public during the COVID-19 national emergency; and requires the Government Accountability Office to report on implementation of the bill, TSA recruitment efforts, and specified TSA personnel policies.
Isolate Russian Government Officials Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of the Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to take all necessary steps to exclude Russian government officials, to the maximum extent practicable, from certain international meetings, including the activities of the Group of 20, the Basel Committee for Banking Standards, and the Bank for International Settlements. This requirement shall be in effect until the earlier of five years after the bill's enactment or 30 days after the President reports to Congress that Russia's government has ceased activities to destabilize Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The President may also waive this requirement upon reporting to Congress that doing so is in the national interest of the United States.
