This resolution honors the life of William "Bill" Felton Russell (basketball player and coach with the Celtics and civil rights activist) and expresses condolences to his family and friends.
HRES 1346 is a non-binding congressional resolution supporting the designation of September 11-17, 2022, as "Celebrate Community Week." It recognizes the community service efforts of Lions Clubs International, Rotary International, Kiwanis International, and Optimist International, highlighting their global volunteer projects focused on youth development, health, education, and local needs. The resolution encourages these organizations to continue promoting community service and volunteerism, particularly for young people. It does not create new laws or funding but formally expresses congressional backing for their initiatives.
State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and otherwise changes the State Opioid Response Grant program. This program, which is managed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, provides funding for states, territories, and Indian tribes and tribal organizations to address the opioid crisis. Specific changes to the program include (1) expanding its scope to also address stimulant use and misuse, (2) establishing a funding methodology and minimum funding allocations, and (3) allowing the use of grant funds for recovery support services. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on issues concerning the funding and other aspects of the program.
Veterans Medical Mileage Adjustment Act of 2022 This bill increases the rate for beneficiary travel allowances based on mileage (from 41.5 cents to 45.5 cents per mile) for beneficiary travel to or from Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care.
Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022 This bill provides federal workers' compensation to firefighters who contract certain illnesses as a result of their service. Specifically, the bill provides that heart disease, lung disease, and specified cancers of federal employees employed in fire protection activities for at least 5 years are presumed to be proximately caused by such employment if the employee is diagnosed with the disease within 10 years of employment. The Department of Labor must periodically review the bill's listed diseases and conditions and make appropriate additions. An employee in fire protection activities is a firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, rescue worker, ambulance personnel, or hazardous material worker, who (1) is trained in fire suppression; (2) has the legal authority and responsibility to engage in fire suppression; (3) is engaged in the prevention, control, and extinguishment of fires or response to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk; and (4) performs such activities as a primary responsibility. Additionally, the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture must jointly study the long-term health effects experienced by federal wildland firefighters who are eligible for workers' compensation. The bill also requires Labor to revise regulations so as to allow at least 60 days (rather than at least 30 days) for a claimant to submit any additional evidence that is requested by the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs to support a federal workers' compensation claim.
Nationwide Right To Unionize Act This bill provides authorization for labor agreements to require membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment regardless of state law (thus preempting state laws that prohibit such agreements).
Securing American Acquisitions, Readiness, and Military Stockpiles Act of 2022 or the Securing American ARMS Act of 2022 This bill provides that acquisition procedures other than competitive procedures may be used to (1) replenish United States stockpiles with like defense articles when stockpiles are diminished as a result of the response to an armed attack by a foreign adversary against a U.S. ally or partner, or (2) contract for the movement or delivery of defense articles transferred to such ally or partner through the President's drawdown authorities in connection with such response, provided that the United States is not a party to the hostilities. The head of the applicable agency must provide the congressional defense committees written notification of the use of such procedures within one week after such use.
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.
Expand Housing Opportunities Act This bill establishes new, and expands existing, grants for increasing the availability of affordable housing. Specifically, the bill sets up grant programs that support (1) construction, preservation, or rehabilitation of owner-occupied, affordable housing; and (2) implementation and administration of landlord-tenant mediation programs. Further, the bill allows states to apply for additional funding through a block grant that supports affordable housing activities that benefit low-income individuals (the HOME Investment Partnership Program) to cover certain costs associated with affordable housing incurred during the COVID-19 emergency.
This resolution expresses that the House of Representatives recognizes the importance of rural and agricultural programming and the need for greater access to rural and agricultural media programming.
Lowering Inflated Heating, Energy, and Air Conditioning Prices Act or the LIHEAP Act This bill increases for FY2023-FY2024 the federal income eligibility threshold for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides federal grants to states, tribes, and territories to assist low-income households pay for heating and cooling costs. Currently, households are eligible with incomes at or below 150% of the poverty rate or 60% of the median income of their applicable state, tribe, or territory. This bill permits payments to households with incomes that are 75% of the applicable median income.
Biochar Research Network Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish a biochar research network of not more than 20 research stations or facilities to test the impact of biochar across various soil types, application methods, and climates to learn more about its potential to benefit farmers and the environment.
