Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021 This bill addresses water infrastructure and the discharge of pollution (e.g., wastewater or stormwater) into waters of the United States, including by reauthorizing through FY2026 and revising the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) program. The clean water SRF program provides communities low-cost financing for water quality infrastructure projects.
Preventing Election Subversion Act of 2021 This bill establishes certain federal criminal offenses related to voting and sets forth additional requirements for federal elections. The bill makes it a crime to (1) intimidate, threaten, coerce, or harass an election worker (i.e., an election official, a poll worker, or an election volunteer) with the intent to interfere with the official duties of, or retaliate against, the worker; or (2) publicly disclose restricted personal information about an election worker or an immediate family member with the intent to threaten or cause harm to the worker or the family member. In addition, the bill restricts the ability of a statewide election administrator to remove a local election administrator. A statewide election administrator may suspend, remove, or relieve the duties of a local election administrator only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance while in office. Further, the bill establishes certain requirements for challenging an individual's eligibility to register to vote or vote in federal elections. The bill also sets a minimum distance for poll observers.
Saudi Educational Transparency and Reform Act This bill directs the Department of State to report to Congress annually on educational materials published by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education, which are used both inside and outside Saudi Arabia. The report shall detail whether such educational materials include content that could be seen as encouraging violence and intolerance toward religious groups, including Muslims who hold dissenting views. The report shall also discuss related subjects, including the extent to which such materials are exported and efforts by the Saudi government to remove the intolerant content. The State Department shall issue such reports for 10 years, unless the State Department determines that the intolerant content has been completely removed. If such content is still included in Saudi Arabia's educational materials after 10 years, the State Department shall continue reporting to Congress for another 5 years.
Clean Energy for America Act This bill provides for tax incentives for investments in clean electricity, clean transportation, energy efficiency, and the termination of certain provisions relating to oil, gas, and other fossil fuels. Among other provisions, the bill allows new tax credits for investment in clean energy facilities and for the production of electricity from clean energy and clean fuel; allows a new tax credit for expenditures for clean energy property used in connection with a principal residence; allows a new tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel; allows an alternative motor vehicle tax credit for fuel cell motor vehicles, electric vehicles, and for refueling property; allows a tax credit for the production of electricity from clean hydrogen; extends for one year the second generation biofuel producer tax credit and the tax credit for alternative fuels; modifies existing tax credits for energy efficient residential buildings, energy efficient home improvement expenditures, geothermal heat pumps, and the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings; terminates certain provisions relating to oil, gas, and other fossil fuels; requires that at least 15% of the total workforce labor hours be performed by qualified apprentices; requires that projects receiving federal assistance comply with federal prevailing wage requirements; and allows the issuance of tax-exempt private activity bonds for qualified carbon dioxide capture facilities.
Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to undertake rulemaking and other activities to implement certain recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board (a federal advisory board that considers and makes recommendations concerning the production, handling, and processing of organic products). Specifically, USDA must issue within a specified time line final rules for implementing recommendations approved (1) by the board between December 31, 2000, and the date of the bill's enactment; and (2) with at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting where a quorum was present. If USDA determines issuing rules for such recommendations is not practicable, it must identify and report to Congress about the specific constraints that preclude rulemaking. In addition, the bill sets out a process and time line for USDA to implement through rulemaking future recommendations of the board that are approved by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting where a quorum was present. The bill also requires state officials or entities that certify organic farms or handling operations to report annually concerning the implementation of and compliance with any new rule or guidance.
Puppy Protection Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs adequate housing, exercise, and veterinary care; appropriate and nutritious food; continuous access to potable water; and meaningful socialization with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day. The standards must also include requirements for breeders to use safe breeding practices and make all reasonable efforts to find humane placement for retired breeding dogs.
Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2021 This bill exempts traditional large and premium cigars from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation and FDA-assessed user fees.
This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment.
This joint resolution nullifies the Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review rule published by the Environmental Protection Agency on September 14, 2020. The rule finalized amendments to new source performance standards under the Clean Air Act for the oil and natural gas sector, such as an amendment that removed limitations on methane emissions from such sector.
This resolution acknowledges and condemns the discrimination against, wrongful termination of, and exclusion from the federal civil service, the Foreign Service, and the Armed Forces of the thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals who were affected by the anti-LGBT policies of the federal government. The resolution expresses that the Senate, on behalf of the United States, apologizes to the affected LGBT military service members, Foreign Service members, veterans, and federal civil service employees and their families. Finally, the resolution reaffirms the commitment of the federal government to treat all military service members, Foreign Service members, veterans, and federal civil service employees and retirees, including LGBT individuals, with equal respect and fairness.
This resolution expresses support for the efforts of health and wellness coaches.
Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act This bill revises procedures regarding an individual's right to file civil actions for deprivation of rights under color of law. The bill (1) provides statutory authority for individuals to sue federal law enforcement officers (current law restricts the ability of an individual to file a lawsuit against a federal law enforcement officer in many cases); and (2) makes federal law enforcement agencies liable for the conduct of an officer, regardless of whether the officer has a qualified immunity defense.
