Sen. Mark Kelly

High Risk Rural Roads Safety Act of 2021 This bill establishes a high-risk rural roads safety program to support safety improvements for roads in rural and tribal communities. Specifically, the bill directs Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide grants to Indian tribes to improve safety on high risk rural roads. It also requires DOT to set aside specified funds for Indian tribes and states. Funds apportioned to a state must be obligated in areas of the state in which the population is not more than 50,000. The federal share of the cost of a project carried out under the bill may be up to 100%.

Advancing Human Spaceflight Act of 2021 This bill establishes programs and policies pertaining to human presence in space. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall establish a program to develop next-generation space suits and associated technologies, establish an outpost in orbit around the Moon as described in this bill, and submit a plan for achieving a power supply on the Moon. The bill declares that it is U.S. policy to continuously maintain the capability for a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit through and beyond the useful life of the International Space Station (ISS) and that such capability shall maintain U.S. global leadership and relations with partners and allies, contribute to the general welfare of the United States, and leverage commercial capabilities to promote affordability so as not to preclude a robust portfolio of other human space exploration activities. NASA shall ensure that the ISS remains a viable and productive facility capable of potential U.S. use through at least FY2030. NASA must submit a strategy that includes how it will transition to a successor platform to the ISS. The Office of Science and Technology Policy shall conduct a study on the manner in which NASA funds missions of national need.

COVID - 19 Hate Crimes Act This bill requires a designated officer or employee of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to facilitate the expedited review of hate crimes and reports of hate crimes. DOJ must issue guidance for state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies on establishing online hate crime reporting processes, collecting data disaggregated by protected characteristic (e.g., race or national origin), and expanding education campaigns. Additionally, DOJ and the Department of Health and Human Services must issue guidance aimed at raising awareness of hate crimes during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The bill establishes grants for states to create state-run hate crimes reporting hotlines. It also authorizes grants for states and local governments to implement the National Incident-Based Reporting System and to conduct law enforcement activities or crime reduction programs to prevent, address, or respond to hate crimes. Finally, in the case of an individual convicted of a hate crime offense and placed on supervised release, the bill allows a court to order that the individual participate in educational classes or community service as a condition of supervised release.

Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2021 or the Midwives for MOMS Act of 2021 This bill establishes grants within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for establishing or expanding midwifery programs at institutions of higher education and nursing schools. HRSA may prioritize funding for institutions that focus on increasing the number of midwife professionals from underrepresented groups and that promote practicing in areas with limited access to professional health care.

Rebuilding Our Communities by Keeping aggregates Sustainable Act of 2021 or the ROCKS Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish a working group of stakeholders (e.g., state, tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies) with knowledge and expertise in the production and transportation of materials used in the construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure projects to conduct a study on access to such materials, including access to stone, sand, and gravel.

Credit for Caring Act of 2021 This bill allows an eligible caregiver a tax credit of up to $5,000 for 30% of the cost of long-term care expenses that exceed $2,000 in a taxable year. The bill defines eligible caregiver as an individual who has earned income for the taxable year in excess of $7,500 and pays or incurs expenses for providing care to a spouse or other dependent relative with long-term care needs.

Highway Cost Allocation Study Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to carry out a highway cost allocation study to determine the direct costs of highway use by various types of users. In carrying out the study, DOT must (1) ensure that the study examines only direct federal costs of highway use, (2) capture the various driving conditions in different geographic areas of the United States, and (3) distinguish between costs directly occasioned by a single highway user class and costs occasioned by all highway user classes. Once the study is completed, DOT must develop recommendations for a set of revenue options to fully cover the costs occasioned by highway users, including recommendations for changes to existing revenue streams and new revenue streams based on user fees.

This resolution requires the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to establish a McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program through which certain veterans may participate in a two-year fellowship in the personal office of a Senator.

Gym Mitigation and Survival Act of 2021 or the GYMS Act of 2021 This bill establishes a grant program to provide economic support to eligible fitness facilities in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Small Business Administration to make initial and supplemental grants to privately owned fitness facilities that primarily provide health or fitness services and that do not offer golf, hunting, sailing, or riding facilities. The total amount of grant funds for a recipient may not exceed $25 million, and the recipient must use these funds for payroll costs, rent or mortgage obligations, and other ordinary and necessary business expenses.

Dynamic Glass Act This bill includes electrochromic glass as energy property for purposes of the 30% energy tax credit. The bill defines electrochromic glass as glass that uses electricity to change its light transmittance properties to heat or cool a structure, but only with respect to property whose construction begins before January 1, 2024.