Supreme Court Review Act of 2022 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to notify Congress of a covered Supreme Court decision and sets forth expedited procedures for the consideration of legislation related to the decision. A covered Supreme Court decision is a decision by the Supreme Court that interprets a federal statute for the first time, reinterprets a federal statute that it previously interpreted, or interprets or reinterprets the Constitution in a manner that diminishes an individual right or privilege that is or was previously protected by the Constitution.
Cash Refunds for Flight Cancellations Act of 2022 This bill requires air carriers and ticket agents to offer full cash refunds for airline tickets if (1) an airline cancels or significantly delays a flight, or (2) a passenger cancels their ticket for a flight up until 48 hours of the scheduled departure time. The bill permits air carriers and tickets agents to offer alternative forms of compensation, including credit, or vouchers, provided that such offer is valid indefinitely and the offer includes a clear and conspicuous notice of the passenger's right to a cash refund. Additionally, the bill requires air carriers and ticket agents to disclose to passengers, prior to the sale of airline tickets, that they can cancel their tickets and receive a full refund.
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.
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.)
Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Act This bill directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to award grants to state and local educational agencies, public libraries, and qualified nonprofit organizations to develop and promote media literacy and digital citizenship education for elementary and secondary school students. Media literacy includes the ability to access relevant information, analyze media content, evaluate the accuracy of information, and make educated decisions based on information obtained from media and digital sources. Digital citizenship includes the ability to safely, responsibly, and ethically use communication technologies and to participate in the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of life related to technology and the digital world.
Federal Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Energy to remove and permanently store, as is economically feasible, specified amounts of carbon dioxide on a specified schedule, culminating in 10 million net metric tons of carbon dioxide removal for FY2035 and each fiscal year thereafter.
Insider Trading Prohibition Act This bill generally provides statutory authority for the prohibition against securities trading, as well as related communications to others, by a person who has access to material, nonpublic information and is aware or recklessly disregards that the information is material and nonpublic. Further, that person must either be aware or recklessly disregards that the information has been obtained wrongfully or that the trading would be wrongful. The bill also provides, for purposes of establishing a violation of this prohibition, that it is not necessary for such a person to know specifically how such information was obtained or whether a personal benefit was paid or promised.
Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2022 This bill expands the Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program, including by establishing a Weatherization Readiness Fund. If the dwellings of low-income households have significant defects or hazards that prevent the installation of weatherization (e.g., energy efficiency) measures under the program, then states may use the fund for repairing such defects and hazards.
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.
Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2022 This bill restricts the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from decreasing payments for Medicare home health services based on certain adjustments until 2026. Current law requires the CMS to make certain permanent and temporary payment adjustments under the Medicare prospective payment system for home health services based on behavioral assumptions for 2020 through 2026. The bill restricts the CMS from making adjustments that decrease payments until 2026; the CMS must also ensure that any such necessary decreases are made before 2032.
National Plan to End Parkinson's Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a project to prevent and cure Parkinson's disease (a progressive brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements) and related conditions. Among other components of the project, HHS must (1) implement and periodically update a national plan to coordinate and guide efforts to prevent and cure the disease; (2) improve diagnosis, treatment, and care of those with the disease; and (3) address health and other disparities related to the disease. HHS must also conduct annual assessments on the preparation for and response to the increased burden of Parkinson's disease. In addition, the bill establishes a council, comprised of federal and nonfederal stakeholders, to advise HHS on and make recommendations concerning the prevention and cure of Parkinson's disease. The bill's provisions terminate at the end of calendar year 2035.
Prosper Africa Act This bill requires actions to promote trade, investment, and strategic partnerships between the United States and countries in Africa. The President must establish the Prosper Africa Initiative to prioritize and coordinate U.S. government activities and diplomatic efforts aimed at increasing two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa. The President must also establish (1) the Prosper Africa Directorate to perform various functions to support the initiative, including by developing and implementing policies to promote such trade and investment; (2) an interagency leadership committee to provide strategic guidance to the initiative and coordinate federal agency efforts; and (3) an advisory council to advise the President on the extent to which the directorate and federal agencies are meeting the objectives established in this bill. Designated staff in U.S. embassies located in Africa shall also support the initiative to the extent practicable. The President must seek to convene a meeting every two years between the U.S. government and the heads of state of African countries to advance shared priorities and strengthen partnerships. The bill also requires the President to (1) report to Congress and make publicly available a government-wide strategy to achieve this bill's objectives, and (2) annually report to Congress on matters related to U.S. government efforts to achieve this bill's objectives.
