This bill prohibits electric vehicle manufacturers from generating, using, or transferring renewable fuel credits (RINs) related to electricity under the Clean Air Act's renewable fuel program. It directly affects electric vehicle original equipment manufacturers (defined as makers of electric cars or light-duty trucks) by blocking their participation in a proposed program (eRIN) that would have allowed them to earn credits for renewable electricity. The bill amends the Clean Air Act to explicitly ban this credit generation and withdraws the EPA's proposed eRIN program. It requires the EPA to issue final regulations within 180 days of enactment, effective January 1, 2024. This change prevents EV manufacturers from using electricity-based credits to meet renewable fuel obligations.
S.1682, the Housing Supply Expansion Act, updates wage determination rules for federal housing projects to streamline processes. It simplifies how prevailing wages are calculated by allowing geographic groupings beyond local areas (Section 2), limits projects to one wage rate based on residential character (Section 3), and creates a working group to review modernizing Davis-Bacon Act requirements (Section 4). The bill directly affects housing developers, contractors, and labor organizations participating in federal housing programs like FHA projects, Native American housing, and public housing (Sections 5-9). Key changes include requiring the Secretary of Labor to improve survey participation and data collection methods for wage determinations, and directing a working group to recommend potential waivers for affordable housing construction. The bill does not directly increase housing supply but aims to reduce administrative barriers in wage rules affecting housing development.
This bill bars federal funding for state or local databases that track lawfully owned firearms or their owners. It directly affects states and local governments maintaining such databases, preventing them from using federal money to create or maintain these records. The law includes an exception allowing funding for databases tracking lost or stolen firearms and their owners. The key provision is a federal funding prohibition targeting databases of legal gun ownership, not the databases themselves.
Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act This bill postpones certain tax filing deadlines for U.S. nationals and their spouses who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad. It also allows for reimbursement and abatement of penalties and fines paid by detained individuals.
The "No START Treaty Act" declares that the New START Treaty with Russia is no longer in U.S. national security interests due to Russia's non-compliance (including refusing inspections) and China's rapid nuclear expansion, directing the U.S. to withdraw from the treaty. It mandates a 90-day report from the Secretary of Defense assessing U.S. nuclear deterrence capabilities and proposing specific improvements, such as increasing bomber alert status and restoring submarine missile capacity. The bill sets strict conditions for future arms control agreements, requiring limits on China's nuclear arsenal, robust verification for both China and Russia, and coverage of non-strategic weapons and emerging systems like hypersonic weapons. Additionally, it prohibits unilateral U.S. nuclear reductions without a treaty meeting these conditions and blocks funding for the New START Treaty or successor agreements that fail to satisfy these requirements.
The Disclose Government Censorship Act (S 1672) requires U.S. government employees to publicly disclose communications with social media platforms about restricting user content. It mandates that most such communications be posted online within 7 days, unless related to law enforcement or national security (which must be shared with Congress within 60 days). The bill applies to executive and legislative branch employees discussing content moderation actions, including algorithmic decisions. It creates dedicated public websites for these disclosures and imposes penalties for non-compliance. The law aims to increase transparency around government influence on online content without defining or regulating platform content policies.
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make non-citizens deportable if convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer under specific circumstances. It defines "assault" according to local law and covers officers acting in their official duties, due to their duties, or because of their role as a law enforcement officer or first responder (including firefighters). The key provision adds this assault offense to the list of deportable acts, directly affecting non-citizens who commit such assaults. The bill does not change existing immigration enforcement procedures but expands the grounds for deportation related to violence against officers.
S 1732 (Know Your App Act) requires major U.S. app stores (with over 20 million U.S. users) to prominently display the "primary country of origin" of each app on its store page - defined as where the developer is headquartered or where key owners exercise control. It also mandates app stores to let users filter out apps from "countries of concern" (nations with laws enabling government control over apps) and add clear disclaimers about potential foreign government access to data. Developers must annually certify their app’s country information, with app stores removing apps for repeated inaccuracies after warnings. The bill directly affects app store platforms and developers distributing apps to U.S. users, aiming to increase transparency about data privacy and national security risks.
This resolution designates the week of May 14-20, 2023, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. It recognizes 444 officers killed in 2022 (including specific names listed in the resolution) and acknowledges 32 officers killed in 2023, while expressing support for law enforcement personnel. The resolution encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement officers and promoting awareness of their essential service. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policy or alter existing laws.
S 1654, the Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2023, allows credit bureaus to include positive payment history for utility and telecommunications services in consumer credit reports. It directly affects consumers who pay utility bills (electric, gas) or telecom services on time, as well as utility and telecom companies that may now report these payments to credit bureaus. The bill permits reporting of payment performance under lease agreements for housing, utility payments, and telecom contracts, but only includes payment-related details - not usage data - and prohibits reporting late payments if a consumer is on a valid payment plan. A GAO study on the bill's impact is required within two years of enactment.
The SAVE Act of 2023 protects U.S. agricultural producers' right to use common product names - like "Cheddar" for cheese or "Zinfandel" for wine - in foreign markets. It requires the Agriculture Secretary and Trade Representative to negotiate agreements ensuring these names remain usable, while excluding geographic terms like "Champagne" (which refer to specific regions). The bill defines "common name" as a term typically used on U.S. product labels, consistent with international standards. It mandates a biennial report to Congress on progress in securing these rights for U.S. exporters.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve how it processes disability claims for veterans with service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It mandates that VA update and standardize annual training for claims processors on stressor development and verification, starting 180 days after enactment. The VA must also establish annual processes to analyze processing errors, conduct studies on PTSD claims trends, and update procedural guidance to better support claims processing. These changes directly affect VA claims processors and veterans seeking PTSD disability compensation.
