Nonprofit Security Grant Program Improvement Act of 2022 This bill modifies the Nonprofit Security Grant Program of the Department of Homeland Security and reauthorizes appropriations for such program through FY2028. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must establish an office, headed by a senior FEMA official, to administer the program. Office responsibilities include those related to outreach, engagement, education, and technical assistance. FEMA must also publish grant guidelines and may prohibit states from closing application processes before the publication of the guidelines. FEMA must seek to enter into a contract or other agreement with an independent research organization for the conduct of a study that analyzes and reports on (1) the effectiveness of the program for preparedness against terrorism and other threats; (2) the risk-based formula and allocations under the program; and (3) the risk profile of and any identifiable factors leading to the low participation of traditionally underrepresented groups and states under the program.
Break the Cycle of Violence Act This bill establishes federal grant programs and related entities to support violence intervention initiatives. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for coordinated community violence intervention initiatives in communities disproportionately impacted by homicides and community violence. HHS must also establish several related entities, including an Office of Community Violence Intervention to administer programs and activities related to violence intervention; the Community Violence Intervention Advisory Committee to advise and assist the office and HHS; and the National Community Violence Response Center to provide training and technical assistance, coordinate research, and develop data collection policies. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants for job training and workforce programs in communities disproportionately affected by gun violence to connect youth ages 16 to 24 to in-demand occupations.
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Council on Environmental Quality titled National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions and published on April 20, 2022. The rule restores regulatory provisions issued under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) that were in effect before being modified in 2020 by the Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act rule.
Corruption, Overthrowing Rule of Law, and Ruining Ukraine: Putin's Trifecta Act or CORRUPT Act This bill requires the President to report to Congress, within 30 days of this bill's enactment, a determination as to whether specified Russian persons meet the criteria to be subject to sanctions under laws that authorize sanctions relating to corruption or human rights violations. Russian persons specified in this bill include businessperson Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich, Minister of Health Mikhail Albertovich Murashko, and First Deputy Premier Andrey Removich Belousov.
HR 4380 designates the Healing Garden at 6900 Delta Drive in El Paso, Texas, as the "El Paso Community Healing Garden National Memorial." This designation does not make the site part of the National Park System and explicitly states that no federal funds will be required or authorized for the memorial's upkeep or operations. The bill is purely procedural, focusing on naming the site.
This resolution recognizes (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2022; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
SRES 780 is a Senate resolution designating September 2022 as "National Workforce Development Month." It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the importance of workforce development programs. The resolution supports existing federal initiatives like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which helps workers gain skills through training, career pathways, and job placement services. It recognizes that these programs assist millions of people, including those with low incomes, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, by connecting them to employment opportunities.
SRES 784 is a Senate resolution designating the week beginning September 12, 2022, as "National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) - colleges and universities with at least 25% Hispanic undergraduate enrollment - as vital to higher education access, economic mobility, and community development. The resolution calls for public ceremonies and activities during this week to honor HSIs' contributions, particularly during Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a symbolic recognition with no policy changes or funding impacts.
This resolution applauds and expresses support for the continued cooperation between the United States and the European Union in thwarting Hezbollah's terrorist activities. It also urges the European Union to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization.
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and modifies operations of the Peace Corps. Changes include increasing the readjustment allowance paid to volunteers when their service terminates and providing statutory authority for an executive order that grants returned volunteers noncompetitive eligibility for federal civil-service positions. Additionally, the bill entitles returned volunteers to sixty days of health care benefits. The Peace Corps must also provide volunteers with information about enrolling in U.S. health plans before service termination and mental health care during and after service. The bill also includes provisions to address involuntary termination of Peace Corps service in emergencies, including by expediting re-enrollment of involuntarily terminated volunteers. The Peace Corps must also adequately insure volunteers' safety and must coordinate with the Department of State to periodically update agreements concerning the security of Peace Corps volunteers and staff abroad. The bill also authorizes Peace Corps to recruit domestically based volunteers to serve in the United States at the request of another agency or to provide services in a host country virtually, modifies the Peace Corps National Advisory Council's membership and functions, expands whistleblower protections for volunteers, increases the rate of pay that applies to a volunteer's workers compensation claim, requires Peace Corps to implement a zero tolerance drug use policy regarding volunteer involvement with illegal drugs, and emphasizes the use of the internet in Peace Corps programs. Furthermore, the bill requires reporting, including on the provision of mental health services to volunteers.
Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act of 2021 This bill establishes, modifies, and expands certain whistleblower protections for federal employees, including with respect to petitions to Congress, whistleblower identity, and protected disclosures. For example, the bill prohibits personnel action against employees who exercise their right to petition or furnish information to Congress and specifically precludes the President, Members of Congress, members of the uniformed services, and other federal employees from interfering with this right. It also generally prohibits employees from disclosing the identity of whistleblowers to individuals outside of the government and allows the Inspector General to determine whether to investigate a referral if the referral is found to have been made in retaliation for whistleblowing activity. Employees may request corrective action from the Merit Systems Protection Board with respect to such prohibited practices and may file an action in court if the board does not render a final decision within 180 days of a request. The bill also expands the list of recipients to whom an employee may make a protected disclosure to include a supervisor in the employee's direct chain of command. It also includes personnel actions involving furloughs of more than 14 days but less than 30 days, and furloughs of 13 days or less that are not due to funding lapses, as appealable adverse actions that are subject to certain procedural requirements.
Strategic EV Management Act of 2022 This bill directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to coordinate with the heads of federal agencies to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for federal electric vehicle fleet battery management and to report to and brief Congress regarding the plan and its implementation across agencies. The GSA may periodically update the strategic plan based on new information relating to electric vehicle batteries that becomes available. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on how the costs and benefits of operating and maintaining electric vehicles in the federal fleet compare to the costs and benefits of operating and maintaining internal combustion engine vehicles.
