Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act of 2021 This bill establishes programs and requirements to expand access to renewable fuel. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture must establish a program to award grants for the deployment of renewable fuel infrastructure as specified by this bill. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must finalize a 2021 proposed rule titled E 15 Fuel Dispenser Labeling and Compatibility With Underground Storage Tanks . When finalizing the rule, the EPA must eliminate the labeling requirements for fuel pumps that dispense E 15 fuel (i.e., gasoline that contains 15% ethanol).
Ghost Guns Are Guns Act This bill broadens the definition of firearm for purposes of federal firearms laws. Specifically, it includes as a firearm any combination of parts designed or intended to be used to convert a device into a firearm and from which a firearm may be readily assembled.
Saudi Arabia Accountability for Gross Violations of Human Rights Act This bill imposes visa-blocking sanctions on specified foreign persons determined to have played a role in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, and it requires the Department of State to report on incidents of arbitrary detention, violence, and state-sanctioned harassment by Saudi Arabia against U.S. citizens and their family members. The bill also requires the State Department to make publicly available a report that describes whether and how a concurrence with Saudi Arabia for U.S. security assistance will avoid identifying the United States with governments that deny human rights and fundamental freedoms to their people.
Emergency Eviction Enforcement Act of 2021 This bill prohibits a landlord, during a national emergency, from (1) evicting a tenant without a court order, (2) creating a hostile environment for a tenant for the purpose of causing the tenant to vacate, or (3) impairing the habitability of a dwelling for the purpose of causing the tenant to vacate. Violators are subject to civil penalties.
This bill establishes penalties for officeholders who engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States. The Department of Justice may bring a civil action against officeholders who engage in insurrection or rebellion, including such activity occurring before the date of the bill's enactment. Penalties include disqualification from federal or state office, removal from federal or state office, forfeiture of certain retirement benefits, and rescission of certain honors and commemorations. However, Congress may, upon a two-thirds vote, restore the ability of an individual to qualify for state or federal office and to receive benefits.
Ensuring Quality Access to Legal Defense Act of 2021 or the EQUAL Defense Act of 2021 This bill establishes and modifies certain programs that support the delivery of public defense services (i.e., legal services for criminal defendants who cannot afford counsel). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to state and local governments, tribal organizations, and public defender offices for public defense. A grant recipient must use the grant to establish a data collection process, develop workload limits, and satisfy specified compensation requirements (e.g., pay parity between public defenders and prosecutors). The bill also directs DOJ to award grants to nonprofits and government organizations to train public defenders, court-appointed attorneys, and contract attorneys. Additionally, a state that receives Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program funds must annually submit to DOJ information related to the legal representation of defendants in criminal cases. Finally, it reauthorizes through FY2025 the student loan repayment program for prosecutors and public defenders and otherwise revises the program, including by increasing the maximum benefit amount.
Stop Predatory Organ Trafficking Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the imposition of visa-blocking sanctions on a foreign individual who has committed or facilitated the trafficking in persons for the purpose of organ removal. The Department of State must report to foreign ministries the names of individuals convicted of crimes related to organ purchasing for consideration regarding the issuance of visas to such individuals. The State Department must also submit an annual report to Congress that includes descriptions of (1) the sources, practices, methods, facilitators, and recipients of trafficking in persons for the purpose of organ removal; and (2) State Department and foreign country activities undertaken to address and prevent such trafficking.
No Guns for Abusers Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants for states, local governments, and tribal governments to implement procedures to remove firearms from individuals who are charged with or convicted of domestic violence or subject to a domestic violence protective order. The National Institute of Justice must report on best practices for implementing such procedures, and DOJ must submit federal legislative recommendations in accordance with the best practices.
Justice for Black Farmers Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide a variety of assistance to address historical discrimination and disparities in the agricultural sector. For example, the bill establishes an equity commission in USDA to examine discrimination by the agency against Black farmers and ranchers and recommend actions to end the systematic disparities in the treatment of Black farmers and ranchers. USDA must also establish a Farm Conservation Corps to provide young adults who are from socially disadvantaged groups with the skills necessary to pursue careers in farming and ranching. The bill provides funding for historically Black colleges and universities to commence and expand courses of study that are focused on careers in agriculture or related disciplines. The bill also increases the authorization of appropriations for a program to resolve issues relating to ownership and succession on farmland. Additionally, it expands credit assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Further, the bill (1) establishes that a minimum of 50% of a covered packer's (not including a packer that owns only one livestock processing plant) daily volume of livestock slaughter must be purchased through spot market sales from nonaffiliated producers; (2) increases funding for the Local Agriculture Market Program; and (3) gives priority to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers for conservation technical assistance, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Rural Energy for America Program.
National Statistics on Deadly Force Transparency Act of 2021 This bill establishes a framework to require law enforcement agencies to collect data on the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers. Specifically, it requires federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to collect, compile, and submit to the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Bureau of Justice Statistics data on the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers. DOJ must reduce by 10% the allocation of funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program for a state or local government that fails to substantially comply.
Police Training and Independent Review Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to award grants to states that (1) require law enforcement officers to be trained on diversity and sensitivity, and (2) require an independent prosecutor to be appointed to investigate and prosecute an alleged offense involving the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer that results in a death or injury.
Police Creating Accountability by Making Effective Recording Available Act of 2021 or the Police CAMERA Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the Department of Justice to make grants for states, local governments, and Indian tribes to purchase or lease body-worn cameras for use by law enforcement officers and to implement body-worn camera programs.
