Sunshine Forever Act This bill extends for ten years the 30% energy tax credit and its phaseout for solar energy property. It also extends for a ten year period the tax credit for residential energy efficient property with respect to qualified solar electric property and water heating property.
Pandemic Relief for Working Seniors Act of 2021 This bill increases the amount of income that individuals who are younger than full retirement age may earn in taxable years 2020 and 2021 without reductions to their Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits. Under current law, these individuals are subject to the retirement earnings test, which reduces their OASDI benefits if their earnings exceed an annual limit. This limit is set at $18,240 for 2020 and $18,960 for 2021 for most individuals. However, the limit for individuals who reach full retirement age in 2020 or 2021 is $48,600 or $50,520, respectively. This bill increases the applicable income limits to equal the amount of the contribution and benefit base. The contribution and benefit base serves as a cap on both the amount of earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax and the amount of earnings used to calculate benefits. It is set at $137,700 for 2020 and $142,800 for 2021.
Student Loan Reform Act This bill requires the Department of Education to carry out a program that allows participating institutions of higher education (IHEs) to cosign certain Federal Direct Loans made to its enrolled students. An IHE that participates in the program assumes the obligation to repay the outstanding balance of principal and interest due on the loan over 10 years if the borrower defaults on the loan.
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 42 Main Street in Slatersville, Rhode Island, as the "Specialist Matthew R. Turcotte Post Office."
Democracy Dollars Act This bill directs the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to select three states to operate voucher pilot programs under which individuals who are eligible to vote may receive $25 vouchers toward contributions to the congressional candidates of their choice. Each participating state must (1) establish a commission or designate an existing entity to oversee and implement its pilot program, (2) carry out a public awareness campaign, and (3) submit reports to the FEC about the operation and effectiveness of its pilot program. Upon receiving a preliminary report from a participating state, the FEC must reimburse the state for the costs of operating its pilot program.
COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan Relief Act This bill extends the deferment of a borrower's payments on an economic injury disaster loan taken in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) from one year to two years from the date on which the loan is made.
Build America's Libraries Act This bill establishes and provides funds through FY2024 for the Build America's Libraries Fund, from which the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) must allocate funding to states and, through them, need-based grants to libraries to make long-term improvements to library facilities. The IMLS must also award grants to Indian tribes and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. Specifically, the bill requires each state that receives an allocation, and each library that receives a grant, to carry out certain activities to improve library facilities. These activities include constructing and renovating library facilities, investing in infrastructure projects to improve internet access and connectivity, improving indoor air quality, and making facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities. The bill also outlines administrative and oversight provisions, including by requiring library projects to use iron and steel products that are produced in the United States.
COVID-19 Eviction Consumer Report Fairness Act This bill prohibits from inclusion in a consumer credit report information related to an eviction occurring during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) national emergency or occurring in the 120 days after the termination of such emergency.
Berta Caceres Human Rights in Honduras Act This bill prohibits U.S. assistance to the police or military of Honduras. The Department of the Treasury shall instruct U.S. representatives of multilateral development banks to vote against providing loans to the Honduran police or military. The prohibition shall be lifted if the Department of State certifies to Congress that various conditions have been met, including that the Honduran government has (1) pursued all legal avenues to reach verdicts in specified crimes, such as the killings of indigenous land-rights activist Berta Caceres and of 100 small-farmer activists in the Aguan Valley; (2) investigated and prosecuted members of the military and police who have violated human rights; and (3) taken effective steps to establish the rule of law.
American Financial Markets Integrity and Security Act This bill generally prohibits investments in certain Chinese military companies and entities reasonably believed to be involved in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. These entities may not sell securities to U.S. markets. Investment companies, insurance companies, and retirement plans are prohibited from investing in these entities. The bill also prohibits the use of federal funds to enter into or renew a contract with these entities. Furthermore, the Department of Commerce and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence—in addition to the Department of Defense as under current law—are allowed to add entities to the list of Chinese military companies.
Student Loan Tax Relief Act This bill modifies tax provisions allowing an exclusion from gross income for income arising from discharges of student loan debt after January 31, 2020. This includes loans for postsecondary educational expenses, private education loans, and loans made by tax-exempt educational organizations. The bill eliminates the temporary expiration date for the exclusion and the death or total and permanent disability requirement for a discharge.
Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Flexibility Act of 2021 This bill modifies the rehiring deadline by which a participant in the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), must return to pre-pandemic levels of employment in order to be eligible for loan forgiveness. Specifically, the bill sets this rehiring deadline to 90 days after the termination of all state and local COVID-19 emergency declarations that apply to the location of the recipient.
