Rep. Tom O’Halleran

Maddy summaryHRES 1366 is a non-binding resolution expressing congressional support for designating October 8, 2022, as "National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day." It commemorates hydrogen and fuel cell technologies without creating new laws or affecting any group directly. The resolution highlights hydrogen's role in clean energy, transportation (including vehicles and buses), power generation, and U.S. leadership in these technologies. It serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the industry's contributions to energy, environmental, and economic goals.

Patient Advocate Tracker Act This act requires the Office of Patient Advocacy within the Veterans Health Administration to establish an information technology system that allows veterans or their representatives to electronically file a complaint with a patient advocate and review the status of a filed complaint.

Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2022 This bill establishes several requirements and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Specifically, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards, including the ability to provide real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved; (2) annually publish specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations.

Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 This bill extends a payment increase under Medicare's physician fee schedule through the end of 2023 (currently set to expire at the end of 2022).

Great Bend of the Gila Conservation Act This bill establishes the Great Bend of the Gila National Conservation Area and the Palo Verde National Conservation Area in Arizona. The bill designates in Maricopa County in Arizona approximately 9,809 acres as the Gila Bend Wilderness, approximately 23,464 acres as the Red Rock Canyon Wilderness, and approximately 23,712 acres as the Ringtail Wilderness.

Wildfire Recovery Act This bill makes changes with respect to the federal cost share for Fire Management Assistance Grants and provides that the federal share shall be not less than 75% of the eligible cost. Specifically, the bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct and complete a rulemaking to provide criteria for the circumstances under which FEMA may recommend that the President increase the federal cost share. Such criteria shall include a threshold metric that assesses the financial impact to a state or local government from responding to a fire for which fire management assistance is being provided.

Maddy summaryHRES 1346 is a non-binding congressional resolution supporting the designation of September 11-17, 2022, as "Celebrate Community Week." It recognizes the community service efforts of Lions Clubs International, Rotary International, Kiwanis International, and Optimist International, highlighting their global volunteer projects focused on youth development, health, education, and local needs. The resolution encourages these organizations to continue promoting community service and volunteerism, particularly for young people. It does not create new laws or funding but formally expresses congressional backing for their initiatives.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Law Enforcement Training Act or the TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act This bill requires the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to consult with relevant agencies to establish crisis intervention training tools for first responders to address individuals with traumatic brain injuries, acquired brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The BJA must ensure that at least one police department designated as a Law Enforcement Mental Health Learning Site utilizes the tools and that such tools are part of the Police-Mental Health Collaboration Toolkit. Additionally, the bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study and report about the prevalence and incidence of concussions among first responders.

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to provide emergency relief to producers of livestock with herds adversely affected by Mexican gray wolves. Additionally, the bill increases the indemnity compensation that producers are provided for reimbursement from 75% to 100% of the market value of the affected livestock.

Forest Service Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2022 This bill directs the Forest Service to (1) fill all vacancies in the Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations organization; and (2) upon filling such vacancies, increase the number of positions available in such organization. The Forest Service must prioritize filling vacancies and increasing the number of positions that (1) are at high or very high risk of wildfires, and (2) are areas of substantial public use.