Rep. Katie Porter

Naomi Schwartz Safe Parking Program Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a grant program for safe parking programs operated by local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and certain organizations that assist the homeless. Safe parking programs provide homeless individuals living in vehicles with (1) a safe place to park overnight to facilitate a transition to stable housing, and (2) services including rehousing assistance and case management.

Behavioral Health Coverage Transparency Act of 2022 This bill increases oversight of the insurance coverage parity requirements for mental health and substance use disorder, including providing a process for auditing insurance providers and filing formal complaints for violations of the requirements.

Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2022 This bill removes limitations on the civil liability of gun manufacturers and the disclosure of gun trace data in civil actions. Specifically, the bill repeals the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which prohibits civil actions against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer, seller, importer, dealer, or trade association for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm. Additionally, the bill states that firearms trace data maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is not immune from legal process. Such data is subject to discovery; is admissible as evidence; and may be used, relied on, or disclosed in a civil action or administrative proceeding.

Right to Contraception Act This bill sets out statutory protections for an individual's right to access and a health care provider's right to provide contraception and related information. Contraception refers to an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives (i.e., a device or medication used to prevent pregnancy), fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures. Generally, the bill prohibits measures that single out and impede access to contraception and related information. However, a party may defend against a claim that a measure violates the bill's prohibitions by demonstrating, through clear and convincing evidence, that the measure significantly advances access to contraception and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. The Department of Justice, individuals, or health care providers may bring a lawsuit to enforce this bill, and states are not immune from suits for violations.

This bill reauthorizes through FY2033 the Bureau of Reclamation's water cycle, drought, and climate change program, which Reclamation implements through the WaterSMART Basin Study Program. This program is authorized to coordinate with other appropriate agencies to assess global climate change with respect to water resources in the eight major reclamation river basins in the western United States. The program must also ensure watershed and aquifer system strategies are developed to address potential water shortages, conflicts, and other impacts to water.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution (HRES 1242) is a symbolic measure designating July 20, 2022, as "National Heroes Day" to honor everyday individuals who risked their lives during mass shootings, such as those in Aurora (2012), Uvalde (2022), and Buffalo (2022). It does not create new laws or policies but calls on all U.S. citizens to observe the day through community service, displaying the flag, or other charitable acts. The resolution specifically recognizes heroic actions during recent tragedies, including people shielding others during attacks. It directly affects the public by encouraging personal reflection and community engagement, though it has no legal force. The resolution was introduced on July 20, 2022, by Rep. Perlmutter and colleagues.

This bill requires employers to provide construction employees with paid rest breaks and protects employees against related retaliatory actions. Specifically, the bill requires that construction employees receive at least one 15-minute paid rest break for every four hours of work. An employer may not take retaliatory personnel action or otherwise discriminate against a construction employee who (1) requests or takes paid rest breaks, or (2) files a related complaint with the Department of Labor. At the time of hiring an employee, an employer must provide notice of the right to paid rest breaks and protections against related retaliatory actions in the construction employee's primary language. Further, the employer must post this information at construction work sites in both English and Spanish.

Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to pay for travel, childcare, and other expenses of an individual seeking access to abortion services. Eligible grant recipients must be nonprofit or community-based organizations that assist individuals seeking abortion services through programs that are unbiased and medically and factually accurate. The grants may not be used to pay for abortion procedures.

No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act This bill denies employers a tax deduction for any expenditures incurred for attempting to influence their employees with respect to labor organizations or labor organization activities, such as elections, labor disputes, and collective actions. The bill requires employers to report on their attempts to influence their employees with respect to labor organizations and their activities.

Maddy summaryThe National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022 extends and increases funding for the National Park Foundation. It amends federal law to authorize $15 million annually (up from $5 million) for the Foundation through 2030 (extending from 2023). This bill directly affects the National Park Foundation by providing a longer-term, higher level of federal appropriations for its operations. The key change is a specific funding authorization adjustment in Title 54 of the U.S. Code, with no new program requirements or policy changes.