Rep. Joe Neguse

Surveying the Heat Island Effect across Large Divisions Act or the SHIELD Act This bill provides for the Department of Defense (DOD) to direct the commander of each large military installation to analyze and report on (1) how the heat island effect (i.e., the heating effect in an area with a high concentration of structures that absorb and re-emit the sun's heat) exacerbates summer heat conditions and necessitates the increased use of air conditioning on the installation, and (2) the percentage of tree cover and plant shade trees on the property of the installation. DOD must review the reports, identify any installation that is a significant heat island, and direct the commander of any identified installation to increase the tree coverage by 10% to 30% by September 30, 2025.

SNAP Theft Protection Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish criteria for state agencies to identify Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits stolen by identity theft or typical skimming practices and provide for the reissuance of stolen SNAP benefits to households that meet such criteria. USDA must periodically review and modify its regulations to take into account evolving technology and the threat landscape to better protect against theft.

This bill expands protections of animals provided under the Animal Welfare Act, including by prohibiting any (1) broadcasts from international, interstate, or intrastate sources of animal fighting ventures in the United States or U.S. territories; and (2) shipments or transport of certain mature roosters.

Veterans Homecare Choice Act of 2022 This bill includes any nurse registry as an eligible health care provider under the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the bill, a nurse registry is a person who satisfies applicable state licensure requirements and procures, or attempts to procure, contracts or agreements on behalf of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, home health aides, companions, or homemakers under which such individuals may furnish health care-related or assistive services and receive compensation.

Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022 This bill requires reporting on enrollment in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program. The Lifeline program is designed to reduce the cost of communications services for low-income consumers, and the Affordable Connectivity Program subsidizes the cost of broadband internet for low-income households. Both programs allow participants to qualify for assistance based on their participation in particular federal assistance programs (e.g., Medicaid or Federal Public Housing Assistance). The Federal Communications Commission must report on enrollment in both programs, including the number of participants who qualify through each of the particular federal assistance programs. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on outreach and publicity efforts to promote participation in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Lymphedema Treatment Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage of lymphedema compression treatment items. Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of standard and custom fitted gradient compression garments and other approved items that are prescribed by a physician or other specified health care professional to treat lymphedema.

Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers Act of 2021 or the CONTRACT Act of 2021 This bill exempts certain air traffic controllers from a required reduction in their retirement annuity payment on account of earnings from certain work performed while entitled to such annuity. Under current law, retired Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers receive an annuity payment during the period between the mandatory retirement age of 56 and the Social Security minimum age of 62. Such annuity payment is required to be reduced by a certain percentage of any excess earnings during this period. The bill exempts from such reduction in annuity payments an air traffic controller who participates in the Air Traffic Control Contract Program (a public-private partnership for air traffic control services) following mandatory retirement.

Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2022 or the PAST Act of 2022 This bill addresses the practice of soring horses. The soring of horses includes various actions taken on horses' limbs to produce higher gaits that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness. Specifically, the bill expands soring regulation and enforcement at horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions, including by establishing a new system for inspecting horses for soring. In addition, the bill increases penalties for violations.

Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act This bill reauthorizes and expands (1) child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and other institutional food service programs; and (2) the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness and Fatality Prevention Act of 2022 This bill directs the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to promulgate a standard that requires employers to implement certain measures for protecting workers from heat stress and related illnesses or injuries. Heat stress refers to the load of heat that a person experiences due to sources of heat or heat retention (including metabolic heat, environmental factors, and clothing or personal protective equipment) or the presence of heat in a work setting. Further, if an employer cannot reduce exposure to heat stress below hazardous levels through engineering controls (e.g., heat shields and insulation) or personal protective equipment (e.g., heat reflective clothing), the employer must implement a program that mitigates such exposure through access to appropriate hydration and cool-down spaces, acclimatization policies, and periodic paid rest breaks. Additionally, the bill establishes requirements concerning judicial review, implementation, enforcement, recordkeeping, and whistle-blower protections related to the standard. The bill also requires the Department of Labor to include questions about heat-related illness and injury in the National Agricultural Workers Survey (an employment-based, random-sample survey of U.S. crop workers that collects demographic, employment, and health information).