Rep. Brian K. Fitzpatrick

Second Chance at Public Service Loan Forgiveness Act This bill makes changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Among other changes, the bill (1) allows a borrower who obtained an eligible Federal Direct Loan on or after January 1, 1994, to receive loan forgiveness under the PSLF program; (2) provides additional relevant definitions, including to specify that full-time employment is at least 30 hours a week; and (3) allows an eligible teacher to use the same teaching service to qualify for both the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program and the PSLF program.

Preventing Abuse and Neglect of Vulnerable Americans Act of 2022 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to publish specified information on its website relating to deficiencies of Medicaid intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, including information regarding inspections, complaints, and administrative actions. The CMS must also (1) develop and publish a standardized complaint form for such facilities; and (2) convene an advisory council to recommend ways to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation in such facilities. The bill also allows Medicaid and Medicare providers (e.g., skilled nursing facilities) to access, through the National Practitioner Data Bank, disciplinary information for affiliated physicians and other health care practitioners, as reported by state licensing authorities.

Ocean Acidification Research Partnerships Act This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide grants for collaborative research projects on ocean acidification developed and conducted through partnerships between the seafood industry and the academic community. NOAA must prioritize projects that (1) address ecosystems and communities vulnerable to the impacts of ocean acidification, (2) demonstrate support from local stakeholders, or (3) utilize seafood industry assets as research and monitoring platforms. NOAA may provide grants to a partnership in which a marine-dependent industry is substituted for the seafood industry.

Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Commerce to establish a coastal climate change adaptation preparedness and response program. Under the program, Commerce must (1) assist coastal states with voluntarily developing coastal climate change adaptation plans, and (2) provide financial and technical assistance as well as training for coastal states to implement the adaptation plans.

Protecting Endowments from Our Adversaries Act This bill imposes an excise tax equal to 50% of the fair market values of certain investments made by private colleges and universities with assets or endowments exceeding $1 billion. It also taxes 100% of the net income of such investments held during a one-year period. These investments are in certain foreign persons or entities (e.g., Chinese or Russian companies) that are included on lists maintained by the Department of Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission that identify persons or entities engaged in human rights abuses or that pose a threat to U.S. national security.

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.

Elimination of the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission Act of 2022 This bill repeals the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review Act of 2018, which established the independent Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission and prescribes directives related to the development and assessment of recommendations for modernizing or realigning Veterans Health Administration facilities.

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.

Return Home to Housing Act This bill increases the maximum rate of per diem payments provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to entities (i.e., grant recipients or authorized entities) that furnish services and transitional housing to homeless veterans.

Department of Veterans Affairs Continuing Professional Education Modernization Act or the VA CPE Modernization Act This bill modifies the program under which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimburses specified full-time health care professionals for continuing professional education expenses. Under current law, only board-certified physicians and dentists are eligible for such reimbursement. The bill expands the program to require reimbursement for various specified full-time health care professionals (e.g., registered nurses) and increases the amount available for a physician or dentist. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement that an individual be board-certified to receive reimbursement. The VA may adjust the amounts available based on inflation.