Sen. Alex Padilla

Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center Access Improvement Act This bill authorizes the Indian Health Service (IHS) to purchase certain private land in Hemet, California, at fair market value and then construct a paved road on that land to facilitate access to the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center. The IHS shall maintain the road or enter an agreement with Riverside County, California, to maintain the road.

This resolution designates the month of July 2022 as Muslim-American Heritage Month. The resolution also recognizes the need for public education, awareness, and policies that are culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the impacts of being Muslim American in all aspects of the society of the United States, including in discourse and policy. Finally, the resolution also honors the contributions and integral role of Muslim Americans in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.

Supreme Court Review Act of 2022 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to notify Congress of a covered Supreme Court decision and sets forth expedited procedures for the consideration of legislation related to the decision. A covered Supreme Court decision is a decision by the Supreme Court that interprets a federal statute for the first time, reinterprets a federal statute that it previously interpreted, or interprets or reinterprets the Constitution in a manner that diminishes an individual right or privilege that is or was previously protected by the Constitution.

This bill allows a deduction from gross income (above the line deduction) for attorney fees and court costs awarded with respect to a qualifying wildfire disaster (i.e., any forest or range fire that is a federally declared disaster, occurs in a disaster area, and occurs in 2015 or later). The bill excludes from the gross income of a taxpayer, for income tax purposes, amounts paid to compensate victims for losses or damages in connection with a qualifying wildfire disaster.

Western Riverside National Wildlife Refuge Act This bill establishes the Western Riverside National Wildlife Refuge. On the first acquisition by, or transfer to, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) of any land, water, or any interest in land or water within the acquisition boundary of the wildlife refuge, the FWS shall establish the wildlife refuge as a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The uses of the wildlife refuge shall include providing (1) opportunities for scientific research, environmental education, and fish and wildlife-oriented recreation; and improved access to nature for communities; and (2) engaging communities in fish and wildlife conservation, restoration, education, recreation, and outreach activities through the pursuit of urban partnerships. The wildlife refuge shall be administered as an urban wildlife refuge. No acquisition or transfer of property under this bill shall modify or revoke existing access to or use by affected Indian tribes, except as specified.

Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act of 2022 This bill establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) two demonstration programs to increase access to mental health services provided in languages other than English at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). In carrying out the programs, HHS must give preference to FQHCs at which at least 20% of the patients are best served in a language other than English. First, HHS must provide National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayments to mental health care providers who agree to serve their period of obligated service in an FQHC. Additionally, HHS must provide enhanced payments to those who serve in an FQHC with non-English language needs. (The NHSC is a scholarship and student loan repayment program for eligible health care providers who agree to work in areas with a shortage of primary care, dental care, and mental health care providers.) Second, HHS must award grants to FQHCs for recruiting and retaining mental health care providers who are fluent in a language other than English.

Emergency Aircraft Act of 2022 This bill modifies the authority of the Department of Defense (DOD) related to the transfer of excess aircraft for wildfire emergencies, including to authorize DOD to transfer excess aircraft to a state for wildfire suppression, search and rescue, or emergency operations pertaining to wildfires.

Net Neutrality and Broadband Justice Act of 2022 This bill expressly classifies broadband internet as a telecommunications service rather than an information service for purposes of regulation by the Federal Communications Commission. (Current law treats providers of telecommunications services as common carriers and subjects them to more stringent requirements.)

Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the use of certain foreign assistance funds to provide comprehensive reproductive health care services in developing countries, including abortion services, training, and equipment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 720) expresses the U.S. Senate’s support for designating July 2022 as "American Grown Flower and Foliage Month." It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise awareness about domestic flower and foliage producers. The resolution highlights that only 22% of flowers sold in the U.S. are domestically grown, despite consumers spending over $38 billion annually on floral products. It encourages buying locally grown flowers to support U.S. farmers, small businesses, and the agricultural economy, noting domestic flowers often last longer and support hundreds of growers and tens of thousands of jobs.