Sen. Thomas R. Carper

Offshore Wind Jobs and Opportunity Act This bill authorizes the Department of Energy to award offshore wind career training grants to institutions of higher education or labor organizations to develop, offer, or improve educational or career training programs that provide skills necessary for employment in the offshore wind industry.

This resolution designates July 30, 2021, as National Whistleblower Appreciation Day.

New Opportunities for Value that Extend Lives Act of 2021 or the NOVEL Act of 2021 This bill establishes a process for expediting the assignment of Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes to medical products that have been designated as a breakthrough product or regenerative advanced therapy by the Food and Drug Administration; it also establishes a process for determining coverage under Medicare of such breakthrough products that have been assigned HCPCS codes.

Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2021 This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or religion. Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.

Workforce Support and Flexibility Act of 2021 This bill allows states to pay a lower weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation supplement to unemployed individuals until September 6, 2021, when the supplement is set to expire. Specifically, the bill allows a state to choose the weekly supplement amount that will be paid to qualified individuals, so long as the chosen amount is no greater than $300. Current law requires states to provide a $300 weekly supplement under the program.

Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2021 or the PAST Act of 2021 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.

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Foreign-Trade Zone Modernization Act of 2021 or the USMCA FTZ Modernization Act of 2021 This bill requires the International Trade Commission to investigate tariff policies related to foreign-trade zones (FTZs), which are designated sites at which special customs procedures may be used to allow for domestic activity involving foreign items prior to formal customs entry. The investigation must examine (1) differences in tariff treatment by the United States, Canada, and Mexico; (2) any effects of such differences on the cost-competitiveness of U.S.-manufactured products compared to products manufactured in Canada or Mexico; and (3) how FTZs in the United States could be better employed to redress and mitigate any inequities.

Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 20 21 This bill prohibits commercial conversion therapy, which is a practice or treatment designed to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity or otherwise change behaviors, thoughts, or expressions related to gender or sexual attraction. This prohibition does not apply to treatment that assists an individual undergoing a gender transition or facilitates identity exploration and development.

Zero-Emission Nuclear Power Production Credit Act of 2021 This bill allows a new business-related tax credit through 2031 for the production of electricity from zero-emission nuclear power. It also allows an election for direct payments of such credit and requires a recapture of the credit for contractors who pay their laborers or mechanics less than the prevailing wage rate. Contractors must ensure that at least 15% of their work force is composed of qualified apprentices. The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the effectiveness the tax credit.

Keep the Watchdogs Running Act This bill authorizes a federal office of inspector general (OIG) to continue performing its duties during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown). During a lapse in appropriations, the OIG may obligate funds (1) at the rate of operations and under the terms and conditions provided in the most recently enacted appropriations act, and (2) to perform its duties with respect to any program that continues during the lapse in appropriations.