Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin

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.

Continued Presence Improvement Act This bill expands immigration-related protections for non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who are victims of human trafficking. Currently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may permit such an individual to remain in the United States for a certain period of time if (1) the individual may be a potential witness to the trafficking, and (2) a federal law enforcement agency has applied to DHS for such permission on the individual's behalf. Under this bill, DHS may grant such relief even if the individual is not a potential witness. Furthermore, the bill expands the types of agencies that may apply for permission on the individual's behalf to include agencies such as local law enforcement and other authorities that have responsibility for investigating or prosecuting human trafficking. The bill also limits the enforcement of immigration laws against an individual who has received permission from DHS to remain in the United States.

Community Advantage Loan Program Permanency Act of 2022 This bill provides statutory authority for the Small Business Administration's Community Advantage Loan Program. The program provides access to capital for small business owners in underserved and low-to-moderate income communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September as "African Diaspora Heritage Month" in the U.S. Code (Section 3(a)). It requests the President and state/local officials issue annual proclamations encouraging communities to observe the month with programs and activities. The bill directly affects all Americans by creating a designated month for recognizing the African diaspora community's contributions, as outlined in the findings section. This is a procedural designation with no new funding or regulatory changes.

Opportunity Zones Transparency, Extension, and Improvement Act This bill revises rules and reinstates reporting requirements relating to qualified opportunity zones (economically distressed communities where new investments, under specified conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment). Specifically, the bill terminates the designation of zones that are disqualified due to median family income exceeding 130% of national median family income and permits states to identify and expand terminations of such zones. The bill also reinstates reporting requirements for qualified opportunity zones and imposes penalties for noncompliance with such requirements, extends the opportunity zones temporary deferral period for qualifying capital gain through 2028, and establishes a State and Community Dynamism Fund to support public and private investment in qualified opportunity zones.

Protecting America from Narcotics and Illicit Chemicals Act of 2022 or the PANIC Act of 2022 This bill expands the definition of major illicit drug producing country to include a country that is a significant direct source of certain drugs (or precursor chemicals for producing such drugs) that are significantly affecting the United States. The bill also expands the definition of major drug-transit country to include countries through which certain synthetic drugs are transported. (Under current law, a country designated a major illicit drug producing country or major drug-transit country may be eligible for certain U.S. foreign assistance, including transfers of excess defense articles. However, a designated country that fails to adhere to commitments related to drug control measures may be barred from receiving other forms of foreign assistance and may also be subject to trade restrictions.)

This resolution commends the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum for its role in promoting the remembrance of the Holocaust and education about the genocide of Roma. The resolution also expresses support for International Roma Day as an opportunity to honor the culture, history, and heritage of the Romani people in the United States.

Small Business Administration Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2022 This bill modifies and reauthorizes various Small Business Administration programs, including the Women's Business Center program, the Small Business Development Center program, the SCORE business mentoring program, and the State Trade Expansion Program. It also provides for business ownership and entrepreneurship training to veterans.

Restaurant Revitalization Tax Credit Act This bill allows certain restaurants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic a credit against payroll tax liability up to 100% of the wages paid to their employees, not to exceed $25,000 in any calendar quarter.

Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act This bill limits or repeals tax and royalty relief provisions that benefit certain large oil companies. It modifies foreign tax credit rules applicable to such companies and limits deductions for intangible drilling and development costs, percentage depletion, enhanced oil recovery, and other tax preferences. The bill repeals the outer Continental Shelf deep water and deep gas royalty relief provisions. Any savings resulting from this bill must be used for federal budget deficit reduction or, if there is no current budget deficit, for reducing the federal debt.