Sen. Roger F. Wicker

Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 2022 This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a program to award grants and provide technical assistance to certain entities for youth fishing projects. In awarding grants, NOAA must prioritize applicants with proposals for youth fishing projects that focus on an underserved community.

Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2022 This bill bars the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal land or water that is under the jurisdiction of such departments and made available for hunting or fishing. The bill makes exceptions for specified existing regulations and where the applicable department determines that a decline in wildlife population at the specific unit of federal land or water is primarily caused by the use of lead in ammunition or tackle, based on the field data from such unit, and the state approves the regulations.

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Council on Environmental Quality titled National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions and published on April 20, 2022. The rule restores regulatory provisions issued under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) that were in effect before being modified in 2020 by the Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act rule.

Maddy summarySRES 780 is a Senate resolution designating September 2022 as "National Workforce Development Month." It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the importance of workforce development programs. The resolution supports existing federal initiatives like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which helps workers gain skills through training, career pathways, and job placement services. It recognizes that these programs assist millions of people, including those with low incomes, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, by connecting them to employment opportunities.

Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act This bill makes the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death a first degree murder. An individual who is guilty of first degree murder by distributing fentanyl is subject to death or life in prison.

Collegiate Athlete Compensation Rights Act This bill addresses the rights of student athletes and issues of transparency and accountability regarding student athlete name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements. Specifically, an athletic association, conference, or institution must permit a student athlete or a group of student athletes to market, or earn compensation for the value of, their NIL; and obtain or retain a certified agent for any matter or activity relating to such compensation. A third party may not use the NIL of a group to sell or promote any product or service without obtaining the written consent from each member of the group for that purpose. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must make available specified educational resources for student athletes with respect to financial and contract literacy and earning compensation for the commercial use of the student athlete's NIL. The bill sets forth prohibitions on activities of institutions, boosters, and third parties, including a prohibition on institutions, athletic associations, or conferences entering into NIL agreements with student athletes. The bill limits transfer penalties and prohibits incentives intended to induce the student athlete to enroll in, maintain enrollment in, or transfer to a particular institution. The FTC must establish an Office of Sport. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the health, safety, and education needs of student athletes.

This resolution remembers Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her more than 70 years of service in support of the British people and the Commonwealth of Nations. The resolution also expresses gratitude to Queen Elizabeth II for her efforts to maintain strong bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and the United States. Finally, the resolution extends condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II, to the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and to the peoples of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Military to Mariners Act of 2022 This bill modifies requirements related to U.S. Merchant Marine credentials for veterans and members of the uniformed services. Specifically, the bill requires the U.S. Coast Guard to review and examine all current procedures for issuing credentials for applicants who are veterans and members of the uniformed services seeking to become merchant mariners; provide the availability for a fully internet-based application process for a merchant mariner credential; issue new regulations to reduce the paperwork, delay, and other burdens for applicants for a merchant mariner credential who are veterans and members of the uniformed services and increase the percentages of time equivalent to sea service for such applicants; reduce burdens and create a means of alternative compliance to demonstrate instructor competency for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers courses; and assess the use of the SkillBridge program of the Department of Defense as a means for transitioning active duty sea service personnel toward employment as a merchant mariner.

This joint resolution requires the parties to the disputes between certain railroads and labor organizations to accept the recommendations in the report of the Presidential Emergency Board Numbered 250 that was issued on August 16, 2022, with respect to any such disputes that remain unresolved by 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 16, 2022.

Simplify Timelines and Assure Regulatory Transparency Act or the START Act This bill sets forth a variety of provisions to expedite the environmental review of energy projects, such as the Mountain Valley Pipeline project.