Sen. Ron Wyden

Government Surveillance Transparency Act of 2022 This bill requires that law enforcement authorities notify subjects of criminal surveillance orders that cover emails, texts, and similar electronic data and limits the ability of authorities to delay or preclude the required notice. In addition, the bill (1) prohibits, subject to exceptions, courts from sealing criminal surveillance orders; (2) generally requires that public docket records related to criminal surveillance orders be made publicly available; and (3) permits any person to request that a court unseal a surveillance order.

Improving Intergovernmental Cooperation and Reducing Duplication Act of 2022 This bill addresses intergovernmental cooperation and duplicative spending in federal programs. Specifically, the bill authorizes the President to prescribe information technology products and platforms and other similar or supporting services that an executive agency is especially competent and authorized by law to provide. Further, it requires an executive agency, when providing services prescribed by the President to a state, local, territorial, or tribal government, to take all available necessary and appropriate steps to increase cooperation and reduce administrative burden between the state, local, territorial, or tribal government requesting the service and the agency. Additionally, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in coordination with the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, must publish a strategic plan to improve cooperation between and support greater harmonization, effectiveness, and the reduction of burdens and costs between the federal government and state, local, territorial, and tribal governments. The OMB must (1) issue guidance implementing these provisions, and (2) report on actions and activities taken by executive agencies in this regard. The General Services Administration may provide specified specialized or technical services to a state, local, territorial, or tribal government.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Sector Development Act of 2022 or the WASH Sector Development Act of 2022 This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish the Water and Sanitation Needs Working Group to measure and report on the number and approximate geographic distribution of households that do not have access to drinking water infrastructure or a means for the safe collection and disposal of wastewater. The EPA must also establish a program under which it awards grants to nonprofit organizations for assisting such households.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 551) is a symbolic recognition, not a policy change. It honors AmeriCorps members, alumni, and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for their service across the U.S., including helping vulnerable communities, supporting education, and responding to emergencies. The Senate encourages the public to salute these volunteers during AmeriCorps Week and promotes national service as a way to strengthen communities. It does not create new programs, funding, or legal requirements.

Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 This bill makes daylight saving time the new, permanent standard time, effective November 5, 2023. States with areas exempt from daylight saving time may choose the standard time for those areas.

This bill extends through FY2021 the inapplicability of the requirement for counties to elect to receive certain payments under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. That act provides compensation to counties for the presence of untaxable federal land within their borders.

Open Courts Act of 2021 This bill requires the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to establish a single electronic system for all public federal court records that is publicly accessible, free of charge, and does not require registration.

Fair Repair Act This bill requires an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to make diagnostic, maintenance, and repair equipment available to independent repair providers and owners. Specifically, for digital electronic equipment manufactured by or otherwise supplied by an OEM, an OEM shall make documentation, parts, and tools available in a timely manner and on fair and reasonable terms. The bill provides for enforcement of its provisions by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general.

This bill provides FY2022 appropriations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Community Development Fund, which primarily funds the Community Development Block Grant program. The bill provides the funding for activities related to disaster relief and recovery.

This bill requires the Department of Energy to award competitive grants for costs associated with environmental assessment, processing, mitigation, and cleanup related to domestically mining and manufacturing certain critical minerals, such as those needed for energy independence.