Making Access To Cleanup Happen Act of 2021 or the MATCH Act of 202 1 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to (1) identify a list of emergency watershed protection measures the cost of which may be incurred by a state, local government, or Indian tribe prior to entering into an agreement with USDA under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program; and (2) develop procedures, including appropriate deadlines, to be implemented at the state level, through which such entities may request and incur the cost for additional emergency watershed protection measures. USDA must consider any applicable pre-agreement costs incurred by a state, local government, or Indian tribe for undertaking emergency watershed protection measures as meeting part of its contribution towards the project costs.
Forest Technology Enhancements for Conservation and Habitat Improvement Act or the Forest TECH Improvement Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to either establish a research and development pilot program or expand an applicable existing program to assess new technologies, including unmanned aircraft system, geospatial, or remote sensing technologies, across all reforestation activities; accelerate the deployment and integration of such technologies into the operations of USDA and the Department of the Interior; collaborate and cooperate with state, tribal, and private geospatial information system organizations with respect to such technologies. USDA and Interior shall enter into an agreement to develop consistent protocols and plans for the use of unmanned aircraft system technologies for reforestation activities. Any unmanned aircraft system technology or component of such technology that is used pursuant to this bill shall be made and manufactured in the United States.
Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act or the PRIME Act This bill expands the exemption of custom slaughtering of animals from federal inspection requirements. Under current law, the exemption applies if the meat is slaughtered for personal, household, guest, and employee uses. The bill expands the exemption to include meat that is slaughtered and prepared at a custom slaughter facility in accordance with the laws of the state where the facility is located; and prepared exclusively for distribution to household consumers in the state or restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, grocery stores, or other establishments in the state that either prepare meals served directly to consumers or offer meat and food products for sale directly to consumers in the state. The bill does not preempt any state law concerning (1) the slaughter of animals or the preparation of carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products at a custom slaughter facility; or (2) the sale of meat or meat food products.
Iran Nuclear Treaty Act This bill requires Senate approval of certain actions with respect to Iran's nuclear program. Specifically, the bill deems any agreement reached between the President and Iran relating to Iran's nuclear program to be a treaty that is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Further, the bill prohibits the President from (1) limiting the application of certain sanctions, or (2) refraining to apply such sanctions pursuant to an agreement unless the agreement is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate as a treaty.
Protecting Jobs in American Ports Act This bill allows a foreign-built vessel that transports passengers between U.S. ports and places to obtain an endorsement that entitles the vessel to engage in coastwise trade. To obtain the endorsement under current law, a vessel that transports passengers between domestic locations generally must be built in the United States.
Open America's Ports Act This bill allows foreign vessels to transport passengers between U.S. ports and places. (Under current law, such vessels generally must be built in the United States and owned and crewed by U.S. citizens.)
Safeguarding American Tourism Act This bill allows foreign vessels that have 800 or more passenger berths to transport passengers between U.S. ports and places. (Under current law, such vessels generally must be built in the United States and owned and crewed by U.S. citizens.)
Smart Intersections Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Transportation to award grants for improving the functioning of traffic signals through active management of traffic signal operations. State, tribal, and local government entities are eligible for these grants. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving the efficiency of traffic systems.
Medical Nutrition Equity Act of 2021 This bill expands coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, other specified federal health care programs, and private health insurance to include foods, vitamins, and individual amino acids that are medically necessary for the management of certain digestive and metabolic disorders and conditions.
Accessing America's Critical Minerals Act of 2021 This bill establishes deadlines to complete the environmental review of critical mineral projects on federal land and sets forth related requirements to expedite the review of such projects under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). If an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement is required for such project, then all necessary federal review and permit considerations must be completed within 18 or 24 months, respectively. However, the review may exceed the time limit if the project sponsor agrees. The lead agency of the environmental review of such project must allow a state or local government, an Indian tribe, a project sponsor, or another appropriate entity to assume certain federal responsibilities regarding the environmental review of the project upon the request of such entity. Further, the bill authorizes a lead agency to determine that the requirements of NEPA have been satisfied if a state or federal agency acting under state or federal law has addressed specified factors, such as the environmental impact of the action to be conducted under the permit. If the lead agency does not make such a determination, then the agency must enter into an agreement with the project sponsor to set time limits for each part of the permitting process.
This joint resolution recognizes and affirms the sovereign and unilateral authority of states to defend themselves against invasion.
This resolution expresses respect for and solidarity with the families and friends of those killed, tortured, and imprisoned for participating in prodemocracy demonstrations during the spring of 1989 in Tiananmen Square. It also reaffirms support for those who continue to work for political reform, rule of law, and human rights in China.
