Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins Recovery Act This bill extends through FY2024 the authority of the Department of the Interior to implement capital projects (i.e., construction of facilities) for the endangered fish recovery programs for the Upper Colorado and San Juan river basins. The bill raises the ceiling on costs for the Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin and lowers the ceiling on costs for the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program. The bill also extends through FY2022 the deadline for the submission of the report on the recovery implementation programs.
HRES 1133 is a symbolic resolution recognizing May as National Foster Care Month. It raises awareness about challenges faced by children in foster care, such as instability, educational disruptions, and the high number aging out without permanent connections. The resolution encourages Congress to implement policies improving outcomes for these children and acknowledges the work of foster parents, social workers, and advocates. It does not create new laws but urges legislative action aligned with existing programs under the Social Security Act focused on prevention, reunification, and support for youth transitioning to adulthood.
Formula Act of 2022 This bill temporarily provides duty-free treatment to infant formula imported from countries meeting certain standards. The bill also makes formula imported under this bill eligible for purchase using benefits received under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The Department of Agriculture may modify or waive certain qualified administrative requirements related to infant formula.
Competition and Transparency in Digital Advertising Act This bill limits certain large digital advertising companies from owning multiple types of advertising exchanges or brokerages and imposes certain duties with respect to the interests of the customers of such brokerages. Advertising exchanges and brokerages generally facilitate advertisers and publishers in buying and selling advertising inventory through an automated bidding process. Specifically, companies with more than $20 billion in annual digital advertising revenue are prohibited from owning more than one type of service within the digital advertising marketplace. For example, a company, such as Google, may not own a digital advertising exchange and provide software that assists publishers of online advertisements in selling advertising space on their websites. Additionally, companies with more than $5 billion in annual digital advertising revenue that provide brokerage services to buyers or sellers of digital advertisements must act in the best interest of their brokerage customers. The bill also establishes transparency and privacy requirements for such brokerages. The bill provides for enforcement of these requirements by the Department of Justice, state attorneys general, and private right of action.
Protecting American Energy Act This bill prohibits the withdrawal of land from mining, mineral leasing, or geothermal leasing laws if the withdrawal is projected to have a negative impact on domestic energy independence. The bill also requires annual reports on domestic energy capacity, production, and consumption.
SRES 643 is a Senate resolution designating the week of May 15-21, 2022, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who serve and sacrifice in their communities. The resolution recognizes the service of law enforcement officers, particularly those killed or injured in the line of duty, and acknowledges their sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It expresses support for officers' needs for proper equipment, training, and resources, and encourages the public to observe the week by honoring law enforcement personnel. This designation serves as a formal recognition of law enforcement service without creating new legal requirements or policy changes.
Freedom to Import Infant Formula Act of 2022 This bill provides duty-free treatment to infant formula. The bill prohibits U.S. Customs and Border Protection from seizing or enforcing restrictions on the importation of infant formula from specified countries (e.g., Canada and the United Kingdom) if the formula meets the legal requirements for sale in that country. The bill also deems formula imported under the bill's provisions to be in compliance with section 412 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which contains requirements related to infant formula manufacturing practices and nutrients.
Student Loan Accountability Act This bill generally prohibits the Departments of Education, Justice, or the Treasury from taking any action to cancel or forgive the outstanding balances, or portion of balances, of covered loans. Covered loans refer to Federal Family Education Loans, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, and loans under the Health Education Assistance Loan Program. The prohibition does not apply to targeted federal student loan forgiveness, cancellation, or repayment programs that are in effect by final regulation on May 11, 2022, and carried out under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
HR 7815 requires the President to submit a report within 30 days of the bill's enactment detailing actions taken by federal agencies to address the U.S. infant formula shortage. The report must be submitted to specific congressional committees, including the Senate Finance and Agriculture Committees and the House Ways and Means and Agriculture Committees. This bill does not create new policies or funding but mandates transparency about ongoing executive branch efforts to resolve the shortage. It directly affects the White House and federal agencies responsible for food safety and supply chain management. The focus is solely on requiring a status update, not on prescribing solutions or outcomes.
Babies Need More Formula Now Act of 2022 This bill addresses the regulation of infant formula, including by authorizing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to waive certain requirements related to importation. The FDA may waive labeling requirements related to the importation (or distribution or sale) of infant formula from a country with requirements that provide a similar assurance of safety as U.S. requirements. The FDA must, when appropriate, enter into arrangements to harmonize U.S. regulatory requirements pertaining to infant formula with the requirements of other nations. The bill imposes time lines for the FDA to respond to submissions for market approval for new infant formula. The FDA must also issue guidance as to what types of changes in the ingredients of infant formula, if any, may not require a new growth study to meet FDA requirements. The bill also authorizes a person to import, without prior notice to the FDA, up to a three-month supply of infant formula for personal use from a country with formula safety standards similar to U.S. standards, such as Canada. Before recommending or requiring a recall of infant formula due exclusively to a labeling deficiency, the FDA must ensure that the recall will not negatively affect the supply of formula in the United States. The bill also requires the FDA to (1) notify Congress no later than 24 hours after initiating a formula recall, and (2) provide certain information to formula manufacturers about restarting production after an inspection of a manufacturing facility impacted by a recall.
Military Spouse Tax Act This bill provides that a spouse of a service member may retain their personal residence or domicile for purposes of taxation. The bill authorizes a service member and the spouse of the member to elect to use the following locations for purposes of taxation: the residence or domicile of the member, the residence or domicile of the spouse, or the permanent duty station of the member.
Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act of 2021 This bill provides for the portability of professional licenses of service members and their spouses who are relocated, because of military orders, outside of the jurisdiction that issued the license. Specifically, a professional license in good standing of a service member or spouse shall be considered valid at a similar scope of practice and in the discipline applied for in the new jurisdiction for the duration of such military orders. To establish and maintain eligibility, a service member or spouse must (1) provide a copy of the military orders to the licensing authority in the new jurisdiction; (2) remain in good standing with the licensing authority that issued the license; and (3) submit to the authority of the licensing authority in the new jurisdiction for the purposes of standards of practice, discipline, and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements. The bill also provides that if a service member or spouse is licensed to operate in multiple jurisdictions through an interstate licensure compact, the service member or spouse is subject to the requirements of the compact or the applicable provisions of the state law rather than the provisions of this bill.
