West Virginia Congressional Bills

passed · West Virginia · House May 21, 2024

HR 8369: Israel Security Assistance Support Act

This bill requires the U.S. Department of Defense and State Department to immediately deliver all previously approved military equipment and services to Israel within 15 days, reversing any pauses on arms transfers. It prohibits using federal funds to withhold, halt, or cancel defense article deliveries to Israel and mandates that unobligated security assistance funds for Israel must be spent by the end of 30 days. The bill also requires monthly reports to Congress detailing all security assistance provided to Israel since October 7, 2023, including specific items delivered and funding sources. The law directly affects U.S. agencies responsible for military aid and Israel as the recipient of the security assistance.

Ken Calvert (R) · 119 co-sponsors

in committee · West Virginia · House May 20, 2024

HR 8451: BUILD Act

The BUILD Act creates a federal grant program to fund economic development projects led by universities located in economically distressed communities. It targets institutions in areas where median household income is at least 25% below state or national averages, as defined by specific income thresholds. Universities receive planning grants (up to $100,000 annually for 2 years) to develop projects, followed by implementation grants (minimum $25 million, maximum $50 million over 5 years) for approved initiatives like renovating community-accessible buildings, establishing small business support programs, building broadband infrastructure, or creating health clinics. These projects must directly benefit the surrounding distressed community and are restricted to eligible institutions meeting the bill's criteria.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · West Virginia · House May 20, 2024

HR 354: LEOSA Reform Act of 2024

This bill amends the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) to expand where current and retired law enforcement officers can carry concealed firearms. It specifically allows qualified officers to carry in Federal facilities like post offices and courthouses (previously restricted), clarifies they may carry on public property and transportation, and updates firearms training requirements to accept certification from any state-certified instructor. The key change requires officers to meet recent firearms training standards (using flexible state-based criteria), rather than relying solely on their former agency's standards. This directly affects retired officers seeking to carry in more public spaces and federal buildings without needing prior agency certification.

Don Bacon (R) · 43 co-sponsors

in committee · West Virginia · House May 17, 2024

HR 8459: Stopping Traffickers and Their Accomplices Act of 2024

HR 8459, the Stopping Traffickers and Their Accomplices Act of 2024, requires abortion providers to notify the National Human Trafficking Hotline within 24 hours if they reasonably suspect a patient is a trafficking victim. It mandates annual staff training on identifying trafficking victims and submitting certification of training completion. Violations carry penalties: $10,000 per failure to report or $1,000 per day for training noncompliance. The bill directly affects abortion providers and facilities, imposing new reporting obligations without creating a right to abortion or requiring victims to self-report. State attorneys general may also sue providers for violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · West Virginia · Senate May 16, 2024

SJRES 86: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Interagency Cooperation".

This bill (SJRES 86) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding endangered species protections. The rule, published April 5, 2024, aimed to update regulations for interagency cooperation on endangered and threatened wildlife conservation. The resolution would block this rule from taking effect by invoking a statutory process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code that allows Congress to reject federal agency regulations. If passed, the rule would have no legal force, maintaining existing regulatory standards instead of implementing the new provisions.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · West Virginia · Senate May 16, 2024

SJRES 87: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Treasury relating to "Clean Vehicle Credits Under Sections 25E and 30D; Transfer of Credits; Critical Minerals and Battery Components; Foreign Entities of Concern".

This bill (SJRES 87) is a joint resolution seeking to block a specific rule issued by the Treasury Department. The rule, published May 6, 2024, established requirements for clean vehicle tax credits under IRS codes 25E and 30D, including rules about transferring credits, qualifying critical minerals/battery components, and restrictions on credits involving "Foreign Entities of Concern." The resolution would prevent this Treasury rule from taking effect by invoking a disapproval process under federal law. It directly affects the administration of federal tax credits for clean vehicles, not the credits themselves.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Transportation

in committee · West Virginia · Senate May 16, 2024

SJRES 88: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units Review of the Residual Risk and Technology Review".

This bill (SJRES 88) seeks congressional approval to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that sets emissions standards for coal- and oil-fired power plants. Specifically, it aims to disapprove the EPA's rule on "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants" for these plants, which was published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2024. If passed, the rule would have no legal effect, preventing the EPA from enforcing these specific emissions limits on affected power plants. The bill directly affects the EPA's regulatory authority and the operations of coal- and oil-fired electricity generators.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

passed · West Virginia · Senate May 16, 2024

SRES 697: A resolution designating the week of May 12 through May 18, 2024, as "National Police Week".

SRES 697 is a commemorative resolution designating the week of May 12-18, 2024, as "National Police Week" in the U.S. Senate. It aligns with the 1962 law authorizing the President to designate this week, honoring law enforcement officers who have died or been injured in the line of duty. The resolution expresses support for officers, recognizes their service in protecting communities, and encourages public observance to honor their mission and sacrifices. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups, as it is purely ceremonial.

Lindsey Graham (R) · 77 co-sponsors

in committee · West Virginia · Senate May 15, 2024

SJRES 79: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary".

SJRES 79 is a joint resolution that would block a Department of Labor rule published in April 2024. The rule would have required financial advisors to act in the best interest of retirement account holders when providing investment advice, expanding the scope of who must meet this standard. If passed, the resolution would prevent the rule from taking effect by invoking a congressional disapproval process under Title 5, U.S. Code. This directly affects retirement advisors and the standards they must follow when giving retirement investment guidance.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Ted Budd (R) · 23 co-sponsors

in committee · West Virginia · Senate May 15, 2024

SJRES 80: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants".

This joint resolution (SJRES 80) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on April 5, 2024. The rule established regulations under the Endangered Species Act concerning protections for endangered and threatened wildlife. If approved, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect and reversing the regulatory changes it proposed. The resolution directly affects how federal protections are applied to listed species under the Endangered Species Act.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · West Virginia · Senate May 15, 2024

SJRES 81: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Marine Fisheries Service relating to "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Interagency Cooperation".

This bill (SJRES 81) seeks congressional disapproval of a National Marine Fisheries Service rule that updated regulations for interagency cooperation on protecting endangered and threatened wildlife. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2024, aimed to streamline how federal agencies work together on species conservation efforts. By passing this resolution, Congress would block the rule from taking effect under the procedural process outlined in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. The direct effect is preventing the National Marine Fisheries Service from implementing these specific regulatory changes for endangered species protection.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · West Virginia · Senate May 15, 2024

SJRES 83: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Definition of 'Engaged in the Business' as a Dealer in Firearms".

This bill (SJRES 83) seeks to block a rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) that redefined who qualifies as a "dealer in firearms" under federal law. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 19, 2024, would have changed how the ATF identifies and regulates firearm sellers. If passed, the resolution would make the rule invalid, preventing it from taking effect and leaving current dealer regulations unchanged. This directly affects firearm dealers (particularly small businesses and hobbyists) and the ATF’s enforcement authority under existing law.

John Cornyn (R) · 46 co-sponsors

West Virginia Congressional Bills

Bill results