Legislation

The "Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act" aims to enhance the safety and well-being of law enforcement officers through comprehensive data collection and analysis. It mandates the Attorney General to submit reports to Congress on attacks against officers, unreported aggressive actions, and the mental health challenges they face. These reports will include recommendations for improving responses to attacks, enhancing training programs, and providing better mental health resources. Ultimately, the Act seeks to provide law enforcement with the resources and support they need to protect themselves and serve their communities effectively.

The "Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act" requires manufacturers of internet-connected devices with cameras or microphones to clearly disclose these features to consumers before purchase. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is empowered to enforce this requirement and must issue guidance to help manufacturers comply with the Act. The Act excludes devices like phones and laptops, which consumers generally expect to have such features. This law aims to increase transparency and inform consumers about the capabilities of their smart devices.

This resolution expresses Senate support for designating April 2025 as "Parkinson's Awareness Month" to raise awareness of the disease's impact, promote research for better treatments and a cure, and support those living with Parkinson's and their families. It acknowledges the increasing prevalence and cost of Parkinson's, the challenges faced by patients and caregivers, and the importance of continued efforts to improve their quality of life. The resolution also recognizes individuals with Parkinson's participating in clinical trials, and commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, researchers, and individuals working to improve the quality of life for people living with Parkinson's and their families.

The "You Earned It, You Keep It Act" repeals the inclusion of Social Security benefits in gross income for tax purposes, ensuring beneficiaries receive their full benefits without federal income tax implications. To offset this change, the bill modifies how Social Security taxes are calculated by applying them to wages and self-employment income above $250,000, affecting high-income earners. It also adjusts the Social Security benefit formula to include a portion of earnings above this threshold in benefit calculations. These changes aim to strengthen Social Security funding while ensuring current beneficiaries under other assistance programs are not negatively impacted.

The Expedited Access to Biosimilars Act amends the Public Health Service Act regarding biosimilar biological products. It mandates clinical studies assessing pharmacokinetics to demonstrate safety, purity, and potency, while allowing the Secretary to determine if a clinical study should include the assessment of immunogenicity, pharmacodynamics, or comparative clinical efficacy. The Secretary must notify the applicant of any such requirements with written justification. These amendments apply to applications submitted on or after the enactment of this Act.

This bill nullifies the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that designated the San Francisco Bay-Delta population of Longfin Smelt as an endangered species. By disapproving the rule, the bill removes the protections and regulations associated with the endangered species status for this specific population of Longfin Smelt.

This joint resolution disapproves of and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule that modifies the classification of major pollution sources under the Clean Air Act. The resolution aims to reverse the EPA's decision to allow certain major sources of pollution to be reclassified as area sources, thereby changing the regulatory requirements for these sources.

The Save BRIC Act aims to re-establish mandatory funding for pre-disaster mitigation efforts, based on findings that proactive measures significantly reduce disaster-related losses and save billions in recovery costs. This bill amends the Stafford Act to ensure consistent investment in community resilience against natural disasters.

The "Audit the IRS Act" prohibits the IRS from hiring or continuing to employ individuals with seriously delinquent tax debts, ensuring that those responsible for enforcing tax laws are themselves compliant. It defines "seriously delinquent tax debt" and mandates annual verification of IRS employees' tax compliance, as well as pre-employment verification for new hires. The Office of Personnel Management is directed to create regulations to implement these provisions.

The "PROTECT 911 Act" aims to improve the mental health and well-being of public safety telecommunicators by directing the Secretary to create and share best practices for addressing PTSD and related issues. It also establishes a grant program for emergency communication centers and eligible entities to develop or enhance behavioral health and wellness programs, including peer support initiatives and training. This will provide resources and support to address job-related mental health challenges faced by 911 operators.

The "Youth Sports Facilities Act of 2024" amends existing law to include youth sports facilities as eligible public works projects. These projects aim to improve access to recreational spaces, particularly for children from low-income families in underserved communities, and to address the mental and physical health impacts of inactive lifestyles. The Act also seeks to boost economic development and create jobs through youth sports facilities, especially in communities lacking such resources.

The VARIANCE Act allows commercial vehicles transporting dry bulk goods to exceed standard axle weight limits by up to 10%, provided the vehicle's gross weight doesn't increase. This adjustment aims to enhance efficiency in the transportation of dry bulk goods. "Dry bulk goods" are defined as unmarked, unpackaged, non-liquid cargo in a trailer designed for that purpose.

This resolution recognizes April 4, 2025, as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, reaffirming U.S. leadership in eliminating landmines and unexploded ordnance. It acknowledges the global impact of these hazards, highlights U.S. efforts in providing assistance for conventional weapons destruction, and reaffirms the commitment to supporting humanitarian demining efforts worldwide, including the goal of clearing mined areas by 2025. The resolution also recognizes communities from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, including the many Hmong, Cham, Cambodian, Iu-Mien, Khmu, Lao, Montagnard, and Vietnamese people who supported and defended the United States Armed Forces during the conflict in Southeast Asia during the 1960s and 1970s. It urges continued U.S. funding and leadership in addressing mine contamination as a critical humanitarian issue.

This bill disapproves and nullifies an EPA rule that allows California to set its own stricter pollution control standards for heavy-duty vehicles and engines. The rule covers emission warranties, maintenance, advanced clean truck standards, zero-emission airport shuttles, and powertrain certification. By disapproving the rule, the bill aims to prevent California from implementing these specific environmental regulations.

The "Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act" excludes certain disability benefits received by veterans from being considered as income when determining eligibility for the supported housing program and other housing assistance programs. This exclusion applies specifically to disability benefits received under chapter 11 or chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code. Additionally, the Act ensures that these disability benefits are excluded from income calculations when determining a veteran's eligibility to rent housing on Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) property built after the enactment of this law.

This resolution supports designating April 2025 as the "Month of the Military Child" to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of children connected to the military. It acknowledges the commitment and struggles of military children and encourages the nation to provide support to military families. The resolution urges the United States to honor military children through events and activities during the designated month.

The Michael Enzi Voluntary Protection Program Act establishes a program recognizing and incentivizing employers who voluntarily commit to comprehensive safety and health management systems. Participating employers are exempt from programmed inspections, must conduct annual self-evaluations, and will be subject to periodic re-evaluations. The Secretary of Labor will modernize the program's technology and support a tiered challenge program. The Secretary of Labor must use at least 5 percent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's annual funds to carry out this Act.

The "Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers Act" aims to improve access to affordable, high-quality child care and strengthen the early childhood education workforce. It establishes grant programs to support child care for student parents, enhance early childhood educator training, and increase federal matching payments to states for child care expenditures. The bill also requires colleges to inform students with dependents about the dependent care allowance for federal student aid, ensuring they can access financial support for child care costs. Ultimately, this act seeks to support student parents in completing their education and ensure more children have access to quality early childhood education.

This resolution condemns North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens since the 1970s, demanding the release of all abductees, the return of remains and information on deceased abductees, reparations, and a formal apology. It urges North Korea to cease these activities and encourages the President to address this issue in future interactions with North Korean officials. The resolution affirms that these abductions violate fundamental principles of liberty and freedom.

The TRACKS Act aims to increase transparency in federal spending by requiring prime recipients of federal awards to report subawards of any amount to entities located in or that are foreign entities of concern. This includes defining "subaward" and mandating the reporting of "covered subawards" to ensure taxpayer dollars are not inadvertently supporting adversarial countries. The Director will issue guidance within 90 days to ensure consistent compliance.