Results for

  • Emergency Community Supervision Act

    S #3579 | Last Action: 3/25/2020
    Emergency Community Supervision Act This bill establishes measures to reduce the number of individuals in federal custody during a national emergency relating to a communicable disease. Specifically, it does the following: * requires certain categories of inmates to be released and placed in community supervision (e.g., home confinement); * limits the use of pretrial detention; and * modifies supervised release, including to limit the use of incarceration as a sanction for a parole violation.
  • Emergency Community Supervision Act

    HR #6400 | Last Action: 3/26/2020
    Emergency Community Supervision Act This bill establishes measures to reduce the number of individuals in federal custody during a national emergency relating to a communicable disease. Specifically, it does the following: * requires certain categories of inmates to be released and placed in community supervision (e.g., home confinement); * limits the use of pretrial detention; and * modifies supervised release, including to limit the use of incarceration as a sanction for a parole violation.
  • Emergency Community Supervision Act

    S #3646 | Last Action: 5/7/2020
    Emergency Community Supervision Act This bill establishes measures to reduce the number of individuals in federal custody during a national emergency relating to a communicable disease. Specifically, it does the following: * requires certain categories of inmates to be released and placed in community supervision (e.g., home confinement); * limits the use of pretrial detention; and * modifies supervised release, including to suspend the request for detention and imprisonment as a sanction for a violation of probation, supervised release, or parole.
  • To direct the Federal Communications Commission to issue reports after activation of the Disaster Information Reporting System and to make improvements to network outage reporting.

    HR #5918 | Last Action: 9/18/2020
    This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report on certain activations of the Disaster Information Reporting System (the system through which communications providers report their operational status during times of crisis) and to adopt specified rules related to network outage reporting. If the system was activated for at least seven days, the FCC must issue a preliminary a report that includes (1) the number and duration of any service outages, (2) the approximate number of users or the amount of infrastructure potentially affected by a service outage, and (3) the number and duration of any outages at public safety answering points (PSAPs) that prevent the PSAPs from receiving and routing emergency calls to emergency service personnel. The FCC must also hold at least one public field hearing in the area affected by the event, and it must issue a final report that includes recommendations on how to improve the resiliency of affected communications or networks recovery efforts. The FCC must also determine the circumstances under which it shall require certain service providers to notify a PSAP of a communications service disruption that prevents the origination of 9–1–1 calls or the delivery of information that allows the PSAP to identify the number of or locate a 9–1–1 caller. Further, the FCC must require this notification to be made and specify the appropriate timing of the notification.
  • Emergency Reporting Act

    S #4667 | Last Action: 9/23/2020
    Emergency Reporting Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report on certain activations of the Disaster Information Reporting System (the system through which communications providers report their operational status during times of crisis) and to adopt specified rules related to network outage reporting. If the system was activated for at least seven days, the FCC must issue a preliminary a report that includes (1) the number and duration of any service outages, (2) the approximate number of users or the amount of infrastructure potentially affected by a service outage, and (3) the number and duration of any outages at public safety answering points (PSAPs) that prevent the PSAPs from receiving and routing emergency calls to emergency service personnel. The FCC must also hold at least one public field hearing in the area affected by the event, and it must issue a final report that includes recommendations on how to improve the resiliency of affected communications or networks recovery efforts. The FCC must also determine the circumstances under which it shall require certain service providers to notify a PSAP of a communications service disruption that prevents the origination of 9–1–1 calls or the delivery of information that allows the PSAP to identify the number of or locate a 9–1–1 caller. Further, the FCC must require this notification to be made and specify the appropriate timing of the notification.
  • Emergency Rural Community Relief Act

    HR #7823 | Last Action: 7/29/2020
    Emergency Rural Community Relief Act This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to provide emergency grants to associations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, and Indian Tribes to purchase vehicles, equipment, or services needed for the immediate safe operation of an essential community facility or a temporary installation necessary to support the public response to an emergency such as COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) in a rural area.
  • Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act of 2020

    S #4395 | Last Action: 7/30/2020
    Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to provide financial assistance to states and maritime industry entities during an emergency such as COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, MARAD may provide grants for * operating costs involved with an emergency response operation, including costs for cleaning, sanitizing, janitorial services, staffing, paid leave, and procuring personal protective equipment; and * the costs of capital projects to protect, repair, reconstruct, or replace equipment and facilities of the United States maritime transportation system that are in danger of suffering serious damage, or has suffered serious damage, as a result of an emergency. The federal share payable of the costs for which a grant is provided under the bill shall be 100%.
  • Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act of 2020

    HR #7515 | Last Action: 7/9/2020
    Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to provide financial assistance to states and maritime industry entities during an emergency such as COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, MARAD may provide grants for * operating costs involved with an emergency response operation, including costs for cleaning, sanitizing, janitorial services, staffing, paid leave, and procuring personal protective equipment; and * the costs of capital projects to protect, repair, reconstruct, or replace equipment and facilities of the United States maritime transportation system that are in danger of suffering serious damage, or has suffered serious damage, as a result of an emergency. The federal share payable of the costs for which a grant is provided under the bill shall be 100%.
  • Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act

    HR #7985 | Last Action: 8/7/2020
    Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act This bill allows, and provides funds for, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide grants and loans, as well as loan forgiveness, modification, and refinancing, to rural water or waste disposal facilities. Specifically, USDA may provide such assistance for purposes of ensuring public health, safety, and order and to address financial hardships, in particular those due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.
  • To require the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to provide zero-interest loans to minority depository institutions and community development financial institutions to combat COVID-19, and for other purposes.

    HR #6381 | Last Action: 3/24/2020
    This bill requires the Federal Reserve Board to provide interest-free loans to small minority depository institutions and small community development financial institutions during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period. The board must charge interest on these loans beginning 18 months after the end of the emergency period.
  • Protecting Critical Infrastructure Against Drones and Emerging Threats Act

    HR #4432 | Last Action: 2/10/2020
    Protecting Critical Infrastructure Against Drones and Emerging Threats Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address issues related to threats of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and other emerging threats. Specifically, DHS must * request additional information from other federal, state, local, and private sector agencies relating to such threats associated with new technologies; * develop and disseminate a security threat assessment regarding drones and other emerging threats associated with such new technologies; and * establish and utilize a secure communications and information technology infrastructure, including data-mining and other advanced analytical tools.
  • Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2020

    S #4633 | Last Action: 9/21/2020
    Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Actof 2020 This bill allows, and provides funds for, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide grants and loans, as well as loan forgiveness, modification, and refinancing, to rural water, wastewater, or waste disposal facilities. Specifically, USDA may provide such assistance for purposes of ensuring public health, safety, and order and to address financial hardships, in particular those due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.
  • Community-Based Response Act

    S #4791 | Last Action: 10/1/2020
    Community-Based Response Act This bill establishes a program to assist communities with implementing alternative emergency response models in vulnerable populations to resolve crisis situations that may not require a law enforcement response or situations where a law enforcement response may increase the risk of harm. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice, must award grants to eligible partnerships to establish or expand these models. The partnerships must consist of a unit of local or tribal government that is independent of law enforcement agencies and a nonprofit, community-based organization or consortium of such organizations. The partnerships may also include other entities, such as nonprofit or public institutions of higher education and behavioral health organizations. A partnership may use grant funds for a variety of purposes, such as triaging 9–1–1 calls to refer certain emergencies to entities other than law enforcement. In awarding these grants, HHS must prioritize partnerships that include community-based organizations that have a record of effectively serving, and are led by members of, vulnerable populations.
  • Community-Based Response Act

    HR #8474 | Last Action: 10/1/2020
    Community-Based Response Act This bill establishes a program to assist communities with implementing alternative emergency response models in vulnerable populations to resolve crisis situations that may not require a law enforcement response or situations where a law enforcement response may increase the risk of harm. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice, must award grants to eligible partnerships to establish or expand these models. The partnerships must consist of a unit of local or tribal government that is independent of law enforcement agencies and a nonprofit, community-based organization or consortium of such organizations. The partnerships may also include other entities, such as nonprofit or public institutions of higher education and behavioral health organizations. A partnership may use grant funds for a variety of purposes, such as triaging 9–1–1 calls to refer certain emergencies to entities other than law enforcement. In awarding these grants, HHS must prioritize partnerships that include community-based organizations that have a record of effectively serving, and are led by members of, vulnerable populations.
  • Local Community Emergency Relief Act of 2020

    S #3806 | Last Action: 5/21/2020
    Local Community Emergency Relief Act of 2020 This bill waives cost share requirements for all federal emergency declarations and major disaster declarations during 2020. Specifically, the bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide a 100% cost share in such instances. In general, FEMA disaster assistance requires a 75% cost-share commitment from the federal government with 25% provided from nonfederal sources. The bill lists activities for which the federal cost share is waived, including * miscellaneous costs, such as the costs of cleaning and sanitizing public areas and buildings where individuals who have contracted COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) have been present to prevent the spread of the virus; * other needs assistance for uninsured, disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs, including specified child care assistance and funeral and burial assistance; * mental health services; * medical equipment; and * hospital and morgue capacity expansion projects to meet actual or projected COVID-19 surge demands.
  • To ensure that veterans receive timely and effective health care under the Veterans Community Care Program and Veterans Care Agreements during the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes.

    HR #6591 | Last Action: 9/30/2020
    This bill sets forth policies and procedures related to medical care for veterans covered under the Veterans Community Care Program and Veterans Care Agreements during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period. Specifically, the bill authorizes covered veterans to receive care for COVID-19 diagnosis or treatment under the Veterans Community Care Program and Veterans Care Agreements during the COVID-19 emergency period, regardless of whether such care is for a service-connected disability. Emergency medical care and COVID-19 care shall not require Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) preauthorization during the emergency period. The bill prescribes how the VA shall administer claims for payments relating to emergency COVID-19 care, depending on whether the community care provider is (1) an eligible provider under the Veterans Community Care Program, (2) party to a Veterans Care Agreement, or (3) not eligible under the Veterans Community Care Program or part of a Veterans Care Agreement. The bill classifies emergency treatment for COVID-19 as emergency treatment eligible for coverage by the VA. The VA shall determine whether a veteran who receives emergency care for COVID-19 is an active VA health care participant without regard to whether the veteran has received VA medical care in the two years preceding such emergency care. Finally, the bill specifies that, during the emergency period, community care providers that furnish emergency COVID-19 care are required to submit a claim for payment to the VA within 180 days of such care.
  • A bill to ensure that veterans receive timely and effective health care under the Veterans Community Care Program and Veterans Care Agreements during the COVID-19 emergency, and for other purposes.

    S #3888 | Last Action: 6/3/2020
    This bill sets forth policies and procedures related to medical care for veterans covered under the Veterans Community Care Program and Veterans Care Agreements during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period. Specifically, the bill authorizes covered veterans to receive care for COVID-19 diagnosis or treatment under the Veterans Community Care Program and Veterans Care Agreements during the COVID-19 emergency period, regardless of whether such care is for a service-connected disability. Emergency medical care and COVID-19 care shall not require Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) preauthorization during the emergency period. The bill prescribes how the VA shall administer claims for payments relating to emergency COVID-19 care, depending on whether the community care provider is (1) an eligible provider under the Veterans Community Care Program, (2) party to a Veterans Care Agreement, or (3) not eligible under the Veterans Community Care Program or part of a Veterans Care Agreement. The bill classifies emergency treatment for COVID-19 as emergency treatment eligible for coverage by the VA. The VA shall determine whether a veteran who receives emergency care for COVID-19 is an active VA health care participant without regard to whether the veteran has received VA medical care in the two years preceding such emergency care. Finally, the bill specifies that, during the emergency period, community care providers that furnish emergency COVID-19 care are required to submit a claim for payment to the VA within 180 days of such care.
  • READI Act

    HR #6096 | Last Action: 11/17/2020
    Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement Act of 2020 or READI Act This bill modifies how citizens receive emergency alerts through wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems. Specifically, the bill includes emergency alerts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a type of alert that mobile subscribers may not block from their devices. (Currently, only alerts from the President may not be blocked.) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must adopt regulations that encourage states to establish a State Emergency Communications Committee (SECC) and provide that each SECC meets at least annually to review and update its Emergency Alert System (EAS) Plan. The FCC must approve or disapprove the updated plan. The FCC shall also (1) establish a system to receive from FEMA or state, tribal, or local governments reports of false alerts under the EAS or the Wireless EAS and to record such false alerts and examine their causes; (2) modify the EAS to provide for repeating messages while an alert remains pending; and (3) examine the feasibility of offering EAS alerts through the internet, including through audio and video streaming services.
  • Automatic Boost to Communities Act

    HR #6553 | Last Action: 4/17/2020
    Automatic Boost to Communities Act This bill creates the Boost Communities Program to provide monthly aid during and after the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Specifically, the program provides (1) $2,000 a month to individuals during the emergency and for a specified time period afterward, and (2) $1,000 a month to individuals during the following year. The program also provides targeted supplemental assistance for at-risk populations. The bill provides for the distribution of these funds through direct deposit, debit cards, and the establishment of digital dollar wallets. The Department of the Treasury is directed to mint and issue two $1 trillion platinum coins and additional coins as needed to fund the program. The Federal Reserve is directed to purchase the coins.
  • COVID-19 Workforce Emergency Response Act

    HR #6402 | Last Action: 3/26/2020
    COVID-19 Workforce Emergency Response Act This bill increases flexibility for state and local agencies to provide continuity of services during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) national emergency. In particular, the bill allows certain state and local unobligated funds to be used for administrative purposes to carry out local workforce investment activities under one-stop delivery systems if the funds are used to respond to such emergency. (A one-stop delivery system is a system under which entities responsible for administering separate workforce investment, educational, and other human resource programs and funding streams (referred to as one-stop partners) collaborate to create a seamless system of service delivery that will enhance access to the programs' services and improve long-term employment outcomes for individuals receiving assistance.) The bill also allows the use of certain state reserved unobligated funds for (1) responding to the national emergency, and (2) distributing by the governor of such state to local boards most impacted by the coronavirus for activities related to responding to such emergency. The Department of Labor must award national dislocated worker grants, with emphasis on state or local areas most impacted by the emergency for activities directly supporting the response to the emergency and related-recovery efforts (e.g., training and temporary employment and certain layoff response activities).
  • Resilient Communities Act of 2019

    HR #3531 | Last Action: 6/27/2019
    Resilient Communities Act of 2019 This bill permits the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide capitalization grants to states to establish revolving funds to mitigate disaster risks for homeowners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and communities from multiple hazards.
  • Voluntary Water Partnership for Distressed Communities Act of 2019

    S #2596 | Last Action: 10/15/2019
    Voluntary Water Partnership for Distressed Communities Act of 2019 This bill allows a community water system that is not in compliance with drinking water standards to enter into a partnership with other community water systems or other entities to bring the system into compliance.
  • Wildfire and Community Health Response Act of 2020

    HR #6546 | Last Action: 4/17/2020
    Wildfire and Community Health Response Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, for National Forest System lands, and the Department of the Interior, for public lands, by May 31, 2020, to jointly submit to Congress a report on their activities to * mitigate wildfire risk during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, including activities to minimize the impact of wildfires on the respiratory health of communities; * identify methods of fuels reduction used during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize the threat of wildfire on such lands; and * slow the spread of COVID-19 between firefighters and emergency response teams. Such report shall also include the recommendations of the departments with respect to the federal support necessary to carry out these activities. Not later than December 31, 2020, such departments shall jointly submit to Congress a report on (1) the activities and recommendations, and (2) the outcomes of forest and wildfire management in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recommendations of the departments with respect to such outcomes.
  • Emergency Water is a Human Right Act

    HR #6552 | Last Action: 4/17/2020
    Emergency Water is a Human Right Act This bill creates a grant program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, to provide funds to states and Indian tribes to assist low-income households that pay a high proportion of household income for drinking water and wastewater services. Further, any entity receiving financial assistance under this grant program must ensure that no home energy service or public water system service is or remains disconnected or interrupted during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.
  • Emerging Transportation Security Threats Act of 2019

    HR #3318 | Last Action: 12/9/2019
    Emerging Transportation Security Threats Act of 2019 This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a task force to conduct an analysis of emerging and potential future threats to transportation security, including threats posed by the release of chemical or biological agents in aviation or surface transportation systems. The TSA must develop a threat mitigation strategy for each of the threats the task force examines in its analysis. The Government Accountability Office mustconduct a review of the feasibility, risks, costs, and potential threat mitigation benefits of the TSA deploying its passenger and property screening assets to conduct screening in areas or facilities prior to passenger arrivals at airport terminals.