Bills of The Day:

Closing Bankruptcy Loopholes for Child Predators Act of 2024
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8077
Date Introduced: April 18, 2024
Sponsor: Ms. Ross
Co-Sponsor(s): Ms. Tenney

Summary: This bill seeks to amend Title 11 of the United States Code to enhance the handling of bankruptcy proceedings related to cases of child sex abuse. It redefines relevant terms to broaden the scope of what constitutes child sexual abuse within bankruptcy proceedings. The bill requires victim impact statements in relevant cases, ensuring victims can express the impact of abuse. It mandates that claims related to child sexual abuse are considered timely regardless of state statutes of limitations. Furthermore, the legislation prohibits sealing evidence of such crimes, except to protect victims' identities, and introduces the requirement for independent forensic account reviews in organizations involved in these cases. Additionally, changes are proposed to several bankruptcy rules to ensure thorough examination and mandatory disclosure in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Help Extend Auditory Relief Act of 2024
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8064
Date Introduced: April 18, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Cartwright
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Lawler, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mr. Cardenas, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Takano, Mr. Thompson of California

Summary: This bill proposes amendments to Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend Medicare coverage to include hearing aids and related hearing rehabilitation services. It specifies the inclusion of hearing aids as durable medical equipment and introduces aural rehabilitation services under Medicare. Detailed definitions and criteria for "hearing rehabilitation" and "hearing aids" are provided to ensure proper implementation. The bill outlines comprehensive hearing assessments required for Medicare beneficiaries, fitting and adjustment of hearing aids, and ongoing audiological support. It also removes previous exclusions from Medicare coverage related to hearing aids, aiming to enhance accessibility to essential hearing services for older Americans. Provisions are made for periodic updates to the equipment and services based on medical necessity.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.

Ammunition Supply Chain Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8066
Date Introduced: April 18, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Emmer
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Stauber, Mrs. Fischbach, Mr. Finstad, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Westerman

Summary: This legislation mandates a report from the Secretary of the Army on the United States' supply chain for smokeless gunpowder, specifically focusing on nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and acid production, which are crucial for ammunition manufacturing. The report is to be submitted to Congress within 180 days of the enactment of this Act. It will assess the current state of domestic production and supply, identifying potential vulnerabilities such as single points of failure in the supply chain. The report aims to suggest measures to enhance sourcing, protect against disruptions, and leverage commercial expertise to ensure a robust and resilient ammunition supply chain, thereby supporting both commercial markets and national defense needs.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

No More Narcos Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8058
Date Introduced: April 17, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Vasquez
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Lamborn

Summary: The bill mandates the Attorney General, through the Drug Enforcement Administration and in collaboration with various federal and state entities, to launch an educational campaign aimed at middle and high school students near the U.S.-Mexico border. The objective is to inform them about the hazards and consequences of associating with cartels and transnational criminal organizations. Concurrently, the Secretary of Homeland Security is tasked with developing a national strategy to counteract the recruitment and use of minors by these criminal groups for smuggling and trafficking purposes. Definitions relevant to the implementation of these measures are clearly outlined, including the specifics of what constitutes a transnational criminal organization.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Drought Resilient Infrastructure Act of 2024
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8079
Date Introduced: April 18, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Stanton
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Ciscomani, Ms. Titus, Ms. Lee of Nevada, Mr. Gallego

Summary: This legislation aims to enhance water conservation, drought resilience, and operational flexibility at water resources development projects managed by the Corps of Engineers. The act authorizes the implementation of water conservation measures, including modifications to existing infrastructure and the adoption of natural or nature-based features to improve water retention and aquifer recharge. It mandates emergency operations prioritizing water supply and conservation during drought conditions and requires updates to water control manuals to include drought operations and contingency plans. Furthermore, the act proposes the establishment of a drought resilience project framework, providing guidelines for federal and non-federal cooperation, cost-sharing, and technical assistance. It also addresses the integration of water supply as a primary function in projects within the Colorado River Basin states and introduces a pilot program for forecast-informed reservoir operations.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.