Bills of The Day:

Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 3947
Date Introduced: March 14, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Sanders
Co-Sponsor(s): Ms. Butler

Summary: This bill proposes an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to decrease the standard workweek from 40 to 32 hours. It mandates overtime compensation for employees working beyond 32 hours at a rate not less than one and one-half times their regular rate. Additionally, it specifies overtime rates for workdays exceeding eight and twelve hours. The legislation includes a phased reduction in the workweek hours over three years, starting with 38 hours in the first year, 36 in the second, and 34 in the third, ultimately reaching the 32-hour target. It also ensures that employees' total workweek compensation rates and benefits are not diminished due to the adjustment to a shorter workweek. The bill seeks to amend sections related to overtime pay and states' rights to enforce stricter labor standards.

Next Action: The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Safe Drinking Water for Disadvantaged Communities Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 7706
Date Introduced: March 15, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Nunn of Iowa
Co-Sponsor(s): Mrs. Sykes

Summary: This legislation mandates that all funds allocated under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, specifically for lead service line replacement projects, are to be provided as forgivable loans or grants exclusively to disadvantaged communities. These projects encompass activities related to the identification, planning, design, and actual replacement of lead service lines. The aim is to ensure that communities identified as disadvantaged, as per the Safe Drinking Water Act's definition, receive direct financial support to eliminate lead contamination in their drinking water infrastructure, thus prioritizing public health and safety in areas most in need of assistance.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Conditional Access for the Chinese Government to United States Capital Markets and Exchanges Act
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 3945
Date Introduced: March 14, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Vance
Co-Sponsor(s): N/A

Summary: This bill aims to condition the access of the Chinese Government to U.S. capital markets, including securities exchanges, investment entities, and banking institutions, on its compliance with specific international laws relating to finance, trade, and commerce. It defines "applicable laws" to include doctrines and regulations concerning state succession in sovereign debt, transparency, disclosure in major capital markets, and prohibitions against discriminatory financial practices. In consultation with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, the Secretary of the Treasury is empowered to restrict new investments or transactions in U.S. markets by the Chinese Government or its controlled entities if found non-compliant. This legislation underscores the importance of adherence to established international financial norms and practices for foreign state participation in American financial systems.

Next Action: The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Fight Against Fentanyl Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 7720
Date Introduced: March 19, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Kean of New Jersey
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Van Drew

Summary: This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to specifically include the purchase of fentanyl testing kits and opioid reversal agents as permissible uses for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds. This amendment aims to enhance local and state law enforcement agencies' capabilities to combat the opioid crisis by providing them with essential tools for detecting fentanyl—a potent synthetic opioid—and administering immediate overdose reversal interventions. By explicitly authorizing the use of Byrne JAG funds for these purposes, the legislation seeks to support community and law enforcement efforts in responding effectively to the rising challenges posed by opioid-related incidents, ultimately aiming to reduce overdose fatalities and improve public safety.

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

College Employment Accountability Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 7712
Date Introduced: March 19, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Banks
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Good of Virginia

Summary: This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to disqualify higher education institutions from receiving federal student assistance or institutional aid if they employ unauthorized aliens. It mandates that these institutions must participate in the E-Verify Program to be eligible for any program authorized under Title IV of the Act. The legislation seeks to enforce immigration laws within higher education by ensuring that colleges and universities comply with federal employment authorization verification requirements. The Department of Homeland Security is tasked with monitoring participation in the E-Verify Program semi-annually and notifying the Department of Education of any institutions found to violate employing unauthorized aliens or failing to participate in E-Verify, thus linking immigration law compliance with eligibility for federal education funding.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary.