Keep on Trucking

Daily Government Bill Brief

Legisloop: Daily Brief

By: Sam Lachman Published: 4/18/24
802 words Read Time: 4 minutes

Good morning! Thank you for reading Legisloop, the best newsletter to stay in the loop with the most interesting bills introduced into Congress. Every day, when new bill texts are released by the US Government, we bring you our favorites!

Bills of The Day:

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Reporting Act of 2024
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 7985
Date Introduced: April 15, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. McGarvey
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Molinaro

Summary: This bill mandates the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 180 days detailing the challenges faced by entrepreneurs with disabilities. The report should include an assessment of these challenges, the current resources and support available, and how these are being communicated to and utilized by the target group. Additionally, it must cover any collaborative efforts with other federal agencies aimed at supporting these entrepreneurs. The report should also identify any shortcomings in existing resources and make recommendations for legislative or other actions needed to enhance support for entrepreneurs with disabilities.

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

Accountability in Student Loan Data Act of 2024
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 7880
Date Introduced: April 5, 2024
Sponsor: Ms. Porter
Co-Sponsor(s): N/A

Summary: This bill proposes amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, focusing on maintaining certain adjusted cohort default rates for institutions of higher education to continue participation in Title IV programs. The amendments include new definitions and parameters around these default rates, detailing specific percentages that would affect an institution's eligibility for federal programs based on their default rates over various time spans. Additional stipulations involve the dissemination of default rates and other relevant consumer information, requirements for program eligibility based on financial metrics, and the introduction of possible penalties for institutions that exceed these default thresholds.

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

Federal Government Equity Improvement Act of 2024
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 7882
Date Introduced: April 5, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Raskin
Co-Sponsor(s): Ms. Pressley, Ms. Bush, Mr. Carson, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Ramirez, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Brown

Summary: The bill proposes amendments to title 31 and title 44 of the United States Code to enhance equity in federal agency operations. It establishes an Agency Equity Advisory Team within each agency, headed by the Performance Improvement Officer, to include members from diverse agency roles. The bill also forms an Equity Subcommittee under the Performance Improvement Council to guide and improve equitable service delivery across agencies. Furthermore, it mandates changes to ensure the equitable use of data by Chief Data Officers, reinforcing this through amendments that promote equitable practices in data collection, sharing, and policymaking.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4075
Date Introduced: April 8, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Hagerty
Co-Sponsor(s): N/A

Summary: This bill aims to prevent payment card networks and covered entities from assigning merchant category codes that specifically identify firearms retailers, distinguishing them from general merchandise or sporting goods retailers. It mandates that firearms retailers must not be segregated through unique merchant codes, ensuring their classification aligns with broader retail categories. This is to uphold privacy and prevent potential discriminatory practices against firearms retailers. The enforcement of this act would be managed by the Attorney General, who is tasked with investigating violations, addressing complaints, and ensuring compliance through established legal processes.

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

Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act of 2024
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4074
Date Introduced: April 8, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Tester
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Cassidy

Summary: This bill amends Title 38 of the United States Code to empower the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve interstate commerce carrier apprenticeship programs for veterans seeking educational assistance. This legislative change enables the Secretary to act as a state approving agency for multi-state apprenticeship programs, facilitating veterans' access to training programs in the trucking and interstate commerce sectors. This adjustment aims to streamline processes and expand opportunities for veterans transitioning into civilian careers, particularly in roles that require interstate travel and logistics management.

Next Action: The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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