Bills of The Day:

Protecting Consumers from Deceptive AI Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 7766
Date Introduced: March 21, 2024
Sponsor: Ms. Eshoo
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Dunn of Florida, Mr. Beyer, Mrs. Foushee

Summary: This bill mandates the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish task forces aimed at developing technical standards and guidelines for identifying content generated by generative artificial intelligence (AI). It seeks to ensure that any audio or visual content created or significantly modified by generative AI incorporates a machine-readable disclosure of its AI origin. It emphasizes the need for these disclosures to be tamper-resistant and for application developers to assist platforms in recognizing and displaying such information. The legislation aims to address the challenges posed by the increasing prevalence of deepfakes by enhancing consumers' ability to distinguish between real and AI-generated content, thus protecting consumer interests, national security, and the integrity of information online. It also includes provisions for privacy preservation in the storage and display of content provenance data.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Telework Transparency Act of 2024
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4043
Date Introduced: March 21, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Peters
Co-Sponsor(s): Ms. Ernst

Summary: The bill aims to enhance the transparency and oversight of telework policies within executive agencies by amending Title 5, United States Code. It requires agencies to disclose their telework policies publicly and report on their usage. The legislation mandates the establishment of telework tracking within payroll systems and the creation of a publicly accessible online tool for reporting telework data. It also directs agencies to monitor the impact of telework on office space utilization and performance, with specific indicators for assessment, including customer service, security, cost to operations, and talent recruitment. Furthermore, it outlines the development of benchmarks for measuring office space utilization and requires agencies to establish goals and report on space utilization rates. The act grants regulatory authority to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to enforce these provisions and calls for the Government Accountability Office to conduct audits on space utilization and verify the accuracy of official worksite and locality payment determinations for teleworking employees.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

East Palestine Health Impact Monitoring Act of 2024
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4045
Date Introduced: March 21, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Vance
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Brown, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Casey

Summary: This bill mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through various health agencies, to initiate a comprehensive study on the health impacts stemming from the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3, 2023. The study will examine the human health consequences following the incident, including the effects of venting and burning liquid chemicals. An eligible entity, defined as a group of institutions with the necessary expertise and a physical presence in Ohio and Pennsylvania, will be awarded a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement to conduct the study. Progress reports are to be submitted annually to the appropriate congressional committees, with a final report and any recommendations due within five years of the act's enactment. The bill outlines the specific congressional committees to be involved and authorizes $2,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to support the study.

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

Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2024
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4022
Date Introduced: March 21, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Cardin
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Boozman

Summary: This bill amends the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act to enhance conservation efforts for neotropical migratory birds. It increases the federal share of project costs from 25 percent to 33.3 percent, aiming to foster more significant investment and participation in conservation projects. Additionally, it mandates the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress within 180 days regarding the implementation of cooperative efforts for bird conservation, including the composition of any advisory groups formed. The authorization of appropriations for these activities is extended through 2028, ensuring continued financial support for conservation projects. The bill also makes technical corrections, including adjustments to the definitions section and the finalization of a sentence in the cooperation section to improve clarity and implementation of the Act.

Next Action: The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Veterans' Compensation Cost-Of-Living Adjustment Act of 2024 or the Veterans' COLA Act of 2024
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4047
Date Introduced: March 21, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Tester
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Moran, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Cassidy, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Cramer, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Boozman, Mr. King, Mr. Tillis, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Brown

Summary: The bill proposes an increase in the rates of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and their survivors, effective December 1, 2024. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is tasked with adjusting the compensation amounts based on the percentage increase in Social Security benefits due to a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This adjustment aims to align veterans' benefits with the increased cost of living, ensuring they and their families receive support commensurate with their needs. Specific amounts to be adjusted include wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowance, and various forms of dependency and indemnity compensation. The bill also includes a provision for the administrative adjustment of rates for certain individuals who have not received compensation under Chapter 11 of Title 38, United States Code. It mandates the publication of the adjusted rates in the Federal Register.

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