Bills of The Day:

High School Voter Empowerment Act of 2024
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4211
Date Introduced: April 30, 2024
Sponsor: Ms. Butler
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Padilla, Mr. Booker, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Welch, Mr. Whitehouse

Summary: This bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, requiring states to designate public high schools as voter registration agencies. These schools must conduct annual voter registration drives targeting students enrolled in American Government or Economics classes who are at least 17 years old and eligible to vote. The bill allows states to provide voting machines for student elections at these schools. Additionally, it mandates the Secretary of Education to establish a program for reimbursing schools for the costs of these voter registration drives, with appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2025 and beyond. The act takes effect 90 days after enactment.

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

American Music Tourism Act of 2024
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4212
Date Introduced: April 30, 2024
Sponsor: Mrs. Blackburn
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Hickenlooper

Summary: This bill amends the Visit America Act to promote music tourism. It requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to identify and promote locations and events important to music tourism within the United States, both domestically and internationally. The bill mandates annual reports on activities, findings, achievements, and vulnerabilities related to these goals. Additionally, it defines "music tourism" as traveling to visit music-related attractions or to attend music events such as festivals and concerts. This initiative aims to enhance the recognition and promotion of music tourism as a significant aspect of travel and tourism in the United States.

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

Kids Off Social Media Act
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4213
Date Introduced: April 30, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Schatz
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Cruz, Mr. Murphy, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Welch, Mr. Budd

Summary: This bill aims to protect minors by prohibiting social media platforms from allowing users under age 13 and restricting personalized recommendation systems for users under age 17. It mandates social media platforms to terminate existing accounts of users identified as children and delete their personal data. Additionally, it prohibits schools from accessing social media platforms using broadband subsidies, requiring schools to certify compliance with monitoring and blocking access to these platforms for students. The bill introduces new reporting and transparency requirements on screen time in schools and updates the Children's Internet Protection Act to include social media platforms, ensuring stricter internet safety and screen time policies.

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

Next Step Home Act
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4217
Date Introduced: April 30, 2024
Sponsor: Ms. Butler
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Booker, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Welch, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Coons, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Smith, Mr. Markey, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Merkley

Summary: This bill secures federal voting rights for individuals released from incarceration under the First Step Act. It extends the right to vote in federal elections to individuals who have completed their sentences for federal offenses, ensuring they are not disenfranchised due to past criminal convictions. The bill mandates that individuals be notified of their voting rights upon release. It highlights Congress's authority to regulate federal elections and emphasizes the constitutional amendments that protect voting rights. The act aims to reduce recidivism, promote fairness, and enhance the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society.

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

Consistent Labeling for Political Ads Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8172
Date Introduced: April 30, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Golden of Maine
Co-Sponsor(s): N/A

Summary: This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require online platforms displaying political advertisements to include a visible notice identifying the sponsor of the advertisement. The notice must remain visible even if the advertisement is shared by viewers on the platform. This requirement applies to any public-facing website, web application, or digital application that sells qualified political advertisements and has 50 million or more unique monthly U.S. visitors or users for most months over the previous year. Qualified political advertisements are those made by or on behalf of a candidate or those relating to any political matter of national importance, including candidates, federal elections, or national legislative issues.

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