Bills of The Day:

Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2024
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4179
Date Introduced: April 18, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Cornyn
Co-Sponsor(s): Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Coons, Mr. Scott of South Carolina

Summary: This bill extends the lend-lease authority for defense articles to Ukraine and modifies the existing Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022. The bill expands the lending period from fiscal years 2022 and 2023 to fiscal years 2022 through 2026. It introduces a reporting requirement that mandates the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to report to Congress within 90 days of using the lending authority. The report will include details on the defense articles loaned or leased to Ukraine and Eastern European countries impacted by the Russian invasion, alongside a recovery and return strategy and timeline for those defense articles.

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

Safe Stay Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8086
Date Introduced: April 19, 2024
Sponsor: Ms. Craig
Co-Sponsor(s): Ms. Kuster, Mr. Levin

Summary: The bill amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to mandate the installation of compliant carbon monoxide alarms in all places of public accommodation. It modifies Section 29(a) to specify that these alarms must be installed in each sleeping or dwelling unit, in line with the International Fire Code or National Fire Protection Association Standard 72. The bill adds new definitions for compliant carbon monoxide alarms and updates the fire prevention guidelines accordingly. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is responsible for ensuring that states update their respective fire safety lists and that the master list reflects these changes. Owners or operators of public accommodation places are required to provide guests with written notice that their premises comply with these regulations. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce this requirement as an unfair or deceptive practice.

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

Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8246
Date Introduced: May 6, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Arrington
Co-Sponsor(s): N/A

Summary: This bill modifies the criteria for hospitals to qualify as rural emergency hospitals (REHs) under the Social Security Act. It extends eligibility to hospitals that were designated as rural as of January 1, 2014, by the Office of Rural Health Policy in the Health Resources and Services Administration. The amendment includes facilities meeting prior criteria, such as being a critical access hospital or a hospital with fewer than 50 beds in rural areas.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Rural Physician Workforce Preservation Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8235
Date Introduced: May 2, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Murphy
Co-Sponsor(s): N/A

Summary: This bill aims to modify the allocation of graduate medical education (GME) positions to rural hospitals under Medicare. It clarifies that GME slots will be prioritized for hospitals located in rural areas as defined under Section 1886 of the Social Security Act or hospitals designated as rural through special exceptions. The bill ensures that hospitals treated as rural under specific conditions can access the new residency positions available through Medicare, regardless of whether they meet certain criteria outlined in the Social Security Act.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy

Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4165
Date Introduced: April 18, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Cotton
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Tillis, Ms. Ernst, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Boozman

Summary: The bill requires the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to inform U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as relevant state and local law enforcement agencies, when an alien illegally or unlawfully present in the United States attempts to obtain a firearm. This notification includes all relevant details from the NICS database and alerts these agencies of potential violations of Title 18, Section 922(g)(5)(A), which prohibits firearm possession by individuals unlawfully in the U.S.

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