Congress returns from recess with a full plate — taking up the recommendations of the Task Force to Combat Terrorist or Foreign Fighters, a package of hunting and public lands bills, and improving the accountability and reporting of FEMA And the TSA. The Senate picks back up with the Energy Bill and a bill to combat Opioid abuse.
House to Consider Sportsmen's Heritage Bill
The "SHARE Act " from Rep. Robert Wittman [R, VA-1] combines several pending bills into one package.
H.R. 2406: SPORTSMEN'S HERITAGE AND RECREATIONAL ENHANCEMENT ("SHARE") ACT BIPARTISAN
According to the Congressional Budget Office:
"H.R. 2406 would amend existing laws and establish new laws related to the management of federal lands. It would authorize the sale of certain federal land and permit the receipts from those sales to be spent. The bill also would authorize the appropriation of $5 million a year to enforce laws related to the illegal trading of ivory. "
The bill includes:
- S.225: Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Protection Act – exempting components of firearms and ammunition and sport fishing equipment from regulations of chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act
- S.721: Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act – increasing the proportion of funding that states may use for acquiring land for public target ranges
- H.R.327: Polar Bear Conservation and Fairness Act – Requiring the Interior Department to issue permits to allow a hunter to import polar bear parts (other than internal organs) if the bear was legally harvested in Canada from an approved population before the May 15, 2008, listing of the polar bear as threatened.
- H.R.578: Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act – Prohibits the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from banning firearms possession in public areas of a water resources development project.
- H.R.1099: Hunter and Farmer Protection Act – Revises standards for determining a "baited area" for purposes of the prohibition on taking migratory game birds; limits ability of the National Park Service (NPS) to prohibit transporting of bows and crossbows; gives the NPS authority to establish hunter access corridors.
- H.R.1651:Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act Reauthorization – extends the authority of the Interior Department
- S.1769: African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act – revises and reauthorizes the African Elephant Conservation Act through FY2020.
- The bill also provides special rules to expand access to federal land and waterways for film crews of five people or fewer.
Bills to Prevent Foreign Fighters, Reform TSA
The House will consider several bills related to Homeland Security, including two from the Chair of the bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel, Rep. John Katko [R, NY-24].
The committee released its 60-page report last September, noting a lack of strategy to prevent foreign fighter travel.
"It is clear that we must do more to protect Americans both at home and abroad," Katko said. "The pieces of legislation take important steps towards the development of a national strategy to address this threat, as well as to ensure that our government agencies collaborate to fight terrorism." Source: AuburnPub.com
H.R. 4408: NATIONAL STRATEGY TO COMBAT TERRORIST TRAVEL ACT OF 2016
Sponsor: Rep. John Katko [R, NY-24] BIPARTISAN
Requires the creation of a National Strategy to Combat Terrorist Travel, requiring an “implementation plan” from the President to ensure that our defenses against terrorist travel are streamlined and that existing security gaps are closed.
The House will also consider a bill to change some programs in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including methods for screening air passengers, vetting certain employees with access to secure areas of airports, conducting maintenance of screening equipment. The bill would also require several administrative analyses and reports.
H.R. 3584: TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REFORM AND IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2015
Sponsor: Rep. John Katko [R, NY-24] BIPARTISAN
CBO REPORT | DHS-OIG REPORT TO COMMITTEE
According to the Congressional Budget Office:
Many of the bill’s provisions would effectively codify existing programs, but some provisions would require TSA to undertake new efforts, including:
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Expand enrollment in the TSA PreCheck program, through which air travelers voluntarily apply to be prescreened using biographic and biometric information to determine whether they qualify for expedited screening at airport security checkpoints;
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Conduct a pilot program to establish an automated, biometric-based system to verify the identity of travelers enrolled in the PreCheck program;
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Establish an automated system at all large hub airports to verify travel documents of passengers not enrolled in the PreCheck program;
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Expand efforts to improve the effectiveness of the Secure Flight Program, through which TSA compares air passengers’ names to lists of trusted travelers and watchlists to identify low and high-risk passengers;
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Implement a pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of contracting with private firms for explosives-detection services involving canine teams; and,
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Enhance procedures for vetting airport workers by expanding efforts to share data and terrorist-related information among federal agencies responsible for intelligence and law enforcement.
H.R. 4398: DHS ACQUISITION DOCUMENTATION INTEGRITY ACT OF 2016
Sponsor: Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman [D, NJ-12]
The bill would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prepare cost estimates and schedules for its major acquisition programs and to maintain complete and accurate documentation of such projects. According to the CBO, the bill’s requirements are largely consistent with existing DHS procurement policies.
H.R. 4402: FOREIGN FIGHTER REVIEW ACT OF 2016
Sponsor: Rep. Will Hurd [R, TX-23] BIPARTISAN
This bill directs the President, through the Department of Homeland Security, to initiate a review of known instances since 2011 in which a person has traveled or attempted to travel to a conflict zone in Iraq or Syria from the United States to join or provide material support or resources to a terrorist organization.
S. 238: ERIC WILLIAMS CORRECTIONAL OFFICER PROTECTION ACT OF 2015
Sponsor: Sen. Patrick Toomey [R, PA] BIPARTISAN
Requires the Director of Corrections to issue oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray) to any Bureau officer or employee employed in a prison that is not a minimum or low security prison who may respond to an emergency situation.
Making the MLK Historic Site in Georgia a National Historical Park
H.R. 2880: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ACT OF 2015
Sponsor: Rep. John Lewis [D, GA-5] BIPARTISAN
The bill would redesignate the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site in the state of Georgia as the "Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park."
Improving FEMA Administrative Processes and Reporting
S. 2109: DIRECTING DOLLARS TO DISASTER RELIEF ACT OF 2015
Sponsor: Sen. Ron Johnson [R, WI]
CBO REPORT | SENATE COMMITTEE REPORT
FEMA is the primary provider of Federal assistance in response to major disasters. It administers major disaster recovery and relief funds through grant programs. From 2004 through 2013, FEMA-administered $95.2 billion for 650 declared major disasters. Approximately $12.7 billion was used to cover FEMA's administrative costs that support the delivery of disaster assistance. See: Committee report
As recommended but the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the bill would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a plan to reduce the costs of administering programs that provide grants and technical assistance in areas affected by major disasters. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the agency is currently developing a plan to reduce the costs of administering disaster programs that would meet many of the requirements in the bill.
In the Senate: Continued work on Energy Bill and Bill to address Opioid Abuse
The Senate will resume consideration of the Energy bill and begin consideration of legislation dealing with opioids.
Energy Bill
S. 2012: ENERGY POLICY MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2015
Sponsor: Sen. Lisa Murkowski [R, AK] BIPARTISAN
Section-by-section analysis | Bill Text | CBO Score
The bill includes provisions to promote efficiency of homes, buildings, and manufacturing facilities, modernize the electrical grid, enhance cybersecurity safeguards, maintain the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and provide a streamlined process for natural gas export projects. It encourages the development of renewable energy, traditional resources, and non-fuel minerals, including responsible development of American resources – like hydropower geothermal, bioenergy and rare earth elements. The bill includes the reauthorization of certain energy-related components of the America COMPETES Act, interagency coordination of energy/water initiatives, and the repeal of numerous provisions within the U.S. Code. The bill permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund and permanently reauthorizes the Historic Preservation Fund. It also creates a new National Park Maintenance and Revitalization Fund.
Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA)
The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which authorizes almost $80 million in annual funding to address the nation's opioid crisis.
S. 524: COMPREHENSIVE ADDICTION AND RECOVERY ACT
Sponsor: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D, RI] BIPARTISAN
Some Democrats supportive of the bill say that it should include additional funding, and will support adding a bill from Sen. Jeanne Shaheen [D, NH] when it comes to the Senate Floor.
S. 2423: A BILL MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO ADDRESS THE HEROIN AND OPIOID DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIC FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2016, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Sponsor: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen [D, NH] BIPARTISAN
In the Senate: Continued work on Energy Bill and Bill to address Opioid Abuse
The Senate will resume consideration of the Energy bill and begin consideration of legislation dealing with opioids.
Energy Bill
S. 2012: ENERGY POLICY MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2015
Sponsor: Sen. Lisa Murkowski [R, AK] BIPARTISAN
Section-by-section analysis | Bill Text | CBO Score
The bill includes provisions to promote efficiency of homes, buildings, and manufacturing facilities, modernize the electrical grid, enhance cybersecurity safeguards, maintain the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and provide a streamlined process for natural gas export projects. It encourages the development of renewable energy, traditional resources, and non-fuel minerals, including responsible development of American resources – like hydropower geothermal, bioenergy and rare earth elements. The bill includes the reauthorization of certain energy-related components of the America COMPETES Act, interagency coordination of energy/water initiatives, and the repeal of numerous provisions within the U.S. Code. The bill permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund and permanently reauthorizes the Historic Preservation Fund. It also creates a new National Park Maintenance and Revitalization Fund.
Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA)
The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which authorizes almost $80 million in annual funding to address the nation's opioid crisis.
S. 524: COMPREHENSIVE ADDICTION AND RECOVERY ACT
Sponsor: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D, RI] BIPARTISAN
Some Democrats supportive of the bill say that it should include additional funding, and will support adding a bill from Sen. Jeanne Shaheen [D, NH] when it comes to the Senate Floor.
S. 2423: A BILL MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO ADDRESS THE HEROIN AND OPIOID DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIC FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2016, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Sponsor: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen [D, NH] BIPARTISAN
Also in the House
H.R. 812: INDIAN TRUST ASSET REFORM ACT
Sponsor: Rep. Michael Simpson [R, ID-2] BIPARTISAN
Directs the Department of the Interior to establish a 10 year Indian trust asset management demonstration project that allows Indian tribes to propose Indian trust asset management plans. Authorizes Interior to establish an Under Secretary for Indian Affairs who is to: (1) report directly to the Secretary of the Interior; (2) assume the functions of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs; and (3) coordinate with the Special Trustee for American Indians to ensure an orderly transition of the functions of the Special Trustee to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or to any other agency or bureau within Interior.
H.R. 3004: TO AMEND THE GULLAH/GEECHEE CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT TO EXTEND THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE GULLAH/GEECHEE CULTURAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR COMMISSION.
Sponsor: Rep. James Clyburn [D, SC-6]
H.R. 1296: TO AMEND THE SAN LUIS REY INDIAN WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT ACT TO CLARIFY CERTAIN SETTLEMENT TERMS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Sponsor: Rep. Duncan Hunter [R, CA-50] BIPARTISAN
This bill amends the San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement Act to approve and ratify all provisions of the settlement agreement dated January 30, 2015, and approved by the La Jolla, Rincon, San Pasqual, Pauma, and Pala Bands of Mission Indians (California), the San Luis Rey River Indian Water Authority, the City of Escondido, California, the Vista Irrigation District, and the United States.
H.R. 1475: KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL WALL OF REMEMBRANCE ACT OF 2015
Sponsor: Rep. Sam Johnson [R, TX-3] BIPARTISAN
Authorizes a Wall of Remembrance, as part of the previously authorized Korean War Veterans Memorial, to include: (1) a list by name of members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were killed in action; (2) the number of members who were wounded, listed as missing in action, or prisoners of war; and (3) the number of members of the Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and the other nations of the United Nations (U.N.) Command who were killed, wounded, missing, or prisoners.
H.R. 3371: KENNESAW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2015
Sponsor: Rep. Barry Loudermilk [R, GA-11]
Modifies the boundary of the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in Georgia to include approximately eight acres identified as Wallis House and Harriston Hill.
H.R. 3620: TO AMEND THE DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA IMPROVEMENT ACT TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO CERTAIN VEHICLES SERVING RESIDENTS OF MUNICIPALITIES ADJACENT TO THE DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Sponsor: Rep. Tom Marino [R, PA-10] BIPARTISAN
Allows the Department of the Interior to establish a fee and permit program for the use of Highway 209 within the boundaries of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania by commercial vehicles, up to $200 per vehicle.
H.R. 3624 FRAUDULENT JOINDER PREVENTION ACT OF 2016
Sponsor: Rep. Ken Buck [R, CO-4]
This bill amends procedures under which federal courts consider a motion to remand back to a state court a case that was removed from a state court to federal court.
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill does not imply POPVOX endorsement in any way. As always, our goal is to offer one more way to help you stay informed about the complex U.S. legislative system.
