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September 11, 2023
Highlights:
In the House, Reps. Alma Adams (D-N.C.), Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.) introduced the Family Farmer and Rancher Tax Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R.5341). The bill will preclude distressed and disadvantaged farmers who benefit from assistance under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) from income tax liability. EESI’s recent article, Growing Career Opportunities for Young People in Agriculture, explores solutions to the financial challenges often faced by new and disadvantaged farmers.
Reps. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), and David Valadao (R-Calif.) introduced the Rural Development Modernization Act (H.R.5359). This bipartisan bill will clarify eligibility for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance under programs like Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) by standardizing the population threshold for what constitutes a rural community. Check out EESI’s article, Repowering Rural America with Clean Energy. Eligible applicants can submit Letters of Interest (LOIs) for PACE by September 29.
The Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act (H.R.886) passed both the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Natural Resources, and will now be considered by the full House. The bipartisan bill, reintroduced by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-P.R.) in the House and by Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) in the Senate, will make it easier for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to prevent and reduce marine debris.
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), titled Perspectives on The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act. For another deep dive on IIJA implementation, watch EESI’s latest IRA and IIJA briefing.
September 8, 2023
House:
Bills Introduced:
H.R.5354
Small Farm Conservation Act
Sponsor: Caraveo, Yadira [Rep.-D-CO-8] Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House - Agriculture
Latest Action: House - 09/08/2023 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
H.R.5356
PFAS Act
Sponsor: Carbajal, Salud O. [Rep.-D-CA-24] Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
Latest Action: House - 09/08/2023 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R.5359
Rural Development Modernization Act
Sponsor: Costa, Jim [Rep.-D-CA-21] Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House - Agriculture; Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources; Financial Services
Latest Action: House - 09/08/2023 Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker.
H.R.5364
TREES Act
Sponsor: Edwards, Chuck [Rep.-R-NC-11] Cosponsors: (0)
H.R.5373
Increasing Penalties for Offshore Polluters Act
Sponsor: Lieu, Ted [Rep.-D-CA-36] Cosponsors: (5)
H.R.5381
RNGR Support Act of 2023
Sponsor: Schrier, Kim [Rep.-D-WA-8] Cosponsors: (1)
Bills Reported:
H.R.886
Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act
Sponsor: Bonamici, Suzanne [Rep.-D-OR-1] Cosponsors: (9)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Natural Resources
Committee Report: H. Rept. 118-167
Latest Action: House - 09/08/2023 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 154.
H.R.3389
Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2023
Sponsor: Valadao, David G. [Rep.-R-CA-22] Cosponsors: (9)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Agriculture
Latest Action: House - 09/08/2023 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 150.
Senate:
No environmental or energy related activity in the House today
September 7, 2023
S.2742
A bill to establish the Fort Ontario National Monument in the State of New York as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [Sen.-D-NY] Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Action: Senate - 09/07/2023 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S.2743
A bill to amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to designate as a component of the National Heritage Area System the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area in the State of New York, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [Sen.-D-NY] Cosponsors: (0)
S.2749
A bill to provide mandatory funding for hazardous fuels reduction projects on certain Federal land, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR] Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate - Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Latest Action: Senate - 09/07/2023 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Committee Meetings:
THE DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE ACT: Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine implementing IIJA, focusing on perspectives on the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, after receiving testimony from Elizabeth S. Biser North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary, Raleigh; Kishia L. Powell WSSC Water, Laurel, Maryland; and Eric Volk, North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association, Bismarck, on behalf of The National Rural Water Association.
September 6, 2023
Committee Actions:
H.R.5343
Federal Disaster Responsibility Act
Sponsor: Cammack, Kat [Rep.-R-FL-3] Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Ways and Means; Armed Services; Budget; Agriculture
Latest Action: House - 09/06/2023 Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
S.2728
A bill to encourage reduction of disposable plastic products in units of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Merkley, Jeff [Sen.-D-OR] Cosponsors: (11)
Latest Action: Senate - 09/06/2023 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
September 5, 2023
H.R.5341
Family Farmer and Rancher Tax Fairness Act of 2023
Sponsor: Adams, Alma S. [Rep.-D-NC-12] Cosponsors: (10)
Committees: House - Ways and Means
Latest Action: House - 09/05/2023 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Latest Action: House - 09/05/2023 Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Armed Services, the Budget, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker.
H.R.5344
Jobs in the Woods Act
Sponsor: Chavez-DeRemer, Lori [Rep.-R-OR-5] Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Education and the Workforce
Latest Action: House - 09/05/2023 Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Other Committee Actions:
H.R.5329
Wildfire Smoke Emergency Declaration Act of 2023
Sponsor: Harder, Josh [Rep.-D-CA-9]
Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Small Business; Budget
Latest Action: House - 09/05/2023 Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
S.1871
Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act
Sponsor: Peters, Gary C. [Sen.-D-MI] Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Action: Senate - 09/05/2023 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 196.
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