Recent Federal Bills

Below are summaries of Bills Introduced, Committee Reports, Chamber Actions, and Public Laws reported in the most recent issue of ELR's Weekly Update.

would direct the Secretary of the Interior to enter into agreements with states to allow continued operation of facilities and programs that have been determined to have a direct economic impact on tourism, mining, timber, or general transportation in the state and which would otherwise cease operating, in whole or in part, during a Federal Government shutdown that is the result of a lapse in appropriations.

H.R. 3298 would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a deduction for amounts contributed to disaster savings accounts to help defray the cost of preparing homes to withstand a disaster.

would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse states that use state funds to operate National Parks during the federal government shutdown.

would establish a streamlined process through which a state may claim authority over and responsibility for management of federal lands located in the state without claiming ownership of the land.

would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to reimburse states that use state funds to operate National Parks during the federal government shutdown.

would amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize the predisaster hazard mitigation program.

would amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to limit its application to certain imported plants and finished plant products.

which amends the Helium Act to complete the privatization of the federal helium reserve in a competitive market fashion, was signed into law October 2, 2013.

would remove certain properties in South Carolina from the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System.

would remove certain properties in South Carolina from the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System.