Bills Introduced – 7-5-22

Yesterday, with the House and Senate meeting in pro forma session, there were 17 bills introduced. Three of those bills may receive additional coverage in this blog:

HR 8285 To support research, development, and other activities to develop innovative vehicle technologies, and for other purposes. Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12] 

HR 8294 Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, and for other purposes. Rep. Price, David E. [D-NC-4] 

HR 8295 Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, and for other purposes. Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]

I will be watching HR 8285 for language and definitions that would include vehicle cybersecurity technology within the scope of the bill.

I will be covering both the spending bills, but based on past experience, there may be little to write about here on the LHH spending bill.

In Passing

I do want to mention one bill in passing here:

HR 8291 To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report to Congress on counterterrorism security at certain passenger rail stations, and for other purposes. Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15].

This looks like it may be part of periodic attempt to start some sort of TSA people controls on passenger railroads. This has proven to be too costly and complicated in the past looks and that is unlikely to have changed. It took using planes as a weapon to get TSA into the airports, I do not see the same threat level for trains, but they are certainly a potential terrorist target.