[NFBF-L] Current Legislative Summary

Thu Jun 22 21:26:01 UTC 2023

Hello everyone,

In assessing how to provide an up to date summary of our Legislative initiatives for the 118th Congress, I took a good look at an email that Kyle Walls sent out earlier this week to NFB affiliate Legislative Directors and realized he did a fantastic job of putting everything together in one succinct email. I thought, “thanks Kyle, why re-invent the wheel”.

In preparation for tonight’s Legislative Committee call, please review the information from Kyle. We’ll dig into the details of how Florida’s House and Senate members are supporting our issues and set a path for how we can gain more support.

Hope to see you tonight, Thursday June 22nd  at 8:00 PM on Zoom. I’ll resend the invitation in a moment.

Respectfully,

Russ Davis, Legislative Director

National Federation of the Blind of Florida

Ph. 904-993-8433

Email: russell at radiorusty.com <mailto:russell at radiorusty.com> 

From: NFB-Legislative-Directors <nfb-legislative-directors-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Walls, Kyle via NFB-Legislative-Directors
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 2:25 PM

Dear Legislative Directors:

This email will serve as a comprehensive status update for all of our bills in the current Congress. This is simply to give you an idea of where we are on our key legislative priorities as we get ready to travel to Houston for our 2023 National Convention. 

Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act

This bill would mandate a minimum nonvisual access standard for Class II and Class III home use medical devices. The Act calls on the Access Board to create a minimum nonvisual access standard for covered devices. The Food and Drug Administration will oversee compliance with minimum nonvisual access standards for home use medical devices.

House of Representatives

The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act was introduced in the current Congress on March 1, 2023 by Representative Jan Schakowsky (Illinois). The bill number is H.R. 1328, and it currently has 48 cosponsors. 

Access Technology Affordability Act

This bill would establish a refundable tax credit for blind individuals in the amount of $2,000 to be used over a three-year period to offset the cost of access technology. Defines “qualified access technology” in the tax code as hardware, software, or other information technology, the primary function of which is to convert or adapt information that is visually represented into forms or formats useable by blind individuals. The bills sunsets after five years.

House of Representatives

The Access Technology Affordability Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 25, 2023 by Representative Mike Kelly (Pennsylvania). The lead cosponsor is Representative Mike Thompson (California). The bill number is H.R. 3702 and it currently has 13 cosponsors. 

Senate

The Access Technology Affordability Act was introduced in the Senate on May 4, 2023 by Senator Ben Cardin (Maryland). The lead cosponsor is Senator John Boozman (Arkansas). The bill number is S. 1467 and it currently has five cosponsors. 

Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act

This legislation would discontinue the issuance of new Special Wage Certificates by forbidding the Secretary of Labor from issuing them to new applicants. The bill would also create a grant program for states and individual 14(c) certificate holders to assist with their transition to competitive, integrated employment. The bill would also create a technical assistance center to support all 14(c) holders in their transition to competitive integrated employment under the US Department of Labor.

House of Representatives

The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 28, 2023 by Representative Bobby Scott (Virginia). The lead cosponsor is Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Washington). The bill number is H.R. 1263 and it currently has fifteen cosponsors. 

Senate

The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act was introduced in the Senate on February 27, 2023 by Senator Bob Casey (Pennsylvania). The lead cosponsor is Senator Steve Daines (Montana). The bill number is S. 533 and Senator Daines is currently the only cosponsor. 

This is a great start as we get to roughly the first quarter mark of the 118th Congress. Let’s continue to build cosponsors right up to the start of the Convention. 

Looking forward to seeing all of you in Houston. 

Kyle Walls

Research and Regulatory Specialist

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

(410) 659-9314, extension 2223 | kwalls at nfb.org <mailto:kwalls at nfb.org>  

 <https://nfb.org/> 

                          <http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>      <https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>      <https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind> 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. 

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