New Law Library Report on Safety and Security of Artificial Intelligence Systems Published

"The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has increased exponentially and is permeating every aspect of our lives, from personal to professional. While it can be used in many positive ways to solve global challenges, there are also security risks to be considered, such as fundamental rights infringements, personal data security, and harmful uses. In order to ensure that AI systems are used to benefit society, jurisdictions worldwide are looking into ways to regulate AI. The Global Legal Research Directorate (GLRD) of the Law Library of Congress recently completed research on legal requirements related to the safety and security of AI systems in Australia, Canada, the European Union (EU), New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK). We are excited to share with you the report that resulted from this research, Safety and Security of Artificial Intelligence Systems.

Whereas the EU intends to adopt its legislative proposal for a specific Artificial Intelligence Act by the end of 2023, and the Canadian government introduced an Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) in June 2022, other surveyed jurisdictions have not yet enacted or advanced similar specific legislation related to AI. However, some surveyed jurisdictions have general legislation mentioning AI in specific provisions and all surveyed jurisdictions apply general legislation to AI.

The report looks in particular at the definition of AI systems, cybersecurity requirements for AI systems, the security of personal data, and AI security policy across the supply chain, as applicable. Cybersecurity requirements include, among other things, compliance with requirements with regard to risk management systems; data and data governance; record keeping; transparency and provision of information to users; human oversight; appropriate levels of robustness, and conformity assessments.

We invite you to review the information provided in our report. This report is an addition to the Law Library’s Legal Reports (Publications of the Law Library of Congress) collection, which includes over 4,000 historical and contemporary legal reports covering a variety of jurisdictions, researched and written by foreign law specialists with expertise in each area. To receive alerts when new reports are published, you can subscribe to email updates and the RSS feed for Law Library Reports (click the “subscribe” button on the Law Library’s website). The Law Library also regularly publishes articles related to artificial intelligence in the Global Legal Monitor.."
Artificial Intelligence 

Tracking Federal Awards: USAspending.gov and Other Data Sources

"USAspending.gov, available at http://www.USAspending.gov, is a government source for data on federal awards by state, congressional district (CD), county, city, and zip code. The awards data in USAspending.gov are provided by federal agencies and represent contracts, grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance. USAspending.gov also provides tools for examining the broader picture of federal spending obligations within the categories of budget function, agency, and object class.

Using USAspending.gov to locate and compile accurate data on federal awards can be challenging due, in part, to continuing data quality issues that have been identified by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Users of USAspending.gov need to be aware that while search results may be useful for informing consideration of certain questions, these results may be incomplete or contain inaccuracies.

USAspending.gov was created under P.L. 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA), and later enhanced under requirements in P.L. 113-101, the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act).
 

Other federal awards data sources reviewed in this report include the following:
• Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS);
• Census Federal Audit Clearinghouse;
• U.S. Budget: Aid to State and Local Governments;
• Rockefeller Institute of Government;
• Federal Funds Information for States;
• Census Federal Aid to States (FAS) and Consolidated Federal Funds Report (CFFR); and
• Additional federal grant awards databases, including sources tracking medical, scientific, and technical research.."
Federal awards and spending 

The U.S. “Housing Recession”

"Economists often look to the housing market as an indicator of the health of the economy. As the COVID19 pandemic accelerated, the housing market was relatively strong, characterized by robust demand, rising prices, and increased construction. Since the latter half of 2021, spending on residential construction has faltered, leading some to believe that the United States is or was in a “housing recession.” Some have speculated that lower spending in the housing sector is a sign that overall spending in the economy will decrease and that a housing recession will lead to an actual recession. This Insight discusses the concept of a housing recession, reviews housing market trends, and considers the extent to which housing market conditions may affect the broader economy.

Background and Trends

Economists use the phrase housing recession to refer to a downturn in the housing market. While many housing market indicators are considered in general discussions of housing recessions, for the purposes of this Insight, a housing recession will be defined by the amount of and spending on residential construction.

Despite high home prices and rents, homebuilding has slumped. One of the main ways economists measure spending in the housing market is by tracking private fixed residential investment, a component of gross domestic product (GDP). Private fixed residential investment includes all spending on the construction of new single- and multi-family structures (both owner-occupied and rental), residential remodeling, and brokers’ fees. This measure allows economists to not only track spending on housing but also tie it directly to overall economic activity. As shown in Figure 1, below, residential investment has been falling each quarter since the second quarter of 2021, most recently falling by 1.1% in the second quarter of 2023. Decreases in 2023 have been smaller than those throughout 2022, but as a result of nine straight quarters of decline, the level of residential investment is now about $167 billion less in real terms than it was in the first quarter of 2021. By this measure, one could assert that the United States is experiencing a housing recession.."
Housing Recession 

Broadcasting Federal Criminal Proceedings

"The August 1, 2023, criminal indictment of former President Donald Trump has prompted public discussion of whether federal criminal proceedings can be televised or otherwise broadcast to the public. Whether, and potentially how, video of federal court proceedings can be made available has been a topic of interest to policymakers and commentators for decades. The anticipated publicity surrounding the criminal proceedings involving former President Trump has brought renewed attention to the issue, with some lawmakers, observers, and participants calling for the proceedings to be broadcast.

While most state courts allow video coverage of courtroom proceedings under certain circumstances, recording and broadcasting of federal court proceedings is much more limited. In particular, subject to limited exceptions, broadcasting of federal criminal proceedings is prohibited. This Insight explains the current authorities that govern broadcasting of federal criminal proceedings, briefly compares the rules for criminal cases with those that apply to federal civil litigation, and concludes with considerations for Congress related to cameras in federal courts.

Federal Rules and Practice Regarding Courtroom Video

Prior to 1990,the Code of Conduct for United States Judges prohibited any photography or broadcasting of federal cases. The Judicial Conference of the United States then adopted a policy enabling judges toauthorize cameras in the courtroom under certain circumstances. . Separate procedural rules apply to federal criminal and civil proceedings and affect the use of courtroom cameras.

Federal Criminal Cases

Former President Trump’s criminal case based on the August 1 indictment is proceeding in federal district court. The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (Criminal Rules) govern procedure in all criminalproceedings in U.S. district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court. Federal Rule of CriminalProcedure 53 (Criminal Rule 53) provides: “Except as otherwise provided by a statute or these rules, the court must not permit the taking of photographs . . . or the broadcasting of judicial proceedings from the courtroom.” 

As authorized in Criminal Rule 53, certain exceptions to this prohibition have been made, generally involving using video technology to facilitate courtroom proceedings rather than to broadcast them. Criminal Rules 5(g), 10(c), 40(d), and 43(b)(2) allow courts to conduct limited categories of criminal proceedings by “video teleconferencing” with the defendant’s consent. In addition, Section 15002(b) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), enacted March 27, 2020, allowed federal courts to authorize the handling of certain criminal proceedings by video or audio conference in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; this authorization ended May 10, 2023.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit allows cameras with advance permission. The court also provides live video streaming of oral arguments and posts videos of arguments in both civil and criminal appeals online.."
Federal Criminal Proceedings 

Labor Rights Week: 3 Ways to Get Involved

"During Labor Rights Week 2023, Aug. 28-Sept. 1, we’re getting the word out that ALL workers in the United States have the same right to a safe and healthy workplace and a just day’s pay, as well as the right to report violations of labor laws without fear of retaliation. And these worker protections apply to everyone, regardless of immigration status. 

Too often, workers endure abuses at work for fear that if they speak up, they could be fired or even deported. These threats to workers’ rights are unacceptable, and they also make it more difficult for us to enforce the law, because the Department of Labor relies on workers coming forward. 

Held during the week leading up to Labor Day, Labor Rights Week is when we join with the Mexican Embassy and its 52 consulates, other foreign embassies, community and faith-based organizations, and federal and state government partners to promote fundamental labor rights. We are grateful for these partnerships with organizations that have the trust of the workers we seek to serve. 

In addition to participating in local outreach and education events, here are three ways you can take action:

1. Learn about workers’ rights. Knowledge is power and workers who know their rights are empowered workers. We have many resources for workers. As someone who has advocated for workers my entire career, one of my top priorities has been to make these resources more accessible, understandable, and easy to use—and available in multiple languages. A good starting point is dol.gov/LaborRightsWeek. At worker.gov, you will also find information organized from the perspective of workers, with a Spanish language option for the entire website and additional languages being added soon. For any questions or help with rights at work, including how to file a complaint, call us at 1-866-487-2365. We provide assistance in many languages. 
2. Download our Labor Rights Week social media toolkit. From being paid on time to staying safe in the heat, our messages in English and Spanish inform and educate workers about critical workplace protections. 
3. Find out if we have collected wages for you or someone you know. One of the Department of Labor’s fundamental roles is to combat wage theft. If we investigate a workplace and find that workers have not been paid all the wages they are owed, we can recover those wages. In many cases, we get those wages into workers’ hands as soon as we recover them, but sometimes, we must find the workers first. We hold that money for three years while we try to locate workers. After three years, we are required to send the money to the U.S. Treasury. Search Workers Owed Wages — available in English and Spanish — to see if you or someone you know has wages we collected.

Here at the Department of Labor, we’re committed to ensuring that workers understand their rights and that employers understand their responsibilities. Too many workers endure dangerous or unfair conditions, or are afraid to speak up for fear of losing their jobs or being deported. And too many aren’t aware of their rights because their employer failed to provide that information in a language they understand, even though it’s required by law that they do so.."
Labor Rights 

C-SPAN and Library of Congress Announce New Primetime Book Series for Fall 2023

"C-SPAN and Library of Congress Announce New Primetime Book Series for Fall 2023

"Books that Shaped America" Begins Sept. 18;
New Series Will Feature 10 Iconic American Books Tracing America's History

C-SPAN and the Library of Congress today announced a joint original feature production for fall 2023: "Books That Shaped America."

The 10-part series – which C-SPAN will air LIVE on Mondays, starting Sept. 18 at 9 p.m. ET – will be a literary journey, tracing America's history by exploring masterpieces in literature that have had, and still have today, a major impact on society.

The 10-week series will mark the various eras of American history and feature a diverse mix of stories and authors. The 10 featured books have:

• Provoked thought.
• Been best sellers.
• Led to significant cultural and policy changes.

"Books That Shaped America" Series schedule – all LIVE on C-SPAN at 9 p.m. ET:

Monday, Sept. 18 -
“Common Sense” by Thomas Paine (1776)

Monday, Sept. 25 -
“The Federalist” by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison & John Jay (1788)

Monday, Oct. 2 -
“History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark” (1814)

Monday, Oct. 9 -
“Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” by Frederick Douglass (1845)

Monday, Oct. 16 -
“The Common Law” by Oliver Wendell Holmes (1881)

Monday, Oct. 23 -
“Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain (1884).."
C-SPAN and Librrary of Congress 

Getting ‘forever chemicals’ out of drinking water: EWG’s guide to PFAS water filters

[Environmental Working Group]

"Overview

EWG is recommending the most effective water filters for reducing PFAS.

Several water filter brands were able to eliminate some PFAS.

Affordable water filter alternatives also get some PFAS out of water.

What’s in your water? The “forever chemicals” known as PFAS contaminate the drinking water and groundwater of more than 2,800 communities, affecting an estimated 200 million Americans. Simply drinking a glass of water from your kitchen tap may expose you to these toxic substances – but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.

One way to reduce harmful forever chemicals in your home is to use a water filter rather than drink straight from the faucet. But with so many filters on the market, and many marketing claims about eliminating PFAS, it can be hard to know which one is best for your home.

EWG’s guide to PFAS filters is based on our experience with several brands.

EWG staff bought and used 10 different types of water filters, testing them in real homes using their water.

We measured how much each water filter reduced forever chemicals. To bring you our recommendation, we also accounted for several other important qualities in our top selections. including the cost of the filter and its potential useful life, among other considerations..."
PTAS 

Diabetes and Your Immune System

"Having diabetes can increase your chances of getting sick and can slow down your recovery. Find out how you can boost your immune system and stay healthy with diabetes.

Diabetes can make it harder for you to fight off infectious diseases, which are illnesses caused by germs. If you have diabetes, you might have a higher risk of getting sick and becoming more severely ill if you do get sick. Being sick can also make it harder to manage your blood sugar levels.

How Your Immune System Works

Your immune system recognizes and fights off germs that can make you sick. Many people think of the immune system as protection inside the body. But your first line of defense is your skin, which keeps unwanted germs out. The second layer of your immune system is a type of white blood cells circulating throughout your body known as lymphocytes. These white blood cells are on the lookout for threats that could make you sick, like bacteria, viruses, toxins, or fungi. Once your immune system recognizes these germs, it fights them off, often without you even noticing.

Your immune system also helps you build up immunity, or protection, against some viruses. Once your immune system has learned to fight off a certain virus, it often remembers how to do it again, if needed. This means if you’re exposed to a virus more than once, your immune system can usually fight it off faster, and with fewer or no symptoms at all. When you get a vaccine, it gives your immune system instructions on how to fight off a virus, protecting you from getting severely ill.

How Diabetes Affects Your Immune System

High blood sugar adds stress to your body and makes nearly every system work harder, including the white blood cells of your immune system. This means that if you have diabetes, your immune system might be weakened and less effective. High blood sugar can also trigger a protective immune response called inflammation, which can damage your internal organs over time.

If you have inflammation, your immune system is working harder. When this happens while your immune system may already be weakened, it can be more difficult to fight off infections. Research shows that people with diabetes can have more frequent illnesses like respiratory tract infections, flu, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin infections. It may take longer to heal or recover from illnesses, cuts, and wounds.

If you do get sick, you may notice that your blood sugar levels become higher than usual. To fight off illness, your immune system releases hormones that can increase your blood sugar temporarily. Some cold and flu medicines can also raise your blood sugar. On the other hand, fever, sweating, and poor appetite can cause low blood sugar. Be sure to monitor your blood sugar closely and take steps if it gets too high or too low..."
Diabetes and Immunity 

HEAT-RELATED EMS ACTIVATION SURVEILLANCE DASHBOARD

[https://nemsis.org]

"The Heat-Related EMS Activation Surveillance Dashboard, created in partnership between the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity and the DOT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, uses nationally submitted Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data to track EMS responses to people experiencing heat-related emergencies in the pre-hospital setting. For more information regarding how to use this dashboard, please see the companion document..."
Heat-Related EMS 

Federal and State Courts: Structure and Interaction

"Federal and State Courts: Structure and Interaction

In the United States, the federal government and the states each have their own set of laws and their own court systems. Federal and state courts vary in structure, with significant differences between the federal and state judiciaries as well as variation among the different states. Federal and state courts generally operate separately, but there is not an absolute division between the federal and state judicial systems. Sometimes, state courts decide questions of state law and federal courts decide questions of federal law. However, state courts can also hear many types of federal law claims, and there are circumstances in which federal courts apply state law. Federal courts can also review state court decisions that may conflict with the U.S. Constitution or federal law. In addition, cases or legal issues can move between the two judicial systems. This report provides an overview of the different structures and functions of federal and state courts and the relationship between the two judicial systems.

The report first provides an overview of the federal judiciary. The federal judicial system includes courts established under Article III of the Constitution, with judges who are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Judges appointed to these courts hold office “during good Behaviour” (which has been interpreted to grant them tenure for life unless they resign or are impeached and removed) and are also protected from having their salaries diminished while in office. The federal judicial system also includes other tribunals, sometimes called Article I courts or legislative courts, whose judges do not have the same constitutional protections as Article III judges. The Constitution limits the matters Article I courts can decide, but these courts can hear cases in territorial courts and military courts, “public rights” cases involving disputes between private actors and the government, and cases where decisionmakers serve as “adjuncts” to Article III courts.

This report also surveys key features of state court systems, highlighting general trends and differences between the state and federal judicial systems. It then discusses legal issues concerning the relationship between federal and state courts, including the jurisdiction of federal and state courts, when state courts apply federal law and vice versa, federal review of state court decisions and other state actions, and how cases or legal issues may move between state and federal court. The report concludes with discussion of selected considerations for Congress, including whether to direct cases to federal or state court and federal funding for federal and state courts. An appendix to the report includes additional information about selection and retention of judges on each state’s highest court..."
Federal and State Courts 

Blockchain in Finance: Legislative and Regulatory Actions Are Needed to Ensure Comprehensive Oversight of Crypto Assets

"What GAO Found

Blockchain allows users to conduct and record tamper-resistant transactions that multiple parties make without a central authority, such as a bank, when used for financial transactions. Because of these characteristics, blockchain-related products and services have the potential to produce cost savings, faster transactions, and other benefits over their traditional counterparts. However, these benefits have not been fully realized. Furthermore, the significant risks these products pose have been realized and negatively affected consumers and investors. For example, crypto assets have experienced price volatility. Also, the bankruptcy of FTX Trading Ltd., a prominent crypto asset trading platform, led to the discovery that a substantial portion of the platform's assets might be missing or stolen, according to bankruptcy-related documents.."
Blockchain 

Pet Food Safety

 

"We all want our dogs and cats to have the best and healthiest food. However, just like our food, pet food and treats can sometimes be contaminated with germs. These germs can make pets and people sick.

The good news is that you can take steps to keep your pets and family healthy.

Safe food for dogs and cats

There are many safe food options for your dog or cat.

Safe pet foods rarely cause food poisoning in pets. These foods have been cooked or heated to a high enough temperature to kill germs.

Choose pet foods that provide the right amount of nutrients your pet needs. When buying food for your dog’s or cat’s main diet, look for the words “complete and balanced” on the product label.

Main types of safe pet food

• Kibbles are cooked and shaped before being dried. They are then coated with flavors. (Note that some kibbles are coated or mixed with raw pet food – these products would be considered raw pet food and would likely have the word “raw” on the packaging.)
• Canned pet foods are sealed before being sterilized (heated to a high temperature).
• Fresh pet foods are cooked food with fewer or no preservatives. These products are often delivered to your home as part of online pet food subscription services. They may also be available at pet stores and grocery stores. Because fewer or no preservatives are used, fresh pet foods need to be refrigerated, and they do not keep as long as kibbles or canned pet foods.

Some people make food for their pets using ingredients from the grocery store. If homemade pet foods are your pet’s main diet, talk to your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to make sure you are providing a complete and balanced diet for your pet.

Follow pet food safety steps

Keep your pets safe

• Stay up to date on food recalls and outbreaks. Don’t feed your pet any recalled or contaminated food.
  • Pet food recalls: FDA animal product recall website or AVMA Recall Watch Twitter account.
  • Other food recalls and outbreaks: CDC foodborne outbreak website.
  • If your pet got sick after eating a specific pet food, report a complaint to FDA.
• Clean pet food and water bowls, food scoops, treat toys, feeding mats, and placemats frequently.
• Follow storage instructions on pet food labels..."
  Pet Food
  

Critical Materials Assessment

"For more than a decade, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has funded basic and applied research and development (R&D) related to critical materials to address the scientific and technological (S&T) challenges that underpin supply chain vulnerabilities. These investments were made possible through the first DOE Critical Materials Strategy in 2010. This included the first DOE Critical Materials Assessment – identifying which materials were critical for clean energy technologies. It also defined the pillars that form the foundation of the DOE research strategy that guided these investments.

The Energy Act of 2020 expanded DOE authorities to address critical materials challenges through a Critical Materials Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercialization Application (RDD&CA) Program. The Critical Materials RDD&CA Program allows DOE to invest across the entire research continuum and supply chain. Through the Critical Materials RDD&CA Program, DOE implements the DOE Vision and Strategy for Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM):

Vision:

• Develop reliable, resilient, affordable, diverse, sustainable, and secure domestic critical mineral and materials supply chains,
• support the clean energy transition and decarbonization of the energy, manufacturing, and transportation economies, and
• promote safe, sustainable, economic, and environmentally just solutions to meet current and future needs.

Strategy:

• Diversify & Expand Supply: Diversify and expand critical mineral and material supply from varying sources while minimizing waste and increasing techno-economic coproduction of materials – to ensure material availability;
• Develop Alternatives: Innovate alternative materials and/or manufacturing components – reduce demand and partially offset the need for virgin materials;
• Materials and Manufacturing Efficiency: Use and process materials efficiently across the entire supply chain and life cycle – to reduce waste;
• Circular Economy: Remanufacture, refurbish, repair, reuse, recycle, and repurpose – to extend the lifetime of materials and partially offset the need for virgin materials;
• Enabling Activities: Cross-cutting functions, such as criticality assessments, stockpiling, international engagement, market development, and advanced theoretical, computational, and experimental tools – to accelerate progress.

The 2023 Critical Materials Assessment will enable DOE to set priorities for investments through the Critical Materials RDD&CA, continuing advancements in S&T innovation in combination with expanded focus on derisking and deploying commercialization technologies to build and transform domestic supply chains..."
Critical Materials 

IRS Launches Paperless Processing Initiative

"Taxpayers will have the option to go paperless for IRS correspondence by 2024 Filing Season, IRS to achieve paperless processing for all tax returns by Filing Season 2025.

IRS Paperless Processing Initiative will eliminate up to 200 million pieces of paper annually, cut processing times in half, and expedite refunds by several weeks.

Paper-based processes have long hampered the IRS and frustrated taxpayers. The challenges created by paper are two-fold: Taxpayers are unable to digitally submit many forms and correspondence beyond their annual 1040 tax return, and the IRS is unable to digitally process paper tax returns it receives. For decades, taxpayers had to respond to notices for things like document verification through the mail, and IRS employees had to manually enter numbers from paper returns into computers one digit at a time, creating significant delays for taxpayers and challenges for IRS staff.

The IRS receives about 76 million paper tax returns and forms, and 125 million pieces of correspondence, notice responses, and non-tax forms each year, and its limited capability to accept these forms digitally or digitize paper it receives has prevented the IRS from delivering the world-class service taxpayers deserve. The IRS also has more than 1 billion historical documents, which costs $40 million per year to store.

Thanks to Inflation Reduction Act resources, taxpayers are now able to respond to more notices online, and the IRS has made significant progress adopting new technology that automates the scanning of millions of paper returns. As the next phase of its modernization, the IRS is accelerating paperless processing efforts. Using IRA resources, the IRS is launching an ambitious plan to ensure that by Filing Season 2024, taxpayers will be able to go paperless if they choose to do so, and by Filing Season 2025, the IRS will achieve paperless processing digitizing all paper-filed returns when received. In effect, this means all paper will be converted into digital form as soon as it arrives at the IRS.."
IRS Paperless Initiative 

EPA Posts Pesticide Incident Data Publicl

" Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took a major step to increase transparency by posting 10 years of pesticide incident data on its website. Sharing this information advances EPA’s commitment to environmental justice and aligns with EPA’s Equity Action Plan by expanding the availability of data and capacity so the public and community organizations can better understand pesticide exposures, including exposures to vulnerable populations.

This action also advances the President’s transparency goal of ensuring that the public, including members of communities with environmental justice concerns, has adequate access to information on federal activities related to human health or the environment, as charged in Executive Order 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All.

The data sets, which pull information from EPA’s Incident Data System (IDS), allow users to access raw data on pesticide exposure incidents such as the incident date, the reason for the report (e.g., adverse effect, product defect), and the severity of the incident. It may also provide information on the location of the incident, the pesticide product, and a description of the incident(s). EPA has not verified the raw data for accuracy or completeness, so users should be aware of this limitation before drawing any conclusions from the data..."
Pesticide Incident Data