# 117-s-3969: PAVA Program Inclusion Act

117-s-3969, PAVA Program Inclusion Act, is a 117th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM); status became_law (as of 2026-01-05).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-s-3969
- As of: 2026-01-05
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 117-s-3969
- Congress: 117
- Title: PAVA Program Inclusion Act
- Status: became_law
- Introduced: 2022-03-30
- Sponsor: Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM)
- Cosponsors: 4
- Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-01-05

## Summary

**Guarantees parity in federal voting-access grants by making the Northern Mariana Islands and American Indian consortia eligible and setting minimum grant amounts.** It amends the Help America Vote Act to add a nonprofit eligibility category, explicitly include systems serving the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Indian consortiums, and establish floor payments for eligible recipients. - Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands gain a dedicated voting accessibility protection and advocacy system that is eligible for federal grants and must receive at least $35,000. - American Indian consortia can receive payments in the same manner as a State protection and advocacy system when funds are reserved under the Rehabilitation Act, and are guaranteed minimum grants of $35,000. - State protection and advocacy systems gain a reconfigured eligibility framework and a required minimum of $70,000 for one grant category, which strengthens baseline funding across protection and advocacy programs. The law takes effect at the start of the first fiscal year after enactment.

## Cosponsors (4)

- Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO] (R-MO), 2022-03-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN] (D-MN), 2022-03-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] (D-MN), 2022-03-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] (D-NM), 2022-03-30T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Support for Northern Marianas and Tribal voting advocates: benefit, low. The law includes the Northern Mariana Islands and an American Indian consortium in the voting access advocacy grant program, on the same basis as State systems. It sets minimum grant amounts. Some grants are at least $70,000, and others are at least $35,000. The American Indian consortium is treate…

## Related bills

- 117-sres-817: A resolution expressing support for the designation of October 2 through October 8, 2022, as "National 4-H Week".
- 117-sres-762: A resolution honoring the life and accomplishments of Queen Elizabeth II and expressing condolences to her family and the United Kingdom on her passing.
- 117-sres-748: A resolution honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Representative Jackie Walorski.
- 117-s-4587: Benjamin Berell Ferencz Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 117-sres-621: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late Senator Orrin G. Hatch.
- 117-sres-593: A resolution relating to the death of Kaneaster Hodges, Jr., former United States Senator for the State of Arkansas.

## Sources
- [117-s-3969 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3969)

## Related
- [117-sres-817: A resolution expressing support for the designation of October 2 through Octobe…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-817)
- [117-sres-762: A resolution honoring the life and accomplishments of Queen Elizabeth II and ex…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-762)
- [117-sres-748: A resolution honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Representative Jac…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-748)
- [117-s-4587: Benjamin Berell Ferencz Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-s-4587)
- [117-sres-621: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late Senator Orrin G. Hatch.](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-621)
- [117-sres-593: A resolution relating to the death of Kaneaster Hodges, Jr., former United Stat…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-593)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-s-3969 (as of 2026-01-05).