Legislation

**ESA Amendments Act of 2025 Summary:** The ESA Amendments Act of 2025 seeks to modify and update the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by prioritizing conservation efforts, incentivizing private land stewardship, and increasing transparency and accountability. The act focuses on streamlining regulations, limiting legal challenges, and ensuring that decisions are based on sound science and economic considerations. These changes aim to balance species protection with the needs of private landowners and state management, while also addressing international trade regulations.

The African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Study Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing a museum and educational center at the African Burial Ground National Monument. The study will assess the suitability of the museum to serve as a memorial to enslaved Africans, examine African cultural traditions, explore the history of slavery, and provide space for exhibits and research. It will also analyze potential collections, community support, and the best entity to operate the museum, and consider the optimal location within the National Monument. A report on the study's findings and recommendations must be submitted to Congress within three years of funding availability.

The "Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2025" aims to combat trade-related crimes by establishing a specialized task force within the Department of Justice, enhancing the investigation and prosecution of illegal activities related to imports and exports. It mandates the Attorney General to develop partnerships, provide training, and submit annual reports to Congress on the progress and financial needs in addressing these crimes. The act allocates \$20 million for fiscal year 2026 to support these efforts, with a focus on bolstering the Criminal Division's capacity to prosecute trade-related offenses.

The Royalty Transparency Act aims to increase transparency and prevent conflicts of interest by requiring more detailed financial disclosures from executive branch employees and contractors, specifically regarding royalty payments. It mandates the inclusion of royalty income sources in financial reports, requires agencies to publish these reports, and directs reviews of potential conflicts of interest related to royalty payments in federal acquisitions. The Act also ensures congressional oversight through required notifications and annual reports. A severability clause ensures that if any part of the Act is deemed unconstitutional, the remaining provisions will still be enforced.

The "End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act" prohibits FEMA from providing support to non-federal entities for sheltering and related activities that alleviate overcrowding in Customs and Border Protection holding facilities. It also rescinds any remaining funds previously transferred to FEMA from Customs and Border Protection for these purposes under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 and the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024.

The U.S. Engagement in Sudanese Peace Act aims to address the crisis in Sudan by mandating the President to investigate and sanction those involved in human rights abuses and obstruction of humanitarian aid. It requires a comprehensive strategy to protect civilians, provide humanitarian aid, and foster peace, with an emphasis on empowering Sudanese women and youth in conflict resolution. The act also seeks to prevent the flow of weapons to conflict parties and ensures accountability for human rights abuses. Ultimately, the goal is to promote a sustainable peace through diplomatic and multilateral efforts.

The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 aims to modernize and maintain the Air Force's fighter aircraft fleet by increasing the minimum number of fighter aircraft, requiring detailed reports on the fleet's status, prioritizing the assignment of new aircraft to existing squadrons, and preserving the Air National Guard's fighter capabilities. The act mandates the Air Force to assign at least three out of every four new advanced fighter aircraft to existing Air Force fighter squadrons and maintain at least 25 Air National Guard fighter aircraft squadrons. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of the Air Force to develop and submit an annual modernization plan for the Air National Guard's fighter fleet to Congress. The Act defines specific categories of fighter aircraft to clarify modernization efforts.

The "Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2025" reauthorizes key programs dedicated to the Long Island Sound's health. It extends the Long Island Sound Grants program and the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006 through 2029, ensuring continued support for restoration and conservation efforts. The bill also corrects a technical error in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act related to the Long Island Sound.

The Enhancing First Response Act aims to improve emergency communications and response. It mandates the FCC to issue reports and hold public hearings after major disasters to assess and improve network resilience and 911 outage reporting. The Act also directs the Office of Management and Budget to classify public safety telecommunicators as a protective service occupation and requires a report on the FCC's enforcement of Karis Law, which ensures direct dialing to 911 from multi-line phone systems.

The "Empowering Families in Special Education Act" ensures that schools inform parents of their right to include individuals with knowledge or expertise about their child in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. This includes related service providers. Schools must provide this notification within a reasonable timeframe before the first IEP team meeting of each school year.

The Social Security Expansion Act aims to increase Social Security benefits across the board, including increased cost-of-living adjustments, expanded eligibility for students, and a higher minimum benefit for low-income earners. To fund these expansions, the bill raises payroll taxes on earnings above $250,000 and increases taxes on investment gains. It also establishes a new "Social Security Trust Fund" to manage the program's finances.

The "Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures Act of 2025" modifies the Drug Price Negotiation Program by adjusting the negotiation timeline for drug prices. For 2026 and 2027, negotiation can begin 7 years post-approval. Starting in 2028, this period extends to 11 years post-approval.

The "Strengthening Exports Against China Act" amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945, modifying how financing rates are calculated. It excludes financing that either competes with entities on restricted lists related to national security or is provided through the Program on China and Transformational Exports from rate calculations. This change aims to bolster U.S. exports against competition from specific entities and supports the Program on China and Transformational Exports.

The National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to include oversight of amusement park rides permanently fixed to a site. It authorizes an additional $11.5 million annually to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, allocating $6.5 million specifically for permanently fixed amusement rides. The Act defines covered devices as mechanical devices carrying passengers for amusement along a fixed route, typically controlled by an employee.

The Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension Act extends the deadline for eligible veterans to apply for land allotments. This bill amends existing legislation to provide Alaska Native Vietnam War-era veterans with an additional five years to apply for land allotments, increasing the application period from five years to ten years.

The Tax Administration Simplification Act modifies several key tax procedures. It extends the deadline for S corporations to file election forms, aligns individual estimated tax payment deadlines, and applies the "mailbox rule" to electronic tax submissions and payments, treating the transmission date as the filing date.

The CLEAN Act aims to expedite geothermal energy development by requiring the Department of Interior to hold replacement lease sales if scheduled ones are canceled, offer all eligible nominated parcels for geothermal development, and make timely decisions on geothermal drilling permit applications.

The James Earl Jones Congressional Gold Medal Act directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to James Earl Jones, honoring his contributions to the United States and his work promoting inclusion in film and theatre. The Secretary of the Treasury will create the gold medal, and bronze duplicates will be made available for sale to the public.

The CASE LOAD Act of 2025 aims to address the heavy caseloads in the Eastern District of California's Federal Court by authorizing the appointment of five additional district judges over the next six years, subject to Senate approval. This act acknowledges the disproportionately high ratio of residents to judges in the Eastern District, which results in a substantial number of pending cases per judgeship. The Act also authorizes the appropriation of funds to support these new judicial positions, including providing adequate facilities and space.

The Affordable College Textbook Act aims to lower the cost of college textbooks for students by expanding the use of open educational resources and increasing transparency in textbook pricing. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to higher education institutions to create and expand the use of open textbooks. It also requires colleges and universities to disclose textbook price information, including whether materials are open educational resources, on online course schedules. Additionally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to report on textbook costs and the impact of open textbooks.