Legislation

This bill reauthorizes and extends funding for crucial water, waste disposal, and wastewater facility grants. It specifically extends the authorization period for these grants from fiscal years 2024 through 2031.

The Congressional Civics Act of 2026 establishes a civics examination requirement for Members of Congress, contingent upon a future constitutional amendment. This bill mandates that Congress create and administer a standardized civics test every ten years, which members must pass to be seated. Additionally, it implements an interim requirement that members must pass a similar civics exam to be eligible for committee assignments.

The SAFE VISITS Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to annually analyze and share information regarding potential threats posed by visiting foreign nationals seeking access to state, local, Tribal, and territorial government officials or facilities. Based on this analysis, DHS must provide guidance to these governments on mitigating security risks. Furthermore, DHS must proactively offer assistance and vetting support for identified high-risk targets.

The SECURES Act of 2026 mandates the Secretary of Transportation to establish new federal standards for school bus seat belts within 180 days of enactment. This rulemaking must consider the superior safety benefits of lap-shoulder belt systems and innovative detection technologies. The goal is to ensure all new school buses meet enhanced safety requirements for student protection.

The AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026 establishes a new prize competition program, managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF), to spur AI research solving critical national challenges. This program will award substantial cash prizes for breakthroughs, including a dedicated, high-value competition focused on advancing AI for the most lethal forms of cancer. Additionally, the bill mandates coordination across federal agencies to publish relevant scientific datasets to support these AI initiatives.

The American Business for American Companies Act of 2026 prohibits the U.S. government from awarding federal contracts to "inverted domestic corporations." This legislation specifically targets companies that reincorporate overseas to avoid U.S. taxes while maintaining significant U.S. operations and management. The bill also imposes restrictions on large prime contractors awarding subcontracts to these prohibited entities. Waivers are permitted only in cases of national security or for essential public health programs.

The No Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026 amends existing law to prohibit state and local governments from restricting cooperation or information sharing with federal immigration authorities. This legislation mandates that local entities must provide notice of criminal alien releases to DHS and requires DHS to respond to status inquiries from other government agencies. Violations can result in civil enforcement actions and penalties affecting eligibility for certain federal law enforcement grants.

The First-Time Home Buyer Empowerment Act amends tax law to allow first-time homebuyers to take tax-free distributions from a 529 college savings plan for a home purchase. This special provision is subject to conditions, including a $35,000 lifetime limit per beneficiary. If the home is sold within five years, a recapture tax applies to recover the avoided income tax.

The Miranda Vargas School Bus Driver Red Flag Act establishes a national employer notification service to alert employers when a school bus driver's commercial driving status changes due to violations or suspensions. This law mandates that states implement this service to monitor drivers with school bus endorsements. The goal is to enhance student safety by ensuring employers are immediately aware of critical changes in their school transportation employees' driving records.

The CHEERS Act of 2026 creates a new tax incentive for hospitality businesses by classifying energy-efficient draft alcohol dispensing equipment as 15-year property for depreciation purposes. This allows restaurants and bars to recover the cost of installing qualifying stainless steel or aluminum draft systems more quickly. The provision aims to encourage upgrades to energy-efficient equipment in the alcohol service industry.

The Put America on Commission Act of 2026 establishes an Office of Whistleblower Awards within the SBA to reward individuals who report original information leading to the recovery of funds from COVID loan fraud. This office will pay awards ranging from 10% to 15% of collected funds, sourced from a new Whistleblower Award Fund. The bill also imposes a new civil monetary penalty on those convicted of COVID loan fraud and includes anti-retaliation protections for whistleblowers.

The Rural Water Security Act expands access to federal water infrastructure programs for Colorado. This legislation specifically amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to include Colorado in the eligibility criteria for Western Rural Water projects, including water storage and groundwater recharge initiatives.

This bill, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2026, extends the operating authority of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for an additional ten years, through 2036. It specifically renews the Bank's general authority, its total financing limit, and the authorization for its Program on China and Transformational Exports.

The ICE Out of Our Faces Act prohibits immigration officers from using biometric surveillance systems, such as facial recognition or voice analysis, for identifying or tracking individuals. This ban covers acquiring, possessing, accessing, or using such technology or any information derived from it. The bill mandates the deletion of existing biometric surveillance data and establishes penalties, including civil fines and private rights of action, for violations.

The Regional Ocean Partnerships Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends and updates funding for existing regional ocean partnerships through fiscal year 2031. This legislation amends previous law to ensure continued support for these vital ocean management initiatives. It also adjusts reporting requirements to assess the ongoing effectiveness of the partnerships.

The Powering Productivity Act establishes a national program to significantly improve how efficiently the U.S. economy uses energy. It sets a goal to double national energy productivity by 2030, compared to 2010 levels. The bill creates an interagency Energy Productivity Task Force responsible for developing and implementing the national strategy to meet this goal. Furthermore, it mandates the creation of new baseline assessments and quarterly reports to track progress and inform policy decisions.

The Carbon Resource Innovation Act expands the existing tax credit for carbon capture to include facilities that capture carbon in solid or liquid form. This legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow facilities capturing carbon in solid or liquid states to qualify for the carbon oxide sequestration credit. To be eligible, facilities must capture a minimum of 1,000 metric tons of qualified carbon annually.

This bill establishes the **USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act** to support the recovery and growth of the North American travel and tourism industry following the COVID-19 pandemic. It authorizes funding to promote regional travel and directs the U.S. Trade Representative to advocate for a **Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group** under the USMCA. This new group, composed of U.S., Canadian, and Mexican officials, will collaborate to enhance regional competitiveness and increase tourism exports.

The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act aims to integrate accounting education into the K-12 curriculum, recognizing it as a vital component of a well-rounded education. This bill amends existing education law to support accounting career awareness and strengthen accounting programs. It specifically directs funding to increase access to high-quality accounting courses for underrepresented students.

This bill, the "Enforce Immigration or Lose Transportation Act," conditions federal highway funding on state compliance with specific federal immigration enforcement policies. States will face escalating penalties, starting at a 5% reduction in federal highway funds, if they fail to verify lawful presence for driver's licenses or restrict information sharing with federal immigration authorities. The legislation aims to improve transportation safety and national security by ensuring drivers are properly vetted.