Legislation

The Health Information Privacy Reform Act establishes comprehensive privacy, security, and breach notification standards for health data held by entities not currently covered by HIPAA. The bill mandates clear disclosures when health information leaves protected environments, sets new requirements for data de-identification, and directs the development of guidance for the use of health data in artificial intelligence. Additionally, it commissions a study on the ethics of compensating patients for the use of their identifiable health data in research.

The Federal Trade Commission Governance Reform Act mandates that at least three Commissioners must be present to establish, revise, or rescind any generally applicable policy, guidance, or rulemaking. This requirement ensures broader consensus for significant regulatory actions taken by the Commission. These provisions are set to take effect on January 20, 2029.

The Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends and updates the regional innovation program through 2030 to foster economic growth and increase access to capital for innovation-based businesses. The bill mandates grant awards, introduces a flexible cost-sharing model to support economically distressed areas, and prioritizes outreach to rural and underserved communities. Additionally, it strengthens interagency coordination and authorizes $50 million annually to accelerate research commercialization and entrepreneurial support.

The SMART Savings Act of 2026 streamlines retirement account regulations by narrowing the definition of "plans" subject to prohibited transaction rules and removing specific restrictive categories. It also clarifies self-dealing rules for IRAs while introducing a "relationship benefits" exception, allowing account holders to receive certain perks based on account value or service fees without jeopardizing their IRA status.

The College Transparency Act establishes a secure, privacy-protected federal data system to track postsecondary student outcomes, including enrollment, completion, and post-college earnings. By repealing the existing ban on a national student-level database, the bill aims to provide students and families with transparent, customizable information to help them make informed educational decisions. The system is designed to streamline institutional reporting requirements while strictly prohibiting the use of personal data for law enforcement, immigration, or federal ranking purposes.

The PLEDGE Act mandates that all elementary and secondary schools in the District of Columbia conduct daily patriotic observances, including the display of the U.S. flag, standing for the national anthem, and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The bill includes provisions for parental opt-outs, accommodations for students with disabilities, and requirements to maintain a non-disruptive environment during these exercises.

The American Hiring Transparency Act introduces a mandatory fee for employers filing for permanent labor certification, starting at $10,000 in fiscal year 2027 with annual inflation adjustments. These funds will be split between the U.S. Treasury and a dedicated account to support labor market testing and the modernization of the USAJOBS platform. This legislation ensures that no waivers or reductions are permitted for these required filing fees.

The Jimmy Deal Trafficking Survivors Assistance Act of 2026 mandates that the TSA designate a specialized point of contact at every airport to assist human trafficking survivors with air travel. These representatives will coordinate with nonprofit service providers to navigate security screenings, facilitate identity verification, and ensure survivors are safely escorted through the travel process. The bill also requires the TSA to provide trauma-informed training for these staff members and waive identity verification fees for survivors.

The READ Act (Reading Excellence and Achievement for Development Act) reauthorizes and reforms the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grants program to improve student literacy nationwide. The bill prioritizes evidence-based instruction aligned with the "science of reading," mandates universal early literacy screening, and provides targeted support for low-performing states. Additionally, it enhances research initiatives and increases transparency by requiring states to report on literacy progress and teacher preparation alignment.

The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from forcing workers to sign away their right to pursue legal claims in court or join class-action lawsuits as a condition of employment. The bill bans mandatory pre-dispute arbitration agreements and ensures that any agreement to arbitrate or waive collective action rights made after a dispute arises is strictly voluntary and informed. By amending the National Labor Relations Act and the Federal Arbitration Act, this legislation protects workers' rights to act collectively and seek justice for workplace violations.

The MAP Roads Act establishes a federal pilot program to provide grants to states for the digitization of county road records. By converting paper maps into standardized, publicly accessible geospatial datasets, the program aims to improve rural commerce, enhance public safety, and ensure county road information is easily integrated into modern mapping platforms.

The Virtual-Based Opioid Treatment for Veterans Act establishes a pilot program to expand veteran access to telehealth-based medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. This initiative creates referral networks and interagency partnerships to overcome barriers to traditional in-person care. Additionally, the Act mandates ongoing studies and reporting to evaluate the program's effectiveness in improving health outcomes for veterans.

The Tracking Plastic Act of 2026 establishes a federal working group tasked with developing standardized methods for measuring, tracking, and reporting recycled plastic content across key industries. By coordinating with diverse stakeholders, the group aims to increase the use of post-consumer resin and harmonize recycling data systems. This initiative will provide Congress with annual reports to improve domestic market capacity and enhance the traceability of plastic materials.

The "No Trump Immunity Act" prohibits executive agencies from granting legal immunity, waivers, or acquittals to the President, Vice President, or their immediate family and business associates. The bill specifically bars the government from shielding these individuals from investigations into serious misconduct, including money laundering, insider trading, and the misuse of taxpayer funds.

The Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act designates the control of the invasive spotted lanternfly as a high-priority research and extension initiative. This legislation authorizes federal grants to develop effective tools and treatments to combat the pest while extending the program's funding authorization through 2028.

The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026 aims to stabilize Medicare physician payments by modernizing budget neutrality thresholds and capping year-to-year payment fluctuations. The bill mandates periodic updates to practice expense data to reflect current costs and establishes a reconciliation process to correct inaccuracies in estimated service utilization. These measures are designed to ensure more predictable and accurate reimbursement rates for healthcare providers.

The GRID Savings Act of 2026 establishes a federal framework for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to regulate the interconnection of large-scale electricity users (150 megawatts or more) to the interstate transmission grid. The bill mandates new standards for cost allocation, study processes, and financial security to ensure that large-load customers bear the costs of their own infrastructure needs. By formalizing these requirements, the Act aims to protect existing ratepayers from the financial risks associated with speculative or high-demand energy projects.

The PHD Talent Act of 2026 establishes a Department of Energy pilot program to strengthen the domestic STEM workforce by supporting accelerated doctoral programs in critical and emerging technology fields. Through competitive grants and fellowships, the initiative encourages partnerships between universities, National Laboratories, and industry to provide students with advanced research training and dual competency in computational methods. This effort aims to address the national shortage of high-skilled doctoral talent while maintaining rigorous academic standards.

The Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement (SAFE) Act aims to improve road safety by identifying and stopping "chameleon carriers"—companies that rebrand to evade safety regulations or enforcement actions. The bill mandates a comprehensive study on the impact of these carriers and requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to implement an advanced automation tool to detect and prevent them from obtaining USDOT numbers. This legislation ensures greater oversight of freight operations while maintaining a formal appeals process and human-led decision-making for all registration denials.

The Protecting Independent Contractors from Discrimination Act of 2026 expands federal workplace protections to include independent contractors. By updating key anti-discrimination and equal pay laws, this legislation ensures that contractors are legally protected from discrimination based on race, age, disability, and other protected characteristics.