Legislation

This Act officially grants federal recognition to the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, acknowledging its long history and bringing the Tribe and its members under the framework of federal laws and benefits for recognized tribes. The legislation defines tribal membership, confirms the status of existing governing documents, and establishes procedures for placing tribal lands into federal trust status. Furthermore, it explicitly reserves existing hunting, fishing, and water rights while prohibiting gaming operations based on inherent tribal authority or federal gaming laws.

The Territory Health Revitalization Act aims to strengthen health resources in U.S. territories by reserving a dedicated five percent of specific federal block grant funds for them. This legislation also removes a previous funding restriction for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and guarantees that at least two eligible grants will be awarded to organizations physically located within the territories. All provisions of this Act are set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

The Critical Mineral Brine Extraction Research and Development Act directs the Secretary of Energy to support research, development, and demonstration of technologies to extract critical minerals from brine sources like oil and gas wastewater. This effort aims to improve the efficiency and lower the cost of domestic mineral extraction through public-private partnerships. The Secretary must report to Congress on the technical and economic viability of these extraction methods.

The Health Providers Training Act expands eligibility for Health Profession Opportunity Grants to include hospitals. This change allows hospitals to apply for federal funding to support health profession training initiatives. All provisions of this Act will take effect starting October 1, 2025.

The Opportunities to Support Mothers and Deliver Children Act establishes a new grant program to fund demonstration projects focused on creating career pathways for professions like doulas and midwives. These multi-year projects must operate in states that recognize and reimburse these roles through insurance. The goal is to develop sustainable training models that lead to better wages and benefits for low-income individuals entering these essential maternal health fields.

The Firefighter Learning And Management Education (FLAME) Act establishes new notification requirements for the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration when large-scale cancellations of National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control courses occur. It mandates timely notification to Congress and affected students regarding any significant course reductions. Furthermore, the bill allows fire departments to seek reimbursement for incurred expenses if a course is cancelled for reasons other than "good cause" and requires a GAO study on the impact of these cancellations.

This Act, the District of Columbia Zoning Commission Home Rule Act, revises the composition of the D.C. Zoning Commission by removing the Architect of the Capitol and the Director of the National Park Service from its membership. It also modifies the process for handling zoning applications involving foreign embassies. Specifically, it allows the President to appoint a specific federal official to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for foreign mission cases.

The District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment Home Rule Act revises the composition of the Board, establishing a five-member body appointed by the Mayor with Council approval, all of whom must be D.C. residents. However, when reviewing applications from foreign missions, the Board's membership temporarily shifts to include specific federal appointees instead of regular members. This Act standardizes the Board's structure while ensuring federal representation for sensitive chancery-related zoning decisions.

The Keep Offenders Off Our Streets Act mandates that individuals charged with offenses in the District of Columbia must execute a secured appearance bond to be released pending trial. This legislation explicitly prohibits the D.C. government from allowing release on personal recognizance or unsecured bonds. The Act amends D.C. Code provisions to ensure that release is conditioned upon a financial guarantee ensuring court appearance.

The DECLINE Act mandates that federal agencies must immediately deactivate and collect all government charge cards from separating employees, including removing them from digital wallets. Agencies must establish clear policies to ensure these cards are returned and accounts are closed upon separation. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will annually audit agency compliance with these new deactivation procedures.

This bill amends the Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act to create a special payment rule for "Havlish Settling Judgment Creditors." It ensures that these specific victims of the 9/11 attacks are not barred from receiving payments due to prior participation in the existing compensation fund. The legislation mandates the immediate release of funds previously set aside for this group.

The SPEED for Broadband Infrastructure Act of 2025 aims to accelerate the deployment of broadband infrastructure by streamlining federal review processes. This bill exempts certain qualifying communications projects from major environmental (NEPA) and historical preservation reviews under specific conditions. These exemptions apply to new facilities meeting defined size and location criteria, as well as certain easement grants on federal property. However, the Act maintains the FCC's authority regarding radio frequency exposure and preserves state and local zoning enforcement.

The Ensuring Access to Essential Providers Act of 2025 requires Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to include specific "Essential Community Providers" (ECPs) in their networks to ensure access for underserved populations. MA plans must contract with available ECPs and demonstrate adequate geographic distribution, especially for low-income and rural enrollees. Failure to meet this standard will result in the denial of plan approval unless the organization provides an acceptable remediation plan.

The Small Business RELIEF Act exempts qualifying small businesses from import duties imposed under Executive Order 14257 due to a national emergency declaration. This legislation also mandates refunds for any such duties already paid by these small businesses. The goal is to provide immediate financial relief to small businesses impacted by these specific emergency tariffs.

The Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2025 transforms the existing pilot project into a permanent federal program for procuring domestically grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables for schools. This expansion increases the number of participating states and mandates that applicants prioritize supporting small, local, and socially disadvantaged farmers. The Act appropriates $25 million annually through 2030 to fund the program, administrative support, and technical assistance to boost participation among diverse producers.

The Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2025 establishes a new pilot program to provide specialized development loans for beginning farmers and ranchers. These loans, capped at \$100,000 with low interest rates, are specifically designed to fund long-term investments in essential business infrastructure and capacity. Borrowers will also be required to participate in comprehensive farm and ranch management training.

The Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2025 establishes a national cap of 36% on the total annual interest and fees for most consumer credit products. This legislation aims to eliminate predatory lending practices by ensuring all associated charges are included in the calculation of this maximum rate. Furthermore, the bill mandates clearer disclosure of credit costs for open-end plans, like credit cards, using a standardized "FAIR" format. Violations of this new federal rate cap carry severe civil and criminal penalties for creditors.

The Rural Safety Administration Flexibility Act updates federal highway safety funding rules by establishing a new definition for "rural State." This change specifically impacts how certain states, defined by having a lower-than-average population density, are treated under existing funding caps. The bill aims to provide greater flexibility in how highway safety funds are administered in these less densely populated areas.

The Regional China Officer Authorization Act formally establishes and expands the State Department's Regional China Officer (RCO) program within a new dedicated unit. This unit will deploy Mandarin-proficient Foreign Service Officers globally to monitor, report on, and counter the People's Republic of China's activities in key areas like trade and infrastructure. The Act authorizes specific funding for the program's expansion and operations for five years, after which the unit will sunset.

The Resilient Tire Supply and Jobs Act establishes a temporary tax credit for businesses purchasing eligible tires retreaded within the United States. It also mandates that federal agencies prioritize purchasing retreaded tires when available through the GSA schedule for their vehicle fleets. This legislation aims to bolster domestic manufacturing and promote the use of retreaded tires.