Legislation

The SMART Act of 2025 aims to reduce regulatory burden for smaller, well-managed, and well-capitalized financial institutions (banks and credit unions under \$6 billion in assets). It provides examination relief by allowing for limited-scope reviews following a full examination and permitting the combination of certain compliance checks. Furthermore, the bill mandates that regulators minimize the time, staff, and inconvenience associated with on-site examinations for these smaller institutions.

This bill initiates the retrocession of most of Washington, D.C. back to the State of Maryland, establishing a smaller, permanent Federal District for the seat of the U.S. Government. It transfers D.C.-owned property and legal successor responsibilities to Maryland while restructuring federal courts and eliminating the D.C. Delegate. The legislation also ensures the continuation of federal employee benefits and student aid programs during this transition.

The Nationwide Right to Unionize Act eliminates federal permission for states to enact or enforce "right-to-work" laws by repealing Section 14(b) of the National Labor Relations Act. This action ensures that union security agreements negotiated between unions and employers are governed exclusively by federal labor law. Consequently, state laws that prohibit mandatory union membership or fee payment as a condition of employment will no longer apply where federal law permits such agreements.

The UNLOCK Act amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to expand how federal housing funds can be used. This legislation now allows local entities to directly use these funds for the construction of new housing specifically for low- and moderate-income residents. The bill removes the requirement for these entities to partner with a nonprofit organization to carry out the new construction projects.

The Healthy Servicemembers Act mandates the Department of Defense to screen service members and their families for health conditions linked to unsafe military housing. This legislation establishes a formal health registry to track individuals diagnosed with these housing-related illnesses. The goal is to monitor the health impacts stemming from living in substandard or mold-affected military residences.

The Patients’ Right to Know Their Medication Act of 2025 mandates the creation of standardized, easy-to-read, one-page printed information accompanying all non-hospital prescriptions. This information must clearly detail essential safety warnings, usage instructions, and side effects in plain language, ensuring patients receive vital medication data regardless of electronic access. Failure to provide this required printed material will result in the drug being deemed "misbranded" under federal law. This aims to reduce adverse drug events and lower healthcare costs through improved patient understanding.

The Train Crew Choice Act nullifies the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) final rule regarding train crew size safety requirements, which was published on April 9, 2024. This action effectively removes any legal mandate concerning the minimum number of crew members required on a train. The bill ensures that the previous standards, rather than the recently proposed rule, remain in effect.

The Department of War Restoration Act of 2025 officially renames the Department of Defense to the Department of War. This change also renames the Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of War. The Act ensures all existing laws and documents are updated to reflect this new nomenclature.

The PrEP and PEP are Prevention Act mandates that essential HIV prevention services, including FDA-approved medications like PrEP and PEP, must be covered at no cost to the patient across private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. This law eliminates financial barriers such as deductibles, copays, and prior authorization requirements for these preventive treatments and necessary related care. The goal is to ensure universal, barrier-free access to critical HIV prevention tools.

The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2025 aims to combat the nation's leading weather-related killer by establishing a comprehensive federal strategy against extreme heat. The bill creates an Interagency Committee and a National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within NOAA to coordinate research, data sharing, and preparedness efforts across government agencies. Furthermore, it authorizes significant financial assistance for community projects focused on heat resilience, prioritizing historically disadvantaged areas. The Act also mandates a national study to identify critical gaps in current heat response policies and infrastructure.

The Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2025 updates federal food assistance by basing benefit calculations on a new, higher "low-cost food plan" standard. It also modifies income calculations by removing the cap on excess shelter deductions and establishing a standardized, inflation-adjusted medical expense deduction. Finally, this Act completely eliminates the time limit restrictions previously placed on receiving food assistance benefits.

The Appalachian Trail Centennial Act officially recognizes the vital role of cooperative management, particularly volunteer partnerships, in maintaining National Scenic and Historic Trails. This bill formally designates operational partners, like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, to share management responsibilities with federal agencies. It also establishes processes for prioritizing land protection and assessing the economic impact of these trails on local communities. Ultimately, the Act aims to strengthen the framework for long-term stewardship and development of the National Trails System.

The Telehealth Modernization Act primarily extends key Medicare telehealth flexibilities, such as geographic and audio-only options, until September 30, 2027. The bill also extends the Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver through 2030 and mandates a comprehensive study comparing home-based and traditional hospital care. Additionally, it introduces new program integrity measures for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and requires guidance to ensure language access for Limited English Proficiency patients utilizing telehealth.

The HANDS Act mandates that life-saving opioid overdose reversal drugs be provided at no cost to at-risk individuals leaving hospitals, emergency departments, or ambulatory surgical centers starting January 1, 2026. This coverage is established across major federal health programs, including Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and TRICARE, eliminating patient cost-sharing. The bill also directs federal agencies to issue guidance to help states and hospitals safely implement the distribution of these drugs.

The WIRELESS Leadership Act overhauls local zoning authority regarding the construction and modification of wireless service facilities. It establishes strict, non-extendable deadlines for local governments to approve or deny applications, leading to automatic approval if deadlines are missed. The bill mandates non-discrimination, limits local regulation of radio frequency emissions, and requires fees to be cost-based, while preserving local control over structural and aesthetic standards.

The FLIGHT Act mandates that major airlines promptly notify passengers via email or text message when a domestic or international flight faces a departure or taxi delay of 15 minutes or more. Airlines must provide updates every 15 minutes, including the new estimated departure and arrival times. This new federal requirement ensures travelers are kept informed about significant flight delays.

The Protecting Agricultural Borrower Information Act strengthens privacy protections for individuals receiving loans or payments from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). This legislation prohibits FSA employees from sharing specific borrower data with certain government personnel unless the information is aggregated or the borrower provides voluntary consent. The Act establishes significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for intentional violations of these new privacy standards.

The CDFI Fund Transparency Act requires the Secretary of the Treasury to testify before key Congressional committees regarding the operations of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. This testimony is mandated only when requested jointly by the chairs of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Committee on Financial Services. This ensures regular oversight of the Fund's activities by Congress.

The Open Payments Expansion Act mandates that pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, as well as Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs), must annually report all direct and indirect payments made to qualifying patient advocacy organizations. This new reporting requirement aims to increase transparency regarding financial relationships between industry and patient support groups. These reports must detail the recipient organization's name and the exact dollar amount of the payment.

The Protecting Girls’ Sports for Military Kids Act prohibits male students from participating on female sports teams at schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). This legislation establishes clear biological definitions for "male" and "female" within the context of DoDEA athletic programs. The goal is to ensure that sports designated for female students are exclusively for those who meet the defined biological criteria.