Legislation

The Nor Rel Muk Wintu Nation Federal Recognition Act extends federal recognition to the Nor Rel Muk Wintu Nation, making the Tribe and its members eligible for all federal services and benefits provided to federally recognized Indian Tribes. The Tribe must submit a membership roll to the Secretary of the Interior within 18 months of the Act's enactment. This act does not change any existing treaty rights or reserved rights of the Tribe.

The "Repeal the TikTok Ban Act" repeals the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," effectively nullifying any prior bans or restrictions on applications like TikTok that were designated as controlled by foreign adversaries.

The "Increased TSP Access Act of 2025" amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to improve the delivery of technical assistance for conservation practices. It streamlines the certification process for third-party technical service providers (TSPs) by allowing non-Federal entities and State agencies to certify them. The Act also mandates the Secretary to establish fair payment amounts for TSP services and increases transparency regarding the use and impact of third-party providers. Ultimately, this bill aims to enhance conservation efforts by expanding the pool of qualified TSPs and improving their accessibility to agricultural producers.

This bill amends the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, updating the definition of "numismatic material" to include various forms of currency and related objects. It revises import restrictions for these materials, requiring evidence of lawful acquisition and specifying that customs officials should not demand excessive documentation without reasonable suspicion of fraud. The goal is to facilitate the lawful trade and collecting of numismatic items while preventing the import of items from illegal excavations.

This bill removes the lesser prairie-chicken from the endangered species list, preventing its future listing under the Endangered Species Act. Effectively, it excludes the lesser prairie-chicken from the protections and authority of the Endangered Species Act.

The SANE Act of 2025 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to employ at least one sexual assault nurse examiner at each of its hospitals and urgent care facilities or contract with other qualified health care providers to conduct sexual assault forensic examinations. Following an examination, the health care provider must verbally refer the individual to mental health care services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Secretary must ensure these new responsibilities do not negatively impact the existing patient care duties of Department employees. It also defines "sexual assault nurse examiner" and "sexual assault forensic examination" as defined in section 304(a) of the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2004.

The "Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025" aims to increase awareness and oversight of civil rights protections under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on college campuses. It mandates a Title VI awareness campaign, requires institutions to display information about how to file complaints, and orders monthly briefings to Congress on civil rights complaints. The Act also requires institutions to report discrimination complaints annually and mandates audits of institutions with the highest complaint rates, as well as directs the Inspector General to study discrepancies in complaints submitted to higher education institutions versus the Office of Civil Rights. Additionally, the Office for Civil Rights must continue investigating complaints even if they have been addressed by another agency or the institution's internal processes.

The Justice for Fallen Law Enforcement Act amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code to establish harsher penalties for those who harm or murder law enforcement officers, including a minimum 20-year prison sentence for acts resulting in serious injury and sentencing as if for first-degree murder for killings. These changes apply if the crime involves interstate commerce or a weapon that has crossed state lines. The Attorney General must report to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees on prosecutions resulting from this Act within three years.

The Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act allows excess funds from disaster relief grants to be used for building capacity, management costs, preparedness measures, and mitigation activities related to major disasters or emergencies. These excess funds will remain available for 5 years and the Comptroller General must submit a report to Congress assessing the appropriateness of the amount set aside for management costs. These changes apply to grant awards related to major disasters or emergencies declared on or after the enactment date of this Act, and funded with amounts appropriated on or after the enactment date. No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out these changes.

The "Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act" classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, making them subject to the strictest controls and penalties. This classification applies to any substance structurally related to fentanyl with specific chemical modifications, unless explicitly exempted or listed in another schedule. The goal of this act is to combat the proliferation of dangerous fentanyl analogues and reduce overdose deaths. It goes into effect one day after it is enacted.

This bill removes the lesser prairie-chicken from the list of threatened and endangered species and prohibits any future listing under the Endangered Species Act.

The "National Training Center for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act" directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to establish training programs and facilities for counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS). It requires the development of standards for C-UAS operator training and certification, emphasizing aviation safety and interagency coordination. This act also updates the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include these C-UAS training provisions.

The Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act repeals section 136 of the Clean Air Act, which likely taxes natural gas. Additionally, any funds that were previously allocated under the repealed section are rescinded, meaning they are no longer available for their original purpose.

This resolution authorizes the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to spend money from the Senate's contingent fund, hire staff, and utilize personnel from other government departments or agencies from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It sets specific expense limits for the committee during different periods, including allocations for consultants and staff training. The resolution also outlines the procedure for covering committee expenses, lists exceptions for voucher requirements, and authorizes agency contributions related to committee employee compensation.

The "Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025" authorizes the EPA Administrator to provide grants to air pollution control agencies, including Tribal agencies, for establishing cleaner air space programs. These programs will establish clean air centers, distribute air filtration units and replacement filters to covered households in areas at risk of wildfire smoke, and provide educational materials. Grant applicants must partner with community-based organizations and meet specific requirements for program implementation, data collection, and reporting. The act allocates $30,000,000 for the program from fiscal years 2026 through 2028.

The "Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2025" allows Congress to overturn multiple regulations finalized at the end of a President's term with a single vote. This act streamlines the process for Congress to review and potentially reject regulations submitted by agencies during the final months of a presidential administration. By disapproving of these "midnight rules" through a joint resolution, Congress can prevent them from taking effect.

The PRECEPT Nurses Act establishes a $2,000 tax credit for nurses who serve at least 200 hours per year as preceptors in designated health professional shortage areas. To qualify, preceptors must supervise and mentor nursing students, advanced practice nursing students, or newly hired nurses and receive certification from a partnering academic institution or clinical site. The Treasury Secretary will report to Congress on the credit's usage and effectiveness, which is set to expire after 2032. This act aims to incentivize experienced nurses to train the next generation, particularly in underserved communities.

The Headwaters Protection Act of 2025 reauthorizes and improves the Water Source Protection Program by expanding project eligibility, prioritizing projects that address drought and wildfire risks, and increasing funding to \$30,000,000 annually. It also amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act to ensure forest management activities do not harm watershed health and allocates \$30,000,000 annually for implementation. This act supports watershed protection and restoration while respecting existing state and federal water laws and private property rights.

The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act, clarifying that individuals born in the U.S. are citizens if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or an alien with lawful status serving in the armed forces. This clarification applies to those born after the Act's enactment, ensuring that citizenship is tied to a parent's connection to the U.S. The bill specifies the criteria for being "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States for citizenship at birth.

The Housing Temperature Safety Act of 2025 establishes a pilot program where the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide grants to install and test temperature sensors in federally assisted rental properties. The goal is to ensure these properties meet temperature requirements, with resident consent and data protection measures in place. HUD will conduct interim and final evaluations, reporting to Congress on the program's impact, sensor technology comparisons, and any barriers encountered. The act aims to improve living conditions and address temperature-related issues in housing.