Legislation

The Clean Energy Demonstration Transparency Act of 2025 mandates increased public accountability for clean energy demonstration projects funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This legislation requires the Secretary to submit detailed, semi-annual reports to key Congressional committees and post them online. These reports must include copies of contracts, progress on technical and financial milestones, and documentation of any significant project changes.

The Strong Communities Act of 2025 establishes the COPS Strong Communities Program to provide competitive grants for local law enforcement training. These funds support officers and recruits attending specialized programs, contingent upon a commitment to serve in their local community for at least four years afterward. The bill also mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing grant recipients, training plans, and officer retention rates to ensure transparency.

The ASSIST Act of 2025 clarifies that medically necessary automobile adaptations for veterans are officially covered under Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical services. This ensures essential vehicle modifications for safe driving and mobility are recognized as part of veteran medical benefits. Additionally, the bill extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments.

The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act establishes the "Civilian Law Enforcement Task Grants" program. This program allows local law enforcement agencies to receive federal funding to hire retired officers for specialized tasks or to train current civilian staff. The grants aim to enhance agency capabilities in areas like complex investigations and digital forensics while ensuring strict accountability through mandatory annual audits.

The Conscience Protection Act of 2025 aims to strengthen federal protections for healthcare providers and entities that refuse to participate in abortion, sterilization, or assisted suicide based on moral or religious objections. It prohibits discrimination against these entities by any recipient of federal funding, including state and local governments. Furthermore, the bill establishes stronger enforcement mechanisms within HHS and grants individuals and entities a private right of action to sue for violations of these conscience laws in federal court.

The Ensuring Security for Military Spouses Act waives the standard three-month state residency requirement for lawful permanent resident spouses of active-duty military members stationed in the United States when applying under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This change ensures that military spouses are not penalized by typical state residency waiting periods. The bill aims to streamline the application process for those married to service members stationed domestically.

The Insurance Data Protection Act aims to adjust federal regulatory authority over insurance data by limiting the subpoena power of the Office of Financial Research against insurance companies. It also strengthens confidentiality protections for data shared with and held by the Federal Insurance Office and other financial regulators. Furthermore, the bill mandates that financial regulators must seek existing data from other sources before directly collecting information from insurance companies, ensuring data privacy is maintained.

The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 updates federal law to specifically address the dangers first responders face from substances like fentanyl. This legislation ensures federal funding is available to states and agencies for purchasing necessary protective equipment and providing specialized training on handling dangerous drugs safely. The goal is to equip first responders with the tools needed to prevent accidental secondary exposure while on duty.

The Fair Wage Act of 2025 fundamentally reforms the federal minimum wage by tying it to local costs of living, establishing regional minimum wages based on Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and nonmetropolitan areas. This legislation also adjusts the minimum cash wage for tipped employees to 30% of the new regional standard and modifies the subminimum wage for younger workers. These changes aim to create a more localized and dynamic wage floor, taking effect on the first day of the third month following enactment.

The Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 aims to better inform veterans about their right to free representation from recognized Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) when filing initial VA claims. It mandates that the VA maintain and regularly update an accessible online tool for finding accredited representatives. Furthermore, the bill extends the expiration date for certain limitations on veteran pension payments.

This bill establishes federal minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals to improve patient safety and quality of care. It mandates that hospitals create transparent staffing plans developed with input from direct care nurses and sets strict enforcement mechanisms, including civil penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the Act supports the nursing profession by expanding scholarship and stipend programs and funding new nurse retention and mentorship initiatives.

The Traffic Safety Enhancement Act of 2025 amends federal transportation funding rules to explicitly allow states to use Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funds for the construction of roundabouts. This change provides states with greater flexibility to implement modern intersection designs aimed at improving traffic flow and safety.

The K2 Veterans Total Coverage Act of 2025 establishes a presumption of service connection for a broad range of diseases in veterans who served at Karshi Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan. This means the VA will automatically assume these specific illnesses are related to military service, significantly easing the burden of proof for veterans seeking disability benefits. The covered conditions include various cancers, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and chronic multisymptom illnesses.

The Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2025 establishes mandatory minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios across various hospital units to enhance patient safety and care quality. This legislation requires hospitals to implement detailed staffing plans, ensures enforcement through federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and supports the nursing workforce through expanded financial aid and retention initiatives. Furthermore, the bill protects nurses who refuse unsafe assignments and establishes clear mechanisms for reporting violations.

The Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act of 2025 extends critical support for law enforcement officers. This bill reauthorizes a vital program designed to provide necessary treatment and support services. Specifically, it renews the program's authorization from 2025 through 2029.

The Defund Cities that Defund the Police Act of 2025 defines "Defunding States" and "Defunding Localities" as jurisdictions that significantly cut police budgets without a corresponding revenue drop or abolish law enforcement agencies. This Act prohibits any jurisdiction meeting this definition from receiving certain federal economic development and community development grants. If a designated jurisdiction receives funds, they must return them, and the money will be reallocated to eligible, non-defunding areas within the state.

This act officially expands Joshua Tree National Park by adding approximately 20,149 acres of Bureau of Land Management land under the National Park Service's jurisdiction. It also renames the Cottonwood Visitor Center to the Dianne Feinstein Visitor Center. Finally, the bill includes a minor technical correction regarding conservation funding in a previous act.

The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates and extends key federal efforts to combat child exploitation. This bill revises the National Strategy to focus on emerging technology trends and mandates detailed resource planning for law enforcement. It also modifies the operations of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces, clarifying their duties, expanding partnerships, and providing liability protections for lead prioritization decisions. Finally, the Act adjusts grant funding allocations and authorizes specific funding levels through fiscal year 2028.

The Invest America Act establishes new tax-advantaged savings vehicles called "Invest America accounts," which are limited to investing in S\&P 500 index funds. These accounts feature a \$5,000 annual contribution limit and allow distributions to be taxed at favorable net capital gains rates. Furthermore, the bill mandates a one-time, tax-free federal contribution of \$1,000 into these accounts for eligible U.S. citizens born after July 4, 2026.

The Law Enforcement Education Grant Program Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to provide up to $4,000 annually for individuals pursuing associate's or bachelor's degrees in law enforcement or criminal justice. Recipients must agree to serve as a full-time law enforcement officer for four years after graduation or repay the funds with interest. Additionally, this Act repeals existing federal programs related to university sustainability found under Part U of the Higher Education Act of 1965.