Legislation

The Portal for Appraisal Licensing Act of 2025 establishes a centralized, cloud-based system managed by the Appraisal Subcommittee for appraiser credentialing and AMC registration. This portal will streamline license submissions, fee payments, and access to required FBI background checks for state regulators. While the system centralizes data and tracking via unique IDs, states retain final authority over licensing decisions. The Subcommittee will establish an advisory committee and charge reasonable user fees to fund the portal's development and maintenance.

The Affordable Housing for Our Troops Act mandates that the Secretary of Defense brief Congress on strategies to improve off-base housing affordability for service members. This briefing must detail efforts to partner with local governments and private landlords to address high-cost areas. The report will outline current agreements, potential incentives for landlords, and recommendations for new policies to reduce housing insecurity near military installations.

The GENERAL Act mandates increased transparency regarding the involuntary reassignment, separation, or retirement of high-ranking military officers. It requires the Secretary of Defense to notify congressional defense committees within 15 days of such an action. This notification must clearly explain the rationale behind the decision and detail the process used to reach it.

The No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act amends the tax code to clarify and expand the definition of "qualified overtime compensation." This change ensures that overtime pay earned above a standard rate, whether mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act or agreed upon beforehand with an employer, is treated favorably for tax purposes. The goal is to incentivize and reward workers for putting in extra hours.

The Make Federal Architecture Beautiful Again Act mandates that new federal public buildings prioritize classical and traditional architectural styles to reflect the strength and stability of the United States. This policy requires community involvement in the design process and directs the GSA to update its procedures, ensuring reviewers have expertise in preferred styles. The bill also establishes strict justification requirements, including lifecycle cost analysis, if non-preferred styles are considered.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility at 240 Main Street in Northport, New York. The building will now be known as the "Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nate Bruckenthal Post Office Building." This action ensures all official records reflect the new designation honoring Petty Officer Bruckenthal.

The Pay Workers What They've Earned Act aims to reimburse federal employees and contractors for direct financial costs incurred due to government shutdowns. This legislation specifically covers expenses like late fees and interest charges resulting from missed paychecks during a lapse in funding. It also establishes a process for states to be reimbursed if they use their own funds to cover normally federal responsibilities during extended shutdowns. The bill creates a dedicated Treasury fund to ensure timely payments to affected workers in the future.

The Co-Location Energy Act aims to streamline the development of solar and wind energy projects by allowing them to be built on federal land already covered by existing energy leases. This process requires the explicit permission of the current leaseholder for both site evaluation and project permitting. Furthermore, the Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to expedite environmental reviews for certain renewable energy activities on these sites.

The Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act establishes a new federal grant program to help states recruit and retain school paraprofessionals. Funds will be distributed to states based on their existing Title I allocations to support local districts. States must use these competitive subgrants to improve paraprofessional wages, offer professional development, and support credentialing, prioritizing high-need and rural schools. The law requires annual reporting on compensation improvements and retention efforts.

The Geothermal Royalty Reform Act amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to clarify how royalties are calculated for electricity generated from geothermal resources. This legislation refines existing language to ensure that minimum royalty payments and royalty rates are explicitly tied to each individual electric generating facility utilizing the steam. The goal is to provide clearer statutory language regarding financial obligations for geothermal power production.

The LIFT AI Act aims to prepare K-12 educators and students for an AI-literate future by fostering national understanding of Artificial Intelligence. It authorizes the National Science Foundation Director to award grants for developing K-12 AI literacy curricula, teacher training, and responsible use guidelines. The goal is to ensure students gain the necessary skills to critically use, understand, and contribute to the evolving world of AI technology.

This bill establishes the Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act to aggressively address foreign trade barriers harming U.S. agricultural exports. It specifically mandates immediate action, including a plan to initiate a World Trade Organization dispute against India for its excessive agricultural price supports. The legislation also creates an Agricultural Trade Enforcement Task Force to proactively identify and enforce trade agreements against significant foreign barriers.

This resolution expresses the strong support of Congress for designating September 2025 as "Hawaiian History Month." The designation aims to recognize the rich history, culture, and significant contributions of Native Hawaiians to the nation. Furthermore, it reaffirms the Federal government's trust responsibility to support the well-being and cultural vitality of the Native Hawaiian community.

This bill, the Welles Remy Crowther Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Welles Remy Crowther for his extraordinary heroism and sacrifice during the September 11, 2001, attacks. The medal will be presented to his mother, Alison Crowther, on behalf of Congress. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

This bill prohibits federal agencies from removing civil service employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, commonly known as a government shutdown. If an employee is terminated in violation of this rule during a shutdown, they will have the option to be reinstated with full back pay once funding resumes. This measure aims to protect federal workers from job loss caused by budget impasses.

The Litigation Reimbursement Act mandates that federal courts must order the U.S. government to pay the attorney fees and litigation costs for defendants who are acquitted after a criminal trial. Furthermore, this bill converts the court's ability to award costs and fees to the prevailing party in covered civil cases into a mandatory requirement. This ensures that winning parties in specific criminal and civil litigation are reimbursed for their legal expenses.

This Act establishes a Geothermal Ombudsman and a Geothermal Permitting Task Force within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to streamline and accelerate the approval process for geothermal energy projects on public lands. The Ombudsman will serve as a central coordinator, resolve disputes, and monitor permitting timelines across BLM offices. The Task Force will assist the Ombudsman by temporarily reassigning expert staff and offering retention bonuses to ensure critical projects meet their deadlines.

The Veterans Flight Training Responsibility Act of 2025 establishes a \$100,000 cap on the total educational assistance the VA will pay for flight training under the Post-9/11 GI Bill at public colleges and universities. This maximum benefit amount will automatically increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index to keep pace with inflation. This new limitation applies only to veterans beginning flight training programs on or after August 1, 2026.

The PEACE Act establishes a U.S. policy supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan while strongly encouraging a comprehensive peace agreement between the two nations. It mandates the imposition of sanctions on Azerbaijani officials, military units, and associated entities if they engage in hostile military action against Armenia. Furthermore, the Act outlines specific reporting requirements for the President to keep Congress informed about the situation and the implementation of these measures.

The Veterans Healthcare Equality Act of 2025 explicitly prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from discriminating against veterans based on gender identity when providing healthcare services. This law mandates that the VA must furnish medically necessary treatments, including those for gender dysphoria, prescribed by a healthcare provider. Furthermore, the VA Secretary is required to provide regular updates to Congress regarding the implementation of these non-discrimination protections.