Legislation

The SBIR Administrative Funding Act extends and modifies the authority for agencies to use a portion of SBIR and STTR funds for administrative and oversight costs through September 30, 2030, increasing the allowable percentage to 3.3%. It also mandates that certain major agencies transfer a portion of these administrative funds to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to bolster overall program administration. Furthermore, the bill allows agencies to use administrative funds for targeted outreach and technical assistance to increase participation from historically underrepresented states.

The HARM Act 2.0 addresses the continued threat posed by successor entities to the Wagner Group, which Congress finds are now integrated into the Russian Ministry of Defense. This bill mandates the Secretary of State to report on these successor groups, including the Africa Corps, and individuals who direct them. Ultimately, the legislation establishes a process for the executive branch to designate these entities as terrorist organizations and apply appropriate U.S. sanctions.

The Safeguarding Benefits for Americans Act of 2026 establishes U.S. citizenship or nationality as a mandatory requirement for receiving most federal public assistance benefits. This law mandates that applicants must attest to their citizenship status and provide documentation for verification against Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security records. These new citizenship verification rules will supersede existing eligibility laws unless those laws are more restrictive. Eligibility determinations under this new standard will begin one year after enactment.

The Presidential Conflicts of Interest Accountability Act applies existing federal conflict-of-interest laws to the President and Vice President. It mandates comprehensive initial financial disclosures and requires the divestiture of any conflicting assets into a qualified blind trust. The Office of Government Ethics will conduct annual reviews, and enforcement mechanisms are established for non-compliance.

The NEST Act establishes the Next-Generation Equity Savings Tool, creating a new tax-advantaged First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account. This account allows individuals to save for a down payment and closing costs with tax-deductible contributions and tax-free growth. Withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified home ownership expenses for a primary residence.

The FAIR MAP Act establishes strict, non-partisan criteria for drawing congressional districts, prioritizing compactness and prohibiting partisan gerrymandering. It also amends federal law to exclude undocumented immigrants from the population counts used for congressional apportionment starting after the 2030 Census. Furthermore, the bill imposes new federal requirements on federal elections, including photo ID for in-person voting and prohibiting ranked-choice voting.

The CHIPS Child Care Act establishes a competitive grant program to support child care for individuals training for semiconductor jobs. States can use these funds to provide monthly stipends to child care providers or to improve child care facilities in semiconductor manufacturing regions. The bill prioritizes support for diverse applicants and requires detailed reporting on program impact and trainee success.

The Affordable Housing Bond Enhancement Act amends federal tax law to streamline and improve financing options for affordable housing initiatives. This legislation modifies rules surrounding private activity bonds, mortgage revenue bonds, and mortgage credit certificates. Key changes include increasing home improvement loan limits, easing refinancing restrictions, and adjusting reporting requirements for bond issuers.

The CHAT Act establishes rules for "companion AI chatbots" designed for emotional interaction, primarily focusing on protecting minors. It prohibits these chatbots from engaging in sexually explicit communication with users under 18 and mandates immediate crisis resource notifications if suicidal ideation is discussed. The bill requires age verification for all users and imposes strict parental consent and monitoring requirements for accounts verified as belonging to minors, with enforcement granted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

This act establishes a mandatory two-year lobbying ban for former state utility regulatory commissioners, preventing them from influencing their former commissions or providing related paid services. It requires every state utility regulatory authority to consider and make a final determination on adopting this new standard within two years of enactment. The bill aims to curb undue influence by former regulators on utility decisions.

The PROTECT the Grid Act addresses the national security risk posed by internet-connected, high-wattage appliances whose control applications may be subject to foreign adversaries, such as China. The bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to report on these risks to the electric grid from foreign adversary-controlled applications. This report must include recommendations for securing the domestic technology supply chain and preventing grid destabilization.

The SAFE Olympic Sports Act mandates that national governing bodies for sports require athletes to participate in competitions corresponding to their biological sex, defined as male or female determined at conception. This requirement applies to the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, and other sanctioned events. Furthermore, the bill protects the sanctioning of previously established, single-sex amateur athletic competitions.

The Invest in Rural Teachers Act establishes a federal program to provide significant financial incentives for teachers serving in rural schools. This legislation authorizes grants to states, which will then offer $5,000 annual signing and retention bonuses for three years to teachers committing to rural education. The goal is to boost recruitment and retention in underserved rural communities, with a focus on encouraging local residents to return to teach.

The Fuel the Force Act of 2026 creates a significant federal tax benefit for experienced law enforcement officers. This bill excludes up to $100,000 of annual ordinary income from federal income tax for officers who have served full-time for at least five years. This aims to provide financial relief and recognition for dedicated service in law enforcement roles.

This act, the "Stopping Wall Street From Competing With Main Street Homebuyers Act," restricts large investment funds from purchasing single-family homes. It prohibits "covered funds" from making new purchases after 90 days and mandates that they sell all existing single-family homes within ten years. This aims to reduce competition for homebuyers from large institutional investors.

The Methane Monitoring Science Act of 2026 directs NASA to develop a comprehensive, science-based strategy for assessing and improving methane monitoring capabilities across ground, air, and space-based systems. This strategy aims to enhance the detection of methane emissions, including large events, to strengthen American energy security. The plan must facilitate the rapid mitigation of methane leaks and ensure data is accessible to state, local, academic, and commercial entities.

The TEMP Act mandates the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to research and develop a new, nationwide index-based insurance policy to protect crops against losses caused by frost or severe cold weather. This research must evaluate the effectiveness of index-based risk management for catastrophic weather events. A report detailing the findings and recommendations is required one year after enactment.

The EBSA Investigations Transparency Act mandates that the Department of Labor submit an annual report to Congress detailing the status of all Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) enforcement investigations from the previous fiscal year. This report must include key dates and timelines for each case, such as when it was opened and whether it concluded within 36 months of the initial document request. Crucially, the legislation requires that all personally identifying information regarding private parties involved in these investigations be excluded from the public report.

The Rural Service and Workforce Corps Act establishes a new federal program, modeled after the National Health Service Corps, to address critical workforce shortages in rural America. This program will offer financial incentives like scholarships and loan repayment to individuals who commit to serving three years in designated rural areas. Priority will be given to filling needs in sectors such as healthcare, skilled trades, energy infrastructure, and utilities.

The Veteran Housing Promise Act aims to strengthen support for homeless veterans by eliminating fixed funding caps for key assistance programs, authorizing "such sums as may be necessary" for future appropriations. Additionally, the bill makes several vital programs permanent by removing their existing expiration dates. This legislation ensures sustained and reliable resources for comprehensive services, reintegration, and housing assistance for veterans experiencing homelessness.