Legislation

This bill exempts federal actions related to the construction of qualifying infill housing from the environmental review requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It defines qualifying infill housing based on location, size, and successful environmental site assessments. Additionally, the legislation accelerates the required frequency for states to update their natural hazard risk assessments from every five years to every three years.

The Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act designates specific segments of the Gallatin, Madison, Hyalite, and Cabin Creeks in Montana as components of the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This designation aims to protect the ecological, recreational, and cultural values of these important rivers within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The bill ensures that existing water rights, private property rights, and the operations of the Hebgen and Madison Dams remain unaffected by the new protections. Overall, the Act secures these treasured waterways for future enjoyment while respecting current land uses.

The Foundation for Enabling Biotechnology Innovation Act establishes a new, private, non-profit organization to accelerate the transition of biotechnology products from the lab to the U.S. market. This Foundation will foster collaboration between industry, academia, and government agencies to overcome commercialization hurdles. It is explicitly prohibited from creating or enforcing regulations and must develop a plan to become financially self-sustaining within five years.

The Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 invalidates pre-dispute arbitration agreements for claims of age discrimination against individuals aged 40 and older. This legislation ensures that employees alleging age discrimination can pursue their claims in court rather than being forced into arbitration based on prior agreements. Federal courts, not arbitrators, will decide if this new rule applies to a specific dispute.

The SkyFoundry Act of 2025 establishes a new program managed by the Department of the Army to rapidly develop, test, and mass-produce small unmanned aircraft systems (drones). This initiative mandates the creation of an Innovation Hub for R&D and a Production Hub capable of manufacturing one million drones annually. The bill directs the use of expedited contracting methods and leverages domestic manufacturing through the Defense Production Act to ensure rapid fielding of these critical defense systems.

The Tunisia Democracy Restoration Act signals the U.S. commitment to supporting the return of democracy in Tunisia against the current authoritarian power grab. This bill mandates the suspension of U.S. assistance to Tunisian security units linked to human rights abuses and establishes mandatory sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, against individuals undermining democracy or engaging in corruption. Furthermore, it requires the State Department to develop a strategy focused on restoring Tunisia's democratic institutions and the 2014 constitution before the Act automatically expires in four years.

The HIV Prevention Now Act secures **\$2.165 billion** in dedicated funding for the CDC's National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention for Fiscal Year 2026. This appropriation is specifically earmarked to support the center's prevention programs and activities. This funding is supplemental to, and cannot be transferred from, other existing appropriations.

The Indoor Air Quality and Healthy Schools Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive federal program, managed by the EPA Administrator, to assess, reduce, and prevent exposure to indoor air contaminants in all buildings, with a special focus on schools and childcare facilities. The Act mandates the creation of science-based guidelines for contaminants of concern and supports technical assistance, training, and voluntary "Healthy Building Certifications." It also directs the development of model building codes and a national assessment of air quality in educational settings to ensure healthier indoor environments nationwide.

The BOP Release Card ID Act of 2025 mandates that the Bureau of Prisons issue a REAL ID-compliant photo identification card to all departing federal prisoners, valid for at least 18 months. This federal release card must be accepted for identity verification when accessing major federal benefits like Social Security, Medicaid, and SNAP. Furthermore, the BOP must establish agreements with states to help former inmates use this card to obtain standard state identification. The Attorney General will also issue guidance to states on creating similar release ID programs for state prisoners.

The Union Participation for All Act completely repeals the section of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 that prohibited certain individuals from holding office in labor organizations. This legislation removes a long-standing ban, opening up leadership positions within unions to a wider range of people. The bill also makes minor conforming amendments to ensure other reporting requirements align with the repeal.

The Feed Hungry Kids Act establishes a fixed threshold of 25 percent for calculating a school's "Identified Student Percentage" starting in the school year beginning on or after July 1, 2025. This change directly impacts how schools qualify for certain federal nutrition programs. The bill standardizes this key metric for future program eligibility.

This Act grants federal recognition to the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe of Southampton County, Virginia, acknowledging their long historical presence in the region. Federal recognition makes the Tribe and its citizens eligible for all services and benefits provided to federally recognized Indian Tribes. The legislation also establishes rules for land-into-trust status, affirms the Tribe's current governing documents, and explicitly prohibits gaming operations under this Act.

The Empower Parents to Protect their Kids Act mandates that schools receiving federal funding must obtain explicit parental consent before taking any action supporting a student's gender transition that differs from their biological sex. This legislation prohibits school staff from encouraging students to keep secrets from parents regarding gender identity or from hiding information about a student's transition plans. Parents are granted the right to sue schools directly for violations of these parental notification and consent requirements.

This Act, the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act, penalizes states that issue driver's licenses to individuals lacking proof of lawful presence. It also targets states that restrict local officials from sharing immigration enforcement data with the Department of Homeland Security. States found in violation must return unspent Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds and become ineligible for future funding until compliance is achieved.

The Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act prohibits the Attorney General from awarding federal crime-fighting grants to state or local governments that limit the use of cash bail for individuals charged with serious violent offenses or crimes that promote public disorder. This measure aims to ensure that jurisdictions maintain strict bail policies for those accused of dangerous crimes. The restriction applies to grants starting the first full fiscal year after the Act's enactment.

The Appalachian Trail Centennial Act aims to strengthen the cooperative management model for the Appalachian Trail and other National Scenic and Historic Trails. It officially recognizes and empowers non-profit partners, like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, to take on significant operational roles in trail maintenance and stewardship. The bill also mandates new planning requirements, including determining visitor capacity and assessing economic impacts on gateway communities.

The Quiet Communities Act of 2025 addresses the growing public health crisis caused by noise pollution by reestablishing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Noise Abatement and Control. This office will be tasked with researching noise impacts, supporting state and local noise control efforts through technical assistance and grants, and conducting a specific study on aircraft noise. The Act authorizes \$25 million annually through Fiscal Year 2030 to fund these critical national noise reduction initiatives.

The Coordinated Counterterrorism Act updates U.S. policy to enhance antiterrorism assistance provided to foreign nations. This expansion explicitly includes support for intelligence and military capabilities, broadening the scope beyond traditional law enforcement aid. The legislation also clarifies that this assistance can involve crucial information sharing with U.S. agencies.

The Agriculture Skills Preparation for Industry Recruitment Efforts (ASPIRE) Act establishes a new grant program managed by the Secretary of Agriculture to fund specialized workforce training in agriculture. These grants will enable eligible schools to partner with industry to develop hands-on programs, internships, and technical workshops. The goal is to enhance the agricultural workforce by ensuring training directly meets industry needs and supports worker recruitment.

The Federal Receivership Fairness Act grants courts the authority to determine the tax liability of a receivership estate, streamlining the resolution of tax disputes during court-supervised asset management. This allows the appointing court to settle federal, state, and local tax issues owed by the estate, with specific exceptions for previously adjudicated matters. The bill outlines procedures for receivers to request tax determinations and clarifies the government's waiver of sovereign immunity regarding these rulings.