Legislation

The Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025 establishes a new EPA pilot grant program to improve recycling access, focusing specifically on underserved communities. These competitive grants will fund infrastructure projects, such as building transfer stations or expanding curbside service, using a "hub-and-spoke" model. Priority is given to projects located far from existing materials recovery facilities, with grants ranging from $\$500,000$ to $\$15$ million.

This bill extends the legislative authority for the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs. It amends existing law to push back the expiration date for this authorization from a seven-year limit to November 3, 2032. This grants Congress additional time to approve the memorial's establishment.

The Air America Act of 2025 recognizes the sacrifices of former Air America employees who served the U.S. Government between 1950 and 1976. This Act authorizes a one-time monetary award, up to $40,000 plus potential additional amounts, for qualifying service members or their survivors. The CIA Director is responsible for administering these payments, which are capped at a total of $60 million, and establishing the application procedures. Decisions made by the Director regarding these awards are final and not subject to judicial review.

The Ending Drug Trafficking in Our Communities Act extends critical funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program through fiscal year 2031. This legislation also mandates that the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy actively identify and implement promising, evidence-based practices to improve drug trafficking investigations and inter-agency information sharing. The goal is to ensure the HIDTA program utilizes the most effective strategies nationwide to combat drug trafficking.

The Spectrum Coordination Act aims to improve transparency in how the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) manages radio spectrum allocations that affect federal agencies. It mandates that the Commerce Department publicly file details regarding federal agency concerns when the FCC proposes changes to spectrum usage. Furthermore, the FCC must publish a summary explaining how those concerns were addressed when issuing a final rule. Finally, the FCC and NTIA must periodically update their existing coordination agreement.

The Save Our Forests Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the management of our national forests by immediately boosting Forest Service staffing levels. This legislation mandates the hiring of new personnel and the reinstatement of employees dismissed between January 20 and February 25, 2025. Furthermore, it ensures the continuation of authorized Forest Service projects funded under existing major conservation and infrastructure laws.

The Duplicative Grant Consolidation Act aims to prevent federal agencies from awarding grants to applicants who are already funded for the exact same project, with an exception for colleges and universities. It mandates the creation of a centralized electronic tracking system managed by the OMB to flag potential double-funding across agencies. Furthermore, the bill requires a report on the feasibility of using artificial intelligence to enhance the identification of duplicative or fraudulent grant applications.

This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to formally integrate entrepreneurial skills development into workforce planning and service delivery. It requires state and local boards to include entrepreneurship training and microenterprise services when planning activities and offering required services. Furthermore, the legislation mandates a comprehensive three-year study to evaluate the outcomes and best practices of entrepreneurial skills development programs nationwide.

The Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025 mandates an increase in disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) rates for veterans and survivors. This increase, effective December 1, 2025, will match the percentage increase applied to Social Security benefits for that year. The bill also requires the VA to publish the adjusted rates according to the Social Security Administration's COLA announcement schedule.

The SHARKED Act of 2025 establishes a Shark Task Force to address conflicts between sharks and fishing operations, known as shark depredation. This group will coordinate research and develop strategies, including non-lethal deterrents, to minimize harmful interactions. The bill also authorizes dedicated funding for new research projects focused on understanding and mitigating shark depredation issues.

This resolution designates the first week of April 2025 as National Asbestos Awareness Week to highlight the severe, often delayed health risks associated with asbestos exposure. The measure urges the Surgeon General to educate the public about the dangers of these invisible fibers, which cause incurable diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis. By raising awareness, the goal is to reduce future occupational and environmental exposures.

The Public Health Improvement Act establishes term limits for the Directors of the CDC and NIH, restricts the scope of the CDC's strategic plan, and restructures the appointment process for the CDC's advisory committee. It also clarifies the Secretary of HHS's authority to regulate communicable disease vectors and requires Congressional approval for extending public health emergencies. Finally, the Act mandates the transfer of several key public health offices from the CDC to the NIH within two years.

The Protect our Parks Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to immediately ensure full staffing, including all maintenance positions, across the National Park Service. This Act also requires the reinstatement of any NPS employees involuntarily removed between January 20 and February 25, 2025. Furthermore, it authorizes the continuation of existing, funded National Park Service projects under several key federal acts.

The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act updates the Highway Safety Improvement Program to prioritize and increase federal funding for projects that protect cyclists and pedestrians. This legislation explicitly expands eligible safety projects to include connecting existing bike/pedestrian paths and implementing risk-reduction strategies for vulnerable road users. Furthermore, it allows states greater flexibility in financing these safety upgrades, including the potential for 100% federal funding for certain projects.

The Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 aims to accelerate the development of new cancer treatments for children by expanding the FDA's authority to require pediatric investigations for molecularly targeted cancer drugs. It also extends the incentive program that grants priority review vouchers to encourage the development of drugs for rare pediatric diseases. The bill mandates studies on the effectiveness of these new requirements and the existing voucher system.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to combat bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states that accept federal funding to establish clear anti-bullying policies, define prohibited conduct based on protected characteristics, and implement systems for reporting and tracking incidents. This legislation mandates that local districts inform all stakeholders about prohibited conduct and establish formal complaint processes. Furthermore, the bill requires regular state and federal evaluations to assess the effectiveness of these measures in reducing harmful behavior while respecting existing non-discrimination laws and free speech rights.

The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act creates an exception to certain income limits for farmers, ranchers, and foresters. This exception applies if at least 75% of an individual's or business's average adjusted gross income is derived from agricultural activities. This change ensures that those heavily reliant on farming income are not disqualified from specific federal agriculture disaster programs.

This Act amends Social Security rules regarding child survivor benefits. It establishes a new condition where children aged 18 or older will cease to qualify as full-time students, thereby stopping their benefits. This cutoff specifically applies only if the deceased parent was already receiving old-age or disability benefits, was over age 67, and earned more than \$125,000 in the relevant taxable year.

The Transparency in Banking Act mandates that key federal financial regulators submit a detailed annual report to Congress regarding their planned activities and positions at the international Basel Committee on Bank Supervision meetings. This legislation requires public disclosure of agency attendance, proposed solutions, and potential new standards affecting U.S. interests. Furthermore, regulators must promptly update Congress on any significant changes to their planned engagement and include this information in required testimony.

This bill amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to establish a uniform 8-digit subheading number for all imported whiskies. It streamlines the classification structure within Chapter 22 of the tariff schedule for duty purposes. The changes also require the USITC to add new statistical codes to better track different types of imported whiskies.