Legislation

The Electronic Permitting Modernization Act directs the Department of the Interior to create modern, centralized electronic systems for accepting and processing permits to improve efficiency and public service. These new digital hubs must link to all relevant systems and clearly list contact information for assistance. The Act ensures that any new electronic releases comply with existing privacy protections and align with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 through fiscal year 2030, authorizing $56 million annually for FY 2026-2030. It makes administrative updates by replacing "Council" with "Committee" throughout the Act and clarifies the system's scope to include operational oceanography measurements. Furthermore, it mandates that federal agencies develop rules to ensure data sharing between regional offices and federally funded projects with local coastal observing systems.

The Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2025 permits qualifying charities to provide grants to college social or athletic organizations specifically for collegiate housing and infrastructure projects without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. This legislation clarifies that such grants remain eligible for donor deductions, provided the housing primarily serves full-time students. The Act specifically excludes funding for physical fitness facilities from these provisions.

The Dietary Guidelines Reform Act of 2025 changes the required update cycle for official dietary guidelines from every five years to at least every ten years, requiring adherence to formal rulemaking procedures. The bill mandates that future guidelines must be based on rigorous, evidence-based scientific review and address accessibility and affordability for all populations. If updates occur sooner than the ten-year cycle, an independent, temporary advisory board must be established to submit guiding scientific questions. The Act also strictly limits the scope of the guidelines, excluding topics like taxation, social welfare, and food production methods.

The American Families United Act grants immigration officials increased discretion to halt removal proceedings or grant immigration benefits for family members of U.S. citizens when separation would cause hardship. This discretion is presumed to be met if the action results in family separation, though certain serious criminal grounds remain disqualifying. The Act also allows individuals to file motions to reopen or reconsider past immigration decisions if the outcome would have been different under these new provisions, subject to a two-year filing deadline.

The Restoring Temporary to TANF Act mandates that states dedicate a minimum of 25% of their federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds specifically toward core work support activities. These required expenditures cover job training, education, work supports, and short-term benefits designed to help recipients find and maintain employment. This new spending requirement is set to take effect starting October 1, 2026.

The Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 aims to clarify and simplify eligibility rules for striking workers seeking Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This legislation removes outdated restrictions and clarifies the precise conditions under which participation in a labor strike affects a worker's SNAP eligibility. The goal is to streamline the existing law regarding striker access to food assistance.

The Safer Skies Act of 2025 mandates enhanced security screening for certain smaller charter and commuter air carriers that sell individual passenger seats publicly. This legislation requires these specific operations, currently exempt from TSA checkpoints, to adopt the security standards applied to larger commercial airlines. The goal is to raise the baseline security level across a broader segment of air travel operations.

The Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act establishes a special Priority 2 refugee processing pathway for individuals facing persecution by the Chinese government in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). It eases certain immigration hurdles for these applicants and clarifies that actions taken by the PRC against those seeking U.S. benefits can be considered persecution based on political opinion. Furthermore, the Act encourages U.S. allies to create similar accommodations for those fleeing the situation in XUAR. This legislation is set to terminate ten years after its enactment.

The CEMAC Act addresses a dispute where the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) is forcing international oil companies to deposit site restoration funds with its central bank, which the CEMAC countries incorrectly count as foreign exchange reserves. This legislation mandates that the U.S. must withhold approval for certain IMF actions affecting CEMAC nations until the IMF publicly confirms these restoration funds cannot be counted as official reserves. The bill asserts that failure to clarify this rule risks billions in American investment and harms the region's economic stability.

This Act establishes a new, independent Office of the Inspector General (IG) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The IG will serve as an internal watchdog, auditing and investigating activities specifically assigned to the OMB by law. The President is required to appoint this Inspector General within 120 days of the Act's enactment.

The Shareholder Political Transparency Act of 2025 mandates that publicly traded companies must disclose their political expenditures to the SEC and their shareholders on a quarterly basis. This new requirement aims to provide transparency regarding how corporate funds are used by management to influence elections and policy. The law specifically targets independent spending and contributions to trade associations used for political purposes, excluding direct lobbying and internal PAC funds. The SEC will oversee compliance and report annually on the effectiveness of these new disclosure rules.

This bill, the Transparency in CFPB Cost-Benefit Analysis Act, mandates that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) must provide extensive, detailed analysis whenever proposing a new rule. This requires the CFPB to clearly publish the full reasoning, expected costs, and anticipated benefits of any regulation. The goal is to ensure that the justification for new rules, especially concerning small businesses, is fully transparent and publicly scrutinized.

This bill mandates a comprehensive, independent study comparing the quality of mental health and addiction therapy provided to veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) versus non-VA providers. The study will assess outcomes, treatment methods, coordination, and patient experience across various care settings. The final report will be submitted to Congress and made public to inform future quality improvements.

The Mobility Means Freedom Tax Credit Act establishes a new federal tax credit equal to 50% of the cost of purchasing qualified mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, and braces. This credit is limited to a maximum of three devices per year. The purpose is to provide financial relief for individuals acquiring necessary equipment to enhance personal mobility.

The Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act ensures that damages received from lawsuits or settlements related to sexual assault or abuse are excluded from federal gross income, making them tax-free. This law simplifies the process for survivors to claim this exclusion, specifically stating that a lack of medical records cannot disqualify the settlement amount. The Treasury Department is also required to educate the public about this new tax exclusion.

The Shifting Limits on Thresholds Act of 2025 (SLOT Act) revises the federal tax reporting requirement for slot machine winnings. Under this act, businesses will only need to file an information return for slot machine payouts of **$5,000 or more** per single play, effective after December 31, 2025. Furthermore, this $5,000 threshold will be automatically adjusted annually for inflation starting in 2027.

The Protecting Students with Disabilities Act reaffirms that the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) must remain within the Department of Education as mandated by existing law. This legislation explicitly prohibits the executive branch from eliminating, reorganizing, or moving IDEA program offices or staff. Furthermore, it prevents the delegation of IDEA program management or enforcement duties to any entity outside the Department of Education.

The Unity through Service Act of 2025 establishes an Interagency Council on Service to advise the President on strengthening recruitment across military, national, and public service opportunities. The bill mandates joint market research between defense and national service agencies and improves transition assistance for separating service members into public sector jobs. Ultimately, the Act aims to foster civic duty by coordinating federal efforts to promote and measure the impact of all forms of national service.

The Helene Small Business Recovery Act grants the President the authority to waive federal rules prohibiting the duplication of disaster benefits upon a Governor's request. This allows small businesses and individuals to receive necessary aid even if they have other forms of assistance, provided it is in the public interest and avoids waste, fraud, or abuse. Importantly, this waiver authority cannot be denied based on the applicant's income level and applies to major disasters declared in 2023 or 2024.