Legislation

The SHARE Act of 2025 establishes new federal requirements for the FBI to share criminal history record information with states participating in professional licensing interstate compacts. This information sharing is strictly for the purpose of conducting background checks on applicants seeking to practice a profession in another compact state. States receiving this data are severely restricted on how they can use or further disseminate the detailed criminal history, generally only being permitted to report a binary "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory" determination back to the compact's Commission.

The Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act expands eligibility for memorial headstones and markers furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This legislation removes the previous date restriction, meaning veterans no longer need to have died on or after November 11, 1998, to qualify. The bill ensures that eligibility for these markers is determined by other existing criteria, regardless of the veteran's date of death.

The Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025 limits the FCC's authority to prohibit the use of cell phone jamming systems within jails and prisons. This legislation specifically permits state and federal correctional facilities to deploy jamming technology to block communications involving inmates or contraband devices. Any facility using these systems must adhere to strict operational limits, ensure state funding for state-run systems, and coordinate with local public safety officials beforehand.

The Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act clarifies that materials like those found in tar sands are explicitly included in the definition of "crude oil" for federal excise tax purposes. This ensures these substances are subject to the same taxes as traditional crude oil. The bill also grants the Treasury Secretary authority to classify other fuel products as crude oil if they pose a significant environmental hazard when transported commercially.

The Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act prohibits the expenditure of U.S. federal funds in Gaza unless the President certifies to Congress that the money will not benefit Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or other designated terrorist organizations. This restriction also applies to funds channeled through the United Nations, requiring certification that the UN entity is not promoting anti-Israel or anti-Semitic propaganda. Essentially, the bill halts federal spending in Gaza until strict anti-terrorism and ideological purity conditions are met.

This Act officially redesignates the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and establishes a new Ocmulgee Mounds National Preserve, both managed as a single unit. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to acquire additional non-condemned land to expand the Park and establish the Preserve. The legislation also creates an Advisory Council to guide management planning, which must prioritize the cultural resources and interests of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and transfers specific tribal land into federal trust status for the Tribe.

The First Responders Retirement Parity Act allows certain firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics employed by qualifying public safety agencies to participate in governmental pension plans. This ensures that these essential emergency response providers are treated similarly to other government employees under various federal retirement and benefit rules. The Act clarifies that including these specific providers will not jeopardize the tax status of the governmental pension plan.

The Weather Innovation for the Next Generation Act of 2025 (WING Act) establishes a new research program to ensure the accuracy of weather radar systems despite physical obstructions like wind turbines and buildings. This initiative directs the National Weather Service to develop and test new technologies and forecasting methods to mitigate issues such as beam blockage and ghost echoes. The program will prioritize proven fixes and require annual reports to Congress until its conclusion in 2030.

This bill establishes the **National Garden of American Heroes** to commemorate America's 250th Anniversary. It tasks a White House Task Force with the planning, design, and construction of the Garden, potentially starting by July 4, 2026. Funding will be managed through a dedicated National Garden Fund, primarily supported by private donations, with provisions for maintenance funding and required regular reporting to Congress.

The Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act aims to lower prescription drug expenses for certain low-income individuals. This bill automatically qualifies younger Medicaid beneficiaries, whose income is below 200% of the federal poverty line, for premium and cost-sharing subsidies under Medicare Part D. This ensures continued financial assistance for prescription drug coverage as they transition.

The **SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2025** seeks to reauthorize and update the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). This legislation expands the program's focus to include cancer prevention and aims to reduce health disparities in screening access. The bill authorizes $235 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and mandates a GAO study on program eligibility and service trends.

The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act establishes a new EPA program to enhance the security of community water systems and treatment works. This program will actively support participation in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center by helping cover membership costs and improving threat analysis resources. Ultimately, the goal is to better equip water utilities to defend against and recover from cyber threats and natural hazards.

The Mining Schools Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program, administered by the Secretary of Energy, to strengthen domestic mining education at qualified colleges and universities. This program will award up to ten competitive grants annually to improve curriculum and recruit professionals needed for the nation's mineral supply. The Act also creates the Mining Professional Development Advisory Board to assist in the grant selection process and repeals the previous Mining and Mineral Resources Institutes Act.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 mandates the addition of a disclaimer on standard mortgage applications, informing applicants who indicate military service that they may qualify for a VA Home Loan. This ensures veterans and service members are immediately directed to explore their VA loan eligibility when applying for a mortgage. The bill also requires the GAO to study the effectiveness of this new disclaimer requirement among lenders.

This bill, the National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act, mandates the replacement of the current NWSChat instant messaging system with a modern, commercially available, public cloud-hosted solution by October 1, 2027. The new system must meet standards for scalability and usability. Funding for this upgrade, up to \$3 million annually from 2026 to 2029, will be sourced from the existing NWS Operations, Research, and Facilities budget.

The Protecting Kids from Fentanyl Act of 2025 allows states to use Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant funds to purchase life-saving opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, for schools. These funds can also cover essential training for school staff on administering the antagonists and providing fentanyl awareness education to students. This legislation aims to enhance school safety by equipping them to respond to opioid emergencies.

The FEMA Independence Act of 2025 fundamentally restructures the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by establishing it as an independent, cabinet-level agency reporting directly to the President. This legislation details the appointment requirements for a new Director, establishes an independent Office of the Inspector General, and outlines the transfer of all existing FEMA functions and personnel. Ultimately, the Act aims to strengthen FEMA's national leadership role across all phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

The Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act mandates stricter and clearer public disclosure of stock transactions by corporate directors, officers, and principal stockholders. This legislation updates existing securities law to ensure greater transparency regarding insider trading activities. Furthermore, it requires the SEC to finalize the necessary implementing rules within 90 days of enactment.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the downward attribution of stock ownership from non-U.S. persons to U.S. persons when applying constructive ownership rules for international tax calculations. It introduces new definitions and rules for "foreign controlled United States shareholders" and "foreign controlled foreign corporations" concerning Subpart F international tax provisions. Ultimately, this legislation adjusts how ownership is attributed in complex international corporate structures for specific tax purposes.

The Mink VIRUS Act mandates the complete cessation of mink farming one year after enactment and establishes strict federal standards for the humane termination of any remaining mink. It creates a payment program administered by the USDA to compensate farm owners for compliance costs and asset value, contingent upon a permanent easement preventing future fur farming on the land. The Act also specifies penalties for non-compliance with termination rules and exempts its budgetary effects from standard PAYGO scorecards.