Legislation

The "Studying NEPA's Impact on Projects Act" mandates the Council on Environmental Quality to produce an annual report detailing the effects of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on various projects. This report will include data on legal actions, the length and cost of environmental impact statements and assessments, and the timelines for completing environmental reviews, broken down by project type and sector. The goal is to provide transparency and analysis of NEPA's impact, with the report and its underlying data being publicly accessible.

The BEACH Act of 2025 reauthorizes funding for state and local programs that monitor coastal recreation water quality and notify the public of potential contamination. It broadens water quality monitoring to include upstream waters and allows grant funds to identify pollution sources. The act also extends the authorization of appropriations through 2029 and requires the EPA to update guidance on water contamination testing technology.

This bill nullifies the FDA's January 2023 modifications to the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) for mifepristone, an abortion pill. It also prevents the Secretary of Health and Human Services from creating or enforcing similar regulations related to mifepristone's distribution.

The "Jobs Now Act of 2025" establishes a pilot program providing competitive grants to local governments and community-based organizations for public service employee retention, employment, and training. Priority is given to retaining current employees and supporting areas with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates, with an emphasis on aiding veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those receiving unemployment benefits. The act allocates $1 billion for both fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and requires a report to Congress on the program's outcomes and best practices.

The Local Access to Courts Act (LACA) amends Title 28 of the United States Code to add College Station, Texas, as a location for Texas district courts and El Centro, California, as a location for the Southern District of California court.

The "Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025" aims to protect first responders from secondary exposure to fentanyl and other dangerous substances. It amends existing legislation to provide first responders with the necessary training, resources, and containment devices. This will help to ensure their safety while on duty.

This bill proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, doubling the tax credit limit from $2,000 to $4,000 for energy-efficient home improvements, specifically heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, biomass stoves, and boilers. The amendment aims to further incentivize the use of energy efficient technology. This change would be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The "Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2025" aims to prevent federal funds from going to colleges and universities that offer abortion drugs or abortions through school-based service sites. To remain eligible for federal funding, these institutions must annually certify that their campus clinics do not provide abortion drugs or abortions, with specific exceptions for procedures intended to save a mother's life. The term "abortion drug" is defined as any drug used to intentionally kill an unborn child or terminate a pregnancy. This act does not apply to hospitals.

The Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act permanently withdraws approximately 225,504 acres of federal land and waters in Minnesota's Rainy River Watershed from mining and mineral leasing activities to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park. It allows for the removal of certain materials like sand and gravel if it does not harm the environment. The Act aims to preserve water quality, air quality, and the ecological integrity of the Rainy River Watershed.

The ATF Accountability Act of 2025 amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code, Section 923, by adding a new section that outlines procedures for appealing rulings from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It ensures timely written rulings from the Attorney General and establishes a structured appeal process, including hearings before an administrative law judge, with decisions subject to judicial review. This act aims to provide a fair and transparent process for licensees to challenge ATF rulings, with the effective date of rulings postponed during appeals.

The "Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act" extends the statute of limitations for criminal charges and civil actions related to fraud in pandemic-era programs, increasing the time to bring charges or initiate actions to 10 years after the offense or discovery of the violation. This extension applies to offenses and violations related to funding and programs authorized under laws like the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. The bill aims to provide more time to identify and prosecute those who defrauded COVID-19 relief programs.

The MAILS Act aims to improve communication and transparency regarding Postal Service operations. It mandates a formal process for local officials to request new post offices and requires the Postal Service to provide timely notifications and updates to local officials and the public regarding temporary post office relocations. Additionally, the Postal Service must report to Congress on any temporary relocation lasting longer than 180 days, ensuring accountability and adherence to communication requirements.

The Close the Medigap Act of 2025 aims to strengthen consumer protections and improve transparency in the Medicare supplemental insurance market. It ensures guaranteed issue of Medigap policies regardless of health status, sets minimum medical loss ratios, and prohibits age-based pricing discrimination. The Act also enhances the Medicare plan finder website to provide clearer information about Medigap options and requires transparency in payments to brokers. Finally, the Act restores access to first-dollar Medigap coverage.

The Nor Rel Muk Wintu Nation Federal Recognition Act extends federal recognition to the Nor Rel Muk Wintu Nation, making the Tribe and its members eligible for all federal services and benefits provided to federally recognized Indian Tribes. The Tribe must submit a membership roll to the Secretary of the Interior within 18 months of the Act's enactment. This act does not change any existing treaty rights or reserved rights of the Tribe.

The "Repeal the TikTok Ban Act" repeals the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act," effectively nullifying any prior bans or restrictions on applications like TikTok that were designated as controlled by foreign adversaries.

The "Increased TSP Access Act of 2025" amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to improve the delivery of technical assistance for conservation practices. It streamlines the certification process for third-party technical service providers (TSPs) by allowing non-Federal entities and State agencies to certify them. The Act also mandates the Secretary to establish fair payment amounts for TSP services and increases transparency regarding the use and impact of third-party providers. Ultimately, this bill aims to enhance conservation efforts by expanding the pool of qualified TSPs and improving their accessibility to agricultural producers.

This bill amends the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act, updating the definition of "numismatic material" to include various forms of currency and related objects. It revises import restrictions for these materials, requiring evidence of lawful acquisition and specifying that customs officials should not demand excessive documentation without reasonable suspicion of fraud. The goal is to facilitate the lawful trade and collecting of numismatic items while preventing the import of items from illegal excavations.

This bill removes the lesser prairie-chicken from the endangered species list, preventing its future listing under the Endangered Species Act. Effectively, it excludes the lesser prairie-chicken from the protections and authority of the Endangered Species Act.

The SANE Act of 2025 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to employ at least one sexual assault nurse examiner at each of its hospitals and urgent care facilities or contract with other qualified health care providers to conduct sexual assault forensic examinations. Following an examination, the health care provider must verbally refer the individual to mental health care services offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Secretary must ensure these new responsibilities do not negatively impact the existing patient care duties of Department employees. It also defines "sexual assault nurse examiner" and "sexual assault forensic examination" as defined in section 304(a) of the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2004.

The "Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025" aims to increase awareness and oversight of civil rights protections under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on college campuses. It mandates a Title VI awareness campaign, requires institutions to display information about how to file complaints, and orders monthly briefings to Congress on civil rights complaints. The Act also requires institutions to report discrimination complaints annually and mandates audits of institutions with the highest complaint rates, as well as directs the Inspector General to study discrepancies in complaints submitted to higher education institutions versus the Office of Civil Rights. Additionally, the Office for Civil Rights must continue investigating complaints even if they have been addressed by another agency or the institution's internal processes.