Legislation

The COUNTER Act enhances the Department of Defense's authority to neutralize threats from unmanned aircraft systems targeting U.S. assets. This legislation delegates specific response powers and updates mitigation rules for drone threats. Crucially, it exempts sensitive information regarding these counter-drone technologies and procedures from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. The bill also adjusts several deadlines and clarifies the applicability of certain federal laws when operating overseas to counter these threats.

The Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act extends the life of the Historic Preservation Fund through the year 2035. This legislation also increases the maximum annual funding available for the program from \$150 million to \$250 million. Essentially, this bill ensures continued and increased financial support for preserving historic sites across the nation.

The Livestock Indemnity Program Enhancement Act of 2025 establishes new, additional payments for eligible livestock producers who suffer losses of unborn animals due to covered disaster conditions exceeding normal rates. These supplemental payments will be calculated based on a rate set by the Secretary, not exceeding 85% of the lowest weight class payment for that livestock type. This change aims to provide further financial relief for producers facing significant losses during gestation.

The Federal Cyber Workforce Training Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a Federal Cyber Workforce Development Institute to centralize and standardize cybersecurity training for federal employees. Led by the National Cyber Director, this Institute will develop modular, hands-on training aligned with the NICE framework for current and incoming cyber staff, including HR personnel. The resulting plan must detail curriculum, delivery methods, and necessary resources, though the Act itself does not authorize new appropriations.

The Certified Nursing Assistant Workforce Improvement Act updates federal regulations to enhance the quality of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training. This bill mandates that Registered Nurses supervising CNA training must possess a minimum of two years of general nursing experience. This change aims to strengthen the qualifications of those overseeing the training of essential long-term care staff.

The Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025 overhauls residential job training facilities for underserved youth run by the Interior and Agriculture Departments. It mandates specialized training programs focused on conservation and wildland firefighting, and sets annual hiring goals for program graduates into federal roles. The bill also establishes pilot programs to boost the wildland firefighting workforce and improve related federal housing using student labor.

The Protecting Retirement and Health Benefits for Families Act requires heads of major federal agencies to certify to Congress that significant operational changes will not harm beneficiaries' access to or amount of benefits. If an agency plans major staffing cuts or reorganizations, it must detail how core services will be maintained. Should an Inspector General later find that these changes caused harm, the agency head is mandated to reverse those detrimental actions.

The Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act mandates the addition of the Ministry of Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science of China to the U.S. trade entity list within 60 days of enactment. This action restricts the institute's access to U.S. goods and technology. The President may waive this designation only if they certify to Congress that the institute is not acting against U.S. interests or aiding in human rights abuses against minorities in Xinjiang.

The Shawnee TRAILS Act mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture must designate and maintain at least 20 percent of trails in the Shawnee National Forest specifically for recreational use by covered vehicles, including e-bikes and off-highway vehicles (OHVs). This legislation ensures continuous access to these designated trails for trail riding while requiring active management to maintain trail quality and minimize natural resource impacts. Furthermore, the Act prohibits restricting covered vehicles from using existing paved roads within the forest.

The School Resource Officer Funding Protection Act of 2025 requires states to maintain a baseline level of state funding for School Resource Officers (SROs) to receive their full share of federal education funds. States must annually report their SRO spending to certify compliance with this maintenance rule. Failure to maintain the required spending level will result in a proportional reduction of the state's federal funding in the following fiscal year, though waivers are available for documented extraordinary financial hardship.

The AGRITOURISM Act establishes a new Office of Agritourism within the Department of Agriculture, led by a dedicated Director. This office is tasked with promoting and supporting farm-based tourism activities across the nation. The goal is to boost rural economies by helping agricultural businesses diversify through educational, recreational, and direct-sale opportunities.

The Valve Safety Fairness Act of 2025 mandates that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) apply specific safety standards to Type A gas gathering lines. This action ensures these lines comply with the existing "Pipeline Safety: Requirement of Valve Installation and Minimum Rupture Detection Standards" published in April 2022. In short, the bill extends crucial valve and rupture detection requirements to this category of gas pipelines.

The Strong Communities Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program allowing the Attorney General to fund specialized law enforcement training for local officers and recruits. Recipients of this funding must commit to serving in their local community for at least four years following their training. The Act also mandates annual transparency reports to Congress detailing grant recipients, training plans, and the retention rates of officers who complete the funded programs.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act officially integrates therapeutic and diagnostic medical physicists into the VA's professional staffing ranks. This legislation establishes specific qualification standards, including mandatory post-graduate training and board certification, for these roles. Furthermore, it creates dedicated pay grades for these physicists, ensuring they are properly compensated within the VA healthcare system structure. The VA must report to Congress one year after enactment on the impact of these changes.

The "They’re Fast, We’re Furious Act of 2025" establishes a new federal Task Force to combat illegal street racing and vehicle sideshows. This group, led by the FBI, will study the scope of the problem and develop national guidelines for state and local law enforcement. The Task Force is required to report its findings and recommendations to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment.

The WILD Act of 2025 permits federal, state, local, and tribal agencies to operate unmanned aircraft systems (drones) within designated wilderness areas. This authorization is strictly limited to specific purposes, including environmental monitoring, research, law enforcement, search and rescue, and disaster response activities. The bill clarifies definitions for "natural disaster" and "unmanned aircraft system" to govern these uses.

The Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025 mandates that federal land management agencies, including the DOI and the Forest Service, develop formal co-management plans with federally recognized Tribes for activities on historically or culturally connected lands. This legislation establishes a framework for Tribes to partner directly with federal agencies on planning, operations, and restoration work. Furthermore, it requires specialized training for federal employees on integrating Indigenous knowledge and ensures streamlined processes for Tribal participation in land management.

The Captivity of Helpless Elephants Reduction Act of 2025, or CHER Act, aims to end the captivity of African and Asian elephants in U.S. zoos and safari parks. This legislation bans the display, care, and breeding of these elephants in such facilities one year after enactment. The bill mandates that all current captive elephants must be transferred to authorized, accredited wildlife sanctuaries within three years. The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with overseeing this transition, including conducting feasibility studies and potentially establishing grant programs to support the sanctuaries.

The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive, federally coordinated research program focused on Down syndrome, managed by the NIH. This initiative, the INCLUDE Project, mandates research across the lifespan, focusing on co-occurring conditions like Alzheimer's, improving clinical trial inclusion, and investigating underlying biology. The Act requires regular reporting to Congress on all funded research to ensure coordination and maximize impact on the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome.

This bill, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Commission Act, restructures the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by replacing its single Director leadership with an independent, five-member commission appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The legislation updates numerous federal laws to replace references to the "Director" with the "Commission" or "Bureau" to reflect this new governance structure. The commission will oversee the agency's core rulemaking and enforcement authority, with a Chair selected from among its members to manage day-to-day operations.