Legislation

The Sustainable Agriculture Research Act aims to enhance the role of agriculture in developing innovative sustainability solutions. It amends the AGARDA program to focus on agricultural technologies addressing extreme weather, water conservation, carbon storage, and sustainable energy. The bill also specifically defines and promotes the adoption of precision agriculture to improve efficiency and environmental quality.

This bill modifies the boundaries of the Talladega National Forest to include specific additional lands as shown on a designated map. It grants the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to acquire this newly included private land through purchase, donation, or exchange. Any acquired property must adhere to existing National Forest System management standards and be acquired only from willing sellers.

This bill mandates a feasibility study to determine if the Benton MacKaye Trail should be designated as a National Scenic Trail. The study will assess the 287-mile scenic, nonmotorized route spanning Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The Secretary of Agriculture must complete and submit this report to Congress within one year of enactment.

The Fix Our Forests Act is comprehensive legislation designed to aggressively reduce catastrophic wildfire risk through landscape-scale restoration and streamlined management of high-risk federal lands. It establishes new centralized intelligence centers, accelerates hazardous fuel reduction projects by reforming environmental reviews, and bolsters community resilience through new risk reduction programs. Furthermore, the bill enhances support for firefighters' families and promotes technological innovation and transparency in forest management practices.

The Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2025 seeks to expand protected lands within the George Washington National Forest. This bill adds approximately 1,000 acres to the Rough Mountain Wilderness Area. Additionally, it designates about 4,600 acres as a potential addition to the Rich Hole Wilderness Area, allowing for necessary water quality improvement activities before its final inclusion, which will occur within five years or upon completion of those projects.

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey specific National Forest System land in Franklin County, Mississippi, to the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance. The transfer requires a written request from the Alliance and a determination by the Secretary that the conveyance is in the public interest. The land must be sold at fair market value through a competitive process, with the Alliance covering associated appraisal and administrative costs.

The Reliable Power Act mandates that the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) conduct annual long-term assessments of the bulk-power system's ability to meet future energy demand. If the ERO identifies a risk of generation inadequacy, it must notify the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC then reviews any pending agency actions that could affect generation resources, requiring agencies to modify or justify actions that might negatively impact grid reliability before finalizing them.

This resolution supports the goals of Red Ribbon Week, observed annually from October 23rd through 31st, to promote drug prevention education and honor DEA Agent Enrique Camarena. It highlights the ongoing drug overdose crisis, particularly the threat of fentanyl, and encourages all Americans to commit to drug-free lifestyles. The bill urges public participation, such as wearing red ribbons and supporting prevention efforts, to build drug-free communities.

The Kayla Hamilton Act revises the standards for placing unaccompanied alien children in federal custody to prioritize child safety and prevent trafficking. It mandates enhanced screening, consultation with law enforcement, and stricter criteria for placement settings and sponsors. This legislation ensures that placement decisions are made only after comprehensive safety checks are completed for the child and potential sponsors.

This Act establishes a clear U.S. policy to hold Chinese officials accountable for gross human rights violations against religious groups by making them subject to sanctions. It mandates that the Department of State actively promote and monitor religious freedom within the People's Republic of China. Furthermore, Congress urges the designation of China as a "country of particular concern" and calls for robust diplomatic action to secure the release of unjustly detained religious prisoners.

The Tribal Warrant Fairness Act expands the authority of the U.S. Marshals Service to include handling Tribal fugitive matters and coordinating law enforcement activities with Indian Tribes. This legislation also amends existing law to ensure that Indian Tribes are included in protections and provisions related to Federal, State, or Tribal law enforcement coordination.

The TREATS Act modifies existing law to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders. Specifically, it allows a single telehealth evaluation to satisfy the prior in-person evaluation requirement for prescribing certain Schedule III, IV, or V controlled substances approved for addiction treatment. This change aims to improve the delivery of necessary therapy services via remote care.

The Corporate Governance Fairness Act amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to establish specific regulations for proxy advisory firms. This legislation defines these firms and subjects them to registration requirements with the SEC. The Act mandates that the Commission conduct periodic examinations of these firms' records, focusing on conflicts of interest and the accuracy of their statements. Finally, it requires the SEC to report periodically to Congress on the adequacy of investor protections related to proxy advisory services.

The Gang Activity Reporting Act of 2025 mandates the Attorney General, in collaboration with DHS and the FBI, to submit comprehensive annual reports on gang activity to Congress. These detailed reports must cover trends in gang membership, criminal enterprises, and enforcement efforts over the preceding decade. The goal is to provide accurate, consistent data to inform effective, evidence-based policymaking against rising violent crime.

The COAL Act of 2025 mandates the swift processing and approval of all pending, qualified coal lease applications that were already undergoing environmental review upon enactment. It requires the Secretary to finalize necessary valuations and grant these leases as soon as possible. Furthermore, this Act explicitly repeals Secretarial Order 3338, removing previous restrictions on future coal leasing.

The No AliPay Act of 2025 prohibits any United States person from conducting financial transactions with AliPay (China) Internet Technology Company Limited. This ban specifically includes the use of any application or payment processing service operated by AliPay. The legislation aims to restrict U.S. persons from engaging with the specified Chinese technology company's financial services.

The Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act authorizes the relocation of a memorial honoring nine Air Force crew members lost in a 1982 crash to the Stratton Ridge rest area in North Carolina. This relocation requires agreement from the current private landowner and approval from the Secretary of Agriculture. All costs associated with the relocation, installation, and maintenance must be covered by the requesting party, not the federal government.

This bill mandates that secondary schools provide military recruiters with the same access to students and campus facilities as any other prospective employer or institution of higher education. It requires schools to facilitate a minimum of four in-person recruitment events annually. Furthermore, the legislation compels local educational agencies to disclose specific student contact and academic information to military recruiters upon request.

This bill mandates the creation of a real-time data dashboard to track graduate medical education residency positions, applications, and match rates. The dashboard will provide crucial data to help federal agencies assess and address physician shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must collaborate across agencies to ensure comprehensive data collection while maintaining strict privacy standards. Annual reports detailing findings and program effectiveness will be submitted to Congress.

The Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act of 2025 designates approximately 750 acres as the Camp Hutchins Wilderness and establishes three Special Management Areas—Camp Hutchins, Ripple Hollow, and Burke Branch—to protect ecological and scenic resources. The Act mandates specific management plans for these areas, prohibiting commercial timber harvesting while allowing necessary activities like prescribed fire and invasive species control. Furthermore, it withdraws the designated lands from mineral entry and disposal to ensure long-term conservation.