Legislative Activity

The Safe Step Act establishes mandatory, transparent exception processes for health plans that use "step therapy" protocols for prescription drugs. This ensures patients or their doctors can quickly request coverage for a prescribed medication when specific clinical criteria are met, such as previous treatment failure or risk of harm. Plans must decide on standard requests within 72 hours and urgent requests within 24 hours, and approved exceptions must last for at least one year. Furthermore, insurers must report detailed data annually on exception requests, approvals, and denials to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The Retire through Ownership Act amends the definition of "adequate consideration" under ERISA, specifically benefiting Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). This change allows ESOP fiduciaries to rely in good faith on valuations provided by independent appraisers, provided the appraisal uses the valuation methods specified in IRS Revenue Ruling 59-60. This clarification aims to streamline the process for determining fair asset value within retirement plans.

The "Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act" significantly reforms the process for setting and reviewing federal energy conservation standards for consumer products. It establishes strict, consumer-cost-focused criteria that new or amended standards must meet to be deemed economically justified, including prioritizing short-term consumer savings over long-term energy reduction. Furthermore, this Act immediately halts the Department of Energy from establishing any new or amended energy standards for distribution transformers.

This Act ensures that when the EPA sets new air quality standards, they must immediately provide the necessary guidance for states to process preconstruction permits. If this guidance is delayed, the new standard cannot be applied to permit reviews until the instructions are published. Furthermore, the bill specifies that the new 2024 PM2.5 standard will not apply to certain permit applications already underway before the EPA officially designates the affected areas. These changes do not eliminate requirements for installing the best available pollution control technology.

The Employee Rights Act fundamentally reforms U.S. labor law by mandating secret ballot elections for union representation and restricting union access to employee contact information. It also clarifies definitions for independent contractors and joint employers under federal wage and labor relations statutes. Furthermore, the bill prohibits Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion (DEI) clauses in collective bargaining agreements and establishes federal penalties for violence during labor disputes, while prioritizing state authority for minor incidents.

The Health Care for Energy Workers Act of 2025 expands medical benefit authorization under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. This legislation grants Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants the authority to prescribe and order necessary care, equipment, and supplies for eligible employees. This new authority is contingent upon compliance with state practice laws.

The Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act aims to safeguard retirement assets through four key areas. It mandates that fiduciaries prioritize financial returns over non-pecuniary factors when making investment decisions, while also ensuring non-discrimination in the selection of plan service providers. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that managing shareholder rights, such as proxy voting, is a fiduciary duty tied strictly to the economic interests of participants. Finally, it establishes strict, per-transaction disclosure requirements for retirement investors utilizing brokerage windows outside of standard plan options.

The TELL Act mandates that websites and mobile apps collecting user data and storing it in China must clearly disclose this storage location and whether the Chinese government or state-owned entities can access that information. Companies are prohibited from knowingly providing false disclosures regarding data storage or access. Violations of this Act will be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as unfair or deceptive business practices.

The Secret Ballot Protection Act mandates that union recognition for collective bargaining must occur only through a secret ballot election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). This legislation aims to ensure employees freely choose their representation without employer coercion or alternative recognition methods, like card checks. The NLRB is required to update all existing regulations within six months to align with these new election standards. Existing union recognition agreements are exempt from these new requirements.

This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to formally integrate entrepreneurial skills development into workforce planning and service delivery. It requires state and local boards to include entrepreneurship training and microenterprise services when planning activities and offering required services. Furthermore, the legislation mandates a comprehensive three-year study to evaluate the outcomes and best practices of entrepreneurial skills development programs nationwide.

The BEAD FEE Act of 2025 aims to ensure fairness and efficiency in broadband deployment by regulating fees charged by local governments for projects funded under the BEAD Program. This legislation mandates that any fees associated with broadband infrastructure construction must be competitively neutral, transparent, and directly tied to the actual, reasonable costs incurred. Consequently, grant funds will be withheld from entities that impose non-compliant or discriminatory fees.

The "Expanding Student Access to Mental Health Services Act" amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to bolster mental health support for students. States can utilize funds to enhance mental health services, including implementing mental health first aid best practices and coordinating with local health agencies for services like telehealth. Local educational agencies must detail how funds will support mental health activities, and the act promotes the use of technology to improve and expand access to these crucial services. Technology infrastructure used for mental health services will be exempt from certain limitations.

The "Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act" promotes skills-based hiring by encouraging states to use competency-based assessments that measure an individual's skills and knowledge. This allows individuals to earn credentials, receive educational credit, and develop employment plans based on their abilities. The act also supports employers in adopting skills-based hiring practices and integrates assessments into local training programs to help individuals find jobs and advance their careers. Ultimately, this bill aims to connect individuals with in-demand jobs by recognizing and validating their existing skills and experiences.

This bill expresses support for designating March 2025 as "National March into Literacy Month" to highlight the importance of child and adult literacy. It recognizes the efforts of students, parents, teachers, and school leaders. The bill encourages parents, schools, and all Americans to promote literacy and organize events that raise awareness about the importance of reading.

The Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2025 directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and the FCC to identify and auction at least 2500 megahertz of spectrum between 1.3 GHz and 13.2 GHz for reallocation, including spectrum for commercial licensed and unlicensed use. It sets specific timelines for identifying spectrum, granting licenses via auction, and making spectrum available for use. The act also modernizes the Spectrum Relocation Fund by shortening congressional notification timelines and updating provisions regarding comparable capability.

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to regulate artificial or prerecorded voice systems generated through artificial intelligence. It includes AI-generated voices in the existing regulations for telephone solicitations, ensuring these systems adhere to the same standards as traditional prerecorded voices.

The American Science First Act prohibits the National Science Foundation (NSF) from providing grants or assistance to individuals or entities associated with Chinese communist military companies and their affiliates. This includes companies listed under Export Administration Regulations and those identified in specific defense authorization acts. The goal is to prevent NSF funding from supporting entities that pose a national security risk.