Legislative Activity

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer a specific parcel of Forest Service property in Perry County, Arkansas, to the County at no cost. The transfer is contingent upon the County submitting a timely request and agreeing to cover all associated survey and environmental analysis expenses. The property must be used exclusively for public purposes, such as education and youth development, or it may revert to the United States.

The Advancing Water Research and Collaboration Act of 2025 updates existing water research law to explicitly include the artificial intelligence industry in federal water research initiatives. The bill authorizes $16 million annually through 2029 for Water Resources Research Institutes. Furthermore, it mandates that 20% of these funds must be dedicated to research addressing water problems that cross state boundaries.

This resolution expresses support for designating October 5 through October 11, 2025, as National 4-H Week. It recognizes 4-H as a vital youth development program that empowers millions of young people through hands-on learning. The bill encourages citizens to celebrate the organization's significant impact on developing confident and compassionate leaders.

This resolution officially designates the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as "National Truck Driver Appreciation Week." It serves to recognize the vital role of the nation's 3.5 million truck drivers who move the vast majority of American freight. The bill honors their dedication and essential contributions to the economy, supply chain, and national security without enacting new laws or programs.

The Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites Act, or STARS Act, designates September 17, 2026, as a national day of free access to federal recreation sites. This celebration of the U.S. 250th anniversary waives entrance fees for National Park and Wildlife Refuge System units. Additionally, standard amenity recreation fees will be waived at sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Forest Service on that day.

The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 aims to address physician shortages by adding 2,000 new Medicare-funded residency positions annually from 2027 through 2033. These new slots are distributed through an application process, prioritizing hospitals serving rural areas, Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), and those supporting new medical schools. Additionally, the bill mandates a study and report on effective strategies for increasing diversity within the healthcare workforce.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act aims to eliminate delays in certifying the deaths of veterans who pass away from natural causes. This bill mandates that VA physicians or nurse practitioners must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours, or a local official can step in. The legislation also requires the VA Secretary to annually report on compliance with this new timely certification standard.

The Access Technology Affordability Act of 2025 establishes a new federal tax credit to help offset the cost of essential access technology for blind individuals. This credit covers expenses for hardware or software that converts visual information into usable formats for the taxpayer, their spouse, or a dependent. The credit is capped at \$2,000 over any three-year period and is set to expire for tax years beginning after December 31, 2030.

The S-CAP Act of 2025 proposes increasing the maximum number of shareholders a business can have while still qualifying for S corporation tax status. This bill raises the current limit from 100 shareholders to 250 shareholders. This change will take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This resolution designates the third week of March 2025 as "National CACFP Week" to recognize the Child and Adult Care Food Program's (CACFP) impact. The CACFP provides millions of children and adults in care settings with nutritious meals and snacks. The program improves child care quality, supports working families, and enhances the health and well-being of participants.

This resolution authorizes the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to spend funds from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027, for necessary expenses, including staffing, investigations, and agency contributions. It sets specific spending limits for different periods, including allocations for consultants and staff training. The resolution also outlines the procedures for handling committee expenses and agency contributions, ensuring compliance with Senate rules and regulations.

This bill, known as the "PSA Screening for HIM Act," mandates that group health plans and health insurance issuers provide coverage for prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing for high-risk men, including African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer, starting in 2025. The goal is to improve early detection and survival rates for those at higher risk of developing prostate cancer. This bill ensures coverage aligns with current recommendations for breast cancer screening and prevention, while also allowing plans to offer additional services.