Legislative Activity

This resolution honors the lives and ultimate sacrifice of Emily Barker, Nicholas Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, Nathan Matthews, and Nicholas Dale, who died while serving as wildland firefighters during the 2026 season. It expresses the nation's deepest gratitude and sympathy to the families of the fallen and recognizes the courage of all emergency personnel who risk their lives to protect our communities and natural resources.

The Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act establishes a grant program and cooperative framework to help state, local, and tribal partners restore forest health in areas impacted by mountain pine beetle outbreaks. This legislation supports critical projects such as hazard tree removal, reforestation, and wildfire risk reduction to protect infrastructure and water supplies. Additionally, it provides technical assistance to enhance workforce capacity and develop markets for wood products derived from beetle-affected forests.

This bill improves transparency and fairness for taxpayers by requiring the IRS to provide clear, detailed notices when denying major tax credits like the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. It grants the U.S. Tax Court authority to review multi-year bans on these credits and shifts the burden of proof to the IRS to justify such penalties. Additionally, the legislation protects taxpayer rights by suspending refund deadlines while these cases are under judicial review.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to protect Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) recipients from having their tax refunds seized to pay off debts that the IRS has already deemed uncollectible. By preventing these offsets for low-income taxpayers, the legislation ensures that essential tax credits reach those who need them most.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate IRS installment agreement fees for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. The policy aims to reduce financial barriers for lower-income individuals managing their tax obligations.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require supervisory or departmental approval before the IRS can impose tax penalties or credit-blocking disallowance periods. It mandates that these approvals be secured prior to issuing appealable notices to taxpayers, while providing an exception for penalties calculated through automated systems. Additionally, the legislation requires the Treasury to publish annual reports detailing IRS penalty data and enforcement outcomes to increase transparency.

The Glenwood Hot Springs Protection Act prohibits the expansion of limestone mining operations on specific Bureau of Land Management lands in Garfield County, Colorado. This legislation prevents the Secretary of the Interior from approving new mining claims or mineral material sales within the designated areas to protect the region's landscape.

The Better Jobs through Evidence and Innovation Act establishes a workforce development innovation fund to support the implementation and scaling of evidence-based employment and training programs. Through a tiered grant system, the Act provides funding for projects ranging from early-phase development to large-scale expansion, all requiring rigorous third-party evaluation to ensure effectiveness. This initiative aims to improve long-term participant earnings and employment outcomes by prioritizing data-driven, field-initiated solutions.

The Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act transfers federal land, including Crystal Reservoir and the Full Moon Dam, to the City of Ouray, Colorado. In exchange, the City assumes all maintenance responsibilities for the infrastructure and must keep the land open for public recreation without charging fees. The transfer is conditioned on the City maintaining the land as open space and prohibiting new development beyond necessary water infrastructure operations.

The Farmers’ Market Local Revitalization Act of 2026 significantly increases funding and modernizes nutrition programs for seniors and low-income families accessing farmers' markets. It enhances benefits, supports a transition to electronic payment systems, and mandates a study to streamline benefits across federal nutrition programs. The bill aims to boost market opportunities for local farmers while improving equitable access to fresh food for vulnerable populations.

This bill allows certain acreage that could not be planted due to a lack of irrigation water to qualify for federal prevented planting payments. To be eligible, producers must meet specific criteria regarding past irrigation use and infrastructure. Payments are subject to a gradual reduction for consecutive years of ineligibility, with payments ceasing entirely after eleven consecutive years.

The PASTEUR Act of 2026 aims to combat antimicrobial resistance by creating a novel federal subscription contract program to ensure the availability of critical new antibiotics. This program will provide substantial annual payments to drug sponsors in exchange for guaranteed access to their life-saving medicines. The Act also establishes an advisory group, funds grants for antimicrobial stewardship in healthcare settings, and enhances national surveillance of resistance data.

The Small Farm Conservation Act establishes a dedicated Small Farm EQIP subprogram to provide enhanced financial and technical conservation assistance to small-scale agricultural producers. This subprogram mandates minimum payments, offers increased incentives for soil health management on smaller farms, and reserves significant funding for tailored support. It aims to streamline the application process and ensure equitable access for historically underserved groups, including beginning and limited-resource farmers.

The Keep Kids in School Act establishes a federal grant program administered by the Department of Education to help states and local school districts reduce chronic absenteeism. Funds are intended to support evidence-based interventions, such as hiring support staff or improving transportation, to foster safer learning environments. The bill also mandates a study by the Comptroller General on the causes and effective solutions for chronic absenteeism.

The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 aims to strengthen the right to community-based services for individuals eligible for long-term supports and services (LTSS), ensuring they can live in the most integrated setting of their choice. It prohibits discrimination by states and LTSS providers against individuals seeking community living over institutionalization. The Act mandates comprehensive planning, self-evaluation, and enforceable objectives to transition people out of institutions and address disparities in service delivery.

The OPEN Act aims to significantly increase transparency and accountability within immigration enforcement and detention. It mandates unrestricted Congressional access to all detention facilities and requires public reporting of officer misconduct, including excessive force and unauthorized actions. Furthermore, the bill establishes stricter standards for detainee rights, medical care, transfers, and prohibits immigration officers from making arrests without a warrant issued by a federal judge.

The Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe Act (KIDS Act) generally prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from detaining children, individuals with cognitive disabilities, or their primary caregivers. It also severely limits immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of designated "sensitive locations" like schools and medical facilities. These restrictions only yield to enforcement actions based on valid criminal warrants. Violations of the sensitive location restriction can result in the termination of removal proceedings.

The Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, and Standards for Transparency (TRUST) Act aims to increase accountability and professionalism within immigration enforcement agencies. It establishes stricter hiring standards for officers and mandates clear identification requirements, including visible name tags and official ID cards. Furthermore, the bill requires all public-facing officers to wear body-worn cameras and complete specialized training on de-escalation and civil rights.

The SMART Community Policing Act aims to strengthen community policing by funding programs that de-escalate law enforcement interactions with individuals in crisis related to mental health, homelessness, or substance use. This is achieved by authorizing the use of COPS grant funds for establishing mobile crisis teams, co-responder programs, and case management outreach. These initiatives will build partnerships to connect vulnerable individuals with necessary mental health services and community resources.

This resolution commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Columbine Day of Service, honoring the victims and survivors of the 1999 tragedy. It recognizes the global movement that encourages communities to volunteer and commit acts of kindness every April 20th. The bill reaffirms the legacy of service that has grown from the event, encouraging continued community investment worldwide.