Legislative Activity

The Appraisal Industry Improvement Act updates federal standards for real estate appraisers, particularly those working on FHA-insured mortgages, by establishing new certification and competency requirements. It also modifies fees for Appraisal Management Companies and formally recognizes state-credentialed trainee appraisers on the national registry. Furthermore, the bill authorizes new grants for appraiser workforce training and expands the membership of the Appraisal Subcommittee to include key federal housing agencies.

The SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 authorizes notaries to perform electronic and remote notarizations for transactions affecting interstate commerce, provided they adhere to strict identity verification and audio/video recording standards. This Act mandates that notarizations validly performed in one state must be recognized by federal courts and other states. Furthermore, it clarifies that states can set higher standards or restrict notaries from using these new technologies based on commission status, while protecting existing rights against fraud or duress.

The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2025 makes the existing adoption tax credit fully refundable, allowing taxpayers to receive the benefit even if they owe no tax. This is achieved by relocating the credit within the tax code and updating related references. The bill also mandates the Treasury Department to issue regulations establishing a standardized third-party affidavit form for verifying adoption expenses. These changes will apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act prioritizes states that have not yet received funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suicide prevention grants. This legislation ensures that eligible organizations in unfunded states receive a scoring preference during the grant review process. The goal is to guarantee that every state eventually receives at least one VA suicide prevention grant.

The Transportation Asset Management Simplification Act revises federal requirements for how states manage their transportation assets, such as roads and bridges. This legislation changes the mandatory compliance review schedule from annual to once every four years, aligning it with existing recertification processes. Furthermore, the bill establishes a clear process allowing states a minimum of 90 days to correct any identified compliance issues before penalties are enforced.

The Strengthening VA Patient Advocacy for Rural Veterans Act of 2025 mandates that every VA medical center appoint a dedicated patient advocate to support veterans receiving care in rural or community settings. This legislation clarifies reporting structures for advocates and requires the VA to submit an annual, detailed report on patient issues and resolution times to Congress. The goal is to improve support and accountability for veterans, particularly those living far from major VA facilities.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility at 840 Front Street in Casselton, North Dakota. The post office will now be known as the "Commander Delbert Austin Olson Post Office." This action ensures all federal records and documents officially recognize the new designation.

The Fair Access to Banking Act aims to ensure equal access to financial services by preventing banks and credit unions from denying services to individuals or entities engaged in lawful activities based on subjective or politically motivated reasons. It sets requirements for banks with over $10 billion in assets, prohibiting them from denying services based on reputational risk and requiring them to justify denials with documented, risk-based standards. The act also allows individuals to sue financial institutions that violate these requirements, with the potential for treble damages and attorney fees awarded to successful plaintiffs. Furthermore, it restricts access to Federal Reserve lending programs and the Automated Clearing House Network for institutions that fail to comply with the Act.

The Unborn Child Support Act amends the Social Security Act to allow states to establish and enforce child support obligations for unborn children, beginning from the month of conception. Upon the mother's request and consent, biological fathers may be required to provide financial support, with payment amounts determined by a court in consultation with the mother. The legislation ensures these requirements remain mandatory for states, prohibiting any waivers that would bypass these enforcement duties.

The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025 seeks to expand Medicare coverage to include all services that doctors of chiropractic are legally authorized to perform under their state licenses. By removing the current restriction that limits coverage solely to manual spinal manipulation, the bill aligns Medicare with other federal and private health programs. To provide services beyond spinal manipulation, chiropractors will be required to complete a designated educational documentation program.

The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team in recognition of their historic victory. This legislation honors the team’s extraordinary achievement, which served as a defining moment in American sports and a source of national inspiration during the Cold War. The medals will be permanently displayed at three prominent institutions dedicated to Olympic and hockey history.