Legislative Activity

The Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025 allows the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to permit electrical utilities to remove trees and vegetation near power lines on federal lands, without requiring a separate timber sale. Revenue from the sale of removed materials, minus transportation costs, goes to the respective Secretary. This act aims to enhance the safety and reliability of electrical infrastructure on National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management lands.

The "Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act of 2025" amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish a coastal climate change adaptation preparedness and response program. This program will provide financial and technical assistance to coastal states for developing and implementing climate change adaptation plans. These plans aim to minimize climate change contributions and reduce negative consequences in coastal zones, with priority given to states that have already begun developing program changes. The Act authorizes grants for projects that address physical disturbances, protect habitats, mitigate natural hazard impacts, and adapt infrastructure, among other eligible activities.

The Ocean Acidification Research Partnerships Act aims to boost collaborative research on ocean acidification by providing grants for projects between the seafood industry and academic institutions. These projects will focus on understanding and addressing the impacts of ocean acidification, especially on vulnerable ecosystems. The act prioritizes projects with strong stakeholder support and requires grantees to share their findings. It authorizes \$5 million annually from 2026 to 2030 for these research grants, with a federal cost share cap of 85%.

The California Clean Coast Act of 2025 permanently prohibits any new oil and gas leasing activities in federal waters off the coast of California. This amendment to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act aims to protect California's coastal environment and economy. Existing leases issued before the enactment of this law are not affected.

The American Cargo for American Ships Act requires that 100% of the gross tonnage of equipment, materials, or commodities that are directly procured, contracted, or financed by the Department of Transportation be transported on privately-owned U.S. commercial vessels, ensuring fair participation of U.S. vessels in government-related cargo transport. This requirement applies if these vessels are available at fair and reasonable rates.

This bill recognizes the life and work of Csar Estrada Chvez, who fought for fair working conditions for farmworkers. It acknowledges his commitment to nonviolent tactics and the passage of the 1975 California Agricultural Labor Relations Act due to his efforts. The bill pledges to promote his legacy and encourages people to commemorate his work and remember his rallying cry: S se puede!

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 130 South Patterson Avenue in Santa Barbara, California, as the "Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez Post Office Building." It also mandates that any reference to this facility in U.S. records will reflect this new designation.

The Child Care Workforce Act aims to improve child care quality and affordability by establishing a pilot program that provides grants to states, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations to increase the wages of child care workers. These grants will be used to supplement the wages of eligible child care workers, with the goal of attracting and retaining qualified professionals, enhancing their well-being, and expanding access to affordable child care options. The program will be evaluated for its effectiveness, and a report will be submitted to Congress.

The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act aims to improve access to affordable child care by expanding employer-provided child care credits, increasing tax-free dependent care assistance, and creating a refundable household and dependent care tax credit. The employer provided child care credit is increased from 25% to 50% of qualified expenses, and the maximum credit amount is raised from $150,000 to $500,000. The amount of tax-free employer-provided dependent care assistance is increased from $5,000 to $7,500. A new tax credit is created for employment-related expenses paid for household and dependent care, with the applicable percentage starting at 50% and decreasing based on income, and the maximum creditable expenses are $5,000 for one qualifying individual and $8,000 for two or more.