Legislative Activity

The Incentivizing Value Capture for Greener Transportation Act establishes a federal grant program to help state and local governments implement "value capture" mechanisms that fund public transit and affordable transit-oriented development. By leveraging the economic benefits of government infrastructure investments, this initiative aims to increase transit ridership while reducing traffic congestion, vehicle miles traveled, and greenhouse gas emissions. The bill also provides technical assistance to help communities develop sustainable, long-term transportation solutions that prioritize environmental and economic health.

This proposed constitutional amendment would mandate that the federal government, states, tribes, and territories jointly guarantee a high-quality education for all individuals in the United States. If ratified, it would grant Congress the authority to enact legislation to enforce this universal educational standard.

The Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act establishes critical legal safeguards for employees in the offshore oil and gas industry who report safety violations or engage in protected activities. The bill prohibits employer retaliation and creates a formal complaint process through the Department of Labor to ensure workers can report hazards without fear of losing their jobs. It also mandates that employers provide regular training and notice to staff regarding these rights and available legal remedies.

The Consumer Health Claim Assistance Act establishes a new Department of Labor program to help employees navigate benefit denials and resolve disputes regarding their workplace health and disability plans. Funded by new plan filing fees, this initiative provides direct support for filing appeals and ensures participants understand their rights under ERISA. Additionally, the bill mandates increased transparency for welfare benefit plans through new reporting and notice requirements.

The Early Childhood Mental Health Support Act aims to improve behavioral health outcomes for children in Head Start programs. It requires the review and identification of evidence-based mental health interventions and staff wellness practices suitable for these settings. The bill authorizes grants for implementing these identified strategies and establishes a framework for evaluating their effectiveness.

The Federal Law Enforcement and Public Protection Act establishes new federal requirements for the safe storage and handling of service weapons carried by federal law enforcement officers. This legislation mandates that agencies create specific rules for locking and storing firearms when not in use, adopting minimum standards like the use of safes or smart locks. Furthermore, the bill requires agencies to report any lost or stolen firearms and provide training on safe storage practices to all relevant personnel.

The Equitable Transit Oriented Development Support Act aims to ensure that new development near public transit benefits existing communities rather than displacing them. It establishes a HUD grant program for equitable TOD planning and creates a fund to preserve and create affordable housing near transit stations. Additionally, the bill modifies federal infrastructure finance programs to allow Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to play a larger role in financing these equitable transit projects.

The Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act aims to restore critical federal funding for early intervention services (Part C) and preschool special education programs (Section 619) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This legislation recognizes that high-quality early services significantly benefit children with disabilities and their families. The bill authorizes specific increased appropriations for both Part C and Section 619 programs through fiscal year 2031.

The Protection and Advocacy for Student Success Act establishes a national grant program to empower state protection and advocacy systems to defend the educational rights of students with disabilities. These grants support efforts to monitor school conditions, eliminate harmful practices like seclusion and restraint, and pursue legal remedies to ensure students receive the services they are entitled to under federal law.

The Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act mandates that states develop and implement comprehensive concussion safety and management plans for all public schools. These plans require immediate removal from play for suspected concussions and written medical clearance before a student can return to athletics. The bill also establishes annual training requirements and supports for students returning to academics after a concussion, with federal funding tied to state compliance.

The Jobs for a Carbon Free Transportation System Act aims to reduce carbon emissions by funding connected, low-carbon transportation corridors and establishing financing tools to support transit and affordable housing near stations. Additionally, the bill creates programs to support workers and communities transitioning away from the fossil fuel industry through local planning and a federal job guarantee. Overall, it seeks to build sustainable infrastructure while ensuring a just economic transition for affected workers.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 2121 Meridian Park Boulevard in Concord, California, as the "Carl Jefferson Post Office Building." All future official references to this location will bear this name.

The Transportation Megaprojects Accountability and Oversight Act establishes new requirements for federally funded transportation projects costing \$2.5 billion or more, defined as "megaprojects." This legislation mandates comprehensive risk management plans, the establishment of independent peer review groups, and increased public transparency for these major infrastructure initiatives. The bill also directs the creation of a committee to study best practices and recommend improvements to federal oversight of megaprojects.

The School Food Modernization Act aims to improve school meal programs by providing financial assistance for facility upgrades and equipment purchases through loan guarantees and grants. It also establishes a new grant program to fund third-party training for school food service staff on nutrition standards and efficiency. Finally, the bill requires reports to Congress on program implementation and a study on how states use administrative funds for workforce training.

The Metropolitan Planning Enhancement Act mandates greater transparency and accountability in how metropolitan areas and states select transportation projects for funding. It requires using public, objective criteria to rank all potential projects based on alignment with national and state goals. Finally, priority funding lists must generally select projects from the highest-ranked category, requiring a public justification if a lower-ranked project is chosen instead.

The CEO Accountability and Responsibility Act ties a publicly traded corporation's federal income tax rate directly to the ratio between its CEO's compensation and its median worker's pay. Companies with higher executive-to-worker pay gaps will face higher tax rates, with additional penalties for shifting domestic jobs overseas or to contractors. Furthermore, federal agencies must grant contracting preferences to businesses whose executive pay ratio is less than 50-to-1.

The High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Exemption Reauthorization Act extends the federal regulations governing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) facilities. Specifically, this bill pushes back the expiration date for these existing HOV facility rules from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2031. This ensures the current federal guidelines remain in effect for an additional six years.

The Advancing Gun Safety Technology Act establishes a pilot program to fund small businesses developing innovative technologies designed to prevent accidental or unauthorized firearm use. Through grants managed by the Attorney General, the program aims to accelerate the development and commercial readiness of safety features like smart guns and advanced locking mechanisms. Up to $10 million is authorized for this initiative in Fiscal Year 2026.

The Local Gun Violence Reduction Act establishes a national database, managed by the CDC, for tracking local gun violence prevention laws and their effectiveness. State and local governments must submit details on their enacted laws alongside data comparing gun violence rates before and after implementation. This system aims to share successful strategies by providing regular reports to Congress on participation and law effectiveness.

The Gun Safety Board and Research Act establishes a new federal Gun Safety Board within the Department of Health and Human Services. This Board is mandated to fund original research aimed at reducing gun violence and to educate the public on effective prevention methods. It will also publish annual policy recommendations based on scientific findings regarding various forms of gun violence.