Legislative Activity

This bill strengthens consumer protection in household goods shipping by granting the Secretary of Transportation new authority to directly impose civil penalties for commercial violations. It also allows states to use federal grant funds for household goods enforcement and requires businesses to designate a single, physical principal place of business for registration. Finally, it ensures states retain any fines they impose on carriers or brokers.

This resolution supports designating May 29, 2025, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day." It aims to raise awareness about the significant mental health challenges faced by farmers and farmworkers, who experience disproportionately high rates of suicide. The day seeks to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health support within the agricultural industry.

The LAST ACRE Act of 2025 establishes the "Last Acre Program" to bring high-speed internet (at least 100/20 Mbps) to unserved and underserved agricultural lands for precision agriculture use. This program offers competitive grants and loans to providers, prioritizing the most remote and unserved farms. Additionally, the bill mandates updated federal surveys to collect detailed data on current farm broadband adoption and usage speeds.

The Precision Agriculture Loan Act of 2025 updates federal loan and loan guarantee programs to specifically support farmers adopting modern precision agriculture technology and conservation practices. This legislation renames the relevant program and explicitly allows loan funds to be used for purchasing and implementing precision agriculture tools. Furthermore, the bill streamlines program administration and extends the program's authorization through 2029.

The PRECISE Act of 2025 aims to modernize agriculture by prioritizing precision agriculture technologies and practices across rural America. It expands federal assistance and incentives within existing conservation programs like EQIP and CSP to encourage the adoption of high-tech, data-driven farming methods. Furthermore, the bill clarifies definitions and enhances technical assistance delivery to support farmers in improving efficiency and environmental outcomes.

Hammers' Law updates existing federal law to extend liability limitations, previously applied only to commercial aviation accidents, to include incidents involving cruise ships. This means lawsuits stemming from cruise ship voyages will now be subject to the same caps on damages as those in aviation accidents. The bill specifically defines which passenger vessels qualify as a "cruise ship" for the purposes of these limitations.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's formal disapproval of a recent rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning California's pollution control standards for heavy-duty vehicles and engines. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this measure nullifies the EPA's proposed regulations regarding emission standards, warranty provisions, and zero-emission vehicle requirements. Consequently, the specific EPA rule published on April 11, 2023, will not take legal effect.

The "Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act" prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from implementing or enforcing minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities. It also establishes an advisory panel to assess and provide recommendations on strengthening the nursing home workforce, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and to address workforce shortages. The panel will be composed of 17 members and will submit regular reports to the Secretary and relevant committees.

The "Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025" amends the Clean Air Act, modifying the process for ethanol waivers and Reid Vapor Pressure limitations, allowing for higher ethanol blends during high ozone season. It also permits small refineries to reclaim certain retired credits from 2016-2018 for future use, under specific conditions related to prior exemption petitions.

The "Fair SHARE Act of 2025" introduces a tax on electric vehicles and heavy battery modules to support the Highway Trust Fund. Effective January 1, 2026, the act levies a $1,000 tax on each electric vehicle and a $550 tax on battery modules exceeding 1,000 pounds. Revenue generated will be allocated to the Highway Trust Fund. The bill aims to ensure that electric vehicle users contribute to the maintenance and improvement of the nation's road infrastructure.

The "Supporting Access to Rural Community Hospitals Act of 2025" temporarily waives distance requirements for certain rural community hospitals seeking critical access hospital designation, provided they participated in a demonstration program as of the enactment date. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a section of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 does not apply to critical access hospitals.

The She DRIVES Act mandates immediate updates to federal motor vehicle safety standards by requiring the use of new crash test dummies, specifically incorporating both male and female dummies in front and side impact tests. This legislation aims to improve vehicle crashworthiness by basing new injury criteria on real-world data that better reflects diverse body types. Furthermore, the bill establishes a roadmap for the Department of Transportation to continuously review and adopt more advanced testing devices used internationally.

The "Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act" enhances the existing paid family and medical leave credit by allowing the credit to be calculated based on wages paid or total premiums paid for qualifying insurance policies. It modifies eligibility criteria for both employers and employees, and requires outreach programs to increase awareness of the credit. This bill also ensures that employers cannot deduct the portion of paid premiums equal to the credit amount.

The Amtrak Transparency Act increases accountability by requiring Amtrak to hold open Board of Directors meetings, provide advance notice of agendas, and conduct annual consultations with state transportation officials. Additionally, the bill mandates public disclosure of discretionary bonuses for officers and employees, as well as transparency regarding high-value vendor agreements for state-supported routes.