Legislative Activity

This bill establishes a new dedicated position within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to exclusively assist small businesses in setting up and navigating Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). This expert will provide guidance on compliance, valuation, and resource connection for businesses interested in employee ownership. The Act also mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing the assistance provided and offering recommendations for improving the ESOP process. Funding is authorized as necessary, with a specific initial appropriation of $500,000 for the first fiscal year.

The TREES Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program managed by the Secretary of Energy to fund community-based tree planting projects. These grants aim to reduce residential energy consumption by strategically planting trees for shade and wind protection. Priority funding will be given to projects that maximize energy savings for low-income households and benefit underserved neighborhoods. The program is authorized to plant at least 300,000 trees annually, with federal funding covering 90% of eligible project costs.

This bill aims to enhance safety for individuals outside their vehicles and for workers in construction zones by updating federal highway safety programs. It mandates improved data collection on roadside and work zone crashes and expands public awareness campaigns to cover disabled vehicles and work zones. Furthermore, the legislation establishes two specialized working groups to develop strategies and share data to reduce fatalities and injuries in these specific high-risk areas.

The Training and Nutrition Stability Act amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by removing an outdated rule. Crucially, this bill excludes income earned from specific employment and job training programs when calculating a household's SNAP eligibility. This change aims to encourage participation in workforce development and rehabilitation efforts without negatively impacting food assistance benefits.

The BUILD Act of 2025 establishes two new federal grant programs to fund facility upgrades and construction for local public safety agencies. These grants are specifically targeted toward police and fire departments serving communities with fewer than 50,000 residents. Funds must be used for projects directly related to improving emergency services, training, recruitment, or community safety. The legislation also mandates studies to assess the long-term infrastructure needs of these smaller departments.

The Protect National Service Act affirms the significant societal return on investment provided by national service programs like AmeriCorps. This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to eliminate the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) or alter its status as a Government corporation. It ensures that any future reorganization must maintain the Trust's solvency and continue federal commitment to civic engagement. The CEO must annually certify compliance with these protections to Congress for five years.

The Deafblind DATA Act aims to establish a more accurate count of Americans who are deafblind by directing the Census Bureau to cross-reference existing survey data. This new law mandates the annual publication of a public table detailing the demographic and economic characteristics of the deafblind population by state, starting in 2026. The goal is to provide essential data to ensure these individuals receive necessary support and resources.

The Advancing Water Reuse Act establishes a new "qualifying water reuse project credit" to incentivize businesses to recycle water. This credit offers a 30% tax break on qualified investments in on-site water recycling systems or infrastructure that supports industrial or commercial water reuse. The tax incentive is designed to encourage the adoption of water conservation technologies until the end of 2032.

This resolution officially recognizes the vital and dangerous work performed by power linemen who maintain our electrical infrastructure and ensure public safety. It highlights their crucial role as first responders, often working in hazardous conditions after disasters. Furthermore, the resolution supports the designation of April 18, 2025, as "National Lineman Appreciation Day" to formally honor their service.

The What Works for Preventing Veteran Suicide Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish standard operating procedures for all mental health and suicide prevention grant or pilot programs administered by the Veterans Health Administration. These procedures mandate clear, measurable goals and detailed evaluation plans for every program. The goal is to ensure all initiatives are rigorously assessed so that successful strategies can be identified and scaled up to better prevent veteran suicide.

The PROTECT 911 Act aims to support the mental health of 911 operators and emergency dispatchers. It requires the government to develop evidence-based mental health guidelines and training materials specifically for these workers. Furthermore, the Act establishes grants for emergency communications centers to implement or enhance behavioral health and wellness programs for their staff.

The Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program to fund national organizations in developing comprehensive, out-of-school workforce readiness programs for youth aged 6 to 18. This Act aims to boost employment opportunities by connecting youth education and training with employer needs through community partnerships. Furthermore, it strengthens youth voices by mandating the reestablishment and integration of Youth Councils within local workforce boards to advise on training and readiness initiatives.

The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2025 officially recognizes accounting education as a vital component of a well-rounded K-12 curriculum. This legislation amends federal education law to ensure accounting is counted within core curriculum planning frameworks. The Act specifically directs states and districts to improve access to quality accounting programs, with a focus on increasing opportunities for underrepresented students.

The Save BRIC Act aims to reinstate and strengthen proactive disaster mitigation efforts, emphasizing that preparation saves significant taxpayer money compared to recovery costs. Specifically, this bill mandates certain actions within existing disaster relief frameworks that were previously optional. By making these mitigation steps required, the Act seeks to build more resilient infrastructure and protect communities before the next disaster strikes.

The Clean Ocean And Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 (COAST Anti-Drilling Act) permanently prohibits new oil and gas leasing activities on the Outer Continental Shelf in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas. This legislation ensures these specific ocean regions are protected from future exploration and development.

The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2025 makes the existing tax credit for adoption expenses fully refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive the excess credit amount as a refund. This is achieved by renumbering the credit section and updating related tax code references. The bill also mandates new regulations for verifying adoptions via standardized affidavits. These changes will apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Youth Lead Act establishes dedicated federal funding for youth organizations by setting aside \$5 million annually for grants between fiscal years 2026 and 2030. This legislation amends existing law to ensure consistent financial support for these organizations.

The Veterans for Mustangs Act amends existing law to prioritize humane, on-range fertility control for managing wild horse and burro populations. This legislation mandates that the Secretary of the Interior must prioritize recruiting, training, and hiring military veterans to administer these fertility control measures. This ensures population management goals are met while providing employment opportunities for veterans.

The Housing Supply Frameworks Act aims to address the national housing shortage by encouraging state and local governments to reform restrictive zoning and land use regulations. It directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop and publish comprehensive guidelines and best practices for these reforms. The Act also establishes reporting requirements to track the adoption of these new frameworks and authorizes funding to support these efforts.

The Youth Sports Facilities Act of 2025 amends federal public works funding rules to explicitly include the construction and improvement of youth sports facilities. This allows communities to apply for grants specifically for these projects, provided they meet goals focused on improving health, serving low-income and rural children, and boosting local economies. The bill prioritizes facilities that address sedentary lifestyles and provide safe recreational spaces in underserved areas.