Legislative Activity

The Faster Buses Better Futures Act aims to significantly improve public transit by creating competitive grants for ambitious bus network redesigns focused on doubling ridership. It also establishes funding to ensure bus stops have accessible shelters and mandates that road owners implement transit priority measures to improve bus reliability. Finally, the Act provides dedicated funding for the Federal Transit Administration to administer these new programs and support transit planning efforts.

The Epinephrine’s Pharma Inflated Price Ends Now Act (EPIPEN Act) caps consumer out-of-pocket costs for life-saving epinephrine delivery systems, such as EpiPens, at no more than \$60 per package of two. This requirement applies to most group and individual health insurance plans, with payments counting toward annual deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. These new cost-sharing limits will take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Wheelchair Right to Repair Act establishes a "right to repair" for powered mobility assistance devices, including motorized wheelchairs and wearable robotics. This legislation carves out exceptions to copyright law, allowing owners and independent shops to legally bypass digital locks to diagnose, maintain, and repair these essential devices. Furthermore, manufacturers are required to provide all necessary documentation, parts, software, and tools to these independent providers at fair and reasonable terms. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these provisions as unfair or deceptive business practices.

The Safe Air on Airplanes Act mandates the phase-out of "bleed air systems" in new aircraft designs to improve cabin air quality. This legislation requires the FAA to ban these systems in future aircraft designs within six months. For existing aircraft designs still in production, the bill requires the installation of specialized filters within seven years, followed by a 30-year timeline for completely eliminating bleed air systems from newly manufactured planes.

The No Radioactive Roads Act of 2025 clarifies and strengthens regulations regarding the use of phosphogypsum, a radioactive material, in construction. This Act mandates that any proposed new use of phosphogypsum must meet strict cancer risk standards previously established for waste piles. Furthermore, applicants seeking approval for unlisted uses must provide extensive safety and environmental monitoring plans to the EPA. All approvals and associated risk assessments for these special uses will be made publicly available online.

The Fixing Gaps in Hurricane Preparedness Act mandates new research to better understand how the public receives, interprets, and acts upon hurricane warnings. This effort focuses on the social and behavioral sciences to improve forecast communication, especially for vulnerable populations. The goal is to use this evidence to update NOAA's hurricane forecasting and warning services.

The Transit Bus Affordability Act directs the Comptroller General to investigate the high costs associated with procuring new public transit buses in the United States. This review will compare U.S. costs against international benchmarks, analyze supply chain impacts, and examine current cost-reduction efforts. The goal is to provide recommendations to ensure federal, state, and local funds are used more efficiently for transit agency bus purchases.

The End Tenant Credit Screening Act generally prohibits landlords and property managers from using consumer reports containing credit history or credit standing for tenant screening purposes, even with applicant consent. This restriction applies to decisions about approving an application, setting security deposits, or determining lease terms. The only exception allows credit checks if a housing provider decides to reconsider an initial denial of an application.

The End Junk Fees for Renters Act aims to protect tenants by banning application and screening fees for federally assisted rental units. It also caps late rent fees at 3% and mandates that landlords disclose key rental history and maintenance information before a lease is signed. Furthermore, the bill directs federal agencies to define "junk fees" and prohibits landlords from reporting unpaid junk fees to credit bureaus.

The Stop Unlawful Detention and End Mistreatment Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a public, daily updated online database tracking key metrics for all individuals held in ICE custody, while prohibiting the inclusion of personally identifiable information. This bill also ensures the continued operation of the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman and the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. The legislation aims to increase transparency regarding immigration detention practices and oversight mechanisms.

The "Fair Grocery Pricing Act" aims to prevent anti-competitive practices in the food industry by prohibiting food producers from colluding on pricing and supply through third-party coordinators. It empowers the FTC, Attorney General, and State Attorneys General to enforce the Act, allowing for civil penalties and legal action against violators. The Act also enables individuals harmed by violations to seek damages and invalidate certain pre-dispute agreements. This law supplements existing antitrust laws and does not override stricter state or local regulations.

The "Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2025" establishes an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Justice, led by a Director appointed by the Attorney General, to coordinate gun violence prevention efforts, evaluate related laws and programs, and recommend evidence-based policies to Congress and the President. The Director will also convene an advisory council comprising various officials and at least 12 additional individuals representing gun violence survivors, community violence intervention service providers, and other relevant groups. The Office will also assist communities affected by gun violence with crisis response activities, such as providing access to mental health services and suicide prevention resources. Finally, the act authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds to carry out the provisions of the bill.