Legislative Activity

The Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026 focuses on advancing transportation innovation and data integrity. It extends funding authorizations for key research programs, including highway technology and university centers, through 2031. The bill also strengthens the structure and authority of transportation statistics programs to ensure data objectivity and coordination across the Department of Transportation. Finally, it mandates studies on emerging headlamp safety and strategies for increasing the use of recycled asphalt pavement.

The CAL Repayment Act mandates that states immediately use specific federal funds received to repay any outstanding unemployment insurance (UI) advances within five business days. This requirement takes precedence over all other uses for those funds. States that fail to comply face a penalty equal to the amount improperly spent.

This bill amends federal law to reclassify clergy and religious workers as employees for Social Security and Medicare tax purposes, requiring churches to withhold these taxes. It also repeals the existing religious exemption that allows clergy to opt out of Social Security coverage. Furthermore, the Act establishes a process for currently exempt clergy to revoke their exemption and mandates the IRS to report on informing these workers of their new options.

The OUTPACE in Space Act aims to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in the commercial space and hypersonic industries by streamlining FAA regulations and improving national airspace access for launch and reentry operations. The bill mandates expedited hiring for the FAA and requires the agency to implement more efficient, performance-based safety standards. Additionally, it prohibits federal research partnerships with entities linked to foreign countries of concern to protect national security.

The Save Our Sequoias Act establishes a comprehensive, multi-agency framework to protect and restore giant sequoia groves from the escalating threats of wildfire, insects, and drought. The legislation creates a collaborative coalition to assess grove health, streamlines emergency protection projects, and authorizes dedicated funding and strike teams to accelerate reforestation and forest management efforts. By fostering partnerships between federal, state, and Tribal entities, the Act aims to ensure the long-term resilience and survival of these iconic trees.

The Doug LaMalfa Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act excludes wildfire relief payments from federal income tax for victims of federally declared disasters. This measure ensures that compensation for losses, damages, and living expenses remains tax-free for individuals, provided those costs are not already covered by insurance. The policy applies to qualifying payments received between 2026 and 2032.

The ACERO Act establishes a NASA project to enhance the use of aircraft in fighting wildfires through advanced research and development. This initiative focuses on developing new aircraft technologies, improving real-time data sharing, and creating interoperable tracking systems for aerial assets. The bill also mandates coordination with various agencies and places restrictions on purchasing drones from certain foreign entities.

The HIRE DEA Act grants the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special direct hire authority from 2027 through 2034. This allows the Attorney General to quickly appoint qualified candidates to critical roles, such as Special Agents and intelligence analysts, bypassing standard competitive hiring rules. This authority is intended to enhance the DEA's ability to combat evolving drug trafficking threats.

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to expand eligibility for additional federal subsidies for water infrastructure projects. It specifically allows these funds to support investments in new technologies and processes that promote water efficiency, energy efficiency, and stormwater runoff reduction. The goal is to encourage the development of cost-effective and sustainable water infrastructure.

The NSF AI Education Act of 2025 significantly expands the National Science Foundation's role in bolstering the AI workforce through education and training. It establishes new scholarships and fellowships for students and professionals in AI-related fields, while also creating Centers of AI Excellence at community colleges and technical schools. Furthermore, the bill funds research awards to develop effective AI teaching methods and materials for K-12 education. Overall, this legislation aims to build a robust, skilled, and diverse AI talent pipeline across all educational levels.

The AMERICA DRIVES Act modernizes federal regulations to facilitate the safe deployment of self-driving commercial trucks across state lines. It explicitly preempts state laws that require a human occupant in Level 4 or 5 automated driving system (ADS) equipped commercial motor vehicles. Furthermore, the bill mandates the review and updating of existing trucking regulations to clarify applicability for driverless operations and defines new roles like "remote driver." This legislation aims to reduce regulatory obstacles and ensure fair treatment for companies adopting autonomous trucking technology.

The SKIM Act, or Stopping Klepto-card and Identity Misuse Act, mandates stricter sentencing guidelines for crimes involving counterfeit or stolen credit and debit cards, ensuring a minimum offense level for such offenses. It also requires the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to report to Congress on federal and local cooperation in combating access device fraud. This legislation aims to increase penalties and improve coordination against identity and payment card misuse.

The ANCHOR Act directs the National Science Foundation to develop a comprehensive plan to significantly upgrade the cybersecurity and telecommunications infrastructure for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. This plan must assess necessary network capabilities, identify security risks, estimate costs, and propose a funding strategy involving multiple stakeholders. The goal is to ensure research vessels have the necessary high-speed connectivity to support advanced science, crew well-being, and remote expertise.

The MACH Act allows NASA to establish the "Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics Program" to facilitate testing opportunities for high-speed aircraft technologies, while ensuring alignment with existing research roadmaps and collaboration with other agencies like the Department of Defense and the FAA. The Act requires NASA to develop a strategic plan and submit regular reports to Congress on the program's activities and progress. It also prohibits NASA from collaborating with entities or countries of concern on these technologies.