Legislative Activity

The ASCEND Act directs NASA to establish a program for acquiring and disseminating commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery to support its scientific, operational, and educational goals, as well as to benefit other federal agencies and researchers. This program will prioritize data acquisition from U.S. vendors and ensure that data licenses do not hinder scientific publication. The NASA Administrator is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the program's activities, including vendor information, license terms, and advancements in scientific research and applications.

The Sarvis Creek Wilderness Completion Act expands the Sarvis Creek Wilderness in Colorado by approximately 6,817 acres within the Routt National Forest. It ensures the preservation of tribal rights and access for traditional uses within the expanded wilderness area. The Act also allows the Secretary of Agriculture to manage natural threats like fire and disease within the area.

The "Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act" directs the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to create a pilot program supporting evidence-based mental health peer support activities in secondary schools. States, subdivisions of States, territories, or Indian Tribes/Tribal organizations can apply for funding to implement these activities, which must be overseen by a school-based mental health professional. The program aims to improve early identification, response, and support for student mental health and substance use challenges. The Assistant Secretary will evaluate the program's effectiveness and report findings to relevant Senate and House committees.

The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act aims to establish collective bargaining rights for public safety officers (law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) employed by states or their political subdivisions. It directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine if state laws substantially provide these rights, including the right to form and join labor organizations, bargain over working conditions, and utilize binding arbitration. States that do not meet these standards will be subject to federal regulations to ensure these rights are protected. This act does not allow strikes or lockouts and preserves existing collective bargaining agreements.

The REPLACE Act mandates the President to waive fees for individuals and households affected by a major disaster who are receiving individual assistance and have lost critical documents. It requires the Secretary of State and the Director of USCIS to publicize the availability of these fee waivers and submit annual reports to Congress detailing the number of waivers granted and associated costs.

The "Unearth Innovation Act" establishes a Department of Energy initiative to advance technologies and practices for responsible mineral handling across U.S. industries. It aims to enhance domestic mineral resources, economic growth, national security, and circularity through research, development, and commercialization. The initiative focuses on minimizing environmental impact, increasing productivity, and promoting community engagement, requiring coordination with other federal agencies and stakeholders. It authorizes \$100 million annually from 2026 to 2035 for these efforts and requires a report to Congress within three years.

The Critical Materials Future Act of 2025 aims to bolster the domestic processing of critical materials by establishing a pilot program that utilizes innovative financial tools to support at least three domestic projects. This program seeks to stabilize financial aspects, attract private investment, and secure U.S. supply chains, while also studying the impact of these financial tools on the critical materials market. The Act prioritizes projects that enhance U.S. security, economic competitiveness, and sustainability, with a focus on mitigating risks from foreign entities and promoting domestic feedstock and offtake agreements. It also establishes a Critical Materials Revolving Fund to reinvest revenues and requires annual reports to Congress on the program's progress and recommendations.

The NET Act requires the FCC to consider the availability of network equipment when evaluating the deployment of advanced telecommunications. This assessment is intended to ensure that the supply chain supports the advancement of telecommunications technology without imposing new information reporting requirements on providers. The Act updates references within the Communications Act of 1934 to align with these changes.

The Insure Cybersecurity Act of 2025 establishes a working group, led by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, to analyze and clarify cyber insurance policies for consumers and insurers. This group will develop guidance and resources to improve understanding of policy terms, coverage, and risk management related to cyber incidents. The Act requires the dissemination of informative resources based on the working group's findings to a wide array of cyber insurance stakeholders, including case studies and specific examples, to be published on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's public website. Ultimately, the working group will submit a report to Congress with recommendations, but the act does not mandate the adoption of the working groups recommendations, nor does it grant any new regulatory authority over the insurance business.

The Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act reauthorizes and extends the Colorado River System conservation pilot program. It updates the program's references and extends the program's end date to 2026 and 2027, depending on the subsection.

The "Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act" aims to reduce drug costs by clarifying that generic drug manufacturers are not infringing on patents when seeking FDA approval for a use of a drug that is no longer covered by patent ("skinny label"). The bill amends patent law to create a safe harbor for generic drug manufacturers who seek FDA approval for a drug with a label that excludes any uses still covered by patents. This exemption extends to the promotion and marketing of the drug, as long as it does not reference the patented condition of use. The bill also includes similar provisions for biosimilar biological products.