Legislative Activity

The Validation and Evaluation for Trustworthy (VET) Artificial Intelligence Act aims to foster trust and adoption of AI by establishing voluntary technical guidelines for testing and validating AI systems based on risk. This legislation directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to create these guidelines, which will cover safety, privacy, and transparency. Furthermore, the Act establishes an advisory committee to recommend qualifications for entities performing these AI assurance checks and mandates a study on the capacity of current assurance providers.

The Health Care for Energy Workers Act of 2025 expands medical benefit authority under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000. This legislation allows certified Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to prescribe, recommend, or order necessary care, appliances, and supplies for eligible employees. This change ensures that qualified NPs and PAs can manage the medical needs of benefit recipients within their state's scope of practice.

This bill, the Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act, reauthorizes and extends the existing Colorado River System conservation pilot program. It pushes back key deadlines for the program, allowing it to continue operating for an additional two years. The legislation also updates the official naming reference within the program's description.

The NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act establishes a new office within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) dedicated to developing national policy for the internet and communications technology. This office will focus on fostering innovation, competition, and digital inclusion while coordinating cybersecurity and privacy guidelines through multistakeholder processes. Its core mission is to advise on and advocate for policies that enhance network security and resilience across the digital economy.

The Investing in All of America Act of 2025 updates the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program by increasing maximum leverage limits to \$175 million for individual companies and \$350 million for commonly controlled groups, adjusted annually for inflation. The bill also expands investment exclusions for leverage calculations to include investments in businesses located in low-income or rural areas, critical technology sectors, or small manufacturers. Furthermore, it clarifies the definition of investment sources for leverage approval, treating university-affiliated endowments similarly to pension funds.

The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated, comprehensive research program within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) focused on Down syndrome. This new initiative, the INCLUDE Project, will fund studies across basic science, clinical trials, and biomarker identification to better understand and treat co-occurring medical conditions. The ultimate goal is to improve the health, quality of life, and daily functioning for individuals with Down syndrome.

The Retirement Savings for Americans Act of 2025 establishes the American Worker Retirement Fund, a new government-managed retirement savings vehicle featuring automatic enrollment and a direct government matching contribution for workers. This system is overseen by an independent federal board tasked with setting investment policy under strict fiduciary standards to protect participant assets. The bill further incentivizes saving through a new, tiered "Government Match Tax Credit" that deposits the matching funds directly into the worker's retirement account.

This bill officially designates approximately 6,817 acres of land within the Routt National Forest as an addition to the Sarvis Creek Wilderness. The legislation ensures that existing tribal treaty rights are protected while allowing for traditional tribal use within the newly added area. Furthermore, it grants the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to manage threats such as wildfires, insects, and disease within this protected land.

The Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act establishes a new pilot program to fund evidence-based mental health peer support activities in secondary schools. This program will competitively award grants to eligible entities to train students and staff in early intervention, response, and resilience building. The Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use will evaluate the program's effectiveness in improving student mental health outcomes before it concludes in 2029.

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 "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 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 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 Insure Cybersecurity Act of 2025 establishes a Working Group on Cyber Insurance, chaired by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. This group is tasked with studying the cyber insurance market to make coverage clearer, more accessible, and more affordable for consumers and businesses. After delivering a final report with recommendations to Congress, the Working Group will dissolve, and the Assistant Secretary will publicly disseminate the resulting informative resources.

The **Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act** protects generic drug and biosimilar manufacturers from patent infringement lawsuits when they "carve out" specific patented uses from their product labeling. By establishing a legal safe harbor for these "skinny labels," the bill aims to accelerate the market entry of lower-cost alternatives without infringing on method-of-use patents.