Legislative Activity

The "America's First Fuels Act" introduces tax credits and increases existing credit limitations for biomass energy. It provides a tax credit of 30% for open-loop biomass heating property and increases the energy-efficient home improvement credit for biomass stoves and boilers. These changes aim to incentivize the use of biomass for heating and energy production. The provisions of this act will take effect after December 31, 2025.

The "Jobs in the Woods Act" establishes a competitive grant program within the Department of Agriculture to support career pathway training programs in low-income, nonmetropolitan areas for forestry operations and forestry products industries. Grants will range from $500,000 to $2,000,000 for up to 4 years. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated each year from 2025 through 2029 to carry out the grant program.

This bill introduces a refundable tax credit for eligible individuals who make home accessibility improvements, such as installing ramps or modifying bathrooms. The credit covers 35% of improvement expenses, with a maximum of $10,000 in expenses qualifying for the credit in a single tax year and $30,000 over all tax years. The credit is subject to income limitations, and the bill requires the Treasury to provide guidance on qualifying improvements and conduct public outreach. It applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This bill redesignates the Hulls Cove Visitor Center at Acadia National Park in Maine as the George J. Mitchell Visitor Center. The renaming will apply to any future primary visitor center replacing the current one. Legal references to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center will now refer to the George J. Mitchell Visitor Center.

The "Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act of 2025" amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to allow farm credit banks and production credit associations to provide credit and financial services to businesses that support the operational needs of the commercial fishing industry. This expansion aims to bolster the fishing industry by improving access to capital for essential service providers.

The "Saving Our Veterans Lives Act of 2025" establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program to provide eligible veterans and certain other individuals with lockboxes or vouchers for secure firearm storage, along with information on safe storage practices. The VA will conduct outreach and public education campaigns, develop an informational video, and submit annual reports to Congress, while ensuring the program does not infringe upon lawful firearm ownership or create participant lists. This program is authorized to receive \$5,000,000 annually from 2026 to 2036.

The DELIVER Act of 2025 increases the standard mileage rate for delivering meals to elderly, disabled, frail, and at-risk individuals to the standard business mileage rate. This aims to incentivize volunteer engagement by increasing the reimbursement rate for those who deliver meals to homebound individuals. This change applies to miles driven on or after the enactment date of the Act.

The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act of 2025 amends the Housing Act of 1949 to provide grants and loans for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and the preservation of single-family housing that is at least 25 years old. It sets specific requirements for the use of funds, including owner-occupancy, lease terms, and income limits for ADUs, and it caps the amount of assistance available for both single-family housing and ADUs. The act also allows recipients to use up to 20% of the funds for administrative costs and authorizes an appropriation of $200,000,000 for these purposes.

The SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025 aims to improve falls prevention among veterans by establishing an Office of Falls Prevention within the Veterans Health Administration. This office will monitor and improve falls prevention healthcare services, develop standards of care, and promote education and research in falls prevention. The Act also mandates training for healthcare providers, requires falls risk assessments for veterans in nursing homes and those receiving extended care services, and explores the feasibility of a home improvement pilot program to prevent falls. Finally, the Act expands the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities to include the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

The Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025 streamlines healthcare access for transitioning service members by creating a pre-transition registration system within the VA, facilitating enrollment in VA healthcare, and proactively conducting outreach to connect veterans with available services. This act aims to simplify the enrollment process, improve access to care, and support the health and well-being of veterans during their transition to civilian life. The Act also requires annual reports and feasibility studies to ensure the program's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

The "Responsibility in Drug Advertising Act of 2025" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to regulate direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs. It prohibits advertising of newly approved drugs for the first three years and allows the Secretary to extend the prohibition if significant adverse health effects are identified. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to revise drug advertisement regulations within one year to implement these changes.

The "Improving Veterans Experience Act of 2025" establishes a Veterans Experience Office within the Department of Veterans Affairs, led by a Chief Veterans Experience Officer, to improve customer service and veteran satisfaction. The office will collect data, coordinate efforts, and provide guidance to enhance the veteran experience with VA benefits and services. It also requires annual reports to Congress on customer service feedback and veteran satisfaction. The Government Accountability Office will also be required to analyze the VA's methods for using veteran feedback.

The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act aims to enhance public access to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine by allowing the Department of Interior to acquire additional land from willing sellers to be added to the monument. It ensures the continuation of hunting, fishing, and recreational activities on newly acquired lands, and permits the gathering of fiddlehead ferns. The Act also allows for the establishment of administrative sites and visitor facilities, and emphasizes collaboration with local communities and Tribal governments for educational and management purposes.