Legislative Activity

The CREATE Act, or Creative Relief and Expensing for Artistic Entertainment Act, modifies tax rules for qualified productions by significantly increasing the allowable spending limits for certain tax benefits. This legislation also introduces automatic inflation adjustments for these dollar amounts starting in 2027. Furthermore, the bill extends the expiration date for these beneficial tax provisions from the end of 2025 to the end of 2030.

The LEO K9 Protection Act enhances penalties for intentionally harming law enforcement animals, especially when a weapon is used. It also mandates the development of federal guidance for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel on treating injured police dogs. Finally, the bill establishes regulations allowing EMS to transport and provide emergency care to injured police dogs when human patients are not in immediate need.

The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act aims to eliminate the practice of paying individuals with disabilities less than the minimum wage by phasing out special wage certificates over four years. It establishes federal and state grant programs to help employers and states transition to models of competitive integrated employment, where workers earn prevailing wages alongside non-disabled peers. The bill also funds technical assistance to guide businesses through this operational shift and mandates rigorous reporting to track employment outcomes.

The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 establishes a structured process for distributing up to 2,000 additional, federally funded residency positions annually between fiscal years 2026 and 2032. This distribution prioritizes hospitals serving in underserved areas, those already training above their limit, and those committed to primary care and general surgery training. The bill also mandates a study and report by the Comptroller General on effective strategies to increase diversity within the health professional workforce.

The Saving Vet Halls Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program provides funding to Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) specifically for repairing facilities and upgrading technology. Grants are capped at $\$75,000$ or the total project cost (whichever is higher), and organizations receiving funds are ineligible to reapply for five years. The legislation authorizes $\$10$ million to support these essential improvements for VSOs.

The No Surprises Act Enforcement Act significantly increases financial penalties for group health plans and insurance issuers that violate balance billing protections. It establishes steep fines, including up to $\$10,000$ per affected individual for serious non-compliance. Furthermore, the bill imposes severe penalties, including triple the disputed amount plus interest, for failing to make required payments promptly after an Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) determination. Finally, it mandates more frequent and detailed transparency reporting on enforcement actions and violations.

The Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act prioritizes federal funding for research and extension programs specifically aimed at controlling the invasive Spotted Lanternfly. This legislation ensures that developing effective tools and treatments against this pest becomes a high-priority initiative. Additionally, the Act extends the authorization for several existing high-priority agricultural research programs until 2030.

The PAAW Act, or Preventing Animal Abuse and Waste Act, prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from conducting or supporting research that causes significant pain or distress to dogs and cats. This ban specifically targets studies categorized as causing pain levels D or E according to established animal welfare standards. The prohibition takes effect 90 days after the Act is officially enacted into law.

The Partner with Korea Act establishes a new reciprocal temporary work visa category specifically for South Korean nationals seeking employment in specialty occupations within the United States. This program is subject to an annual cap of 15,000 principal applicants. The legislation updates immigration procedures to incorporate this dedicated visa stream, contingent upon employer attestations approved by the Secretary of Labor.

The SAVES Act establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to eligible veterans. These grants, up to $\$2,000,000$ each, will fund the training and provision of service dogs for veterans with qualifying conditions like PTSD or TBI. The bill also extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until February 2033.

The Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025 strengthens the Veterans Community Care Program by establishing clear, enforceable standards for care eligibility and wait times while streamlining the referral process. The legislation also overhauls access to residential mental health and substance abuse treatment, ensuring veterans receive timely, localized care with robust oversight. Additionally, it mandates the development of digital tools and pilot programs to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and improve transparency across the VA healthcare system.

The Share Holder Allocation for Rewards to Employees Plan Act (SHARE Plan Act) establishes a new corporate tax incentive for U.S. companies that distribute a significant amount of their stock equity to employees through formal, broad-based plans. Eligible "SHARE corporations" receive a 3 percentage point reduction in their corporate income tax rate. Crucially, stock received by employees under a qualified SHARE plan is excluded from the employee's gross income for federal tax purposes. The bill sets strict requirements for plan structure, employee participation, and minimum equity distribution ratios to qualify for these benefits.

The Port Crane Tax Credit Act of 2025 establishes new federal tax incentives to bolster the domestic manufacturing of port cranes. It introduces a 25% investment tax credit for building or equipping U.S. facilities dedicated to crane production. Additionally, the bill creates a production credit for manufacturers selling qualifying U.S.-made port cranes, with higher rates for those using significant domestic components. Both credits offer flexible options for businesses, including transferability and elective payment.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums solely because an individual is a living organ donor. This legislation ensures that living donors are not financially penalized for their altruistic act. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of HHS to update educational materials to accurately reflect the insurance protections afforded to living donors.

This bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to explicitly clarify that time taken off for an employee's own organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition. This ensures both private and federal sector workers receive FMLA protection for recovery from organ donation. The legislation also specifies how federal employees must substitute existing paid leave when taking FMLA time for this purpose.

This bill officially designates a specific section of 16th Street Northwest in Washington, D.C., as "Oswaldo Payá Way." This action honors the late Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá Sardinas for his lifelong, nonviolent advocacy for democracy and human rights in Cuba. The legislation also changes the official street address for one property on that block to reflect the new designation.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act addresses significant delays in obtaining death certificates for veterans who die from natural causes, often due to VA medical staff delays. This bill mandates that VA medical providers must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours or allow the local medical examiner to step in. Furthermore, the VA must annually report on its compliance with this new timely certification requirement.

The CBP SPACE Act grants U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) the authority to adjust merchandise processing fees to fund capital costs for seaport infrastructure and equipment. It also prohibits CBP from requiring seaports to provide or maintain administrative or recreational facilities for its staff. Finally, the bill mandates that CBP submit an annual report detailing the collection and use of these fees for seaport improvements.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress regarding the unsolved, execution-style murders of U.S. citizens Ylli, Agron, and Mehmet Bytyqi in Serbia in 1999. Congress demands that the Serbian government prioritize investigating and prosecuting all individuals responsible for the brothers' deaths. Furthermore, the resolution states that Serbia's progress in achieving justice for the Bytyqi brothers will significantly impact the future U.S.-Serbia relationship.

This resolution expresses support for designating July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors the essential and dangerous work performed by these skilled professionals, especially their heroic efforts in restoring power after major disasters. The day serves to recognize their service and remember those who have lost their lives performing this vital work.