Legislative Activity

The Rural Health Clinic Location Modernization Act of 2025 updates the criteria for clinics to qualify as Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) under Medicare. This legislation revises the definition of an "urban area," setting a new population threshold of 50,000 people to determine eligibility. These changes to the location standards will take effect starting January 1, 2027.

The Modernizing Rural Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Utilization Act of 2025 updates Medicare payment requirements for facilities not directly directed by a physician. It mandates that these facilities must have formal arrangements with Physician Assistants (PAs) or Nurse Practitioners (NPs) whose practice adheres to state laws and regulations. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

The Seasonal Agriculture CDL Modernization Act streamlines the process for farm workers by allowing states to establish online systems for renewing seasonal, restricted Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs). This legislation also clarifies that implements of husbandry (farm equipment) are not classified as commercial motor vehicles for licensing purposes. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and simplify CDL requirements for those in the farm-related service industries.

The Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act establishes Haskell Indian Nations University as a federally chartered corporation, granting it greater independence from the Bureau of Indian Education. This restructuring creates an independent Board of Trustees to govern the tuition-free institution dedicated to educating Native American students. The Act also establishes an endowment program and sets forth new operational, financial, and reporting requirements for the University.

The Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act modifies the clean fuel production tax credit by requiring that qualifying fuels be made from U.S.-grown feedstocks starting in 2025. It also extends the availability of this credit until 2034 and adjusts how emissions rates are calculated by excluding indirect land use changes. Finally, the bill revises a specific emissions factor used in determining the credit amount for fuel produced after 2024.

The End Driving While Intoxicated Act of 2025 aims to combat rising drunk driving fatalities by establishing a national standard for ignition interlock devices (IIDs). This bill mandates that states require DWI offenders to use IIDs for a minimum of 180 days or face penalties involving the withholding of federal highway funds. The legislation seeks to leverage the proven effectiveness of IIDs in reducing repeat offenses across the country.

The SHARE Act of 2025 establishes new federal requirements for the FBI to share criminal history record information with states participating in professional licensing interstate compacts. This information sharing is strictly for the purpose of conducting background checks on applicants seeking to practice a profession in another compact state. States receiving this data are severely restricted on how they can use or further disseminate the detailed criminal history, generally only being permitted to report a binary "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory" determination back to the compact's Commission.

This bill expresses the House of Representatives' support for maintaining the stepped-up basis under section 1014 of the Internal Revenue Code, which allows inherited assets to be adjusted to their current market value, protecting family-owned farms and small businesses from increased taxes. It opposes any changes to the tax code that would negatively impact the ability of these businesses to pass their operations on to the next generation. The bill recognizes the importance of generational transfers for the continuation of family farms, ranches, agribusinesses, and small businesses.

This bill expresses support for designating February 15-22, 2025, as "National FFA Week," celebrating the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders through agricultural education. It also recognizes the 90th anniversary of New Farmers of America and the 75th anniversary of the Future Farmers of America federal charter.

This bill transfers the functions, assets, and responsibilities for implementing the Food for Peace Act from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Secretary of Agriculture will now administer the program, though the Famine Early Warning Systems Network will remain under USDA control. This change allows the USDA to quickly update necessary rules to ensure a smooth transition of the program.

The "Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to exclude the net value of a family farm (on which the family resides) or a small business (with no more than 100 employees and owned/controlled by the family) from consideration as an asset when determining financial need for federal student aid. This change aims to make higher education more accessible for students from family farm and small business backgrounds.

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the USDA's proposed Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products rule. The rule, published on August 7, 2024, aims to reduce Salmonella contamination in raw poultry. The bill effectively blocks the USDA from finalizing or enforcing this specific framework using federal dollars.

The "Reining In Federal Licensing Enforcement Act of 2025" or the "RIFLE Act of 2025" aims to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) by modifying penalties for Federal firearms licensees who commit civil violations, changing the process for license applications, and defining "willfully" in the context of firearms license violations. The bill also requires the Attorney General to reconsider denied firearm license applications based on the new rules, establish formal inspection standards, and limit the use of firearms purchaser information. Additionally, it provides opportunities to cure violations after the acquisition of a firearms business and sets standards for criminal violations of recordkeeping requirements.

This bill removes the lesser prairie-chicken from the endangered species list, preventing its future listing under the Endangered Species Act. Effectively, it excludes the lesser prairie-chicken from the protections and authority of the Endangered Species Act.

The "FAITH in Small Business Act" codifies a Small Business Administration rule ensuring faith-based organizations receive equal treatment in SBA loan and disaster assistance programs. This guarantees that these organizations are not discriminated against and can participate in SBA programs on the same basis as other eligible entities.