Legislative Activity

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.