Legislative Activity

The AV Emergency Response Coordination Act establishes federal requirements for autonomous vehicle manufacturers and operators to ensure safe coordination with emergency responders. The bill mandates the creation of standardized emergency response guides, the maintenance of a 24/7 emergency hotline, and compliance with geofencing notices during incidents. Additionally, it directs the NHTSA to develop minimum safety standards for vehicle-responder interactions and creates a public, searchable database of emergency procedures for all autonomous vehicles.

The **Getting Innovations to Patients During Shutdowns Act** ensures that the FDA can continue processing critical human drug and medical device submissions during federal government shutdowns. By allowing applicants to defer required fees until after a funding lapse ends, the bill prevents administrative delays and ensures that life-saving medical innovations remain under review.

The Methane Removal Research and Innovation Act of 2026 establishes a dedicated Methane Removal Research Initiative led by the Department of Energy. This initiative will fund multidisciplinary research to advance scientific understanding and develop practical methods for removing methane from the atmosphere. The bill authorizes $25 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support this critical research effort.

The Federal Flood Risk Management Act of 2026 aims to strengthen national resilience against increasing flood risks by establishing a new standard for federal actions in floodplains. This legislation directs federal agencies to evaluate and reduce flood hazards in their planning, funding, and property management activities, often requiring designs that account for future climate change impacts. The Act mandates compliance with the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard for federally funded projects and requires agencies to prioritize avoiding development in flood-prone areas whenever practicable.

The CHATBOT Act mandates transparency for AI chatbots by prohibiting them from falsely implying they possess professional licenses or that their output is verified by a licensed human. The bill protects consumers in fields like healthcare, law, and finance by establishing federal and state enforcement mechanisms, as well as a private right of action for those harmed by deceptive AI practices.

This resolution designates March as "Multiple System Atrophy Awareness Month" to increase public understanding of this rare neurodegenerative disorder. It aims to honor those impacted by the disease while advocating for the increased research and funding necessary to develop effective treatments.

The Nitrous Oxide Safety Act of 2026 classifies consumer products containing nitrous oxide as banned hazardous substances under the Consumer Product Safety Act. This legislation aims to restrict recreational misuse while maintaining legal access for medical, commercial food production, and research purposes. The ban is set to take effect 180 days following the bill's enactment.

The Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act provides a federal income tax credit of up to $1,000 for the purchase of qualified hearing aids. This credit is available to eligible taxpayers once every five years for costs not covered by insurance. The benefit is subject to specific income limitations and applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

The Access to Consumer Energy Information Act (E-Access Act) establishes a national framework to significantly improve how consumers access and control their detailed electricity and natural gas usage and billing data. It mandates the development of guidelines for secure, timely, and machine-readable data sharing, promoting the use of open standards like Green Button Connect My Data. Furthermore, the bill encourages states to adopt programs that leverage this enhanced data access to foster energy management innovation and efficiency.

This bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to transfer ownership of the Colma Park and Ride Lot to the San Mateo County Transit District at no cost. This action officially conveys all federal rights and title to the property to the transit district upon the law's enactment.

The Rail and Highway Transmission Planning Act directs a comprehensive study on the feasibility and best practices for building high-voltage electric transmission lines within existing highway and railroad rights-of-way. This initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of new transmission infrastructure to enhance grid reliability and lower consumer energy costs. The resulting report will provide Congress and stakeholders with an action plan for utilizing these corridors effectively.

The Staff Salary Schedule Improvement Act updates the payroll process for employees of the House of Representatives. While the standard pay date remains the last day of the month, this act grants the Chief Administrative Officer the authority to implement a twice-monthly or alternative pay schedule upon direction from the Committee on House Administration. This change will take effect when the House next upgrades its payroll system.

The FIREWALL Act establishes a new refundable personal income tax credit for homeowners who invest in specific disaster-resilience improvements to their primary residence. This credit covers 50% of qualified expenditures, up to a lifetime maximum of $25,000, for measures like strengthening homes against wind, seismic activity, or flooding. The goal is to incentivize homeowners in disaster-prone areas to increase property resilience and lower future disaster-related liabilities.

The Dredging Coordination Improvement Act establishes new requirements for the Secretary of the Army regarding maintenance dredging contracts. It mandates consultation with stakeholders and prioritizes dredging based on commercial navigation, emergencies, and environmental needs. The bill also sets new notification timelines for schedule changes and requires the availability of capability numbers to non-Federal sponsors.

The HEAR Act of 2025 aims to significantly expand Medicare benefits by establishing coverage for comprehensive hearing rehabilitation services. This legislation specifically amends the Social Security Act to include hearing aids as covered durable medical equipment and mandates coverage for necessary aural rehabilitation services. The goal is to ensure eligible Medicare beneficiaries receive necessary audiological assessments, appropriate hearing aids, and follow-up rehabilitation care.

The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2025 aims to improve veterans benefits for certain individuals who served in the forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts. This legislation amends existing law to expand eligibility criteria and mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs consider alternative documentation when verifying service. Furthermore, the Act requires an annual report to Congress detailing the number of applicants and approvals for these benefits.

The Weatherization Resilience and Adaptation Program Act establishes a grant program to help low-income homeowners and eligible property owners adapt their homes against increasing climate-driven hazards like floods and extreme heat. This program requires the development of new resilience and adaptation standards in consultation with NIST. Funding is authorized to support these critical upgrades, ensuring vulnerable communities can better withstand the impacts of a changing climate.

The REACT Act establishes a new FEMA program to provide technical assistance and funding to local, state, and Tribal governments to strengthen their emergency alert systems. This support focuses on improving community-level drills, clarifying operating procedures, and enhancing the quality and effectiveness of public warning messages. The program aims to ensure robust, measurable, and well-understood alert capabilities across all levels of government over a ten-year period.

The AV Safety Data Act mandates that manufacturers and operators of autonomous and advanced driver-assistance vehicles submit detailed monthly reports to NHTSA regarding vehicle mileage, unplanned stops, and accidents. This new legislation requires NHTSA to make this collected data publicly accessible online in a machine-readable format within 120 days of enactment. The goal is to increase transparency and allow for public analysis of safety performance for these advanced vehicle systems.

The Resilient LEO PNT Act establishes a program for the Secretary of the Air Force to contract with commercial providers to demonstrate a resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) system operating in Low Earth Orbit. This demonstration must prove the system can operate independently of GPS, resist jamming, and maintain high accuracy for users. Following a successful test, the Secretary is directed to move toward awarding a contract for full operational deployment of the proven technology.