Legislative Activity

The Battery Fire Prevention Act aims to reduce battery-related fires by incentivizing recycling technology and infrastructure. It establishes a tax credit for businesses purchasing battery detection equipment and imposes a new federal excise tax on battery sales. Revenue from this tax funds a dedicated Lithium Battery Buy-back Trust Fund, which supports the creation of a National Battery Recycling Program offering grants and consumer buy-back incentives.

The Trust Through Transparency Act of 2025 mandates that federal immigration enforcement agents wear body cameras during public-facing duties. The bill establishes specific rules for retaining video footage, generally requiring deletion after six months unless exceptions like use of force or a filed complaint apply. Furthermore, it requires annual public reporting to Congress on compliance and establishes an advisory panel to recommend best practices for camera usage and data management.

This resolution expresses support for designating October 1, 2025, as "National Animal Rescue Day." The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of animal adoption and the critical work of rescue organizations nationwide. This day aims to encourage spaying and neutering efforts to combat pet overpopulation and promote increased animal adoptions.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to expedite the negotiation of first-time union contracts, which often face lengthy delays after workers vote for representation. This bill establishes mandatory timelines, requiring parties to begin bargaining quickly and escalating disputes to mandatory mediation and binding arbitration if an agreement isn't reached within 90 days. Additionally, the law mandates a GAO study to track the average time it takes for newly certified unions to secure their initial collective bargaining agreement.

The Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025 establishes a pathway for workers involved in a strike or lockout to receive unemployment insurance benefits after a mandatory 14-day waiting period. This legislation also exempts striking workers from the standard requirement to actively search for new employment while they are unable to work due to the labor dispute.

The Peter J. McGuire Labor Day Landmark Act officially designates the Peter J. McGuire Memorial and gravesite in Pennsauken, New Jersey, as the Peter J. McGuire Memorial National Commemorative Site. This designation honors McGuire's pivotal role in founding major labor organizations and proposing the concept of Labor Day. The bill allows for partnerships to support educational programming at the site without altering existing property rights.

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act establishes new federal standards to increase transparency and fairness for warehouse workers at large companies by mandating disclosure of performance quotas and monitoring data. It guarantees mandatory paid rest breaks, strengthens protections against using quotas to suppress organizing efforts, and introduces new federal ergonomics and safety standards under OSHA. The bill creates a new Department of Labor office to enforce these provisions and invalidates mandatory pre-dispute arbitration for related claims.

This bill officially establishes "Workers Memorial Day" as a recognized federal holiday. It amends the U.S. Code to formally insert this new observance into the list of federal holidays.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees across the nation. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to review state laws to ensure they substantially provide these minimum rights, including the right to organize and bargain collectively. If a state fails to meet these standards, the FLRA will administer federal labor relations rules for the uncovered employees. The Act also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would measurably disrupt emergency or public safety services.

The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act aims to disallow businesses from deducting federal income taxes for expenses incurred while attempting to influence employees regarding union organization or activities. This change is intended to stop companies from subsidizing anti-union campaigns through tax write-offs. The bill also establishes new, significant reporting requirements and penalties for businesses and third-party consultants who engage in these influence expenditures.

The Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act establishes a new federal grant program to help states support students with epilepsy or seizure disorders in schools. States will award subgrants to local districts to fund mandatory training for all school personnel on seizure response and the use of individualized health care plans. This funding aims to improve preparedness and ensure consistent, safe care for students managing seizure disorders while at school.

The TREATS Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow telehealth evaluations for prescribing certain controlled substances used in substance use disorder treatment. This removes the prior requirement for an in-person evaluation, enabling remote medical assessments via real-time audio-visual or audio-only communication, in accordance with federal and state laws. The goal of this bill is to increase access to treatment for substance use disorders.

The Parity Enforcement Act of 2025 amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, introducing civil monetary penalties for group health plans, service providers, and administrators that fail to meet mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements. This act enables the Department of Labor to enforce parity in mental health benefits, similar to protections against genetic information discrimination, ensuring equitable access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment. These changes will be effective for plan years starting one year after the Act's enactment.