Legislative Activity

The "Parity for Athletic Recreation Act" or "PAR Act" removes the restriction that prohibits bond proceeds from being used for private or commercial golf courses and country clubs. This change applies to bonds issued after the enactment of this Act. Additionally, it affects the empowerment zone employment credit and applies to empowerment zone businesses and opportunity zones.

Ethan's Law establishes federal requirements for the secure storage of firearms to prevent unauthorized access by minors and prohibited persons, making improper storage a civil violation with escalating penalties if injury or death results. The bill also creates a federal grant program to incentivize states and Tribes to adopt matching safe storage laws. Furthermore, Congress declares that failing to comply with these storage requirements constitutes negligence and may be considered the direct cause of resulting firearm injuries.

The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act extends the Conrad State 30 program, which allows foreign physicians to work in underserved areas of the U.S. in exchange for a waiver of certain visa requirements. It modifies requirements for foreign physicians seeking waivers, including employment protections, state waiver limits, and contract requirements. The bill also increases the number of waivers available to states and modifies immigration procedures for physicians, including allowing "dual intent" for medical graduates and clarifying national interest waivers. Finally, it requires an annual report on the Conrad State 30 J1 Visa Waiver Program.

The "DOC Access Act of 2025" aims to enhance health care coverage under vision and dental plans by ensuring fair payment practices, protecting doctors' choices in labs and suppliers, and respecting state laws. It allows optometrists and dentists to charge their standard rate for non-covered services if the plan's payment is unreasonable, while ensuring they can only charge the contracted rate for dental cleanings. The bill also gives doctors more control over agreement extensions with limited benefit plans and allows them to opt out of certain provisions. Ultimately, this act seeks to balance federal guidelines with state oversight in regulating health insurance issuers and dental or vision benefit plans.

The Federal Retirement Fairness Act amends title 5 of the United States Code, allowing civilian service in a temporary position after December 31, 1988, to be creditable under the Federal Employees Retirement System. This change applies to current employees and Members of the United States Postal Service, and requires the Office of Personnel Management to notify eligible individuals and issue implementing regulations.

The "Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025" ensures Medicare beneficiaries can continue receiving uninterrupted physical therapy services. It allows physical therapists to utilize temporary staffing arrangements, known as "locum tenens," when the regular therapist is temporarily unavailable. This ensures Medicare payments for services provided by qualified substitute physical therapists, maintaining consistent care for patients.

The "Access Technology Affordability Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for blind individuals who purchase qualified access technology, such as hardware or software that converts visual information into accessible formats. The credit is capped at $2,000 per blind individual over any three consecutive tax years and will be adjusted for inflation after 2026. This credit is effective for tax years starting after December 31, 2025, and expires after December 31, 2030. It ensures that individuals cannot claim double benefits for the same expenses.

This resolution designates February 24–28, 2025, as "Public Schools Week" to celebrate the vital role public education plays in preparing students for the future. It reaffirms the commitment to providing every child with a high-quality, inclusive, and well-funded learning environment. Additionally, the bill calls on lawmakers to prioritize equitable resources and support services to ensure student success.

The "Erie Canal Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act" directs the Department of Treasury to mint and issue gold, silver, and half-dollar coins to commemorate the bicentennial of the Erie Canal. These coins, which are legal tender, will be available in uncirculated and proof qualities for one year beginning January 1, 2026. Surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid to the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, Inc. to support the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

The North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act recognizes and honors the volunteers and donors of the North Platte Canteen in Nebraska during World War II with a Congressional Gold Medal. This medal will be presented by the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate, and then displayed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum. The Act also authorizes the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the Mint's Public Enterprise Fund.

The "Air Traffic Noise and Pollution Expert Consensus Act of 2025" directs the FAA to collaborate with the National Academies to study and report on the health impacts of air traffic noise and pollution. This report will consolidate current scientific knowledge and be delivered to key government officials and congressional committees.

The "Rare Earth Magnet Security Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for the production of rare earth magnets, incentivizing domestic manufacturing. The credit offers \$20 per kilogram for magnets made in the U.S. and \$30 per kilogram if 90% of the magnet's materials are U.S.-sourced. The credit phases out after 2034 and includes restrictions on sourcing materials from non-allied foreign nations, with some temporary exceptions. The act also allows manufacturers to elect to receive direct payments from the government in lieu of the tax credit.

The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act establishes a framework for collective bargaining rights for public safety officers (law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel) at the state level. It directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine if states substantially protect these rights, and if not, the Authority will establish collective bargaining procedures. The Act aims to promote cooperation between public safety employers and employees while respecting existing state laws and prohibiting strikes and lockouts. This law does not override state laws that provide similar or stronger protections for public safety officers.

The "Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act of 2025" streamlines the enrollment process for out-of-state healthcare providers in Medicaid and CHIP, ensuring children under 21 have access to care from eligible providers across state lines. By reducing administrative burdens and unnecessary screening requirements, the Act aims to improve healthcare access for children while maintaining necessary safeguards against fraud and abuse. Participating providers will be enrolled for a 5-year period, and the changes will take effect three years after the Act's enactment.

The Pacific Flyway Habitat Enhancement Act allows the Secretary of Agriculture to enroll additional agricultural land in conservation agreements, even if the land is not typically eligible. This is to improve wetland wildlife habitats. It also allows for seasonally flooded agricultural uses on working cropland if it helps maintain habitat for wetland-dependent species and at least one best management practice is adopted.

Cameron's Law amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the orphan drug tax credit from 25% to 50%. This change aims to incentivize the development of treatments for rare diseases by offering greater financial support to companies through enhanced tax benefits. The adjusted tax credit will be effective for taxable years starting after the enactment of this law.

The "Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions Act" defines "natural cheese" to differentiate it from processed cheese products, setting standards for its composition, ingredients, and labeling. It ensures that only products meeting the defined criteria can be labeled as "natural cheese," while allowing "natural" or "all-natural" claims consistent with existing regulations. This act aims to provide clarity for consumers and consistency in labeling requirements across the country.

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical federal funding for states and counties containing national forest land through 2026. This legislation ensures the continuation of essential community services and maintains the authority for resource advisory committees and local special projects.

The "Strengthening Cooperation and Security in the Middle East Act" requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to develop a report and strategy to expand membership in the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (CSIPA). This includes analyzing CSIPA's strategic benefits, its role in responding to regional threats, and ways to enhance cooperation in security, commerce, science, and technology. The Act aims to strengthen regional alliances and counter threats in the Middle East through increased participation in CSIPA.

The AIMM Act permanently extends a tax provision related to how businesses calculate their interest expense deductions. This extension allows businesses to include depreciation, amortization, and depletion when determining the limitation on business interest expenses. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021. Formally, the bill is called the American Investment in Manufacturing and Main Street Act.