Legislative Activity

The Fatigued Pilot Protection Act mandates that existing federal flight crew rest and duty limitations be applied to **all commercial passenger airline operations**. This legislation requires the FAA to update regulations within 180 days to ensure these critical safety standards cover all relevant flight crew members and certificate holders operating under Part 121.

The AIWISE Act directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop and publish free, publicly accessible educational resources and modules about artificial intelligence (AI) for small businesses. These materials must cover topics like how AI works, risk management, privacy, and best practices for adoption. The SBA must ensure the content is accurate, current, and actionable, coordinating with experts and resource partners to support small business understanding and effective use of AI.

This bill requires the Secretary of Defense to study how the Department of Defense awards contracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold to small businesses. The resulting report must detail contract awards, identify any missed opportunities for small businesses, and recommend policy changes to ensure full compliance with small business contracting requirements.

This bill amends the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to mandate the National Science Foundation to develop a plan for ongoing data collection and analysis concerning the skilled technical workforce. The plan, submitted to Congress every two years, will establish the necessary capabilities within the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. This action aims to improve understanding and tracking of this critical workforce segment.

The Justice for Exploited Children Act significantly strengthens penalties for child labor violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. This legislation introduces harsher criminal penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment, for willful or repeated offenses. It also dramatically increases the civil monetary penalties for all child labor violations, especially those resulting in serious injury or death to a minor employee.

This bill reauthorizes the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994 through fiscal year 2031. It ensures continued funding for the program using existing authorized appropriations, without authorizing new funds. The legislation also updates the definition of "State" within the original Act.

The Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Act of 2025 establishes a three-year pilot program to reduce child care costs for working families. This program requires parents, their employers, and state governments to each cover one-third of eligible child care expenses. States will receive competitive federal grants to fund their portion of the cost-sharing arrangement. The initiative aims to study the impact of this tripartite funding model on employment and child care access.

The Unlocking Affordable Housing Act modifies federal transportation loan programs, specifically TIFIA and RRIF, to create flexible creditworthiness standards for projects that incorporate residential or mixed-use development. This change aims to encourage the inclusion of housing in transportation infrastructure projects by aligning credit review with standards used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Secretary of Transportation is required to establish these new, tailored credit rules within 180 days of enactment.

The CATCH IT Act aims to improve rural healthcare access by increasing federal funding for preventative health equipment purchases under the Community Facilities Grant Program. This legislation boosts the federal cost-share by 25 percentage points for rural health facilities acquiring specific preventative care technology, such as advanced imaging and cancer screening equipment. These changes will take effect at the start of the next federal fiscal year following the bill's enactment.

The Federal-State Partnership for Clean Water Act of 2025 significantly increases federal funding authorizations to support state and local efforts in water quality management. This bill boosts dedicated funding for wetlands protection and restoration programs through 2030, guaranteeing a minimum of \$100 million annually for state and local initiatives. Additionally, it authorizes \$500 million annually through 2030 to assist states in managing their core water pollution control programs.

The SBIR/STTR Innovation Workforce Act authorizes federal agencies to establish new paid fellowships and internships for students and researchers connected to small businesses that have already won Phase II SBIR or STTR awards. This initiative aims to bolster the innovation workforce in critical technical fields. Furthermore, the Act mandates enhanced outreach efforts to ensure participation from women and economically or socially disadvantaged individuals in these new opportunities.

The Fair Price Device Act updates FDA regulations for approving generic versions of drugs that require a specific medical device for delivery. This legislation mandates that manufacturers of these generic drug-device combinations must provide extensive proof demonstrating that their product offers the same safety and clinical effect as the original brand-name version. The goal is to ensure that generic alternatives maintain the established performance standards of complex drug delivery systems.

The Toll of Tariffs Act of 2025 mandates that the U.S. International Trade Commission conduct an urgent study on the inflationary effects of tariffs implemented via executive order since January 20, 2025. The Commission must report its findings to Congress within 60 days. This report will specifically detail the impact of these tariffs on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) and related measures.

The Public Utility Remediation and Enhancement for Water Act establishes a new federal grant program administered by the EPA to help public wastewater treatment plants upgrade facilities. These grants specifically target the planning, design, and construction needed to treat or eliminate emerging contaminants like PFAS chemicals. The federal government will cover at least 75% of eligible project costs to improve water quality.

The Facts First Act aims to safeguard the independence of the Commissioner of Labor Statistics by significantly strengthening job protections. This legislation mandates that the Commissioner can only be removed for specific, proven causes such as inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct. The bill effectively establishes a higher standard for termination, ensuring the role remains insulated from political pressure.

The Paving the Way for American Industry Act amends the Build America, Buy America Act to impose stricter domestic sourcing requirements for yellow organic pigments used in road and highway marking paints. This legislation mandates that all manufacturing steps for these specific pigments must occur entirely within the United States. The Office of Management and Budget is required to issue updated guidance on these new standards within 90 days of enactment.

The Kids on the Go Act of 2025 mandates that every state must designate a Safe Routes to School Coordinator. States that comply with this requirement will receive an increased federal funding share of 95% for eligible Safe Routes to School projects. This aims to boost state efforts in improving safety for students traveling to and from school.

The Rural Upgrades for Road Access and Local Growth Act of 2025 aims to boost infrastructure in mid-sized rural communities. It mandates setting aside 30% of Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program funds specifically for towns with populations between 10,000 and 75,000. Additionally, the bill drastically shortens procedural review timelines within the grant program from 60 days to just 3 days to expedite project approval.

The Integrity in Government Act of 2025 aims to strengthen government oversight by establishing an Inspector General for the Executive Office of the President. This bill significantly reforms the system by implementing new protections to ensure Inspectors General can perform their duties without undue political interference. Specifically, it restricts the removal of most presidential appointees to instances of inefficiency, misconduct, or neglect of duty.

The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians Restoration Act of 2025 officially recognizes the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, confirming their status as a federally recognized tribe. This Act makes the Tribe and its members eligible for all federal services and benefits available to recognized tribes. Furthermore, it mandates the Secretary of the Interior to take specified lands in western Michigan into trust for the benefit of the Tribe. The legislation ensures that this recognition does not diminish any existing rights the Tribe may hold.