Legislative Activity

The Criminal History Access Act of 2026 updates federal law regarding the sharing and definition of criminal justice records. This bill expands the authority of the Attorney General to exchange records with a wider range of entities, including peace officer standards and training agencies. It also formally defines "Peace officer standards and training agency" and clarifies the definition of "State" for the purposes of record sharing.

This Act officially designates the Quindaro Townsite in Kansas City, Kansas, as the Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark, recognizing its vital role in the Free-State movement and the Underground Railroad. The legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements for the protection and interpretation of this historically significant site. The designation ensures the preservation of this location, which offers exceptional value in illustrating U.S. history regarding slavery and the settlement of Kansas.

The Restoring Executive Branch Authorities to Oversee Offices of the United States Attorneys Act of 2026 updates federal judicial appointment requirements for U.S. territories. Specifically, the bill mandates that territorial judges must be residents of the territory at the time of their appointment and removes existing provisions regarding temporary judgeships.

The Kelsey Smith Act requires telecommunications providers to disclose a device's location information to law enforcement during emergency situations involving a risk of death or serious physical harm. This legislation ensures that critical data can be accessed quickly when a person's life is in danger, provided specific safety and consent protocols are met.

The State Partnerships to Enhance Removal of Criminal Aliens Act authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to enter into agreements allowing state-employed attorneys to represent the federal government in specific immigration removal proceedings. Additionally, the bill expands the legal definition of "aggravated felony" under the Immigration and Nationality Act, broadening the scope of criminal offenses that render an individual inadmissible to the United States.

This bill directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to establish programs and develop action plans to improve veterans' access to care at Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. These plans must focus on strengthening resource sharing, increasing cross-credentialing of providers, and improving IT integration between the two departments. The goal is to leverage excess capacity in military facilities to increase care availability for enrolled veterans until September 30, 2028.

This bill adjusts the eligibility criteria for facilities seeking the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation under Medicare. It broadens the qualifying timeframe for existing requirements and allows certain off-campus outpatient departments of hospitals to qualify if they meet specific emergency department and rural location standards.

The Common Repository for Small Businesses Act mandates the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a central repository for essential supplier information needed for vetting contractors. This repository aims to streamline the process for small businesses seeking to supply the DoD by reducing redundant information requests. The development will coordinate with existing small business support efforts and may involve public-private partnerships to increase efficiency.

The STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act expands the responsibilities of State Medicaid Fraud Control Units to include investigating and prosecuting fraud committed by individuals applying for or receiving Medicaid benefits. This broadens their current focus, which primarily targets provider fraud. These new duties will take effect 180 days after the bill is enacted.

This bill primarily serves as a technical update to ensure that federal rules governing Inspectors General, advisory committees, and ethics standards (Title 5, Chapters 4, 10, and 131) are current and accurate. It strengthens oversight by mandating detailed reporting and notification requirements for the removal or transfer of Inspectors General. Furthermore, the legislation establishes a comprehensive new inspection regime for Bureau of Prisons facilities, including the creation of an independent Ombudsman role to handle inmate and family complaints.

This Act, the Peace Officer Standards and Training Agency Information Access Clarification Act, mandates that the Attorney General ensure the FBI can exchange records with authorized state, local, tribal, and correctional agencies, including Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) agencies. It formally defines what constitutes a POST agency under federal law. The Attorney General must update federal regulations within 180 days to align with these new information-sharing provisions.

The Congressional Review Reform Act of 2025 makes technical amendments to the existing Congressional Review Act (CRA), the law governing how Congress overturns federal regulations. This bill primarily focuses on clarifying the definition of a "joint resolution" used for disapproval and reorganizing the numbering and lettering of various sections within the CRA. These changes are structural housekeeping designed to streamline the review process for new federal rules.

The Kelsey Smith Act mandates that providers of certain phone and internet services must immediately disclose a device's location information to law enforcement or emergency dispatchers under specific emergency circumstances. This disclosure is required if there is a reasonable belief the device was recently used for a 911 call or if there is a risk of death or serious physical harm to the user. The Act provides legal protection for providers who comply with these emergency requests while preserving the authority of stricter state laws.

The Wrongful Injunction Accountability Act ensures that parties who obtain court orders stopping the government from acting are held financially responsible for resulting damages. If an injunction is later found to be wrongful, the party that sought the order must reimburse the United States for costs and losses. This liability applies especially when the required security bond was insufficient or waived entirely.