Legislative Activity

The Crime Survivor Support and Stability Act of 2026 encourages states to adopt comprehensive rights for crime survivors, ensuring access to trauma recovery, housing stability, and financial relief. The bill establishes a federal grant program to provide flexible, direct cash assistance to survivors through community-based organizations, minimizing bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, it funds state-level surveys to better understand the unmet needs of survivors, particularly those who interact with the justice system.

The Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act amends federal law to allow, but not require, paratransit providers to offer flexible same-day service options to eligible riders. The bill increases federal funding incentives for agencies adopting same-day service and mandates the creation of minimum technology standards for paratransit software to support modern service delivery. This aims to improve mobility, independence, and participation for people with disabilities without reducing existing advance reservation options.

The Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026 permanently establishes a federal grant program to fund transit-oriented development planning and predevelopment activities. This program supports projects related to new or existing fixed guideway transit systems. Funds will specifically aid in site preparation, design, and improving accessibility for all users near transit hubs.

The RIDER Safety Act authorizes federal grants for public transit systems to hire unarmed "Transit Support Specialists." These specialists are tasked with increasing rider security through their visible presence, engaging with the public, and handling minor conflicts. Their role is to deter disruptive behavior and connect riders with necessary services, allowing law enforcement to focus on critical incidents.

This Act prohibits discrimination against individuals based on disability or age in federal jury service. It amends federal law to ensure that a disability cannot be used as a basis for exclusion from a jury unless the individual cannot perform the essential functions of service even with a reasonable accommodation. The legislation updates existing jury qualification standards to reflect this nondiscrimination principle.

The Small Business Representation in Contracting Rulemaking Act officially adds the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a permanent member of the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council. This ensures small business perspectives are directly included in federal contracting regulations. Furthermore, the SBA Administrator must report on the resources needed and suggest policy changes to effectively carry out this new role.