Legislative Activity

The Smoke Exposure Research Act of 2025 mandates new federal research to understand and mitigate the impact of wildfire smoke on wine grapes and resulting wine. This research will focus on identifying harmful chemical compounds, developing reliable testing methods, and creating practical solutions for growers. The Secretary of Agriculture will coordinate this effort with universities in key wine-producing states using dedicated funding through 2030.

The Mental Health Research Accelerator Act of 2025 establishes a new 25% tax credit for businesses investing in translational research for neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric conditions. This credit is subject to annual spending caps and allocation rules prioritizing scientific merit and public-private partnerships. The goal is to accelerate the development of new treatments and devices for central nervous system disorders.

The Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act of 2025 aims to increase household disaster resilience through a grant program for pre-disaster mitigation activities, tax exclusions for state-based catastrophe loss mitigation payments and certain emergency agricultural assistance, and a tax credit for disaster mitigation expenditures. The grant program will provide funds to states and tribal governments for mitigation activities on individual homes in high-risk disaster areas, while the tax exclusions and credit offer financial relief and incentives for individuals and agricultural producers affected by disasters. This act seeks to encourage proactive measures to protect homes and businesses from the impact of future disasters.

The "Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025" authorizes the EPA Administrator to award grants to air pollution control agencies for programs that help communities prepare for and lessen the impacts of wildfire smoke and extreme heat. It establishes Centers of Excellence for research on the public health effects of these events and directs the Administrator to conduct further research and develop interventions. The Act also creates a grant program for states, local governments, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations to develop and implement community plans to reduce the effects of wildfire smoke and extreme heat.