H.Res. 1320 is a non-binding resolution that calls on all Americans to honor military personnel who died while serving in the pursuit of freedom and peace on Memorial Day 2026. The bill does not create new laws or change any policies; instead, it serves as a formal expression of gratitude and remembrance from the House of Representatives. Because it is a commemorative resolution rather than a procedural or funding measure, it has no direct legal effect on individuals or government operations.
The Stay Cool Act establishes a comprehensive framework to help communities prepare for and respond to extreme heat events by creating cooling centers, improving housing conditions, and enhancing urban infrastructure. It directs federal funding to states and local governments to build and equip cooling facilities, install air conditioning in public housing, and develop green spaces and water features to lower temperatures. The bill also creates a national system to track heat-related health risks, mandates checks on vulnerable seniors during heatwaves, and allows tax credits for businesses that keep their doors open during heat emergencies. Additionally, it requires updates to utility assistance programs to account for cooling costs and calls for studies on heat-related mortality and safe residential temperature standards.
This resolution designates May 2026 as "Older Americans Month" to honor the contributions and well-being of U.S. citizens aged 65 and older. It encourages the public and government to recognize the achievements of older adults and provide opportunities for them to share their wisdom with younger generations. The bill highlights the significant role older individuals play in society through work, volunteering, and community engagement. By promoting public awareness, the measure aims to foster a supportive environment that values the experiences and assets of the aging population.
The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2026 changes how Medicare counts time spent in hospital observation toward the three-day waiting period required for skilled nursing facility coverage. Starting in 2026, individuals receiving outpatient observation services will be treated as inpatients for this purpose, and the date they stop receiving such care will count as their official hospital discharge date. This provision applies to observation periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026, with limited exceptions for appeals made within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The law also allows the Department of Health and Human Services to implement these changes through interim regulations before the official start date.
The Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2026 makes the E-Verify employment eligibility verification system permanent and mandatory for all employers in the United States, including those who hire, recruit, or refer individuals for jobs. The bill requires employers to use the system within a phased timeline based on company size, ranging from six months for large businesses with 10,000 or more employees to 18 months for smaller businesses with fewer than 20 employees, while exempting agricultural labor verification until 18 months after enactment. Key provisions include increased civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance, the ability for the government to debar repeat violators from federal contracts, and a requirement that states sharing driver's license data with the system remain eligible for certain federal funding. Additionally, the act establishes a self-check feature for individuals to verify their own status, expands data sharing between federal and state agencies to prevent fraud, and creates a good-faith defense for employers who rely on the system's results.
HRES 1314, the America 250 Commemorative Flag Act, designates a special flag featuring the number 250 within the circle of stars as an official United States flag for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This resolution authorizes the America 250 flag to be flown alongside the national flag and POW/MIA flags at all government buildings, embassies, and official U.S. locations worldwide during the commemoration year. The bill serves as a ceremonial measure to honor the nation's history and the sacrifices made by patriots, without altering any existing laws or policies.
The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act of 2026 provides zero-interest loans to specific rural hospitals for building new facilities or renovating existing ones. To qualify, a hospital must be located in a county with fewer than 20,000 people, be at least 35 miles from the nearest hospital, have operated for at least 30 years, and demonstrate financial stability. The loans are initially interest-free for five years and can be refinanced later at standard rates if the hospital's financial situation improves, or renewed once under strict conditions if the hospital struggles financially. Additionally, receiving hospitals become eligible for technical assistance grants designed to help improve their operations and financial health.
The SCREEN for Type 1 Diabetes Act of 2026 directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to launch a national public awareness campaign focused on type 1 diabetes detection, screening, and management. This initiative will provide written materials and public service announcements across various media platforms, including social media and television, while consulting with health organizations, schools, and community groups to ensure the content is culturally and linguistically appropriate. The bill authorizes $5 million annually from 2027 to 2031 to fund grants for nonprofit entities and state or local health departments to distribute these resources and increase screening access in communities with high incidence rates. Additionally, the law requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress within one year detailing the campaign's activities and its impact on diabetes detection and management.
This bill, titled the Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026, exempts small oil and gas wells from specific environmental regulations under the Clean Air Act. It directly affects owners and operators of marginal wells, defined as sites producing 15 barrels of oil or less per day, or 90,000 cubic feet of natural gas or less per day. The legislation removes requirements for monitoring, reporting, and leak detection for these smaller operations, while also mandating that the EPA approve any state plan revisions granting this exemption within 180 days. Additionally, the bill requires the EPA to update its regulations to reflect these changes and to terminate any ongoing enforcement actions against marginal wells that were initiated before the law takes effect.
This bill creates a new funding program to hire more school counselors, psychologists, and social workers at schools with high numbers of low-income students. It provides federal grants to states, which then distribute money to local school districts to help them meet recommended staffing ratios of 250 students per counselor and 500 students per psychologist. To receive these funds, states must contribute matching money and submit detailed plans showing how they will improve student-to-provider ratios in their highest-need schools. The program is designed to address rising mental health issues among youth by increasing access to professional support directly within the school environment.
The Semiconductor Superiority Act expands the advanced manufacturing investment credit to include semiconductor facilities located in outer space, specifically low-Earth orbit. This provision allows companies to claim tax credits for equipment used in space-based manufacturing, even if some components are not physically located in orbit or are used for transporting crew and supplies. The bill also clarifies that flight control, crew habitation, and repair activities in space count as manufacturing functions for the purpose of this credit. Additionally, the law excludes rockets and launch vehicles from qualifying as eligible property under this new rule. These changes apply only to facilities and equipment placed in service after the act is enacted.
This bill, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026, aims to create more predictable payment adjustments for physicians and other healthcare providers under the Medicare program. It directly affects medical practices and providers who receive reimbursement for services through the physician fee schedule. The legislation increases a threshold for certain budget neutrality calculations from $20 million to $54.3 million in 2027, with automatic increases every five years thereafter. It also requires the government to correct payment estimates when actual service usage differs significantly from projections, mandates regular updates to cost calculations for practice expenses, and limits how much Medicare payment rates can change from year to year to a maximum of 2.5 percent.
