The National Fab Lab Network Act of 2026 creates a new nonprofit corporation to establish and connect a national network of digital fabrication facilities, known as fab labs, across the United States. These labs are designed to provide communities with access to advanced manufacturing tools that allow individuals to create goods and products from digital designs, with a specific goal of placing at least one lab in every congressional district while prioritizing underserved areas. The corporation will coordinate this network by setting operational standards, maintaining a registry of labs, and distributing funds to support the creation and sustainable operation of these facilities. Its board of directors will be composed of representatives from diverse sectors, including education, tribal communities, and the private sector, and will be appointed by Senate and House leadership. Additionally, the organization is required to submit annual reports to congressional committees detailing its activities and progress.
This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to improve how it counts homeless individuals across the country. It mandates that local organizations conduct an annual count during the last ten days of April using standardized data systems, while also allowing optional counts at other times of the year. The legislation provides training and technical support for rural areas to help them collect accurate data and submit regular reports to Congress. Additionally, it requires organizations to update their data year-round and collect mid-year information to better track trends and plan services. A Government Accountability Office study will be conducted within a year of the bill's enactment to review the new counting methods and suggest further improvements.
The North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the funding and authority for the existing North Korean Human Rights Act through 2030 to support programs that document abuses, promote information access, and assist refugees. It mandates the appointment of a Special Envoy to coordinate human rights efforts and requires the State Department to report annually on efforts to appoint this role if the position remains vacant. The bill also directs the government to improve how humanitarian aid is distributed to ensure it reaches the general population rather than the North Korean elite, and it expands sanctions to penalize entities that forcibly return North Korean refugees to the country. Additionally, the legislation updates reporting requirements regarding the exploitation of humanitarian aid and clarifies that sanctions exemptions should be granted for genuine relief efforts.
The PREVENT Act directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish and expand a federal program dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse. This initiative would fund research to identify current gaps in prevention efforts, improve data collection on abuse cases including those involving technology, and develop evidence-based strategies to protect children. The legislation authorizes $6,000,000 in funding annually for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support these activities. Ultimately, the bill aims to enhance understanding of risk factors and strengthen existing policies to address child sexual abuse more effectively.
This bill authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the four crew members of the Artemis II mission to recognize their historic achievement in advancing human space exploration. The legislation directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the medals, which will feature the faces of the astronauts and be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury. In addition to the gold medals, the bill permits the minting and sale of duplicate bronze versions to help cover production costs, with any proceeds returned to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
This bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.
This bill amends the existing Northern Border Security Review Act to update deadlines and requirements for border security assessments. It requires the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to submit a northern border threat analysis by September 2, 2026, and every two years after, with strategy updates due 90 days after each analysis. The bill also mandates classified briefings to congressional committees 30 days after each threat analysis and directs the development of performance measures for Air and Marine Operations within six months of enactment. These changes directly affect the DHS Secretary, congressional committees, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's operations along the northern border.
The Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative through 2031. This program will continue to map critical minerals, geothermal energy, and natural hydrogen resources using advanced technologies like digital geochemistry and real-time data systems. The bill also updates the initiative to include data from the 3D Hydrography Program, ensuring a broader range of subsurface information is collected and analyzed.
The Alaska National Guard Rural Community Revival Act requires the Secretary of the Army to create a strategy for improving National Guard facilities and readiness in remote areas, including the Arctic. This plan must include an audit of existing armories, a strategy to recruit and retain personnel in isolated regions, and a blueprint for modernizing facilities with upgrades for extreme weather and cyber resilience. The legislation also directs the Army to explore partnerships with private companies to share infrastructure and data while reporting progress to Congress.
The Remote Waste Storage Act amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to allow hazardous waste generators in remote areas to store waste onsite for up to two years. This extension applies specifically to facilities that lack year-round surface transportation access to treatment, storage, or disposal sites. The provision requires that any such accumulation of hazardous waste must strictly follow all applicable laws and regulations. By adjusting the time limit for storage, the bill directly affects generators in isolated locations who previously faced stricter disposal timelines.
The PFAS Alternatives Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create grant programs that help develop and train firefighters on using protective gear free from PFAS chemicals. Under this law, eligible nonprofit and educational organizations can receive funding to research next-generation turnout gear that maintains safety standards without relying on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The legislation allocates up to $25 million between 2027 and 2031 for research grants and $2 million between 2028 and 2032 for training initiatives, ensuring that new gear designs are tested and that first responders learn proper care and decontamination methods. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary to submit a progress report to Congress within two years of enactment to track the implementation of these safety improvements.
The Esther Coopersmith Award Act creates a new annual award to recognize U.S. diplomats and civil servants who advance women's participation in peace and security efforts. Named after the late diplomat Esther Coopersmith, the award honors individuals who integrate women's perspectives into conflict prevention, promote their safety and economic security, and support early warning systems for violence. The Secretary of State will administer the program, which includes an annual meeting with the recipient, funding for travel to global security conferences, and mandatory training presentations for incoming foreign service officers. Additionally, the bill requires a report to Congress detailing the recipients' work and its impact on resolving conflicts, and the legislation will expire five years after it is enacted.
