This bill codifies a specific order from the Department of the Interior into federal law. The provision grants Secretary's Order 3434, issued on June 25, 2025, the same legal authority as an act of Congress. The order focuses on improving coordination between the department and gateway communities.
This bill designates the Route 66 National Historic Trail, covering approximately 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, along all historical alignments of U.S. Highway 66 (1926-1985). It directs the National Park Service to administer the trail while respecting its unique character, requiring tribal consultation for significant impacts on Native American tribes, and explicitly prohibiting land acquisition beyond 1/4 mile on either side of the trail. The bill clarifies it does not create buffer zones, disrupt energy infrastructure (including pipelines or renewable projects), or designate the trail as part of the National Park System, while affirming existing authority for easements and rights-of-way.
This House resolution expresses support for designating September 2026 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the disease's impact on men in the United States. It calls on the public, interest groups, and affected individuals to promote awareness of screening methods and participate in ceremonies observing the month. The text also urges steps to encourage research into prevention, early detection, and cures, while improving access to quality health care services for prostate cancer treatment.
The Workforce Mobility Act of 2026 generally prohibits employers from entering into or enforcing noncompete agreements with their employees and contractors, rendering such contracts void. The bill includes specific exceptions that allow for noncompetes in the context of selling a business entity or dissolving a partnership, as well as for senior executives involved in a business sale who receive substantial severance compensation. It explicitly preserves an employer's right to protect trade secrets through nondisclosure agreements and requires businesses to post notices about these new worker protections. Enforcement is shared between the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Labor, which must establish joint standards within one year, while also granting individuals a private right of action to sue for damages and attorney fees. Additionally, the act invalidates any predispute arbitration or class action waiver agreements related to violations of these noncompete rules.
This bill restricts approximately 8.6 acres of trust land in San Diego County, California, to be used exclusively for providing health and social services to members of the Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians. The legislation explicitly prohibits the use of this property for class II or class III gaming operations or any other commercial activities. These specific usage restrictions will remain in effect for 50 years from the date the bill is enacted.
The Improving Access to Higher Education Act requires all institutions of higher education to establish an Office of Accessibility responsible for informing students about their rights, providing accommodations, and accepting specific documentation like Individualized Education Programs to verify disability status. The bill authorizes competitive grants for colleges to train faculty in accessible teaching methods and to create inclusive programs that lead to degrees or credentials for students with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, it establishes an independent commission to develop guidelines for accessible electronic instructional materials and creates a National Technical Assistance Center to provide resources and technical support to both students and educational institutions.
This bill, titled the STOP Payments Fraud Act of 2026, amends federal laws to give banks more flexibility in delaying the availability of funds when they suspect fraud. It allows depository institutions to hold checks and wire transfers for up to 60 days if there is reasonable suspicion that the transaction is false, unauthorized, or fraudulent, rather than following standard expedited release rules. The legislation requires banks to notify customers of these delays and prohibits overdraft fees if the delay is caused by the bank's fraud investigation. Additionally, it permits banks to share information about suspected fraud with other financial institutions to help prevent future issues.
The GUARD Act of 2026 requires U.S. national security agencies to evaluate whether humanoid or quadruped robots made by foreign entities pose a risk to national security. If a robot is determined to be unsafe or comes from a country of concern, the Federal Communications Commission will add it to a banned list, preventing its use in U.S. communications networks. The law mandates that agencies report their findings to Congress within specific timeframes, ensuring transparency about these security assessments. Importantly, the rule does not apply to allies such as NATO members or designated Major Non-NATO Allies.
This bill clarifies that certain personal services entities owned by registered stockbrokers are not automatically considered "brokers" under securities law, if specific conditions are met. It directly affects registered representatives who own personal services entities (like independent contractor firms) and their brokers. Key provisions require brokers to control payment details, prevent entities from advertising as brokers, maintain written agreements, restrict ownership to the representative or immediate family, and preserve required records for oversight. The change aims to eliminate regulatory confusion for small, representative-owned entities without altering core broker-dealer rules.
HR 5402, the Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2025, allows utility and telecommunications companies to report consumers' on-time payment history for services like electricity, gas, and internet to credit bureaus. This directly affects consumers who lack traditional credit histories (e.g., renters or those without credit cards), potentially helping them build credit through consistent utility payments. The bill permits reporting only for payment activity (not usage data), requires companies to honor payment plans without reporting late payments, and gives consumers the right to opt out. It also mandates a GAO study within two years to assess the impact of this reporting on consumer credit scores and access to credit.
This House resolution formally recognizes the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program, which was established in 1946 to promote international goodwill through student and scholar exchanges. The bill highlights that the program currently operates in over 160 countries and has provided grants to more than 450,000 individuals since its inception. It encourages Congress to continue supporting educational and cultural affairs programs as tools for advancing foreign policy and national security. Additionally, the resolution congratulates past and present recipients and calls on global professionals to engage in cross-cultural partnerships.
The Mali Security Partnership and Counterterrorism Act requires the Secretary of State to submit a detailed report to Congress within 180 days regarding the expansion of al-Qaeda-linked groups in Mali and their financing methods. The report must analyze how terrorist organizations exploit illegal gold trade networks, informal taxation, and cross-border operations with neighboring countries like Burkina Faso and Niger. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the report include a specific United States diplomatic strategy for countering this influence, which involves proposed bilateral initiatives, regional cooperation efforts, and metrics to measure effectiveness.
