The American Food for American Schools Act of 2026 requires schools to purchase domestic food products for federal nutrition programs unless a waiver is granted due to shortages or quality issues. Under this bill, school food authorities must request permission from the Department of Agriculture to buy foreign goods, with waivers limited to 5% of annual food costs. Contracts with suppliers must include clauses that require compliance with domestic sourcing rules, and any supplier who fails to comply must repay the federal funds used to purchase foreign items. Additionally, the law mandates that schools notify parents about any foreign products used and requires the government to publish a public list of waivers and instances of noncompliance. The legislation also increases funding for a procurement training program to help schools navigate these new requirements.
The Bribery Accountability and Discovery Act (BAD Act) extends the time limit for prosecuting bribery or theft crimes involving public officials or federal funds. Under this change, the legal clock for bringing charges does not start until a federal law enforcement agency discovers the crime or receives a report about it. This provision directly affects individuals accused of these specific offenses by potentially allowing prosecutors more time to build cases that were previously hidden.
The Increasing Opportunity For Reindustrialization Act designates census tracts containing former Department of Defense installations as Qualified Opportunity Zones. This change allows communities near closed military bases to access federal tax incentives intended for economic development, even if they do not meet the standard low-income requirements. The bill specifically amends the Internal Revenue Code to include these areas in the program and increases the number of eligible zones per state to accommodate them.
This bill expands paid family and medical leave benefits for a wide range of federal workers, including those in the Executive Office of the President, the Postal Service, and the District of Columbia courts. It primarily increases the amount of paid leave available for specific events, such as the birth or adoption of a child, by allowing employees to take up to 26 workweeks of leave in total, which includes a separate 12-week portion for other family and medical needs. The legislation also clarifies that leave for adoption can begin before the child is placed with the family to support necessary pre-placement activities. Additionally, it updates the rules for various federal agencies to ensure their leave programs align with these new standards and covers employees who might have previously received different types of paid leave under separate laws.
This bill amends the existing water rights settlement for the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians to update the legal definition of their reservation and clarify how certain funds can be used. It specifically adds several historical land additions to the reservation definition and expands the definition to include any contiguous federal trust land located within the Santa Margarita River Watershed. Additionally, the legislation allows the use of a specific water quality account to address issues in the Wolf Valley Basin, broadening its scope beyond just desalination. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make these necessary changes to the settlement agreement without affecting any water rights that already exist.
This bill establishes a final settlement for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians regarding their water rights and related claims in California. It authorizes the transfer of approximately 2,000 acres of federal land into trust for the Tribe while simultaneously selling about 842 acres of federal land to the Coachella Valley Water District. The legislation confirms the Tribe's right to use up to 20,000 acre-feet of groundwater annually, exempts this water from state fees, and provides $550 million in federal funding for water infrastructure and management projects. Additionally, the bill allows the Tribe to collect a tax on land held by non-members on the reservation in place of county property taxes, with the proceeds distributed to local agencies and tribal operations.
The Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act of 2026 directs the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants and loans to help local air pollution control agencies purchase and operate portable air sensors in rural and remote areas. These low-cost devices are intended to measure smoke pollutants like PM2.5 and ozone in locations where traditional monitoring equipment is scarce, thereby improving the accuracy of air quality data for communities affected by wildfires. To ensure success, the bill also authorizes funding for technical assistance to help agencies install and maintain these sensors, while requiring that the data collected be shared with the EPA to update public air quality maps. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually through 2032 for grants and provides additional unspecified funding for loan programs and technical support, with a specific focus on expanding coverage to Indian tribes and areas lacking existing monitoring infrastructure.
This resolution expresses support for designating July as Disability Pride Month to honor the contributions of the approximately 70 million American adults and over 3 million children with disabilities. The bill calls on individuals, interest groups, and organizations across the United States to observe the month with celebrations and activities that promote inclusion. Additionally, it urges everyone to actively work against the exclusion and discrimination that people with disabilities often face. While the measure does not create new laws or funding, it serves as an official statement of recognition and encouragement for community engagement during this time.
This resolution expresses support for designating July 2026 as "American Grown Flower and Foliage Month" to highlight the domestic flower industry. It recognizes the economic value of U.S. growers who provide jobs and support local businesses while encouraging consumers to buy locally produced flowers. The bill aims to raise awareness about the availability of domestically grown floral products and urges the public to showcase these items to support American agriculture.
This bill requires political committees to clearly label online content they pay for, ensuring viewers know the post was funded by a political group. The law applies to advertisements and messages posted on websites, apps, or social media by third parties, but excludes content on a committee's own site or posts by regular employees using their own accounts. Starting in 2027, these labels must be easy to read in videos and text or clearly spoken in audio, and committees must inform the creators of this requirement when making payments. The Federal Election Commission will create specific rules to enforce these standards by that date.
The AI Ads Act expands federal election laws to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence-generated content in deceptive political advertisements. This change directly affects political campaigns, committees, and any individuals creating election materials by requiring clear disclosure when generative AI is used to produce misleading claims or solicitations. The bill also broadens existing fraud rules to cover not just candidates, but also any person or fictitious organization attempting to damage a candidate's reputation through deceptive means. By updating the Federal Election Campaign Act, the legislation aims to ensure transparency and prevent the spread of AI-created misinformation during election cycles.
The Spotted Wing Abatement Trust Act of 2026 creates a new funding source within the Department of Agriculture to combat the spotted wing drosophila, an invasive insect that damages crops like berries, peaches, and cherries. This bill establishes a specific fund authorized to receive $6.5 million annually for five years to support research and mitigation efforts against the pest. The Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will manage the fund by awarding grants or cooperative agreements to eligible recipients for these activities. The legislation aims to address the estimated 20 percent revenue loss in affected fruit crops caused by this invasive species.
