Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act This bill removes less-than-lethal projectile devices (e.g., certain TASERs) from regulation under the Gun Control Act. The term less-than-lethal projectile device means a device that (1) is not designed or intended to expel (and may not be readily converted to discharge) commonly used ammunition or projectiles exceeding a velocity of 500 feet per second; (2) is designed and intended to be used in a manner not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; and (3) does not accept (and cannot be readily modified to accept) an ammunition feeding device. The bill also requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine whether a device satisfies the definition of a less-than-lethal projectile device within 90 days of a request.
Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act This bill requires certified national governing bodies (NGBs) of amateur sports (e.g., USA Gymnastics) to prohibit a person whose sex is male from participating in an amateur athletic competition that is designated for females, women, or girls. Under the bill, male means an individual who has, had, will have—or would have, but for a developmental or genetic anomaly or historical accident—the reproductive system that at some point produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization.
This bill terminates a specific tax rate (the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate) used to fund hazardous waste cleanup efforts after December 31, 2025, with the change taking effect January 1, 2026. It also modifies how the government repays advances from the Superfund, requiring quarterly payments from unobligated funds until fully repaid, effective upon the bill's enactment. The bill directly affects the federal government's funding mechanisms for the Superfund program, not consumers or businesses. It makes concrete changes to tax code provisions and repayment procedures without altering the program's core purpose or directly impacting gasoline prices (despite the misleading bill title).
This bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce two types of commemorative $2.50 coins for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence: a circulating coin for everyday use and a numismatic (collector) coin. Both would feature designs based on the 1926 Sesquicentennial coin - showing allegorical liberty holding the Declaration on one side and Independence Hall on the other - with "1776-2026" inscriptions. The bill requires the Mint to issue these coins by July 4, 2026, if technically and economically feasible, but does not mandate their production or affect any specific groups beyond the public who may purchase them.
Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 This bill modifies the Energy Act of 2020 to expand the definition of critical minerals used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to include critical materials designated by the Department of Energy (DOE). It also directs USGS to update its list within 45 days of DOE adding a mineral, element, substance, or material to its critical materials list. Thus, the bill requires the lists to be treated consistently and makes critical materials eligible for the same benefits (e.g., financing support or clean energy tax credits) provided to critical minerals. By way of background, DOE's critical materials list contains certain materials that are essential for energy, including those on the critical minerals list of the USGS. The USGS's list, which contains certain minerals that are essential to the nation's economic or national security, is currently not required to include the materials on DOE's list.
Mining Regulatory Clarity Act This bill allows mining operators to use federal lands for activities ancillary to mining, such as waste disposal, regardless of whether those lands contain mineral deposits valuable enough to be mined (mineral validity). It also establishes the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund. The bill addresses a 2022 decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit related to the Rosemont Copper Mine in Arizona (commonly known as the Rosemont decision , described further in CRS Report R48166 ). The court held that mining claims are only allowed where mineral validity has been established and that mill site claims are more appropriate means for establishing a mining waste disposal site under the Mining Act. The bill allows a mining operator to (1) locate and include within its plan of operations as many mill site claims (e.g., areas for waste rock disposal) as are reasonably necessary for its operations, and (2) use or occupy public land in accordance with an approved plan of operations. Additionally, the bill requires any revenue generated from fees for such mill site claims to be deposited into the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund. The Department of the Interior must use the fund for certain abandoned hardrock mine reclamation activities.
Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act This bill allows National Forest System (NFS) units to keep the majority of ski area permit rental fees that were generated within their boundaries and outlines how revenues from those fees may be used. Such fees are collected by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from ski area operators on NFS land. Within the NFS unit where the fees were generated, USDA must expend (1) 60%-48% of the collected fees for activities such as administration of the ski area permit program, visitor information, or reducing the likelihood of wildfire in or adjacent to a recreation site; and (2) 20% of the collected fees for activities such as repair of a Forest Service-owned facility, habitat restoration, or search and rescue activities. The remainder of the collected fees must be expended by USDA at any NFS unit for any of the activities specified in this bill.
The ARC Act of 2026 establishes a $3.6 billion federal program to provide cost certainty for advanced nuclear energy projects seeking loan guarantees under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. It requires qualifying projects to submit detailed cost estimates, schedule risk analyses, and a project delivery plan to demonstrate on-time, on-budget construction. Borrowers cover cost overruns up to 120% of the base cost estimate, after which the program covers up to 30% of that base estimate (capped at $1.2 billion per project). This directly affects advanced nuclear reactor developers and project owners seeking federal loan guarantees, with strict oversight requirements including quarterly progress reviews and annual schedule updates.
The Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 aims to protect critical subsea fiber-optic cables that form the backbone of global internet infrastructure. It requires the U.S. government to increase engagement in international bodies like the International Cable Protection Committee, establish an interagency committee for coordination, and impose sanctions on foreign entities damaging cables. The bill mandates annual reports on Chinese and Russian cable activities, strengthens information sharing between government and private cable owners, and creates new reporting requirements for U.S. agencies. These provisions directly affect U.S. government agencies, private cable companies, and foreign entities that might threaten cable security. The act focuses on enhancing the security, resilience, and protection of subsea cable networks that are vital for global communications.
The SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act of 2026 imposes sanctions on vessels and foreign entities supporting Russia's shadow fleet - vessels used to circumvent sanctions on Russian oil exports. It targets foreign vessels engaging in unsafe maritime behavior, lacking proper insurance, or evading the crude oil price cap, as well as foreign persons facilitating such activities through ship-to-ship transfers, insurance, or port services. The bill requires sanctions on port terminals in China or India accepting oil from sanctioned vessels and establishes a public database of vessels suspected of sabotage activities. It also creates reporting requirements and a strategy to counter China's role in evading sanctions on Russian energy products.
This bill amends the tax code to allow first-time homebuyers to use funds from 529 college savings plans for home purchases without tax penalties, under specific conditions. It permits tax-free withdrawals of the original contributions (plus earnings) if the account was maintained for 15 years, the funds are used within 60 days for a first home purchase, and the total lifetime withdrawals do not exceed $35,000. If the home is sold within 5 years, a recapture tax may apply based on the time held. It directly affects first-time homebuyers who have maintained 529 plans for 15 years and use the funds for qualifying home purchases.
The PART Act requires new vehicles to have catalytic converters marked with a unique identification number that links directly to the vehicle's identification number, stored in a law enforcement-accessible database. It establishes a $7 million grant program to help repair shops, dealers, law enforcement, and fleet owners purchase equipment for marking converters with visible, durable identifiers (using die or pin stamping and high-visibility paint). The bill also mandates that businesses buying catalytic converters keep detailed seller records (including vehicle information) for two years and use traceable payments, banning cash or cryptocurrency transactions. Additionally, it creates new federal criminal penalties for stealing or trafficking in catalytic converters, with potential sentences of up to five years in prison.
