This bill amends the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to require the Treasury Secretary to testify annually before Congress about the Fund's operations. It also strengthens the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program by adjusting guarantee limits and extending the program's authorization period. Additionally, the bill expands capital assistance options for community development financial institutions and creates a new lending program specifically for Native community development financial institutions to support homeownership in Tribal and Native communities.
This bill, known as the Direct File Act of 2026, would establish a government-run online platform for taxpayers to prepare and file their individual income tax returns for free. It requires the Treasury Department to create a user-friendly system that uses IRS data to simplify the process, offers customer support, and is available in multiple languages and on mobile devices. The legislation also prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that would limit its ability to provide these tax preparation and filing services. Additionally, the bill allows eligible states to integrate their state tax filing with the federal system and provides funding to states that meet certain standards for doing so.
HR 7728, the Connect the Grid Act, requires Texas' ERCOT grid to connect with neighboring power systems by repealing its special exemptions from federal grid regulations. It mandates minimum power flow capacity between ERCOT and other grids (SPP, MISO, and the Western Interconnection) ranging from 2.5 to 12.6 gigawatts, with specific deadlines for new transmission projects by 2037. The bill directs grid operators to prioritize using existing infrastructure, degraded land sites, renewable energy access, and community engagement - including environmental justice and Tribal communities - in planning new transmission. It also increases federal funding for transmission projects and requires a study on benefits of connecting with Mexico’s grid.
The E-Access Act aims to enhance electric and natural gas consumers' access to their own energy usage and cost information, directly affecting consumers, utilities, and third-party energy management companies. It requires the Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to develop model guidelines for states to standardize secure and timely access to this data for consumers and their authorized third-party designees. These guidelines promote the use of open standards like "Green Button Connect My Data," ensuring data is electronic, machine-readable, and includes privacy protections, while also setting rules for electric meter software platforms to foster fair competition. States that adopt policies aligned with these federal guidelines may receive financial assistance to implement related programs. Additionally, the bill mandates a report on the costs and benefits of using individual meter data for wholesale electricity market settlement.
HR 7736, the RELIEF Act, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on imports entered on or after January 1, 2025. It directly affects importers of record by mandating automatic refunds within 90 days of the bill's enactment, without requiring them to submit applications or protests. The bill directs Customs to use existing data to calculate and disburse refunds for all affected tariff collections, including entries involving goods withdrawn from warehouse for consumption. This policy change eliminates the need for importers to seek refunds through separate processes, streamlining the recovery of overpaid duties.
HR 7740, the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes $4 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and support teaching about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create digital and print materials, provide teacher training, and expand access to curriculum resources for K-12 and college classrooms. It requires annual reports to Congress on fund usage and expires in 2030. This program directly affects educators and students by enhancing classroom materials and professional development on African American history.
This bill, known as the Promoting Innovation in Blockchain Development Act, modifies federal law to include digital assets like cryptocurrencies within the existing legal framework for money laundering. It directly affects individuals and organizations involved in blockchain technology by expanding the definition of what constitutes currency under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The key provision adds language recognizing that digital value substitutes for traditional currency, ensuring these assets are covered by current anti-money laundering regulations. This change aims to clarify legal protections and compliance requirements for the growing blockchain industry without altering other parts of the law.
This bill, known as the Shared Utility Rewards for Grid Efficiency Act of 2026, requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create rules that allow certain electric transmission companies to keep a portion of the money they save when they improve grid efficiency. The law mandates that these utilities submit detailed plans showing how their actions will reduce costs for customers and how much savings can be verified by independent evaluators. Utilities that successfully reduce transmission losses or improve grid performance could recover up to 60% of verified savings over a period of two to five years through rate adjustments. The bill also directs the Department of Energy to provide guidance and grants to state regulators so they can implement similar programs for utilities not under federal jurisdiction, and requires periodic studies to evaluate how these incentive frameworks affect the electric power sector.
This bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to employ at least one full-time, board-certified OB-GYN at every federal prison housing female inmates. It mandates specific services including menstrual care, contraception, prenatal care, cancer screenings, and postpartum support, along with patient protections like informed consent and the right to refuse non-emergency care. The bill also requires initial OB-GYN visits within 14 days of incarceration and establishes a process for referrals to other specialists without delays. Annual reports to Congress will track facility compliance, staffing vacancies, and health outcomes like prenatal visits, childbirths, and pregnancy-related deaths.
This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using federal funds to buy or use full-body restraints, which are devices that immobilize individuals. It directly affects DHS personnel and operations by banning the acquisition and utilization of four-point and five-point restraints. The law includes penalties for violations, such as removal from federal service for officers who break the rules or deceive leadership about them. DHS must also submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing compliance status and any instances where restraints were used, including specific information about the individuals restrained and the circumstances involved. Existing contracts for these restraints made before the bill's enactment are exempt from the ban.
SRES 615 is a Senate resolution celebrating Black History Month, acknowledging the historical contributions of African Americans to U.S. society across fields like civil rights, arts, science, and leadership. The resolution encourages all citizens to reflect on this history as part of the nation's ongoing journey toward equality, without creating new laws or policies. It specifically recognizes figures such as Frederick Douglass, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks, and emphasizes the importance of Black History Month in February as a time for communal learning and inspiration. This ceremonial resolution was introduced by multiple senators and passed unanimously by the Senate in 2026.
This Senate resolution (SRES 614) symbolically designates February 2026 as "American Heart Month" to raise public awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD). It does not create new laws or funding but urges the Senate to support goals including promoting CVD awareness, advancing research, and improving access to care. The designation aligns with longstanding annual observances to highlight CVD as a leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting all demographics.
