This bill requires employers with 50+ employees to display a clear notice about veteran benefits in visible workplace locations. The notice, developed by the Labor and Veterans Affairs departments, must include the Veterans Crisis Line, how to apply for benefits, and state-specific veteran resources. Employers must post this notice starting one year after the bill's enactment, with updates to the notice required twice yearly. The law directly affects large employers nationwide and aims to improve veterans' access to workplace support resources.
This resolution designates April 2026 as Financial Literacy Month to raise public awareness about the importance of personal finance education. The bill calls on the federal government, states, schools, businesses, and other organizations to hold programs and activities during this month. It is based on data showing high levels of financial stress, debt, and a lack of financial education among many Americans.
This resolution formally condemns the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump on April 25, 2026, as well as previous attempts in 2024, and recognizes the critical role of the Department of Homeland Security. The bill expresses gratitude to law enforcement officers who responded to the attack and affirms the Secret Service's responsibility for protecting the President. Additionally, it calls on Americans to unite against political violence and condemns those who incite attacks against public officials.
This bill amends existing U.S. laws to require only foreign-owned companies registered in the United States to report beneficial ownership information, while exempting domestic U.S. entities from these filing requirements. Under the new rules, foreign corporations must disclose details about their owners, but any beneficial owners who are U.S. persons will not be required to provide this data. Additionally, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is directed to delete all previously collected ownership information related to U.S. persons while retaining records for non-U.S. individuals. The legislation effectively narrows the scope of the current reporting system to focus exclusively on foreign entities operating within the United States.
The START Act streamlines the process for registering apprenticeship programs by requiring the Department of Labor to review submitted program standards within 90 days and providing faster, 30-day feedback for incomplete submissions. It establishes a new grant program that provides federal funding to states based on their population and the number of apprentices, with states required to match these funds to support training, technical assistance, and outreach efforts. The legislation also mandates greater transparency by requiring state agencies to publicly post their reciprocity rules, apprenticeship standards, and their average response times to program applications. Additionally, the bill clarifies that state apprenticeship councils do not have final decision-making authority over program registrations, shifting that power to the federal Secretary of Labor or designated state agencies.
The Local Law Enforcement Support Act of 2026 expands funding opportunities for local police departments through the Byrne JAG and COPS programs. These funds can be used to recruit and train officers, purchase protective gear, and acquire specific tools like digital forensics equipment, drone technology, and ballistics analysis systems. The bill also allows for investments in software for cyber investigations and victim services. By adding these categories to the list of eligible expenses, the legislation provides law enforcement agencies with more options for addressing modern crime challenges.
Barcode Automation for Revenue Collection to Organize Disbursement and Enhance Efficiency Act or the BARCODE Efficiency Act This bill requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to use barcodes, barcode scanning technology, and optical character recognition (or similar) technology to digitize certain federal tax return information and correspondence, unless the technology is slower or less reliable than other IRS processes (subject to conditions). Specifically, the bill requires a scannable barcode on electronically-prepared federal tax returns that are printed and filed in paper format with the IRS. The bill also requires the IRS to use barcode scanning technology to convert data included on such returns into an electronic format. Further, the bill requires the IRS to use optical character recognition (or similar) technology to transcribe federal tax returns and correspondence received by the IRS that are not prepared electronically and are received in paper format. However, under the bill, the use of barcodes, barcode scanning technology, and optical character recognition (or similar) technology is not required if (1) such technology is slower or less reliable than manual transcription or any other IRS process, and (2) the IRS provides a report to Congress regarding the determination to not use such technology.
This bill modifies state unemployment programs to help job seekers start businesses. It removes the requirement that participants must first exhaust regular unemployment benefits before accessing self-employment assistance. States must now approve business plans or require entrepreneurial training/counseling for participants, who must also certify weekly participation. The bill also raises the cap on program participants from 5% to 10% of unemployed individuals. These changes aim to expand access to business ownership support through state unemployment systems.
Clergy Act This bill establishes a two-year window for certain members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners to revoke their exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes on ministerial earnings. Under current law, such individuals who object to participation in public insurance programs on religious or conscientious grounds may apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an irrevocable exemption and will not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits in retirement unless they have qualifying credits from other employment. The IRS must develop a plan to inform members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners of their eligibility to revoke prior exemptions, pursuant to the bill's changes.
New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act This bill modifies terminology for purposes of the New Source Review (NSR) permitting program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In order for a change to a stationary source to be a modification (a change to a stationary source that increases the air pollutant emissions or results in new pollutants) for purposes of the NSR permitting program, the maximum hourly emission rate achievable by such source must be higher than the maximum hourly rate achievable by such source during any hour in the 10-year period preceding the change. A change at a stationary source is not considered to be a modification under the bill if it is designed to (1) reduce the amount of any air pollutant emitted; or (2) restore, maintain, or improve the reliability of operations at, or safety of, the source. However, such changes are not excepted if the EPA determines the increase in the maximum achievable hourly emission rate from such change would cause an adverse effect on human health or the environment. Construction , in connection with a major emitting facility (a type of stationary source), does not include a change at such a facility that does not result in a significant emissions increase or a significant net emissions increase. In relation to major emitting facilities in nonattainment areas, the terms modifications and modified do not include changes at such facilities that do not result in a significant emissions increase or a significant net emissions increase.
The Build America, Buy America Compliance Act requires federal agencies to submit annual reports detailing how they are implementing rules that prioritize using domestically produced materials for taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects. These reports must list all relevant programs, identify which ones fully comply with domestic sourcing requirements, and outline specific timelines for fixing any gaps or replacing broad waivers with more targeted exceptions. The legislation also mandates that all waivers granted for using foreign materials be made publicly available on a dedicated government website to increase transparency. Ultimately, the bill aims to ensure that federal spending on infrastructure supports American manufacturing and workers by closing loopholes that previously allowed the use of imported goods.
The Rural Animal Shelter Investment Act allows rural animal shelters to apply for federal loans and grants previously reserved for essential community facilities like schools and libraries. By amending the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, the bill officially classifies these shelters as essential community facilities, making them eligible for financial assistance under the Community Facility Direct Loan and Grant Program. The changes will take effect 180 days after the law is enacted, providing a specific timeline for when shelters can begin accessing these funding opportunities.
