The Problem Solvers Independent Commissions Act would require all states to draw their congressional district maps through independent commissions rather than state legislatures, starting with the redistricting cycle following the 2030 census. These commissions would be composed of an equal number of members from the two largest political parties and unaffiliated citizens, selected through a random process that allows legislative leaders to remove up to 20 percent of applicants from each group. The bill mandates that commission members complete training on redistricting law and ethics, hold public meetings, and avoid private communications with elected officials or lobbyists while developing maps. If a state's commission fails to enact a final plan before the candidate filing deadline, the existing districts would remain in place for up to eight weeks before the state's highest court appoints special masters to draw the map, explicitly barring the legislature from intervening.
The Problem Solvers MAPS Act requires states to draw congressional districts that are contiguous, compact in shape, and nearly equal in population. It prohibits mapmakers from creating boundaries intended to advantage or disadvantage specific candidates, incumbents, or political parties. Additionally, the law mandates that state officials consider preserving existing political subdivisions like counties, cities, and tribal land boundaries when establishing new districts. These rules apply to any congressional district created on or after the date the act is signed into law.
The Problem Solvers TRUST Act would prohibit states from changing their U.S. House of Representatives district maps during the ten-year period following a census, unless a court orders new lines to comply with federal or state constitutional requirements. If such a court order is issued, the state must make changes that result in the smallest possible alteration to the existing map. The bill also sets a one-year deadline for filing legal challenges against a redistricting plan after it becomes law. These rules would apply to congressional redistricting occurring after the November 2032 federal elections and would not affect how states draw districts for local or state offices.
The Common Cents Act would end the production of one-cent coins for general circulation while allowing them to remain legal tender, and it authorizes businesses to round cash transactions to the nearest five cents when exact change is unavailable. The bill also permits the redesign of the five-cent coin with a zinc core and nickel outer layer to reduce manufacturing costs, subject to tests ensuring compatibility with existing machines. Employers must round any cash payments to employees up to the nearest five-cent increment, while rounding in other transactions is optional for businesses but cannot violate minimum wage or overtime laws. Additionally, the Federal Reserve Board is required to submit a strategic plan and periodic reports to Congress on how to maintain stability in coin distribution systems during the transition away from pennies.
The Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative through fiscal year 2031. This program, managed by the U.S. Geological Survey, will support the collection and analysis of subsurface data using advanced technologies like modern sensing and digital geochemistry to map critical minerals and geothermal resources. The bill also updates the initiative's scope to include the 3D Hydrography Program and allocates $84 million for operations between 2027 and 2031.
The Quiet Skies Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to create new regulations banning voice calls on cell phones in the United States. This rule must be finalized within 180 days of the law's enactment and will apply to all air travelers. The bill aims to reduce noise on airplanes by prohibiting passengers from making or receiving phone calls while in flight.
This bill establishes a regional management framework for double-crested cormorants across four U.S. flyways, requiring the Secretary of the Interior to develop plans within 180 days that specify allowed hunting methods, time periods, and authorized entities including state and tribal agencies, lake managers, and pond managers. The framework must ensure cormorant populations remain sustainable while addressing impacts on fisheries, vegetation, other bird species, human safety, water quality, and endangered species. The bill mandates population surveys every five years and requires the management plans to be reviewed and updated every five years based on survey results and current data.
The Pray Safe Act of 2025 establishes a federal Clearinghouse within the Department of Homeland Security to provide houses of worship, faith-based organizations, and nonprofit groups at risk of threats with evidence-based safety resources. The Clearinghouse will publish online best practices for security planning, facility safety, and incident response, while listing existing federal and state grant programs to help these organizations implement these measures. It requires annual updates based on user feedback and includes a centralized resource section for contacts like Protective Security Advisors and Fusion Centers. The program expires four years after enactment and does not create new funding but coordinates existing federal and state safety resources.
The Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025 establishes the Urban Bird Treaty Program, which provides grants and technical assistance to local groups - including cities, nonprofits, community organizations, and academic institutions - to protect and restore urban bird habitats. Key provisions include funding for habitat restoration (e.g., removing invasive species and planting native plants), reducing urban bird hazards, and engaging communities in monitoring and education. The program, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, authorizes $1 million annually from 2026 to 2032 for projects focused on conserving urban bird populations through collaborative local efforts. It directly affects communities seeking to enhance green spaces and support bird conservation in populated areas.
HR 2592, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025, requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create and maintain a public website listing medications approved for use by pilots and aircrew (airmen) during medical certification. The list must be developed with input from pilots' unions, air traffic controllers' representatives, and other stakeholders, and include details like "Do Not Issue" medications, required duty limitations for new medications, and contact information for medical providers. The FAA must publish this list within one year of the bill's enactment and update it annually. This directly affects pilots seeking or holding medical certifications by providing clear, accessible information about medication use in aviation.
This joint resolution seeks to overturn a Department of Homeland Security rule that would establish fixed time periods for admission and specific extension procedures for nonimmigrant academic students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign information media. If enacted, the bill would prevent this immigration regulation from taking effect, thereby maintaining the existing framework for how these individuals manage their stay in the United States. The measure directly affects international students, cultural exchange participants, and foreign journalists by blocking changes to their visa duration limits and renewal processes.
The End Trump's Tariff Tax Act terminates specific import duties imposed under recent trade investigations and repeals two statutory authorities used to impose tariffs for forced labor violations, balance-of-payments issues, and foreign discrimination. The bill requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner to automatically refund all duties collected during specified periods in 2026, along with interest, without requiring importers to submit formal requests or documentation. Importers who paid these tariffs will receive their money back, with small businesses prioritized for payment where practicable.
