The Data to Save Moms Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes by increasing funding and support for maternal mortality review committees across the United States. The bill provides $10 million annually from 2027 to 2031 to help these committees recruit more diverse community members, including people with personal experiences of maternal mortality or severe health complications, and to address barriers like transportation and compensation that prevent participation. It also requires committees to conduct outreach to racial and ethnic minority communities and publicly report on their review processes and diversity efforts. Additionally, the legislation directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to study maternal health data collection methods, conduct a specific study on American Indian and Alaska Native maternal health outcomes, and award grants to minority-serving institutions for research on maternal mortality disparities.
The Perinatal Workforce Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance encouraging hospitals, insurers, and maternity care providers to recruit and retain diverse healthcare professionals, including midwives, physician assistants, and perinatal health workers, while incorporating implicit bias and racism training into their practices. The bill authorizes $15 million annually from 2027 to 2031 for grants that establish or expand accredited education programs for perinatal health professionals, prioritizing schools that recruit students from racial and ethnic minority groups and those planning to practice in areas with maternal health disparities. Additionally, the legislation creates a separate grant program for nursing schools to provide scholarships to students pursuing careers in maternal and perinatal health, with similar diversity and training requirements. The act also requires the Secretary of HHS to conduct a study on respectful maternity care practices and mandates periodic reports from the Government Accountability Office on barriers to maternal health education and access to care.
HR 7388 (Smart Space Act of 2026) requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to identify private financing options for federal building projects to reduce government costs. Within 90 days, GSA must hold public meetings with real estate experts and submit a project list within 120 days, focusing on buildings critical to core government functions that meet 60% occupancy or consolidate inefficient space. The bill mandates public reporting of recommendations, project details, and timelines, with transparency requirements for Congress and the public. It does not grant GSA new legal authorities and defines "public-private partnerships" to include private financing for building design, construction, and maintenance.
HR 5663, the ACPAC Modernization Act, amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to add "ticket agents" as a required member category on the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC). This change directly affects ACPAC's composition by mandating that ticket agents be included among its members. The bill makes a technical, procedural update to the existing law without altering the committee's functions or creating new consumer protections. It focuses solely on specifying who must serve on the committee, not on changing airline consumer policies.
The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue new regulations within one year of enactment, enabling commercial supersonic flights (faster than the speed of sound) over U.S. airspace without special permission. These regulations would only permit such flights if the aircraft is operated to prevent sonic booms from reaching the ground. The bill directly affects companies developing and operating supersonic aircraft, as well as the FAA, which must revise existing rules to accommodate this change. This policy shift removes current barriers to routine supersonic travel in U.S. airspace under specific noise-reduction conditions.
This resolution expresses support for designating March 24, 2026, as National Agriculture Day to honor the agricultural industry. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize agriculture's economic importance in the United States. The measure is a non-binding expression of appreciation rather than a legislative action with enforceable provisions.
The TECH Act would allow qualified technical schools to receive the same federal grant funding as traditional two-year and four-year colleges. It directly affects vocational institutions that offer specific career training programs in high-demand fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and public safety. The bill requires federal agencies to update eligibility rules and application processes within 180 days to include these schools in existing grant programs. To qualify, technical schools must offer programs of at least 150 clock hours that lead to recognized industry credentials and meet state educational requirements. The legislation aims to expand workforce training opportunities by treating technical schools equally with other higher education institutions for federal funding purposes.
Extending WIC for New Moms Act This bill amends the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to extend the eligibility periods for breastfeeding and postpartum women. Specifically, a state program may elect to certify a breastfeeding woman for up to 24 months (currently 1 year) postpartum. The bill also expands the eligibility period for postpartum women to up to 24 months after termination of pregnancy (currently 6 months). The Department of Agriculture must submit a report to Congress evaluating the effect of these changes to the program on (1) maternal and infant health outcomes, (2) breastfeeding rates, and (3) qualitative evaluations of family experiences under WIC.
This bill requires licensed firearm dealers to add serial numbers to unserialized guns they receive and to those they manufacture using 3D printing or similar non-traditional methods. It defines additive manufacturing as layer-by-layer processes like 3D printing and mandates that dealers engrave or cast serial numbers on frames and receivers, then report this information to the Attorney General. Dealers who fail to comply face civil fines up to $10,000 for first offenses and criminal penalties including up to $100,000 in fines and one year in prison for subsequent violations. The bill also creates a tax credit for dealers who spend money on serialization equipment and limits how the Attorney General can use the collected serial number data to only active criminal investigations. State laws regarding firearm serialization remain unaffected by these federal requirements.
The Guidance Clarity Act requires federal agencies to include a clear statement on all guidance documents, explaining that the guidance does not have the force of law and is not binding on the public or the agency. This statement must be prominently displayed on the first page of the document and specify that it is intended only to clarify existing legal requirements. Agencies must begin using this statement 30 days after the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issues implementing guidance, which OMB must provide within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The bill directly affects all federal agencies that issue guidance under specific legal authority, ensuring transparency about the non-binding nature of such communications.
HR 7251, the "Prohibit Partisan Park Passes Act," amends federal law to prevent the use of living political figures on National Park Service and federal recreational lands passes. The bill specifically prohibits including images of current or former elected officials or other living political figures on these passes. This change directly affects the National Park Service, which issues the passes, and ensures the design remains neutral. The law modifies existing regulations under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to remove partisan imagery from these commonly used visitor passes.
This bill establishes a federal task force to address maternal health disparities by coordinating efforts across multiple government agencies and community stakeholders to reduce preventable maternal deaths and serious health complications. The task force will include representatives from various departments such as Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation, along with community leaders, patients, and healthcare providers focused on maternal health. Additionally, the bill authorizes $100 million over five years to provide grants to community organizations for addressing social determinants of maternal health including housing, transportation, nutrition, employment, and environmental conditions. These grants prioritize areas with high rates of maternal mortality and poverty, and recipients must submit annual reports on their activities and outcomes. The legislation defines key terms such as maternal mortality and social determinants of maternal health to guide implementation and reporting requirements.
