HR 2978, the GUARD Act, allows state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to use existing federal grant funds for investigating elder financial fraud, "pig butchering" investment scams, and general financial fraud. The bill directs these funds toward hiring specialized staff, training on blockchain tools and transnational fraud, purchasing investigative software, improving data collection, and creating financial sector liaisons to coordinate with banks. It requires annual reports from law enforcement on fund usage and outcomes, and mandates federal agencies to submit comprehensive reports to Congress on scam statistics, enforcement actions, and funding allocation. The legislation directly affects law enforcement agencies and aims to strengthen efforts against fraud targeting vulnerable populations, particularly elderly individuals.
The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 strengthens the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure individuals with long-term service and support needs have a federally protected right to live in their communities rather than institutions. It requires states and insurance providers to offer community-based services that allow people to maintain independence, control their own care, and access affordable, integrated housing. The bill mandates that public entities and insurers create enforceable transition plans to move people out of institutions, conduct self-evaluations to identify barriers, and establish clear grievance procedures for resolving complaints. Enforcement is handled by the Department of Justice, which can investigate violations, while individuals may also file civil lawsuits to seek damages or court orders preventing institutionalization.
The SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026 strengthens protections for veterans by imposing stricter penalties on individuals who charge unauthorized fees for helping with benefits claims and requiring that only accredited representatives or those under their supervision provide such assistance. Key provisions include creating an online searchable list of recognized and suspended agents, mandating warnings on Department websites about potential predatory practices, and adding questions to claim forms to identify anyone who charged fees for coaching or filing assistance. The bill also updates federal laws to prohibit the use of automated telephone equipment for making repeated calls to federal agencies and requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a more accessible digital system for recognizing representatives and processing complaints. Additionally, the Department must conduct a review of its current regulations regarding representation and report its findings to Congress within 180 days of the law's enactment.
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to modernize the federal Broadband Funding Map, which tracks where broadband infrastructure funding is deployed. It mandates a notice of inquiry within 270 days to evaluate the map's data quality, public usability, and update timelines, and to consider expanding data categories. A separate GAO study (due within 180 days) will assess how well federal agencies maintain the map, coordinate data sharing, and whether improved use could save taxpayer money. The bill directly affects agencies receiving or managing broadband funding, including the FCC, NTIA, USDA, and others. It focuses on improving data transparency and efficiency in federal broadband spending, not on changing funding eligibility or amounts.
The Small Business and Consumer Credit Act of 2026 changes how certain financial institutions can use tax losses to offset future profits. It allows these banks to carry forward net operating losses for up to 20 years, with additional rules allowing them to carry losses back to previous years starting in 2028. The law specifically applies to independent banks and certain affiliated groups, requiring them to make an irrevocable election on their tax returns to use these new provisions.
The Protect Our Polls Act establishes a strict notification and approval process before federal troops or armed men can be deployed to election sites to repel armed enemies. Under this bill, the head of the agency sending troops must submit a detailed report to congressional leaders at least 48 hours in advance, including intelligence on the threat and justification for why local forces cannot handle the situation. If Congress is not in session, the Speaker and Senate President pro tempore must request a special session to review the report, and no deployment can occur until Congress passes a joint resolution authorizing the action. The legislation also amends the Civil Rights Act of 1960 to prohibit federal funds from being used to allow military personnel to access election records, while explicitly preserving the right of service members to vote. These provisions are set to expire on January 20, 2029.
The Bank-Fintech Partnership Enhancement Act directs federal banking regulators to study how collaborations between traditional banks and financial technology companies affect the industry. This research will examine impacts on competition, innovation, consumer safety, and the speed at which new financial products reach the market. The bill requires the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the FDIC to complete a report on banks within one year, while the National Credit Union Administration must do the same for credit unions. Ultimately, the legislation aims to identify potential legal or regulatory changes that could encourage more effective partnerships between these financial sectors.
The Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2026 updates the Air Carrier Access Act to strengthen protections for individuals with disabilities who travel by air. It directly affects passengers with disabilities, service animal handlers, and air carriers by establishing new rules for handling specific violations. The bill allows aggrieved passengers to file civil lawsuits in federal court without first exhausting administrative remedies and permits courts to award compensatory and punitive damages. Additionally, it mandates that the Department of Transportation refer cases involving patterns of discrimination to the Attorney General for further legal action.
This bill requires publicly traded companies and certain government agencies to report quarterly data on how artificial intelligence affects their U.S. workforce. Specifically, these organizations must disclose the number of employees laid off due to AI automation, new hires resulting from AI integration, unfilled positions caused by AI, and individuals receiving AI-related retraining. The Department of Labor will collect this information, analyze the net impact of these changes, and publish the reports on its website while also submitting them to Congress. Additionally, the bill establishes a process for the Department of Labor to determine which non-publicly traded companies should be included in these reporting requirements based on factors like company size and industry.
The EDUCATE Act of 2026 directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to create a grant program for universities to research marijuana cultivation and processing, with a specific focus on soil health, sustainability, and economic opportunities for minority farmers. This legislation also establishes a scholarship program to support students pursuing careers in marijuana agriculture and requires that at least 25% of the research funding be reserved for Hispanic-serving institutions. To encourage participation, the bill includes protections ensuring that institutions and individuals conducting federally authorized marijuana research cannot face denial of benefits or federal prosecution solely for their work. The program is authorized for five years, with $5 million allocated annually for research grants and $100,000 annually for scholarships, and recipients must agree to comply with all applicable federal laws regarding marijuana.
The Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act amends the Federal Power Act to modify how federal licenses for hydropower projects are issued. Specifically, it requires that license conditions include measures to reasonably mitigate direct adverse effects on federal reservations and fish populations within applicable river systems. These changes aim to ensure that new or existing hydropower projects address environmental impacts on protected lands and aquatic species before a license is granted. The bill directly affects hydropower project developers and federal agencies responsible for licensing and environmental oversight.
Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act This bill repeals the Corporate Transparency Act. The act requires existing companies and newly created companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for purposes of addressing the financing of terrorism and money laundering.
