The Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026 expands Medicare coverage for clinical psychologists by introducing financial incentives and removing certain administrative barriers. Starting in 2028, clinical psychologists working in designated rural and underserved areas will receive an additional 10 percent payment for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. The bill also allows clinical psychologists to provide care or supervision in various settings, including outpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, and home health services, as long as state laws permit it. These changes aim to increase access to mental health services by formally recognizing the role of clinical psychologists in Medicare-covered care.
The Local Input Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to actively engage with the public, state and local governments, and federally recognized tribes before offering federal land for oil or gas leasing. This process mandates that officials publicly disclose leasing proposals and analyze potential impacts on land resources and other uses, while also providing a specific opportunity for community comment. The bill empowers the Secretary to decide against leasing a parcel if the gathered input suggests it should not be offered. These changes directly affect federal land management decisions and increase the role of local stakeholders in energy development on public lands.
The Right to IVF Act of 2026 establishes federal protections to ensure individuals can access assisted reproductive technology and intrauterine insemination without state-imposed restrictions, while also mandating that health insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits program cover these services. The bill defines these procedures broadly to include treatments like egg and embryo freezing and requires coverage regardless of whether a patient has been diagnosed with infertility. It further directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide fertility preservation and reproductive assistance to uniformed service members and veterans, including funding for egg or sperm retrieval and storage. Additionally, the legislation grants federal courts the authority to challenge and block any state laws that limit access to these reproductive treatments or discriminate against providers and patients based on protected characteristics.
The Temporary Protected Status Review Act restores the ability of courts to review decisions by the Department of Homeland Security to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for foreign nationals. Under this bill, the government must publish detailed written findings explaining why a country no longer qualifies for TPS protection, and these decisions would be subject to a legal challenge in federal court. If a TPS designation is terminated, the affected individuals would remain in the United States with their current status and work authorization intact while the legal challenge is pending. Additionally, the legislation requires the government to follow specific administrative procedures, such as considering all available evidence and avoiding bias, before making any termination decisions.
This bill establishes federal protections and funding to expand access to in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination for individuals, military service members, and veterans. It requires most private health plans, Medicaid programs, and Medicare to cover these fertility treatments without imposing higher cost-sharing than other medical services. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs provide specific fertility preservation and treatment benefits to uniformed service members and eligible veterans. The bill also includes preemption clauses that override state laws restricting these procedures and prohibits discrimination based on marital status, sex, or sexual orientation in the provision of care.
The Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct two studies aimed at improving funding and resources for Bureau-funded and tribally controlled schools. The first study will evaluate the current Indian School Equalization Formula to ensure it provides salaries for teachers and staff that match the highest rates found in public schools or the Department of Defense, while also considering specific needs of small and rural schools. The second study will explore potential new revenue sources to help bring these schools into financial parity with other school systems. Both studies require the Secretary to consult with tribal organizations and submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations on how to update the funding formula.
The FRONTIER Act establishes a regulatory framework for the largest artificial intelligence developers to manage and disclose risks associated with their most powerful models, known as "frontier models." It requires companies meeting specific revenue and spending thresholds to create public safety frameworks, undergo independent third-party audits, and report incidents or potential harms to the Department of Commerce. The bill also creates a system where the Secretary of Commerce can issue emergency orders to suspend or restrict model development if an imminent catastrophic risk is identified. Additionally, the legislation preempts state laws that impose new obligations on AI developers regarding risk transparency, auditing, and incident reporting to ensure a uniform national approach.
This bill, known as the Deputy Darren Almendarez Act, adds a new federal crime for knowingly possessing or purchasing catalytic converters removed from vehicles with the intent to sell or distribute them. It directly affects individuals involved in the removal and resale of these parts, as well as businesses like scrap yards and repair shops, by establishing penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of $100,000 for first offenses. The law includes specific exceptions that allow for legal possession or purchase if the converter was removed by a vehicle owner, acquired during official duties by authorized entities, or bought from licensed businesses that follow state and local identification rules. For repeat offenders, the potential prison sentence increases to ten years and the fine limit rises to $200,000.
This bill reauthorizes and expands the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act through 2031, extending funding for research into treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It requires drug manufacturers to share interim clinical trial data with the FDA to better assess the progress of investigational drugs and clarifies that phase 3 clinical trial definitions include combined phase 2/3 trials and planned trials not yet enrolling participants. The legislation also mandates the FDA to publish an updated five-year action plan for ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases, including resource needs and coordination strategies with broader disease communities. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to submit a report on the program's implementation four years after enactment.
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to seek to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail no later than 10 years after the enactment of this bill. USDA and Interior must establish a joint Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management trail completion team to work in coordination with the administrator of the trail to facilitate its completion and optimization. USDA must complete a comprehensive development plan for the trail within three years. USDA and Interior must also seek to enter into agreements with volunteer and nonprofit organizations to facilitate the completion and administration of the trail.
This bill establishes a process for New Mexico land grant communities (descendants of historic Spanish/Mexican land grants) to maintain traditional, noncommercial uses on federal land. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture or Interior to create a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New Mexico Land Grant Council, outlining procedures for permits, fee reductions based on community socioeconomic conditions, and coordination for activities like grazing, water access, cemetery maintenance, and small-scale gathering. The MOU must address routine infrastructure maintenance and include input from affected tribes when planning decisions impact traditional uses. The bill does not create new rights but streamlines existing processes for qualified land grant-merced communities to continue historical uses under federal land management rules.
The Small Tax Case Threshold Modernization Act raises the monetary limit for small tax disputes from $50,000 to $100,000, allowing cases within this range to be heard in a more streamlined court setting. This change directly affects taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service by expanding the scope of cases eligible for expedited proceedings. The bill also establishes an automatic inflation adjustment mechanism that will increase the $100,000 threshold annually starting in 2027 to maintain its real value over time. Additionally, the legislation updates the official title of the relevant tax code section to "Small disputes" to reflect the new higher limit.
