This bill, known as the Grid Expansion and Reliability Act, shifts authority over siting interstate electric transmission facilities from the Department of Energy to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. It allows companies to self-certify and begin building transmission lines in designated national interest corridors without waiting for a full permit, provided they submit specific information about their identity, project details, and timeline. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must create regulations for this process within a year, conduct annual audits of certifications, and report to Congress on how well the system works. These changes aim to streamline the approval process for new power grid infrastructure while maintaining oversight through reporting and auditing requirements.
The Commonsense Review Act creates a temporary interagency group led by the Secretary of Energy to align how federal agencies handle categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act. This group includes representatives from the Departments of Energy, Interior, and Agriculture, as well as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Within 360 days of enactment, the group must either adopt existing categorical exclusions used by other members or jointly create new ones for interstate electric energy transmission and battery storage projects that do not significantly impact the environment. The group must also submit a report to Congress detailing its actions or reasons for inaction, along with recommendations for future collaboration, before dissolving.
The RECOUP Act of 2026 requires the Department of Homeland Security to pay local first responders for their time and resources when they assist federal immigration agents. Under this bill, agencies that help enforce immigration laws can submit detailed requests for reimbursement, which must include information about the number of officers involved, the duration of the response, and their pay rates. The law also mandates that the government protect the personal details of these responders and prohibits releasing that information without a court order. Funding for these payments would come from existing budgets allocated to immigration enforcement agencies, allowing the money to be used until January 2029.
This bill seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Education that affects the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. If passed, it would prevent the rule from taking effect, meaning the proposed changes to federal student loans would not be implemented. The measure uses a legislative process known as a joint resolution of disapproval to override agency regulations. It directly impacts students, families, and institutions that rely on federal student loans by stopping the Department of Education from enforcing the new policy.
This bill, known as the OHH SNAP Act of 2026, would expand eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include more college students. It directly affects students who are working while attending college or have no financial aid available. The key changes allow students with zero financial aid and those classified as independent to qualify for SNAP benefits, while also broadening the definition of eligible work activities to include attending school. These provisions would take effect 180 days after the bill is signed into law, but would not apply to certification periods that began before that date.
The GRACIE Act of 2026 provides federal grants to state child welfare agencies to help them record and keep all interviews related to child abuse and neglect investigations. Under this bill, states receiving funding must create or update rules requiring electronic recording of these interviews and store the recordings securely for at least five years. The funds can only be used for costs directly tied to conducting and retaining these recordings, including audio or video capture. States must also establish access controls that limit who can view the recordings while allowing caregivers to request copies in certain legal situations. The program is authorized for six years, with up to $30 million available annually from 2026 through 2031.
This bill extends the Health Coverage Tax Credit program through January 1, 2030, allowing eligible individuals and small businesses to receive tax credits for purchasing health insurance. The program directly affects people who buy health insurance outside of government marketplaces and small businesses that provide coverage to their employees. Under this legislation, qualified taxpayers can claim a tax credit to help pay for their monthly health insurance premiums, with the credit amount based on their income and the cost of coverage. The change is administrative, simply updating the expiration date in the tax code rather than altering how the credit is calculated or who qualifies for it.
The Power for the People Act of 2026 requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create a special approval process for data centers, which are defined as facilities using more than 50 megawatts of electricity. Under this system, data centers must offset their energy consumption by bringing their own clean power sources to the grid or agreeing to flexible power usage that can be reduced when needed. The bill also directs states to establish separate electricity rates for data centers so these facilities pay their full share of grid upgrade costs rather than spreading those expenses across all customers. Additionally, the legislation mandates that data center construction use prevailing wages and registered apprenticeship programs, while requiring greater transparency in how data center energy demands are forecasted and approved.
The SACRED Act adds a new federal crime to protect access to places of religious worship by prohibiting intimidating or harassing conduct within 100 feet of religious buildings. It directly affects individuals who engage in disruptive behavior near religious sites and those seeking to enter or exit them. The law defines prohibited actions as conduct that causes reasonable fear for physical safety or intentionally harasses people within 8 feet, with penalties ranging from fines up to $10,000 for nonviolent first offenses to potential life imprisonment if death results. The bill also establishes civil remedies allowing aggrieved individuals or religious organizations to sue for damages and injunctive relief, while permitting state and federal attorneys general to bring civil actions on behalf of affected persons. Importantly, the legislation explicitly preserves the right to peaceful expressive conduct like picketing and does not override existing state or local laws.
The Books Save Lives Act requires public libraries and schools receiving federal funding to maintain diverse book collections that include works by and about members of underrepresented communities. It mandates that covered schools employ trained librarians and establishes that excluding books with a disparate impact on underrepresented groups serves as initial evidence of discrimination under existing civil rights laws. Additionally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to produce a report within 180 days on how recent book ban campaigns have affected underrepresented communities. The legislation defines underrepresented communities to include racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, and people with disabilities.
This bill cancels a presidential proclamation that would have imposed a temporary import surcharge on goods entering the United States. It directly affects businesses and consumers by declaring the surcharge invalid and prohibiting the government from collecting or spending money on it. The legislation also requires the President to refund any tariffs already collected under the canceled proclamation. This action effectively removes the proposed import tax and restores the previous trade policy status.
The Helicopter Safety Parity Act of 2026 requires turbine-powered helicopters carrying two or more passengers to follow the same safety standards as commercial airlines, including stricter rules for pilot training, rest periods, maintenance, and equipment. This legislation directly affects helicopter operators currently regulated under Part 135 of federal aviation regulations, mandating compliance with Part 121 airline standards within 24 months of enactment. Key provisions include requirements for terrain awareness systems, cockpit and flight data recording, and the elimination of inconsistent exemptions by the Federal Aviation Administration. The bill also authorizes $50 million annually through 2030 for enforcement, oversight, and hiring additional safety inspectors, while excluding emergency medical services operations from these requirements.
