The Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act (DLARA) requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to improve transparency and accountability for disaster loans. It mandates monthly reports detailing loan funding status, new budget requests with historical cost comparisons, and strict limits on loan obligations when funds fall below 10% of a 10-year average. The bill also requires GAO and SBA Inspector General reviews of funding shortfalls, cost impacts of recent policy changes, and enhanced forecasting for disaster loan budgets. These provisions directly affect the SBA’s operations and its reporting to Congress, aiming to prevent future funding crises through better data and oversight.
This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of women enrolling in the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force, and Coast Guard Academies. It formally designates a specific day to honor the history and achievements of female cadets and graduates, noting their significant contributions to military leadership and combat roles since 1976. The text highlights specific milestones, such as women earning the Army Ranger tab and commanding aircraft carriers, while acknowledging their continued service in both uniform and civilian sectors. Ultimately, the bill serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the progress made by women in the armed forces without altering any existing laws or policies.
The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to increase financial aid for college students by raising the maximum Pell Grant amount to $15,000 by the 2031-2032 award year and ensuring the program is fully funded through mandatory spending rather than annual appropriations. The bill also expands eligibility for students who receive means-tested government benefits by automatically assigning them a lower financial need score, while simultaneously allowing Dreamer students - undocumented immigrants who meet specific criteria such as graduating high school or serving in the military - to qualify for federal aid. Additional provisions restore the total number of semesters a student can receive Pell Grants from 12 to 18 and adjust the rules for satisfactory academic progress to reduce penalties for students who struggle to meet grade requirements. Finally, the legislation restores Pell Grant eligibility for some students who previously received outside scholarships and sets the law's effective date for July 1, 2026.
This bill authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to American individuals and organizations that rescued Jews and other refugees from Nazi persecution between 1933 and 1945. The legislation directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the creation and presentation of a single gold medal, which will be given to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for display and research. Additionally, the bill permits the Secretary of the Treasury to produce duplicate bronze versions of the medal for sale, with the proceeds funding the mint's public enterprise fund.
The Historic Preservation and Land Conservation Certainty Act provides a mechanism for partnerships to settle open tax disputes regarding donations of conservation easements by agreeing to limit their tax deductions and paying a calculated settlement amount. This process allows partners to resolve uncertainties about whether their claimed deductions were too large, effectively closing the issue and waiving the right to contest the settlement in court. Additionally, the bill clarifies tax rules for historic preservation by updating the definition of a "contributing building" to include structures identified as significant in National Register nominations, ensuring consistency in how these properties qualify for tax benefits.
The REAL Butter Act requires food manufacturers to clearly label products made from lab-created milkfat as "lab-created butter" on their packaging. This rule applies to any item marketed as butter that uses non-agricultural sources for its milkfat instead of traditional dairy. The law defines these products specifically as those that do not meet the existing federal standard of identity for butter. By mandating this specific wording on labels, the bill aims to ensure consumers can easily distinguish between traditional butter and synthesized alternatives.
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 Local Funding Act prohibits federal agencies from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a specific proposed rule regarding federal financial assistance scheduled for publication in May 2026. This legislation directly affects the Office of Management and Budget and other federal agencies by legally blocking them from acting on that particular regulation. By preventing the enforcement of this rule, the bill aims to stop a specific administrative action that could impact how federal funds are distributed. The measure does not alter existing funding programs but rather serves as a procedural barrier to a future regulatory change.
The GHOSTRUCK Act modifies federal regulations to allow motor carriers to add edits or annotations to electronic logging device records under specific conditions. This change permits employees or authorized agents to make these adjustments only if they are physically located in North America and the driver subsequently approves the changes. The bill directly affects trucking companies and drivers by establishing new rules for how digital driving logs can be modified after the fact.
The FAST Repairs for Wheelchairs Act prohibits Medicare Advantage plans from requiring prior authorization, prescriptions, or medical documentation for repairs to complex rehabilitation wheelchairs and their accessories. This change directly affects individuals who use these devices, allowing them to get necessary maintenance without waiting for plan approval. However, the law still permits plans to review the initial medical necessity of the equipment or approve replacements when the device is lost, damaged, or has been used for five years. By removing these specific barriers for repairs, the bill aims to ensure faster access to essential maintenance services for wheelchair users.
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.
