The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2026 amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to immediately prohibit the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution of commercial asbestos and products containing it in the United States. The bill defines commercial asbestos to include eight specific mineral varieties while excluding cases where asbestos is present only as a trace impurity or in materials already installed in buildings prior to the law's enactment. A significant exception allows existing chlor-alkali facilities to continue using asbestos for manufacturing diaphragms until 2032, with a potential extension to 2036 for companies that demonstrate progress in converting to alternative technologies. Additionally, the legislation permits the President to grant temporary exemptions for national security purposes if no feasible alternatives exist and requires strict exposure controls during any authorized transitional periods.
The Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a federal program focused on developing and implementing nonlethal strategies to reduce conflicts between wildlife, humans, and livestock. The program will absorb existing nonlethal initiatives from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and prioritize efforts in states where these operations are already active, with a specific focus on protecting livestock from predators and preventing damage to agriculture and infrastructure. To support these goals, the Act authorizes the provision of assistance, training, and demonstration projects for landowners, agricultural producers, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations, while also requiring the development of state-level implementation plans. The legislation appropriates $20 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund these activities, with a cap limiting research expenditures to no more than 10 percent of the total annual budget.
The Equity in Pretrial Health Coverage Act removes federal restrictions that currently prevent individuals awaiting trial from accessing certain government health benefits. The bill amends laws governing Medicaid, Medicare, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Department of Veterans Affairs services to ensure these programs cover medical care for people in custody while their charges are pending. For children enrolled in CHIP, the legislation also mandates coverage for specific screenings and case management services during the 30 days leading up to their release. These changes take effect shortly after enactment, with the Department of Veterans Affairs provision becoming active immediately upon the bill's passage.
This bill, titled the No TSA Data for ICE Act, prohibits the Transportation Security Administration from sharing passenger data with U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It specifically bars these agencies from using TSA information or data from private brokers to perform immigration enforcement functions. Additionally, the legislation prevents the denial, suspension, or early termination of Trusted Traveler programs like PreCheck and Global Entry if an individual's participation in First Amendment-protected activities is the reason. The law defines the restricted data as personally identifiable information about flight passengers obtained from the TSA or private sector entities.
The Understanding AI in the Classroom Act directs the National Science Foundation to hold workshops within 18 months of enactment to study how artificial intelligence impacts children's learning, development, and trust in technology. These workshops will involve researchers, educators, school leaders, and parent groups to examine specific concerns such as attention spans, emotional growth, and potential biases affecting different age groups. Following the workshops, the National Science Foundation must produce a public report detailing any identified gaps in current knowledge about AI's effects on students. This legislation focuses on gathering data and understanding risks rather than immediately restricting or mandating the use of AI in schools.
The FORK Act of 2026 creates a pilot program to provide grants for purchasing, retrofitting, or repairing vehicles used to deliver summer meals to children. These grants, totaling up to $100,000 per recipient, are intended for service institutions in areas with high poverty, outside major metropolitan regions, or serving many socially disadvantaged students. The program authorizes $1 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029 and requires recipients to report on the number of sites and children served. Additionally, the bill mandates that grant recipients limit administrative expenses to 10% of the funds and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a final report to Congress within four years of the program's start.
The READ Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to improve reading instruction by defining specific terms like "science of reading" and "high-impact tutoring" and requiring states to exclude certain teaching models that rely on context clues. The bill directs federal literacy grants to states, with mandatory funding for low-performing states, to implement evidence-based strategies such as universal early literacy screenings, professional development for teachers, and the adoption of high-quality instructional materials. It also mandates that states report data on student progress and teacher training while prohibiting the Department of Education from issuing regulations that dictate specific instructional content or curricula. Additionally, the legislation expands research initiatives to study reading development and requires the federal government to provide states with detailed reports on academic outcomes and achievement gaps.
The Cold War Military Force Repeal Act removes an old 1958 law that authorized the President to use military force in the Middle East without a specific declaration of war. This legislation directly affects the legal framework governing U.S. military actions in the region by eliminating the authority granted under Public Law 85-7. By repealing this specific joint resolution, the bill clarifies that future military engagements in the Middle East must rely on current statutory or constitutional authorities rather than this historical mandate. The change does not create new powers or restrictions but simply deletes a provision from the United States Code that has been in place since the Cold War era.
The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act expands federal firearm restrictions to include individuals subject to any domestic violence restraining order, including temporary or emergency orders issued without the abuser's presence. It broadens the legal definition of an "intimate partner" to cover dating partners and other relationships protected by state laws, closing previous loopholes that allowed some abusers to keep guns. The bill also creates a federal grant program for states and tribes to fund the removal, storage, and return of firearms from individuals subject to these orders, requiring them to partner with local domestic violence service providers to ensure victim safety.
The Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act designates the fight against the invasive spotted lanternfly as a top research priority for federal agricultural programs. It authorizes the issuance of grants to develop and share new tools and treatments aimed at controlling this pest. Additionally, the bill extends the funding period for these high-priority agricultural research initiatives from 2023 to 2028.
The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from requiring workers to sign agreements that force them to resolve disputes through individual arbitration rather than in court or as part of a group. It bans retaliation against employees who refuse to arbitrate and mandates that any post-dispute arbitration agreements be truly voluntary, requiring plain language explanations, a 45-day waiting period, and written consent. The bill also amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it illegal for employers to enter into or enforce contracts that prevent workers from joining together to file joint or class-action lawsuits regarding workplace rights. These changes apply to all workers, including independent contractors, and take effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill updates federal laws to ensure that members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force cannot be excluded from jobs or assignments based on their gender. It requires the Department of Defense to establish occupational standards using scientifically rigorous methods that evaluate technical, tactical, cognitive, and physical abilities without gender bias. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reports to Congress detailing any involuntary reclassifications or separations and requires a detailed review of the operational effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground combat units. These changes are scheduled to take effect on September 30, 2026, with the first required report due the following year.
