The TURBO Act expands tax-exempt financing options for specific transportation projects to encourage investment in urban transit and freight infrastructure. It directly affects state and local governments issuing bonds to fund these initiatives by raising the maximum borrowing limit for highway and freight transfer facilities from $30 billion to $45 billion. Additionally, the bill allows tax-exempt bonds to be used for purchasing rolling stock like trains and permits high-speed intercity rail projects to have a maximum speed limit of 110 miles per hour instead of 150. These changes apply to any bonds issued after the law is enacted.
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.
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.
The Wildfire Research Coordination Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of Defense to create a formal agreement with the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to coordinate wildfire research efforts. This agreement, to be established within 180 days, will align specific research priorities like fire modeling and post-fire recovery across the Department of Defense, the Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of Defense submit a report to Congress within one year detailing the steps taken to implement this new coordination framework.
This bill directs the National Guard Bureau and the Corporation for National and Community Service to create a pilot program that combines military service with national service activities. The program aims to protect critical infrastructure like energy and transportation systems, improve cybersecurity for schools and local governments, and help communities prepare for disasters. It also seeks to build a nationwide training pipeline that connects part-time National Guard members with career opportunities to address economic insecurity. Before launching the pilot, the agencies must conduct a feasibility study to determine the costs, necessary legal changes, and potential benefits of integrating these two types of service.
The No Surprise Bills for New Moms Act updates federal health laws to ensure newborns receive immediate coverage for medical services within 30 days of birth. This legislation directly affects parents enrolled in group health plans, individual insurance policies, or employer-sponsored plans by mandating that these providers cover their newborns without requiring prior enrollment. The bill also requires insurers to offer a special enrollment period lasting at least 60 days after the initial coverage window and to notify parents immediately if a newborn is not enrolled when medical claims are submitted. By amending the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and the Internal Revenue Code, the law standardizes these protections across different types of health insurance coverage.
The CITE Act of 2026 requires candidates for federal office and their immediate family members to divest all personal investments in publicly traded companies or place those assets into a qualified blind trust within 90 days of filing for election. This rule prohibits candidates from acquiring new stock, bonds, or similar securities while they are running for office, with limited exceptions for inheritances that must also be divested or moved into a trust. Candidates must certify compliance with these requirements to their respective ethics office, and the legislation mandates that these rules apply only to individuals who file for office after the law takes effect.
The FASTER Act of 2026 expands the list of major food allergens regulated by the FDA to include barley, rye, and oats alongside wheat. This change requires food manufacturers to clearly label these gluten-containing grains, helping consumers with allergies and Celiac disease identify potential triggers. The law also mandates that the FDA update its compliance guides within a year to reflect these new allergen categories. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to produce a comprehensive report on Celiac disease, covering data on prevalence, diagnostic methods, prevention strategies, and potential treatments. These provisions apply to all foods entering the market starting one year after the law is enacted.
This bill, the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026, allows Medicare to pay for services provided by radiologist assistants under the supervision of a radiologist. It defines radiologist assistants as certified professionals who work strictly under a radiologist's direction and clarifies that they cannot independently interpret imaging results. The legislation authorizes Medicare to reimburse these assistants for services performed in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and other specified settings, with the payment directed to the supervising radiologist. These changes take effect on January 1, 2027, aiming to expand access to diagnostic imaging while maintaining existing safety standards.
This bill requires the Secretary of State to submit annual reports examining whether the Polisario Front, a group involved in the Western Sahara conflict, has exchanged military support or intelligence with Iranian-backed terrorist organizations. If such cooperation is confirmed, the President must designate the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization and freeze its assets under existing sanctions laws. The legislation focuses on specific military aid like weapons, drones, and intelligence, aiming to increase transparency regarding potential links between the two groups without advocating for a specific political outcome.
The Wildfire Responder Protection Act updates federal regulations to expand the list of wildfire workers who receive specific employment protections. By amending an existing statute, the bill adds roles such as fuels specialists, burn bosses, and prescribed fire crew members to the categories of employees covered under these rules. It also broadens the scope of protected activities to include planned ignition and fuels reduction efforts alongside traditional fire suppression. These changes ensure that a wider range of personnel engaged in wildfire management receive the same legal safeguards as those currently protected.
