The FAIR Labels Act of 2026 requires clear labeling for cell-cultivated meat and poultry products, as well as plant-based foods designed to look like meat or poultry. Under this bill, products grown from animal cells outside of a live animal must prominently display the words "cell-cultivated" and state that they are not derived from naturally produced meat or birds. Additionally, the law mandates that plant-based alternatives mimicking meat or poultry be labeled as "plant-based alternative protein products" with a statement clarifying they do not contain natural animal flesh. To enforce these rules, the Agriculture and Health and Human Services departments will update their agreement to oversee production safety and develop common standards for these new food categories.
The AI OVERWATCH Act establishes new export controls on advanced integrated circuits destined for specific countries of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba. It requires companies to obtain a specific license for each export of high-performance chips, prohibiting the use of general licenses and mandating detailed certifications to Congress regarding national security and defense impacts. The bill defines these restricted chips by their technical processing power and creates a "trusted United States person" program that allows certain domestic entities to bypass licensing requirements if they meet strict security and ownership standards. Additionally, the legislation requires the government to develop an "American Artificial Intelligence Victory Strategy" outlining how to maintain U.S. leadership in AI against foreign competitors.
The Competitive Prices Act modifies how antitrust lawsuits are filed and proven by clarifying the legal standards for alleging price-fixing conspiracies. It allows plaintiffs to establish a claim by showing that companies acted similarly to manipulate prices alongside specific supporting factors, such as motives to coordinate or actions that make no sense unless a conspiracy existed. Under this bill, individuals and organizations do not need to provide direct proof of a secret agreement or prove that independent action was impossible at the early stages of a lawsuit. The law applies to civil cases involving federal agencies, state attorneys general, and private parties seeking damages for violations of antitrust laws.
The Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act creates a new federal tax credit to encourage the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing for middle-income families. This credit applies to buildings where at least 60% of units are rent-restricted and occupied by individuals earning 100% or less of the area median income, with at least 20% of those units specifically targeted for middle-income households. The bill establishes a 15-year credit period based on a percentage of the building's qualified basis, which is determined by factors such as the building's cost, location, and whether it is new or existing. To qualify, developers must enter into binding agreements with housing agencies that include long-term commitments to maintain affordable rents and prevent the displacement of tenants, while also adhering to specific financial feasibility and reporting requirements.
The GUARD Act requires companies that offer AI chatbots designed to simulate human friendship to verify the age of every user and block access for anyone under 18. To comply, these platforms must collect verifiable age data, clearly disclose that the chatbot is not a human, and ensure the AI does not claim to be a licensed professional like a therapist or doctor. The law also makes it a federal crime to design or distribute such chatbots that encourage minors to engage in sexually explicit acts or promote self-harm and violence, with penalties of up to $100,000 per violation.
The FLEETS Now Act aims to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry by creating new government roles, establishing international partnerships with allies, and investigating unfair practices by Chinese state-owned shipbuilding companies. It creates a new Assistant Secretary position at the State Department to oversee maritime and space affairs, designates a lead official for international shipbuilding investment, and sets up an exchange program for shipbuilding experts between the U.S. and other countries. The bill also requires regular reports on Chinese shipbuilding entities, establishes a framework for allied countries to collaborate on ship production, and directs U.S. diplomats to advocate for changes at the International Maritime Organization regarding environmental regulations and leadership positions.
The Reward Work Act prohibits companies from buying back their own stock on public exchanges while requiring at least one-third of corporate board members to be elected by employees. Under this bill, corporations would need to hold one-employee-one-vote elections to select these worker representatives, with the Securities and Exchange Commission tasked with creating rules to ensure fair and democratic processes. The legislation specifically targets publicly traded companies and their boards of directors, aiming to increase worker influence in corporate governance through direct election mechanisms.
The CHARTER Act aims to ensure that public funds for charter schools are not used to generate profits for for-profit companies. It directly affects charter schools receiving federal money by prohibiting them from contracting with for-profit entities to run, manage, or oversee their daily operations. While the bill allows schools to hire for-profit vendors for specific services like food, supplies, and transportation, it strictly bans contracts where a for-profit company controls the school or takes a cut of its revenue. These rules will only apply to new or renewed contracts made after the law is passed, with full enforcement beginning three years later.
HR 8603, the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2026, prohibits physicians from performing abortions that involve dismembering an unborn child and extracting it piece by piece or crushed from the uterus. The law allows exceptions only when the procedure is necessary to save the mother's life, while explicitly permitting other abortion methods for reasons such as rape or incest. It imposes criminal penalties of up to two years in prison or fines on physicians who violate the ban and creates a civil lawsuit system where women or parents of minors can seek monetary damages and attorney fees against providers. The bill also defines an 'unborn child' as a human organism from fertilization until birth and clarifies that the woman undergoing the procedure cannot be prosecuted or held financially liable.
This bill temporarily suspends a portion of the federal fuel excise tax when the national average price of gasoline rises above $3.99 per gallon. Instead of reducing government revenue, the money saved from this tax cut is transferred back into the Highway Trust Fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund. Additionally, the legislation disallows certain tax credits and deductions for oil and gas companies for costs incurred or production occurring during these high-price months. These changes would only take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
The No WAR Act prohibits Congress from using budget reconciliation procedures to fund military hostilities against Iran unless such actions are explicitly authorized by a formal declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force. This legislation directly affects the legislative process by establishing a point of order that blocks any reconciliation bill attempting to provide budget authority for offensive military operations, strikes, or covert actions targeting Iranian military forces, territory, or government institutions. The bill also defines proxy forces as any foreign military or irregular groups operating with U.S. direction or material support, ensuring these entities are included in the restrictions on unauthorized funding. By amending the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, the measure aims to prevent the use of budgetary shortcuts to bypass the constitutional requirement for congressional approval before engaging in armed conflict with Iran.
This bill, titled the No Capital Gains Tax on Family Farms Act, would allow farmers to sell their land to immediate family members without paying capital gains tax on the profit. To qualify, the property must have been used as a farm for at least two years within the eight years prior to the sale, and the buyer must be a spouse, lineal descendant, or their spouse. If the new owner keeps the farm for ten years, the property's tax basis will be adjusted upward to reflect its fair market value at the time of the sale. The law applies to sales occurring after its enactment and requires the IRS to issue regulations to guide its implementation.
