The Protecting Elders from Wire Fraud Act requires employees at covered financial institutions to report suspected exploitation of senior citizens to regulatory agencies within five days and mandates that these institutions place a hold on questionable transactions for up to 30 business days, with the possibility of two additional 30-day extensions. During this hold period, banks must notify a trusted contact identified by the account holder or a reasonably associated third party about the transaction freeze and the reasons for it. The bill also allows employees to share limited information about suspected fraud with people closely associated with the senior, provided those individuals are not believed to be involved in the exploitation. To protect institutions acting in good faith, the legislation includes a safe harbor provision that shields them from liability for delaying transactions or sharing necessary information with trusted contacts and law enforcement.
The Emergency Responders Mental Health Training Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a pilot fellowship program that funds postbaccalaureate training for mental health and substance use disorder professionals. This initiative aims to increase the number of culturally competent practitioners who understand the unique stressors, duties, and confidentiality requirements faced by emergency response providers such as police, firefighters, and EMTs. The bill authorizes $10 million in annual appropriations for fiscal years 2028 through 2033 to support these fellowships across fields including psychiatry, nursing, social work, and psychology. Additionally, the Secretary must submit reports to Congress two and five years after the program's establishment to evaluate its efficiency, impact on patient outcomes, and overall effectiveness.
The Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Act increases federal funding for anti-fraud programs within the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services, with specific budget allocations rising through 2029 and adjusting annually for inflation thereafter. The bill expands the investigative authority of the HHS Office of Inspector General to include programs established under the Affordable Care Act and incorporates the State Children's Health Insurance Program into existing data matching efforts. It also clarifies that "health plan" definitions cover both public and private delivery systems and ensures that funding use does not limit agencies' ability to prosecute fraud or communicate with the public. Additionally, the legislation requires an annual report to Congress by April 1, mandates notice if the report is delayed, and directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the program's effectiveness within 16 months of enactment.
The Data Science and Literacy Act of 2026 establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Education to support state agencies, local school districts, tribal schools, and higher education institutions in expanding data literacy and statistics education from pre-kindergarten through postsecondary levels. Eligible recipients must use funds for activities such as developing new curricula, providing professional development for teachers, and creating partnerships with industry or community organizations to reduce access gaps for underrepresented students. The bill authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, requiring grantees to submit biannual reports on student outcomes disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and income status. Additionally, the legislation amends existing federal law to require the collection of demographic and background data on secondary school STEM teachers in each state every five years.
The EBOLA Act requires the President to rejoin the World Health Organization within 30 days of enactment and immediately coordinate with that body to address an ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. The legislation authorizes necessary funding to cover U.S. membership fees and financial obligations, as well as voluntary contributions to support international disease response efforts. By mandating this rapid re-entry into the global health agency, the bill aims to enhance the nation's ability to monitor emerging infectious diseases and prevent the spread of the virus to American soil.
The Fast Track Disaster Relief Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the IRS to share taxpayer return information with the Small Business Administration (SBA). This disclosure is limited to individuals applying for disaster loans under section 7(b) of the Small Business Act. The SBA may only use this data to determine a borrower's eligibility for these specific loans. The provision takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to all disclosures made after that date.
The CLEAR Feedback Act requires federal agencies to provide small businesses with more detailed explanations when they are denied awards under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. If a company is rejected for reasons not already covered by existing rules, it can request an enhanced debriefing within 14 business days of the denial. This process includes a review of significant proposal deficiencies, the company's overall ranking among all applicants, and a summary of why the award was denied. The small business also has the chance to ask follow-up questions, which the agency must answer within 14 business days of receiving them.
The American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026 expands access to federal financial resources by redefining "farmers" and "farms" under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to include commercial fishing vessels and fish processing facilities. This change allows individuals and entities in the seafood industry to qualify for direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans, as well as grants from local agriculture market programs. The bill restricts how these funds can be used, permitting loan proceeds only for specific purposes such as acquiring permits, purchasing or improving vessels, and covering operational costs. Additionally, it authorizes Farm Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations to extend credit to businesses that provide services directly related to the operating needs of aquatic product harvesters.
The Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026 amends immigration law to permanently add India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Mongolia to the visa waiver program for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. This change allows citizens from these six countries to travel to the territories without obtaining a visa in advance. The bill also imposes strict new procedures for suspending this visa-free access, requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct economic impact assessments and consult with local governors before halting entry. Additionally, it mandates that any suspension be reviewed every 180 days to ensure the original safety or security concerns still justify the restriction.
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
