The Puerto Rico Energy Opportunity and Geothermal Assessment Act of 2026 directs the U.S. Geological Survey, in coordination with the Department of Energy and local officials, to conduct geothermal resource assessments for Puerto Rico. These studies must include high-resolution mapping, evaluations of groundwater vulnerability in sensitive terrain, and analyses of seismic risks associated with enhanced geothermal systems. The Secretary of the Interior is required to submit progress reports to Congress annually for the first year and biennially thereafter until the assessment is complete.
The Partnerships for Better Health Act directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture to establish a grant program that funds local coalitions to integrate chronic disease prevention, management, and social support services. Eligible lead entities, such as community health centers, nonprofit hospitals, and food banks, must partner with clinical, nutritional, and public health organizations to deliver coordinated care, nutrition education, and "Food is Medicine" programs. Grant priority is given to communities facing high chronic disease prevalence, food insecurity, or persistent poverty, while recipients are required to serve populations with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. The bill authorizes $15 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and mandates that grantees use evidence-based models and report on specific health, social, and utilization outcomes.
The Fairness for Farm Workers Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to end the long-standing exemption that allows agricultural workers to be denied overtime pay. The bill introduces a phased schedule requiring employers to pay farm workers time-and-a-half for hours worked beyond a set threshold, which gradually decreases from 55 hours in 2027 to the standard 40 hours by 2030. Small farms with 25 or fewer employees are given a three-year delay, reaching full compliance by 2033. Additionally, the legislation removes several other exemptions that currently allow agricultural employers to bypass federal wage and hour protections.
The End Gas Station Heroin Act amends the Controlled Substances Act to place 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl in Schedule I, while exempting naturally occurring kratom products that meet specific low-concentration limits. The bill also creates a new enforcement mechanism for emerging synthetic opioids by treating them as Schedule I controlled substances when they are manufactured or distributed commercially. This provision applies to synthetic opioids that are more potent than morphine and not approved for medical use, but it explicitly prohibits criminal or civil penalties for simple possession or personal use.
The Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2026 restricts state income tax collection on employees who work in multiple states, limiting taxation to only the employee's home state and any other state where they perform duties for more than 30 days in a calendar year. This change directly affects multi-state workers and their employers by eliminating withholding and reporting requirements for wages earned in states where the employee does not meet the 30-day threshold. Employers are permitted to rely on employees' annual estimates of work location for tax purposes, unless the employer maintains a daily time and attendance tracking system or has actual knowledge of fraud. The bill excludes specific groups, such as professional athletes, entertainers, film production staff, and public figures, from these simplified rules, and it takes effect on January 1 of the second calendar year following its enactment.
The Supporting 9-8-8 Crisis Stabilization Act amends Medicaid rules to allow federal funding for specific community-based mental health facilities that were previously excluded from coverage. It defines two new types of eligible sites: crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, which must operate 24/7 with an average stay under 150 hours, and mental health and substance use urgent care centers where individuals can walk in without an appointment. These facilities are required to accept referrals from law enforcement and emergency personnel while prohibiting service denials based on factors like ability to pay or criminal justice history. The bill also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue implementation guidance within 180 days and submit a report to Congress one year later analyzing how these changes affect hospital admissions, incarceration rates, and overall crisis response utilization.
The Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026 creates a new federal crime for individuals who knowingly stage or fabricate motor vehicle accidents to submit false insurance claims. The bill directly affects people involved in these schemes by imposing penalties that include fines and up to 10 years in prison, with sentences increasing to 20 years if serious bodily injury occurs and potentially life imprisonment if the fraud results in death. Additionally, any criminal fines collected under this new law must be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund rather than general government revenue.
The Ending Restaurant Purchases with SNAP Act of 2026 would prohibit the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to buy meals at restaurants and other private food service establishments. The bill achieves this by removing specific legal provisions from the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 that currently allow states to run optional restaurant programs for eligible groups such as the elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals. If enacted, these changes would take effect 180 days after the date of enactment, directly affecting SNAP recipients who rely on these state-level options for dining out.
The Cabin Air Safety Act of 2026 mandates that all commercial aircraft operating in the United States install real-time air quality monitoring equipment to detect engine oil and hydraulic fluid fumes in the cabin. The bill requires annual training for pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and airport emergency responders on how to recognize and respond to these specific smoke events. It establishes a standardized reporting system where crew members must document incidents, including passenger symptoms and maintenance history, which are then made available to the public through an aggregated, searchable database with personal information redacted. The Federal Aviation Administration is also directed to investigate reports involving medical attention and continue research into new sensors and filters to prevent air supply contamination.
The NEAUX PROS Act prohibits colleges that receive federal student aid from allowing individuals who hold active professional sports contracts to compete in intercollegiate athletics in the same sport. To enforce this rule, the bill conditions continued eligibility for Title IV federal funding on institutions ensuring they do not permit such dual participation, with violations subject to standard financial aid enforcement actions like suspension or termination of funds. The legislation also creates a new federal criminal offense for athletics officials who knowingly recruit or sign professional athletes, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison, or ten years if the act was done for financial gain or as part of a pattern. Individuals may avoid being classified as professional athletes by rescinding their contracts in writing before receiving any compensation or providing athletic services under those agreements.
HR 10265 formally authorizes the White House Fellows Program in federal law, establishing a statutory basis for an initiative that has previously operated only under executive order. The bill creates a President's Commission on White House Fellowships, composed of up to 30 nonpartisan members appointed by the President, to oversee the recruitment and selection of 11 to 19 early-career U.S. citizens each year. Selected fellows serve as full-time employees for one year, working alongside senior federal officials and receiving pay consistent with General Schedule rates. The Office of Personnel Management is tasked with providing administrative support, and the Commission must submit annual reports to Congress detailing program activities and expenditures through fiscal year 2031.
The American Made Federal Uniforms and Apparel Act of 2026 requires federal agencies to purchase clothing, uniforms, and specific textile products only from sources where all materials are grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States. This mandate applies broadly to direct purchases, leases, rentals, and items provided through service contracts, while excluding small micro-purchases and items bought for resale in agency gift shops or exchanges. Agencies may bypass these requirements if they determine that domestic products of satisfactory quality and quantity are not available at market prices, or if the procurement is necessary for contingency operations or urgent needs outside the United States. The bill also mandates that the General Services Administration submit annual reports to Congress on compliance and requires the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to issue implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment.
