The PROOF Act requires state agencies to provide specific records to the Attorney General when requested for investigating fraud in major federal assistance programs, such as Medicaid, food stamps, unemployment benefits, and disaster relief funds. This information sharing covers data like identity verification records, payment logs, and provider billing statements directly related to active investigations. To protect privacy, the bill mandates that the Justice Department handle all transferred data under existing privacy laws, use encryption for security, and destroy the information once legal proceedings are complete. Additionally, federal agencies may only use this data for fraud-related law enforcement purposes and must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the number of requests made and resulting convictions.
The Digital Asset Inventory and Audit Act of 2026 requires all federal agencies to scan seized electronic devices and data for cryptocurrency private keys and other digital assets within 180 days of enactment. The bill mandates that these assets be securely stored, with the Attorney General responsible for developing technical standards and training programs for law enforcement and forensic examiners. Federal agencies must conduct annual audits to verify secure custody and report their findings to Congress, while the Government Accountability Office will perform broader compliance reviews every three years. Funding for the necessary digital forensic tools is authorized through amendments to existing federal forfeiture funds.
The Big Tech Accountability Act creates criminal and civil penalties for individuals and online platforms that knowingly spread false information about essential government services or amplify content encouraging violence. It removes the legal immunity currently granted to internet service providers under Section 230 if they use algorithms to target specific users with such harmful content or act recklessly in facilitating its spread. Additionally, the bill bans covered online platforms from using personal data to target advertisements and directs the Federal Trade Commission to propose regulations requiring genuine user consent for the collection and sale of online personal information.
The Bribery Accountability and Discovery Act (BAD Act) extends the time limit for prosecuting bribery or theft crimes involving public officials or federal funds. Under this change, the legal clock for bringing charges does not start until a federal law enforcement agency discovers the crime or receives a report about it. This provision directly affects individuals accused of these specific offenses by potentially allowing prosecutors more time to build cases that were previously hidden.
The Badge-to-Business Act amends the Small Business Act to waive guarantee fees for express loans made to qualified career law enforcement officers starting January 1, 2027. To qualify, an officer must have completed at least ten years of service and not be facing a pending criminal investigation or administrative proceeding for misconduct related to their official duties. This fee waiver applies to both currently employed officers and those who have separated from service, provided they meet the conduct requirements at the time of application. The provision includes an exception allowing the Administrator to collect fees if the cost of guaranteeing these loans results in a net loss for the Administration in a given fiscal year.
The SNAP Fraud Accountability Act amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to lower the financial threshold for certain fraud violations from $5,000 to $1,000. This change directly affects individuals or entities suspected of committing fraud within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by making it easier for authorities to pursue enforcement actions against smaller-scale offenses.
The Kids Safety on Set Act of 2026 mandates that adults with supervisory roles or frequent private contact with minors on entertainment productions must pass a criminal background check within 90 days before starting work. This check, which costs no more than $100 and is paid by the production company, specifically screens for offenses involving sex, violence, stalking, or minors. If a production employs someone who fails to meet this requirement, the Attorney General can seek a civil penalty of up to twice the cost of that person's project involvement. Additionally, the law requires an immediate halt to all production activities involving the non-compliant employee until they are terminated and stripped of any ownership interest greater than 2 percent in the project.
The No Homeless Detention Centers Act prohibits recipients of federal housing funds from forcing homeless individuals to live in government facilities or requiring them to perform labor in exchange for shelter. The bill also bans local and state authorities from punishing people for engaging in basic life-sustaining activities, such as sleeping or resting, on public property. These restrictions apply to actions taken by law enforcement officers or private contractors acting under federal authority. By tying these prohibitions to federal funding, the legislation aims to prevent the use of criminal penalties or involuntary confinement to address homelessness.
The End Gas Station Heroin Act adds two specific kratom compounds, 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, to the federal list of Schedule I controlled substances. However, it includes an exemption for these compounds when they occur naturally in finished kratom products that meet strict concentration limits, while explicitly excluding synthetically produced or chemically concentrated versions from this protection. The bill also creates a new enforcement mechanism that treats any emerging synthetic opioid with greater potency than morphine as a Schedule I controlled substance if it is manufactured or distributed for commercial sale. This provision targets the production and distribution of these substances but explicitly prohibits criminal or civil penalties for simple possession or personal use by consumers.
The Oversight Access Act prohibits the Secretary of Homeland Security from blocking Members of Congress or their staff from entering immigration detention facilities for oversight purposes. The bill also forbids requiring advance notice for these visits and bans any temporary changes to a facility that would alter what visitors observe compared to normal conditions. If the Inspector General determines that the Secretary has significantly failed to follow these rules, they must report the violation to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees within 30 days.
