The Protein for Every Plate Act of 2026 amends the Food and Nutrition Act to increase funding for animal protein purchases under the National School Lunch Program. Specifically, it adds $200,000,000 in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the existing commodity funds designated for food distribution. This change directly affects schools and food programs that receive federal nutrition assistance by allowing them to purchase more animal protein items. The bill modifies existing statutory language to formally include this additional funding amount in the program's financial provisions.
This bill establishes federal rules for college student athletes, primarily affecting institutions of higher education and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. It guarantees that student athletes have five consecutive years of eligibility to compete in intercollegiate sports, regardless of injuries or other circumstances. The legislation also sets new transfer portal regulations, requiring athletes to sit out one academic year after transferring except for their first transfer, and mandates that schools honor financial aid commitments when students move to new institutions. Additionally, the bill prevents states from passing laws that conflict with these federal provisions or restrict student athlete rights under the new rules.
This bill expands the scope of federal programs supporting rural areas to include cybersecurity support, digital literacy, workforce development, and job training alongside existing telemedicine and distance learning services. It amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to update the section heading and modify multiple subsections to explicitly incorporate these new categories of assistance. The changes apply to programs that provide technical support and educational resources to rural communities, with an effective date set for six months after the bill is enacted.
The Critical Industry Skills Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to allow state governors to reserve up to 10 percent of federal workforce funding for two new funds: a critical industry skills fund and an industry or sector partnership and career pathways development fund. These funds are intended to support training programs in high-growth or high-wage industries that lead to employment with participating employers, with payments made based on participant performance and retention over six months. The bill also expands allowable activities to include competency-based assessments, employer-directed skills development, and partnerships between businesses, educational institutions, and workforce boards to create career pathways for job seekers and incumbent workers.
This bill creates two grant programs to help prevent suicide among individuals under 26 years old by funding health care and education initiatives. The first program provides up to $20 million to states, health departments, hospitals, and other organizations to train health care providers on identifying suicide risks, discussing firearm safety, and connecting at-risk individuals with support services. The second program allocates $10 million to medical and nursing schools to develop curricula on suicide prevention and safe firearm storage for health care professionals. Additionally, the bill authorizes the use of up to 15 percent of the first grant's funds to distribute secure gun storage devices at reduced or no cost to households with youth, along with counseling on their use. The Department of Health and Human Services will maintain an informational website and submit annual reports to Congress on the programs' progress through fiscal year 2030.
This bill amends the National Quantum Initiative Act to formally establish regional innovation initiatives focused on quantum information science and technology. It requires collaboration between federal agencies, including the Departments of Commerce and Energy, and the National Science Foundation to support quantum research, education, and industry development in specific geographic areas. The legislation aims to strengthen partnerships with universities, small businesses, and startups to address regional, national, and global challenges through quantum capabilities. By adding the Economic Development Administration to relevant subcommittees and creating new funding pathways, the bill seeks to expand quantum infrastructure and innovation capacity across the United States.
This bill, known as the Stop Secret Counseling of Students Act, prohibits public elementary and secondary schools from using federal funds to provide gender-related counseling to students under 18. It specifically bans employees or contractors from offering therapy or guidance on gender identity, including assistance with social transition plans, and prevents them from advising students on how to hide their gender identity or transition plans from their parents. The legislation allows parents to file civil lawsuits in federal court against schools if they believe these counseling restrictions have been violated. Schools that fail to comply with these requirements would be ineligible to receive funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
This bill modifies the rules for transferring unused Post-9/11 Educational Assistance benefits from service members to their dependents. It primarily affects military personnel who have served at least 10 years, including at least six years in the Armed Forces, and those who have served six years and agree to commit to additional service. The key change allows approved transfers to happen at any time, rather than requiring a specific waiting period, while also clarifying when children can begin using transferred benefits. Additionally, the bill updates related sections in the law to align with these new eligibility and timing requirements.
The Revitalizing America's Schoolyards Act of 2026 creates a federal grant program to help public elementary and secondary schools transform their outdoor spaces into revitalized schoolyards designed for ecological restoration, hands-on learning, and nature play. These schoolyards will feature elements like trees, gardens, and natural play areas that are accessible to the public during daylight hours outside of school time. The program awards grants in two phases over four years, with planning grants first used to develop detailed design plans and implementation grants to fund construction and professional development. Priority funding goes to schools serving students with high rates of poverty or those located in areas vulnerable to extreme heat or flooding, and 5 percent of funds are reserved for tribal schools.
This bill creates a Federal Clearinghouse to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities find and access federal research funding opportunities. The Clearinghouse will be established within the Department of Education and will include representatives from multiple federal agencies to provide information on grants for research and building research capacity. It will also offer best practices and recommendations to help HBCUs strengthen their research programs and compete for federal funding. The bill requires federal agencies to review their grant programs and report annually to Congress on how they can better support HBCU research capacity through the Clearinghouse.
