The CHEERS Act of 2026 allows restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues to depreciate energy-efficient draft alcohol equipment, such as stainless steel or aluminum beer taps, over a 15-year period instead of the standard schedule. This tax incentive applies to new equipment installed in U.S. businesses after December 31, 2025, aiming to encourage the adoption of more efficient alcohol distribution systems. The legislation also directs the Treasury Department to create rules covering how this benefit applies to businesses that rent or lease this specialized equipment.
The Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to create a voluntary program that encourages large ships to slow down to reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and risks to whales. Ships that are 300 gross tons or larger and operate in designated areas along the U.S. Pacific coast can participate by voluntarily limiting their speed to 10 knots or lower. In exchange for verified compliance, eligible vessel owners may receive annual Excellence Awards and display an official logo on their vessels to show their commitment to the program. The legislation explicitly states that joining the program is optional, provides no financial incentives, and does not compromise navigation safety. Additionally, the bill requires officials to review the possibility of expanding the program to cover all shipping channels along the Pacific coast within four years.
The Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2026 repeals the 12 percent federal excise tax on new heavy trucks, tractors, and trailers. By removing this tax, the bill aims to lower the purchase price of these vehicles and encourage the replacement of older, less efficient models with newer, cleaner technology. The legislation directly affects truck manufacturers, dealerships, and fleet operators by eliminating a specific line item in the Internal Revenue Code that currently applies to the first retail sale of these items. Additionally, the act includes technical amendments to related tax sections to ensure consistency after the main tax is removed.
The CLEAN UP Mines Act of 2026 modifies existing federal laws to tighten environmental and reclamation requirements for coal mining operations. It mandates that mines complete specific cleanup tasks, such as backfilling and grading, within 180 days after production stops and requires operators to submit plans to resume mining within a year if operations remain inactive for over six months. The bill also increases the frequency of government oversight by requiring quarterly water monitoring and annual biological assessments of streams. Additionally, it shortens the time allowed for releasing performance bonds from 60 days to 40 days, ensuring funds remain available to cover reclamation costs until work is fully completed. These changes directly affect coal mine operators and the regulatory agencies responsible for enforcing mining standards.
The Safer Choice Program Authorization Act of 2026 authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to continue its voluntary Safer Choice program, which helps consumers and businesses identify products containing safer chemical ingredients. The bill establishes specific criteria for certification, requiring that products be safe for human health and the environment while maintaining performance, and mandates full disclosure of intentionally added ingredients. To support these evaluations, the legislation creates a framework for using independent third-party experts to review complex products while protecting confidential business information. Additionally, the act requires the EPA to publish annual reports on program progress and maintain a public database of certified products, with funding authorized through fiscal year 2034.
This bill provides funding for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies for fiscal year 2027 to support their operations, conservation efforts, and public services. It allocates money to manage public lands, protect endangered species, maintain national parks, and administer programs for Native American tribes and Alaska Natives. The legislation also includes specific rules that limit how agencies can use funds, such as restrictions on implementing certain environmental regulations and prohibitions on using money to regulate lead ammunition or carbon dioxide emissions.
This bill grants Crook County, Oregon, a permanent 80-foot right-of-way and conveys four 40-acre parcels of federal land to the county for road construction and wildfire safety. The transferred land must be maintained as fire-safe zones to support emergency response and firefighter safety, with ownership reverting to the federal government if these conditions are not met. While the county will cover all costs associated with the land transfer, the legislation does not provide any funding for the actual construction of the new road.
This bill proposes to officially rename Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., to Rock Creek National Park. The change recognizes the area's significant natural, cultural, and historical resources while updating federal laws and records to reflect the new title. No new funding or operational rules are included; the legislation simply alters the park's designation within existing legal frameworks.
This bill directs federal agencies to prioritize the construction of public buildings using domestically sourced mass timber products. It requires the General Services Administration and the Department of Defense to give preference to wood harvested from U.S. forests and produced at facilities located within the country. The legislation further mandates that these wood products come from responsibly managed sources, such as forests undergoing restoration or those managed to prevent wildfires, while also supporting underserved forest owners. Additionally, the bill requires an independent lifecycle assessment of these new buildings to evaluate their environmental impact and a subsequent report to be submitted to Congress.
The Stay Cool Act establishes a comprehensive framework to help communities prepare for and respond to extreme heat events by creating cooling centers, improving housing conditions, and enhancing urban infrastructure. It directs federal funding to states and local governments to build and equip cooling facilities, install air conditioning in public housing, and develop green spaces and water features to lower temperatures. The bill also creates a national system to track heat-related health risks, mandates checks on vulnerable seniors during heatwaves, and allows tax credits for businesses that keep their doors open during heat emergencies. Additionally, it requires updates to utility assistance programs to account for cooling costs and calls for studies on heat-related mortality and safe residential temperature standards.
