This bill, titled the No Presidential Self-Serving Lawsuits Act of 2026, prevents the current or former President of the United States from filing civil lawsuits against the federal government. It specifically invalidates an existing settlement agreement between a former President and the Internal Revenue Service and bars the use of federal funds to create compensation for such lawsuits. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the Treasury Secretary to recover any money already spent in violation of these new restrictions. The primary goal is to stop a President from using taxpayer money to settle legal disputes with the government they lead.
The SAFE for Survivors Act of 2026 expands federal protections for individuals affected by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other forms of gender-based violence. The bill mandates that employers provide victims with up to 40 work days of leave per year, including at least 10 paid days, to address safety needs such as seeking legal help, relocating, or obtaining medical care. It also prohibits insurers from discriminating against victims by denying coverage, raising premiums, or terminating policies based on their status as survivors, while banning the disclosure of their personal information without consent. Additionally, the legislation allows victims to receive unemployment compensation if they leave their jobs due to violence and requires employers to make reasonable workplace accommodations to ensure their safety.
The Semiconductor Superiority Act expands the advanced manufacturing investment credit to include semiconductor facilities located in outer space, specifically low-Earth orbit. This provision allows companies to claim tax credits for equipment used in space-based manufacturing, even if some components are not physically located in orbit or are used for transporting crew and supplies. The bill also clarifies that flight control, crew habitation, and repair activities in space count as manufacturing functions for the purpose of this credit. Additionally, the law excludes rockets and launch vehicles from qualifying as eligible property under this new rule. These changes apply only to facilities and equipment placed in service after the act is enacted.
The Elder Pride Act of 2026 creates a new grant program under the Older Americans Act to support rural outreach initiatives for older individuals, including those from LGBTQI communities and other protected groups. Authorized funding of $5 million per year for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 will be distributed to states, tribal organizations, and nonprofit agencies that submit applications demonstrating a plan to partner with local communities. Recipients must use these funds to provide sexual health services, reduce social isolation, improve cultural competency among service providers, and expand nondiscrimination policies in areas not designated as urbanized. The bill requires that any federal money received supplement, rather than replace, existing state or local funding for related services.
This bill modifies federal rules to allow adults with disabilities aged 18 and older to work for employers at wages below the standard minimum rate, whereas the previous law restricted this option to individuals under 24. It requires these employers to make documented efforts to find suitable jobs for their employees at regular intervals and permits the use of subminimum wages only if state agencies fail to provide necessary job counseling and referrals. Additionally, the bill mandates that employers must provide copies of these job search records to the individuals they employ. These changes aim to expand employment opportunities for adults with disabilities while maintaining specific oversight to ensure they are not denied access to regular competitive employment.
This bill, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026, aims to create more predictable payment adjustments for physicians and other healthcare providers under the Medicare program. It directly affects medical practices and providers who receive reimbursement for services through the physician fee schedule. The legislation increases a threshold for certain budget neutrality calculations from $20 million to $54.3 million in 2027, with automatic increases every five years thereafter. It also requires the government to correct payment estimates when actual service usage differs significantly from projections, mandates regular updates to cost calculations for practice expenses, and limits how much Medicare payment rates can change from year to year to a maximum of 2.5 percent.
This bill would cancel a 2001 federal rule that restricted road building on National Forest System lands and direct the Secretary of Agriculture to construct new roads on those lands. The legislation specifically nullifies the Roadless Area Conservation rule and prohibits the Agriculture Department from creating any similar restrictions in the future. Under the bill, the Forest Service must build permanent and temporary roads to support forest restoration, reduce wildfire risks in at-risk communities and municipal watersheds, replace roads harming forest health, and fulfill the intent of the 1897 Forest Management Act. The changes directly affect federal land management decisions and would impact communities and organizations that rely on forest access and wildfire prevention efforts.
This bill simplifies filing requirements for employer-sponsored retirement plans. It extends the deadline for submitting Form 5500 (the annual report for retirement plans) from 210 days or 6 months after the plan year end to 15 days after the end of the 9th calendar month following the plan year. It also allows electronic signatures for these filings and requires agencies to update regulations to reflect these changes. The bill directly affects employers and plan administrators who manage retirement plans under federal law, reducing administrative burdens and modernizing the filing process.
HR 3234, the "Keeping Deposits Local Act," amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to adjust how banks calculate reciprocal deposits that don't count as "funds obtained through a deposit broker." It establishes tiered percentage thresholds based on a bank's total liabilities: 50% for banks under $1 billion, decreasing to 40% for $1-10 billion, 30% for $10-250 billion, 20% for $250 billion-$1 trillion, and 2% for banks over $1 trillion. This change directly affects commercial banks, particularly smaller institutions, by allowing them to hold a larger share of deposits without triggering stricter broker-related regulations. The bill aims to simplify compliance for community banks while maintaining oversight for larger financial institutions.
This bill would add pharmacist services to Medicare Part B coverage for beneficiaries, specifically covering pharmacist-led testing and treatment for illnesses like flu, COVID-19, or strep throat during public health emergencies. It defines covered services as those performed under state law, often requiring collaboration with a physician, and sets payment at 80% of the lesser of the actual charge or 85% of physician payment rates. Pharmacists would be prohibited from balance billing for these services, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries pay only their standard copayment. The changes would take effect January 1, 2026.
The Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025 establishes a competitive federal grant program to fund projects improving recycling access in underserved communities. It authorizes $30 million annually (2025-2029) for grants to states, local governments, tribes, or public-private partnerships to build infrastructure like transfer stations, expand curbside collection, or reduce transport costs. Grants must be $500,000-$15 million, with 70% reserved for projects in communities lacking a materials recovery facility within 75 miles. The program requires grantees to report on implementation and outcomes, excluding funding for recycling education.
This bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins must feature designs honoring victims and first responders (including the inscription "Never Forget") and will be sold only during 2027-2028. All surcharges ($35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin) collected from sales will fund the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, with no net cost to the federal government. The coins are legal tender but primarily intended for collectors, not circulation.
