The Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026 establishes a grant program, administered by the Department of Education, to help public elementary and secondary schools transform their outdoor spaces into "revitalized schoolyards." These new outdoor environments are designed to strengthen local ecological systems, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and promote nature play and social interaction for students and the community. Eligible entities, including local schools and partner non-profits, can apply for planning grants to design these spaces and then implementation grants to build them, with priority given to schools serving a high percentage of low-income students or those vulnerable to extreme heat or flooding. The bill requires a 20% non-federal match for implementation grants, which can be waived for high-need or tribal schools, and also directs the Secretary to maintain a clearinghouse of outdoor learning resources.
The Swalwell Act aims to reform how workplace misconduct claims involving Members of Congress and senior staff are handled. It prohibits the use of federal or campaign funds to pay settlements or awards for such claims, making the individuals personally liable for the full amount. The bill mandates the creation of a public database disclosing details of these settlements and awards, including historical data, while protecting victims' identities. Additionally, it requires prompt referral of any allegations of criminal conduct by Members or senior staff to the Department of Justice, regardless of settlement agreements.
The Reforming Disaster Recovery Act establishes a new Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund to provide grants for housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization in areas most affected by catastrophic major disasters. This legislation creates a new Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate recovery efforts and ensures that at least 70 percent of the funding benefits low- and moderate-income households. The bill also introduces a formula-based allocation system that includes a specific portion of funds for mitigation activities designed to reduce future disaster risks and requires strict reporting to prevent the duplication of benefits with other federal aid.
The Supporting VA Families Act grants unpaid parental leave to Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This provision allows employees to take four weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period for the birth of a child or for adoption and foster care placements. The leave is designed to supplement existing leave policies rather than replace them, ensuring employees can balance family needs with their work responsibilities. The act defines eligible employees and children according to existing federal definitions found in Title 5 of the United States Code.
The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act places xylazine - a veterinary sedative increasingly found in illicit drug mixtures - into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, subjecting it to federal regulation as a controlled substance. It specifically allows veterinary use without requiring registration of the ultimate user (e.g., pet owners or veterinarians) if xylazine is dispensed by a registered veterinarian or pharmacy with a vet prescription and used for animals owned by the user, under their care, or in authorized animal programs. The bill provides a one-year delay for labeling and packaging requirements and a 60-day delay for registration and recordkeeping for veterinary use to ease implementation. Additionally, it adds xylazine to the Arcos tracking system for controlled substances and mandates two congressional reports on illicit use prevalence within 18 months and 4 years of enactment.
This bill expands the U.S. Secret Service's authority to investigate money laundering and cybercrime by explicitly adding these offenses to their existing mandate. It extends the period for sharing financial data with law enforcement from 5 to 10 years under FinCEN rules and increases reporting requirements for international financial institutions from 6 to 10 years. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on law enforcement's ability to identify and stop money laundering in cybercrime within one year of enactment. These changes directly affect federal law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and cybersecurity investigators by strengthening investigative tools and data access.
This bill establishes a 17-member Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office. This commission, composed primarily of medical professionals and former high-ranking executive officials, would be activated by a concurrent resolution of Congress. Its duty would be to conduct a medical examination of the President to determine if they are mentally or physically unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office due to conditions such as illness, disability, or substance use. Following the examination, the commission would report its findings and a declaration on the President's capacity to Congress and the Vice President, with any refusal by the President to undergo examination taken into consideration.
This bill allows family caregivers who work less than 500 paid hours but provide over 500 hours of unpaid care to contribute the maximum amount to a Roth IRA without income limits. It directly affects unpaid caregivers of children or adults with special needs who are unemployed or severely underemployed. The law defines caregiving tasks to include daily activities like bathing, medication management, and transportation, and applies to taxable years starting after December 31, 2026.
This bill allows unpaid family caregivers to make additional retirement contributions to their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) without being subject to the usual age restrictions. To qualify, an individual must provide at least 500 hours of unpaid care for a child or an adult with special needs while working fewer than 500 hours of paid employment in the same year. The law defines caregiving tasks to include daily activities like bathing, medication management, and transportation, and permits employers to accept a caregiver's written statement as proof of their status. These changes would take effect for retirement years beginning after December 31, 2026, helping family members who dedicate significant time to caring for relatives save for retirement.
The Small County PILT Parity Act amends the federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which provides payments to local governments containing tax-exempt federal lands. This bill directly affects small counties and other local governments with low populations that receive these federal payments. It revises the formula for calculating PILT payments by lowering the minimum population threshold for the smallest payment category from 4,999 to 499. Additionally, the bill replaces the entire payment schedule, adjusting the per-person amounts local governments receive based on their population size, with new rates for various population brackets starting from 500.
The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 reauthorizes and expands federal efforts to advance quantum information science, engineering, and technology through 2034. The bill establishes new workforce development programs, including quantum education initiatives, traineeships, and a Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce Coordination Hub to address talent needs. It creates an International Quantum Cooperation Strategy to foster partnerships with allies and addresses quantum supply chain vulnerabilities through mapping and planning efforts. The act includes specific funding allocations for quantum research centers, testbeds, and post-quantum cryptography development, with annual evaluations required to assess program effectiveness. The legislation directly affects federal agencies, research institutions, and the quantum industry by providing structured funding and coordination for quantum technology advancement.
The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025 ensures that revenue from the 9/11 Security Fee (paid by airline passengers) is used exclusively for aviation security, ending its diversion to other government purposes by 2027. It creates two dedicated funds: the Aviation Security Capital Fund (receiving $250 million annually through 2025, then $500 million annually starting in 2026) for general security improvements, and the Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund (receiving $250 million annually starting in 2026) specifically for security screening technology like baggage scanners and exit lanes. The bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to collect sufficient fees to fund these amounts and allows retroactive grants for security technology projects implemented since 2023. This directly affects TSA operations, airports, and passenger fees, with no new taxes or fees imposed.
