The Seaport Security Act of 2026 establishes new federal rules to protect U.S. seaports from unauthorized drone operations. It defines a restricted airspace zone extending up to 1,000 feet above specific seaports that handle significant cargo or cruise passengers, prohibiting the flight of unmanned aircraft in these areas without permission. The bill allows exceptions for authorized government agencies, law enforcement with prior notice, port security operations, emergency responses, and specific waivers issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. Violations of these restrictions can result in civil fines of up to $25,000, seizure of the drone, or criminal imprisonment for up to two years, with harsher penalties of up to ten years for acts intended to facilitate crime or terrorism. The Federal Aviation Administration is required to issue detailed regulations within 180 days to implement these protections.
This bill, known as the Double the Wage for Overtime Act of 2026, aims to change how overtime pay is calculated for employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. It directly affects workers who currently earn less than $23,660 annually, as it would require employers to pay them two times their regular hourly rate instead of one and a half times for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. The law takes effect 180 days after it is signed, ensuring a transition period before the new pay requirements begin. By raising the overtime multiplier, the legislation seeks to increase earnings for hourly workers who work extra hours.
The TSP Modernization Act allows individuals to electronically transfer money from their Thrift Savings Fund accounts to qualified retirement plans at brokerage firms, a change that takes effect one year after the law is passed. To initiate this transfer, account holders must provide the necessary information to the Federal Retirement Thrith Investment Board. Additionally, the bill requires the board to submit a report to Congress one year after enactment detailing how the electronic transfer process was implemented.
The Walter Patterson Justice and Extradition Act directs the President to submit regular reports to Congress detailing the status of fugitive extradition requests, including the specific case of George Wright, who has been wanted since 1970 for the 1962 murder of Walter Patterson. These reports must list the countries where fugitives are located, describe diplomatic efforts made to secure their return, and analyze factors that have delayed resolving these cases. Additionally, the bill expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. ambassadors should prioritize advocating for the extradition of these individuals during meetings with foreign officials.
This bill, known as the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act, amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to improve special education services for children who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafdisabled, blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. It requires states to identify these students regardless of how they are currently classified, ensuring they receive specialized instruction in their primary language and access to qualified professionals. Key provisions mandate that state plans include specific strategies for language development, Braille instruction, and the use of assistive technologies, while also establishing a new national center to support research and training for educators of students with visual disabilities. Additionally, the legislation clarifies definitions for deafblindness and interveners, updates data reporting requirements to track these populations more accurately, and ensures early intervention services are delivered in natural environments to support language and communication milestones.
The Right to Record Act of 2026 establishes a federal legal right for individuals to record, observe, or peacefully protest federal law enforcement activities in public view. It creates a new civil cause of action that allows individuals to sue federal officers and the United States government for specific retaliatory actions, such as arresting someone for recording or threatening them with database inclusion. Under this bill, violators could face civil penalties of up to $100,000 in punitive damages if the misconduct was done with malice or reckless disregard for rights. The law also mandates annual training for federal officers on respecting these rights while enforcing the law and clarifies that the right does not extend to physically restraining an officer.
This bill establishes a bipartisan Commission on Long-Term Social Security Solvency to study and propose solutions for ensuring the financial stability of Social Security for at least 75 years. The 13-member commission includes appointments from the President, congressional leaders, and committee chairs, with at least half of the congressional appointees required to be non-political experts. After holding public hearings and gathering data, the commission must submit a report with specific legislative recommendations, which Congress is then required to expedite and vote on without amendments. The commission is authorized up to $2 million in funding and will dissolve shortly after submitting its final report.
The Southeastern Rail Technologies Mapping Act of 2026 directs the Federal Railroad Administration to study how to improve rail performance and integrate new power technologies in the southeastern United States. This study will examine rail segments between Florida and Washington, DC to identify areas suitable for electrification or battery and fuel cell systems while noting any implementation challenges. If certain segments are found unsuitable for these technologies, the report must explain the reasoning and suggest specific infrastructure updates with estimated costs to make them viable. The Administrator is required to submit the findings of this study to Congress within 18 months of the bill's enactment.
The Rail Motive Power Source Integration Act of 2026 directs the Federal Railroad Administration to launch a pilot program exploring how trains can switch between different power sources like batteries, electricity, hydrogen, and diesel. The bill requires the agency to research these technologies, design rail cars that allow for easy power source changes, and test these designs through demonstration projects. Additionally, the Administrator must study locations where trains currently need to change power sources due to limitations and report the findings to Congress within one year of the law's enactment.
This bill creates a voluntary program allowing individuals who have previously failed to report digital assets taxes to fix their errors without facing additional criminal charges or most civil penalties. To qualify, taxpayers must submit an application, file amended tax returns for affected years, and pay any owed taxes plus a specific penalty that is reduced for those who certify their actions were not willful. In exchange for full compliance, the program waives further penalties and protects participants from criminal prosecution or the use of their disclosed information for investigations. The initiative is designed to help people come into compliance with tax laws regarding digital assets while encouraging transparency through a structured disclosure process.
The Never Fight Alone Act expands the Veterans Community Care Program to allow veterans who cannot access VA mental health or substance-use residential treatment programs to receive these services from qualified community providers. This expansion includes specific requirements for community facilities to be state-licensed and accredited by recognized behavioral health standards, with provisions for waivers if no suitable options exist. The bill also mandates that veterans be permitted to choose their preferred care option when multiple providers are available and prohibits denying care solely because a provider cannot meet standard wait times. Additionally, the legislation requires the VA to collect detailed data on care requests and approvals, specifically highlighting mental health cases, and restricts the VA from changing community care access rules without congressional approval.
This resolution expresses support for designating June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month. The bill calls on the public to wear orange on the designated day to honor victims and promote awareness of gun safety. It highlights statistics on gun-related deaths and injuries to underscore the need for community discussions on making neighborhoods safer.
