HR 2165, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025, amends the Clean Air Act to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from writing future tailpipe emissions regulations that mandate specific vehicle technologies (like electric or hydrogen systems) or limit the availability of new vehicles based on engine type (e.g., gasoline vs. electric). The bill requires the EPA to update its regulations within 24 months to ensure new rules comply with these restrictions. This directly affects the EPA’s regulatory authority and automakers, as it limits how emissions standards can be structured. The law aims to preserve consumer choice in vehicle types by preventing regulations from favoring one engine technology over others.
This bill allows state and federal correctional facilities (like jails and prisons) to operate cellphone jamming systems to block wireless signals used for contraband devices or by incarcerated individuals. It restricts the FCC from preventing this use, but requires jamming systems to be limited to housing areas within the facility. Facilities must fund the systems entirely themselves (if state-run), consult local law enforcement before implementation, and notify the Bureau of Prisons about operations. The law specifically targets blocking signals to/from contraband devices or inmates, not general cellphone use.
This bill defines biological sex for federal law by amending Title 1 of the U.S. Code. It specifies that "female" means a person biologically characterized by egg-producing systems at conception, "male" means sperm-producing systems at conception, and "gender identity" is not recognized as replacing biological sex in federal contexts. The law directly affects all federal agencies, departments, and laws requiring interpretation of terms like "sex," "female," or "male" by mandating these biological definitions. It does not create new programs or funding but changes how federal agencies must interpret existing laws and regulations.
The Increased TSP Access Act of 2025 expands access to conservation technical assistance by creating new certification pathways for third-party providers like agricultural retailers, cooperatives, and professional societies. It allows the Secretary of Agriculture to approve non-Federal entities (e.g., professional organizations or state agencies) to certify these providers, with specific criteria including expertise in conservation planning and experience working with farmers. The bill sets strict timelines for approval (40 business days) and requires approved entities to provide training and continuing education to certified providers. It also establishes fair payment rates for technical services and mandates public reporting on certification numbers, funding, and cost savings.
S 1094, the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025, requires U.S. federal agencies (like the General Services Administration and Department of Defense) to prioritize using U.S.-made mass timber products in new public building construction. It mandates that agencies give contract preference to mass timber sourced from domestic facilities and responsibly harvested U.S. forests, with specific priority for products from forest restoration practices, wildfire prevention efforts, or underserved forest owners. The bill also requires a lifecycle assessment of mass timber buildings' environmental impact and a public report within 180 days of enactment. This directly affects federal building projects and U.S. timber producers meeting the defined sourcing criteria.
HR 2298 exempts certain broadband infrastructure projects on federal lands from requiring environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and historic preservation reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act. It applies specifically to wireline or wireless broadband installations (like fiber lines or cell towers) by broadband providers on federal rights-of-way, such as areas adjacent to roads or highways. The bill removes the need for agencies to conduct full environmental assessments or historic site reviews for these projects, streamlining approvals. This directly affects federal land managers (like the BLM or Forest Service) and broadband providers seeking to expand service on public lands. The key change is eliminating specific regulatory hurdles for qualifying broadband projects on federal rights-of-way.
Financial Integrity and Regulation Management Act or the FIRM Act This bill prohibits the consideration of reputational risk by federal banking agencies when regulating, examining, or supervising a depository institution or credit union. The bill defines reputational risk as the potential for negative publicity or public attention to decrease confidence in the institution, lead to litigation, reduce revenues, or result in other adverse impacts to the institution. Agencies must report on the implementation of this bill.
The Innovative FEED Act of 2025 establishes a new regulatory category for "zootechnical animal food substances" - additives in animal feed that affect digestive byproducts, reduce foodborne pathogens, or alter an animal's gut microbiome without providing nutrition. These substances would be regulated as food additives (not drugs) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, requiring manufacturers to submit specific safety and efficacy data for approval. The bill mandates labeling stating "Not for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in animals" and allows optional claims about intended effects on animal body function. It explicitly excludes existing drugs, hormones, ionophores, and other substances from this category, ensuring no mandatory use of these additives.
This bill protects pregnancy centers that provide non-abortion services from federal discrimination. It prohibits government entities and recipients of federal funds from forcing these centers to offer, refer for, or promote abortions, or from restricting their life-affirming services like pregnancy testing, counseling, or baby supplies. The law creates a legal path for affected centers to sue if they face retaliation for declining abortion-related activities. It amends federal health law to explicitly shield such organizations from being penalized for their stance.
This bill repeals federal waivers that allow California to set its own vehicle and engine emission standards under the Clean Air Act. It directly affects California's Air Resources Board (CARB), prohibiting the state from adopting or enforcing standards for nonroad engines (like construction equipment, farm vehicles, and locomotives) or new motor vehicles. Key provisions include removing federal authorization for California's vehicle standards (Section 177) and invalidating all existing waivers for state emission rules. The bill would eliminate California's ability to enforce its own emission requirements for these categories, shifting authority entirely to federal standards.
S 1021 establishes a new program within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to increase purchases of "naturally nutrient-rich dairy" (like fluid milk, yogurt, and cheese made from cow's milk) by SNAP households. It provides point-of-sale incentives at checkout, meaning SNAP users would receive immediate discounts when buying qualifying dairy products. The program allocates $10 million annually for grants to state/local governments or nonprofits to run projects, with priority given to initiatives maximizing direct incentives and using electronic systems. Projects must be evaluated for effectiveness, and results will be publicly reported, while transitioning existing dairy incentive programs to this new framework.
This bill, the Major Richard Star Act (S 1032), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both their military retired pay and Veterans Affairs disability compensation simultaneously. It amends U.S. Code sections to remove the automatic reduction in retired pay that previously forced these veterans to choose between the two payments. The key change ensures veterans with combat-related disabilities qualify for full retired pay without offset against their VA disability benefits, effective for payments starting after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects veterans receiving military retired pay under Chapter 61 who also qualify for VA disability compensation for combat-related injuries.
