This bill directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify high-risk land ports of entry based on high volumes of drug seizures and mandate the use of advanced scanning technology there. Specifically, it requires these ports to install large-scale, non-intrusive inspection systems, such as x-ray or gamma-ray scanners, to screen at least 40 percent of passenger vehicles and 70 percent of commercial vehicles. The law also establishes a process for evaluating the effectiveness of this technology and requires annual reports to Congress on its performance and potential new innovations. Additionally, the bill mandates that relevant personnel receive training on operating these new systems to ensure proper implementation.
This resolution condemns all forms of hate, including racism, antisemitism, transphobia, and xenophobia, while highlighting recent statistics on hate crimes affecting various communities. It calls for comprehensive federal and state policies to prevent hate crimes through education and intervention, as well as support for victims through legal aid and mental health resources. The measure also advocates for funding programs that are culturally accessible to vulnerable groups, such as immigrants and LGBTQIA+ individuals, and reaffirms the government's commitment to maintaining an inclusive democracy.
This bill establishes financial liability for private detention centers and their employees if they cause the wrongful death of a person held there. It allows families of deceased individuals to sue in federal court for at least $5 million in statutory damages plus economic and punitive damages. The law removes the ability of detention staff to use immunity defenses to avoid responsibility and holds the facility itself responsible for the actions of its workers. These rules apply specifically to private companies contracted by the federal government to detain people accused of breaking civil, criminal, or immigration laws.
The Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act of 2026 adds new federal penalties for intentionally causing collisions with commercial motor vehicles. It directly affects drivers who stage these accidents and those who arrange for others to do so. Under the bill, a driver who intentionally crashes into a commercial truck faces up to 20 years in prison, while causing serious injury or death in such a staged event carries a minimum sentence of 20 years. The law also holds organizers of these staged crashes criminally liable under the same sentencing guidelines. Prosecution under this federal statute is barred if the individual has already been convicted or acquitted for the same act in state court.
This bill requires the Federal Bureau of Prisons to send voting information to inmates who are eligible to vote in their home states before any federal, state, or local election. The Director of the Bureau must provide these inmates with details on how to register and request absentee ballots, while facility coordinators receive specific state criteria, registration forms, and prepaid envelopes. The law also mandates that this information be posted physically in correctional facilities, published on the Bureau's website, and offered in both English and Spanish where applicable. Additionally, the bill ensures that inmates with recognized disabilities receive the necessary support to complete voter registration.
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The Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2026 requires the President to publicly explain the reasons for any pardon, commutation, reprieve, or fine remission in the Federal Register and on the official White House website. It also mandates that the Pardon Attorney prepare a Justice Impact Statement within 30 days, which must include victim statements and input from law enforcement officials regarding the potential impact on ongoing investigations. Additionally, the bill expands lobbying disclosure rules to require immediate registration and reporting for any lobbying efforts related to seeking executive clemency, regardless of the amount of money involved. Finally, the Pardon Attorney will conduct annual studies on how well the government follows these new transparency requirements and report the findings to Congress.
The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act fundamentally changes federal law by removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, effectively decriminalizing it at the federal level and allowing states to regulate their own cannabis markets without federal interference. To manage this new landscape, the bill creates a new federal agency called the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Tax and Trade Bureau to oversee licensing, collect taxes, and prevent illicit trade, while also establishing a new Center for Cannabis Products within the FDA to regulate safety and labeling. The legislation includes significant restorative justice measures, such as automatically expunging federal cannabis convictions and prohibiting discrimination against individuals with such records in areas like immigration, security clearances, and access to federal benefits. Additionally, the bill provides billions of dollars in funding to support research into the health effects of cannabis, expand access to financial services for legitimate cannabis businesses, and assist communities and individuals harmed by past prohibition enforcement.
The Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2026 establishes a formal policy to support democracy and human rights in Turkey while directly affecting U.S. security assistance and diplomatic engagement with the Turkish government. The bill conditions the release of U.S. security funds on the Turkish government certifying that it has reduced the number of political prisoners, stopped using counterterrorism laws to suppress free expression, and complied with European Court of Human Rights rulings. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reports on human rights conditions in Turkey and authorizes the provision of funding to civil society organizations working to secure the release of detained individuals. If the Turkish government fails to take effective steps to address these violations, the bill directs the President to impose sanctions, restrict visas for responsible officials, and prohibit the export of surveillance technologies to Turkey.
This bill directs the Attorney General to create guidance for local and state governments on establishing voluntary registries for individuals at risk of receiving false emergency calls, commonly known as swatting. The guidance will outline best practices for data privacy, secure technology integration, and training law enforcement to use registry information to de-escalate dangerous situations without mandating a federal registry. Additionally, the bill allows the Justice Department to provide technical assistance and funding to help communities implement these safety measures while ensuring that participation remains optional and that officer safety is not compromised.
This bill, known as the No Campaign Funded Cover-Ups Act, restricts how candidates and federal officials can use campaign money or legal expense funds when facing accusations of sexual assault, abuse, or harassment. Under the new rules, these funds cannot pay for legal fees, settlements, court judgments, or private investigations aimed at discrediting the accuser. The legislation also requires detailed reporting of any legal expenses paid from these sources and applies retroactively to payments made in the two years before the law takes effect.