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.
The PHIT Act of 2025 (S 1144) allows taxpayers to deduct certain fitness expenses as medical costs on federal income taxes. It covers gym memberships, exercise classes, and fitness equipment (up to $1,000 per person annually, or $2,000 for joint filers), provided the expenses are exclusively for physical activity. Equipment must be used solely for exercise (e.g., athletic shoes worn only for activity), and facilities must meet strict criteria like excluding golf/sailing and complying with anti-discrimination laws. The bill aims to reduce financial barriers to healthy habits by making these costs tax-deductible for eligible taxpayers who itemize deductions.
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.
The LEDGER Act (S 1160) requires the Treasury Department to create a system tracking every federal government disbursement within 180 days of enactment. It mandates that all departments, agencies, and offices across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches report spending details, including the availability period of each funding source. This affects all federal entities that receive or spend government funds by requiring granular tracking of where money comes from and how it’s used. The law aims to improve transparency in federal spending by making expenditure data systematically accessible.
This bill amends the tax code to allow charitable organizations (501(c)(3) nonprofits) to provide grants for college student housing without losing their tax-exempt status. It specifically permits grants to improve or maintain "collegiate housing property" (where most residents are full-time students at a nearby college) but excludes grants for fitness facilities. The change affects charities seeking to fund student housing infrastructure, clarifying that such grants qualify as charitable under existing tax rules. The policy change applies to grants made after the bill's enactment date.
The Safer Skies Act of 2025 requires specific smaller airlines to adopt enhanced security screening protocols currently used by larger carriers. It mandates that "covered air carrier operations" - defined as airlines operating under certain FAA rules, offering individual seats with public schedules, using planes with more than nine passenger seats, and not using TSA checkpoints - to follow the Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (49 CFR §1544.101(a)) within 360 days of the bill's enactment. The Transportation Security Administration must revise its rules to enforce this requirement. This directly affects regional and private charter airlines that currently skip TSA checkpoint screening but serve the public with scheduled passenger flights.
HR 2360 permanently exempts school bus drivers from the engine compartment inspection requirement during their commercial driver's license skills test, which was previously granted as a temporary measure in a 2024 federal notice. This affects school bus drivers in states that choose to participate in the exemption program. For six years after the bill's enactment, participating states must submit annual reports to the Transportation Secretary detailing how many drivers use this exemption. The exemption maintains the specific conditions established in the 2024 notice.
This bill amends the U.S. Code to define key terms like "sex," "male," and "female" based on biological characteristics present at conception, specifically referencing reproductive anatomy. It requires all federal agencies, courts, and Congress to use these biological definitions when interpreting laws, regulations, or agency actions - replacing current interpretations that consider gender identity. The bill explicitly states that "gender identity" does not constitute a valid basis for determining sex under federal law. This change would directly affect how federal agencies implement existing laws related to healthcare, education, employment, and civil rights by mandating biological sex definitions in their operations.
This bill allows schools to use existing public health block grants to purchase naloxone (a medication that reverses opioid overdoses) and provide training for school staff on its use. It directly affects schools, teachers, nurses, administrators, and students by requiring the allocation of funds for naloxone kits, staff training, and fentanyl awareness education. Key provisions include adding specific grant uses for naloxone procurement, training school personnel in administration, and distributing fentanyl safety materials to students. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to enable these concrete, preventative measures within educational settings.
The Dietary Guidelines Reform Act of 2025 changes how the federal government develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are used to inform nutrition policies and public health programs. It requires guidelines to be based on the latest scientific evidence, address chronic diseases, and ensure recommendations are affordable and accessible for all Americans. The bill establishes an Independent Advisory Board with specific membership rules (including political balance and scientific expertise) and mandates full disclosure of conflicts of interest for all members. It also sets a 10-year update cycle for the guidelines but allows for more frequent updates when scientific advancements require it, with justification provided to Congress.
Brake for Kids Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to produce and distribute a national public safety campaign on the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. Specifically, the campaign must increase awareness and education about the issue through a variety of media, including television, radio, and social media advertising. DOT must use Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds to produce and distribute the campaign.
