The Access to Consumer Energy Information Act requires electric and gas utilities to provide customers with easy access to their energy usage data and billing information in a standardized, machine-readable format. The bill directs the Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create guidelines ensuring consumers can securely share this data with third-party apps and services to help manage energy consumption and costs. Utilities must allow customers to install software on their energy meters and cannot discriminate against third-party developers seeking access to this data. The legislation also authorizes funding to help states implement these data-sharing programs and requires a report on using meter data for wholesale electricity market settlements.
This bill, titled the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act, creates a formal process for U.S. companies to request that certain building materials used in home construction be exempt from specific tariffs. The legislation requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish a system where entities can apply for duty exclusions on products classified as critical homebuilding materials or other items whose tariffs would increase home construction costs. The bill mandates that exclusion requests for critical products be decided within 15 days and other requests within 60 days, with results published online and quarterly reports submitted to Congress. Additionally, it allows for retroactive refunds on duties paid for entries made before exclusions were issued, provided requests are filed within 180 days of the exclusion decision.
This bill amends the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to require the Treasury Secretary to testify annually before Congress about the Fund's operations. It also strengthens the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program by adjusting guarantee limits and extending the program's authorization period. Additionally, the bill expands capital assistance options for community development financial institutions and creates a new lending program specifically for Native community development financial institutions to support homeownership in Tribal and Native communities.
This bill reauthorizes the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and establishes its role as the primary NOAA representative in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The legislation creates a new Director position with expertise in Chesapeake Bay research and resource management, and expands the office's responsibilities to include coastal hazards, climate change, and education initiatives. Key provisions authorize programs for scientific peer review, coastal observing systems, education and training grants, and habitat restoration projects focused on oysters, blue crabs, and other living marine resources. The bill also requires biennial reports to Congress on the office's activities and progress in protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
This bill, known as the TAP Promotion Act, would allow representatives from recognized veterans service organizations to join presentations that inform service members about benefits they can access after leaving the military. These presentations are part of the Transition Assistance Program, which helps veterans prepare for civilian life, and the law requires that they be standardized and approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs before being used. The bill also mandates that the presentations include information on how veterans service organizations can help with filing benefit claims, while prohibiting any effort to encourage members to join a specific organization. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs must submit an annual report to Congress detailing which organizations participated in these sessions and how many service members attended.
This bill, known as the Direct File Act of 2026, would establish a government-run online platform for taxpayers to prepare and file their individual income tax returns for free. It requires the Treasury Department to create a user-friendly system that uses IRS data to simplify the process, offers customer support, and is available in multiple languages and on mobile devices. The legislation also prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that would limit its ability to provide these tax preparation and filing services. Additionally, the bill allows eligible states to integrate their state tax filing with the federal system and provides funding to states that meet certain standards for doing so.
HR 7736, the RELIEF Act, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on imports entered on or after January 1, 2025. It directly affects importers of record by mandating automatic refunds within 90 days of the bill's enactment, without requiring them to submit applications or protests. The bill directs Customs to use existing data to calculate and disburse refunds for all affected tariff collections, including entries involving goods withdrawn from warehouse for consumption. This policy change eliminates the need for importers to seek refunds through separate processes, streamlining the recovery of overpaid duties.
HR 7740, the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes $4 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and support teaching about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create digital and print materials, provide teacher training, and expand access to curriculum resources for K-12 and college classrooms. It requires annual reports to Congress on fund usage and expires in 2030. This program directly affects educators and students by enhancing classroom materials and professional development on African American history.
This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using federal funds to buy or use full-body restraints, which are devices that immobilize individuals. It directly affects DHS personnel and operations by banning the acquisition and utilization of four-point and five-point restraints. The law includes penalties for violations, such as removal from federal service for officers who break the rules or deceive leadership about them. DHS must also submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing compliance status and any instances where restraints were used, including specific information about the individuals restrained and the circumstances involved. Existing contracts for these restraints made before the bill's enactment are exempt from the ban.
HRES 1077 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for the U.S. Postal Service to honor Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley with a commemorative stamp. It directly requests the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (part of the USPS) to recommend such a stamp to the Postmaster General. The resolution highlights Adams Earley’s historic role as the first Black officer in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), her leadership of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during WWII, and her post-war advocacy for Black leadership development. This resolution does not create new law or funding but formally urges the USPS to recognize her legacy through a postage stamp.
HRES 1080 is a symbolic resolution recognizing and celebrating Black History Month 2026, focusing on its theme "A Century of Black History Commemorations." It highlights historical figures and events central to Black history, including Carter G. Woodson’s founding of Negro History Week (the precursor to Black History Month), Juneteenth, and key moments like the 1865 Charleston commemoration. The resolution emphasizes how Black history commemorations counter historical erasure and affirm Black contributions to U.S. history, referencing figures like Mary McLeod Bethune and W.E.B. Du Bois. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding effect but aims to raise awareness of Black achievements through official recognition.
This bill establishes two new offices within the Supreme Court: an Office of Ethics Counsel and an Office of Investigative Counsel, both authorized by the Chief Justice. The Ethics Counsel office would provide guidance to justices and their spouses on judicial ethics matters including financial disclosures, gift acceptance, political activity, and conflicts of interest, while the Investigative Counsel office would review and investigate ethics complaints filed by congressional leaders against justices. Both offices would be staffed by experienced attorneys with competitive salaries, and the Investigative Counsel would have subpoena power to compel testimony and evidence during investigations. The bill also requires annual reports on ethics advice given and mandates that investigation findings be submitted to the Chief Justice and made available to congressional committees.
