The Runway SAFE-T Act establishes a task force to study and recommend improvements for driver training programs at airports, ensuring that ground vehicle operators receive consistent and modern safety instruction. Additionally, the bill authorizes federal grants from 2027 to 2031 to help airports purchase advanced technologies, such as sensors and simulation systems, that enhance situational awareness and reduce vehicle-related safety incidents on airport runways and taxiways. These grants are intended to assist airport sponsors in overcoming barriers like cost and workforce availability while prioritizing projects tailored to specific airport layouts and safety needs.
The Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Act of 2026 creates a competitive grant program to help organizations transport materials removed during wildfire risk reduction projects on National Forest System lands. Eligible recipients include for-profit companies, nonprofits, state and local governments, Indian Tribes, and universities, with funding available from fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Grants can cover costs for transporting wood and biomass, maintaining transport equipment, and workforce training, but cannot be used for construction or buying timber. The program prioritizes projects in high-risk wildfire areas and offers higher funding percentages to Indian Tribes compared to other applicants.
The Vessel Identification Protection Act of 2026 strengthens federal laws against tampering with boat identification numbers by making it a crime to knowingly remove, alter, or forge these marks on vessels involved in interstate commerce. This legislation directly affects boat owners, manufacturers, and dealers by prohibiting the use of unauthorized identification numbers and imposing penalties of up to five years in prison or fines for violations. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum prison sentence to ten years for anyone who buys or possesses a vessel knowing its identification number has been illegally altered or removed. Exceptions are made for damage caused by accidents like collisions or fires, and for actions authorized by the Coast Guard.
The Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026 directs the Department of Transportation to update federal regulations governing passenger car and light truck tires. The bill requires the removal of outdated testing requirements for tire strength and the revision of definitions regarding "chunking" to better reflect modern tire technology. Additionally, it mandates the creation of new high-speed performance testing protocols aligned with international standards and establishes a future review to assess the impact of these changes on tire safety and market availability.
The Space Ready 2.0 Act authorizes NASA to launch a pilot program that allows private companies, government agencies, and other entities to voluntarily contribute funds toward repairing, maintaining, and improving shared infrastructure at NASA centers. These contributions can support projects like roadways and pipelines that benefit multiple users, with agreements requiring transparency on costs and schedules and ensuring that any leftover money is returned to contributors or redirected to other eligible projects. The bill mandates annual reporting to Congress on project spending and progress, while also prohibiting NASA from using these voluntary funds to create new budget obligations before Congress appropriates money. This initiative is set to expire on December 31, 2031, unless extended, and aims to streamline infrastructure work without restricting NASA's ability to enter into direct agreements for other projects.
The All in For Attendance Act aims to reduce chronic student absenteeism by requiring schools to implement specific support strategies for students missing 10 percent or more of school days. It mandates the creation of data systems to track attendance reasons, establishes advisory programs to engage families, and requires schools to partner with community organizations to remove barriers like transportation or health issues. The legislation also prohibits schools from using suspensions, fines, or academic penalties as punishment for student absences. Additionally, it directs funds toward evidence-based interventions such as social and emotional learning programs, restorative justice, and high-impact tutoring to improve student engagement and attendance.
This bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.
This bill, known as the Bulletproof Law Enforcement Vehicles Act, directs the Department of Homeland Security to allow funding for upgrading law enforcement vehicles with security features like bulletproof windows. By amending an existing law, it expands the types of vehicle enhancements that can be financed with current federal assistance programs. The change specifically authorizes the use of these funds for protective upgrades without creating new budgetary requirements. Law enforcement agencies that receive federal financial assistance would be the primary beneficiaries of this expanded eligibility.
The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026 directs that money collected from the 9/11 Security Fee must be used exclusively for aviation security improvements rather than other government purposes. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the law creates two separate funds: one to cover general security operations and another specifically for purchasing and installing new checkpoint technology at airports. The Transportation Security Administration will manage these funds to pay for screening upgrades, security equipment, and related personnel support, ensuring the fee directly benefits aviation safety.
This bill proposes a 15 percent pay increase for career employees of the Transportation Security Administration, including agents and officers who are not senior executives or high-level appointees. The raise would take effect starting with the first pay period following the law's enactment and would apply to both basic pay rates and compensation bands under the TSA's core system. The legislation directly affects TSA staff members who fall under the career employee definition, ensuring they receive the salary adjustment in their next eligible paycheck.
