The Subpoena Abuse Prevention Act restricts how federal agencies can use administrative subpoenas to obtain phone and app records from service providers. It requires agencies to identify a specific person or account before requesting data, bans subpoenas aimed at investigating or retaliating against constitutionally protected activities like free speech, and mandates that agencies certify the subpoena's legitimate purpose. The law also allows service providers to notify customers about the subpoena and consult with lawyers, unless a court order specifically prevents such notification. Additionally, federal agencies must publicly report annually on the number of subpoenas issued and the total accounts affected.
The Border Patrol Supervisors Retention Act modifies federal overtime pay rules to include supervisors within the U.S. Border Patrol. Specifically, it expands eligibility for higher rates of regularly scheduled overtime pay to agents classified at grades GS-12 through GS-15, rather than limiting it to only those at the GS-12 level. This change directly affects supervisory staff who currently manage border operations and ensures they receive the same overtime compensation as their lower-grade counterparts. By updating the relevant section of the U.S. Code, the bill aims to standardize pay structures for these specific roles without altering other aspects of their employment or duties.
This bill modifies federal rules to allow adults with disabilities aged 18 and older to work for employers at wages below the standard minimum rate, whereas the previous law restricted this option to individuals under 24. It requires these employers to make documented efforts to find suitable jobs for their employees at regular intervals and permits the use of subminimum wages only if state agencies fail to provide necessary job counseling and referrals. Additionally, the bill mandates that employers must provide copies of these job search records to the individuals they employ. These changes aim to expand employment opportunities for adults with disabilities while maintaining specific oversight to ensure they are not denied access to regular competitive employment.
This bill, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026, aims to create more predictable payment adjustments for physicians and other healthcare providers under the Medicare program. It directly affects medical practices and providers who receive reimbursement for services through the physician fee schedule. The legislation increases a threshold for certain budget neutrality calculations from $20 million to $54.3 million in 2027, with automatic increases every five years thereafter. It also requires the government to correct payment estimates when actual service usage differs significantly from projections, mandates regular updates to cost calculations for practice expenses, and limits how much Medicare payment rates can change from year to year to a maximum of 2.5 percent.
HR 2616, the PROTECT Kids Act, requires public elementary and middle schools receiving federal education funding to obtain parental consent before changing a student's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on school forms, or before assigning them to sex-based accommodations like locker rooms or bathrooms. The bill directly affects minor students in elementary school or middle grades (ages typically 5-14). Schools must secure this consent as a condition for maintaining federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The law focuses on specific administrative changes to student records and facility assignments, not broader educational content or curriculum.
This bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins must feature designs honoring victims and first responders (including the inscription "Never Forget") and will be sold only during 2027-2028. All surcharges ($35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin) collected from sales will fund the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, with no net cost to the federal government. The coins are legal tender but primarily intended for collectors, not circulation.
The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act authorizes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum dedicated to women’s history, to be located within the National Mall Reserve in Washington, D.C. If the site is managed by another federal agency, the bill requires that agency to transfer the land after notifying Congress and relevant committees. The museum must ensure exhibits and programs accurately represent diverse women’s experiences by consulting a broad range of experts and community voices. The Smithsonian will submit biennial reports to Congress detailing how the museum meets these representation standards.
The REPORTS Act requires federal agencies to analyze how new major rules affect people living in poverty and issues of racial inequity before publishing them. Additionally, it mandates the Government Accountability Office to produce annual reports examining the economic impacts of specific government programs on these same groups. The legislation allows these analyses to optionally include an assessment of the racial wealth gap, with definitions for key terms set by the Office of Management and Budget or the Comptroller General.
The Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act bans the imposition of the death penalty for any federal crime committed after the law takes effect. It also requires that individuals currently sentenced to death under federal law be resentenced to a different punishment. This legislation directly affects the federal criminal justice system by eliminating capital punishment as a sentencing option.
The Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act directs the National Institutes of Health to conduct a comprehensive study on developing a standardized, noninvasive test for human papillomavirus in men. This research must be completed within 24 months and will involve coordination with federal agencies like the CDC and the FDA, as well as scientific experts and community stakeholders. The study aims to evaluate various testing methods, assess feasibility across diverse populations, and provide recommendations for future implementation and regulatory approval. Additionally, the bill requires an interagency working group to oversee the process and mandates a final report to Congress within 30 months outlining findings and strategies for improving cancer prevention and health equity.
This bill, known as the Department of Energy Drone Defense Act, expands the authority of the U.S. Secretary of Energy to manage certain drone systems. Specifically, it allows the Secretary to procure, operate, and use federal funds for drones that are classified as "covered" and originate from "covered foreign entities." These changes modify existing restrictions found in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which previously limited such activities primarily to the Secretary of State. By adding the Department of Energy to the list of authorized agencies, the legislation enables the department to participate in these drone-related activities without violating current prohibitions.
The Freedom from Taxes Act of 2026 eliminates federal transfer and making taxes on firearms, which directly affects individuals buying or manufacturing guns. By setting these specific taxes to zero, the bill removes the $200 fee previously required when transferring or making certain firearms. The law also adds a time limit to a special tax, ensuring it no longer applies to years beginning after the bill takes effect. These changes would become active on the first day of the first calendar quarter starting more than 90 days after the legislation is signed into law.
