The Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act updates the tax credit available to small businesses that make their facilities more accessible to people with disabilities. It allows these businesses to claim the credit for a broader range of expenses, including equipment and services that go beyond the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act or are needed even if the business is not currently subject to those rules. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definitions of disability and reasonable accommodation within the tax code. The legislation also requires the Treasury Department to issue guidance and conduct public outreach to help eligible businesses understand the updated credit, with a report to Congress due two years after enactment. These changes will take effect for expenses incurred after December 31, 2026.
The FLOWS Act updates regulations for hydropower projects by clarifying which changes require Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval and exempting routine maintenance from such requirements. It also establishes a new, streamlined licensing process for small-scale micro hydrokinetic energy projects that generate up to 5 megawatts from moving water without impounding it. Under this new section, applicants would file a notification of intent followed by a formal application, with the Commission required to issue a final decision within one year. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commission create specific rules to define project alterations and implement categorical exclusions to speed up environmental reviews for these smaller projects.
The Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2026 aims to combat fraud by increasing criminal penalties for individuals who falsely represent themselves as immigration lawyers or provide fraudulent services. It requires non-lawyer immigration service providers to identify themselves on applications and allows victims of unauthorized practice of law to withdraw and resubmit their immigration forms without penalty. The bill also empowers the Attorney General to issue civil injunctions against fraudulent providers and mandates that convicted fraudsters reimburse their clients for services rendered. To support legitimate legal aid, the legislation authorizes funding for outreach programs and grants to nonprofit organizations that provide direct legal assistance to immigrants.
The Online Sellers' Bill of Rights Act of 2026 aims to protect third-party businesses using major online marketplaces by requiring these platforms to provide greater transparency and due process. Under the bill, the Federal Trade Commission must create rules that limit how long platforms can hold inventory or freeze funds, mandate written notice within 72 hours for any restrictions, and ensure sellers receive at least 30 days' warning before significant policy changes. The law also establishes a presumption of innocence, placing the burden of proof on the platform to demonstrate a violation rather than on the seller, and allows for specific appeals processes. Enforcement is handled through the FTC, which can pursue violations as unfair competition, while state attorneys general and individual sellers retain the right to file civil lawsuits for damages.
This bill establishes a temporary funding mechanism for the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund by requiring the Treasury Department to loan $3 billion annually to the fund for fiscal years 2027, 2028, and 2029. The borrowed money must be distributed immediately to victims as part of the annual payment and cannot be saved for future use. Interest on these loans will be set by the Treasury based on market rates and will be repaid only from future fines and penalties collected from state sponsors of terrorism after the fund ends. The authority to make these loans expires on September 30, 2029, and the funds are treated as direct spending rather than new appropriations.
This bill reauthorizes and modifies the American Battlefield Protection Program through 2035, extending funding deadlines and increasing grant percentages for battlefield preservation. It raises the maximum federal share for battlefield acquisition, interpretation, and restoration grants from 50% to 75% and sets a $2 million annual appropriation for these programs. The bill also mandates new studies to identify, assess, and propose preservation options for sites tied to the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and Mexican-American War (1846-1848), requiring consultation with states, tribes, and preservation groups. The studies must be completed within two years and reported to Congress, focusing on site significance, threats, and potential preservation strategies.
S 3131, the USS Frank E. Evans Act, requires the Secretary of Defense to add the names of 74 crew members lost when the USS Frank E. Evans sank on June 3, 1969, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., within one year of the bill's enactment. The bill mandates consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and other authorities to address space limitations for adding these names. It explicitly states that the Commemorative Works Act does not apply to this memorial addition. The bill directly affects the families of the 74 crew members by ensuring their names are commemorated on the memorial.
The Whale CHARTS Act of 2026 establishes a program to protect migratory whales and other large cetaceans through improved mapping, monitoring, and mitigation measures. It requires the creation of detailed, high-resolution maps of whale habitats, including calving grounds and migration routes, which will be integrated into vessel navigation systems to prevent collisions. The bill authorizes $8 million annually through 2030 for mapping, surveys, and a $10 million grant program to fund new detection technologies that reduce harmful interactions between whales and ocean users. It also mandates regular reporting to Congress on the program's effectiveness and progress in filling knowledge gaps about whale habitats.
HR 6529, the Protecting Families from AI Data Center Energy Costs Act, mandates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to hold a technical conference within 90 days of enactment. The conference will include AI data centers, utilities, and ratepayer advocates to develop strategies protecting residential and small commercial customers from rising energy costs caused by large energy users. FERC must then submit a report with recommendations to Congress within 180 days. This procedural bill directly affects households and small businesses facing potential rate increases due to AI data center energy demands.
This resolution supports designating July 20, 2026, as "National Moon Landing Day" to honor the historic Apollo 11 mission and the ongoing Artemis program. The bill encourages Americans to celebrate the achievements of NASA astronauts, engineers, and scientists while honoring those who lost their lives during space exploration efforts. It also aims to inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM fields and promote public awareness of the economic and scientific benefits of human spaceflight.
The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act 2.0 of 2026 allows specific addiction medicine specialists to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder to be dispensed directly through pharmacies, rather than requiring patients to attend traditional treatment clinics. This change permits these qualified doctors to use telemedicine for patient care and requires that the methadone be in a liquid or dispersible tablet form. While the bill maintains existing clinic-based treatment options, it streamlines access by removing the need for pharmacies to obtain separate registrations to dispense the medication. The law also mandates that patients sign informed consent forms explaining how privacy rules differ between clinic and pharmacy settings, and it requires the Drug Enforcement Administration to report on the program's progress to Congress every year.
The Judicial Integrity Act amends federal law to clarify which judges and Supreme Court justices must recuse themselves from cases involving personal financial interests. It requires that any exemptions from these conflict-of-interest rules be established through a formal regulation issued by the Judicial Conference of the United States, which must include public notice and a comment period. This change ensures that decisions about whether a financial interest is too small to matter are made transparently rather than through individual waivers. The bill directly affects all federal judges and Supreme Court justices by tightening the standards for when they can participate in cases where they have a financial stake.
