The Pedestrian Protection Act directs the federal government to update vehicle safety standards to better protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users. It requires the Secretary of Transportation to create new rules within three years regarding vehicle design features like hoods, bumpers, and weight, as well as minimum visibility standards within four years. Additionally, the bill mandates that the government publish comparative ratings for these safety technologies and develop a system to inform consumers about how well a vehicle allows drivers to see vulnerable road users. These changes aim to reduce collisions and injuries by establishing specific performance criteria that vehicle manufacturers must meet.
The ReCement Act amends federal regulations to allow cement manufacturers to use non-hazardous secondary materials as fuel or ingredients without classifying them as waste. This change directly affects the cement industry by permitting the use of recovered resources that meet specific legitimacy criteria, such as being managed as valuable commodities or processed before use. By updating the definition of what constitutes waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the bill aims to increase material efficiency in cement production through the incorporation of alternative fuels and recovered materials.
The Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 eliminates a federal tax credit that allowed parents to deduct contributions to scholarship granting organizations from their income. By removing these specific tax breaks, the bill prevents the use of public tax dollars to support private school vouchers and scholarship programs. This change directly affects families who currently rely on these tax incentives to fund education outside the public school system. The provisions take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
The Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2026 establishes a new federal Children's Commission to advocate for the interests of all children and marginalized youth. This 15-member body, appointed by the Comptroller General, will include experts, advocates, and young people with lived experiences to review federal policies and regulations affecting child well-being. The Commission will conduct research, issue public reports, and provide written comments on agency actions to ensure children's perspectives are considered in government decisions. Additionally, the bill creates a Children's Commissioner to lead the commission and facilitates the collection of data on how laws impact vulnerable populations.
The Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act requires digital asset kiosk operators to register their locations with the Treasury Department and makes this information publicly available. To combat fraud and money laundering, the bill mandates strict identity verification, transaction limits of $2,000 per day for new customers, and the use of blockchain analytics to monitor suspicious activity. Operators must also provide clear, standardized disclosures about fees and risks, display scam warnings, offer live customer support, and issue detailed receipts to users. Additionally, the law sets federal transaction limits that supersede state restrictions while allowing states to issue compliance decals and maintain their own licensing requirements.
The Local Control Protection Act restricts federal courts from hearing challenges to local zoning decisions that deny permits for large data centers, provided those denials were made by recorded vote with documented findings. It also prohibits federal agencies from approving permits for these facilities if the developer is currently suing to overturn a local government's denial. Additionally, the bill requires developers of covered data centers to receive tax credits only if they sign enforceable agreements with local officials to address infrastructure impacts, monitor environmental effects, and prioritize hiring local workers and contractors.
The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2026 aims to improve the immigration court process for unaccompanied children by guaranteeing them government-funded legal representation. Under this bill, the Department of Health and Human Services would appoint lawyers for these children as soon as they enter federal custody, ensuring they have an attorney for every stage of their case, even if they turn 18 or are reunited with family while proceedings are pending. The law also requires that children receive copies of their immigration files at least seven days before a hearing and allows them to have a lawyer present during interviews and detention facility visits. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports on how many children received counsel and establishes rules for pro bono legal services to support these efforts.
This bill directs federal agencies to prioritize the construction of public buildings using domestically sourced mass timber products. It requires the General Services Administration and the Department of Defense to give preference to wood harvested from U.S. forests and produced at facilities located within the country. The legislation further mandates that these wood products come from responsibly managed sources, such as forests undergoing restoration or those managed to prevent wildfires, while also supporting underserved forest owners. Additionally, the bill requires an independent lifecycle assessment of these new buildings to evaluate their environmental impact and a subsequent report to be submitted to Congress.
This joint resolution seeks to reject a specific rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the Child Care and Development Fund. By invoking a statutory process, the bill aims to prevent the rule from taking effect, which would stop the Department from implementing the proposed changes to child care funding flexibility. The measure directly impacts the administration of federal child care assistance programs and affects families and organizations relying on the CCDF. If passed, the original regulations published in May 2026 would be nullified and have no legal force.
The Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act empowers federal agencies to temporarily pause, condition, or segment payments when there is a significant risk of fraud or financial loss to the government. This authority is triggered by specific fraud-risk indicators, notifications from state or local officials, or orders from the Treasury Department based on its Do Not Pay system. Agencies must notify payees within two days of a pause, outline the review process, and issue a final decision within 30 days, though they may allow routine portions of a payment to proceed while holding anomalous amounts. The bill also provides legal protections for government officials acting in good faith and requires the Treasury to submit annual reports on the number of paused payments and the savings generated.
The Timeshare Transparency Act requires timeshare companies to provide buyers with a single document detailing all acquisition and maintenance costs, potential fee changes, exit options, and a 14-day penalty-free cancellation period. Before signing an agreement, consumers must have a chance to review these documents independently, away from company employees. The Federal Trade Commission is authorized to enforce these requirements and issue necessary rules, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices. This law applies to agreements made after a 90-day waiting period and does not prevent states from enforcing stricter consumer protections.
This bill, titled the Stop the SPLC Act of 2026, would remove the tax-exempt status of the Southern Poverty Law Center. By revoking its classification under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the legislation would require the organization to pay federal taxes on its income and benefits. The change applies to all taxable years occurring after the bill is enacted.
