The IMPACT to Save Moms Act directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to run a five-year demonstration project from 2027 to 2031, allowing states to test new payment models for maternity care under Medicaid and state child health plans. This initiative aims to improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals, with a specific focus on reducing disparities among groups that experience higher rates of maternal mortality and severe complications. To achieve these goals, the project requires states to consider alternative payment structures that account for pregnancy risk levels, include diverse care teams with training on bias, and address social factors affecting health. The bill also mandates that the federal government evaluate the project's impact on health outcomes and spending, and submit a final report to Congress with recommendations on whether to expand the program nationwide.
The Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of 2026 expands existing federal student loan relief programs to offer full debt cancellation for teachers and early childhood educators who work in high-need schools or specific early childhood programs for five years. Under the bill, eligible educators can receive 100 percent forgiveness of their outstanding loans after completing five years of service, which may be consecutive or nonconsecutive, while also qualifying for monthly loan payments to be made by the government during their employment. The legislation defines "high need schools" as those with at least 30 percent of students from low-income families and includes various early childhood settings, while also extending benefits to parents who borrow PLUS loans for their qualifying children or who are educators themselves. To support implementation, the law requires the Department of Education to publish a list of eligible schools and programs, allows for self-certification in some early childhood roles, and ensures that educators who leave their positions early or are promoted within the same organization do not lose their eligibility for forgiveness.
The CAL Repayment Act requires states to immediately use any federal funds received for unemployment insurance to repay outstanding advances before spending them on other purposes. This rule applies to all states and mandates that they make these repayments within five business days of the funds becoming available. If a state fails to follow this order and uses the money elsewhere first, it must return the full amount to the federal government within five days of being notified. The law takes effect for any unemployment insurance funds awarded after the bill is enacted.
The Rural MOMS Act of 2026 modifies how Medicare counts hospital beds, specifically excluding labor and delivery rooms from the total number of acute care inpatient beds used to determine if a facility qualifies as a Critical Access Hospital. This change directly affects rural hospitals that provide maternity services by altering the financial thresholds required to maintain their special status under the Medicare program. By removing delivery rooms from the bed count calculation, the bill aims to prevent these facilities from losing their designation solely because they offer childbirth care. The legislation does not change how these hospitals are funded or operated, but rather adjusts the metric used to evaluate their eligibility for critical access benefits.
This bill, titled the Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act, prohibits Amtrak from requiring customers to use mandatory arbitration for disputes regarding consumer rights or civil rights violations. Under the new rules, any pre-existing agreements that force passengers to settle such claims through arbitration instead of court would be considered invalid and unenforceable. Additionally, the legislation ensures that passengers retain the right to join class-action lawsuits against Amtrak, preventing the company from using contracts to block these collective legal actions. Courts, rather than arbitrators, will be responsible for deciding whether these arbitration clauses are valid, with the exception of disputes covered under the Railway Labor Act. These changes apply immediately upon the bill's enactment and cover any disputes arising on or after that date.
Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 This bill (commonly known as the farm bill) reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies Department of Agriculture programs that address commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, energy, horticulture, crop insurance, livestock and other animals, and foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land.
The Investing in All of America Act of 2025 amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to adjust leverage rules for Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), which provide capital to small businesses. It lowers the maximum allowable leverage ratio from 300% to 200% and expands eligible investments to include companies in rural areas, critical technology sectors, and small manufacturers. The bill caps excluded leverage at $125 million or 50% of a company’s private capital, whichever is lower, and requires annual inflation adjustments to these dollar amounts. These changes directly affect SBICs, private investment firms that support small business growth nationwide.
This bill, titled the Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026, raises the minimum salary required for employees to be exempt from federal overtime pay rules, directly affecting workers classified as executive, administrative, or professional staff. It establishes a specific salary schedule that starts at $45,000 per week and increases annually to $75,000 by 2029, after which the threshold will automatically adjust to match the 55th percentile of national earnings for full-time salaried workers. Additionally, the legislation modifies the criteria for determining job duties, requiring that at least 20 percent of an employee's time be spent on executive or administrative tasks rather than the previous 40 percent standard. The law also mandates that the Bureau of Labor Statistics regularly publish earnings data and requires the Department of Labor to provide public notice before implementing any updated salary thresholds.
The Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026 raises the minimum salary required for certain employees to be exempt from federal overtime pay rules, starting at $45,000 per year and increasing annually until it reaches $75,000 by 2029. The bill also mandates that this threshold automatically updates each year to match the 55th percentile of weekly earnings for full-time salaried workers nationwide, with adjustments taking effect based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Additionally, the law modifies the duties test for exemption, requiring that at least 20 percent of an employee's time be spent on executive or administrative tasks rather than the current 40 percent standard. These changes directly affect employers and workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act by redefining eligibility for overtime exemptions and establishing a new mechanism for adjusting salary requirements over time.
The Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding and updates rules for the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program, which supports economic development in specific geographic areas. The bill defines eligible organizations as state or nonprofit groups that provide direct financing, commercialization services, and entrepreneurial support to local businesses. It mandates that the federal government cover up to 90 percent of project costs and requires outreach to rural communities and areas facing economic hardship. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $50 million annually from 2026 to 2030 and allows the use of previously unspent funds to continue the program.
This bill removes federal immunity protections for federal immigration law enforcement officers who cause death or serious bodily injury while performing their duties. Under the new provision, these officers could be prosecuted under state laws if they commit such acts, allowing state courts to assert jurisdiction over the offenses. The legislation directly affects federal agents involved in immigration enforcement and state legal systems that might seek to try them for violent crimes. By amending Title 18 of the U.S. Code, the bill creates a specific legal pathway for states to pursue charges against federal officers in cases of severe harm.
The Department of Justice Integrity Act of 2026 expands rules on when former government lawyers can work for private clients. It specifically targets attorneys who previously led federal prosecutions against businesses or negotiated settlements with them. Under this new provision, such lawyers are prohibited from representing those same businesses in related federal cases within one year of leaving their government job. If they violate this restriction, they face criminal penalties outlined in existing federal law.
