This bill prohibits federal officials from using settlement agreements to direct payments to third parties unless those payments directly compensate for actual harm caused by the defendant or pay for services rendered in the case. It prevents the government from creating slush funds through settlements that benefit unrelated organizations or individuals beyond the scope of direct restitution. Federal agencies must annually report to the Congressional Budget Office on settlement payments that meet the new criteria, while agency inspectors general must audit and publicly report any violations. The reporting and audit requirements are set to expire seven years after the law takes effect.
HR 7400, the "Making Homeownership Affordable Again Act," removes the current $250,000 ($500,000 for married couples) limit on tax-free profit when selling a primary residence and extends this exclusion to sales involving first-time homebuyers. It directly affects homeowners selling their current home and first-time homebuyers purchasing a home. The key provision eliminates the dollar cap on capital gains exclusion under tax code Section 121 and defines "first-time homebuyer" as someone without home ownership in the past three years. This policy change applies to home sales occurring after the bill's enactment.
HR 7371 (No Flight, No Fight Act of 2026) bans air carriers from transporting adult roosters as cargo, except for shipments originating from or destined to qualifying commercial farms. The bill requires shippers to provide USDA-certified documentation proving the farm meets the $350,000 annual gross income threshold for commercial operations. It defines "adult rooster" as a male chicken over 6 months old and specifies that exemptions apply only to legitimate agricultural purposes, not to prevent illegal activities like cockfighting. The Department of Transportation will enforce this rule, with violations subject to civil penalties, effective 180 days after enactment.
This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr., for his acts of valor during the Vietnam War. It directly affects Capers, who previously received a Silver Star for these actions but was not awarded the Medal of Honor due to time limits. The key provision bypasses standard time restrictions in military award laws (10 U.S.C. §§ 8298(a), 8300) to allow the Medal of Honor award. The bill does not change existing policy but specifically enables this retroactive recognition for Capers' service.
The SCAM Act requires online platforms that accept payment for advertisements to verify advertiser identities (including government ID and business documentation) and implement systems to detect and remove scam ads within 72 hours of reporting. It mandates platforms to conduct investigations, remove verified fraudulent ads within 24 hours, and maintain active impersonation detection programs. The law directly affects major social media and digital advertising platforms by imposing new verification and monitoring obligations to prevent deceptive ads targeting consumers. Enforcement falls to the Federal Trade Commission, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices under existing law.
The Riley Gaines Act allows female student athletes injured in women's sports competitions to sue schools or athletic associations that permitted biologically male athletes to compete in those events. It creates a legal pathway for victims to seek compensation for physical injuries, lost scholarships, or missed professional opportunities due to the inherent physiological advantages of male athletes. If a female athlete wins a lawsuit under this law, the court must also award them reasonable attorney fees. The bill directly affects institutions of higher education and athletic associations that oversee women's sports competitions.
This bill restructures the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) to operate under the Executive Office of the President and establishes a Federal Acquisition Security Council Program Office within that office. It creates a process for the Council to issue "designated orders" that can exclude foreign entities posing national security risks from government contracts, with mechanisms for agencies to request temporary waivers under certain conditions. The Council must also report annually to Congress on security risks associated with covered sources of concern, directly affecting federal agencies and government contractors involved in procurement.
This bill modifies federal budget rules for unspent agency funds. It requires federal agencies to allocate 49% of unused funds to the next fiscal year, 49% toward paying the national debt, and 2% for retention bonuses (capped at 10% of an employee's base pay). Agencies must also limit future budget requests to the previous year's amount adjusted for inflation. The bill directly affects all executive branch agencies (excluding the Red Cross), altering how they manage leftover budget authority. It does not create new savings programs for individuals but changes government fiscal management procedures.
This bill changes how federal agencies hire cybersecurity staff by restricting educational requirements for certain positions. It prohibits agencies from setting minimum education levels unless required by state or local law where the work occurs, and limits education consideration to directly relevant competencies. The bill applies to specific federal cybersecurity roles (like GS-2210 IT positions and NICE-designated roles) and requires the Office of Personnel Management to publish annual data on education levels for these hires. These changes aim to modernize hiring practices while ensuring education requirements align with actual job needs.
This bill prevents state or local governments from banning or restricting energy connections (like installation, modification, or access) based on the type or source of energy, such as electricity, natural gas, or renewable fuels. It directly affects consumers choosing energy providers and energy companies seeking to offer services. The key provision prohibits local laws, regulations, or policies that limit energy services sold in interstate commerce, covering all energy types listed in the bill’s definitions. It does not create new programs but limits regulatory authority at the state or local level. The law aims to ensure open access to diverse energy sources without source-based restrictions.
This bill reforms how the Technology Modernization Fund is used to upgrade outdated federal computer systems. It requires agencies to identify and report high-risk legacy systems to a central office, which then compiles a national inventory and prioritizes the most critical systems for modernization. Agencies that receive funds must repay the fund under specific terms to ensure it remains fully operational until 2032. The bill also blocks funding for projects with fraudulent claims about their technology plans or costs.
This bill creates a new "Medal of Sacrifice" to honor law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty. It establishes eligibility for local, state, tribal, territorial, or federal officers killed while serving, excluding those with an official finding of misconduct (like acting outside agency policies). A Commission appointed by the President will determine eligibility for disputed cases, advise on medal design, and present the award, with initial honors going to three specific deputies. The medal features specific design elements symbolizing sacrifice and national values, but the bill focuses solely on creating this ceremonial recognition, not on funding or policy changes.
