The Quantum Benchmark Act requires the Secretary of Defense to issue a policy within 180 days that defines quantum computing systems and establishes a process for validating them before development or acquisition. This policy must align with existing efforts by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to ensure consistent standards across the department. Once the policy is in place, no element of the Department of Defense may develop or acquire a quantum computing system unless it has passed these validation checks. The Secretary retains the authority to waive this requirement on a case-by-case basis but must notify congressional defense committees and provide a written justification within 15 days of issuing any waiver.
The Aid and Attendance Assistance for Veterans Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to launch a pilot program that contracts with qualified organizations to help veterans and surviving spouses prepare applications for non-service-connected pension benefits, including aid and attendance allowances. These partner organizations would provide services such as eligibility screening, documentation collection, and application packaging to ensure claims are complete before submission to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill sets strict qualification standards for participating groups, requiring at least five years of continuous operation, a track record of over 10,000 approved claims, and prohibitions on charging claimants fees or engaging in certain financial planning activities. The pilot is subject to performance evaluations that compare processing times, approval rates, and Medicaid usage against standard claims, with the authority to operate expiring on December 31, 2031.
The Small Business Audit Correction Act of 2026 amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to exempt small, privately held, non-carrying brokers and dealers from mandatory audits by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). To qualify for this exemption, a firm must meet specific criteria, including having no more than 150 registered persons, not holding customer funds or securities, and maintaining a clean regulatory record over the past ten years. The bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to update its regulations within 180 days of enactment so that these firms can satisfy their annual audit obligations using generally accepted auditing standards instead of PCAOB oversight.
The License to Drill Act amends the Mineral Leasing Act to extend the expiration date of a specific fee provision from 2026 to 2037. It requires the Bureau of Land Management to transfer all oil and gas permit processing fees collected between fiscal years 2027 and 2037 into a dedicated fund for improving permit processing. This change directly affects the BLM by altering how revenue from drilling permits is managed and retained over a ten-year period.
This bill directs the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study for establishing Washington's Trail - 1753 as a National Historic Trail. The proposed trail would follow the historic route taken by George Washington in 1753, stretching approximately 500 miles from Williamsburg, Virginia, to Fort LeBoeuf in Pennsylvania. By amending the National Trails System Act, the legislation authorizes an official evaluation to determine if the trail meets the criteria for designation. This process involves assessing the trail's historical significance and potential for public access without yet committing to its final creation.
This bill establishes the Endless Mountains National Heritage Area in Pennsylvania, covering Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties, with potential expansion based on a future feasibility study. The Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc. will serve as the local coordinating entity responsible for managing the area and submitting a management plan to the Secretary of the Interior within three years of enactment. Federal assistance for the heritage area will be authorized for a period of 15 years from the date the bill becomes law, after which the Secretary's authority to provide funding will end.
This bill reauthorizes the Cooperative Watershed Management Program through fiscal year 2031, providing $40 million annually to support collaborative watershed projects. The program directly affects land management agencies, local communities, and Indian tribes by expanding eligibility criteria and increasing grant funding amounts to $150,000 per year for a minimum of three years. Key changes include adding Indian tribes as eligible participants, allowing multiple grant applications per year, and permitting grant extensions for successful projects. The legislation also clarifies what types of technical assistance are covered under the program and requires regular availability of funding opportunities.
This bill, known as the Dakota Water Resources Act Amendments of 2026, authorizes additional funding for water supply projects in North Dakota, including those for Tribal, municipal, rural, and industrial communities. It allocates specific amounts to complete several infrastructure projects, such as the Northwest Area Water Supply Biota Water Treatment Plant, the McClusky Canal, and various rural water distribution systems on Indian reservations. The legislation also establishes a mechanism to transfer funds between projects with a 50 percent increase limit per project and requires final engineering reports to be completed within two years of enactment. Additionally, the bill updates cost indexing provisions to adjust funding amounts based on construction cost fluctuations and modifies a natural resources trust fund to include new project categories.
This bill establishes the Water Project Navigators Program under the Department of the Interior to help communities develop multi-benefit water projects. It provides federal grants to eligible entities (such as states, tribes, rural communities, and nonprofits) to fund "navigators" who assist with planning, grant writing, and technical support for projects that address water supply challenges while benefiting ecosystems. The program prioritizes disadvantaged communities, Tribal nations, and rural areas with limited capacity, requiring navigators to focus on projects that enhance climate resilience, improve water access, and protect natural ecosystems. Funding of $15 million annually (2027-2032) supports these efforts, with a 75% federal cost share and flexibility to waive local contributions for qualifying entities.
This bill authorizes federal funding to support water storage projects in western states (Reclamation States) to improve water security. It creates two main programs: one for small surface and groundwater storage projects (200-30,000 acre-feet for surface, 200-150,000 acre-feet for groundwater) and another for "natural" projects using natural methods like aquifer recharge ($15 million annually for 2027-2031). Eligible applicants include states, tribes, water districts, and local entities, with projects requiring Federal cost-sharing up to 90%. Funding must be distributed across multiple Reclamation States, and the bill explicitly states it doesn’t override state water rights or laws.
The MORE WATER Act reauthorizes and expands federal water recycling and reuse programs while establishing a new Water Conveyance Improvement Program to fund water infrastructure projects. It authorizes $450 million for water recycling projects and $500 million for conveyance projects from 2028-2032, with specific requirements for multi-benefit projects. The bill mandates that at least 50% of conveyance projects must provide environmental benefits or safe drinking water for low-income communities, with 50% of multi-benefit projects specifically providing each type of benefit. It requires projects to include specific water quality and environmental protections, including benefits for endangered species and low-income communities. The legislation aims to improve water infrastructure while ensuring projects address both community needs and environmental conservation.
This bill authorizes a feasibility study to assess constructing a regional water supply project for municipal, rural, and industrial use across South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota. The study, to be conducted by the Secretary of the Interior in partnership with the Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System, must follow federal reclamation standards and is limited to a $10 million federal cost (capping at 50% of total study expenses). The study must be completed within 10 years of the bill's enactment. It directly affects communities in the four specified states that could potentially benefit from the project if the study concludes it is feasible.
