The Drone Safety Statement Modernization Act requires manufacturers of small unmanned aircraft systems to provide a safety statement to operators at the time they first activate their drones. Operators must electronically acknowledge that they have read and understood this document, which covers applicable laws, airspace restrictions, and potential penalties for unsafe operation. The Federal Aviation Administration is tasked with developing these requirements and issuing an example statement within 120 days of enactment. The FAA must also review and update the safety statement requirements annually to ensure they remain current.
The Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act restructures the appointment processes for the heads of the Library of Congress and the Government Publishing Office (GPO) by shifting authority from presidential nomination to a congressional commission composed of House and Senate leadership. This bill also formally separates the Copyright Office from the Library of Congress, granting the Register of Copyrights independent authority over copyright administration and establishing a dedicated Inspector General for that office. Additionally, it creates new Deputy positions for both the Librarian and the GPO Director to ensure continuity of operations and updates personnel rules to apply merit-based hiring standards to GPO employees.
The PRO-WORK Act would prohibit employers from receiving federal funds during any period they lock out their employees, as well as for an additional period equal in length to the lockout or one year if a prior lockout occurred. Additionally, the bill denies tax credits to corporations that engage in employee lockouts, with the penalty becoming more severe if the company has locked out workers before within the same tax year. These restrictions would take effect on January 1, 2026, and require employers who violate the funding ban to reimburse the federal government for any improperly used money.
H.R. 1486 is a resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to impeach President Donald Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors. The bill alleges that the President violated his constitutional oath by transforming federal immigration agencies into unaccountable paramilitary forces that commit unjustified killings, cover up misconduct, and terrorize communities. Key provisions cite specific incidents involving the deaths of civilians and the obstruction of state and local investigations as evidence of these abuses. If passed, the resolution would formally exhibit articles of impeachment to the Senate for a subsequent trial.
The Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026 transfers ownership of the Crossett Experimental Forest in Arkansas from the federal government to the state of Arkansas. The transfer is contingent on the state submitting a written request within 180 days and covering all administrative costs associated with the deed. Upon receiving the land, the state must designate it as the Crossett State Forest and maintain its historic mission of supporting research, education, and demonstration activities in coordination with local universities. If the state fails to manage or use the forest according to these requirements, the federal government retains the right to reclaim ownership after a 180-day correction period.
This joint resolution seeks to formally disapprove a federal rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The rule in question aims to remove the legal definition of "harm" from the Endangered Species Act, a change that could alter how agencies regulate activities affecting protected species. If passed, the resolution would prevent the new rule from taking effect, thereby keeping the existing definition of harm in place. The measure directly impacts federal conservation efforts and the regulatory framework governing endangered species.
This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies for three proposed water supply projects in the Dakotas, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. The legislation requires the federal government to work with specific regional water entities to evaluate whether these projects should be built and to determine the appropriate financial contributions from non-federal sources, which must be at least 25 percent of total costs. To fund these initial studies, the bill authorizes up to $10 million for each project, with the federal share of study expenses capped at 50 percent. The authority to carry out these studies expires ten years after the bill is enacted, and the resulting reports will be submitted to Congress and made public.
The Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative through fiscal year 2031. This program, managed by the U.S. Geological Survey, will support the collection and analysis of subsurface data using advanced technologies like modern sensing and digital geochemistry to map critical minerals and geothermal resources. The bill also updates the initiative's scope to include the 3D Hydrography Program and allocates $84 million for operations between 2027 and 2031.
This bill updates federal regulations to allow for the targeted removal of sea lions and harbor seals in Washington and Oregon to protect endangered salmon and steelhead. It creates a new program to fund and develop technology that physically blocks these marine mammals from entering critical fish habitats while ensuring navigation remains unimpeded. The legislation also establishes a specific permitting process that allows state agencies and federally recognized tribes to carry out humane lethal removals of these animals under strict oversight. A key provision requires the government to review and potentially end this lethal removal authority after five years if the Secretary determines it is no longer necessary for fish recovery. Additionally, the bill mandates regular reports to Congress on sea lion populations and their impact on fish species, along with a long-term study on the effectiveness of these management actions.
The Common Sense 250 Act of 2026 approves the location for a commemorative work honoring Thomas Paine within a specific designated area in Washington, D.C. This legislation overrides previous requirements to allow the project to proceed in Area I, as defined by a 2003 map of commemorative zones in the capital. The bill directly impacts the planning and placement of this memorial by confirming its site without altering other aspects of the Commemorative Works Act.
The Quiet Skies Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to create new regulations banning voice calls on cell phones in the United States. This rule must be finalized within 180 days of the law's enactment and will apply to all air travelers. The bill aims to reduce noise on airplanes by prohibiting passengers from making or receiving phone calls while in flight.
This bill, known as the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress Sunset Act, officially ends the existence of the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress by removing its legal authority from federal statutes. To ensure the continued care of congressional documents, the law requires the Director of the Center for Legislative Archives to submit annual reports on record management to various congressional leaders and the National Archives. Additionally, it mandates that the Archivist, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Clerk of the House meet regularly to review how these records are being preserved and managed.
