The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (S 3293) allocates approximately $13.5 billion in federal funding for energy and water infrastructure programs for fiscal year 2026. The bill provides specific funding for Corps of Engineers civil works projects including flood control, river and harbor maintenance, and aquatic ecosystem restoration, as well as for Department of Energy programs focused on energy efficiency, nuclear energy, and grid infrastructure. It establishes the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program with $5 million allocated to support dam safety projects and levee maintenance for state and local entities. The bill includes detailed provisions governing how funds can be reprogrammed across different programs, with specific limits on reprogramming amounts for various categories. This funding bill directly affects federal agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Energy, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as well as state and local governments that receive federal funding for water infrastructure projects.
This bill increases tax credits for affordable housing developers who improve energy efficiency in existing buildings. It adds a 30% credit boost (to 130% of rehabilitation costs) for buildings meeting specific energy standards, either by adopting a government-determined advanced construction standard or using a certified retrofit plan that reduces energy use by 50% or more. Buildings in high-cost areas qualify for an additional 30% boost (to 160% of costs) if they meet these standards. The changes apply to housing credit allocations after December 31, 2025, with specific rules for bond-financed projects.
This bill creates a 33% refundable tax credit for flood insurance premiums paid by homeowners for their primary residences through the National Flood Insurance Program. It directly affects homeowners in flood-prone areas who purchase required flood insurance, with the credit phased out for higher-income households (above 350% of the federal poverty line). The credit reduces income tax liability and is refundable, meaning it can result in a cash payment even if no tax is owed. The bill also prevents deducting premiums covered by the credit and establishes advance payments through the IRS to provide upfront financial assistance.
HR 2097 creates a new federal tax credit allowing parents to claim up to $10,000 annually per child for qualified elementary and secondary education expenses at public, private, parochial, or religious schools. It covers tuition, required fees, specific technology, tutoring, disability services, and transportation to private schools, but excludes uniforms, athletics, or nonacademic fees. The credit phases out for households earning above $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (joint). This directly affects families paying for K-12 education, expanding tax relief beyond current education benefits. The policy change takes effect for tax years after the bill’s enactment.
HR 196, the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, rescinds unobligated funds previously allocated to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Specifically, it directs the cancellation of unused balances from six specific funding categories within the IRS's budget as of the bill's enactment date. This action reduces the IRS's available funding without creating new tax policies or altering taxpayer obligations. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on redirecting existing, unspent government funds rather than changing tax laws or affecting individual taxpayers directly.
S 3067, the Innovation Fund Act, establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help eligible cities, counties, and tribes increase local housing supply. The program provides annual grants (ranging from $250,000 to $10 million) to entities that have demonstrated improved housing supply growth, with priority given to innovative zoning reforms and initiatives that expand "attainable housing" (housing serving households at 60-120% of area median income). Grants can fund activities like revising parking requirements, eliminating restrictive zoning, streamlining permitting, and creating mixed-income developments. The bill authorizes $200 million annually (adjusted for inflation) for fiscal years 2027-2031 and explicitly states it does not override local zoning laws or affect existing housing program requirements.
This bill ensures military pay continues during budget gaps by temporarily appropriating Treasury funds for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects active-duty and reserve service members who perform active duty or training when regular appropriations haven't been enacted. The key provision authorizes using existing Treasury money to cover pay and allowances until Congress passes a full or continuing appropriation for military funding. It is a procedural measure to prevent pay delays during government funding lapses.
The RAISE Act of 2025 creates a refundable tax credit for K-12 teachers and early childhood educators based on their school's student poverty rate, with a base $1,000 credit plus potential additional amounts up to $14,000 for K-12 teachers and $9,000 for early childhood educators without bachelor's degrees. It also increases the deductible expense limit for teachers from $250 to $500 per year and establishes mandatory funding for school districts that maintain or increase teacher salaries, reserving 20% of funds over $2.2 billion for teacher salary incentive grants. The bill includes provisions to prevent employers from using the tax credit in collective bargaining or changing teacher assignments to avoid providing the credit. Eligibility requires specific teaching credentials and employment in qualifying schools with high poverty rates. These changes would apply to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.
This bill automatically prevents government shutdowns by funding federal programs at 94% of the previous fiscal year's level if Congress fails to pass a regular budget on time. For 90 days, funding starts at 94% and decreases by 1% every 90 days until a new budget is enacted, with special rules maintaining full funding for mandatory programs like food assistance. It applies to most government operations but excludes programs with specific legal requirements or those already funded by other laws. The bill ensures continuous service for agencies without requiring new congressional action during funding gaps.
This bill extends the federal tax deduction for film and television productions through 2030, replacing the previous 2025 expiration date. It increases the standard deduction limit from $15 million to $30 million per production and raises the special limit for projects in designated areas from $20 million to $40 million. The deduction amounts will automatically adjust for inflation after 2026 based on the Consumer Price Index. The policy directly affects producers of eligible U.S. film and television projects by providing extended tax benefits for qualifying productions commencing after enactment.
