This bill creates a new tax incentive to encourage the construction and renovation of affordable housing near public transportation hubs. It directly affects developers and investors by increasing the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit for buildings located within half a mile of rail, bus, harbor, or waterway stations in high-density zones. The credit amount is boosted to 150% of the standard value, rising to 155% for projects in Hawaii, Alaska, or U.S. territories, with limits on how many areas can be designated in each region. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to study geographic cost-of-living differences and propose changes to how tax credit funds are distributed among states.
This bill requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct automated assessments of housing damage and economic recovery needs within 60 days of a major disaster declaration and every three months thereafter. Using existing federal data, the Secretary must identify specific shortages in affordable housing and infrastructure to determine how Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds can best address unmet needs. The results of this analysis must be reported to Congress to guide the allocation of disaster relief resources.
This bill establishes a five-year demonstration program to fund projects that improve mentorship practices for faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. It allows the National Science Foundation to award grants to universities and nonprofit organizations for initiatives focused on building mentoring skills, training cultural competencies, and researching better mentorship methods, with special priority given to minority-serving and rural institutions. Additionally, the legislation updates reporting requirements to include institutional processes for addressing harassment, discrimination, and professional misconduct. The program is authorized to receive up to $5 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with a requirement to report on its effectiveness after five years.
The Military Pension Protection Act changes federal tax rules to exclude military pensions from taxable income. This provision directly benefits active duty service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries by ensuring these payments are not counted as gross income for tax purposes. The bill achieves this by adding a new section to the Internal Revenue Code that specifically exempts government pensions earned through military service. These tax benefits will apply to any taxable year starting after the law is enacted.
The BLANKET Act creates a new federal grant program to help states and local governments expand emergency shelter capacity during severe weather events like heat waves, cold snaps, and storms. This initiative directly affects people experiencing homelessness by providing funding for temporary warming and cooling centers, hotel vouchers, and essential supplies such as generators and medical equipment. To receive these funds, eligible entities must submit applications detailing their specific needs and plans for coordinating with local emergency services, with $750 million authorized for each fiscal year from 2027 to 2029. The legislation also requires a report to Congress five years after enactment to evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing harm and strain on medical services.
The Complete America's Great Trails Act creates a new federal tax credit to encourage private landowners to donate land or conservation easements that include National Scenic Trails. This provision allows taxpayers to claim a credit equal to the fair market value of their donation, provided the land covers a trail corridor of at least 50 feet on each side, while also preventing them from taking a separate tax deduction for the same gift. The bill permits continued recreational or agricultural use of the donated land as long as it does not harm conservation goals. Additionally, the legislation requires the Secretary of the Interior to study the credit's effectiveness and report to Congress on whether it should be made refundable or transferable within four years.
The SNAP Fraud Reporting Act of 2026 requires state agencies to report specific data on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud to the federal government. States must submit information on open investigations, identified fraud cases, enforcement actions, and recoveries for the five most recent fiscal years within 180 days of the law's enactment. Additionally, states must provide annual updates on individuals disqualified for using deceased persons' identities or invalid social security numbers. If a state fails to submit this required data by the deadline, the federal government will withhold funding until the information is provided. The Secretary of Agriculture will compile these reports and make them publicly available to Congress and the public.
This bill, known as the Preventing Payouts for Insurrectionists Act, bars individuals convicted of specific crimes related to the January 6 Capitol attack or election interference from receiving future federal compensation. It also requires people who received such payments between January 20, 2025, and the date the law is enacted to return the money to the U.S. Treasury. State attorneys general are authorized to sue these individuals in federal court to enforce the repayment and collect an additional 25% penalty to cover legal costs. The rules apply to any claim filed on or after January 20, 2025, regardless of when the underlying incident occurred.
The CHEERS Act of 2026 allows restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues to depreciate energy-efficient draft alcohol equipment, such as stainless steel or aluminum beer taps, over a 15-year period instead of the standard schedule. This tax incentive applies to new equipment installed in U.S. businesses after December 31, 2025, aiming to encourage the adoption of more efficient alcohol distribution systems. The legislation also directs the Treasury Department to create rules covering how this benefit applies to businesses that rent or lease this specialized equipment.
The Protecting American Consumers Act establishes a minimum funding level for the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to ensure it has sufficient resources to operate. Specifically, the bill mandates that the federal government must transfer at least 12 percent of the Federal Reserve System's total operating expenses to the Bureau each fiscal year. This provision directly affects the Bureau's budget and its ability to enforce financial regulations on lenders and other entities that impact consumers. By setting a fixed floor for funding, the legislation aims to prevent the Bureau's budget from being reduced below this threshold in future years.
