This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' sense that the United States must permanently end the unhoused crisis by 2029 while protecting the civil and human rights of unhoused individuals. It calls for specific actions such as allocating billions of dollars in funding for affordable housing, expanding access to healthcare and food assistance, and removing barriers that prevent people with criminal records from receiving public services. The text also urges the government to decriminalize behaviors like sleeping in public or panhandling, prohibit discrimination based on housing status, and establish legal protections for those providing services to unhoused communities. Additionally, it requests the creation of more accurate methods for counting the unhoused population and mandates annual reports on law enforcement interactions with this population.
This bill, known as TREY's Law, aims to make nondisclosure clauses in contracts void and unenforceable if they prevent the reporting of sexual abuse involving minors. It directly affects victims of such abuse, their families, and anyone with knowledge of the abuse by allowing them to disclose these incidents without fear of civil liability. The law applies retroactively to agreements made before or after its passage and overrides any state laws that allow the enforcement of these specific clauses. While it invalidates clauses that silence abuse details, it permits parties to keep confidential other settlement terms like payment amounts, provided this does not stop the disclosure of the abuse itself.
The Public Safety UAS Readiness Act establishes a grant program to help fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and emergency medical services train their personnel on operating drones for public safety missions. Funded by up to $10 million annually from 2026 to 2029, these grants can be used to develop training curriculums, purchase compliant drones, and cover administrative costs related to the programs. Recipients must submit detailed plans outlining their safety protocols, risk management strategies, and data privacy measures, with a priority given to agencies in high-risk areas or underserved regions that currently lack drone training capacity. To ensure quality, the act requires that training materials be maintained by recognized nonprofit organizations and mandates annual reporting on the number of trained personnel and drone deployments to Congress.
The Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 creates a temporary United States Commission on Hate Crimes to investigate the causes of rising hate crimes and improve how they are reported. This 10-member commission will include representatives from law enforcement, civil rights organizations, and both major political parties, and it will meet for one year to study factors like social media influence and barriers to data collection. After its investigation, the commission must submit a report to Congress and the President with specific recommendations for federal agencies to enhance reporting accuracy and prevent bias-motivated violence. Additionally, the bill requires an independent audit by the Government Accountability Office to verify the accuracy of hate crime data currently collected by the FBI. The commission and the audit are designed to be temporary measures that end once their reports are delivered.
This resolution formally recognizes April 29, 2026, as Denim Day to honor survivors of sexual assault and raise awareness about the issue. It declares that clothing, appearance, or behavior never constitute consent and condemns victim-blaming. The measure expresses solidarity with survivors and calls on governments at all levels to strengthen policies and funding to prevent sexual violence and support those affected.
This bill proposes to remove the legal authority of the State of Kansas to prosecute crimes committed on Native American tribal lands within the state. By repealing a specific section of the U.S. Code, the legislation would transfer exclusive jurisdiction over these offenses to federal authorities and tribal governments. The change directly affects law enforcement agencies and individuals involved in legal proceedings concerning crimes occurring on reservations in Kansas.
This concurrent resolution formally acknowledges the importance of saving lives and reducing gun violence as the United States marks its 250th anniversary in 2026. It does not change any laws but instead expresses Congress's commitment to public safety and honors those affected by gun violence. The document highlights support for community-based violence intervention, improved law enforcement data collection, and expanded victim services. By recognizing these issues, the resolution aims to encourage continued efforts to protect communities and strengthen public safety nationwide.
The AVERT Future Violence Act of 2026 directs the Attorney General to conduct a study analyzing the link between animal cruelty and future human violence, with the goal of developing evidence-based prevention strategies. To support this research, the bill authorizes $2 million in funding for a grant program that helps states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations create early intervention resources and training for law enforcement and mental health professionals. These grants can be used to build specialized units, improve data tracking systems, and provide behavioral health treatment for individuals who have committed animal cruelty offenses. The legislation also defines specific acts of animal cruelty while excluding standard veterinary care, hunting, and necessary pest control from its scope.
The Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act makes it a federal crime to assault or interfere with employees working on or around passenger trains, including engineers, conductors, and station staff. This law prohibits actions that hinder crew members from doing their jobs or reduce their ability to perform safety-sensitive duties. Penalties range from fines and up to six months in jail for minor offenses to up to 20 years in prison if the assault involves a weapon, intent to commit murder, or results in serious bodily injury. The bill directly affects anyone onboard a train or at a station serving passenger rail lines by establishing specific legal consequences for such interference.
The COOL IT Act requires immigration officers to complete an annual, scenario-based training curriculum focused on skills like de-escalation, community relations, and officer safety. This mandatory training, which must be developed by the Department of Homeland Security within 90 days, applies to federal immigration officers and state officers participating in federal immigration enforcement programs. Additionally, the bill mandates that all immigration officers finish at least 67 days of training before they can begin enforcing immigration laws. The legislation also directs the Department of Homeland Security to consult with law enforcement and community groups while submitting a report to Congress on the training's benefits and implementation challenges within 180 days.
