The Sanctuary City Elimination Act defines "sanctuary jurisdictions" as states or local areas that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities, such as refusing to share immigration data or honor detention requests. If a jurisdiction is classified as a sanctuary, the bill prohibits it from receiving various federal grants, including funding for education, environmental protection, economic development, and community housing projects. The legislation also provides a legal mechanism allowing state attorneys general to sue in federal court to recover these funds if a sanctuary jurisdiction releases an immigrant who subsequently commits a crime in another state. Additionally, the bill grants local law enforcement the authority to act as federal agents when complying with immigration detainers and offers them immunity from liability in lawsuits related to those actions.
This joint resolution seeks to officially disapprove a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants. If passed, the measure would prevent the EPA's proposed repeal of existing national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants from taking effect. The legislation directly impacts the EPA and the electric utility industry by maintaining current regulatory requirements for these power generation units. It operates as a legislative veto, allowing Congress to reject a federal agency's rule without passing new laws.
This bill, known as the PFAS Cleanup Act, aims to address the health and economic costs of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances by introducing two main financial mechanisms. First, it imposes a 45% excise tax on the sale of PFAS chemicals by manufacturers, producers, and importers starting in 2027. Second, it creates a tax credit for public water systems that spend money removing PFAS from drinking water when contamination levels exceed EPA safety limits. The revenue from the tax is intended to help fund cleanup efforts, while the credit encourages water providers to remediate hazardous pollution.
The Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026 prevents the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from finalizing or enforcing a specific proposed rule regarding heat injury prevention in workplaces. This legislation directly affects the Department of Labor and businesses by blocking the implementation of detailed requirements such as mandatory rest breaks and written safety plans. The bill argues that these specific rules are too burdensome and fail to account for unique industry and geographic conditions. By stopping this rule, the act leaves the proposed heat safety standards in a suspended state without changing existing regulations.
The TREE Act prohibits the import and sale in the U.S. of goods linked to deforestation, starting in 2029, and directly affects companies that trade or sell commodities like cattle, soy, palm oil, and wood. To enforce this ban, the bill requires importers to submit detailed due diligence statements proving their products are deforestation-free, while also mandating increased customs inspections for goods from countries categorized as high or moderate risk. The U.S. Trade Representative will annually assess and rank countries based on their deforestation rates and environmental laws, with higher-risk nations facing stricter scrutiny and potential trade restrictions. Additionally, the law establishes civil penalties for violations and directs half of the collected fines toward providing financial assistance to developing countries for forest management.
The Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 prohibits individuals and organizations from filing lawsuits or seeking damages against energy companies for alleged harms caused by climate change or greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation declares that regulating emissions is exclusively a federal responsibility and voids any state laws that attempt to hold energy businesses liable for past or future environmental damage. Consequently, the bill bars courts from hearing these cases and requires any pending lawsuits of this nature to be immediately dismissed. By defining "climate suits" broadly to include claims based on marketing or warnings, the law aims to prevent states from imposing financial penalties on the energy sector.
The Sound Science Act of 2026 modifies the Toxic Substances Control Act to update how the Environmental Protection Agency evaluates and regulates chemical substances. The bill requires the use of technically feasible testing methods and mandates that risk assessments consider existing safety standards from other federal agencies like OSHA. It also introduces stricter scientific review processes, including mandatory in-person peer reviews and a requirement to consult with industry experts when setting worker protection rules. Additionally, the legislation ensures that agencies must consider relevant international test guidelines and provides specific timelines for interagency feedback on draft evaluations. These changes aim to standardize scientific practices and improve the consistency of federal chemical risk management.
The Southeast New England Program Authorization Act of 2026 creates a new grant program within the Environmental Protection Agency to support water quality and ecosystem projects in the coastal watersheds of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. This initiative allows eligible recipients, including state and local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and universities, to receive funding for activities such as reducing pollution, restoring habitats, and improving stormwater management. The bill authorizes up to $30 million annually from 2027 to 2031 for these projects, with a maximum federal share of 75 percent and specific limits on funds used for technical assistance and administrative costs. Additionally, the act requires the EPA Administrator to coordinate federal agency efforts and provide necessary staff to implement the program effectively.
This joint resolution seeks to officially disapprove a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding PFAS chemical reporting. The bill directly affects the EPA by declaring the rule invalid and preventing it from taking legal effect. It aims to stop the agency from changing the timeline for when businesses must submit data about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. If passed, the EPA would be unable to enforce the modified submission period outlined in the original regulation.
This resolution condemns state policies that limit domestic oil production and refining capacity, arguing that such restrictions raise gasoline prices and harm national security. It specifically cites states like California as examples where these regulations have led to higher fuel costs for consumers and increased expenses for the Department of Defense. The text warns against similar federal restrictions and encourages policies that support domestic energy development to ensure affordable fuel for American families and military readiness.
