The Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act of 2026 creates a certification program for employers in industries with high human trafficking prevalence, allowing them to earn recognition after providing employee training on identifying and responding to human trafficking. Employers must apply annually between January 31 and April 30, detailing their training efforts, and the Secretary of Homeland Security will issue a one-year certificate to qualifying employers. The program prohibits false displays of certification, mandates annual reports to Congress on participation and costs, and authorizes application fees to cover administrative expenses.
HR 7460, the Airborne Act of 2026, creates a new tax credit for property owners to improve indoor air quality in commercial, public, and nonprofit buildings. It provides tax credits of $1 per square foot for air quality assessments, $5 per square foot for air cleaning system upgrades, and $50 per square foot for HVAC upgrades, with higher rates ($25/$250) if projects meet prevailing wage and 15% apprentice labor requirements. The credit applies only to properties meeting ASHRAE air quality standards (62.1-2022 or 241-2023) and requires certification by the Department of Energy. Property owners can claim the credit against federal taxes, with annual limits capping upgrade credits at 50% of related costs.
This bill, S 879 (Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act), supports family caregivers who provide personal care for veterans. It extends medical coverage for 180 days after a caregiver stops providing services (unless dismissed for misconduct), provides up to $1,000 for certification fees, free training modules, and access to employment programs like Military OneSource, and adds bereavement counseling after a veteran's death. The bill also requires studies on returnship programs for caregivers returning to work and barriers to hiring former caregivers at VA facilities. It mandates reports to Congress on retirement savings options and VA efforts to assist caregivers transitioning out of caregiving roles.
This bill expands 529 college savings account flexibility by allowing funds to cover costs for industry-recognized postsecondary credentials, not just traditional degrees. It defines "qualified expenses" to include tuition/fees for recognized credential programs (like certifications or apprenticeships), required testing fees, and continuing education needed to maintain credentials. To qualify, programs must meet specific criteria, such as appearing on state lists under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or being listed in VA or Defense directories. The change applies to 529 distributions made after the law's enactment, giving families more options to use these accounts for job-focused training.
HR 7179, the Historic Infrastructure Management and Jobs Training Act, creates a competitive grant program to fund workforce training in historic preservation. The program provides grants to states, tribes, nonprofits, and educational institutions for projects developing specialized skills like historic masonry, timber framing, and archival conservation for preserving culturally significant properties. Priority is given to projects serving high-unemployment areas and underserved communities, with grantees required to track participants and certification completions. The bill directly supports workers entering preservation trades and organizations managing historic resources.
This bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report within 180 days of enactment, analyzing how Coast Guard personnel skills (like engineering and navigation) can transfer to the dredging industry. The report must include a plan to connect separating or retiring Coast Guard members with dredging jobs, evaluate certification programs for their skills, and detail coordination with agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers. It directly affects Coast Guard personnel seeking transition opportunities and the dredging industry, which maintains critical waterways for national security. The bill focuses on creating pathways for veteran employment through skill recognition and industry partnerships, without establishing new regulations.
This bill requires government contractors to report human trafficking incidents during contract performance and submit remedial action plans. It mandates Inspector General investigations when such reports are filed and allows contracting officials to suspend payments until corrective actions are taken. The law directly affects contractors working with agencies like Defense, State, and Homeland Security, imposing new reporting and accountability steps. Additionally, it directs the Office of Management and Budget to assess improvements to anti-trafficking compliance systems within 18 months.
HR 3646, the Guam Temporary Workforce Act, requires employers in Guam seeking H-2B temporary foreign workers to first obtain a labor certification from the Governor of Guam before filing with U.S. immigration authorities. This certification must confirm that no U.S. workers are available for the position at fair wages and working conditions, and that the employer has a qualifying need (like seasonal or peak demand). The bill directly affects Guam-based employers hiring temporary foreign workers under the H-2B visa program. Approved Guam labor certifications are valid for one year and can only be invalidated for fraud or misconduct, streamlining the visa process for eligible employers.
The Credit for Caring Act of 2025 creates a federal tax credit for family caregivers of elderly or disabled relatives. It allows eligible caregivers (with over $7,500 in earned income) to claim a credit equal to 30% of qualified caregiving expenses exceeding $2,000, capped at $5,000 per year. Qualified expenses include human assistance, home modifications, respite care, counseling, lost wages for unpaid time off, and transportation, all requiring certification from a licensed healthcare provider that the care recipient has long-term needs. The credit phases out for higher earners (over $75,000 single/$150,000 joint) and requires documentation of expenses and care recipient certification.
The AVIATE Act of 2025 expands veterans' vocational rehabilitation benefits by allowing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve non-degree flight training courses for veterans with service-connected disabilities. It amends Title 38, U.S. Code, to specifically permit flight training not leading to a college degree (e.g., pilot certification programs) as part of rehabilitation plans, overriding prior restrictions. This directly affects veterans seeking aviation careers through VA vocational programs, removing barriers to pursuing flight training as a standalone vocational path. The policy change applies to rehabilitation programs approved on or after August 1, 2025.