The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 restricts the importation, sale, and use of connected vehicles and related technology from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea to protect national security. Starting in 2027, the bill generally bans these vehicles if they originate from or are controlled by these countries, with separate restrictions on software and hardware taking effect in 2030. The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to issue specific exemptions for items that do not pose a security risk and must publish a list of approved products. The law also requires companies to submit declarations confirming their vehicles comply with the rules and imposes heavy fines for violations.
This bill creates a new funding stream for medium-sized cities with populations between 200,000 and 999,999 that operate public transit systems. It directs 1.5 percent of unallocated federal transit funds to these eligible areas based on how well their performance matches that of larger cities with over 1 million residents. To qualify, a city must meet or exceed the national average in at least one specific metric, such as passenger miles per vehicle or ridership per capita. The Department of Transportation will use existing data to calculate these rankings and distribute the money accordingly.
This bill exempts stinger-steered combinations transporting assembled highway vehicles from the requirement to display warning flags on projecting loads. It directly affects trucking companies that use this specific type of vehicle for moving vehicles like cars or buses. The legislation requires the Secretary of Transportation to update the relevant federal regulations to include this exemption without going through a formal public comment process.
The Caja del Rio Protection Act establishes two new protected areas in New Mexico: a Special Management Area within the Santa Fe National Forest and a National Conservation Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. These designations restrict new road construction, limit motorized vehicle use to designated routes, and withdraw the lands from mining, leasing, and other entry operations to preserve cultural, ecological, and traditional values. The bill mandates the creation of management plans developed through consultation with local governments and specific Native American tribes, while also allowing for potential land swaps between the federal government and the state. Additionally, the legislation protects tribal rights to conduct religious and cultural activities, including the gathering of plants and minerals, and ensures that sacred site information remains confidential.
The USTDA Modernization Act of 2026 updates the rules for the United States Trade and Development Agency to allow it to use up to 15% of its annual funds for projects in high-income countries that support U.S. economic and national security interests. This change expands the agency's scope beyond emerging markets to include activities in developed nations focused on energy, critical minerals, transportation, and telecommunications sectors. The bill also increases the number of senior officials the agency can appoint to five and grants the authority to hire personal services contractors without classifying them as federal employees. To ensure transparency regarding these new hiring practices, the agency director must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the number of contractors, their roles, and associated costs.
This bill, known as the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act, raises the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots from 65 to 67 years old. It allows airlines to voluntarily choose to keep a stricter limit of 70 years, but once they make that choice, they cannot lower it later. The law also ensures that pilots aged 60 and older must hold a specific type of medical certificate and prevents them from facing stricter medical checks solely because of their age, unless the Federal Aviation Administration determines it is necessary for safety. Additionally, the bill requires that any changes to pilot contracts or benefit plans needed to comply with these new age rules must be agreed upon by both the airline and the pilots' union representatives.
The Vehicle Innovation Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to consolidate its vehicle technology programs and fund research aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions across all vehicle types. This legislation authorizes over $1.7 billion in appropriations from 2027 to 2031 to support domestic development of advanced technologies, including electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, natural gas systems, and improved manufacturing processes. The bill mandates that these activities be conducted through partnerships with private industry, universities, and state governments, while requiring annual reports to Congress on progress and commercial adoption. Additionally, the act establishes specific programs to test heavy-duty truck technologies, explore secondary uses for vehicle batteries, and update existing federal authorities related to energy efficiency.
This bill directs the Department of Energy to expand research and development efforts focused on creating cleaner, more efficient, and domestically produced vehicle technologies. It establishes multiple new programs to investigate advanced materials, battery systems, electric drivetrains, and alternative fuels like hydrogen and synthetic fuels, with a specific emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and manufacturing costs. The legislation also mandates the creation of an advisory committee to oversee these initiatives, requires regular reporting on progress, and authorizes funding to establish educational centers for training future engineers in automotive technology.
This resolution expresses support for designating May 2026 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. It recognizes the role of motorcycles in transportation and highlights the importance of rider safety education, proper licensing, and wearing protective gear. The bill also encourages all road users to share the road safely with motorcyclists.
This bill expands existing federal laws to require greater transparency and reporting in the transportation fuel market, which includes gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and biofuels. It directs the Federal Trade Commission to create a new unit dedicated to monitoring crude oil and fuel markets for unfair practices, such as market manipulation or the reporting of false data. The legislation also mandates that the Department of Energy conduct detailed surveys of energy companies to collect and publish specific data on fuel buying, selling, storage, and pricing. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for violating these transparency rules from $1 million to $2 million and requires the FTC to report on its enforcement history.
