The Next Generation Shipping Act establishes a $10 billion federal program to fund the research, development, and deployment of zero-emission vessels and clean alternative fuel technologies for the maritime industry. Administered by the Department of Transportation, the program provides grants, low-interest loans, and loan guarantees to eligible entities such as ship owners, manufacturers, and port authorities, while explicitly prohibiting funding for automated vessel systems. The legislation also creates an advisory committee composed of representatives from labor, academia, environmental groups, and industry to guide the program and ensure it addresses technology gaps and environmental justice concerns. Additionally, the act mandates that projects receiving funding utilize prevailing wage standards and encourages the use of community benefits agreements to support local workforces and communities.
This bill, the Remote Control Locomotives Safety Improvement Act of 2026, prohibits railroads from operating trains on main lines or outside rail yards using remote control locomotives without a human engineer physically present in the lead locomotive's cab. It mandates that any train moving on a main line must be led by a certified engineer inside the cab and explicitly excludes remote control operators from performing these duties. To enforce these rules, the Federal Railroad Administration must conduct mandatory audits of Class I railroads within 180 days and perform unscheduled inspections of other carriers within a year, while violations can result in civil penalties of up to one percent of annual income or $1 million per day.
The Piers Reinvestment Act expands federal funding opportunities for local governments to strengthen, upgrade, or improve municipal piers. It achieves this by adding piers to the list of eligible projects for resilience improvement grants and including them in at-risk coastal infrastructure grants. Additionally, the bill increases the total funding available for these coastal projects from $300 million to $500 million. This legislation directly affects municipalities and coastal communities that rely on piers for transportation, fishing, or tourism.
The Semiconductor Superiority Act expands tax incentives for building semiconductor manufacturing facilities in outer space, including low-Earth orbit. It modifies existing federal tax credits to allow equipment used for transporting crew or supplies, as well as property located in space, to count toward these financial benefits. The bill also clarifies that functions like flight control and crew habitation are considered part of the manufacturing process for these orbital facilities. This legislation applies only to new facilities and equipment placed in service after the law is enacted.
The Next Generation Shipping Act establishes a $10 billion funding program over ten years to support the development and deployment of zero-emission vessels and clean alternative fuel technologies. Administered by the Department of Transportation, the program provides grants, low-interest loans, and loan guarantees to eligible entities such as shipowners, manufacturers, and port authorities, while explicitly prohibiting the use of funds for automated vessel systems. To guide these efforts, the bill creates an advisory committee representing diverse stakeholders including labor groups, environmental organizations, and industry leaders to evaluate technologies and identify gaps. Additionally, the legislation mandates that funded projects prioritize workforce training, community benefits, and environmental justice, ensuring that laborers receive prevailing wages and that local communities are engaged throughout the project lifecycle.
The Save Our Pedestrians Act of 2026 requires states to use 5 percent of their federal highway safety funds to improve safety at high-risk pedestrian crossings. These crossings are defined as locations where local governments and state officials identify a high frequency of injuries or deaths involving pedestrians and vehicles. The law directly affects state transportation agencies and local communities by mandating that these specific funds be spent on projects designed to reduce pedestrian accidents. By setting aside a dedicated portion of the budget, the bill ensures that resources are targeted toward areas with the greatest need for safety improvements.
The Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2026 updates the Air Carrier Access Act to strengthen protections for individuals with disabilities who travel by air. It directly affects passengers with disabilities, service animal handlers, and air carriers by establishing new rules for handling specific violations. The bill allows aggrieved passengers to file civil lawsuits in federal court without first exhausting administrative remedies and permits courts to award compensatory and punitive damages. Additionally, it mandates that the Department of Transportation refer cases involving patterns of discrimination to the Attorney General for further legal action.
The Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026 extends and expands a federal program that reimburses states for conducting aviation security background checks. The bill directly affects federal and state agencies responsible for vetting airline employees by allowing the program to operate through fiscal year 2031 instead of ending in 2026. Additionally, it increases the maximum number of reimbursable screening services that can be provided annually from eight to 14. This legislation aims to maintain and slightly increase the capacity for background investigations without changing the underlying requirements for who must be screened.
The Allied Partnership and Port Modernization Act allows vessels owned by NATO member countries to perform dredging work in U.S. navigable waters. To qualify, these ships must be built in a NATO or major non-NATO ally nation and be owned and operated by entities incorporated in a NATO member country. The bill also removes existing transportation requirements for the material removed during this dredging process. These changes aim to expand opportunities for allied nations to participate in U.S. port maintenance while simplifying logistics for the dredged material.
Tristan's Law aims to improve the safety of children near frozen dessert trucks by directing federal funding to states that adopt specific safety measures. The bill requires these trucks to be equipped with flashing red signal lamps, a stop signal arm with "STOP IF SAFE THEN GO" signage, a front convex mirror, and a reflective crossing arm to alert drivers. Additionally, it mandates that drivers come to a complete stop before passing a stationary dessert truck and directs the federal government to conduct a study on pedestrian injuries related to these vehicles. States that implement these regulations will receive grants to help enforce the new safety standards starting in fiscal year 2026.
