This bill requires federal agencies to analyze indirect economic costs on small businesses when creating new rules, including costs affecting businesses that interact with regulated entities (like suppliers or partners). It creates a new process allowing small businesses to petition the Small Business Administration's Chief Counsel to review agency certifications claiming a rule won't significantly impact them. Agencies must then provide detailed cost analyses, publish guidance online for small business feedback, and face penalties if they fail to cooperate with reviews. The bill does not change existing regulations but adds new review steps for small business input.
This Senate resolution expresses the Senate's view that the United States should prioritize countering the People's Republic of China as its main strategic competitor. The document outlines specific policy directions, including strengthening military deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, protecting American economic interests from Chinese trade practices, and leading in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. It also calls for maintaining strong alliances with nations such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, while supporting democratic values and human rights globally.
The Davis-Bacon Repeal Act would eliminate federal wage requirements that currently mandate contractors on government-funded construction projects pay workers at least the prevailing local wage rate. By repealing the relevant section of the U.S. Code, the bill removes the legal basis for these minimum wage standards on future contracts. The law includes a transition period that protects existing contracts and those with outstanding bids for 30 days after enactment, ensuring no immediate disruption to ongoing projects. This change would directly affect construction firms and workers involved in federally funded building work by removing the obligation to adhere to specific local wage floors.
The PEAT Act of 2026 amends federal regulations to clarify how certain biologic drugs are classified for approval purposes. Specifically, it prevents the Food and Drug Administration from denying approval to a biologic product simply because it contains a protein that does not have a clinical effect. This change ensures that the presence of inactive proteins does not automatically disqualify a drug from being treated as a biological product. The legislation directly impacts pharmaceutical companies developing complex biologics and the regulatory review process for these medicines. By removing this specific barrier, the bill aims to streamline the path to market for drugs that include non-active protein components.
The GUARD Act requires companies that offer AI chatbots designed to simulate human friendship to verify the age of every user and block access for anyone under 18. To comply, these platforms must collect verifiable age data, clearly disclose that the chatbot is not a human, and ensure the AI does not claim to be a licensed professional like a therapist or doctor. The law also makes it a federal crime to design or distribute such chatbots that encourage minors to engage in sexually explicit acts or promote self-harm and violence, with penalties of up to $100,000 per violation.
This Senate resolution formally recognizes the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as National Small Business Week to honor the contributions of small business owners and entrepreneurs across the United States. The measure expresses appreciation for the economic role these businesses play and acknowledges the resilience of their owners and employees. By adopting this designation, the Senate aims to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit within every community without imposing any new laws or regulations.
This resolution designates the week of April 20 through 26, 2026, as National Dark Sky Week to highlight the importance of preserving the natural night sky. It encourages federal agencies, communities, and educators to promote awareness of dark sky preservation and its benefits for recreation, science, and wildlife. The bill also calls on individuals and organizations to adopt responsible lighting practices that reduce light pollution.
The Time for Completion Act requires colleges to publicly report how many students finish their degree programs within specific timeframes, such as the normal duration, 150 percent, 200 percent, and 300 percent of the expected length. This reporting applies to both short and long programs and must be broken down by student type, including whether they are first-time or returning students and whether they attend full-time or part-time. The law also updates federal financial aid regulations to ensure these completion rates are included in institutional data used for determining eligibility and funding. By mandating consistent and visible display of these statistics, the bill aims to provide prospective students and families with clearer information about graduation timelines at higher education institutions.
The STOP Act prohibits healthcare providers and others from performing gender transition procedures on minors under 18, with specific exceptions for treating disorders of sex development or addressing immediate physical dangers. This federal law defines "gender transition" broadly to include hormone treatments, surgeries, and puberty blockers, while imposing civil penalties of at least $100,000 for violations and allowing affected individuals to sue for damages. To support those seeking to reverse these procedures, the bill authorizes grants for nonprofit organizations to provide medical advice, mental health services, and educational assistance, while explicitly banning the use of these funds for gender transition treatments or most abortions.
This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 111 South Tremont Street in Tremonton, Utah, as the "Sorensen-Estrada Post Office".
This bill amends existing U.S. laws to require only foreign-owned companies registered in the United States to report beneficial ownership information, while exempting domestic U.S. entities from these filing requirements. Under the new rules, foreign corporations must disclose details about their owners, but any beneficial owners who are U.S. persons will not be required to provide this data. Additionally, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is directed to delete all previously collected ownership information related to U.S. persons while retaining records for non-U.S. individuals. The legislation effectively narrows the scope of the current reporting system to focus exclusively on foreign entities operating within the United States.
This bill allows states to charge fees to boat owners when issuing vessel registration numbers. The collected funds can be used for specific purposes such as search and rescue, boater safety programs, and efforts to control aquatic invasive species. States are permitted to collect these fees alongside other standard registration charges. The legislation also restricts how the money can be spent, ensuring it is only used for activities that directly benefit recreational boating and waterway safety.
