Virginia General Assembly

Lulu’s Law (S 1003) requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue a rule within 180 days of enactment allowing wireless emergency alerts for shark attacks. This change would add shark attacks to the list of events covered by the existing wireless alert system, which currently includes threats like severe weather and Amber Alerts. The bill directly affects coastal communities, beachgoers, and local emergency management agencies in areas with shark activity. The policy is a technical update to the alert system's scope, not a new program or mandate for sending alerts.

HR 3490, the Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025, requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study federal health benefits coverage for esophageal cancer. Specifically, the GAO must report on healthcare spending for federal employees and retirees diagnosed with esophageal cancer and how often high-risk individuals under this program undergo recommended screenings. The bill targets federal employees and retirees covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program who meet specific risk factors (such as age 50+, smoking history, or GERD). It does not create new programs but mandates a study to assess current screening practices and costs. The goal is to inform future policy based on data about screening adherence and healthcare impacts.

Medal of Sacrifice Act of 2025 This act directs the President to issue a medal of sacrifice for eligible law enforcement officers and first responders who are killed in the line of duty. The act also directs the President to establish a commission on the medal of sacrifice and appoint its members. The act sets forth responsibilities of the commission, including to advise on the design of the medal and determine how the medal will be presented. Under the act, eligible law enforcement officers and first responders include federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial law enforcement officers or first responders who are not subject to an official act of wrongdoing (e.g., a determination that the officer or first responder acted outside the scope of their duties or in a manner that was not in accordance with official policies or procedures). A law enforcement officer or first responder who is subject to an official act of wrongdoing is generally not eligible for the medal of sacrifice. However, in the case of such an officer or first responder, the act requires the commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the officer or first responder's cause of death and issue a final determination on their eligibility.

The Investing in All of America Act of 2025 amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to adjust leverage rules for Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), which provide capital to small businesses. It lowers the maximum allowable leverage ratio from 300% to 200% and expands eligible investments to include companies in rural areas, critical technology sectors, and small manufacturers. The bill caps excluded leverage at $125 million or 50% of a company’s private capital, whichever is lower, and requires annual inflation adjustments to these dollar amounts. These changes directly affect SBICs, private investment firms that support small business growth nationwide.

This act extends the authorities of Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until June 12, 2026. Title VII of FISA generally addresses electronic surveillance and other methods of acquiring foreign intelligence information that are directed at targets outside the United States. Title VII includes surveillance under Section 702, which concerns acquiring communications of non-U.S. persons believed to be outside the United States to obtain foreign intelligence information. Information about U.S. persons may incidentally be acquired by this type of surveillance and subsequently queried (searched) under certain circumstances. For additional information see CRS In Focus, IF11451 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) ; and CRS Report, R48592 FISA Section 702 and the 2024 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act .