This bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to maintain a genetically diverse herd of at least 150 wild horses in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Secretary must develop a management plan within 120 days of the bill's enactment, focused on cost-effective horse management that protects park resources. It prohibits removing horses from the park except to maintain genetic diversity, in emergencies, or to protect public health and safety. The Secretary must also annually monitor and publicly report on the herd's population, structure, and health.
The Data Center Fair Share Act requires electric utilities to ensure that large commercial customers, defined as those with a peak demand of 100 megawatts or more at a single site, pay the full incremental costs for any power grid upgrades needed to serve them. This obligation applies even if the customer later cancels their contract or stops purchasing electricity from the utility. The bill mandates that state regulatory authorities and nonregulated utilities begin considering these new standards within one year of enactment and complete the process within two years. States that fail to implement these federal requirements will face a penalty where 100 percent of their apportioned federal highway funds are withheld starting in the first fiscal year after the deadline passes.
The Responsible Data Center Siting Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of Energy to create and publish best practices for selecting locations for new data centers. These guidelines must evaluate how proposed sites affect electricity prices, water availability, air quality, local communities, national security, and regional economies. The Department of Energy is required to release these initial recommendations within one year of the bill's passage and update them at least every two years thereafter.
This bill limits the amount of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits available for flight training at public colleges and universities. It sets a $100,000 maximum total benefit for such training (adjusted annually for inflation), affecting veterans pursuing flight programs at public institutions. The inflation adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index, increasing the cap each year based on prior cost-of-living changes. The limit applies only to veterans starting flight training on or after August 1, 2026. This is a direct change to benefit eligibility under the VA's education program.
HR 5267, the American Franchise Act, clarifies when franchisors can be considered joint employers of franchisee employees under federal labor laws. It defines "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential employment terms like wages, benefits, hours, hiring, and discipline - requiring franchisors to actively set these terms to be deemed joint employers. The bill explicitly excludes routine brand standards, training, or minimal safety requirements from constituting such control. This directly affects franchisors and franchisees by limiting joint employer liability to cases where franchisors exert significant, ongoing influence over core employment decisions. The law applies prospectively to new cases after enactment, not past disputes.
This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to clarify that direct sellers and qualified real estate agents (as defined under IRS rules) are not considered "employees" under federal labor law. It directly affects these workers by excluding them from FLSA protections like minimum wage and overtime pay. The key provision inserts a new definition into the law, changing how these professions are classified for labor rights purposes. This is a technical definitional change, not a new policy or program.
This House resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first admission of women to the United States service academies in 1976. It specifically honors the pioneering female cadets and midshipmen of the Class of 1980 who entered West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy. The bill recognizes the challenges these early women faced and their role in establishing gender integration within military training institutions. Additionally, it encourages the service academies to continue documenting and preserving the history of women's leadership in the Armed Forces.
This House resolution marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by formally honoring the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims and recognizing the sacrifices made by first responders, military personnel, and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The bill acknowledges the ongoing health challenges faced by survivors and responders, highlighting the role of the World Trade Center Health Program in providing long-term medical support. It also credits charitable organizations and community groups that have continued to assist victims' families and veterans over the past two decades. Finally, the resolution urges the American public to observe the anniversary with ceremonies and reaffirms Congress's commitment to remembering the events and lessons of that day.
The El Salvador TPS Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to individuals from El Salvador. This designation would remain in effect until a date 18 months after September 9, 2026. The bill directly affects eligible residents of El Salvador by providing them with legal protection and work authorization during this specified period.
The 9-8-8 Call Center Improvement Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to new or existing crisis call centers that serve regional or local communities. These funds are intended to help centers purchase or upgrade technology, train staff, improve daily operations, and hire additional personnel. The bill authorizes $441 million in appropriations for fiscal year 2027 to support these efforts, with the money remaining available until it is fully spent.
The JARED Act requires individuals who act on behalf of the federal government in foreign political activities without a formal employment contract to obtain security clearances and file annual financial disclosure forms with the Office of Government Ethics. These uncontracted representatives are prohibited from negotiating agreements or accepting deals that directly benefit themselves, their families, or associated organizations from the foreign governments they engage with. The Office of Government Ethics must publish quarterly public reports detailing these disclosures and any violations found. Penalties for non-compliance include removal from the role, loss of security clearance, civil lawsuits, and potential imprisonment for knowingly engaging in prohibited financial negotiations.
The No Pardon Paydays Act of 2026 requires the Pardon Attorney to submit a detailed written analysis to Congress within 30 days of any presidential pardon. This report must include the recipient's full criminal history and an assessment of their risk for reoffending or posing a danger to communities. Additionally, the bill restricts pardoned individuals from making political contributions exceeding $1,000 to committees supporting the President or entities advocating for their reelection. The Federal Election Commission would enforce these contribution limits and could refer violations for criminal prosecution.
