The COPS Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding for the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program through fiscal year 2031, allowing the Department of Justice to continue providing grants to local law enforcement agencies for hiring and retaining officers. The bill also formally establishes the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services as a separate office within the Department of Justice, headed by a Director appointed by the President. These changes aim to maintain and clarify the administrative structure and financial support for community policing initiatives across the United States.
HR 4889 would limit states to a single congressional redistricting cycle following each decennial census and apportionment of House seats. It prohibits states from redrawing congressional districts more than once after a census unless a court orders additional redistricting to comply with the Constitution or the Voting Rights Act. The bill does not affect how states conduct elections for state or local offices, which remain unchanged. This law would apply to any redistricting occurring after the November 2024 election.
This bill expresses the sense of Congress that medication abortion is a safe medical treatment approved by federal regulators. It asserts that this federal approval overrides any state laws requiring the procedure to be dispensed in person by a healthcare provider. Additionally, the bill states that federal approval preempts state restrictions on prescribing or dispensing medication abortion through telehealth. Essentially, the legislation argues that states cannot enforce rules limiting how medication abortion is delivered if those rules conflict with the federal approval process.
The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 restricts the importation, sale, and manufacture of vehicles and related technology from specific countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, to address national security concerns. The law defines prohibited items as connected vehicles, their software, and hardware components and sets different effective dates, with vehicle bans starting in 2027 and hardware restrictions beginning in 2030. A government official can grant exceptions for specific items after reviewing security risks and notifying Congress, while the agency must publish annual reports on enforcement actions and compliance.
The GUARD Act requires companies providing AI chatbots to verify users' ages using reliable methods (like government IDs, not just self-reported birth dates) and prohibits minors under 18 from accessing "AI companions" designed for emotional interaction. It mandates clear disclosures that chatbots are not human and cannot falsely claim to be licensed professionals (e.g., therapists), while banning features that solicit minors for explicit content or promote violence. Covered entities must implement secure age verification processes for all accounts, including periodic checks, and face civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation for noncompliance. The law directly affects tech companies operating AI chatbots in the U.S. and aims to reduce minors' exposure to harmful AI interactions.
This bill amends federal carjacking law to change how the offense is defined and prosecuted. It removes the requirement that a carjacking must involve "intent to cause death or serious bodily harm" for it to be considered a federal offense (now only requiring the act to be done "knowingly"). For cases where death occurs, it now requires prosecutors to prove both the intent to cause death *and* that death actually resulted, rather than just showing death occurred. This directly affects federal prosecutors, carjacking defendants, and the legal standards used in such cases.
The Data Infrastructure Risk Reduction Act directs the Department of Homeland Security to identify data centers that should be classified as critical infrastructure within 180 days of enactment. This directive requires the agency to evaluate the security of power and water supplies connected to these facilities and assess the potential impact of their locations near residential communities. Following this assessment, the Department must submit a strategy to Congress outlining how to defend these sites from breaches and protect nearby neighborhoods. The law applies to federal agencies responsible for cybersecurity and infrastructure security, specifically focusing on data centers as defined by existing energy legislation.
This resolution formally recognizes National Nurses Week, which takes place from May 6 to May 12, 2026, to honor the contributions of nurses to the U.S. healthcare system. The document highlights the vital role nurses play in patient care, public health, and research, noting their status as the largest component of the healthcare profession. By supporting the goals set by the American Nurses Association, the House encourages the public to observe the week with ceremonies and activities that acknowledge the profession's ethical standards and impact on patient safety.
This resolution formally congratulates the VA250 Car Project for setting a new land speed record of 253 miles per hour with their stock car, the Martinsville Missile. The bill highlights the vehicle's origins in Franklin County, Virginia, and acknowledges the driver, Tommy Hurley, as well as the historical connection between Southside Virginia and stock car racing. It serves as a commemorative gesture celebrating the achievement within the context of the Virginia American Revolution 250th Commission's national motorsports celebration.
This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to honor the contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the United States, acknowledging their role in supporting millions of jobs. The bill does not create new laws or regulations but serves as a formal statement of appreciation from the House of Representatives.
This resolution formally designates May 10, 2026, as National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day to raise awareness about mental health within these communities. The text highlights that many individuals in this diverse group face barriers to care, including high costs, language differences, and cultural stigma, which result in low rates of treatment utilization. While the measure itself is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding, it encourages federal, state, and local agencies to develop policies that improve access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services.
The National Defense Data Resilience Act requires the Department of Defense to classify its data into three categories based on the severity of potential impacts from loss or destruction. Under this bill, the Defense Secretary must establish specific timelines for recovering critical data within 180 days and other data types within 270 days, while also developing a comprehensive strategy to meet these goals. The legislation mandates the implementation of secure backup systems, continuous monitoring for threats, and regular simulated cyberattack exercises to ensure the military can restore essential functions quickly. Additionally, the act restricts the adoption of new data recovery technologies unless they meet strict security standards and are included in an official inventory of approved tools.
