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 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 Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act expands Medicaid coverage for services provided by rural emergency hospitals and allows these facilities to offer additional inpatient units for psychiatric, rehabilitation, and obstetric care. It also creates a pathway for existing facilities that operate similarly to rural emergency hospitals to convert their status by waiving certain requirements, while permitting them to provide skilled nursing "swing bed" services under specific agreements.
To support financial sustainability, the bill increases Medicare payments for diagnostic laboratory tests performed at these hospitals by 5 percent starting in 2027 and ensures that facilities reverting to critical access hospital status can regain their necessary provider designation. Additionally, the legislation designates rural emergency hospitals as health professional shortage areas to facilitate National Health Service Corps placements and includes them in the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program grant eligibility.
The Stronger Start for Working Families Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the child tax credit fully refundable for all eligible taxpayers. By lowering the earned income threshold from $3,000 to $1, the bill removes the requirement that families must have a minimum level of earnings to receive the full credit amount. This change directly affects working families with children who previously had their refundable credit capped based on their income. The provision is scheduled to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
The We Can't Wait Act of 2026 allows individuals who have not yet reached early retirement age to choose whether they want to receive Social Security disability benefits during the standard five-month waiting period that currently precedes benefit payments. If an individual makes this election, their monthly benefit amount is permanently reduced by a specific percentage, initially set at 94.25 percent of the standard rate, to ensure the change does not increase the long-term costs for the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund. The bill requires the Social Security Administration to update application forms within 180 days of enactment and mandates that actuaries recalculate this reduction factor every five years to maintain actuarial neutrality over a 75-year period.
The Freedom to Home Distill Act would allow individuals to legally produce small amounts of alcohol at home for personal use without paying federal excise taxes or facing criminal penalties. To qualify, a household could distill up to 10 proof gallons per year if it has one adult, or 20 proof gallons if it has two or more adults, provided the spirits are never sold or transferred to others. The bill exempts home distillers from standard business requirements such as registering their equipment and paying taxes, but it mandates that any stills purchased for this purpose must have specific safety features like pressure release valves and a capacity of no more than 50 gallons. These changes would take effect for spirits produced after December 31, 2026.
This bill amends the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule to create specific categories for silicone prosthetic breast forms and mastectomy bras intended for women who are breast cancer survivors. By establishing these new subheadings, the legislation sets a zero percent general duty rate for both items, effectively eliminating import tariffs on these medical supplies. The changes apply to goods entering the country or being withdrawn from warehouses for consumption starting January 1, 2027.
The Freedom Haulers Act extends the existing waiver period for military service members seeking a commercial driver's license from 12 to 24 months after separation. It requires states to waive specific knowledge and driving tests for current or former military personnel who held designated vehicle operator roles, such as motor transport operators or fuelers, within the last two years. To qualify, applicants must certify they have operated comparable commercial vehicles during that period and maintain a clean record with no serious traffic violations, license suspensions, or at-fault crashes. The bill also mandates waivers for specialized endorsements related to passenger transport, tank vehicles, and hazardous materials, provided the applicant meets similar service and safety criteria.
The Virtual-Based Opioid Treatment for Veterans Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to launch a two-year pilot program aimed at expanding access to virtual opioid treatment for enrolled veterans who face barriers to in-person care. This initiative requires the VA to conduct outreach, build referral networks, and coordinate with other federal agencies to connect veterans with telehealth programs that combine medication and counseling in a single visit. The bill also mandates a study on treatment barriers and requires annual reports to Congress on the program's progress until the opioid crisis is no longer considered a public health emergency.
This bill extends the funding authorization for the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act from 2026 to 2031, ensuring continued financial support for research into treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It requires the Food and Drug Administration to review clinical trial data more rigorously by assessing patient enrollment numbers and requesting interim results from drug manufacturers before renewing research grants. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that clinical trials in phase 3 include combined phase 2/3 studies and planned trials that have not yet started enrolling participants. The bill also mandates the FDA to publish a report within a year of enactment detailing its progress on rare neurodegenerative disease action plans and how it coordinates with broader disease communities. Finally, it adjusts the timeline for a Government Accountability Office report to cover a five-year period instead of four.
This bill establishes the "INCLUDE Project" at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance research on Down syndrome. It directs NIH to coordinate and expand research into co-occurring health conditions (like Alzheimer's, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders) affecting individuals with Down syndrome, while avoiding duplication of existing efforts. The law requires NIH to build large study populations, support inclusive clinical trials, identify biomarkers, and improve quality of life for people with Down syndrome and their families. NIH must submit biennial reports to Congress detailing research progress and findings. The bill directly affects NIH research programs and future medical care for people with Down syndrome.
National Plan for Epilepsy Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a national plan, form an advisory council, and take other actions to address epilepsy. The requirements sunset on December 31, 2035. Specifically, the bill requires HHS to carry out a National Plan for Epilepsy to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy. In carrying out the plan, HHS must implement activities such as coordinating research and services across all federal agencies and soliciting public comments. Also, HHS must establish an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services. The advisory council must report to HHS and Congress every two years with an evaluation of federally funded efforts. Additionally, HHS must annually report to Congress with recommended actions based on its assessments of the nation’s progress on epilepsy.
