This bill establishes a federal advisory committee to study challenges in transmitting geolocation and dispatchable location information with 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline calls. The committee, formed by the FCC and HHS within 180 days, will include representatives from telecom providers, crisis centers, mental health organizations, and local governments (with specific representation for rural communities and low-population states). It will examine privacy, technical standards, and funding needs before making recommendations for legislation. The committee must submit a report to Congress within one year. This is a procedural study bill, not a direct policy change, and it requires no new funding.
This resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Kempthorne, a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. It formally acknowledges his public service across various roles, including his work on environmental conservation, veterans' support, and economic development in Idaho. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to his family. Additionally, the Senate stands in adjournment as a final mark of respect to his memory.
This resolution formally recognizes the importance of motherhood and honors mothers on Mother's Day. It explicitly supports policies that define mothers as women and opposes recent legislative efforts to remove the term "mother" from official House rules. The text also acknowledges various types of mothers, including stepmothers, adopted mothers, and single mothers, while rejecting alternative terms like "birthing person" or "gestational parent." Ultimately, the bill encourages the public to celebrate the sacrifices and contributions of mothers to the nation.
The I-47 Future Interstate Act of 2026 designates a specific stretch of United States Route 287 in Texas and Montana as a new Interstate highway, officially naming it Interstate Route I-47. This legislation directly affects the states of Texas and Montana by elevating the status of this road corridor within the national highway system. By amending existing federal transportation laws, the bill ensures that this route receives the same designation and numbering standards as other major Interstates. The primary policy change is the formal recognition of this highway segment, which may influence future funding and maintenance priorities for the corridor.
This bill, titled the Nursing is a Professional Degree Act, updates federal definitions to classify nursing degrees as professional degrees. It directly affects students pursuing nursing education and the federal financial aid programs that support them. The legislation amends the Higher Education Act to explicitly list nursing degrees, such as the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice, alongside other advanced fields like medicine and law. By making this change, the bill ensures that nursing programs are recognized at the same level as other established professional disciplines within the federal student aid system.
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 formally recognizes April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day to celebrate the 154th anniversary of the event. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic statement acknowledging the importance of tree planting and forest stewardship. It encourages all people in the United States to participate in Arbor Day activities and supports the ideals of maintaining healthy forests and green communities.
This Senate resolution formally supports the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, which is observed annually from May 6 to May 12, 2026. The measure recognizes the vital contributions of nurses to the healthcare system and encourages the public to acknowledge their role through ceremonies and activities during the designated week. While the bill does not create new laws or funding, it serves to honor the profession and highlight the importance of nursing in patient care and public health.
Ensuring Seniors' Access to Quality Care Act This bill repeals certain restrictions under Medicare and Medicaid that prohibit the approval of nurse-aide training and competency evaluation programs in skilled nursing facilities that have been subject to specified regulatory actions (e.g., civil penalties) for substandard quality of care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must still disapprove such programs for up to two years; however, the CMS must rescind the disapproval upon completion of corrective action and may require additional oversight of the program for purposes of rescission. The bill also allows Medicaid and Medicare providers (e.g., skilled nursing facilities) to access, through the National Practitioner Data Bank, disciplinary information for affiliated physicians and other health care practitioners, as reported by state licensing authorities.
The FAIR Labels Act of 2026 requires clear labeling for cell-cultivated meat and poultry products, as well as plant-based foods designed to look like meat or poultry. Under this bill, products grown from animal cells outside of a live animal must prominently display the words "cell-cultivated" and state that they are not derived from naturally produced meat or birds. Additionally, the law mandates that plant-based alternatives mimicking meat or poultry be labeled as "plant-based alternative protein products" with a statement clarifying they do not contain natural animal flesh. To enforce these rules, the Agriculture and Health and Human Services departments will update their agreement to oversee production safety and develop common standards for these new food categories.
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.
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.
