Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025

Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025

This bill extends certain federal tax deadlines for U.S. nationals who are unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad and their spouses. The bill also allows for an abatement and refund of additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed to such individuals for failing to meet a federal tax deadline during a period of detention.

Specifically, under the bill, the time period during which a U.S. national is unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or held hostage abroad is disregarded in determining certain federal tax deadlines, including deadlines for

• filing a return for and paying federal income, estate, gift, employment, or excise taxes;
• a tax credit or refund claim; and
• the determination, assessment, and collection of additional taxes, interest, or penalties.

The bill requires the Department of State and the Department of Justice to annually provide the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with lists to identify U.S. nationals who qualify for an extension.

The bill also requires the IRS to (1) abate and refund additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed for any tax year ending during a period of detention for which an extension of a federal tax deadline is permitted; and (2) establish a program allowing U.S. nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad or taken hostage abroad (or their spouse or dependent) to claim a refund of additional taxes, interest, and penalties assessed for any tax year ending during a period of detention from 2021 to the bill’s enactment date.

Update Date: 2026-10-19 00:00:00

EQIP Improvement Act of 2025

EQIP Improvement Act of 2025

This bill modifies payment limitations and reduces the federal cost share and required payments for certain projects authorized under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). As background, this Department of Agriculture program provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns.

Specifically, the bill limits the total payments available to a person or legal entity under EQIP to $150,000 over a specified five-year period. (A $450,000 statutory limit was in effect for FY2019-FY2024, and a regulatory contract limit of $450,000 currently applies.)

The bill also reduces the maximum federal cost share to 40% (from 75%) for the costs associated with planning, installation, or maintenance for specified conservation practices (e.g., access roads, dams, and waste storage facilities) and removes a requirement that 50% of EQIP funding for payments go to practices related to livestock production.

Update Date: 2026-10-19 00:00:00

Access Technology Affordability Act of 2025

Access Technology Affordability Act of 2025

This bill allows a refundable federal tax credit, through 2030, equal to the amounts paid for qualified access technology for use by a blind individual who is the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or a dependent of the taxpayer. (Limits apply.)

The bill defines qualified access technology as hardware, software, or other information technology with the primary function of converting or adapting information that is visually represented into forms or formats usable by blind individuals.

The tax credit is limited to (1) amounts paid that are not compensated by insurance or otherwise, and (2) an aggregate amount of $2,000 (adjusted for inflation) per blind individual in any period of three consecutive taxable years.

Update Date: 2026-10-19 00:00:00

Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

This bill exempts certain projects and activities related to geothermal development on federal land from environmental review requirements.

Specifically, the bill exempts certain geothermal exploration projects with limited impact on federal land from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Geothermal exploration projects are those that involve the drilling of geothermal exploratory wells, such as temperature gradient wells, monitoring wells, or calibration wells, and that are limited in size, duration, and other aspects in accordance with specified criteria.

The bill also exempts from NEPA the following activities related to the exploration, development, or production of geothermal resources: (1) geotechnical investigations; (2) off-road travel in certain existing rights-of-way; and (3) the construction, maintenance, realignment, and repair of access roads within such rights-of-way.

Update Date: 2026-10-19 00:00:00

Beef Labeling Clarity Act

Beef Labeling Clarity Act 

This bill revises labels for beef and beef food products. Specifically, the bill replaces the Product of U.S.A. voluntary label with the following voluntary labels: Processed in U.S.A.; Raised and Processed in U.S.A.; and Born, Raised, and Processed in U.S.A.

Update Date: 2026-10-19 00:00:00

Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act

Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act

This bill requires applicants seeking approval of a drug or licensure of a biological product to submit certain information about relevant patents to both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Specifically, the bill requires applicants to make certifications and disclosures related to each applicable patent on a proposed drug or biological product. An applicable patent is a patent or patent application held or sought by the applicant for the drug or biological product (including a formulation or composition, method of use, or method of manufacturing).

For each applicable patent, an applicant must submit to the USPTO any information material to patentability that the applicant submitted to the FDA and any information provided by the FDA in response. The applicant must certify that this submission is complete and consistent with the information the applicant provided to the FDA.

Further, for each applicable patent, an applicant must certify that certain information submitted to the FDA is consistent with information the applicant provided to the USPTO. This is specific to statements or characterizations that are material to patentability and related to (1) an applicable patent (including a statement or characterization of relevant publicly known information), or (2) analytical data included in a new drug or biological product application.

The bill establishes a defense to a patent infringement action if the owner of an applicable patent negligently or intentionally failed to make the disclosures required by these provisions.

Update Date: 2026-10-19 00:00:00

Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha I.

This concurrent resolution authorizes Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center to be used on June 16, 2024, for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha I.

Update Date: 2026-10-19 00:00:00

Congressional Records Protection Act of 2026

Congressional Records Protection Act of 2026

This bill generally prohibits the government from issuing a search warrant, grand jury subpoena, court order, statutory authorization, certification, subpoena, or an administrative order (i.e., executing legal process) that could reasonably return congressional records. Congressional records include (1) written materials and electronic or wire communications prepared by, shared with, or obtained by a Member of Congress or congressional employee in the course of official duties; and (2) records of an electronic or wire communications service related to accounts or certain communications of a Member of Congress or congressional employee.

The bill provides exceptions to the general prohibition. Specifically, the government may execute legal process that could reasonably return congressional records if (1) the subject of the process is the target of a criminal investigation, (2) the material sought pertains to a Member of Congress or congressional employee who is the target of a criminal investigation, or (3) the records are certain electronic or wire communications.

If the government executes legal process under an exception that could reasonably return or that unexpectedly returns congressional records, then the bill generally requires the government to notify the Member of Congress or congressional employee and delay or halt review of the materials for 30 days.

If the legal process could reasonably return certain congressional records from an electronic or wire communications service provider, then the bill requires a special master to be appointed to identify materials that are constitutionally protected from disclosure.

Update Date: 2026-10-19 00:00:00

Debt-Free College Act of 2026

Debt-Free College Act of 2026

This bill establishes measures to cover the unmet financial need of students who are enrolled at certain institutions of higher education (IHEs). Unmet financial need refers to the difference between a student's cost of attendance and the student's student aid index, plus any federal, state, and local sources of grant aid. In addition, the bill makes certain Dreamer students (i.e., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status and who entered the United States before the age of 16) eligible for federal financial aid.

First, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award grants for state-federal partnerships with a goal of providing debt-free college for all eligible students at in-state public IHEs. Eligible student refers to an individual who (1) is enrolled or is eligible to enroll in an in-state public IHE, and (2) completes a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or demonstrates eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant through state or institutional financial aid eligibility forms.

Next, the bill requires ED to award grants to historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions to cover the unmet financial need of enrolled students.

ED must establish an office to administer grants and provide oversight.

In addition, the bill makes Dreamer students who entered the United States before the age of 16 who meet certain educational criteria eligible for federal student aid.

Update Date: 2026-10-19 00:00:00

SEC Cybersecurity Act of 2024

SEC Cybersecurity Act of 2024

This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to audit the information technology (IT) infrastructure of the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its handling of data, spending, and the quality and effectiveness of its IT contracting.

Update Date: 2026-10-19 00:00:00

Protect and Serve Act of 2024

Protect and Serve Act of 2024

This bill establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly assaulting a law enforcement officer and causing serious bodily injury (or attempting to do so) in circumstances that affect interstate commerce.

It imposes criminal penalties—a prison term, a fine, or both—on a violator.

Update Date: 2026-10-20 00:00:00

Agricultural Biotechnology Coordination Act

Agricultural Biotechnology Coordination Act

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Office of Biotechnology Policy.

Among other things, the office must be responsible for the development and coordination of USDA policies, activities, and services related to biotechnology, including (1) research and development; (2) communication, extension, and education; (3) regulation and labeling; and (4) commercialization, use, and trade.

In addition, the office must coordinate interagency activities with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, other federal agencies, and state agencies.

Update Date: 2026-10-20 00:00:00

Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act of 2026

Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act of 2026

This bill permanently increases the federal reimbursement rates for the school lunch and breakfast programs.

Specifically, beginning October 1, 2026, the bill provides an additional 45 cents per lunch served in the National School Lunch Program and an additional 28 cents per breakfast served in the School Breakfast Program. These amounts must be adjusted annually for inflation beginning July 1, 2027.

Update Date: 2026-10-20 00:00:00

Military Spouse Hiring Act

Military Spouse Hiring Act

This bill allows employers to claim a tax credit for a percentage of qualified wages paid to an employee who is a military spouse by expanding the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to add qualified military spouses as a targeted group. (The WOTC applies to employers who hire members of specific targeted groups, such as veterans, ex-felons, and long-term unemployment recipients, and is generally equal to a percentage of the wages paid to such individuals in the first year of employment, up to a maximum amount. Under current law, the wages must be paid before 2026.)

The bill defines a qualified military spouse as any individual who is certified by a state workforce agency as being (as of the hiring date) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces.

Update Date: 2026-10-20 00:00:00

Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act of 2025

Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act of 2025

This bill authorizes the voluntary waiver of permits or leases for grazing on federal lands managed by the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior in the 16 western states (e.g., California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Washington). If a permit or lease is waived by a permittee or lessee with the intention of permanently ending livestock grazing on the grazing allotment (or a portion of the allotment), the appropriate department must

• accept and terminate, on a first-come, first-served basis, the permit or lease;
• refrain from issuing any new grazing permit or lease within the grazing allotment covered by the permit or lease; and
• ensure a permanent end to livestock grazing on the allotment covered by the permit or lease.

If an allotment covered by a waiver is also covered by another permit or lease that is not waived, the department must reduce the level of commercial livestock grazing on the allotment to reflect the waiver.

The departments must not accept more than (1) 100 grazing permits per year, in the aggregate for all of the 16 western states; and (2) 25 grazing permits for land located in whole or in part in any individual state.

Update Date: 2026-10-20 00:00:00

STRIDE Act

Semiconductor Technology Resilience, Integrity, and Defense Enhancement Act or the STRIDE Act

This bill requires the Department of State to coordinate with the governments of other countries to prevent the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign adversaries from acquiring critical semiconductor technologies.

Specifically, the State Department must coordinate actions with governments of countries (partner countries) that maintain significant capabilities in semiconductor technology research, design, manufacturing, materials, equipment, or equipment subsystems and components.

Among other coordination objectives, the State Department must seek to achieve (1) alignment of export control policies regarding semiconductor technology manufacturing equipment and the critical subcomponents needed to produce such equipment; and (2) expanded restrictions on semiconductor technology design tools, intellectual property transfers, equipment servicing, and technical assistance that could enable semiconductor technology development capabilities in North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran.

The State Department must regularly assess the extent to which partner countries are implementing measures consist with U.S. policy described by the bill. If the State Department determines a partner country is not sufficiently implementing security measures, then the State Department must take specified actions, such as requesting the Department of Commerce to convene a meeting of the Export Administration Review Board (EARB) to identify and execute a plan of action. Further, the State Department must provide recommendations to the EARB to apply foreign direct product rule restrictions to semiconductor technology produced in the non-cooperating partner country that incorporates U.S.-origin technology, software, or equipment.

Finally, the State Department must report to Congress every 90 days.

Update Date: 2026-10-20 00:00:00

Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2025

Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2025

This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regularly reassess the safety of certain substances used in food and food packaging.

Specifically, the FDA must select at least 10 substances or classes of substances for reassessment at least every three years. The FDA must select from color additives, food additives, substances generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food, and other specified classes of substances. The FDA must prioritize substances for reassessment by public health need. The bill specifies certain substances that the FDA may select as the first to be reassessed, including titanium dioxide, sodium nitrite, and certain food dyes.

These reassessments must be conducted by the FDA’s Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements, and Innovation.

The FDA must provide public notice of its determination for each reassessed substance. Generally, if the FDA has issued a regulation or other order approving the use of a substance in food or food packaging, it must amend or repeal that regulation or order if it determines on reassessment that the substance is not safe. Any determination with respect to a GRAS substance must be published on the FDA’s website, and a determination that a GRAS substance is safe must include conditions of safe use.

Finally, the FDA must reestablish the Food Advisory Committee to provide advice on standards and processes for these reassessments.

Update Date: 2026-10-20 00:00:00

SUCCESS Act of 2026

Support for Universities and Colleges to Champion the Educational Success of Survivors Act of 2026 or the SUCCESS Act of 2026

This bill requires the Department of Education to award competitive grants to eligible institutions of higher education for implementing patient-centered academic counseling services and other services for students who are survivors of sexual assault and other violence.

Update Date: 2026-10-20 00:00:00