United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2025
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration titled Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Fuel System Integrity of Hydrogen Vehicles; Compressed Hydrogen Storage System Integrity; Incorporation by Reference and published on January 17, 2025. This final rule establishes two new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) specifying performance requirements for all motor vehicles that use hydrogen as a fuel source. FMVSS No. 307 sets requirements for the fuel system in hydrogen vehicles during normal vehicle operations and after crashes, as well as performance requirements for the hydrogen fuel system. FMVSS No. 308 regulates the compressed hydrogen storage system (CHSS) and includes performance requirements intended to ensure the CHSS is unlikely to leak or burst during use. It also specifies performance requirements for different CHSS closure devices (i.e., the check valves, shut-off valves, and thermally activated pressure relief devices that control the flow of hydrogen into or out of a CHSS). The final rule is based on Global Technical Regulation (GTR) No. 13, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicles. As background, the United States is a contracting party to a 1998 agreement that is administered by the UN Economic Commission for Europe's World Forum for the Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations and concerns the establishment of GTRs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2025
Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act This bill expressly prohibits organ transplant service providers that receive federal funds and state and local government programs from denying or restricting an individual's access to organ transplants on the basis of the individual's disability, except in limited circumstances. Specifically, these entities may not take into account an individual's disability when providing transplant services, including with respect to eligibility, referrals for services, and placement on waiting lists. Entities must provide reasonable modifications to policies or appropriate auxiliary equipment and services unless doing so changes the fundamental nature of the program or activity involved. Any consideration of an individual's disability must be based on an individualized assessment and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable laws. The Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must consider for expedited resolution complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of disability with respect to organ transplant services. HHS must annually report to Congress on complaints received and recommendations to improve enforcement of the bill. In addition, the bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network's policies regarding allocating organs. This network is a public-private partnership linking professionals involved in the U.S. organ donation and transplantation system.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 2025
Kids Online Safety Act This bill requires covered online platforms, including social media platforms, to implement tools and safeguards to protect users and visitors under the age of 17. Covered platforms are online platforms, video games, messaging applications, or video streaming services used or likely to be used by individuals under the age of 17, with specified exceptions. The bill generally requires covered platforms to exercise reasonable care in the design and use of features that increase minors’ online activity in order to prevent and mitigate harm to minors (e.g., mental health disorders and severe harassment). Covered platforms are also required to provide certain safeguards to minors, such as protections for minors’ data; tools for parents of minors, such as access to minors’ privacy settings; and a mechanism for account holders and visitors to report harm to minors on the platform. Covered platforms are prohibited from conducting market or product research on children under the age of 13, and may only conduct such research on those under the age of 17 with parental consent. The bill provides for enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission and states. The bill also requires online platforms to meet certain requirements before using algorithms that select, order, or prioritize information presented to users based on user-specific data not provided for that purpose. Specifically, such platforms must (1) provide users with notice of the use of such algorithms, and (2) permit users to switch to an algorithm that does not rely on such user-specific data.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2025
Safeguarding Transit Operations to Prohibit China Act or the STOP China Act This bill prohibits federal transportation funds from being used to purchase rolling stock (e.g., rail cars or buses) or fueling or charging infrastructure from entities with ties to China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran (i.e., a covered nation). In general, this replaces a current prohibition on the use of Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) funds for rolling stock from manufacturers owned or controlled by corporations based in certain countries. Specifically, Department of Transportation (DOT) funds, which include FTA funds, may not be used for the purchase of rolling stock or bus fueling or charging infrastructure from entities with ties to a covered nation. This prohibition also applies to vehicles that incorporate electric power trains from such entities. The prohibition broadly applies to corporations, joint ventures, individuals, and organizations with ties to covered nations. Examples of applicable entities include an individual whose activities are directed or financed by a covered nation or an entity that is owned or controlled by a covered nation or such an individual. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) must publish a list of the applicable entities and update the list annually. The bill includes an exception for motor vehicles or fueling and charging stations used for (1) inspecting or investigating vehicles or equipment; or (2) vehicle safety research, development, or testing.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2025
Access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics Act of 2025 This bill provides for Medicare and Medicaid coverage of prescription digital therapeutics (i.e., software applications that are used to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must establish a Medicare payment methodology for payments to manufacturers that takes into account certain factors (e.g., ongoing use); manufacturers must report specified information about private payors, subject to civil penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 2025
Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2025 This bill extends a specialized rate increase for Medicare payment of ground ambulance services in rural areas until January 1, 2028, and provides for a higher rate increase for services furnished between October 1, 2025, and January 1, 2028.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2025
Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 This bill prohibits life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term insurance carriers from denying or otherwise restricting coverage for living organ donors. Specifically, carriers may not deny, cancel, vary premiums, or otherwise impose conditions on policies based on an individual's status as a living organ donor. The bill also expressly specifies that recovery from organ-donation surgery constitutes a serious health condition that entitles eligible employees to job-protected medical leave. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must update educational materials on living organ donation to include information about the benefits and risks of living organ donation and the impact of donation on insurance access, particularly with respect to the bill's changes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2025
This bill increases the annual limit on the tax credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenses (also referred to as the short line railroad tax credit) and expands eligibility for claiming the credit. Under current law, the tax credit is limited each tax year to $3,500 multiplied by the sum of the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the taxpayer (miles owned or leased) and the number of railroad track miles assigned to the taxpayer by a Class II or III railroad (miles assigned). This bill increases the annual limit to $6,100 multiplied by the sum of miles owned or leased and miles assigned. The $6,100 amount used in the calculation of the tax credit limit is adjusted for inflation for tax years beginning after 2025. The bill also expands eligibility for the tax credit to include gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2024. Under current law, the tax credit is limited to gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2015.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025
Combating Organized Retail Crime Act This bill expands federal enforcement of criminal offenses related to organized retail and supply chain crime. The term organized retail and supply chain crime includes criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property, the sale or receipt of stolen goods, or theft from an interstate or foreign shipment that is committed by, in coordination with, or at the instruction of an organization. First, with respect to criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property or the sale or receipt of stolen goods, the bill broadens the scope of conduct that qualifies as offenses by allowing prosecutions to be based on the aggregate value of stolen items over a 12-month period. Additionally, the bill makes the offenses predicate offenses (i.e., underlying offenses) for prosecutions under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any property obtained from the proceeds of an offense. Second, with respect to criminal offenses involving theft from an interstate or foreign shipment, the bill also makes an offense an underlying offense for prosecution under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any associated property. Third, the bill expands the federal money laundering statute to include offenses involving general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, or store gift cards. Finally, the bill temporarily establishes a center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal law enforcement activities related to organized retail and supply chain crime.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025
Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act of 2025 or the SOAR Act of 2025 This bill establishes certain requirements with respect to the payment and provision of supplemental oxygen and related services under Medicare. For example, the bill provides for separate payments, indexed to inflation, of oxygen and related equipment, supplies, and services under Medicare (rather than under the competitive acquisition program). It also specifically covers services that are provided by respiratory therapists under Medicare and provides for an additional payment adjustment for these services. Additionally, the bill (1) requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop an electronic template for providers to use when prescribing oxygen and related equipment, supplies, and services; and (2) establishes certain rights for beneficiaries receiving these items and services, such as the right to choose their suppliers and to receive clear communications and be informed about the services provided.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025
Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act of 2025 or the SAVES Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a five-year pilot program to award grants on a competitive basis to nonprofit entities to provide service dogs to veterans who have certain disabilities, conditions, or diagnoses (e.g., a visual impairment). Under the program, the VA may provide up to $2 million to a nonprofit entity in a fiscal year. The VA must provide a veterinary insurance policy to veterans who receive a service dog through a grant under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 2025
Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act This bill limits the circumstances in which credit reporting agencies may provide consumer credit reports to third parties in connection with residential mortgage transactions. Specifically, the bill prohibits a credit reporting agency from providing a consumer's credit report to a third party in connection with a residential mortgage transaction unless the transaction consists of a firm offer of credit or insurance and (1) the third party provides documentation certifying that it has the consumer's consent; or (2) the third party has originated a mortgage on behalf of the consumer, is a current mortgage loan servicer to the consumer, or has a current specified banking relationship with the consumer. These provisions take effect 180 days after the bill's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2025
This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency notice titled California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Advanced Clean Cars II; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision (90 Fed. Reg. 642) and published on January 6, 2025. Among other elements, the notice grants the California Air Resources Board request for a waiver for its Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulations. (Under the Clean Air Act, California may seek waivers of the preemption prohibiting states from enacting certain emission standards.)
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2025
This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency notice titled California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Warranty and Maintenance Provisions; Advanced Clean Trucks; Zero Emission Airport Shuttle; Zero-Emission Power Train Certification; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision (88 Fed. Reg. 20688) and published on April 6, 2023. Among other elements, the notice grants the California Air Resources Board request for a waiver several of its regulations, including the Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Warranty Regulations and Maintenance Provisions. (Under the Clean Air Act, California may seek waivers of the preemption prohibiting states from enacting certain emission standards.)
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2025
This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency notice titled California State Motor Vehicle and Engine and Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; The ‘Omnibus’ Low NOX Regulation; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision (90 Fed. Reg. 643) and published on January 6, 2025. Among other elements, the notice grants the California Air Resources Board request for a waiver for its Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Omnibus Low NOX regulations. (Under the Clean Air Act, California may seek waivers of the preemption prohibiting states from enacting certain emission standards.)
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025
Innovate to De-Escalate Modernization Act This bill removes less-than-lethal projectile devices (e.g., certain TASERs) from regulation under the Gun Control Act. The term less-than-lethal projectile device means a device that (1) is not designed or intended to expel (and may not be readily converted to discharge) commonly used ammunition or projectiles exceeding a velocity of 500 feet per second; (2) is designed and intended to be used in a manner not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; and (3) does not accept (and cannot be readily modified to accept) an ammunition feeding device. The bill also requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine whether a device satisfies the definition of a less-than-lethal projectile device within 90 days of a request.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 2025
Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act or the DETERRENT Act This bill expands oversight and disclosure requirements related to foreign sources and institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, the bill requires an IHE to annually disclose to the Department of Education (ED) any year in which the IHE receives a gift from a foreign country of concern (e.g., China or Russia) or foreign entity of concern of any dollar amount; receives a gift or contract from a foreign source (other than a foreign country of concern or foreign entity of concern) that is valued at $50,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts or contracts within a calendar year (current disclosure threshold is $250,000 or more), or which has an undetermined monetary value; enters into a contract with a foreign country of concern or foreign entity of concern after receiving a waiver for such contract; or is substantially controlled by a foreign source. Additionally, the bill prohibits IHEs from entering into contracts with a foreign country of concern or with a foreign entity of concern without obtaining a waiver, and requires certain IHEs to disclose gifts or contracts between covered individuals (e.g., researchers) and foreign sources. The bill requires ED to investigate possible violations of this bill and outlines the various penalties for each violation. Penalties may include losing eligibility for federal student financial aid.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 2025
Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2025 or the CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Among other provisions, the bill permanently removes geographic restrictions on originating sites (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) and allows the home of the beneficiary to serve as the originating site for all services; permanently allows federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); and allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to generally waive coverage restrictions during any public health emergency. Additionally, the CMS must post certain information about the effects of Medicare telehealth services on its website, including information about utilization, costs, and the outcome of services. The CMS must also (1) provide resources to health care professionals about the requirements for furnishing telehealth services under Medicare, including with respect to payment, patient privacy, and support for underserved populations; and (2) ensure certain quality measures are applied to telehealth services.