The CURRENT Act (H.R. 9855) amends federal water pollution control law to streamline the certification process for energy and transmission projects. The bill tightens timelines and requirements for state and federal agencies reviewing water quality permits, requiring them to make certification decisions within one year of receiving a complete application and setting strict standards for denying requests or imposing conditions. States and agencies can only deny certification or add requirements if they demonstrate by "clear and convincing evidence" that no reasonable conditions could make a project comply with federal water quality standards, and any conditions imposed must be the "least burdensome" option considering factors like cost, feasibility, and project viability. The legislation also creates expedited federal court review for certification disputes involving energy transmission projects and interstate commerce, with courts required to issue final decisions within 120 days. These changes primarily affect energy companies, pipeline operators, and hydroelectric facilities seeking federal permits, along with state environmental agencies responsible for water quality certification reviews.

The Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Act directs the federal government to streamline approval processes for major water supply and storage projects in California. Specifically, it requires the Secretaries of Interior and Commerce to identify all significant water projects under their jurisdiction, designate compliance officials for each agency, and within 30 days identify regulatory obstacles that unnecessarily delay or hinder these projects. The bill then instructs these officials to develop plans to suspend, revise, or eliminate regulations that create undue burdens—defined as unnecessary obstruction or delay in water permitting and delivery—without compromising public interest or legal compliance. This legislation essentially codifies parts of a 2024 executive order aimed at accelerating California's water infrastructure development during the state's drought and disaster response challenges.

The Build Now Act speeds up the permitting process for water infrastructure projects related to California's Central Valley Project by requiring federal agencies to complete environmental reviews within one year of receiving a permit application. The bill applies to projects that support, enhance, or maintain the Central Valley Project, including groundwater recharge, aquifer storage, and water source substitution projects. If an agency fails to meet the one-year deadline, it must either grant an extension with the applicant's permission or deny the permit. Applicants whose permits are denied can reapply at any time, and the original agency must share previously gathered environmental information to speed up future reviews. The bill does not specify funding amounts but aims to reduce delays in infrastructure development by imposing strict timelines on the environmental review process under federal law.

The Central Valley Water Solution Act authorizes approximately $5.4 billion in federal funding to support 22 water infrastructure projects across California's Central Valley. These projects focus on groundwater banking and storage, water treatment and recycling, canal improvements, and reservoir construction to address regional water supply challenges. The funding will support irrigation districts, cities, and water agencies in managing drought conditions, improving water quality, and addressing subsidence damage to aging water delivery systems. Notably, the bill exempts most projects from typical cost-sharing requirements that would normally require local partners to contribute funds, with the exception of one planning study. All funded projects must comply with environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, and coordination requirements with Indian Tribes and state agencies.

Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act 2025This bill makes permanent temporary provisions that generally expand eligibility for and increase the amount of the premium tax credit. This bill also repeals multiple Medicaid, Medicare, and health-related tax provisions enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).Currently, eligible taxpayers may claim the premium tax credit, which applies toward the cost of obtaining health insurance through health insurance exchanges. To qualify, a taxpayer’s household income must meet or exceed 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and, after 2025, may not exceed 400% of the FPL (maximum income limit). For 2021-2025, the maximum income limit is eliminated, which generally expands eligibility for the premium tax credit.Further, under current law, the amount of the premium tax credit is partially based on the taxpayer’s household income multiplied by the applicable percentage. The applicable percentage varies depending on which of six income ranges (adjusted for inflation after 2025) the taxpayer’s household income falls within. For 2021-2025, the applicable percentages are lowered and the adjustment of the applicable percentages for inflation is eliminated, which generally increases the amount of the premium tax credit.The bill permanently eliminates the 400% maximum income limit, lowers the applicable percentages, and eliminates the inflation adjustment for the applicable percentages.Finally, the bill repeals multiple Medicaid, Medicare, and health-related tax provisions enacted by the OBBBA, includingcertain Medicare and Medicare eligibility and verification requirements,the reduced window for retroactive Medicaid coverage, andpremium tax credit verification requirements.

H.R. 3845 would expand exemptions to the Endangered Species Act by making it easier for federal agencies, state governors, and permit applicants to bypass protections for endangered or threatened species when national security or significant economic impacts are at stake. Currently, exemptions are narrow and difficult to obtain; this bill broadens the grounds for exemption to include cases where protecting endangered species would impair national security or cause serious adverse economic effects at the national or regional level. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to consult with the National Security Council and the Director of the National Economic Council when evaluating such exemptions, giving those agencies a formal role in the decision-making process. The changes would streamline the exemption approval process and potentially allow more federal projects—such as infrastructure, defense, or resource development initiatives—to proceed even if they harm protected species. The bill has no specific funding mechanism or implementation timeline specified in the text provided.

Stop Troubling Retroactive Invoices for Veteran Expenses Act of 2025 or the STRIVE Act of 2025This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), under certain conditions, from collecting copayments from a veteran for hospital care or medical services more than two years after the veteran receives the care or service.Specifically, the VA is prohibited from collecting any copayment from a veteran for hospital care or medical services after the end of the two-year period beginning on the date the veteran received the care or service if the VA did not provide the veteran with timely notice of the copay or provide notice that the aggregate copay amount exceeds $2,000, annually adjusted for inflation.The VA may waive the requirement for a veteran to make any copayment for hospital care or medical services whenever it determines the waiver is appropriate, regardless of whether a veteran submits a request for a waiver.Finally, the bill extends the limitation on pension amounts for certain hospitalized or institutionalized veterans through February 29, 2032. Currently, the limitation expires on November 30, 2031.

Stop Raising Prices on Food ActThis bill requires the President to receive congressional approval in order to proclaim or increase the rates of duty (i.e., tariffs) on articles imported into the United States from covered countries. Under the bill, a covered country is one of the five countries with the highest volume of U.S. agricultural goods imported into the country in the preceding fiscal year, as determined by the President. The bill treats the European Union and its member countries as a single country.Specifically, the President may proclaim a new or additional covered duty (e.g., a duty proclaimed pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962) on an article imported into the United States from a covered country only if (1) the President submits to Congress a request for authorization to proclaim or increase the duty and the request contains specified information, such as a description of the objective the President seeks to achieve with the action and an assessment of the likely impact on the U.S. agricultural economy; and (2) a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law.