H.R. 9543 amends a federal law from 1884 to allow states and local governments to tax cruise ships and their passengers or crew members. The bill specifically defines a cruise ship as any vessel that docks at a U.S. port and charges fees for providing accommodation to temporary guests. This change grants non-federal entities, such as states and cities, the authority to impose these taxes under existing constitutional provisions that govern state taxation powers. The legislation does not specify any particular funding amounts or implementation timelines. The bill was introduced in June 2026 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for consideration.

H.R. 9508 requires the Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations to establish a new Pacific Islands Liaison Initiative within 180 days of enactment. This initiative will strengthen law enforcement partnerships with Pacific Island nations and combat transnational criminal organizations in the region through regular visits, joint operations, training, technical assistance, and strategic forward deployment of U.S. personnel to a regional hub. The program will be managed from Honolulu with coordination from Guam and other HSI offices, employing at least four full-time personnel overseen by an Assistant Special Agent in Charge. The bill authorizes $5 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2034 to support these activities and requires annual reports to Congress on how funds are spent and the initiative's effectiveness in countering malign influence and advancing U.S. strategic interests in the Pacific.

This bill modifies the low-income housing tax credit program to encourage the construction and renovation of affordable housing near public transportation. Under the legislation, developers who build new affordable housing or rehabilitate existing affordable housing within half a mile of rail, bus, harbor, or waterway stations in designated high-density areas would receive a 150 percent increase in their tax credit eligibility, meaning they can claim significantly larger tax credits. Hawaii, Alaska, and U.S. territories receive an even larger boost of 155 percent to account for higher development costs in those areas. The bill limits these designations so that no more than 20 percent of any metropolitan area's population can live in these transit-oriented zones, preventing overconcentration in single regions. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to study regional cost-of-living differences related to transit access and submit recommendations within one year on how to adjust tax credit allocations by state to better reflect these variations.

This bill makes illegal interstate transportation of fireworks a federal money laundering offense. Currently, illegally transporting fireworks across state lines carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, but the bill would allow prosecutors to charge violators under money laundering statutes, which carry sentences up to twenty years and provide stronger investigative tools. The legislation targets criminal networks that profit from trafficking fireworks and using the proceeds to finance other illegal activities like drug trafficking. Congress found that illegal fireworks trafficking generates substantial black-market profits, causes serious public safety risks including injuries and deaths, and is often connected to organized crime. The bill was introduced in May 2026 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee but includes no specific appropriations or implementation timeline.

This resolution congratulates the University of Hawaii men's volleyball team, known as the Rainbow Warriors, for winning the 2026 NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship. Under coach Charlie Wade, the team defeated the University of California, Irvine by a score of 3-1 to claim the program's third national title and set a new school record for wins in a single season. The House of Representatives recognizes the team's hard work, dedication, and the excitement they brought to the state of Hawaii. This is a ceremonial resolution with no funding or policy implications, simply honoring the athletic achievement of the University of Hawaii volleyball program.

The Hawai'i National Cemetery Act requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to build a new national cemetery in Hawai'i to provide burial options for veterans and their eligible family members. Currently, Hawai'i's only national cemetery—the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific—has been closed to casket burials since 1991 and will stop accepting cremated remains by 2036, forcing veterans who want in-ground burials to travel over 2,500 miles to the mainland, creating significant financial and logistical hardships. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must identify potential cemetery sites within one year, prioritizing locations near population centers that are accessible and minimize environmental impact, while consulting with the Hawai'i governor and veterans organizations. The department must then submit progress reports every two years until the cemetery becomes operational, covering site selection, environmental assessments, land acquisition, design, and construction stages—a process expected to take more than eight years. This bill aligns with the Veterans Affairs Department's goal of ensuring 95 percent of veterans live within 75 miles of a national, state, or tribal veterans cemetery.

The PROSPER in the Pacific Act authorizes the President to grant preferential trade treatment to eligible Pacific Islands countries by allowing their products to enter the United States with reduced or eliminated tariffs. The bill applies to 14 Pacific Island nations including Fiji, Samoa, Palau, and others facing economic challenges from geographic isolation and limited infrastructure. To qualify, countries must meet governance standards including respect for worker rights, human rights, environmental protections, and efforts to combat corruption and strengthen the rule of law. The President must also develop a plan within 12 months for negotiating free trade agreements with interested Pacific Islands countries and establish a trade facilitation program to help build export capacity in the region. The preferential treatment expires on December 31, 2036, and the President must report annually to Congress on implementation through that date.

This bill revises the procedures for appointing and removing the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO), and the Comptroller General by giving Congress the sole authority to appoint and remove these positions.Specifically, the bill requires the Librarian and the Director of GPO to each be selected by a bipartisan congressional commission (as established by the bill) and appointed by Congress through the adoption of a concurrent resolution. (Currently, these positions are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.) The Librarian and the Director of GPO may only be removed from office by an affirmative three-fifths vote in each chamber.Additionally, the bill revises the appointment process for the Comptroller General. (Currently, the Comptroller General is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. A bipartisan congressional commission recommends at least three individuals to the President, who may ask the commission to recommend additional individuals.) This bill instead requires the bipartisan congressional commission to recommend one individual to Congress, and Congress may ask the commission to recommend additional individuals. Congress must then appoint the selected individual through the adoption of a concurrent resolution. Further, the bill revises the removal process for the Comptroller General. (Currently, the Comptroller General may be removed from office by impeachment or by joint resolution of Congress.) This bill changes the removal process so the individual may only be removed by impeachment or by concurrent (instead of joint) resolution of Congress.

H.Res. 774 is a symbolic resolution expressing congressional support for recognizing October 2025 as Filipino American History Month. The measure celebrates the history and contributions of Filipino Americans, noting that they represent the third-largest Asian American and Pacific Islander group in the United States with approximately 4.6 million people. The resolution highlights Filipino American achievements across multiple sectors, including military service dating back to 1587, healthcare, labor movements, business, and the arts, while also acknowledging historical injustices such as denied World War II veterans benefits. The bill contains no direct funding or implementation requirements but calls on the American people to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities to promote education about Filipino American history and culture.

This bill modifies U.S. maritime law to allow vessels from allied foreign countries to participate in American coastwise shipping trade. Under current law, only U.S.-built and U.S.-flagged vessels can transport cargo between U.S. ports; this legislation creates an exception for vessels built in allied nations, owned by allied nationals, or crewed by allied personnel. The bill directs the Secretary of State (in consultation with the Coast Guard) to maintain a "Foreign Ally Shipping Registry" that initially includes all NATO member countries, with authority to add or remove countries as diplomatic circumstances warrant. Authorizations for qualified allied vessels would be granted for up to five-year periods and would be revoked if a vessel ceases to qualify or if its country of origin is removed from the registry. The bill also exempts repairs made in allied shipyards from duty assessments. No specific funding is required, and the registry system can be implemented through existing departmental authority.

This bill authorizes grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations for activities related to recreational travel and tourism. Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Indian tribes and tribal organizations; (2) the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to make these grants to and enter into agreements with Native Hawaiian organizations; and (3) other federal agencies to make these grants to and enter into agreements with tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

H.R. 4219 directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish rapid-response teams to combat invasive species on National Wildlife Refuge System lands. The bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create at least one specialized strike team in each of its regions, trained to detect and respond quickly to invasive species threats through prevention, surveillance, and active management using integrated pest management techniques. These teams will coordinate with federal, state, tribal, local, and nonprofit partners to improve efficiency and share information across national databases. The legislation authorizes $15 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to fund the program, and requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the strike teams' progress in addressing priority invasive species within two years and five years of enactment.

The Energy Transitions Initiative Authorization Act directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program providing up to $5 million per project to help remote communities, island communities, and Tribal communities develop reliable renewable energy systems. These communities currently face high energy costs, unreliable infrastructure, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters because of their geographic isolation, and the bill aims to help them build solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and other renewable energy facilities, along with microgrids and energy storage systems. Eligible recipients include states, local governments, Tribal nations, and community organizations serving these areas, with the federal government covering up to 90 percent of project costs while grantees must provide at least 10 percent. The Department of Energy will also offer technical assistance to grant recipients for one to two years, and the Government Accountability Office will audit the program annually to ensure proper spending. Congress has authorized $31 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund these grants and related activities.

The Pacific Partnership Act directs the President to develop a comprehensive strategy for strengthening U.S. engagement with Pacific Island nations by January 2026, with updates every four years thereafter. The strategy must address key goals for diplomatic, defense, and economic involvement in the region; assess threats including natural disasters, illegal fishing, and foreign military activity; and outline resources needed to support these objectives. The bill also requires the State Department and other federal agencies to coordinate with U.S. allies like Australia, Japan, and Taiwan on assistance programs to avoid duplication and maximize effectiveness, and mandates annual reports on transnational crime, illegal fishing, and human trafficking affecting the Pacific Islands. While the legislation emphasizes strengthening relationships and governance in the region, it does not appear to authorize new appropriations but rather directs existing agencies to develop coordinated policies and reporting mechanisms.

H.R. 2993 creates a new position within the Small Business Administration dedicated to helping small businesses establish employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), which allow employees to own shares of their company. The person in this role would provide guidance on tax treatment, regulatory compliance, and funding options for ESOPs, while also coordinating with the Department of Labor and other agencies to streamline the process for small firms. The bill requires the SBA to report annually to Congress on how many businesses received assistance and what outcomes resulted from the program. The legislation authorizes $500,000 in funding for the first fiscal year of implementation, with open-ended funding available in subsequent years. This bill aims to make employee ownership more accessible to small business owners and their workers as an alternative business structure.

This concurrent resolution authorizes the Capitol Visitor Center to be used on June 8, 2025, for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha I.

The Indigenous Diplomacy and Engagement Act establishes a new Office for Indigenous Affairs within the State Department, headed by a Senate-confirmed Coordinator for Indigenous Affairs with ambassador-level rank. The bill directs the President to develop a comprehensive five-year strategy every five years for promoting diplomacy and engagement with Indigenous peoples worldwide, focusing on 10 to 20 countries with significant Indigenous populations. The Coordinator will oversee coordination across federal agencies including State, Interior, USAID, and others to support Indigenous rights, health, education, economic development, and participation in decisions affecting their lands and resources. The bill creates an Advisory Commission on Indigenous Peoples composed of academics, NGO representatives, Indigenous leaders, and government officials to provide annual recommendations on best practices. Additionally, the bill requires the State Department to train foreign service officers on the history, culture, and engagement strategies for Indigenous communities near their assigned posts. No specific funding amount is set, but the bill authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for the new office, with annual reports due to Congress every four years to track implementation and effectiveness.

This resolution supports the designation of National Native Plant.

The Saving Natural Ecosystems and Marine Organisms Act of 2025 prohibits the harvesting, importing, exporting, and trading of coral reef species designated as "covered species" under the bill, with narrow exceptions for scientific research, accredited breeding programs, and sustainable aquaculture. The legislation identifies covered species as those listed in international wildlife trade agreements and any marine reef species that the Secretaries of Interior and Commerce jointly determine pose substantial risk to coral reef ecosystems or have poor survival rates in captivity, while banning destructive collection practices such as reef-dredging, explosives use, and poisoning in all circumstances. The bill establishes enforcement mechanisms including civil penalties up to $25,000, criminal penalties up to two years imprisonment for commercial traders, asset seizure and forfeiture, and provisions allowing citizens to file lawsuits against violators. The legislation takes effect one year after enactment, with special jurisdictional provisions placing American Samoa cases under the Hawaii federal district court.

The bill establishes a competitive federal grant program to fund conservation and recovery projects for native plants, fungi, and animals in Hawaii. Eligible applicants include the state, local governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and universities. The program will distribute annual grants to support efforts addressing invasive species, climate change impacts, habitat loss, scientific research, and community engagement related to native species protection. The federal government will cover up to 75 percent of project costs, though it may fully fund projects run by Native Hawaiian organizations, those benefiting youth workforce development, or those under $50,000. The bill authorizes $30 million annually for 10 fiscal years, with a requirement that at least 5 percent support small grants and projects led by Native Hawaiian organizations. The Secretary of the Interior, working with federal agencies and state officials, will develop annual funding priorities and establish grant criteria, with annual progress reports submitted to Congress.

Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2025 This bill exempts from immigrant visa limitations the children of certain individuals who were naturalized due to their military service during World War II. Specifically, this applies to the children of veterans who served honorably during World War II in the U.S. Armed Forces or in Filipino military units such as the Philippine Army, Philippine Scouts, or recognized guerilla units.

H.R. 663 directs the U.S. government to oppose deep seabed mining both domestically and internationally until stronger protections for ocean ecosystems are in place. The bill requires the President to instruct U.S. representatives at international organizations to call for a moratorium on deep seabed mining permits and to oppose financing for such activities. The ban on U.S. support would remain in effect until the International Seabed Authority establishes comprehensive mining regulations informed by scientific consensus and the President certifies these regulations will effectively protect the marine environment. The legislation stems from congressional concerns that deep seabed mining threatens ocean biodiversity, marine food sources, and carbon storage, with insufficient current scientific understanding of its full impacts. The bill affects environmental policy, fishing communities, international ocean governance, and U.S. positions in global forums, with no specific funding or implementation timeline specified.

The American Seabed Protection Act would prohibit mining activities on the deep ocean floor and the Outer Continental Shelf (the area extending from U.S. coastal waters into international waters), while allowing only scientific research exemptions. The bill affects mining companies and any federal agencies that would issue permits for mineral extraction in these areas. Within 90 days of passage, the Secretary of Commerce must contract with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive environmental study of seabed mining's impacts on marine ecosystems, including effects on fish and other marine life, sediment plumes, noise pollution, carbon storage, and potential alternatives to seabed mining. The bill is based on findings that deep seabed mining poses significant risks to ocean health and that current scientific knowledge is insufficient to fully understand these risks, citing international agreements and United Nations sustainable development goals on ocean protection.

Noncontiguous Shipping Competition Act This bill revises coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, that govern domestic transportation of merchandise or passengers by vessels.The Jones Act generally requires that a vessel transporting merchandise or passengers from one U.S. point to another U.S. point be (1) built in the United States, (2) at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and (3) mostly crewed by U.S. citizens. The act also includes several exemptions and exceptions.The bill exempts carriage on a route in noncontiguous trade from Jones Act requirements unless (1) at least three owners or operators of coastwise qualified vessels regularly operate such a vessel on the route, (2) each of such owners or operators transports at least 20% of the volume of goods on that route, and (3) none of such owners or operators are under common ownership. (Generally, noncontiguous trade is trade between two U.S. points where at least one of the points is in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or an insular territory or U.S. possession.)

Noncontiguous Shipping Reasonable Rate Act of 2024This bill provides that a rate for service in noncontiguous domestic ocean trade is reasonable if such rate is within 10% of a rate set by a comparable international ocean rate index recognized by the Federal Maritime Commission. (Under current law, a rate is required to be reasonable, and the Surface Transportation Board generally has the authority to determine whether certain rates are reasonable.)