This joint resolution seeks to overturn an Environmental Protection Agency rule governing pollution standards for small off-road engines, following California's stricter environmental regulations. The rule, published in the Federal Register on January 6, 2025, would allow California to set its own nonroad engine pollution control standards, which typically means engines used in equipment like lawnmowers, chainsaws, and leaf blowers. If Congress approves this disapproval measure, the EPA rule would be nullified and have no legal effect. The resolution was submitted by Representative Jay Obernolte and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This action reflects an ongoing congressional debate over whether states like California should have authority to set pollution standards stricter than federal requirements, and it affects manufacturers of small engines and environmental policy across the country.

# Summary of H.R. 9925: FRONTIER Act This bill creates a federal regulatory framework for overseeing the development and deployment of advanced artificial intelligence models that pose catastrophic risks. The law specifically targets "frontier AI" models—large, powerful AI systems trained using massive amounts of computing power—and establishes two tiers of requirements based on company size and spending. The bill requires large AI developers (those with over $50 million in annual revenue and at least $1 billion in AI development spending) to create and publicly publish detailed safety frameworks describing how they identify, assess, and manage catastrophic risks from their AI models. These companies must also hire independent third-party auditors annually to verify they are complying with their stated safety practices. Very large developers—those exceeding $5 billion in revenue and $10 billion in AI spending—face stricter requirements, including ongoing assessments by federally licensed independent verification organizations that must evaluate whether the company adequately mitigates catastrophic risks. The bill establishes a new Under Secretary of Commerce for AI Security to oversee the licensing and conduct of independent verification organizations, issue regulations within 180 days of enactment, and monitor compliance. It also creates reporting mechanisms allowing developers and the public to confidentially report critical safety incidents, with developers required to report serious incidents within 72 hours or law enforcement within 24 hours if they pose imminent risk of death or injury. The Secretary of Commerce gains authority to issue emergency orders suspending or restricting a frontier model's development or deployment if it poses an imminent catastrophic risk, with expedited judicial review procedures. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1 million per violation for transparency and reporting requirements and up to $10 million per violation for emergency order violations. The bill preempts most state AI regulations but preserves state authority over AI deployment by users, consumer protection, and procurement by government entities.

The AI Security and Innovation Act establishes a new Center for AI Security and Innovation within the National Institute of Standards and Technology to help the United States maintain leadership in artificial intelligence research and development. The center will measure risks posed by AI systems to national and economic security, facilitate information sharing between private companies and federal agencies, and develop voluntary standards and best practices for testing and securing advanced AI systems. The bill authorizes $20 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to fund the center's operations, which will be led by a director appointed by the Secretary of Commerce within three months of the bill's enactment. The center will evaluate AI security threats, conduct assessments of advanced AI systems developed domestically and by foreign adversaries, and provide recommendations to Congress and the National Security Council on AI policy matters, though it will have no regulatory or enforcement authority.

The ReCement Act modifies the federal definition of solid waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act to exclude certain recovered materials and secondary materials from being classified as waste when used in cement manufacturing. Specifically, the bill allows cement and clinker producers to use non-hazardous recovered materials and resources as ingredients or fuels as substitutes for traditional materials without triggering solid waste regulations, provided these materials meet specific legitimacy criteria set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The legislation primarily affects cement manufacturers and recycling operations that supply recovered materials to the cement industry. The bill does not specify dedicated funding or timelines for implementation, relying instead on existing EPA regulatory frameworks established under Code of Federal Regulations Part 241. By reclassifying certain recovered materials, the bill aims to promote more efficient use of secondary materials in cement production while reducing regulatory barriers to their use.

The Economy of the Future Commission Act of 2025 establishes a bipartisan commission to study how artificial intelligence will reshape the American economy and workforce. The commission comprises 12 voting members appointed by congressional leaders—balanced by party and chamber—plus four nonvoting officials from the Education, Labor, Commerce, and Treasury departments, with members appointed within 45 days. The commission will evaluate AI's impact on jobs, education, government operations, and social safety nets, and will develop legislative recommendations on AI research strategy, small business access to AI tools, autonomous vehicle regulations, and related policy areas. The commission must deliver an interim report within 7 months analyzing AI's projected employment and tax effects by industry, followed by a final report within 13 months with recommendations on education, worker retraining, unemployment insurance, and tax policy. The legislation provides $5.25 million in funding and the commission will terminate 120 days after submitting its final report.

This bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a working group within 90 days to develop guidance and best practices for responding to electric vehicle fires on public roads and at charging stations. The working group will include at least 22 members representing emergency responders, the towing industry, automotive manufacturers, research organizations, and federal agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the United States Fire Administration. The group will continuously review EV fire risks and response procedures, issue updated guidance periodically, and maintain a database of roadside incidents involving EV fires through coordination with the United States Fire Administration. Members will serve without compensation, and the Secretary will provide administrative support using existing funds rather than new appropriations. The working group will operate for 10 years from its establishment and submit annual reports to Congress summarizing best practices and emerging issues related to EV fire response.

The ICU Bed Act of 2026 requires hospitals, critical access hospitals, and rural emergency hospitals that participate in Medicare to report their intensive care unit bed availability in real time as a condition of continued participation in the program. Beginning one year after the law takes effect, hospitals in the same geographic region must share real-time data about available ICU beds with each other and develop coordinated strategies to transfer patients between facilities when one hospital reaches or nears capacity. The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish these regions based on geography, population, and travel time between hospitals. The legislation also extends funding for state and regional hospital preparedness programs through fiscal year 2031 and specifically includes support for activities that help hospitals coordinate patient transfers during public health emergencies to prevent overcrowding.

The No Lifeline for the Dead Act directs the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen verification procedures for the Lifeline program, a federal subsidy that helps low-income Americans afford phone service. Within 120 days of enactment, the FCC must require all eligibility determinations to use the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and National Lifeline Accountability Database, eliminating options for states to use alternative verification systems. The bill also requires that anyone previously approved without using these federal databases be re-examined within 180 days and lose benefits if found ineligible under the new standards. Additionally, the legislation limits assistance to U.S. citizens and qualified aliens, and requires applicants to provide a Social Security number or Tribal identifier to qualify. The bill contains no new funding provisions and instead aims to tighten program administration to prevent payments to ineligible recipients.

The Cloud Labs to Advance Biotechnology Act of 2026 directs the National Science Foundation to establish a national network of "cloud laboratories"—physical labs equipped with remote-controlled robots and advanced instruments that allow scientists to conduct experiments and collect biological data from anywhere. The bill affects academic researchers, biotechnology companies, and government laboratories by creating a coordinated system where these entities can share laboratory capabilities, collaborate on best practices, and access high-quality biological data to train artificial intelligence models. The NSF must establish the network within one year, create an advisory board within six months, and issue grants for at least two new labs by year two (operational within three years) and at least three additional labs by year four, with each receiving funding for 6-8 year periods. The program includes requirements for data sharing plans, cybersecurity protocols, intellectual property agreements, and public access to data, and the entire initiative terminates 12 years after enactment.

This bill establishes an 18-member independent commission to study America's competitiveness in robotics and advise Congress on advancing the technology. The commission will examine robotics development across the private and public sectors, analyze international competition, evaluate workforce and supply chain needs, and assess national security implications. Appointed members must be recognized experts in robotics or its applications, with the Speaker, Senate leaders, and President each selecting portions of the commission, while Congress jointly designates a chair and vice chair. The commission will submit an interim report within one year and a final report within two years of its establishment, with recommendations for congressional and federal action. The Department of Commerce will provide administrative support, office space, and federal liaisons, while the commission can hire an executive director and staff using standard federal pay rates. The commission will automatically dissolve 18 months after submitting its final report.

The Liquid Cooling for AI Act directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive study of liquid-cooling systems used in artificial intelligence data centers and high-performance computing facilities. The bill responds to rising concerns about data center energy consumption, which is projected to reach between 6.7 and 12.8 percent of total U.S. electricity use by 2028, by examining whether liquid cooling offers better thermal efficiency, cost savings, and energy performance compared to traditional air-cooling methods. Within 90 days of enactment, the GAO must submit a detailed report evaluating research needs, market trends, different cooling approaches, waste heat reuse opportunities, and failure scenarios, along with recommendations for federal best practices. The Department of Energy then has 180 days to review the GAO findings and provide Congress with an assessment of liquid cooling's importance to maintaining U.S. competitiveness in AI technology, plus recommendations for future research and development. The bill authorizes no specific funding amount but requires the GAO and Department of Energy to consult with industry experts, national laboratories, and other stakeholders throughout the process.

Preventive Health Savings ActThis bill requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), upon receiving a request from Congress, to determine if proposed legislation would reduce spending outside of the 10-year budget window through the use of preventive health care.Under the bill, the term preventive health care generally refers to an action that focuses on the health of the public, individuals, and defined populations in order to protect, promote, and maintain health and wellness and prevent disease, disability, and premature death.If CBO determines that the proposed legislation would result in net reductions in budget outlays from the use of preventive health care, any CBO projection regarding the legislation must include (1) a description and estimate of the reductions in outlays, and (2) a description of the basis for these conclusions. Any estimate provided by CBO pursuant to this bill must be used as a supplementary estimate and may not be used to determine compliance with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 or any other budgetary enforcement controls.

This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve forecasting for atmospheric rivers—weather systems that bring heavy precipitation—and strengthen water management prediction in the western United States. The legislation establishes two main initiatives: a pilot project within NOAA's weather research program focused on advancing subseasonal-to-seasonal precipitation forecasts for western water management, and a comprehensive atmospheric river forecast improvement program that will develop better models, data systems, and communication tools for predicting these dangerous storms nationwide. The bill authorizes $15 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for the pilot projects and requires NOAA to develop a detailed implementation plan within nine months and submit annual budgets to Congress. The pilot project authority expires after five years, while the broader atmospheric river program is open-ended and will involve partnerships with universities, the Air Force's weather reconnaissance squadron, and the weather industry to reduce deaths, property damage, and economic losses from atmospheric river events.

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange ActThis bill authorizes a land exchange between the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (also federally recognized as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians) and the federal government. The tribe is located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near the cities of Highland and San Bernardino in California.Specifically, if the tribe offers to convey to the federal government all right, title, and interest of the tribe in and to approximately 1,460 acres of land, then the Forest Service must accept the offer and convey all right, title, and interest of the federal government in and to approximately 1,475 acres of National Forest System land. The Forest Service must accept the offer and convey the land as soon as practicable within 120 days of receiving the offer.As a condition of the land exchange, within 120 days of the bill's enactment, the tribe must enter into an agreement with the Forest Service under which the tribe agrees to preserve the historical and cultural integrity of the Arrowhead landmark site. The site is located in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains directly above San Bernardino, California.Land acquired by the Forest Service shall become part of the San Bernardino National Forest.

The AI Whistleblower Protection Act prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who report artificial intelligence security vulnerabilities or violations of AI-related laws. The bill protects employees and independent contractors who report concerns to government agencies, law enforcement, Congress, or internal supervisors about AI systems that pose risks to public safety, health, or national security. Workers who face retaliation can file complaints with the Department of Labor or sue in federal court within specified timeframes, with successful complainants entitled to reinstatement, back pay doubled, and compensation for legal fees. The legislation covers any organization engaged in commerce that uses AI systems, though it excludes consumer products like word processors or maps. The bill does not establish new funding mechanisms and relies on existing Department of Labor procedures for initial complaints, with federal court jurisdiction available if cases aren't resolved within 180 days.

The Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act of 2025 amends the National Quantum Initiative Act to establish a new public-private partnership program focused on developing practical quantum computing applications that can be deployed within 24 months. The Secretary of Commerce and the National Institute of Standards and Technology would oversee this "quantum sandbox" program, which aims to accelerate the development and testing of quantum, quantum-hybrid, quantum sensing, and quantum communication applications across both government and private sectors. The legislation seeks to break down barriers to accessing quantum computing technology and position the United States as a leader in quantum innovation and workforce development. The bill involves coordination with the Quantum Economic Development Consortium, national laboratories, and other organizations within the quantum computing ecosystem, though specific funding amounts or implementation timelines are not detailed in the legislation text.

The Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act establishes a federal task force to coordinate efforts among federal agencies, state and local governments, tribal nations, and private sector stakeholders to reduce U.S. dependence on China and other adversarial nations for critical minerals essential to national security, clean energy, and military equipment. The task force, to be led by senior White House officials and chaired within 90 days of the bill's enactment, must develop recommendations for building domestic mining, processing, and recycling capacity; identifying alternative sources for minerals currently imported from China; and strengthening international partnerships with allies to secure supply chains. The task force is required to submit its initial findings to Congress within two years and brief lawmakers every 60 days until completion, with a final report published in the Federal Register. The bill requires no new appropriations and establishes a sunset provision ending the task force 90 days after it completes its work, along with a separate Government Accountability Office study due within 18 months examining federal and state regulations affecting domestic critical mineral supply chains.

The Prison Staffing Reform Act of 2025 directs the Bureau of Prisons to conduct a comprehensive review of understaffing at its 121 facilities and submit a detailed staffing plan to Congress within 180 days. The bill aims to address widespread shortages that threaten the safety and health of both the approximately 35,000 Bureau employees and incarcerated individuals, who face reduced access to medical care, mental health services, educational programs, and protection against abuse due to insufficient staff. An external organization—not the Bureau itself—will conduct the review in consultation with prison employee unions, civil rights groups, and recidivism reduction advocates, and must examine staffing impacts on medical care quality, security, overtime practices, and overall agency costs. The Bureau must then implement the resulting staffing plan within three years and submit annual progress reports to Congress and prison employee representatives. While the bill does not specify funding amounts, implementation is subject to congressional appropriations.

Election Results Accountability ActThis bill establishes deadlines for states to count ballots and certify results in federal elections. Specifically, the bill requires a state to count not less than 90% of the ballots cast in a federal election held in the state not later than 72 hours after polls close and make the result of the count publicly available. Further, the state must certify and make publicly available the complete election results not later than two weeks after the election. The bill provides exceptions to these deadlines, including for bona fide emergencies (e.g., major disasters) or technical difficulties (e.g., malfunctioning election equipment or software).The bill prohibits a state from receiving federal election administration funds for subsequent elections if the state does not comply with the deadlines established by the bill. However, a state may regain eligibility for these funds if (1) the state submits a compliance plan to the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), and (2) the EAC and DOJ each certify that the state has taken actions to comply with the plan.

This joint resolution revokes the waiver granted to the California Air Resources Board regarding new emissions standards for new 2024 and subsequent model year on-road heavy-duty vehicles and engines, off-road diesel engines, and off-road diesel-fueled auxiliary power units. (Under the Clean Air Act, California may seek waivers of the preemption prohibiting states from enacting certain emission standards.)Specifically, the 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.

Creating Resources for Every American To Experiment with Artificial Intelligence Act of 2025 or the CREATE AI Act of 2025This bill establishes a national program to provide U.S. researchers, educators, and students with access to artificial intelligence (AI) data, computational resources, educational tools and services, and testbeds.The program, to be known as the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), must be established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve U.S. AI research capacity and spur the strategic development of AI capabilities. NAIRR may accept and use donated resources from the private sector and federal agencies.Those eligible to use NAIRR resources are (1) researchers, educators, and students based in the United States and affiliated with a U.S. institution of higher education, nonprofit, executive agency, or other specified entity; and (2) employees of U.S. executive agencies or federally funded research and development centers with a demonstrable mission need.NSF must select a nongovernmental organization to operate NAIRR (i.e., an operating entity) through a competitive and transparent process. The operating entity must ensure that a significant percentage of the annual allotment of computational resources is provided to projects primarily focused on AI privacy, ethics, safety, security, risk mitigation, or trustworthiness. The operating entity must also establish minimum security requirements for all individuals interacting with NAIRR.The operating entity may establish a fee schedule for access to NAIRR, which must include a free tier of access and must ensure that the primary purpose of NAIRR is to support research.

American Cybersecurity Literacy ActThis bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to carry out a campaign to educate the public on cybersecurity best practices. The campaign must provide information on identifying cybersecurity risks and encourage the public to take certain actions, such as changing default passwords and declining unnecessary privilege requests from mobile applications.

Granting Remaining Applications Not Treated Efficiently or Delayed Act of 2025 or the GRANTED Act of 2025This bill provides for the automatic approval of a complete application to place or maintain communications facilities (e.g., telecommunications antennas and equipment) on federal property after the application has been pending with a federal agency for 270 days. (Under current law, individuals and entities may apply for an easement, right-of-way, or lease to install, construct, modify, or maintain a communications facility in, on, or over federal property. The federal agency with control over the relevant property is required to act on such an application within 270 days.)The bill requires agencies to act on applications within 270 days of their receipt of a complete application, rather than within 270 days of an application’s filing. Under the bill, an application is considered complete when the applicant (1) has taken the first procedural step within their control to submit the application in accordance with procedures established by the agency, and (2) has not been notified of any deficiency in the application within 30 days of its submission. The bill also establishes criteria for determining when an application is considered received by an agency. Finally, the bill provides for the automatic grant of applications that remain pending with agencies after the 270-day deadline.

NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination ActThis bill establishes an Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to analyze and develop policies related to internet and communications technologies.Specific activities of the office include, for example, developing policies that promote (1) innovation, competition, and other elements of the communications, media, and technology markets; (2) security and resilience to cybersecurity incidents while fostering innovation; and (3) commercialization of communications technologies.The existing Associate Administrator for Policy Analysis and Development within NTIA must be redesignated as Associate Administrator for Policy Development and Cybersecurity, and must serve as head of the office.

Medical Device Electronic Labeling ActThis bill expands the permitted use of electronic labeling of medical devices to allow directions for use and warning labels for all medical devices to be provided electronically, rather than physically (i.e., affixed to or accompanying the device or its container). (Under current law, direction and warning labels may be provided electronically only for (1) prescription devices intended for use in health care facilities or by health care professionals, and (2) in vitro diagnostic devices intended for use in blood establishments or by health care professionals.)Under the bill, direction and warning labels may be provided solely electronically for all medical devices so long as (1) the electronic label is readily accessible to the device’s intended users, (2) intended users may request a paper label at no additional cost, and (3) the label affixed to the device or its packaging contains all information required under current laws and regulations. The Food and Drug Administration may issue regulations establishing additional requirements or exceptions to these provisions.