Gary Peters

The TAG Act (S. 5648) requires federal agencies to increase transparency and accountability when using artificial intelligence systems to make decisions affecting the public. The law defines key terms such as "automated systems," "critical decisions" (those affecting education, employment, benefits, housing, and healthcare access), and "plain language" communications, and applies specifically to AI systems that substantially influence agency decisions while excluding simple rule-based processes. Within 90 days of enactment, agencies must publish inventories of their AI systems and issue guidance on protecting privacy and civil rights, notifying the public when AI makes decisions affecting them, establishing appeal processes for adverse AI decisions, and tracking AI accuracy and fairness through performance metrics. The law also requires agencies to disclose when users are interacting with AI chatbots or similar systems and to provide users with complete transcripts of their AI interactions within three business days upon request. The TAG Act will automatically expire 10 years after its guidance takes effect unless Congress votes to reauthorize it.

In the nature of a substitute.

This bill requires the Department of Defense to take action against PFAS contamination, which are harmful "forever chemicals" used in products like firefighting foam that accumulate in soil and water near military installations. Within two years of the bill becoming law, the Secretary of Defense must start cleanup efforts at a minimum of 100 military sites where PFAS remediation has fallen behind schedule, and must complete any ongoing cleanup work already underway. The bill identifies roughly 727 Defense Department installations that have been assessed for PFAS contamination, and targets those where cleanup timelines have slipped since late 2024. The Secretary must also brief Congress within 30 days on the status of PFAS cleanup efforts across all affected military facilities. The bill allows the Defense Department to clean up fewer than 100 sites only if it cannot find enough sites that meet specific contamination criteria, and requires the department to report to Congress if it uses this exception.

This bill adjusts the federal pay grades for railroad safety inspectors and specialists employed by the Department of Transportation. Specifically, it raises the standard pay grade for rail safety inspectors from GS-12 to GS-13 and increases the advanced grade from GS-13 to GS-14 on the federal General Schedule pay system. The bill affects federal employees who conduct railroad safety inspections and specialists in that field. Within 180 days of the bill becoming law, both the Office of Personnel Management and the Secretary of Transportation must update their job classification systems and documentation to reflect these new higher pay grades. The bill does not specify funding amounts but represents a salary increase for these federal safety inspection positions.

This Senate resolution designates the week of September 11 through September 17, 2026, as "Patriot Week," a symbolic recognition rather than a law requiring funding or enforcement. It honors the founding principles of the United States, including the rule of law, liberty, and equality, and highlights historical figures such as George Washington, Frederick Douglass, and Martin Luther King Jr., along with foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The timing connects the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks with Constitution Day on September 17, encouraging Americans to reflect on both tragedy and civic heritage. The resolution encourages citizens, schools, and government bodies at all levels to participate by studying and celebrating American history and values during this week. It carries no binding legal requirements or appropriations, serving instead as an expression of the Senate's support for the observance.

In the nature of a substitute.

This Senate resolution designates August 7, 2026, as "National Lighthouse Day," marking the 237th anniversary of the Lighthouse Act of 1789, the first public works law signed by George Washington. The resolution honors the history of lighthouses and the keepers, including many women, who maintained them, and recognizes their role in supporting maritime safety, coastal commerce, and community development throughout U.S. history. It encourages lighthouse sites to be opened to the public where possible and calls on Americans to mark the day through visits, educational activities, and support for preservation organizations. The measure also reaffirms the Senate's commitment to preserving historic lighthouses, which continue to face threats from erosion, neglect, and deterioration. As a symbolic resolution, it does not include funding or legal mandates but serves to raise public awareness, particularly in connection with the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.

The Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to launch a national education campaign informing healthcare professionals and the public about the risks and benefits of human cell and tissue transplants, including information on organ and tissue donation procedures and donor screening tests. The bill establishes civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation for companies that fail to comply with federal regulations governing these products, with additional penalties equal to the retail value of the products involved and a cap of $10 million per legal proceeding. The legislation also directs the FDA to publish educational materials and annual reports on the Tissue Reference Group, conduct stakeholder workshops, and submit recommendations to Congress by September 30, 2026, on modernizing the regulatory framework for these products. The bill affects tissue banks, healthcare facilities, and companies involved in cell and tissue product development and distribution, while benefiting patients seeking access to safe, regulated therapies.