Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management

Breaking the Gridlock Act

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 319.

Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act

Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-320.

Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2025

Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2025 This bill authorizes local governments to implement the previous edition of building codes with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) programs. It also establishes a pilot program for residential resilience retrofits under the BRIC program. Under current law, local governments may use funding provided under the BRIC and Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF programs to establish and carry out the latest published editions of relevant building codes and standards. The bill allows local governments to use BRIC grant funding to carry out the latest two published editions (i.e., either the current edition of a building code or the previous edition) and requires BRIC to consider adoption of either of the latest two editions when determining whether to provide assistance. The bill also allows local governments to use loan funding from the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program for implementing the latest two published editions of building codes, including amendments government entities make to such codes. Additionally, the bill establishes under the BRIC program a pilot program for states and local governments to provide grants to individuals for residential resilience retrofits (i.e., projects that increase a home’s resilience to natural hazards). To provide this assistance, FEMA may use up to 10% of the assistance made available to BRIC applicants annually. The pilot program terminates at the end of FY2028.

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 273.

Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025

Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025 or the POST Act of 2025 The bill directs the Federal Protective Service (FPS) to improve the performance of security personnel contracted to protect federal buildings and to report on such efforts to Congress. Within one year after the bill's enactment, FPS must establish performance testing and improvement protocols for contract security personnel. Specifically, FPS shall (1) establish standards for the collection, maintenance, and analysis of covert testing data; (2) conduct quarterly analytical reviews of covert testing data to identify trends and opportunities for operational improvement; (3) establish a mandatory, cause-specific corrective training and performance improvement plan for any individual who fails a covert test; and (4) update security training guidance to address failed covert tests, emerging threats, and best practices. FPS must report to Congress about implementation upon completion and annually thereafter. Within 180 days after the bill’s enactment, FPS must assess whether to replace or upgrade its tracking system for managing and monitoring the deployment availability of contract security personnel. FPS must develop (1) an implementation plan that includes a timeline for the replacement or update; and (2) procedures to ensure timely and accurate communication to building tenants regarding contract security personnel absences or other gaps in coverage. FPS must report to Congress on the assessment within one year after the bill's enactment and annually for the next three years.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

SPACE Act of 2025

Shared Property Agency Collaboration and Engagement Act of 2025 or the SPACE Act of 2025 This bill directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to collaborate with federal agencies regarding the use of shared-space arrangements in federally leased buildings. The GSA must (1) collaborate with tenants of federally leased space to better identify concerns around shared-space arrangements; (2) develop criteria that would facilitate the expanded use of space sharing; (3) identify how special-use space can be used to improve space sharing; and (4) establish measurable objectives, in consultation with tenants, to quantify the success of shared-space arrangements among federal agencies. GSA must brief Congress on implementation of the bill within six months after the bill's enactment.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act This bill requires the Architect of the Capitol to create a congressional time capsule in honor of the 250 th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to be buried on the west lawn of the Capitol on or before July 4, 2026. Congressional leadership will determine the contents of the time capsule, and the time capsule shall be sealed until July 4, 2276.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

People CARE Act

People-Centered Assistance Reform Effort Act or the People CARE Act This bill establishes the People-Centered Assistance Reform Effort Commission within the legislative branch to review federal means-tested programs for potential reform. Under the bill, means-tested programs are those designed to provide assistance to low-income individuals, including, for example, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The commission is generally directed to review all federal means-tested programs with the exception of certain specified programs, including Social Security, Medicare, and certain veterans’ benefits programs. The commission is directed to identify and evaluate potential changes to federal means-tested programs, such as consolidation with other programs, delegation of certain functions to states, and the establishment of gradual benefit reductions tied to increases in beneficiaries’ income. The commission is also directed to consider changes that would allow caseworkers to identify all of the appropriate programs for individuals and families. The commission must establish a website through which members of the public may submit suggested reforms for consideration. The commission is to be comprised of eight members, with an equal number of members appointed by the majority and minority parties. At the conclusion of its term, the commission must report to Congress with its findings and proposed legislation implementing any recommended changes. Congress must consider the legislation under expedited procedures.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

Pro-Housing Act of 2025

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.