Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

ARTIST Act

Alaska’s Right To Ivory Sales and Tradition Act or the ARTIST Act This bill prohibits states from imposing bans on marine mammal products produced by Alaska Natives. Specifically, states may not prohibit the importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of marine mammal ivory, marine mammal bone, or baleen legally produced by an Alaska Native as an authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing.

A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, students athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.

This bill would allow college athletes to earn money from their own name, image, and likeness—such as through endorsement deals or social media sponsorships—while establishing rules to keep competition fair across different schools. It would protect student athletes' rights to profit from their personal brand while preventing wealthy schools from gaining unfair advantages by paying athletes excessive amounts. The legislation affects college athletes, universities, and companies that might sponsor or do business with them.

Foreign Robocall Elimination Act

Foreign Robocall Elimination Act This bill establishes an interagency task force on unlawful robocalls to advise federal agencies and Congress on combating robocalls made from outside of the United States. The bill also increases the term applicable to the Federal Communications Commission’s designation of an industry-led consortium to trace the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls. Under current law, the commission must annually seek applications from industry groups to serve as the designated consortium; under the bill, the commission must seek applications once every three years.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by 2050.

The Senate is expressing its goal to eliminate all traffic deaths by 2050 through improved safety measures and technology. This resolution calls for coordinated efforts across government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, and transportation systems to reduce the roughly 40,000 annual traffic fatalities that currently occur in the United States. The measure affects drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and transportation companies as it outlines a long-term vision for safer roads and vehicles.

Lulu’s Law

Lulu’s Law This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to issue an order explicitly permitting the transmission of wireless emergency alerts to mobile phones in the event of a shark attack. (Under current regulations, authorized government authorities are permitted to send wireless emergency alerts regarding public safety emergencies, including severe weather, missing children, and other threats to life or property.)

A bill to establish the Foundation for Digital Opportunity, and for other purposes.

The legislation would create a new Foundation for Digital Opportunity to help expand internet access and digital skills training across the country, particularly in underserved communities. This would affect rural areas, low-income neighborhoods, and other regions that currently lack reliable broadband or technology education programs. The foundation would work to bridge the digital divide by funding projects that connect people to high-speed internet and teach them how to use technology effectively.

Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act

The bill would prevent Amtrak from forcing passengers to sign agreements that require them to settle disputes through private arbitration instead of going to court. This change would give train passengers the right to sue Amtrak in court if they have complaints about their service or experience injuries, rather than being locked into a private dispute-resolution process. The measure affects anyone who buys an Amtrak ticket and wants to protect their legal rights.

Regional Great Lakes Partnership Act of 2026

The proposal would give the Great Lakes Commission an official designation as a Regional Great Lakes Partnership, which would likely enhance its authority and role in managing issues affecting the Great Lakes region. This change could affect states bordering the Great Lakes, businesses that rely on the lakes for commerce and resources, and communities dependent on the lakes for water and recreation. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Maritime Cybersecurity Act

The Coast Guard would be required to evaluate the cybersecurity risks of software and hardware used at important maritime facilities like ports and shipping terminals to identify potential vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. This assessment would help protect critical infrastructure that millions of Americans depend on for trade, transportation, and national security. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Outage Refund Protection Act

When phone, cable, satellite, or internet services go down, companies would be required to automatically give customers refunds for the time their service wasn't working, rather than making customers request reimbursement themselves. This would affect millions of households and businesses that rely on these services, as well as the telecommunications and cable companies that provide them. The bill aims to make it easier for consumers to get compensation when they experience service outages without having to file complaints or navigate company refund processes.

GAME Act of 2026

Major social media and digital advertising platforms would be banned from showing targeted ads for sports gambling to anyone under 18, protecting young people from marketing that encourages them to gamble. The law would apply to companies that collect personal data to customize ads, meaning platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube would need to stop directing sports betting promotions to minors based on their browsing habits or interests. Violations could result in penalties enforced by the Federal Trade Commission.

Coast Guard Personnel Equipment Act

The federal government would be required to buy certain products and materials from American sources when purchasing for the Coast Guard, matching similar requirements that already apply to other military branches. This would affect Coast Guard procurement decisions and could benefit American manufacturers and suppliers who bid on government contracts. The change aims to support domestic businesses and reduce reliance on foreign sources for military equipment and supplies.

Scientific Integrity Act

The bill would require federal agencies that fund or conduct scientific research to establish policies protecting the integrity of that research, such as preventing political interference with scientific findings and ensuring researchers can speak publicly about their work. These policies would apply to agencies like the National Institutes of Health, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency, affecting how they manage research projects and communicate results to the public. The goal is to ensure that scientific conclusions are based on evidence rather than politics or pressure from officials.

988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2026

This bill would improve the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by making sure that when someone calls or texts 988, the system can more accurately identify their location so emergency responders can reach them faster if needed. The changes would help the lifeline's call centers better pinpoint where callers are located, which is especially important for people in crisis who may not be able to clearly communicate their address. This affects anyone who might use the crisis service, as well as the call centers and emergency services that respond to these calls.

Baby Changing on Board Act

Baby Changing on Board Act This bill requires Amtrak passenger rail trains to have a baby changing table in at least one restroom in each car, including in an Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990-compliant restroom. The bill applies to passenger rail trains that are (1) owned and operated by Amtrak, and (2) solicited for purchase after the bill's enactment for use by Amtrak.

MAP for Broadband Funding Act

Modernization, Accountability, and Planning for Broadband Funding Act or the MAP for Broadband Funding Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to coordinate with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to collect data for the Broadband Funding Map on a reasonable and timely basis. It also requires information collection and reporting on the map’s functionality and management. (The map documents the location of each federally funded broadband project.) Specifically, the FCC must seek public comment on the functionality and transparency of the map and the quality and completeness of the data within the map. Further, the Government Accountability Office must report on the management and use of the map, as well as the extent to which federal agencies are complying with obligations to submit information for the map.

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a process to vet applicants for certain funding programs that support affordable broadband deployment in high-cost areas, including rural communities. Specifically, the FCC must conduct a rulemaking to develop a vetting process for applicants seeking funding under high-cost universal service programs for the deployment of a broadband-capable network and the provision of supported services over the network. The FCC must require applications for such funding to document each applicant’s technical, financial, and operational capabilities related to the proposed deployment, as well as a reasonable business plan. The FCC must evaluate applications against reasonable and well-established standards and must consider each applicant’s history of compliance with the requirements of other government broadband funding programs. After the rulemaking is finalized, funds may only be awarded to applicants that satisfy the standards established therein. Finally, the FCC must set financial penalties for applicants that default in some manner during the evaluation process before they are authorized to begin receiving support.

Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill renews and updates the federal program that operates a network of sensors, buoys, and monitoring stations to track ocean conditions, weather patterns, and coastal hazards across U.S. waters. The reauthorization would provide funding and authority for scientists and agencies to continue collecting data on ocean temperature, currents, and storms that helps predict hurricanes, protect marine ecosystems, and support fishing and shipping industries. Coastal communities, fishermen, weather forecasters, and environmental researchers would all benefit from the continued operation of this ocean monitoring system.

PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025

This bill would strengthen safety requirements for natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines, likely including new inspection standards, leak detection systems, and emergency response procedures to protect communities near pipeline infrastructure. The rules would apply to pipeline companies and operators, with oversight from federal regulators to reduce the risk of accidents, explosions, and environmental damage. Workers in the pipeline industry and residents living near pipeline routes would be the primary groups affected by these new safety measures.

Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act

The bill would increase the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots, allowing them to work longer before being forced to retire. Currently, pilots must stop flying at age 65, but this change would extend that deadline, potentially addressing pilot shortages in the aviation industry while affecting when experienced pilots leave their jobs and how airlines manage their workforce.