Daniel Meuser

This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs.

The SBIR and STTR programs are administered by various federal agencies and provide competitive awards for domestic small businesses to conduct research and development projects that have the potential for commercialization.

Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act

This bill makes changes to the Charter Schools Program (CSP), which authorizes competitive grants to state entities (e.g., state educational agencies and state charter school boards) to support high-quality charter schools.

Specifically, the bill allows state entities to use up to 5% of their CSP grant funds to make pre-charter planning subgrants to certain prospective charter applicants.

The bill specifies that state entities may also (1) fund a revolving loan fund or similar mechanisms for the expenses of eligible applicants prior to receiving CSP subgrants, and (2) provide assistance to eligible applicants in locating and accessing a charter school facility.

Under the current CSP, state entities must use at least 7% of their CSP grant funds to provide technical assistance to eligible applicants and authorized public chartering agencies. The bill instead allows state entities to use not more than 10% of these funds for technical assistance.

25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act

This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and the establishment of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center.

The sale of all coins issued under this bill must include a surcharge to be paid to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center to support operations and maintenance. However, if the issuance of this commemorative coin exceeds certain annual limits, no surcharge may be included.

Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025

This bill repeals certain restrictions on the import and export of natural gas under the Natural Gas Act, including requirements for Department of Energy (DOE) approval and related provisions that address free trade agreements.

In addition, the bill grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the exclusive authority to approve or deny applications to authorize the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of facilities (e.g., liquefied natural gas terminals) to export natural gas to foreign countries or import natural gas from foreign countries. (Currently, DOE authorizes the export or import of natural gas, and FERC authorizes related facilities.)

In determining whether to approve or deny an application, FERC must deem the exportation or importation of natural gas to be consistent with the public interest.

Veterans Border Patrol Training Act

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collaborate with the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a five-year interdepartmental pilot program, under which DHS must use the DOD SkillBridge Program to train and hire transitioning servicemembers as border patrol agents for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act

This bill includes combatting the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) as a Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension area and reauthorizes other USDA research and extension initiatives.

The bill specifically allows grants for developing and disseminating research-based tools and treatments to combat the spotted lanternfly, which is an invasive species native to Asia that feeds on a wide range of crops and plants (e.g., grapes, apples, hops, walnuts, and hardwood trees).

Further, the bill reauthorizes USDA grants to support competitive specialized research and extension activities, including high-priority areas, through FY2030. The bill also specifically reauthorizes through FY2030

• the Pulse Crop Health Initiative;

• the Comprehensive Food Safety Training Network;

• pollinator protection research and extension grants;

• increased USDA capacity and infrastructure to address and conduct research on colony collapse disorder and other pollinator issues; and

• a USDA-conducted nationwide honey bee pest, pathogen, health, and population status surveillance program.

This bill reduces the required aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity shares for an issuer of securities to qualify as a well-known seasoned issuer. A well-known seasoned issuer is allowed to make expedited public offerings of securities through automatic shelf registrations.

Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act of 2025

This bill requires the Financial Stability Oversight Council, prior to determining that a U.S. nonbank financial company shall be supervised by the Federal Reserve Board and therefore subject to certain prudential standards, to first determine that certain alternative actions would not mitigate the threat the company may pose to U.S. financial stability.

Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act

This bill requires the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) to establish the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program to identify deceased members of the Armed Forces who were Jewish and buried in a U.S. military cemetery located outside of the United States under a marker indicating the member was not Jewish. The program must contact survivors and descendants of such members.

The ABMC must seek to enter into a contract with a nonprofit organization to carry out the program during the first 10 fiscal years beginning after the date of enactment of the bill.

Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2025 or the PHIT Act of 2025

This bill allows a federal tax deduction of up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married individuals who file a joint federal tax return or a head of a household) for qualified sports and fitness expenses. (Conditions apply.)

Under current law, an individual may deduct unreimbursed expenses paid for medical care for themselves, their spouse, or a qualified dependent to the extent that such expenses exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income.

Under the bill, the definition of medical care (for purposes of the tax deduction) is expanded to include qualified sports and fitness expenses. The bill defines qualified sports and fitness expenses as amounts paid exclusively for the sole purpose of participating in a physical activity, including

• fitness facility memberships,

• participation or instruction in physical exercise or activity, or

• equipment for a physical exercise or activity program.