New Laws on CrossGov.com

Retire through Ownership Act Signed Into Law as Public Law 119-124

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Retire through Ownership Act (S. 2403) became law on October 15, 2026, as Public Law 119-124. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) introduced it on July 23, 2025, with 1 cosponsor.

What the Law Does

This bill allows the fiduciary of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to rely on a valuation provided by an independent valuation expert or business appraiser in determining the fair market value of the plan’s assets if the assets are not securities for which there is a generally recognized market and the expert or appraiser follows specified methodologies.

Clergy Act Signed Into Law as Public Law 119-125

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Clergy Act (H.R. 227) became law on October 20, 2026, as Public Law 119-125. Rep. Vince Fong (R-California) introduced it on January 7, 2025, with 21 cosponsors.

What the Law Does

This act establishes a two-year window for members of the clergy who have opted out of Social Security and Medicare taxes (and are thus ineligible for benefits under those programs) to opt back in.

Under current law, certain ministers, members of religious orders, and Christian Science practitioners who object to participation in public insurance programs on religious or conscientious grounds may apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes on ministerial earnings. Individuals who are approved for the exemption do not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits in retirement unless they have qualifying credits from other employment. The exemption is irrevocable.

Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act Signed Into Law as Public Law 119-127

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act (H.R. 1721) became law on October 20, 2026, as Public Law 119-127. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) introduced it on February 27, 2025, with 2 cosponsors.

What the Law Does

This bill requires the Department of Commerce to study and report on products that are in high demand across the critical infrastructure sectors. Critical infrastructure sectors are those whose assets, systems, and networks are vital to national security, the economy, public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.

Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act Signed Into Law as Public Law 119-131

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act (H.R. 4307) became law on October 20, 2026, as Public Law 119-131. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Michigan) introduced it on July 10, 2025, with 3 cosponsors.

What the Law Does

This act requires the Department of Labor to provide training and education to its employees on how to effectively assist law enforcement in detecting human trafficking.

The act directs Labor to determine which employees should receive the training and education based on their official duties. Further, it requires the training and education to include information that is appropriate for the employees’ location or environment; that reflects current trends and best practices for the location or environment; and that is relevant to detecting human trafficking, identifying suspected victims, and referring potential cases to the Department of Justice and other appropriate authorities.

Romance Scam Prevention Act Signed Into Law as Public Law 119-129

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Romance Scam Prevention Act (H.R. 2481) became law on October 20, 2026, as Public Law 119-129. Rep. David Valadao (R-California) introduced it on March 31, 2025, with 9 cosponsors.

What the Law Does

This act requires online dating service providers (i.e., mobile applications or websites) to provide users with a fraud ban notification if the user has established an account with the service and received a message through the service from a banned user of the service.

License to Drill Act Signed Into Law as Public Law 119-134

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The License to Drill Act (H.R. 7831) became law on October 20, 2026, as Public Law 119-134. Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah) introduced it on March 5, 2026, with 3 cosponsors.

What the Law Does

This act extends through FY2037 the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) authority to collect oil and gas permit processing fees. For each new permit application, BLM collects a fee that is transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund. (Under current law, the fees are authorized through FY2026.)

Mystic Alerts Act Signed Into Law as Public Law 119-136

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Mystic Alerts Act (H.R. 7022) became law on October 22, 2026, as Public Law 119-136. Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) introduced it on January 12, 2026, with 4 cosponsors.

What the Law Does

This bill provides for wireless emergency alerts to be transmitted to mobile devices via satellite. (Currently, wireless emergency alerts are sent via terrestrial mobile networks to individual devices in geographically targeted areas. Commercial mobile service providers are not required to participate; only devices connected to a participating service provider’s network receive alerts.)