Responsible Legislating Act

Bill Number: H.R. 185
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Government Operations and Politics
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-03-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Last Updated: 2026-04-08T19:53:40Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 185: Responsible Legislating Act

Purpose

This legislation aims to promote responsible governance by addressing a wide range of policy areas, including agricultural reporting, veterans' education and employment, federal employee retirement benefits, retirement savings incentives, small business support for military families, public safety enhancements, cultural preservation, economic security in key industries, homeland security equipment standards, NASA property management, congressional oversight, whistleblower protections, port security studies, and targeted appropriations. It seeks to extend programs, introduce reforms, and provide incentives to support economic recovery, national security, and public welfare without relying on broad federal funding increases.

Key Provisions

The bill is structured into 16 titles, each focusing on specific reforms:

Title I: Livestock Mandatory Reporting Extension

Extends the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program (requiring price and market data from meatpackers) from 2024 to 2025.

Title II: Education for Separating Members of the Armed Forces Regarding Registered Apprenticeships
Amends military transition counseling to include information on registered apprenticeship programs.
Requires the Department of Labor to create or update a public website for veterans, searchable by occupation and location, detailing apprenticeship costs, contacts, endorsements, veteran hiring preferences, and certifications.
Coordinates with existing sites like apprenticeship.gov.

Title III: Retirement for Certain Employees
Expresses a congressional sense that federal agencies should retain injured employees in non-covered roles (e.g., law enforcement, firefighters) within the same agency, location, and pay level.
Amends Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) to treat service in reappointed non-covered positions as creditable toward covered-position retirement benefits for affected individuals (those injured on duty and unable to continue in high-risk roles), with opt-out options.
Extends similar provisions to CIA and Foreign Service employees.
Requires regulations within one year and applies to injuries two years post-enactment.

Title IV: Retirement Security

Introduces comprehensive reforms to encourage savings and plan flexibility:

Mandates automatic enrollment in 401(k) and 403(b) plans (3-10% initial rate, escalating to 10-15%), with exceptions for small/new businesses and SIMPLE plans; effective 2026.
Enhances startup cost credits for small employer pension plans (up to 100% for employers with ≤50 employees) and adds credits for employer contributions (up to $1,000 per employee, phasing down for larger firms).
Promotes and enhances the Saver's Credit (50% rate, higher income phaseouts adjusted for inflation; effective 2029).
Allows 403(b) plans to invest in group trusts; raises required minimum distribution age (to 73 in 2025, 74 in 2032, 75 in 2035).
Indexes IRA catch-up limits and raises catch-up amounts for ages 62-64 ($10,000/$5,000 for non-SIMPLE plans).
Modifies pooled employer plans and enables multiple-employer 403(b) plans.
Permits matching contributions for student loan payments (up to deferral limits).
Introduces a military spouse retirement plan eligibility credit ($250 base + contributions up to $250 for small employers).
Allows small financial incentives for plan participation and safe harbors for correcting automatic contribution errors.
Improves part-time worker coverage (reduces service requirement to 500 hours over 24 months).
Defers taxes on certain ESOP sales of S-corp stock (10% limit) and treats certain securities as publicly traded for ESOPs.
Eases required minimum distribution rules for life annuities and qualifying longevity annuities.
Limits recovery of retirement overpayments (no interest, caps on reductions, 3-year limit on old errors).
Reduces excise tax on excess accumulations (from 50% to 25%, with 10% waiver for corrections).
Permits blended benchmarks for asset allocation funds and reviews reporting/disclosure requirements.
Reduces paperwork for unenrolled participants in defined contribution plans.
Establishes a "Retirement Savings Lost and Found" database.
Updates mandatory distribution limit ($7,000) and expands Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System.
Allows reliance on employee certifications for hardship withdrawals.
Permits penalty-free withdrawals for domestic abuse victims (up to $10,000 or 50% of benefits, repayable in 3 years).
Reforms family attribution rules for controlled/affiliated groups.
Allows retroactive benefit increases and first-year deferrals for sole proprietors.
Limits IRA disqualification to portions involved in prohibited transactions.
Reviews pension risk transfer guidance and makes technical SECURE Act fixes.

Title V: Boots to Business Program

Establishes a SBA program (through 2028) providing entrepreneurship training to military members, veterans, spouses, and dependents, including online/in-person courses, business planning, and resource connections. Requires annual reports on performance.

Title VI: Increased Punishment for Human Trafficking in School Zones

Adds up to 5 years imprisonment for sex trafficking or coercion/enticement violations occurring in school zones, near school activities, or college premises.

Title VII: Commission for National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture

Creates an 8-member commission to study feasibility, develop a plan (including fundraising without federal funds), and recommend legislation for a museum in Washington, DC. Requires reports within 18 months and terminates 30 days after.

Title VIII: SelectUSA and Semiconductor Supply Chain

Directs SelectUSA (Commerce Dept.) to coordinate with states on attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in semiconductor manufacturing (fabrication, packaging, materials). Requires a report within 2 years on strategies to secure the U.S. supply chain, excluding adversarial nations.

Title IX: Approval of Certain Equipment

Establishes a uniform review process for DHS grants to purchase non-consensus-standard equipment, considering federal use, gaps, and international standards. Requires an Inspector General report in 3 years.

Title X: Extension of NASA Enhanced Use Leasing

Extends NASA's authority to lease non-excess property to private entities through 2033 to reduce maintenance costs and support mission-compatible uses.

Title XI: Hearings

Requires House committees to hold implementation hearings within one year.

Title XII: Code of Official Conduct

Prohibits House members/staff from disclosing whistleblower identities without consent or 2/3 committee vote; allows investigations of allegations.

Title XIII: Study on Foreign Ports

Directs the Federal Maritime Commission to study foreign ownership of U.S. container ports' impacts on economic security, including funding received and operational control; report in 1 year.

Title XIV: Budgetary Effects

References PAYGO compliance via House Budget Committee statement.

Title XV: Federal Credit Union Act Amendments

Reduces required board meetings: monthly for new/high-risk unions, quarterly for strong ones, at least 6/year for others.

Title XVI: Appropriations

Provides $1 million each (FY2026) to: HRSA Telehealth Resource Center (rural nursing facilities), USDA Budget Office, State Dept. Capital Fund, DOD Army O&M, DHS Management Directorate, and DOE Energy Information Administration.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Retirement Systems: Expands creditable service for injured federal workers; mandates automatic enrollment/escalation in plans; enhances tax credits (e.g., Saver's Credit to 50%, startup credits to 100%); raises RMD ages and catch-up limits; allows student loan matching and domestic abuse withdrawals; limits overpayment recoveries and IRA disqualifications.
Veterans/Small Business: Formalizes Boots to Business as a standalone SBA program through 2028.
Public Safety: Adds school-zone penalties (up to 5 years) to human trafficking/coercion statutes (18 U.S.C. §§ 1591, 2422).
Cultural Institutions: New commission replaces prior advisory group for Asian Pacific American museum study.
Economic Security: Mandates SelectUSA-state coordination on semiconductor FDI; eases DHS grant equipment approvals.
NASA: Extends leasing authority by one year (to 2033).
Whistleblowers: Strengthens House rules against identity disclosure.
Ports/Credit Unions: Initiates foreign ownership study; reduces credit union meeting frequency based on risk ratings.
Appropriations: Adds targeted $1M grants without offsets.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Reduces administrative burdens (e.g., retirement paperwork, credit union meetings); enhances tools for veterans (DOL, VA), supply chain security (Commerce, DHS), and property management (NASA); requires new reviews/reports (FMC, IG).
Citizens: Boosts retirement savings access (automatic enrollment, credits, easier withdrawals for hardships/abuse); aids veterans/spouses in business startups; protects whistleblowers; improves telehealth in rural nursing homes; may increase semiconductor jobs via FDI.
International Relations: Promotes allied FDI in semiconductors while excluding adversaries; studies port ownership to safeguard trade/economic security. No direct impacts on treaties, but supports U.S. supply chain resilience.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Employees and Retirees: Injured workers in high-risk roles (e.g., law enforcement, firefighters) gain retirement protections; all benefit from enhanced savings incentives.
Veterans and Military Families: Gain apprenticeship resources and entrepreneurship training.
Small Businesses/Employers: Receive tax credits for pensions, student loan matching, and military spouse eligibility.
Savers and Low-Income Individuals: Benefit from Saver's Credit expansions and automatic enrollment.
Ports and Economic Developers: Face scrutiny on foreign ownership; states gain FDI coordination for semiconductors.
Cultural/Community Groups: Asian Pacific American organizations involved in museum commission.
Whistleblowers: Enhanced congressional protections.
Rural Nursing Facilities: Access telehealth support.
Federal Credit Unions: Reduced meeting requirements for stable institutions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Aligns retirement reforms with ERISA/IRC nondiscrimination rules; expands safe harbors for plan corrections and overpayments, potentially reducing litigation. School-zone penalties raise federalism questions (overlapping state laws) but build on existing drug-free zones. Whistleblower rule strengthens First Amendment protections while balancing oversight.
Constitutional: No direct challenges; supports equal protection via veteran/small business aids and due process in overpayment recoveries (e.g., no interest, contest rights).
Political: Bipartisan omnibus nature promotes fiscal responsibility (e.g., non-federal museum funding, PAYGO compliance); advances economic/national security priorities (semiconductors, ports) amid global tensions. May spark debates on FDI scrutiny vs. free markets and retirement mandates' intrusiveness. House rulemaking in Title XI/ XII asserts congressional authority.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

Recent Actions

2025-03-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
2025-03-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, Oversight and Government Reform, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Foreign Affairs, Education and Workforce, Small Business, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, House Administration, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Science, Space, and Technology, Appropriations, Rules, Ethics, Transportation and Infrastructure, the Budget, and Financial Services , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Bill Versions

Responsible Legislating Act — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (193 pages)