Monday, May 5th, 2025
Non-consensual Online Intimate Publications: Congress passed S.146, which prohibits the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals, both authentic and computer-generated (AI), and requires certain online platforms to promptly remove such depictions upon receiving notice of their existence. Violators are subject to mandatory restitution and criminal penalties, including prison, a fine, or both. It now heads to President Trump, who has said he will sign it.
Terminating National Emergency: The Senate once again failed to move forward on S.J.Res.49 (49-49), resulting in a tie vote, and forcing Vice President Vance to cast the tie breaking vote. The bill would have terminated the national emergency declared by President Donald Trump on February 1, 2025, which imposed an additional 25% tariff on most imports from Canada. The bill has now been set aside permanently.
Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries: The House passed H.R.973, which, would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create a safety standard for the devices that use them. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used, from small toys to electric cars to large energy storage systems. While some lithium-ion batteries are already subject to regulations, rechargeable batteries are currently not subject to any federal safety standards.
Informing Consumers about Smart Devices: The House passed H.R.859, which would enhance consumer awareness about certain internet-connected devices that contain a camera or microphone. It establishes specific requirements for manufacturers regarding the disclosure of such features before a consumer completes a purchase.
Youth Poisoning Protection: The House passed H.R.1442, which would ban the consumer sale of products containing high concentrations of sodium nitrite, a meat-curing chemical that can be lethal when ingested. Sodium nitrite is typically sold at 100% concentration. At these high concentration levels, ingesting sodium nitrite has become common among teenagers and young adults who die by suicide. The bill does not conflict with commercial uses of sodium nitrite.
Event Ticket ‘All-In” Pricing: The House passed H.R.1402, which requires ticket sellers for concerts, performances, sporting events, and similar activities to clearly and prominently disclose the total ticket price for the event at the time the ticket is first displayed to an individual. The bill also requires ticket sellers to provide full refunds for tickets to canceled events; cracks down on websites that falsely claim to be “official” ticket resellers.
Repealing Environmental Waivers: The House passed several resolutions (H.J.Res.87, H.J.Res.88, H.J.Res.89) that would revoke Environmental Protection Agency waivers allowing California to adopt stricter vehicle emissions standards. The EPA waivers, approved during the Biden administration, allow California to exceed federal emissions mandates on gas-powered cars and trucks to curb pollution.
