Restaurants & Food Service

Meals for Communities Tax Credit Act

Darin LaHood (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a federal tax credit equal to 50 percent of the value of prepared meals that restaurants and retail food establishments donate to tax-exempt charities, counting each donated meal at no more than $14 and capping the credit at $50,000 per business per year. Businesses claiming the credit could not also deduct the same donated amounts, and the credit would apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025. This bill gives restaurants and retail food establishments a new tax credit worth 50 percent of the value of prepared meals they donate to charities, capped at $50,000 per year, in place of the normal deduction for those donations.

Where it stands

HR 10499 was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on September 17, 2026 and sits at the start of the committee stage, with no hearings or markups currently scheduled in calendar data. The Ways and Means chair will decide whether to notice a hearing or a markup, though committee action is the ordinary route rather than an absolute prerequisite.

No Grounds for Discrimination Act

Josh Gottheimer (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would make it illegal for coffee shops, cafes, tea houses, and other informal dining places that serve the public to refuse full and equal service to anyone because of religion, race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. It would be enforced the same way as the public accommodations title of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, meaning affected customers could pursue the same legal remedies used under that law. This bill requires coffee shops, cafes, tea houses, and similar informal dining places serving the public to serve all customers equally regardless of protected traits, exposing those that refuse service to the same legal claims as under the Civil Rights Act.

Where it stands

The bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on September 14, 2026. It is now at the earliest committee stage, where any hearing or markup would depend on the Judiciary chair noticing one.

Ending Restaurant Purchases with SNAP Act of 2026

Brandon Gill (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would end the SNAP option that lets states allow restaurants to accept food stamps from elderly, disabled, and homeless recipients, striking the provisions that authorize participating restaurants to sell meals to them at concessional prices. It would take effect 180 days after enactment, after which SNAP benefits could no longer be redeemed at restaurants under that program. This bill ends the program letting restaurants, fast food outlets, and meal contractors accept SNAP food stamps from elderly, disabled, and homeless customers, so participating eateries lose those sales 180 days after enactment.

Where it stands

HR10268 was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on September 3, 2026 and now sits at the earliest committee stage, with no hearing or markup having taken place since referral. Whether the committee ever holds a hearing or schedules a markup rests with the chair, though committee action is not the only possible path forward.

Living Wage For All Act

Christopher Murphy (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill raises the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour over five years for large employers and over twelve years for other employers, while phasing out subminimum wages for tipped workers, youth employees, and workers with disabilities. It prohibits the issuance of new special certificates for employing individuals with disabilities at subminimum wages and requires large corporations to reach the higher wage thresholds first. This bill raises minimum wages and the cash wage floor for tipped employees over several years, directly increasing labor costs for restaurants, bars, and other eating places while phasing out subminimum pay and requiring employers to let workers keep all tips.

Where it stands

The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on July 14, 2026. No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the available calendar data.

CHEERS Act of 2026

Tim Sheehy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would let restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues write off the cost of qualifying stainless steel or aluminum draft alcohol equipment, such as kegs and commercial tap systems, for federal tax purposes over a 15-year depreciation period, applying to property placed in service after December 31, 2025. It would also direct the Treasury Department to write rules covering the change, including how it applies to taxpayers who rent or lease such equipment. This bill lets restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues depreciate energy-efficient draft alcohol equipment like kegs and tap systems over fifteen years, cutting their current taxes and freeing up cash flow.

Where it stands

S4688, the CHEERS Act of 2026, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on June 4, 2026, and nothing further has happened since. The bill is now in the committee stage, where the Finance Committee's chair decides whether anything happens at all and no action is required.

Living Wage For All Act

Delia C. Ramirez (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill gradually raises the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour by 2031 for large employers and 2038 for smaller ones, then indexes it to two-thirds of the national median wage. It also eliminates subminimum wages for tipped workers, youth employees, and individuals with disabilities by requiring them to receive the standard minimum wage. This bill directly raises labor costs for restaurants, bars, caterers, and food service contractors by phasing out the tipped minimum wage so servers, bartenders, and other tipped staff must receive the standard federal minimum wage as it climbs.

Where it stands

HR 8555 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on April 28, 2026, and remains in committee. The committee chair controls whether the bill proceeds to a hearing or markup or remains inactive.

No Tax on Tips Act

Ted Cruz (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill allows individual taxpayers to deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tips from their taxable income if they work in occupations that traditionally received tips before 2024. It also extends a federal tax credit for employer social security taxes on tips to include businesses that provide beauty services. This bill lets restaurant, bar, and catering employees deduct up to $25,000 in tips from their taxable income, and gives restaurants a federal tax credit for social security taxes paid on those tips, lowering labor costs.

Where it stands

The Senate passed S129 without amendment by unanimous consent on May 20, 2025 and messaged it to the House, where it is currently held at the desk as of May 26, 2025.

BE HEARD in the Workplace Act

Ayanna Pressley (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require employers to adopt anti-harassment policies and training while raising the tipped minimum wage to match the regular minimum wage. It would also limit the use of nondisclosure agreements and mandatory arbitration in employment disputes and extend workplace protections to independent contractors and interns. This bill directly affects restaurants, bars, caterers, and food service contractors by raising the cash wage floor for tipped employees, and also requires them to adopt anti-harassment policies and training while restricting nondisclosure agreements and mandatory arbitration in employment disputes.

Where it stands

HR7583 was referred on February 13, 2026, to the Committee on Education and Workforce, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on House Administration, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for consideration of provisions within their respective jurisdictions. The source does not designate a primary committee, so the chairs of all five panels act as gatekeepers with no upcoming meetings currently scheduled.

TIP Improvement Act of 2026

Steven Horsford (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would end the tip credit under federal wage law, requiring employers to pay tipped workers the full federal minimum wage directly while letting workers keep their tips, and it would tighten penalties so employers that unlawfully use or keep tips owe back the full amount. It would also make the tax deduction for tips permanent, double the deduction cap to $50,000 for married couples filing jointly, count mandatory or suggested automatic gratuities as qualified tips for workers in hospitality, food and beverage service, and cosmetology, and add anti-fraud rules barring the deduction for tips from related parties and for workers who own a stake in the business that employs them. This bill raises labor costs for restaurants, bars, caterers, and food service contractors by requiring tipped employees to be paid the full federal minimum wage, while making the tip tax deduction permanent and covering automatic gratuities in food and beverage service.

Where it stands

HR7577 was referred on February 13, 2026 to the Committee on Ways and Means and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, with the period for each referral to be set later by the Speaker. A markup on the bill was held on March 5, 2026 by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, so the bill has been taken up in committee rather than sitting untouched since referral.

Give America a Raise Act

Donald Norcross (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill raises the federal minimum wage to $20 per hour over four years and indexes future increases to inflation or economic growth. It also eliminates the subminimum wage for tipped workers and employees with disabilities by phasing in higher pay rates and eventually ending the authority to issue special certificates for the latter group. This bill raises the federal minimum wage to $20 per hour over four years, raises the minimum cash wage for tipped employees, and ends the tip credit, directly increasing labor costs for restaurants, bars, and catering businesses that employ tipped workers.

Where it stands

HR 7471 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on February 10, 2026, and remains at the initial committee stage with no subsequent actions recorded. The bill is subject to the discretion of the committee chair, who controls whether a hearing or markup is ever scheduled.

Give America a Raise Act

Ruben Gallego (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This legislation would raise the federal minimum wage to $20.00 per hour over three years and then adjust it annually based on inflation or economic growth. It also eliminates the subminimum wage for tipped workers and employees with disabilities, requiring them to receive the full standard minimum wage. This bill directly hits restaurants, bars, and caterers by raising the federal minimum wage to $20.00 per hour over three years and eliminating the tipped subminimum wage, requiring them to pay servers and bartenders the full minimum wage.

Where it stands

S3780 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on February 4, 2026, with no subsequent committee action or calendar placement recorded. The measure remains in the committee stage where the chair controls scheduling, and its companion HR7471 is similarly pending in the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Schedules That Work Act

Rosa L. DeLauro (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill grants employees the right to request schedule changes and requires employers with 15 or more employees to engage in a good-faith interactive process. It mandates 14 days' advance notice of work schedules and provides predictability pay and split shift premiums for covered sector employees in retail, food service, cleaning, hospitality, and warehouse industries. This bill directly requires restaurants, caterers, bars, and food service contractors with 15 or more employees to give workers 14 days advance schedules, honor schedule change requests, and pay predictability and split shift premiums.

Where it stands

HR6786 was referred on December 17, 2025, to the House Committee on Education and Workforce, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Judiciary. Each committee chair independently controls whether a hearing or markup occurs for provisions within their jurisdiction.

Schedules That Work Act

Elizabeth Warren (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal would require employers with fifteen or more employees to provide work schedules at least fourteen days in advance for employees in retail, food service, cleaning, hospitality, and warehouse sectors, with compensation for late changes or split shifts. It would also grant all employees of covered employers the right to request schedule changes for caregiving, education, or second jobs, requiring employers to engage in a good-faith process to accommodate these requests unless a bona fide business reason exists. This bill requires restaurants, bars, caterers, and food service contractors with fifteen or more employees to give workers their schedules at least fourteen days in advance, pay premiums for late changes or split shifts, and respond in good faith to schedule change requests.

Where it stands

S3550 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on December 17, 2025. No hearings or markups are scheduled, and the committee chair controls whether the measure advances to a markup.

Restaurant Meals Program Reform Act of 2025

Mark B. Messmer (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal restricts SNAP benefit redemption in the restaurant meals program to retail food stores with prepared food sections that meet specific nutritional and safety standards. It also prohibits the spouses of eligible SNAP recipients from participating in the restaurant meals program. This bill bars quick-service and fast-food restaurants from accepting SNAP benefits through the restaurant meals program, excluding businesses primarily selling fast food from redeeming these benefits.

Where it stands

The bill is referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture following its December 11, 2025 referral to the House Committee on Agriculture. No upcoming meetings are scheduled, and the subcommittee chair currently controls whether a hearing or markup occurs.

No Tax on Large Party Tips Act

Ruben Gallego (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill clarifies that automatically added service charges and business-suggested tips are treated as voluntary payments for tax deduction purposes. This change ensures these amounts qualify for the tax deduction on qualified tips. This bill lets restaurants, bars, and caterers treat automatically added service charges and business-suggested tips as voluntary payments, making them qualify for the tax deduction on qualified tips and lowering their tax liability.

Where it stands

S2780 is blocked in the Committee on Finance following its referral on September 11, 2025. No markup notice or hearing is scheduled, and the bill remains at the committee stage.

Tipped Worker Protection Act

Jahana Hayes (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill phases out the federal tip credit by raising the minimum cash wage tipped employees must be paid until it matches the standard minimum wage. It also mandates that employers cannot keep any tips or service charges and requires that any tip pooling system be established through a democratic vote among non-supervisory staff. This bill raises the cash wage for tipped restaurant and bar workers to the full minimum wage, bars employers from keeping tips, and requires them to run employee-approved tip pools, disclose service charges, and keep vote and distribution records.

Where it stands

HR 5112 was referred on September 3, 2025, to the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means, with no primary committee designated. Each committee chair serves as a gatekeeper for provisions within their respective jurisdictions.

Tipped Employee Protection Act

Steve Womack (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to define a tipped employee as any worker who receives tips and cash wages that, when combined with the required minimum cash wage, equal at least the federal minimum wage, regardless of job duties. It also specifies that the work period for calculating these earnings is determined by the employer, such as a day, week, or pay period. This bill redefines who counts as a tipped employee and how their wages are calculated, requiring restaurants, bars, and caterers that employ tipped workers to comply with stricter federal wage rules, raising labor costs and compliance burdens.

Where it stands

The House Committee on Education and Workforce reported the bill on December 30, 2025, placing it on the Union Calendar, but proceedings were postponed on January 13, 2026.

CHEFS Act

Ritchie Torres (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill allows eligible small restaurant businesses to claim a tax credit ranging from 10 to 35 percent for the cost of purchasing and installing emissions control devices on qualified cook stoves and char broilers. Restaurants operating in eligible historical buildings receive an additional 10 or 15 percentage points to the credit rate, depending on whether the building is over or under 100 years old. This bill gives eligible small restaurant businesses a tax credit covering 10 to 35 percent of the cost of buying and installing emissions control devices on their cook stoves and char broilers, with extra credit for those in older or historical buildings.

Where it stands

HR4537 was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on July 17, 2025, and no further actions or scheduled meetings are recorded. The bill is currently in the committee stage, where the chair controls whether a hearing or markup occurs.

Higher Wages for American Workers Act of 2025

Josh Hawley (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour starting on January 1 of the year following enactment. It would also adjust the minimum wage annually thereafter based on inflation to maintain its purchasing power. This bill directly raises the legal wage floor to $15 per hour for restaurants, caterers, food service contractors, and bars as FLSA-covered employers, increasing payroll costs and indexing that floor to inflation annually.

Where it stands

S2013 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on June 10, 2025, where it remains stalled with no scheduled meetings.

Labor Income Fairness and Transparency Act

Dina Titus (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would raise the federal minimum wage to $17.00 an hour over three years, with future increases tied to median wage growth, while gradually eliminating subminimum wages for tipped, youth, and student workers. It also permanently expands the Earned Income Tax Credit by lowering age eligibility requirements and increasing credit amounts, and establishes a new advisory committee for the hospitality industry. This bill requires restaurants and bars to stop keeping employee tips while phasing out tipped and youth subminimum wages, raising their labor costs and adding pay compliance duties.

Where it stands

HR 3662 was referred on May 29, 2025, to the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means. The source does not designate a primary panel, so both committee chairs act as independent gatekeepers for any hearings or markups.

Fair Wage Act of 2025

Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill establishes a federal minimum wage tied to regional cost of living, starting at 40 percent of the national average hourly wage and rising to 50 percent within two years. It also sets the minimum cash wage for tipped employees at 30 percent of this regional rate and adjusts the youth minimum wage to two-thirds of the regional rate for workers aged 18 or younger. This bill raises pay for restaurant, bar, and catering workers by setting a regional minimum wage and a minimum cash wage for tipped employees at 30 percent of that rate, increasing labor costs for food service employers.

Where it stands

HR 3438 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on May 15, 2025, and no hearings or markups are currently scheduled. The measure remains in committee without further action recorded in the available data.

SEAT Act of 2025

Nancy Mace (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill requires third-party online reservation platforms to have a written agreement with a restaurant before listing or selling its tables. It also voids contract clauses that force restaurants to pay for damages caused by the reservation platform. This bill requires online reservation platforms to get a written agreement before listing restaurants, bars, taverns, and food trucks, and voids contract terms making those businesses pay for the platform's damages.

Where it stands

HR 3403 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on May 14, 2025, and remains stalled with no subsequent hearings or markups noted.

CHEERS Act

Darin LaHood (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would allow stainless steel or aluminum containers and related tap equipment used for alcohol distribution in restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues to qualify for the energy efficient commercial buildings tax deduction. This deduction would apply to such equipment placed in service after December 31, 2024. This bill lets restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues claim the energy efficient commercial buildings tax deduction on stainless steel or aluminum kegs and tap equipment placed in service after December 31, 2024.

Where it stands

The CHEERS Act is stalled in the House Committee on Ways and Means following its referral on May 13, 2025. No upcoming meetings are scheduled, and the committee chair controls whether a hearing or markup occurs.

Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act of 2025

Patty Murray (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require school food service training programs to be scheduled during paid working hours and provided at no cost to personnel. If training occurs outside of regular hours, workers must receive compensation at their regular or overtime pay rates. This bill directly affects food service contractors and workers running school cafeterias by requiring that their training be scheduled during paid working hours, provided free, or compensated at regular or overtime pay rates.

Where it stands

S1736 is referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry as of May 13, 2025. The measure is blocked at this stage with no scheduled committee meetings, and the companion House bill remains in committee without action.

CHEERS Act

Tim Sheehy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal would allow restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues to claim a federal tax deduction for the cost of energy-efficient stainless steel or aluminum kegs and related tap equipment. The deduction applies to such property placed in service after the bill is signed into law. This bill lets restaurants and bars claim a federal tax deduction for energy-efficient stainless steel or aluminum kegs and tap equipment used in their business, lowering their tax costs on draft beer systems.

Where it stands

The CHEERS Act was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on May 13, 2025, where it currently awaits consideration. No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the calendar data, and the related House bill HR3325 remains unreferred from the Committee on Ways and Means.

Raise the Wage Act of 2025

Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill gradually raises the federal minimum wage to $17.00 per hour over six years and indexes future increases to the median hourly wage. It also phases out the lower minimum wage for tipped employees and workers under 20, and eliminates the subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities by ending special certificates. This bill directly raises labor costs for restaurants, bars, caterers, and food service contractors by gradually increasing the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour and phasing out the lower tipped-employee cash wage.

Where it stands

HR 2743 is referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce as of April 8, 2025, and no hearings or markups are scheduled. The companion Senate bill S 1332 remains in the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, while the prior version HR 4889 was referred to the same House committee in 2023 without reporting.

Raise the Wage Act of 2025

Bernard Sanders · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $17.00 per hour over six years and index future increases to the median hourly wage. It would also raise the minimum cash wage for tipped workers to match the standard minimum wage, phase out the lower youth minimum wage, and eliminate the ability to pay sub-minimum wages to workers with disabilities. This bill directly raises labor costs for restaurants, bars, caterers, and food service contractors by gradually increasing the federal minimum wage to $17 and requiring tipped employees to be paid the full minimum cash wage rather than a lower tipped rate.

Where it stands

S1332 is referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions following its second reading on April 8, 2025. The committee chair controls whether to schedule a markup, though no meetings are currently listed in the calendar data.

Farewell to Foam Act of 2025

Chris Van Hollen (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This act would prohibit the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene food service ware, loose fill, and coolers starting on January 1, 2028. It would impose escalating civil penalties on manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and food service providers who violate the ban after receiving an initial written warning. This bill bans restaurants, caterers, food service contractors, and bars from selling or distributing foam food service ware starting January 1, 2028, forcing them to replace foam cups, containers, and packaging with alternatives or face escalating civil penalties after a written warning.

Where it stands

S897 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on March 6, 2025, where it remains without a scheduled hearing or markup.

TIPS Act

Steven Horsford (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill would require employers to pay tipped employees the full federal minimum wage rather than a lower subminimum wage, while ensuring all tips remain the property of the employees. It would also allow eligible workers to deduct cash tips from their taxable income if their adjusted gross income is below $112,500. This bill raises labor costs for restaurants, bars, caterers, and food service contractors by requiring them to pay tipped employees the full federal minimum wage while letting their tipped staff deduct cash tips from taxable income.

Where it stands

The TIPS Act is in the committee stage, having been referred on February 13, 2025, to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Education and Workforce. Both committee chairs act as gatekeepers, controlling whether a hearing or markup is noticed for the provisions within their respective jurisdictions.

Tip Tax Termination Act

Don Bacon (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This measure would allow tipped workers in fields like hospitality and food service to exclude up to $20,000 in tips from their taxable income for five years. The exclusion applies to earnings received after 2024 and expires at the end of 2029. This bill lets tipped restaurant, bar, catering, and food service workers exclude up to $20,000 in tips from taxable income through 2029, while requiring their employers to adjust federal income tax withholding tables and procedures accordingly.

Where it stands

HR 558 is referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means as of January 20, 2025 and remains in committee. No meetings are currently scheduled for the measure.

No Tax on Tips Act

Vern Buchanan (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill allows individual taxpayers to deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tips from their income taxes for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. It also expands an existing tax credit for employer social security taxes on tips to include beauty service establishments such as barbers, nail salons, and spas. This bill lets restaurant, bar, and catering workers deduct up to $25,000 in tips from their income taxes, and expands the existing employer social security tax credit on tips, directly benefiting food and beverage serving businesses.

Where it stands

The No Tax on Tips Act was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on January 16, 2025, and currently sits at that stage with no subsequent actions recorded. The committee chair controls whether any hearing or markup occurs, as the referral itself does not guarantee further consideration.

Small Business Flexibility Act

Andy Biggs (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to permit employers to include non-tipped employees in tip pools alongside tipped workers. This change requires that non-tipped employees participating in such pools receive a cash wage from the employer that meets the federal minimum wage standard. This bill lets restaurant and bar owners include back-of-house workers like cooks and dishwashers in tip pools, lowering wage costs, while servers see smaller tip shares and non-tipped staff must be paid at least federal minimum wage.

Where it stands

The Small Business Flexibility Act was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on January 3, 2025 and remains stalled with no scheduled meetings. The committee chair retains discretion over whether to notice a hearing or markup, though leadership retains the ability to bypass committee action via suspension or special rules.

North Rim Restoration Act

Elijah Crane (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would let the Secretary of the Interior use emergency federal contracting flexibilities, including higher purchase thresholds and noncompetitive sole-source contracts, to hire firms for clearing, rebuilding, and improving Grand Canyon National Park areas damaged by the Dragon Bravo Fire, with the authority expiring in 7 years or when recovery is complete. It would allow awards without competition, including for lodging, food service, retail, and utility facilities on the North Rim, when the Secretary determines the park's current concessioner is uniquely positioned to do the work, and it would require reports to Congress on costs, contractors, conflicts of interest, and waste every 180 days. This bill lets the Interior Secretary award noncompetitive contracts to operate Grand Canyon North Rim assets, so the current concessioner running food service and drinking places there can continue or resume operations without bidding.

Where it stands

The House passed HR5729 on March 16, 2026 by voice vote on a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill as amended, so the bill is no longer before the House and now pends in the Senate, which referred it to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on March 17, 2026. On September 30, 2026 that committee held a markup and ordered the bill reported favorably without amendment, which is the committee vote that reports the bill out to the full Senate.

National Park System Long-Term Lease Investment Act

Gregory F. Murphy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would let the Interior Department extend an existing National Park System concession lease without putting it out for competitive bids, as long as the leaseholder has held it for at least 5 years, is following its terms, and the extension fits the park's purposes. A lease could get this no-bid treatment only once, and the Interior Secretary would have 90 days after enactment to update the rules to allow it. This bill lets restaurants and food service businesses holding long-standing National Park concession leases get one renewal without competitive bidding, protecting incumbents while shutting out new firms that might want to compete for the lease.

Where it stands

The House passed H.R. 4931 on September 14, 2026 by voice vote under suspension of the rules, as amended, and the Senate received it on September 15, 2026. The bill is now pending in the Senate, which must pass identical text before anything can go to the President.

Agricultural Act of 2026

This is an omnibus proposal impacting several different industries, including Restaurants & Food Service.

John Boozman (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal, the Agricultural Act of 2026, would be a sweeping farm bill that extends and rewrites federal agriculture, conservation, nutrition, rural development, forestry, trade, research, and crop insurance programs through 2031 while adding new support such as larger commodity base acres and disaster payments, higher farm loan and conservation payment limits, grants for meat and poultry processing, rural broadband and water funding, and expanded aid for specialty crop and organic producers. It would also allow year-round sales of gasoline containing up to 15 percent ethanol, end small refinery renewable fuel exemption petitions after 2027, reinstate country of origin labeling for beef, let stores and restaurants sell state-inspected meat and poultry online nationwide, and strengthen whistleblower protections and mandatory training in commodities markets. This bill lets restaurants, caterers, and other food service businesses sell state-inspected meat and poultry over the internet and ship it directly to household customers, and it prompts a federal review of rural hospitality programs.

Where it stands

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry approved S5526 as an original measure at its markup on September 24, 2026, and the bill was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders the same day, as Calendar No. 683. It was reported without a written report, which is normal in the Senate, so it now sits on the Calendar of Business awaiting floor consideration.

SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act

Troy Downing (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal would extend the statute of limitations for fraud related to shuttered venue and restaurant revitalization grants to ten years after the violation occurs. It applies this longer deadline to both criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement actions concerning these specific pandemic-era programs. This bill gives the government ten years to criminally prosecute or sue restaurants, bars, and caterers that received Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants for fraud, keeping them exposed to liability longer than before.

Where it stands

HR4495 passed the House on December 1, 2025, and was received in the Senate on December 2, 2025, where it was read twice and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders as Calendar No. 281.

Hot Meals for College Students Act of 2026

Adam B. Schiff (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would let households receiving food assistance that include an eligible college student use their benefits to buy prepared, hot meals at campus dining halls, stores, and other on-campus food service locations run by the school or its contractors, starting once federal regulations are issued within a year of enactment. It would bar using those benefits for meal plans, dining account deposits, student account balances, or fees and gratuities, would require on-campus merchants to apply for authorization to accept the benefits and to charge students using benefits the same prices with no surcharges, and would direct the Agriculture Department to study and report on how the change affects college food insecurity. This bill lets food service contractors and campus dining operators apply to accept food assistance benefits for hot prepared meals at on-campus locations, gaining new sales and equipment cost support while requiring same prices for benefit users and no surcharges.

Where it stands

S. 5429 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on September 17, 2026. The bill is now at the committee stage, the ordinary early position in the Senate, where the committee determines whether the bill receives further consideration by that route.

Food for Thought Act of 2026

Adam B. Schiff (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a new competitive grant program run by the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Food and Nutrition Service, giving grants of up to two years to colleges where at least 20 percent of undergraduates are Pell-eligible, including community colleges, historically Black colleges, Tribal colleges, and other minority-serving institutions, to provide free meals and snacks to low-income students at a rate of one to ten free meals per week per student. Grantees could buy meals from outside vendors and spend up to 20 percent of a grant on equipment, students receiving meals would not have those meals counted against their SNAP eligibility or federal financial aid, and the bill authorizes whatever sums are necessary for fiscal years 2027 through 2032. This bill funds federal grants that colleges can use to buy free student meals from restaurants, caterers, contracted prepared-meal providers, mobile meal distributors, and other third-party food service vendors, creating new paid sales for those businesses.

Where it stands

S5432 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on September 17, 2026. It now sits at the committee stage, the chamber's most common kill point, with no committee meetings scheduled in our calendar data.

Consumer Affordability and Pricing Concessions Act

Hillary J. Scholten (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require stadiums with at least 10,000 seats that receive any public funding, such as a federal grant, subsidy, tax exemption, abatement, or tax-exempt bond, to ensure that concessions sold under a commercial lease at the venue are priced no more than 7 percent above the market rate in the nearest metropolitan area. It would also bar those stadiums from charging small businesses a fee for the right to sell concessions there, while requiring that their concessions contracts encourage providers to make locations available to small businesses for lease or sublicense, with violations enforced by the Federal Trade Commission as unfair or deceptive acts or practices. This bill caps concession prices at no more than 7 percent above the nearest market rate at publicly funded stadiums with 10,000 or more seats, bars fees on small food and beverage vendors seeking to sell there, and gives those vendors access to lease or sublicense concession locations.

Where it stands

HR10286 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 3, 2026, the only action recorded so far. The bill now sits at the committee stage, where the chair decides whether a hearing or a markup is noticed, and no meetings are scheduled in the available calendar data.

Truth in Labeling Act of 2026

J. Luis Correa (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill establishes nationwide standards for labeling packaging, food service products, and beverage containers as recyclable, compostable, reusable, or refillable, prohibiting misleading claims unless specific infrastructure coverage thresholds are met. It requires resin identification codes on plastic covered materials and makes non-compliant labeling a deceptive practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act, subject to penalties after a grace period. This bill requires restaurants, caterers, and bars that supply cups, containers, and other food service packaging to customers to use standardized truthful labels, making misleading recyclable or compostable claims a deceptive practice they can be penalized for.

Where it stands

HR 10048 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on August 6, 2026, placing it in the committee stage where the chair controls the scheduling of hearings or markups. No meetings are currently scheduled for this measure in the available calendar data.

ADA 30 Days to Comply Act

Michael Lawler (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would bar lawsuits over architectural barriers in existing public accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act unless the person first sends the owner or operator written notice specific enough to identify the barrier, including details of how access was denied, and then waits 30 days for a written improvement plan or 30 more days after that plan for removal or substantial progress. People with disabilities who face barriers at businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and stores would have to go through this notice and waiting process before they could sue.

Where it stands

On March 26, 2026 the House Committee on the Judiciary held a markup and voted 16-8 to order the ADA 30 Days to Comply Act reported to the House as amended. No written report or calendar placement appears on the record, and the adopted committee amendment text is pending, so the current analysis reads the latest published print.

ACCESS Act of 2026.

Ken Calvert (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill requires individuals to provide specific written notice and allow a 60-day cure period before filing lawsuits regarding architectural or digital barriers in public accommodations. It directs the Department of Justice to create an education program for businesses and requires a study on whether accessibility widgets or phone services satisfy website compliance standards.

Where it stands

HR8396 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on April 21, 2026, and remains in the initial review phase where the committee chair controls the scheduling of hearings or markups. No meetings are currently scheduled for the bill.

Business Uninterrupted Monetary Program Act of 2025

J. Luis Correa (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill requires transit and highway project sponsors to establish funds that reimburse local businesses and nonprofits for financial losses caused by construction interruptions. It also creates a one-time grant program of up to $10 million per project to assist sponsors with existing construction projects that began after October 1, 2018.

Where it stands

HR 4643 was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on July 23, 2025, and to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit on July 24, 2025. No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the calendar data, leaving the measure in a blocked posture with no confirmed hearings or markups.

Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2025

Pete Sessions (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill establishes federal standards requiring employers, public entities, and public accommodations to ensure their websites and applications are accessible to individuals with disabilities, while authorizing $35.15 million annually for enforcement and small business grants. It creates civil liability for non-compliance and mandates that the Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issue specific accessibility regulations.

Where it stands

HR3417 is stalled following its May 14, 2025 referral to the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the House Committee on the Judiciary. The bill currently awaits action from these committees, where the chairs control whether any hearings or markups are scheduled.

CROWN Act of 2025

Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This proposal would prohibit discrimination based on hair texture or style in employment, housing, public accommodations, and federally funded programs by treating these characteristics as protected under race and national origin laws. It would allow individuals to file civil rights complaints if they are denied opportunities or services because they wear hairstyles such as locs, braids, or Afros that are commonly associated with their race or national origin.

Where it stands

HR 1638 is currently in committee, having been referred on February 26, 2025, to the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Education and Workforce. The source does not establish one committee as the primary panel, so the chairs of both committees serve as gatekeepers.

Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act of 2025

Tom Cotton (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct biennial assessments of cybersecurity threats to the food and agriculture sector and to hold annual cross-sector simulation exercises for five years. It authorizes $1 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund these activities.

Where it stands

S754 is in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry following its referral on February 26, 2025, with no upcoming meetings scheduled. The companion bill HR1604 remains in the House Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture, and no action has been taken to advance either measure.

The Working for Tips Tax Relief Act of 2025

Donald G. Davis (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would allow service workers to deduct up to $35,000 in qualified cash tips from their taxable income, with the benefit phasing out for individuals earning between $50,000 and $75,000. This tax relief would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and expire after the 2028 tax year, requiring the Treasury to publish a list of eligible occupations and adjust withholding procedures. This bill lets restaurant, bar, and catering workers deduct up to $35,000 in tips from taxable income through 2028, helping tipped employers retain staff and ease wage pressure without funding raises themselves.

Where it stands

The bill is currently in the referral stage, having been sent to the House Committee on Ways and Means on November 25, 2025. Procedurally, this means the committee chair controls whether the bill receives a hearing or a markup, or if it remains inactive.

School Meal Modernization and Hunger Elimination Act

John Fetterman (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This bill mandates automatic school meal eligibility for children in foster care, those receiving adoption or kinship assistance, and those receiving Medicaid or supplemental security income, while establishing a $28 million grant program to improve certification systems. It also creates a demonstration project for up to five states to provide free meals to all students and requires schools to honor eligibility transfers when children move between districts. This bill indirectly benefits food service contractors and cafeteria operators serving schools by expanding automatic free-meal eligibility and funding reimbursement payments for more meals served, while schools and districts manage new certification duties and retroactive fee reimbursements.

Where it stands

S1431 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on April 10, 2025. The bill is currently in committee, where the chair controls whether any further action, such as a hearing or markup, occurs.

Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill Cassidy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

This measure authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, providing funding for state and community programs, nutrition services, caregiver support, and elder rights protection. It implements program changes including allowing states to use up to 25 percent of congregate meal funds for grab-and-go meals, establishing a national resource center for the direct care workforce, and creating an advisory committee for Native American elders. This bill reauthorizes federal funding for nutrition services including medically tailored meals, meaning caterers and food service contractors can receive funded contracts to prepare and deliver meals for older Americans programs.

Where it stands

The Senate passed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 without amendment by Unanimous Consent on July 14, 2026, and the measure was held at the desk on July 15, 2026. The bill is no longer before the Senate and is now pending in the House of Representatives.

Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act of 2026

Andy Kim (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would exclude military housing allowances from the household income that is counted when deciding whether a child qualifies for free or reduced-price school lunches and breakfasts, which would make more children from military families eligible for those meals. It would also require the Secretaries of Agriculture and Defense to report to Congress by October 1, 2026 on the feasibility and cost of directly certifying children from uniformed service households for these meals without a separate application. This bill excludes military housing allowances from income used to determine school meal eligibility, expanding free and reduced-price meal participation and giving school food service contractors and caterers more federally reimbursed meal business.

Where it stands

S5495, the Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act of 2026, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on September 24, 2026. It sits at the committee stage, the first and most common choke point in the Senate, and nothing further is scheduled in our calendar data.

Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act of 2026

Martin Heinrich (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would raise federal reimbursements for school meals by adding 45 cents to each lunch and 28 cents to each breakfast (including free, reduced price, and paid breakfasts) served by school food authorities starting October 1, 2026, with both amounts adjusted for inflation beginning July 1, 2027. This bill gives schools an extra 45 cents per lunch and 28 cents per breakfast starting October 2026, meaning food service contractors and caterers running school cafeterias benefit as school customers receive more federal money per meal served.

Where it stands

S5460 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on September 23, 2026, placing it at committee stage, where most Senate bills stall because they never reach a markup. No committee action is scheduled in our calendar data.

Food for Thought Act of 2026

Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a new Agriculture Department grant program giving competitive grants, lasting up to 2 years, to qualifying colleges with high shares of Pell Grant students, including community colleges, historically Black colleges, Tribal colleges, and other minority-serving institutions, to provide free meals and snacks to low-income students, with grants capped at 10 free meals per student per week and no more than 20 percent of a grant spendable on equipment. It would also ensure those meals do not count against students' eligibility for SNAP benefits or as other financial assistance under the Higher Education Act, and it would authorize federal funding for the program for fiscal years 2027 through 2032. This bill would fund a program whose grant money is used to purchase meals from vendors, meaning caterers and food service contractors could receive paid orders as suppliers under the program.

Where it stands

HR10415 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on September 16, 2026 and is awaiting committee action, with no hearing or markup scheduled. Committee action is the ordinary route in the House, though leadership, suspension, a special rule, or discharge could provide another path.

Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2026

Debbie Dingell (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would make it illegal to ship or sell in interstate commerce any food packaging that contains intentionally added PFAS, a class of fluorinated chemicals, with the ban taking effect on January 1, 2027. Food packaging makers and food businesses would need to move away from PFAS-containing wrappers, containers, and other packaging before that date. This bill bans interstate sale of food packaging with intentionally added PFAS starting January 1, 2027, so restaurants, caterers, and bars must switch to PFAS-free wrappers, containers, and takeout packaging, likely raising sourcing costs.

Where it stands

HR9593 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on July 6, 2026 and remains at the committee stage, with no hearing or markup scheduled in our calendar data. The Energy and Commerce chair decides whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed, although committee action is the ordinary route and not an absolute prerequisite, since leadership, suspension, a special rule, or discharge can provide another path.

Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program Pilot Act

James P. McGovern (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a 6-year Medicare pilot program under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services selects at least 40 eligible hospitals to screen discharged Medicare patients with diet-related diseases and provide them at least 2 medically tailored home-delivered meals a day, plus medical nutrition therapy, for recurring 12-week periods. The meals and therapy would be paid for from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund with no deductibles or copays for patients, subject to a budget-neutrality requirement and to federal monitoring and evaluation reports to Congress. This bill gives caterers and home-delivered meal businesses a new Medicare-funded revenue stream, because at least 40 selected hospitals must arrange preparation and delivery of at least 2 medically tailored meals a day for discharged patients.

Where it stands

The House Committee on Ways and Means held a markup on this bill on September 16, 2026 and voted 39-0 to order it reported in the nature of a substitute, following its referral to the committee on September 17, 2025. That markup vote is the committee's report-out action, but no written report has been filed and the bill has not been placed on a calendar on the record.

Medically Tailored Home-Delivered Meals Program Pilot Act

Cory A. Booker (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a 6-year Medicare pilot program in which the Secretary of Health and Human Services selects at least 40 hospitals to arrange, for Medicare patients discharged home with diet-impacted diseases, the preparation and delivery of at least 2 medically tailored meals a day for at least 12 weeks, plus medical nutrition therapy, with no beneficiary cost-sharing. The program would be funded from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, with Medicare payments to acute care hospitals reduced each year by an amount estimated to equal the program's costs in that year, and the Secretary would evaluate whether the meals improve health outcomes and reduce readmissions. This bill requires 40 participating hospitals to arrange home delivery of medically tailored meals, giving food service contractors, caterers, and delivery providers new Medicare-funded contract demand for preparing and delivering those meals.

Where it stands

S2834 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on September 17, 2025 and now sits at the committee stage, where the committee need not act on referred bills. No hearing or markup meeting is scheduled in the calendar data.

No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026

Janice D. Schakowsky (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would amend federal food law to deem a long list of chemicals, including ortho-phthalates, PFAS, bisphenols, formaldehyde, asbestos, styrene polymers, and several solvents, unsafe for use in materials that contact food, effectively banning them from food packaging starting 2 years after enactment. It would also clarify that states and localities remain free to adopt stricter food packaging rules of their own and would require federal safety reviews of replacement substances to consider effects on vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women. This bill bans PFAS, bisphenols, and other listed chemicals from food packaging, so restaurants, caterers, and food service contractors must switch to compliant packaging like takeout containers and wrappers within two years.

Where it stands

HR9231 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on June 9, 2026 and awaits the chair's decision whether to notice a hearing or a markup. Its Senate companion, S4724, was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on June 9, 2026 and has not been reported or passed a chamber.

Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act of 2026

Adam B. Schiff (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would create a competitive grant pilot program, run by the Department of Agriculture, giving school food authorities federal grants for two school years to buy equipment, train staff, pay for extra food prep time, and otherwise shift toward cooking school meals from unprocessed or minimally processed ingredients. It would authorize $20 million a year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, give top priority to schools serving the most low-income students that run their own kitchens and have unionized food service workers, and set up a technical assistance center through agreements with nonprofit organizations. This bill channels $20 million in annual school meal grants toward self-operated school food authorities, so food service management companies could lose school meal contracts while caterers and suppliers of processed foods see fewer orders as schools cook from raw ingredients.

Where it stands

S4599 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on May 20, 2026, and no hearing or markup is scheduled. The bill now sits at the referred stage, where inaction is the most common outcome anywhere in the Senate and the committee is under no obligation to act.

PRICE Act

Daniel S. Goldman (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does

The bill would require third-party delivery platforms to calculate fees based only on order totals and delivery distance, prohibiting the use of user-specific data like price sensitivity. It would also mandate that these platforms clearly display item prices, fees, and running totals throughout the ordering process. This bill requires third-party delivery platforms to prominently display the restaurant's own item prices and fees, plus clear running totals, meaning restaurants, caterers, and bars on those platforms would have their menu prices shown transparently to customers.

Where it stands

HR8510 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on April 27, 2026, and no future meetings are currently scheduled for the measure. The companion bill S4401 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on the same date.