Legislative Intelligence Briefing - Tuesday, April 28, 2026

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Congress is in active budget hearing season for FY2027, with 20 committee hearings scheduled for today (April 28) and the week ahead. The Federal Register published 35 regulatory actions in the past 24 hours, including significant final rules on marijuana rescheduling (DEA), railroad certification modernization (FRA), and administrative procedure reforms (DOT). The House floor schedule includes 17 bills for consideration this week, with Ways and Means Committee markup scheduled for April 29. No major floor votes or new bill introductions were reported in the past 24 hours.

APPROPRIATIONS CYCLE STATUS

Current Phase: Public Testimony Submissions (Active)

Next Phase: 302(b) Allocations (3 days until May 1)

The appropriations process is in the testimony window phase. 55 House members have opened FY2027 appropriations request portals as of April 22, including:

Rep. John W. Mannion (D-NY)
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA)
Rep. Troy A. Carter (D-LA)
Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA)
Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY)
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX)

Advocacy Signal: Organizations should submit written testimony to relevant appropriations subcommittees immediately. Testimony windows close in early May. Follow committee-specific formatting (5 pages max for House, 4 for Senate).

COMMITTEE HEARINGS & MARKUPS (WEEK OF APRIL 28 – MAY 4)

Today (April 28) – 9 Hearings Scheduled:

|-----------|-------|------|----------|

Upcoming Week Hearings:

April 29: Senate Energy & Water Development Subcommittee – FY2027 NNSA Budget (6:30 PM, Dirksen 124)
April 30: Senate Military Construction-VA Subcommittee – FY2027 VA Budget (2:00 PM, Dirksen 124)
April 30: Senate Interior-Environment Subcommittee – FY2027 Forest Service Budget (2:30 PM, Dirksen 138)

Markup Scheduled:

April 29: House Ways and Means Committee – H.R. 7432, H.R. 7463, H.R. 7343, H.R. 7529, H.R. 7655, H.R. 7995 (2:00 PM, Longworth 1100)

HOUSE FLOOR SCHEDULE (WEEK OF APRIL 27)

17 Bills Scheduled for Consideration:

| Bill | Title | Procedure |

|------|-------|-----------|

| H.R. 4930 | Intellectual Property Rights Trade Violations | Suspension |

| H.R. 7567 | Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 | Rule |

| H.R. 2616 | Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act | Rule |

| H.R. 227 | Clergy Act | Suspension |

| H.R. 6506 | Taxpayer Due Process Enhancement Act | Suspension |

| H.R. 6495 | Taxpayer Notification and Privacy Act | Suspension |

| H.R. 6903 | Ensuring Children Receive Support Act | Suspension |

| H.R. 6431 | New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency Act | Suspension |

| H.R. 6956 | BARCODE Efficiency Act | Suspension |

| H.R. 5366 | Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act | Suspension |

| H.R. 2347 | Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act | Suspension |

| H.R. 5334 | SEED Act of 2025 | Suspension |

| H.R. 7971 | Taxpayer Experience Improvement Act | Suspension |

| H.R. 7959 | IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act | Suspension |

| H.R. 8364 | Capitol Police Retirement Age Authorization | Suspension |

| S. Con. Res. 33 | Congressional Budget for FY2026 & FY2027-2035 | Rule |

| S. 1318 | Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act | Rule |

REGULATORY ACTIVITY (PAST 24 HOURS)

35 Federal Register Documents Published

Significant Final Rules:

Marijuana Rescheduling (DEA) – Published April 28, Effective Immediately
- Reschedules FDA-approved marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III
- Establishes expedited registration process for state medical marijuana license holders
- Document: 2026-08176
Administrative Rulemaking & Enforcement Procedures (DOT) – Published April 27, Effective May 27
- Reinstates procedural reforms for Department rulemakings, guidance documents, and enforcement actions
- Updates internal policies and procedures for guidance document review and enforcement proceedings
- Document: 2026-08144
Railroad Certification Modernization (FRA) – Published April 28, Effective May 28
- Allows electronic locomotive engineer and conductor certificates
- Reduces information required on certificates
- Updates certification revocation and Administrative Hearing Officer processes
- Documents: 2026-08257, 2026-08259
Prosecutorial Discretion (FRA) – Published April 28, Effective May 28
- Clarifies FRA Office of Chief Counsel discretion to decline or dismiss technical violations
- Document: 2026-08250
Electronic Injury Reporting (FRA) – Published April 28, Effective May 28
- Allows railroads to post injury and occupational illness listings electronically
- Removes signature requirement for preparer
- Document: 2026-08255

Proposed Rules (Open Comment Periods):

Streamlining Regulations on Public Welfare Investments (OCC) – Published April 27, Comments Close May 27 (29 days remaining)
Proposes rescinding/amending regulations on minority/women-owned entity references, credit risk retention, and nondiscrimination requirements
Document: 2026-08143

Other Notable Rules:

Fisheries: Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Entitlements allocation for 2026 (NOAA, effective May 1)
Patient Safety Organizations: Two voluntary delistings (symplr PSO, Collaborative Healthcare PSO)
Securities: Cboe Exchange trading permit holder rule change (immediate effectiveness)

EXECUTIVE ACTIONS

No presidential actions (executive orders, proclamations, memoranda) issued in the past 24 hours.

ACTION ITEMS

Appropriations Testimony: Submit written testimony to relevant FY2027 appropriations subcommittees before early May deadline. Target committees holding hearings this week (Education, NASA, VA, Forest Service, NNSA).
OCC Proposed Rule Comment: Organizations with interest in public welfare investment regulations, credit risk retention, or nondiscrimination requirements should submit comments on 2026-08143 by May 27.
Monitor Ways and Means Markup: Track April 29 markup of six bills (H.R. 7432, 7463, 7343, 7529, 7655, 7995) for potential amendments and passage.
Marijuana Rescheduling Implementation: Organizations in medical cannabis, pharmaceutical, or regulatory sectors should review DEA guidance on expedited registration process for state medical marijuana license holders (effective immediately).

SOURCES

House Floor Schedule – Week of April 27
Federal Register – Marijuana Rescheduling
Federal Register – DOT Administrative Procedures
Federal Register – FRA Locomotive Engineer Certification
Federal Register – OCC Proposed Rule
Congress.gov Committee Schedules