Sen. James C. Justice

Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 This act extends and modifies the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, under which states and counties containing certain federal land may receive payments from the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for schools, roads, and certain other municipal services. The act modifies the SRS program, including by extending payments made to states and counties containing federal land through FY2026, providing lapsed payments for FY2024 and FY2025, extending the authority of counties to initiate projects using such funds through FY2028, and extending the authority to initiate projects proposed by resource advisory committees through FY2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax credit for employers who pay qualified wages to child care workers. Employers at eligible child care facilities (providing care for at least 6 children, charging fees, and meeting state regulations) can claim a 5% credit on those wages, increasing to 7% for facilities in rural areas. The credit applies to wage increases and is treated as part of the general business tax credit. It directly affects child care employers by reducing their federal tax liability for raising wages at qualifying facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires states to cover medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder under Medicaid without prior authorization or dosage limits for at least one formulation of each approved drug. It directly affects Medicaid patients with opioid use disorder and their healthcare providers, removing administrative barriers that previously required extra approvals or restricted dosing. The bill amends Medicaid law to mandate this coverage, while also requiring a federal report analyzing how current state policies (like dosing limits or counseling requirements) impact access to MAT. The changes apply starting one year after enactment, with states needing time to adjust if new state laws are required.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state veterans homes certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to be automatically deemed compliant with Medicare’s nursing home standards, eliminating redundant inspections. It requires the VA to provide documentation of inspections, undergo biennial joint reviews with Medicare officials to confirm alignment, and maintain the same care and safety standards as Medicare requires. The bill also mandates that VA inspection data for these homes be publicly reported on the Nursing Home Care Compare website. This applies to all state veterans homes meeting the defined standards, effective 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain non-lethal projectile devices (like pepper ball guns or rubber bullets) from federal firearms and ammunition taxes. It directly affects manufacturers, producers, and importers of these devices by removing tax obligations under IRS Code sections 4181 and 5845. Key provisions define "less-than-lethal" devices as those not expelling standard firearm ammunition, operating below 500 feet per second, and not convertible to lethal weapons. The Secretary of the Treasury must annually update a public list of qualifying devices and report to Congress on non-qualifying devices that exceed the velocity limit.

Maddy summarySRES 545 designates December 6, 2025, as "National Miners Day" to honor miners' contributions to U.S. economic strength and safety efforts, while commemorating the 1907 Monongah mining disaster (the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history). The resolution encourages public participation in local and national activities celebrating miners' sacrifices. It has no binding effect and serves as symbolic recognition, not a policy change. The bill directly affects miners and the public through this annual observance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the government to study how quickly small business loans are approved and paid out in specific regions, with special focus on areas in the Appalachian region compared to other parts of covered regions. The study will measure processing times, approval rates, loan amounts, and transparency for businesses in these areas from 2021-2024. It mandates an interim report to Congress within one year and a final report with recommendations within two years. The report must propose ways to speed up loan processing, improve application status updates, and reduce government inefficiencies. This is a study bill - no new policies are created, only data will be gathered to potentially improve future loan access.

Maddy summarySRES 537 is a Senate resolution honoring Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, both West Virginia National Guard members, who were shot during a targeted attack on service members in Washington, D.C., on November 26, 2025. Specialist Beckstrom died from her injuries on November 27, 2025, while Staff Sergeant Wolfe remains hospitalized. The resolution expresses the Senate’s condolences to their families, condemns the attack, and recognizes their service and sacrifice, with no policy changes or funding impacts. It is a symbolic gesture honoring their military service and the broader National Guard community.

Maddy summaryThe AGRITOURISM Act (S 3392) creates a new Agritourism Advisor position within the USDA to support rural businesses. This role will directly assist farms and ranches offering agritourism activities - like farm stays, winery tours, u-pick operations, and farm-to-table dining - by connecting them to federal resources. The Advisor will coordinate USDA programs, provide technical assistance, share best practices, and help update farm enterprise development tools. The bill aims to strengthen rural economies by making it easier for small agricultural businesses to diversify through tourism. It applies to all states, tribal lands, and USDA programs nationwide.

Maddy summaryThis bill specifies the location for a World War II Women's Memorial already authorized by law. It directs that the memorial, honoring over 18 million women who worked on the home front during WWII, be placed on federal land in Washington, D.C. Specifically, it allows the memorial to be situated either in "Area I" on the National Mall (as defined by a 2003 map) or within the National Mall's "Reserve" area. The bill does not create new policy or change memorial requirements - it only clarifies the physical location on federal land.