Maddy summaryThe PARITY Act modifies the Higher Education Act to remove specific federal regulations that currently govern the classification of independent study programs and the requirements for accrediting certain educational entities. By repealing two existing sections, the bill eliminates rules that previously mandated these programs be treated as traditional degree-granting institutions and altered how accreditation standards are applied. This change directly affects colleges and universities offering independent study or online degrees, as well as the accrediting agencies that evaluate them. The legislation aims to provide regulatory relief by simplifying the compliance framework for these educational models without introducing new mandates.
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Maddy summaryThe Faster Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to use commercial building codes alongside or instead of federal codes when constructing or altering facilities, provided there are no legal conflicts. To test this approach, the bill mandates that the Department run at least three pilot projects each year from 2027 through 2031 using these commercial standards for various construction and leasing initiatives. Additionally, the Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing how these codes were applied and the results of the pilot projects. This legislation aims to streamline the building process for VA facilities by adopting widely accepted industry standards such as those from the National Fire Protection Association and the International Code Council.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Title X family planning program to prohibit the use of federal funds for entities that perform or financially support abortions. It allows exceptions for cases involving rape, incest, or life-threatening medical conditions, while also permitting hospitals to receive funding as long as they do not give those funds to non-hospital abortion providers. To enforce these rules, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit annual reports detailing which organizations receive grants and the specific number of abortions performed under the medical and criminal exceptions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to review new drug applications from companies based in China to determine if they are affiliated with the Chinese government, Communist Party, or military. If an application comes from such an affiliated entity, the FDA will deny approval for the drug, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will refuse entry and destroy any imported drugs from these sponsors. The law also allows for a process where affected companies can prove they are no longer affiliated or sell their drug rights to a non-affiliated company within 180 days to avoid having their products blocked. Additionally, the bill authorizes $5 million in funding to carry out these review and enforcement activities.
Maddy summaryThe Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act seeks to prevent countries of concern, such as China, from obtaining advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment. It directs U.S. agencies to identify critical semiconductor manufacturing technology and facilities in these countries and immediately engage allied nations to adopt equivalent export controls, including denying licenses for exports and servicing to targeted facilities. The bill mandates the U.S. to implement its own countrywide controls on relevant U.S.-produced equipment and comprehensive restrictions on identified foreign facilities within 150 days. If an allied country fails to implement comparable controls after diplomatic efforts are exhausted, the U.S. will extend its jurisdiction to control the export and servicing of covered equipment originating from that allied nation. This legislation primarily affects U.S. and allied semiconductor manufacturing equipment producers, as well as specific foreign entities and facilities in countries of concern.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires distributors of highly pathogenic agents to maintain detailed electronic logbooks tracking all sales, leases, and transfers, including purchaser identification, intended use, and storage location. It mandates that distributors verify purchaser identity with government-issued identification before transferring these agents and retain records for at least three years. The legislation also establishes a new federal oversight mechanism to periodically evaluate high-containment laboratories, assess national biosafety needs, and create a centralized database of such facilities accessible to government officials. Additionally, the bill creates a dedicated Public Health Biosafety and Biosecurity Team to serve as a single point of contact for state and local agencies on laboratory safety matters.
Maddy summaryThe VA Appraisal Modernization Act establishes a new system for setting and adjusting appraisal fees for Department of Veterans Affairs home loans. It creates two special categories of counties - high-demand and remote - to address appraiser shortages and long wait times. High-demand counties, where appraisal delays exceed standards or appraiser availability is low, will see fees increase annually starting in 2027, with higher rates for counties facing persistent shortages. Remote counties, defined by low appraiser density or long travel distances, will receive mileage reimbursements for appraisers. The bill also requires the VA to publish fee schedules, notify appraisers of changes, and submit reports on the program's financial impact and effectiveness.
Maddy summaryThe Main Street Depositor Protection Act expands deposit insurance coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts at banks and credit unions, allowing individuals to insure up to $5 million in these accounts rather than the current standard limit. This change applies to accounts that do not earn interest and allow easy withdrawals for payments, such as checking accounts, while excluding large global banks and foreign bank branches. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will set the exact insurance amount, which must be at least the current standard limit but no more than $5 million, and both banks and credit unions will be exempt from special fees during a transition period. Over a ten-year timeline, the insurance coverage for these accounts will gradually increase to full coverage, with regulators prohibited from allowing institutions to circumvent these protections.
Maddy summaryThe Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act of 2026 increases the annual stipend for books, supplies, and other educational costs under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program. This change directly affects veterans receiving education benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill raises the fixed stipend amount from $1,000 to $1,500 for fiscal year 2026 and establishes a formula for future annual adjustments based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. These provisions ensure that educational cost allowances keep pace with inflation in subsequent years.
Maddy summaryS 921, titled "Tyler’s Law," requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to study how often hospital emergency departments test for fentanyl during overdose cases, along with the costs, benefits, privacy impacts, and effects on patient-clinician relationships. The study must examine current testing frequency, associated costs, and how fentanyl testing might influence patient privacy and care. Within six months of completing the study, the Secretary must issue guidance on whether hospitals should routinely test for fentanyl, how to inform clinicians about testing protocols, and how such testing might affect future overdose risks and health outcomes. This bill directly affects hospitals with emergency departments and patients experiencing overdoses, but it does not mandate testing - it only mandates a study and subsequent guidance.