Sen. Susan M. Collins

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes existing regional ocean partnerships through 2031, extending funding for coastal states and tribes managing ocean resources. It sets specific annual funding levels: $11.57 million for 2028, $11.69 million for 2029, $11.81 million for 2030, and $11.92 million for 2031. The bill makes technical updates to reporting requirements and adjusts the funding period to align with the new authorization. It directly affects current regional ocean partnership programs under the 2023 defense act, ensuring continued federal support for coastal management efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to federal agricultural loans and grants for commercial fishermen and fish processors by officially including them in existing USDA programs designed for traditional farmers and ranchers. It allows these businesses to use farm loans for purchasing fishing permits, vessels, and processing facilities, as well as for operating and maintaining their equipment. The legislation also broadens eligibility for farm credit banks and production credit associations to include businesses providing services directly related to aquatic product producers and harvesters. Additionally, it permits the USDA to waive matching fund requirements for grants supporting domestic seafood marketing initiatives.

Maddy summaryThe Copay Fairness for Veterans Act of 2026 would eliminate copayments for preventive health services received by veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes medications, hospital care, walk-in care, and services for survivors and dependents, as well as immunizations, screenings, and contraceptive services. The bill defines preventive services based on recommendations from established medical organizations and guidelines, ensuring coverage for evidence-based care. Changes would take effect 180 days after the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a funding mechanism to support youth vaping prevention efforts by increasing tobacco industry user fees and expanding how those fees are collected and allocated. It requires tobacco manufacturers and importers to submit detailed sales data to the FDA, which will use this information to calculate fees based on market share and distribute funds for public education campaigns targeting teens and minors. The legislation also mandates annual reporting to Congress on how user fees are spent between different types of tobacco products and requires the FDA to explain how it ensures sufficient funding for youth vaping prevention education.

Maddy summaryThe AFTER Act of 2026 requires federal agencies to retire research animals to nonprofit rescue organizations, sanctuaries, or shelters rather than euthanizing them when they are no longer needed for studies. The bill defines specific categories for these receiving facilities and excludes rats and mice from the retirement requirements. Federal facilities must create regulations within 90 days of enactment to facilitate adoption and placement of retired animals, including consideration of locations beyond their immediate geographic area. The legislation also ensures that state or local laws with stricter animal welfare standards remain in effect and allows chimpanzees used in research to be placed in existing sanctuary systems.

Maddy summaryThe WIPPES Act (S 1092) requires manufacturers and retailers to label specific wipes with a clear "Do Not Flush" notice and symbol. It directly affects producers of baby wipes, antibacterial wipes, cleaning wipes, and personal care wipes (like makeup remover or feminine hygiene wipes) that could be flushed. The law mandates precise labeling on packaging - ensuring visibility, high contrast, and specific placement depending on package type - while banning all claims that these wipes are flushable. Enforcement falls to the Federal Trade Commission under existing consumer protection laws, and the federal standard preempts conflicting state regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies when franchisors can be held legally responsible for franchisee employees' pay and working conditions under federal labor laws. It specifies that franchisors are only joint employers if they exercise "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential employment terms like wages, hours, hiring, or discipline - excluding routine brand standards or training. The law explicitly states that franchisors do not become joint employers for actions like setting operating hours, minimum staffing levels, or offering brand guidelines. This directly affects franchisors, franchisees, and their employees by reducing legal uncertainty in the $825 billion franchise sector.

Maddy summaryS 2903, the Safe Step Act, requires health insurance plans and employers offering health coverage to establish a clear, timely process for patients or doctors to request exceptions when step therapy protocols (where insurers require trying cheaper drugs first) would harm a patient. It mandates approval for exceptions if prior drugs failed, delay would cause severe harm, a drug is unsafe, or a patient is stable on their current medication. Plans must respond to requests within 72 hours (or 24 hours in emergencies) and cover the requested drug without extra cost-sharing. The bill also requires annual reports to the government on exception requests, approvals, denials, and trends by medical condition or specialty. This directly affects patients on health plans with step therapy, their doctors, and the insurers managing those plans.

Maddy summaryThe Child Care Modernization Act of 2025 amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act to improve access to high-quality child care for working parents. It requires states to develop plans with input from parents, providers, and employers, and to set payment rates that cover providers' full costs including staff salaries and benefits. The bill creates a new grant program to expand child care supply through facilities improvements and support for providers serving priority populations like homeless children, rural communities, and children with disabilities. It clarifies eligibility requirements, including income limits for families and definitions for "eligible child" and "eligible activity." The act aims to increase the number of low-income children in high-quality child care settings while supporting the child care workforce.

Maddy summaryS 2699, the Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act, authorizes $48,245,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund geriatrics education and training programs under the Public Health Service Act. This funding directly supports healthcare providers and training institutions focused on elder care by expanding resources for developing geriatric specialists. The bill’s key provision replaces a prior funding reference with this specific, multi-year appropriation to strengthen the geriatric healthcare workforce. It does not change eligibility or create new requirements, only establishing dedicated federal funding for existing geriatrics training initiatives.