Sen. Tim Scott

Maddy summaryThe Combating Organized Retail Crime Act amends federal law to strengthen legal tools for addressing organized retail crime, including theft from stores, online, and supply chains. It establishes a new Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts. The Center will share information, assist with investigations, track crime trends, and provide training to combat these crimes. The bill expands legal definitions to include organized retail crime as a specific category and requires annual reports on the Center's activities. The Center will operate for 7 years before sunset.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date for certain Defense Production Act (DPA) authorities from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2026. It directly affects the federal government's ability to use DPA powers for national security-related production, such as manufacturing critical materials or equipment. The key provision is a simple date amendment to Section 717(a) of the DPA, maintaining existing emergency authorities without new requirements or changes to the law's scope.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows utility and telecom companies to report on-time payment history for services like electricity, gas, and internet to credit bureaus, helping consumers build credit who may lack traditional credit history. It specifically permits reporting on lease payments for housing (including HUD-subsidized units) and utility/telecom payments, but only includes payment-related details - not usage data like how much electricity was used. The bill also prohibits companies from reporting late payments for customers in approved payment plans (e.g., deferred payments or debt forgiveness). A government study will later assess the impact of this reporting on consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes the federal adoption tax credit refundable, allowing eligible taxpayers to receive a refund even if they owe no income tax. It directly affects families who paid qualified adoption expenses (like court fees or agency costs) but previously couldn't claim the full credit due to its non-refundable status. Key provisions include redesignating the credit in tax law as "section 36C" (making it refundable), adding standardized third-party affidavits to verify adoptions, and ensuring existing credit carryforwards are treated as refundable starting in 2025. The changes take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct annual residue testing on imported organic feedstuffs shipped in bulk with a national organic program certificate, and to submit yearly reports to Congress detailing testing methods, results, and corrective actions. It directly affects importers of bulk organic feedstuffs by mandating compliance with new verification standards and prohibiting shipments that test above allowed levels of banned chemicals from being sold or labeled as organic. The Secretary of Agriculture must develop annual risk-based testing protocols (considering factors like shipment frequency and chemical risks) and take mandatory corrective actions when violations occur. The law does not change organic production standards but adds verification steps for specific imported feedstuffs to ensure compliance with existing organic regulations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 159) is a ceremonial Senate measure honoring the late Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr. (1932-2024), who represented Louisiana in the U.S. Senate from 1972 to 1997. It commemorates his career, including his work on energy policy, flood control, and Louisiana conservation efforts, and requests the Senate adjourn in his memory while sending condolences to his family. As a non-binding resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or laws.

Maddy summarySRES 153 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the contributions of women in U.S. agriculture, citing that women operate over 1.2 million farms (36% of total sales, $222 billion in 2022) and work across diverse roles from farming to education and advocacy. The resolution encourages public acknowledgment of women’s impact on the agricultural workforce and food systems, urging support for women entering the field, leadership opportunities, and global food security. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but formally honors this group during National Women’s History Month and National Ag Week.

Maddy summarySRES 148 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the U.S. Senate to honor the late Senator Alan K. Simpson of Wyoming, who died in 2022. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow and deep regret" over his passing and formally requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy to his family. It also directs the Senate to adjourn as a mark of respect during its final session following the resolution's adoption. This resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents - it solely serves as a formal tribute to Simpson's legacy.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act requires colleges and universities receiving federal funding to prohibit events promoting antisemitism on their campuses. It defines antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 working definition, including specific contemporary examples like conflating Zionism with racism. The law explicitly bans institutions from authorizing, funding, or supporting such events, applying to all higher education institutions covered under the Higher Education Act of 1965. This policy change directly affects campus event policies at federally funded colleges and universities.

Maddy summaryThe GENIUS Act of 2025 establishes a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins in the United States, requiring that only permitted issuers (including bank subsidiaries and Federal-qualified nonbank entities) can issue them. These issuers must maintain reserves at a 1:1 ratio with specific assets like U.S. Treasury bills, cash, or deposits, undergo monthly audits, and publicly disclose reserve composition. The bill prohibits misleading claims that stablecoins are government-backed or insured, and requires compliance with anti-money laundering and sanctions laws. It also creates a path for state-level regulation of smaller issuers while ensuring consistent national standards.