Maddy summaryHR 7539, the SAFE Act, requires the Comptroller General to study "chameleon carriers" (motor carriers evading safety rules by changing names or ownership) and develop an automated tool for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to detect such applicants during Department of Transportation (DOT) number registration. The bill mandates the tool to identify patterns like shared ownership, similar addresses, insurance lapses, or continuity of operations to flag suspicious applications. It directly affects motor carriers applying for DOT numbers and FMCSA staff, who must use the tool to review applications while preserving final decision-making authority. The law also requires an appeals process for denied applications, data privacy safeguards, and a two-year effectiveness report on the tool.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill expands existing U.S. sanctions authority to target foreign countries whose chemical or biological programs cause harm to other nations. It requires the President to investigate and sanction foreign officials or entities involved in such harmful activities, with specific focus on programs producing benzylfentanyl, 4-anilinopiperidine, or norfentanyl precursors. The law establishes a three-stage sanctions process: initial restrictions on scientific cooperation and certain exports, intermediate measures that may cut off foreign assistance and additional export controls, and final sanctions that prohibit financial transactions involving the affected country. Sanctions can be lifted if the foreign government addresses the harm, provides information, and takes steps to prevent future incidents, with a five-year limit on presidential waiver authority.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative to accelerate joint development and integration of defense technologies between the two countries. It directs the U.S. Secretary of Defense, with Israel’s agreement, to identify Israeli-origin technologies for rapid adoption into U.S. military systems, focusing on areas like counter-drone systems, missile defense (including "Golden Dome for America"), AI, cyber defense, and directed energy. The initiative requires annual congressional reporting on progress, partnerships with industry, and technology transitions, while authorizing $150 million annually for fiscal years 2027-2029. It aims to strengthen bilateral defense innovation and streamline the use of Israeli technologies within U.S. military programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce two types of commemorative $2.50 coins for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence: a circulating coin for everyday use and a numismatic (collector) coin. Both would feature designs based on the 1926 Sesquicentennial coin - showing allegorical liberty holding the Declaration on one side and Independence Hall on the other - with "1776-2026" inscriptions. The bill requires the Mint to issue these coins by July 4, 2026, if technically and economically feasible, but does not mandate their production or affect any specific groups beyond the public who may purchase them.
Maddy summaryHRES 1051 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Mobile, Alabama, as the origin of the oldest continuous Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, dating to 1703. It formally acknowledges Mobile's historical significance as the birthplace of the Carnival tradition, citing its 300+ year tradition of parades and festivities marking the end of Carnival before Lent. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely commemorative, affirming cultural heritage without altering laws or affecting any group. It was introduced by Alabama representatives and referred to the Oversight Committee.
Maddy summaryHR 7421, the SAFE Olympic Sports Act, requires national governing bodies for Olympic sports to maintain eligibility rules based on an athlete's biological sex as defined in the bill. It mandates that competitions must restrict participation to athletes whose sex at conception aligns with the event's category (e.g., female-only events for those biologically female). The bill defines "sex" as an immutable biological classification determined at conception, with specific biological criteria for male and female. This applies to Olympic, Paralympic, Pan-American, and other sanctioned amateur competitions, requiring governing bodies to continue sanctioning single-sex events they previously approved.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal officials from using settlement agreements to direct payments to third parties unless those payments directly compensate for actual harm caused by the defendant or pay for services rendered in the case. It prevents the government from creating slush funds through settlements that benefit unrelated organizations or individuals beyond the scope of direct restitution. Federal agencies must annually report to the Congressional Budget Office on settlement payments that meet the new criteria, while agency inspectors general must audit and publicly report any violations. The reporting and audit requirements are set to expire seven years after the law takes effect.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits most Somali citizens and nationals from obtaining U.S. visas or immigration status for 25 years after enactment. It amends immigration laws to block new admissions while allowing exceptions for those already lawfully admitted, lawful permanent residents, and individuals with specific diplomatic visas (A-1, G-1, etc.). The law directly affects Somali nationals seeking to immigrate to the U.S. and takes effect immediately upon passage. It creates a permanent policy change to restrict immigration from Somalia, with limited exceptions for existing residents and certain travelers.
Maddy summaryThis bill prevents state or local governments from banning or restricting energy connections (like installation, modification, or access) based on the type or source of energy, such as electricity, natural gas, or renewable fuels. It directly affects consumers choosing energy providers and energy companies seeking to offer services. The key provision prohibits local laws, regulations, or policies that limit energy services sold in interstate commerce, covering all energy types listed in the bill’s definitions. It does not create new programs but limits regulatory authority at the state or local level. The law aims to ensure open access to diverse energy sources without source-based restrictions.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax exclusion for certain disaster mitigation payments received by property owners. It allows individuals to exclude from gross income funds paid by state programs (or approved entities) to make improvements that reduce damage from windstorms, earthquakes, or wildfires. The exclusion applies to payments made for specific property upgrades like storm shutters or fire-resistant roofing. The change takes effect for 2021+ tax years and includes a retroactive option for taxpayers to amend prior returns. It directly affects homeowners participating in qualifying state disaster resilience programs.