Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Maddy summaryHR 7550, the Permanent Tax Relief for Seniors Act, makes a specific tax deduction for seniors permanent. It removes an expiration date that previously limited the deduction to taxable years before 2029, extending it indefinitely. This change directly affects seniors aged 65 or older who claim the standard deduction under the Internal Revenue Code. The key mechanism is amending the tax code to eliminate the sunset provision, ensuring the deduction applies to all future taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026. The policy change provides ongoing tax relief for eligible seniors without altering other tax provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to define "critical energy resources" as those essential to U.S. energy systems with vulnerable supply chains. It directs the Energy Secretary to assess supply chain risks, diversify sources, boost domestic production of these resources, develop alternatives, and improve recycling. The law specifically requires evaluating reliance on imports, adversarial nation tactics (like price manipulation), and impacts on energy technology development. The Department of Energy and energy sector stakeholders will implement these measures, directly affecting how the federal government manages energy security. The bill focuses on concrete policy actions, not outcomes or political advocacy.

Maddy summaryThe SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 establishes federal safety standards for vehicles with automated driving systems (ADS), requiring manufacturers to develop detailed "safety cases" demonstrating their systems won't present unreasonable risks to road users. It creates a National Automated Vehicle Safety Data Repository to collect crash data from ADS-equipped vehicles, including information about vulnerable road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.) and crash circumstances. The bill preempts state laws that conflict with these federal standards while allowing states to enforce identical requirements, and defines key terms related to automation levels (Level 3-5) and operational design domains. Manufacturers must demonstrate ADS capabilities for handling various driving scenarios, including detecting vulnerable road users and achieving minimal risk conditions during emergencies. The bill also establishes requirements for cybersecurity protections and reporting of crash data to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA) to submit an annual report to Congress detailing its investigations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The report must include the office opening each investigation, start dates, document request dates, and whether investigations concluded within 36 months - without revealing private party identities like plan sponsors or participants. It directly affects EBSA (the agency conducting investigations) and Congress (the recipient of the reports). The key mechanism is mandating transparency about investigation timelines and status, while protecting privacy of involved parties. The report must clarify when investigations are officially closed, including cases where investigation topics evolve.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies federal budget rules for unspent agency funds. It requires federal agencies to allocate 49% of unused funds to the next fiscal year, 49% toward paying the national debt, and 2% for retention bonuses (capped at 10% of an employee's base pay). Agencies must also limit future budget requests to the previous year's amount adjusted for inflation. The bill directly affects all executive branch agencies (excluding the Red Cross), altering how they manage leftover budget authority. It does not create new savings programs for individuals but changes government fiscal management procedures.

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 amends federal energy conservation law to require federal agencies to consider mechanical insulation as a standard energy-saving measure during building evaluations. It defines "mechanical insulation property" as materials that reduce energy loss in mechanical systems while meeting ASHRAE 90.1 standards, including insulation placed in service with those systems. The law adds mechanical insulation to the list of measures agencies must evaluate for potential installation in federal buildings as part of their required energy and water assessments. This directly affects federal agencies managing buildings, ensuring they formally assess this specific efficiency measure during routine evaluations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare plans (including Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans) to base coverage decisions on medical necessity and evidence-based standards. It mandates that plans seek input from practicing physicians when creating or changing coverage rules, post all preauthorization requirements online in plain language, and publicly share statistics on approvals and denials. The bill also requires that adverse coverage decisions be made by licensed, board-certified physicians and prohibits denying coverage solely due to lack of evidence-based standards when none exist for a service. These changes aim to reduce unnecessary delays in care for Medicare beneficiaries by increasing transparency and clinical input in coverage decisions.

Facilitating the Deployment of Infrastructure with Greater Internet Transactions And Legacy Applications Act or the Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to periodically report on the development of online portals for the acceptance, processing, and disposal of applications for communications use authorizations. Communications use authorizations are requests for easements, rights-of-way, leases, licenses, or other authorizations to locate or modify a transmitting device, support structure, or other communications facility on public lands or National Forest System land. Specifically, the NTIA must report to Congress about (1) whether the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service have each established a portal, and (2) any barriers to establishing the portals. The NTIA must submit the first report within 90 days of the enactment of the bill and additional reports every 60 days thereafter until the portals are established. Additionally, Interior and the Forest Service must notify the NTIA within three business days of establishing their respective portals.

Maddy summaryThe Make Elections Great Again Act (HR 7300) would require voters to present photo identification to cast ballots in person or by mail for federal elections, with limited exceptions for religious objections or military voters. It would establish new requirements for proving U.S. citizenship during voter registration, including documentary proof of citizenship and proof of state residency. The bill would change mail-in ballot procedures by requiring voters to request mail-in ballots (rather than universal mail-in voting), implementing barcode tracking for mail-in ballots, and setting strict deadlines for ballot receipt. These provisions would apply to all states for federal elections held in 2027 or later, affecting how voters register, vote in person, and submit mail-in ballots for federal office elections.