Maddy summaryThe DATA Act of 2026 creates a new category of electric utilities called consumer-regulated electric utilities (CREUs) that can operate independently from the traditional public utility system. These CREUs must be physically isolated from the main power grid and serve only customers who receive electricity exclusively from them, allowing them to own and operate their own generation, storage, and distribution facilities. The bill exempts these independent utilities from most federal regulations, including oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy, as well as restrictions on rates and corporate structure. CREUs can only lose this exemption if they choose to connect to the main power grid, at which point they would become subject to standard federal utility regulations. The legislation also clarifies that CREUs may use public rights-of-way for their facilities but only face limited review focused on safety and restoration.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the transfer of three specific parcels of federal land in Lehi, Utah, to the Utah National Guard for use as a state armory. The property includes various strips and irregularly shaped lots, and the transfer is subject to existing easements and restrictions that are currently in place. To ensure the land remains dedicated to military training, the agreement includes a clause allowing the federal government to reclaim the property if it is no longer used for National Guard readiness activities. Additionally, the bill requires the State of Utah to cover the costs associated with the transfer, such as environmental reviews and administrative fees, without using federal funds for these expenses.
Maddy summaryThe CREATES Act authorizes a grant program for states to establish or improve publicly accessible databases of educational and occupational credentials. The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, would award competitive grants up to $10 million over three years to states for this purpose. States receiving grants must create repositories that identify all credentials and training providers in the state, including details on program costs, skills developed, career pathways, and employment outcomes associated with each credential. These repositories must use transparent, interoperable data formats and be continuously updated, while strictly prohibiting the collection of any personally identifiable information. This initiative aims to help individuals make informed education and career choices, and provides data for employers, educators, and counselors.
Maddy summaryThe ALERT Act (HR 7613) requires the Federal Aviation Administration to improve aviation safety through several key measures. It mandates the evaluation and potential implementation of enhanced collision avoidance systems (ACAS-Xa) for commercial aircraft and ACAS-Xr for rotorcraft, with specific deadlines for rulemaking and installation. The bill establishes committees to develop recommendations for safety technology requirements, requires safety risk assessments for air traffic controllers, and addresses operational procedures at high-traffic airports like Ronald Reagan Washington National. These provisions affect air carriers, air traffic controllers, rotorcraft operators, and Department of Defense aircraft operations. The act aims to enhance situational awareness and reduce midair collision risks through technology upgrades and improved safety protocols.
Maddy summaryThis bill classifies certain temporary healthcare professionals, including qualified locum tenens professionals and advanced care practitioners, as independent contractors. This classification applies specifically for the purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act. To qualify, these individuals must provide temporary physician or advanced care practitioner services for up to one continuous year at a single site, under a written contract acknowledging their independent contractor status. Eligible professionals include physicians, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and certified registered nurse anesthetists.
Maddy summaryThe HBCU Research Capacity Act establishes a Federal Clearinghouse within the Department of Education, in coordination with several other federal agencies, to provide Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with comprehensive information on federal grant opportunities. This Clearinghouse will identify grants supporting research and development and institutional capacity building at HBCUs, while also sharing best practices for securing federal funding. The Department of Education will notify HBCUs and Congress about the Clearinghouse and offer quarterly updates to participating institutions. Additionally, several federal agencies, including Defense, Energy, and the National Science Foundation, are mandated to review their grant programs to align with the Clearinghouse's recommendations and report any identified funding gaps to Congress annually.
Maddy summaryThe GRACIE Act of 2026 provides federal grants to state child welfare agencies to help them record and keep all interviews related to child abuse and neglect investigations. Under this bill, states receiving funding must create or update rules requiring electronic recording of these interviews and store the recordings securely for at least five years. The funds can only be used for costs directly tied to conducting and retaining these recordings, including audio or video capture. States must also establish access controls that limit who can view the recordings while allowing caregivers to request copies in certain legal situations. The program is authorized for six years, with up to $30 million available annually from 2026 through 2031.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to clarify that protections against sex discrimination do not extend to gender identity. It directly affects employers, employees, and individuals involved in workplace discrimination claims by explicitly excluding gender identity from the definition of sex-based discrimination. The key provision is a rule of construction that interprets existing federal law in a specific way, rather than creating new protections or restrictions. This change would limit the scope of federal sex discrimination claims to biological sex rather than including gender identity as a protected category.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study fraud prevention in federal early childhood education, child care, and nutrition programs - including Head Start, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Child Care and Development Block Grant. The study will examine current fraud prevention procedures, assess whether federal data is sufficient and effectively used to detect fraud, and evaluate state program integrity results when responsibilities are delegated to local entities. The GAO must submit a report to Congress within two years, including findings and recommendations for improving fraud prevention measures. This is a procedural study bill focused on identifying gaps, not implementing new policies.
Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025 This bill expands the membership of the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee within the Veterans Health Administration by requiring the addition of one representative from the National Association of State Veterans Homes who holds a professional license in nursing home administration. Additionally, the committee must consult with the National Association of Veterans State Homes with respect to matters concerning the association.