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.
Sponsored bills
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 summaryThe LASSO Act requires 10% of annual revenue generated from public lands managed by the Interior Department and Agriculture Department (including national forests and Outer Continental Shelf areas) to be deposited into the Social Security Trust Fund. This directly affects the Social Security Trust Fund by increasing its funding, while ensuring no fee hikes for public land activities or reductions in funds for states, tribes, or local governments. The bill mandates this transfer annually without altering existing revenue-sharing agreements or pricing structures. It aims to bolster Social Security finances through a specific, measurable mechanism tied to federal land management.
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 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 summaryThe Streamline Transit Projects Act (HR 6491) allows large urban transit agencies (with populations over 200,000) to assume responsibility for environmental reviews of routine transit projects, such as bus lanes or minor station upgrades, that typically qualify as "categorical exclusions" under federal law. This means qualifying agencies - like major city transit authorities - can skip full environmental impact studies for these standard projects, instead conducting their own reviews under federal guidelines. The bill requires agencies to meet capacity standards, enter formal agreements with the federal government, and handle all legal liability for compliance, while still maintaining public access to information. The change directly affects large metropolitan transit agencies by shifting environmental review responsibilities from federal officials to local entities, aiming to accelerate project timelines without altering environmental standards.
Maddy summaryHR 7276 would impose a 30% tariff on sheep and lamb products imported from Australia or New Zealand, effective 30 days after the bill becomes law. This directly affects Australian and New Zealand exporters of these goods, including meat (lamb), wool, and wool-containing products like pelts. The bill requires the President to add this specific duty to existing import tariffs on all covered products, as defined in the legislation. Key terms clarify that "lamb" refers to meat from young sheep (not mutton), "sheep products" include wool, and "lamb products" encompass items made from lamb. The policy change is a straightforward trade measure increasing import costs for these specific agricultural exports.
Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote, in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill (1) provides for a private right of action for certain violations, and (2) establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses. Individuals voting in federal elections must present an eligible photo identification document. An individual who votes by absentee ballot must submit a copy of their identification document with both the request for, and the submission of, the absentee ballot.
Maddy summaryThis resolution is a symbolic gesture supporting the designation of January 25-31, 2026, as "National School Choice Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but formally expresses the House's backing for raising public awareness about parental education options. The resolution encourages parents to learn about K-12 education choices (including public schools, charters, private schools, and homeschooling) and urges communities to host events during that week. It has no binding effect and focuses solely on recognition and awareness, not policy change.
Maddy summaryThe Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (HR 4323) allows victims of human trafficking to petition courts to vacate convictions for non-violent federal crimes (level A offenses) or expunge arrest records if those offenses were directly related to their trafficking victimization. The bill establishes clear procedures for filing these motions, requires courts to consider testimony from anti-trafficking service providers, and ensures confidentiality for petitioners. It also adds a new "human trafficking defense" that permits defendants to claim duress due to trafficking victimization in criminal cases. The law mandates reports to Congress on implementation, including the number of petitions filed and outcomes, to assess its impact on trafficking survivors.