Sen. Tina Smith

Maddy summaryS 1336, the "Jobs in the Woods Act," creates a federal grant program to support forestry workforce training in underserved rural communities. It provides funding for eligible entities (like nonprofits, tribes, local governments, and colleges) to develop training programs in areas meeting specific criteria: nonmetropolitan, low-income, small-population communities with reliable broadband access. Grants range from $500,000 to $2 million per award for up to 4 years, with priority given to programs addressing aging forestry workforces and youth migration, and partnerships with schools. The program is authorized to receive $10 million annually from 2025 through 2029.

Maddy summaryThe Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisory employees. The Federal Labor Relations Authority will determine if states' laws "substantially provide" these rights, and if not, the federal standards will apply to affected workers. The bill guarantees rights like forming labor organizations, negotiating wages and working conditions, and resolving disputes through mediation or arbitration, while prohibiting strikes that would disrupt emergency services. Existing collective bargaining agreements and units are protected from the bill's implementation.

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 156 is a Senate resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), signed into law on January 4, 1975. It recognizes how ISDEAA has enabled federally recognized tribes to administer federal programs - including healthcare, education, and public safety - for their communities, with 92% of tribes using its authorities as of 2024. The resolution is purely ceremonial and does not create new policy or alter existing law, instead affirming congressional support for tribal self-governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for Small Business Administration disaster loans by adding "snow drought" to the list of qualifying disasters. It directly affects winter recreation small businesses (like ski resorts and snowmobile rentals) that suffer economic harm due to insufficient snowpack caused by low precipitation or warm temperatures. Key provisions require the SBA to issue implementing rules within 90 days and mandate a report assessing federal resources and adaptation strategies for businesses impacted by snow drought. The bill does not create new funding but adjusts existing programs under the Small Business Act to cover this specific climate-related disruption.

Maddy summaryS 1310, the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act, denies tax deductions for employer spending aimed at influencing workers' decisions about union organizing or collective bargaining. It amends the tax code to block deductions for expenses like anti-union consultant fees, captive audience meetings, and other tactics that interfere with labor rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Employers must report such spending on tax returns with specific details, including dates, amounts, and whether activities relate to unfair labor practice charges. This directly affects businesses that engage in anti-union organizing tactics, removing a tax incentive for these activities while preserving deductions for standard union negotiations.

Maddy summaryS 1275, the Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act, provides federal funding to help schools on federal lands improve their aging facilities. It targets federally impacted local educational agencies (those serving schools on federal property like Indian reservations or military bases) that struggle with poor building conditions and limited local funding capacity. The bill authorizes $250 million annually for four years to fund competitive emergency repairs for schools with health/safety hazards and formula grants for agencies with limited bonding capacity. Local matching requirements vary based on financial capacity, with some agencies required to contribute 10-25% of project costs depending on their ability to pay.

Maddy summaryThe IDEA Full Funding Act (S 1277) mandates specific annual funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) starting in fiscal year 2026. It sets fixed dollar amounts or percentage-based funding (ranging from 11.6% to 40% of a calculated base) for states providing special education services to children with disabilities aged 3-21. Funding becomes available on July 1 each year and remains accessible through September 30 of the following year, with amounts increasing annually through 2035. This directly affects all states receiving IDEA grants by guaranteeing minimum federal funding tied to the number of eligible students and national per-pupil spending averages.

Restoring Industry Development in Entertainment Act or the RIDE Act This bill makes certain workers with a traveling carnival or circus eligible for P visas (nonimmigrant visas for athletes, artists, and entertainers). Such visas shall be available for workers who perform functions that are integral and essential to the carnival or circus, such as transporting and assembling relevant structures and equipment. Such visas shall only be available for a position if (1) there are not sufficient U.S. workers available, and (2) employing a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.

Maddy summaryThe Building Child Care for a Better Future Act authorizes $20 billion annually for child care programs starting in 2026, with automatic annual increases based on inflation, and creates a new $5 billion annual grant program to improve child care workforce, supply, quality, and access in underserved communities. It requires states, territories, and tribes to identify areas with particular child care needs and prioritize services for low-income families, children with disabilities, rural areas, dual-language learners, and providers serving high proportions of eligible children. The bill mandates detailed reporting on how funds are used, including annual assessments of child care supply and quality improvements, and ensures federal funds supplement rather than replace existing state child care funding. This legislation directly affects states, tribes, child care providers, and families seeking affordable, high-quality child care in communities with limited access.