Sen. Thom Tillis

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1716 (Vision Lab Choice Act of 2025), modifies vision care coverage under health plans by limiting agreements between optometrists and vision plans to two-year terms (with possible two-year extensions) and prohibiting plans from restricting optometrists' choices of labs or suppliers for patient vision care. It directly affects optometrists and health insurance issuers offering limited-scope vision benefits, ensuring they cannot force optometrists to use specific labs or materials. The bill requires annual state enforcement notifications by the Secretary and clarifies that state laws governing vision plans take precedence if they conflict with this law. It does not change overall coverage requirements but focuses on provider choice and contract terms within vision benefit plans.

Due Process Continuity of Care Act This bill allows an otherwise eligible individual who is in custody pending disposition of charges (i.e., pretrial detainees) to receive Medicaid benefits at the option of the state. The bill also provides for state planning grants to support the provision of such benefits.

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau titled Overdraft Lending: Very Large Financial Institutions and published on December 30, 2024. The rule revises provisions regarding charges for insufficient funds in a customer’s bank account (i.e., overdrafts) at very large financial institutions. Under the rule, these institutions must (1) cap overdraft charges at $5; (2) with justification, cap charges at a higher amount; or (3) handle overdrafts as credit and comply with applicable Truth in Lending Act disclosure requirements.

Maddy summarySRES 212 is a non-binding Senate resolution affirming that any U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement must require Iran to completely dismantle its nuclear program and adopt strict international inspections. It specifies that acceptable outcomes include Iran disclosing all nuclear activities, allowing unimpeded IAEA access to all sites for verification, and permanently forgoing uranium enrichment and reprocessing. The resolution also mandates that any future U.S.-Iran agreement (a "123 Agreement") must include these safeguards. This resolution expresses the Senate's position on non-negotiable terms for nuclear diplomacy but does not create new law or policy.

Maddy summaryS 1705, the Chip Security Act, requires U.S. companies exporting specific advanced integrated circuits (used in AI systems and high-performance computing) to install location verification technology before shipping them abroad. It directly affects manufacturers and exporters of chips classified under U.S. export control numbers like 3A090 or 4A090. The bill mandates that these chips include security mechanisms to verify their location and prevent diversion or tampering, with companies needing to report suspicious activity like unauthorized location changes. The Commerce Secretary must implement these requirements within 180 days and conduct annual assessments to update security standards. This aims to strengthen compliance with export laws and protect national security by securing chip supply chains.

Maddy summaryS 1675 would amend federal death penalty law to add a new aggravating factor for capital sentencing. Specifically, it would allow the death penalty to be considered if a defendant is an alien who entered or remained in the U.S. illegally and was convicted of killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a U.S. citizen. This provision directly affects defendants in federal murder cases who meet both criteria: violating immigration laws and committing violent crimes against citizens. The bill changes sentencing guidelines by expanding the circumstances under which the death penalty could be applied.

Maddy summaryThe INDEX Act (S 1670) requires investment advisers managing passively tracked funds (like index funds) to vote proxy ballots according to their clients' instructions, directly affecting millions of retail investors who own these funds. It mandates that advisers vote shares proportionally based on client ownership percentages - e.g., if 20% of a fund's clients hold shares, their voting preference applies to 20% of the fund's votes. Exceptions allow advisers to vote "routine" matters (like board elections) without client input if instructions aren't received 10 days prior, or to mirror other shareholders' votes for majority-required proposals. The bill aims to align voting with investor preferences while prohibiting advisers from charging funds for compliance costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses to immediately deduct research and development (R&D) costs instead of spreading them over 60 months, directly benefiting companies investing in innovation. It increases the refundable R&D credit cap for small businesses from $250,000 to $750,000 over time, with specific phase-in amounts starting in 2025. Additionally, it expands access for startups by raising the gross receipts threshold for eligibility from $5 million to $15 million and increasing credit rates for qualified small businesses. These changes aim to make R&D tax incentives more accessible and valuable for smaller companies and new ventures.

Maddy summaryThe SEMI Investment Act expands a federal tax credit for businesses investing in semiconductor manufacturing facilities. It defines qualifying facilities as those primarily producing semiconductors, semiconductor equipment, or semiconductor materials - including both direct materials (like silicon substrates physically incorporated into chips) and indirect materials (such as chemicals and equipment used in manufacturing but not in the final product). The bill requires the Treasury Department, in consultation with Commerce, to publish a list of qualifying materials within 180 days of enactment and allows companies to petition for material inclusions not on the list. This credit applies to property placed in service after the bill's enactment, aiming to incentivize domestic semiconductor supply chain investment.

Maddy summarySRES 206 is a symbolic Senate resolution supporting National Nurses Week, to be observed May 6-12, 2025. It recognizes nurses’ contributions to healthcare, highlights their role as patient advocates and leaders in public health, and acknowledges their impact across all stages of life. The resolution encourages the public to observe the week with recognition and activities but does not create new laws or alter policies. It directly honors the nursing profession, which includes over 4.9 million registered nurses in the U.S., without imposing any requirements on government or institutions.