Sen. John R. Curtis

Maddy summaryThis bill protects employees and independent contractors who report AI-related security risks or violations. It prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who disclose AI security vulnerabilities (like potential theft of AI systems) or AI violations (such as unsafe development practices) to regulators, Congress, or internal supervisors. Covered individuals can seek remedies like reinstatement, double back pay, and legal fees through the Labor Department or federal court if retaliated against. The law explicitly blocks employers from requiring arbitration or waiving these protections through contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) to change how certain water infrastructure financing is treated in federal budgeting. It specifically applies to projects funded by WIFIA where the recipient is a non-Federal entity (like a state, local government, or public utility) and repayment comes from non-Federal revenue sources. The key provision reclassifies such financial assistance as a direct loan or loan guarantee for budget purposes under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, rather than as a direct grant. This change simplifies the budgetary accounting for these projects but does not alter the eligibility criteria for receiving WIFIA funding itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to review whether specific Hong Kong judicial and government officials meet criteria for existing U.S. sanctions within 180 days of enactment. It directly affects 45 named individuals, including Hong Kong Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, judges, prosecutors, and officials like Chief Executive John Lee, who were previously sanctioned or hold current roles. The review will determine if sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act, Hong Kong Human Rights Act, or other existing legal authorities apply to these individuals. The bill does not impose new sanctions but mandates a formal assessment process using current U.S. legal frameworks.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal unemployment payments to individuals whose prior year's wages reached $1 million or more. It requires applicants to self-certify their income and mandates states to verify wage eligibility through existing systems. Individuals who receive payments they're ineligible for must repay them, and the law prevents federal interference with state-level disqualifications based on high earnings. It directly affects only jobless individuals with very high prior earnings who would otherwise qualify for federal unemployment benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) handles hearings for nuclear facility permits. It allows the NRC to issue construction permits, operating licenses, or amendments without a formal hearing if no affected party requests one, provided the NRC gives 30 days notice and publishes in the Federal Register. The NRC may skip this notice period only for permit amendments involving no significant hazards. The bill directly affects nuclear power plant operators, uranium enrichment facility applicants, and the NRC’s licensing process. It streamlines permitting by reducing mandatory hearings but does not alter safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 222) symbolically designates May 2025 as "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month" to promote safety awareness among all road users. It encourages rider education, proper gear use, and shared roadway responsibility, recognizing motorcycles' role in transportation and the need to reduce motorcyclist fatalities. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally supports existing safety efforts by the motorcycling community and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It directly affects public awareness and serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage safer road practices.

Maddy summarySRES 220 designates the week of May 11-17, 2025, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers across the United States. The resolution recognizes officers who have been killed, disabled, or injured in the line of duty, including 234 officers honored for 2024 fatalities and 18 officers killed in 2025. It expresses the Senate’s support for law enforcement, acknowledges the need for adequate resources for officer safety, and encourages public observance to celebrate their service and sacrifices. This is a ceremonial resolution with no new policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to block a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule that aimed to expand internet access for schools through the E-Rate program, specifically addressing the "homework gap" by increasing funding for student connectivity. The rule, published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2024, would have modified how schools and libraries access broadband under the E-Rate program. If passed, the resolution would cancel this rule, preventing it from taking effect under federal disapproval procedures. This is a procedural action targeting a specific FCC regulatory change, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryS 1660, the Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act, improves the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs to help small businesses commercialize federally funded research. It requires federal agencies to include commercialization potential in peer reviews (adding specialized reviewers), creates a dedicated Technology Commercialization Official role in each agency, and expands funding for business/technical assistance (including cybersecurity support) for grant recipients. The bill also mandates annual commercialization impact reports tracking metrics like post-award revenue, patents, and Phase III contract success for businesses receiving multiple Phase II awards. These changes directly affect small businesses receiving SBIR/STTR grants and the federal agencies administering these programs.

Maddy summarySRES 201 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating the week of May 4-10, 2025, as "National Small Business Week." It honors small businesses and entrepreneurs across all U.S. communities for their economic contributions, citing that small businesses support over 59 million jobs. The resolution recognizes their resilience and celebrates their role in strengthening local economies. This symbolic gesture, consistent with annual presidential proclamations since 1963, does not create new laws or affect any specific group through policy changes.