Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act This bill repeals the Corporate Transparency Act. The act requires existing companies and newly created companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for purposes of addressing the financing of terrorism and money laundering.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Government Bailout Prevention Act, prohibits the federal government from using taxpayer money or Federal Reserve funds to bail out state, local, county, or school district governments that face financial distress starting in 2026. Specifically, it bars the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve from purchasing bonds, issuing credit lines, or providing loans to any government entity that has filed for bankruptcy, defaulted on its debts, or is at risk of defaulting without federal help. The law explicitly excludes disaster relief assistance and discretionary grants from these restrictions, ensuring that emergency aid for declared disasters remains available even if a government is in financial trouble.
Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Stop the SPLC Act of 2026, would remove the tax-exempt status of the Southern Poverty Law Center. By revoking its classification under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the legislation would require the organization to pay federal taxes on its income and benefits. The change applies to all taxable years occurring after the bill is enacted.
Maddy summaryThe Accountability for Government Censorship Act requires federal agencies to report any instances where they contacted private platforms to remove speech, add disclaimers, or restrict access over the five years prior to the law's enactment. These reports must be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget and include detailed information such as the names of involved officials, the specific platforms contacted, and the justifications for the actions taken. An Office of Management and Budget report will then summarize these communications for Congress, while agency Inspectors General will review compliance and mandate briefings for any agencies found to have failed in their reporting duties.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Preventing International Surrogacy Exploitation Act, aims to stop foreign nationals from using U.S. surrogate mothers for commercial surrogacy arrangements. It would make any surrogacy contract void and unenforceable if the intended parents are foreign citizens or permanent residents, with a specific exception for married couples where at least one partner is a U.S. citizen or resident. Additionally, the law prohibits surrogacy brokers from facilitating these agreements and imposes criminal penalties, including fines and up to 10 years in prison, for those who knowingly or recklessly assist in such contracts. Children born through these invalid agreements would have their custody determined by the state where the surrogate lives, focusing on the child's best interests rather than the contract. Finally, the bill prevents foreign parents from using their U.S.-born children to gain immigration benefits or rights under U.S. immigration laws.
Maddy summaryThe Protecting Kids from Creeps Act prohibits surrogacy agencies, their employees, and sex offenders from participating in surrogacy agreements, directly affecting fertility clinics, staff, and individuals required to register as sex offenders. The bill mandates severe criminal penalties, including fines and prison sentences of at least 10 to 20 years, for knowingly or recklessly facilitating such agreements, while also stripping convicted agencies of their tax-exempt status and eligibility for federal grants. Any surrogacy agreement formed in violation of these rules is declared legally void and unenforceable, meaning it cannot be used to establish parental rights. In cases where a child is born from an illegal agreement, custody decisions will be made solely based on the best interests of the child under the laws of the state where the surrogate lives, ignoring any prior contracts. Additionally, the Attorney General can pursue civil penalties equal to the compensation received or offered for prohibited conduct.
Maddy summaryThe Protecting Academic Integrity Act of 2026 requires U.S. colleges and universities to report foreign gifts and contracts worth $50,000 or more, down from the previous $250,000 threshold. The bill mandates that these reports include details about the specific foreign government department providing the gift, its intended purpose, and the university department receiving the funds. Additionally, the legislation directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on how well institutions follow these reporting rules and to submit a report to Congress within one year. These changes aim to increase transparency regarding foreign financial support for higher education institutions.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Email Privacy Act, amends existing federal laws to clarify how information about stored emails can be shared and how government agencies can access email content. It requires internet service providers to use the term "disclose" rather than "divulge" when sharing subscriber data and expands the definition of who can receive this information to include agents of the customer. The legislation also changes rules for government warrants by allowing providers to notify customers about the receipt of a warrant unless the government requests otherwise, while maintaining exceptions for communications made public by the sender. Additionally, the bill removes a specific time limit that previously required a warrant for emails stored for less than 180 days, ensuring consistent warrant requirements for all stored communications.
Maddy summaryThe DC ROADS Act prohibits the District of Columbia government from enacting or enforcing any congestion tolls on roads, bridges, and tunnels within the city. This legislation directly affects local officials by legally barring the Council and Mayor from implementing such fees and amends the Home Rule Act to include this restriction. The bill defines a congestion toll as any charge for entering or passing through a designated zone in the District, effectively preventing the city from using this specific revenue-raising method.
Maddy summaryThe Sister City Transparency Act directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study of sister city partnerships with foreign communities in countries scoring 45 or lower on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index. This investigation will examine how these partnerships are formed, what activities they include, and whether they pose risks such as economic coercion, espionage, or threats to free expression. The report, due within six months, will assess transparency levels and oversight practices while offering recommendations to improve how local governments manage these international agreements.
