Sen. Mike Crapo

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 REPAIR Act of 2025 creates new rules for challenging environmental project approvals required under federal law. It sets a 120-day deadline for filing challenges to project approvals and limits courts to remanding approvals (sending them back for review) rather than vacating them, unless there's an immediate threat to health or the environment. The bill establishes a mediation process where project sponsors and federal agencies must work with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council to fix approval issues within 60 days. It also requires a public database tracking cases not resolved within 90 days of filing.

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 summarySenate Joint Resolution 45 seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have allowed California to enforce its Advanced Clean Cars II vehicle emission standards. The resolution uses the congressional disapproval process under federal law to declare the EPA rule invalid, preventing California from implementing its stricter pollution controls for cars and trucks. If passed, this resolution would stop the rule from taking effect, meaning California could not override federal vehicle emission standards with its own requirements. The bill directly affects California's ability to set state-level environmental regulations for motor vehicles and the EPA's regulatory authority.

Maddy summarySJRES 46 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule concerning California's vehicle emission standards. The rule, submitted in 2023, relates to California's pollution control requirements for motor vehicles, including advanced clean trucks, zero-emission airport shuttles, and heavy-duty engine emissions. This resolution would block the rule from taking effect using a specific federal disapproval process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. If passed, the rule would have no legal force, meaning California's current standards would remain without the EPA's formal approval for these specific provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 47) seeks congressional disapproval of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that approved California's stricter vehicle pollution standards. Specifically, it targets the EPA's "Omnibus Low NOx Regulation" for motor vehicles and nonroad engines, which California had submitted for federal approval under waiver authority. If passed, the resolution would block this EPA rule from taking effect, preventing California's state-level pollution controls from being implemented under federal oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to clarify that certain less-than-lethal projectile devices are exempt from firearm restrictions under Title 18. It defines these devices as those not firing standard ammunition, operating below 500 ft/s velocity, unlikely to cause serious injury, and incompatible with common firearm magazines. The law directly affects manufacturers and users of such devices by establishing a clear legal standard for their classification. It also requires the Attorney General to review device requests within 90 days to confirm compliance with the new definition.

Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act or the DETERRENT Act This bill expands oversight and disclosure requirements related to foreign sources and institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, the bill requires an IHE to annually disclose to the Department of Education (ED) any year in which the IHE receives a gift from a foreign country of concern (e.g., China or Russia) or foreign entity of concern of any dollar amount; receives a gift or contract from a foreign source (other than a foreign country of concern or foreign entity of concern) that is valued at $50,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts or contracts within a calendar year (current disclosure threshold is $250,000 or more), or which has an undetermined monetary value; enters into a contract with a foreign country of concern or foreign entity of concern after receiving a waiver for such contract; or is substantially controlled by a foreign source. Additionally, the bill prohibits IHEs from entering into contracts with a foreign country of concern or with a foreign entity of concern without obtaining a waiver, and requires certain IHEs to disclose gifts or contracts between covered individuals (e.g., researchers) and foreign sources. The bill requires ED to investigate possible violations of this bill and outlines the various penalties for each violation. Penalties may include losing eligibility for federal student financial aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends temporary work visas for religious workers (like pastors or missionaries) who face long delays in obtaining permanent residency due to annual visa caps. It allows them to keep their temporary status while waiting for a final decision on their permanent residency application, rather than having to leave the U.S. after five years. The bill also permits these workers to change employers under certain conditions and exempts them from a mandatory one-year foreign residence requirement if they were forced to leave due to the five-year visa limit. These changes directly affect religious workers with pending permanent residency applications stuck in visa backlogs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop guidelines for states and local governments to reform zoning laws that limit housing supply. The guidelines would recommend specific changes like eliminating parking minimums, allowing more housing types (such as duplexes and accessory units), and streamlining approval processes for new projects. It directly affects state and local governments, housing developers, and communities facing housing shortages - addressing a 3.85 million home shortfall cited in the bill. HUD must report to Congress on which states and localities adopt these reforms and their impact on building permits.