Maddy summaryThe CLAIM Act protects insurance companies and related financial institutions from federal penalties if they provide services to businesses involved in the legal cannabis industry. Specifically, it prevents federal agencies from stopping insurers from offering policies to cannabis manufacturers, producers, or other legitimate state-authorized cannabis businesses, and it shields these entities from being discriminated against or having their policies cancelled solely due to their involvement in the cannabis sector. The legislation also clarifies that engaging in this business does not make insurers liable under federal law, while explicitly stating that it does not force insurers to offer such coverage. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on barriers facing minority and women-owned cannabis businesses and submit a report with recommendations to improve their access to financial services and licensing.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes emergency contracting for recovery efforts in the Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest after the Dragon Bravo and White Sage wildfires (which burned over 200,000 acres and destroyed structures). It grants the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture emergency contracting authority to quickly hire contractors for forest restoration, rebuilding structures, and ecological recovery within the affected areas, while requiring detailed public reports on spending, contractors, and progress. The law mandates involving tribes and local stakeholders in planning and prioritizes contracts with tribal and local businesses for reconstruction work. It also allows noncompetitive contracts with existing park concessioners to coordinate recovery efforts and requires a joint study on recovery costs. The emergency authority expires after 5 years or when recovery is complete, whichever comes first.
Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham from South Carolina. It formally acknowledges his extensive career in the military, state government, and Congress, noting his service as a Senator and his roles as Chairman of the Judiciary and Budget committees. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and requests that this tribute be shared with the House of Representatives and Graham's family.
Maddy summaryThe Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026 updates how federal funding for water pollution control is distributed among states, Indian tribes, and U.S. territories. It requires the Environmental Protection Agency to set aside specific portions of funds for oversight and tribes before calculating state shares, while also introducing a new formula that allocates money based on watershed needs, population size, and poverty levels. The bill includes safeguards to prevent funding amounts for any single state from changing drastically from one year to the next and allows states to use a small percentage of their grants to conduct the necessary assessments for this new formula. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that these changes do not affect existing infrastructure funds and expands the allowable uses of capitalization grants to include technical assistance and survey activities.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to officially disapprove a specific rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the implementation of prior authorization for certain Medicare services. The proposed action would prevent the rule, known as the WISeR Model, from taking effect, thereby stopping the new requirements from being enforced. If passed, the resolution would nullify the regulation and maintain the status quo for the affected healthcare services.
Maddy summaryThe McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act directs the Federal Aviation Administration to review its policies on low-altitude airspace safety, specifically focusing on hazards created by temporary structures like slacklines and highlines. This review will involve consulting with various aviation stakeholders, including pilots, drone operators, and land management agencies, to assess current marking requirements and data accuracy. If the FAA finds that existing rules are insufficient, it must update regulations within a year to better identify these obstructions in flight planning tools and improve coordination with local authorities. Additionally, the agency is required to report its findings and any recommended policy changes to Congress within nine months of completing the review.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses the official stance that former FTX co-founder Samuel Bankman-Fried should never receive a presidential pardon, commutation, or any other form of executive clemency. The measure directly addresses Bankman-Fried, who is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud and money laundering related to the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange. By formally rejecting the idea of clemency, the bill aims to ensure that the penalties imposed by the courts remain in effect and to signal that large-scale financial crimes carry permanent accountability. Additionally, the resolution affirms the integrity of the federal justice process that convicted Bankman-Fried and reaffirms the Senate's commitment to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system.
Maddy summaryThe Geothermal Cost-Recovery Authority Act of 2026 allows the Department of the Interior to charge geothermal lease applicants and holders for administrative costs related to processing applications and monitoring activities such as drilling and site construction. Effective upon enactment, this authority applies through September 30, 2032, and covers expenses incurred during the review of permits and the inspection of exploration, drilling, and facility operations. While the Secretary of the Interior has the power to require full reimbursement, they must consider existing cost-sharing agreements and may reduce charges if full payment would cause economic hardship or hinder resource development. Any funds collected under this program must be used specifically to cover the same administrative and monitoring costs listed in the bill. Additionally, the Act requires a report to be submitted five years after enactment to assess the program's impact and recommend future updates.
Maddy summaryThe Good Jobs for Good Airports Act establishes new federal standards to ensure that workers at small, medium, and large hub airports receive a living wage and adequate health benefits. It defines "covered service workers" to include employees in roles such as baggage handling, passenger assistance, security, ticketing, and concession services, regardless of whether they are directly hired by the airport or work for a contractor. Under the bill, employers must pay these workers at least the higher of the federal Service Contract Act wage rates or applicable state and local minimum wages, and they must provide similar fringe benefits. To enforce these rules, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Transportation will have the authority to investigate violations, issue penalties, and require employers to submit monthly compliance certifications. Additionally, the law allows private individuals to file lawsuits against non-compliant employers and mandates annual reports to Congress on the implementation of these labor standards.
Maddy summaryThe Western Water Infrastructure Fairness Act modifies federal funding rules for rural water projects to provide greater financial assistance to economically disadvantaged communities. Specifically, it increases the federal share of project costs from the standard rate to 90 percent for projects that benefit these designated communities. This change directly affects rural water systems serving low-income populations by reducing the financial burden they must bear for infrastructure improvements. The legislation relies on an existing definition of economically disadvantaged communities established in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 to determine eligibility.