Sen. Katie Boyd Britt

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to exclude certain loan repayment assistance from taxable income for veterinary students participating in qualifying programs. It specifically expands the exclusion to cover assistance provided under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 and similar state programs designed to increase veterinary access in rural areas. Veterinary students who receive this assistance through these designated programs will not owe income tax on the funds. The change applies to assistance received in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act requires colleges and universities receiving federal funding to prohibit events promoting antisemitism on their campuses. It defines antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 working definition, including specific contemporary examples like conflating Zionism with racism. The law explicitly bans institutions from authorizing, funding, or supporting such events, applying to all higher education institutions covered under the Higher Education Act of 1965. This policy change directly affects campus event policies at federally funded colleges and universities.

Maddy summaryThe SHORT Act redefines firearm classifications under federal law to remove certain restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns. It eliminates special prohibitions for these weapons when used lawfully, preempts state taxes or registration requirements for them, and requires federal destruction of historical records related to these firearms. The bill directly affects owners of short-barreled rifles and shotguns, as well as state governments that previously imposed separate regulations. Key provisions include revising IRS definitions to exclude shotgun shells from "destructive devices," mandating record destruction within one year of enactment, and blocking state laws targeting these weapons in interstate commerce. These changes aim to standardize federal treatment while removing duplicative state-level barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows landowners who own timber as part of a business (not passive activity) to claim a tax deduction for losses from disasters like fire, storms, insects, or drought. It changes how the deduction is calculated by requiring the deduction to be based on the timber's pre-loss appraised value minus salvage value, rather than lower market value. Landowners must use appraisals by certified professionals within one year of the loss, and can initially estimate the value if the appraisal isn't ready by tax filing. Crucially, to keep the deduction, landowners must reforest the affected area with hardwoods or softwoods within five years of the loss.

Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act This bill expands the E-Verify program by requiring all employers to use it and permanently reauthorizes the program. Currently, E-Verify use is voluntary for most employers, although some states mandate its use. All employers must use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all recruited, referred, or hired individuals, including current employees who were never verified under the program. Failure to use E-Verify shall create a rebuttable presumption that the employer is violating immigration law. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services must generate weekly reports about individuals who have received a final nonconfirmation of employment eligibility. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must use the report to enforce immigration laws. The bill increases civil and criminal penalties for hiring non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who are not authorized to work. DHS must bar repeat offenders and those criminally convicted from holding federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. The Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, and DHS must jointly establish a program to share information to help identify non-U.S. nationals who are not authorized to work. The bill establishes the Employer Compliance Inspection Center within Homeland Security Investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The center's duties include processing I-9 employment eligibility verification forms and ensuring compliance with employment eligibility laws. DHS must report to Congress on ways to simplify procedures relating to I-9 forms and on whether the I-9 process should be eliminated.

Maddy summarySRES 137 is a non-binding Senate resolution commending Volkert, Inc. for its 100th anniversary and century of service to Alabama and the U.S. The resolution recognizes the company’s engineering contributions, including infrastructure projects like bridges, highways, and coastal restoration, and its role in economic development. It directs the Senate to send a copy to Volkert’s leadership, including CEO Thomas Hand and COO Leon Barkan. This is a symbolic gesture with no policy or legal impact, honoring the company’s historical work rather than enacting new law.

Financial Integrity and Regulation Management Act or the FIRM Act This bill prohibits the consideration of reputational risk by federal banking agencies when regulating, examining, or supervising a depository institution or credit union. The bill defines reputational risk as the potential for negative publicity or public attention to decrease confidence in the institution, lead to litigation, reduce revenues, or result in other adverse impacts to the institution.  Agencies must report on the implementation of this bill.

Maddy summarySRES 129 is a symbolic Senate resolution honoring teachers who have earned or maintained National Board Certification (NBC), a voluntary credential demonstrating advanced teaching expertise. It recognizes these educators for improving student learning, as research shows students of NBC teachers achieve better outcomes. The resolution encourages schools and states to promote NBC certification and provide incentives for teachers pursuing it, though it does not create new funding or requirements. This resolution directly affects approximately 141,464 National Board Certified teachers nationwide (as of March 2025) and serves as a non-binding acknowledgment of their contributions. It has no legislative effect beyond formal recognition.

Maddy summarySRES 72 is a non-binding Senate resolution affirming that Hamas must not retain political or military control in the Gaza Strip. It calls on the President to use economic and diplomatic measures to halt all funding for Hamas from Iran and other sources, while supporting Israel's defense against Hamas and Iranian proxies. The resolution cites Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, its designation as a foreign terrorist organization, and Iran's annual support to Hamas as context for its stance. It does not create new laws but expresses congressional position on Gaza governance and counterterrorism efforts.

Maddy summaryS 1021 establishes a new program within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to increase purchases of "naturally nutrient-rich dairy" (like fluid milk, yogurt, and cheese made from cow's milk) by SNAP households. It provides point-of-sale incentives at checkout, meaning SNAP users would receive immediate discounts when buying qualifying dairy products. The program allocates $10 million annually for grants to state/local governments or nonprofits to run projects, with priority given to initiatives maximizing direct incentives and using electronic systems. Projects must be evaluated for effectiveness, and results will be publicly reported, while transitioning existing dairy incentive programs to this new framework.