Sen. Michael F. Bennet

Maddy summaryThis bill bans forced arbitration clauses in employment, consumer, antitrust, and civil rights disputes. It prohibits agreements that require individuals to resolve such disputes through private arbitration before any conflict arises, and also blocks waivers that prevent people from joining class or collective lawsuits. The law directly affects workers facing workplace issues, consumers with purchase disputes, and individuals alleging discrimination or civil rights violations. It ensures these cases can be handled in court rather than private arbitration, applying to disputes occurring after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThe Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025 requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create and maintain a public database and webpage tracking U.S. billion-dollar disasters. The database will include each disaster’s estimated total cost, type (e.g., hurricane, wildfire), location, dates, and visual maps showing trends over time - similar to a previously available NOAA tool. NOAA must update this resource twice yearly as new data becomes available, using existing federal and non-federal partnerships. This policy change makes historical disaster cost data publicly accessible for research and transparency, without altering disaster response or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryS 2778, the Local School Foods Expansion Act of 2025, expands a program under the National School Lunch Act to require states to procure domestically grown unprocessed fruits and vegetables for school meals. It increases the number of participating states from 8 to 14, mandates states to support small/local farmers, Tribal producers, and socially disadvantaged communities, and allocates $25 million annually (2026-2030) for implementation. The bill requires states to demonstrate commitments to these groups, track procurement costs and benefits, and report on program challenges. The program includes $10 million yearly for administrative costs and technical assistance, with a minimum $500,000 per participating state, and mandates a federal evaluation of the program's impact on procurement, school meals, and agricultural producers.

Maddy summaryThe SEED Act expands tax deductions for educators by including early childhood educators (such as preschool teachers) in the existing educator expense deduction. It modifies Section 62 of the Internal Revenue Code to replace "elementary and secondary" with "early childhood, elementary, and secondary" in the deduction's description and to explicitly add "early childhood" educators to the eligibility criteria. This change allows early childhood educators to deduct work-related expenses like classroom supplies on their federal tax returns, similar to K-12 teachers. The updated provisions apply to expenses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill would make several administrative changes to the Social Security Administration, including exempting it from the jurisdiction of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and certain executive orders, restricting political appointees from accessing beneficiary data systems, and preventing closure of field offices while requiring maintenance of staff levels. It also creates new offices within the SSA for civil rights, transformation, and analytics, and provides additional funding for administrative costs and customer experience improvements. These provisions would directly affect how the SSA manages its operations, protects beneficiary data, and delivers services to beneficiaries. The bill's title is misleading as it does not address billionaires or their relationship with Social Security.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the federal Water Source Protection Program to include new partners like acequia associations, land-grant mercedes, and entities managing water infrastructure. It requires projects on adjacent land to have express owner consent and prioritizes initiatives protecting water supply, forest health, and climate resilience - such as restoring wetlands or reducing wildfire risks. The program increases annual funding to $30 million (2025-2034) and mandates that projects include nature-based solutions and non-Federal partner contributions. It directly affects communities managing water systems, landowners adjacent to National Forests, and tribal or rural entities with water delivery authority. The bill does not alter land ownership or conflict with existing water laws.

Maddy summaryThe Lowering Electric Bills Act extends federal tax credits for clean energy adoption through 2034, directly affecting homeowners installing solar panels or heat pumps and businesses producing clean electricity. It modifies three key tax provisions: (1) extends the residential clean energy credit deadline from 2025 to 2034, (2) adjusts the clean electricity production credit to expire based on U.S. emissions reaching 25% of 2022 levels or 2032 (whichever comes later), and (3) simplifies the clean electricity investment credit rules. These changes aim to maintain financial incentives for clean energy projects beyond current law, reducing administrative complexity. The bill does not create new programs but prolongs existing tax benefits to support ongoing adoption.

Maddy summaryThe West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 imposes U.S. sanctions on foreign individuals or entities responsible for specific actions threatening peace in the West Bank. It targets those who commit violence against civilians, threaten violence to force relocation, destroy private property without consent, or engage in terrorism. Sanctions include freezing U.S. assets, banning visas, and restricting entry for designated individuals. Exceptions cover humanitarian aid (food, medicine, agricultural commodities) and activities required for U.S. intelligence or international obligations. The law requires regular reports to Congress on implementation and West Bank violence assessments.

Maddy summaryS 2669 requires the Secretary of Defense to create and implement a strategy strengthening military cooperation with key Indo-Pacific allies (Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Australia) to deter regional aggression. The strategy must expand joint military access, improve command coordination through existing hubs (like the Philippines' Combined Coordination Center), enhance intelligence sharing, and increase joint exercises across the region. The Department of Defense must submit the written strategy within 180 days of the bill's enactment, detailing needed funding changes and resources. An interim report on implementation progress is due by March 15, 2027. This bill directly affects U.S. military operations and partnerships with these four nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides mortgage forbearance for homeowners and multifamily property owners with federally backed loans (such as FHA, VA, USDA, or federally securitized mortgages) in areas affected by federally declared disasters. Borrowers can request a 180-day payment pause during the disaster period, extendable by up to 180 more days, with no additional fees, penalties, or interest accruing beyond scheduled amounts. Servicers must grant this forbearance promptly upon request, regardless of the borrower's loan delinquency status. The policy applies to disasters declared on or after January 1, 2025.