Sen. Rick Scott

Maddy summaryThis bill, the GOOD Act (Guidance Out Of Darkness Act), requires federal agencies to publish all their non-binding guidance documents - such as memos, bulletins, letters, and blog posts - on a single, publicly accessible government website. It applies to all federal agencies and mandates that existing guidance be posted within 180 days of the law's enactment, with new guidance published immediately upon issuance. Agencies must also maintain rescinded guidance documents online with clear labels indicating they are no longer in effect. The law does not apply to documents already exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Congress to disapprove multiple federal regulations issued near the end of a presidential term in a single resolution, rather than requiring separate resolutions for each rule. It specifically applies to regulations submitted during the final year of a president's term, streamlining the congressional review process under existing rules. This change directly affects federal agencies that issue such "midnight rules" and Congress when considering disapproval resolutions. The key mechanism enables a single joint resolution to list and invalidate multiple rules at once, as specified in the bill's provisions.

Maddy summaryThe Kids Online Safety Act (S 1748) requires major social media platforms, online video games, and other "covered platforms" to implement specific safety features for minors (under 17). These features include default privacy settings that limit harmful design features like infinite scrolling and auto-play, parental controls for managing minors' accounts, and restrictions on advertising illegal products to minors. The bill also mandates annual transparency reports about how platforms are used by minors and requires platforms to provide clear notices about their content algorithms. It creates a Kids Online Safety Council to advise Congress on online safety issues for children. The law applies to platforms with more than 10 million monthly users in the U.S. and takes effect 18 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution reaffirms U.S. policy to support a peaceful democratic transition in Venezuela through free and fair elections. It urges the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez to immediately organize transparent presidential elections and calls for the unconditional release of all political prisoners. The document also declares that any harm inflicted on individuals seeking public office would be presumed to have the approval of senior Venezuelan officials and could lead to U.S. accountability actions.

Maddy summaryThe Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2026 amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to establish a mandatory 180-day deadline for the federal Secretary to approve state wildlife conservation and restoration programs. To prevent funding delays, the bill requires the Secretary to conditionally authorize these programs immediately upon submission and set aside the associated financial amounts while the review process is ongoing. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Secretary develop a streamlined process with states to ensure timely reviews and prioritizes these approvals as a congressional intent. If the federal agency fails to approve a state's plan within the specified timeframe, the Secretary must submit a report to relevant congressional committees explaining the delay.

Maddy summaryThe SMASH 2.0 Act reauthorizes and updates the federal Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health program, which provides funding to state and local health departments to control mosquito populations. Key provisions allow the use of innovative technologies for prevention, allocate funds for technical training and education for public health workers, and increase the program's funding level to $100 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Additionally, the bill requires the creation of a strategic plan to stockpile emergency supplies for controlling vector-borne diseases and establishes a mechanism for coordination with the Strategic National Stockpile. These changes aim to enhance the capacity of health agencies to manage mosquito-related health risks through better planning, training, and resource availability.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates August 1, 2026, as Gold Star Children's Day to honor the sacrifices and hardships faced by children of fallen members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill does not create new laws or change government operations; instead, it serves as a formal expression of gratitude from the Senate and encourages the public to observe this day in support of these families. By establishing this specific date, the measure aims to raise awareness about the legacy carried by children who lost a parent in military service.

Maddy summaryThe Citizenship for International Adoptees Act of 2026 grants automatic U.S. citizenship to individuals born outside the United States who were adopted by U.S. citizens before turning 18 and have lived in the country since the law takes effect. To qualify, applicants must have been legally adopted, meet specific residency requirements, and demonstrate a commitment to the U.S. by being physically present in the country on the enactment date. The bill also establishes a fee cap for these applications, setting the cost at no more than half the standard fee for a certificate of citizenship. However, the law excludes individuals with certain criminal convictions, including those involving domestic violence, sexual abuse, burglary, or membership in criminal gangs, as well as those deemed inadmissible or deportable under existing immigration rules.

Maddy summaryThe Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 amends the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education to explicitly define "sex" based on biological characteristics. Specifically, it states that sex refers to an individual's biologically determined status as male or female. The bill further defines "female" as someone with a reproductive system that produces ova and "male" as someone with a reproductive system that produces sperm, regardless of congenital anomalies or accidents. These definitions apply to all education programs receiving federal financial assistance starting on the date the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryThe Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act strengthens the Regulatory Flexibility Act to ensure federal agencies better assess how their rules impact small businesses, tribal organizations, and nonprofit groups. It requires agencies to provide more detailed analyses that quantify economic effects, describe alternatives to proposed rules, and explain why certain regulations are necessary. The bill also expands the role of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the Small Business Administration by allowing them to intervene in legal proceedings, review agency actions, and issue binding rules on compliance. Additionally, the legislation mandates that agencies publish plain-language summaries of regulatory agendas, establish periodic reviews of existing rules to reduce burdens, and waive fines for first-time paperwork violations by small businesses unless public safety is at risk.