Sen. Mazie K. Hirono

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a specific event on June 7, 2026, to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha I. The resolution directs the Architect of the Capitol to oversee the physical preparations for the event under established conditions. It does not create new laws or funding but simply permits the venue to be used for this commemorative gathering. The measure affects the Capitol Visitor Center staff and any organizers planning the celebration.

Maddy summaryThe Faster Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to use commercial building codes alongside or instead of federal codes when constructing or altering facilities, provided there are no legal conflicts. To test this approach, the bill mandates that the Department run at least three pilot projects each year from 2027 through 2031 using these commercial standards for various construction and leasing initiatives. Additionally, the Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing how these codes were applied and the results of the pilot projects. This legislation aims to streamline the building process for VA facilities by adopting widely accepted industry standards such as those from the National Fire Protection Association and the International Code Council.

Maddy summaryThe Ending the Carried Interest Loophole Act changes how the IRS treats partnership interests given to employees for their work, specifically targeting financial managers and investment professionals. Under the new rules, these individuals must pay ordinary income tax on the value of their partnership shares at the time they receive them, rather than waiting until they sell the shares to pay lower capital gains taxes. The law also establishes a 10-year window during which any future profits earned from these shares are taxed as ordinary income instead of capital gains. Additionally, the bill repeals an existing tax provision that previously allowed certain carried interest payments to be classified as capital gains.

Maddy summaryThe Prison Libraries Act of 2026 directs the Attorney General to create a grant program for states and territories to improve library services for incarcerated individuals, aiming to support reintegration and reduce recidivism. To receive funding, applicants must submit a detailed plan that includes proof of an existing or planned physical library and data demonstrating a need for the services. The grants can be used for a wide range of activities such as hiring qualified librarians, providing digital and financial literacy training, offering art and cultural programs, and establishing partnerships with local public libraries. The legislation explicitly prohibits using the funds for general prison operations, staff salaries unrelated to libraries, or basic needs like food and healthcare. Additionally, the act authorizes $10 million annually from 2026 to 2031 and requires that no fees be charged to inmates for accessing books, computers, or educational materials.

Maddy summaryThe Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026 requires the Bureau of Prisons to create a Publication Review Committee to oversee which books are available in federal prisons. This committee, composed of librarians, incarcerated individuals, legal experts, and the federal prison ombudsman, must approve any decision to ban a book after reviewing the specific reasons provided by prison officials. The law explicitly forbids banning books simply because their viewpoints are unpopular or disagreeable, and it mandates that books remain accessible while appeals against their removal are being reviewed. Additionally, the Act requires the Bureau of Prisons to submit annual reports to Congress detailing every book that was prohibited and the outcomes of any related appeals.

Maddy summaryThe Breast Cancer Stamp Reauthorization Act extends the sale of a special postage stamp dedicated to breast cancer research until the year 2037. This change directly affects the United States Postal Service and the public by allowing the continued availability of this specific stamp for purchase. The bill achieves this by amending federal law to update the expiration date for the stamp's authorized sale period. No other policy changes or funding mechanisms are introduced by this legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Federal Communications Commission's existing rules against robocalls to cover all phone numbers, not just residential lines, and allows individuals to sue for violations regardless of how many calls they receive. It also clarifies the legal definition of an automatic dialing system to include machines that use pre-set lists of numbers or dial without human intervention. By removing the "residential" restriction, the law aims to protect both home and business phone users from unwanted automated calls.

Maddy summaryThe TRAVEL Act of 2026 authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to assign physicians to serve as traveling doctors in U.S. territories and possessions, including American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These physicians would work for up to one year at approved facilities to provide direct health care to veterans living in these areas. To encourage participation, the bill requires the department to offer relocation or retention bonuses to these traveling physicians. Additionally, the law mandates that these doctors coordinate with local medical providers to ensure high-quality, continuous care for veterans. The legislation also includes minor technical updates to the relevant sections of the U.S. Code to reflect the new program.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the "Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act," repeals two sections of the Internal Revenue Code. It eliminates Section 25F, which provides a tax credit for contributions made to scholarship granting organizations. Additionally, the bill repeals Section 139K, which allows certain educational assistance to be excluded from an individual's gross income. These changes primarily affect taxpayers who currently claim these credits or exclusions, and organizations involved in scholarship grants or providing educational assistance. The amendments generally take effect for taxable years ending after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Security And Freedom Enhancement Act of 2026, known as the SAFE Act, introduces new rules for how U.S. intelligence agencies collect and use information about Americans and people in the United States. The bill requires the FBI to conduct regular audits of its data queries, obtain additional approvals before searching for information about elected officials and judges, and create detailed records of all searches. It also limits when government agencies can access Americans' communications without a warrant and restricts intelligence agencies from purchasing personal data from private companies about people in the United States. The law increases transparency by requiring more detailed reports to Congress and the public about surveillance activities, and it expands the role of independent reviewers in court proceedings related to intelligence gathering.