Sen. Mazie K. Hirono

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Internal Revenue Code to replace gendered terms like "husband and wife" with neutral language such as "married couple" or "spouse" across 31 tax code sections. It directly affects all married taxpayers filing federal income taxes, as it modernizes terminology in provisions covering joint returns, deductions, estate taxes, and other tax filings. The key mechanism is a comprehensive linguistic revision - amending phrases like "his spouse" to "the individual's spouse" - to ensure the tax code reflects all married couples equally without specifying gender. This is a procedural update to language only, with no changes to tax rates, benefits, or eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands federal protections for domestic violence and stalking survivors by broadening key definitions. It adds current and former dating partners to the definition of "intimate partner" and includes their children under domestic violence protections. The bill also creates a new federal definition for "misdemeanor crime of stalking" that explicitly includes causing fear for a victim's pet, service animal, or emotional support animal, and prohibits firearm possession for those convicted of such stalking offenses. These changes directly affect survivors of dating violence and stalking, as well as individuals convicted of misdemeanor stalking under federal, state, or tribal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to submit written justification to Congress before the military can assist civilian law enforcement during six specific emergencies: humanitarian crises, natural disasters, public health emergencies, critical infrastructure attacks, nuclear/military attacks, or major terrorist incidents. It limits military support to 14 days without congressional approval via a special joint resolution, which must include a description of the emergency's impact. The bill also prohibits military personnel from holding civilian law enforcement positions simultaneously (with limited reserve component exceptions) and removes references to "civil disturbances" from military support guidelines. These changes aim to establish clearer congressional oversight for military involvement in domestic law enforcement operations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June 19, 2025, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day" to commemorate June 19, 1865 - the date Union troops in Galveston, Texas, delivered news of emancipation to enslaved people in the Southwest, months after the Civil War ended. It recognizes the historical significance of this date, when news of the end of slavery finally reached enslaved people in Texas. The resolution supports nationwide observance of Juneteenth to honor the emancipation of enslaved people and reflect on U.S. history. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges this date as part of the nation's heritage.

Maddy summaryThe Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2025 requires companies that deploy automated decision systems for critical areas like employment, housing, healthcare, and financial services (known as "covered entities") to conduct impact assessments before and after deployment. These assessments must evaluate fairness, privacy, security, and potential negative impacts on consumers, particularly for protected groups like racial minorities, women, and people with disabilities. Covered entities must document these assessments and submit annual summary reports to the Federal Trade Commission, which will make anonymized versions publicly available in a searchable online repository. The law applies to companies with over $50 million in annual revenue or those handling data for over 1 million consumers. The goal is to increase transparency and accountability around automated decision systems that significantly affect people's lives.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it illegal to distribute online digital instructions (like 3D printer files) that can automatically program a 3D printer to create a firearm or complete a firearm receiver. It directly affects individuals who share such files online, including those creating or distributing "ghost gun" schematics. The key mechanism prohibits the internet distribution of these specific digital files under federal law, aiming to prevent untraceable firearms. This addresses the concern that 3D-printed guns lack serial numbers, making them difficult for law enforcement to trace after crimes.

Maddy summaryS 2154, the Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act, prohibits gun manufacturers, dealers, and importers from marketing firearms or firearm-related products to minors (under 18) in ways designed to appeal to them. Key provisions ban marketing tactics like using cartoon characters, offering branded merchandise (e.g., hats, toys) to minors, or designing products specifically for children. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must create enforceable rules within one year, and violations will be treated as deceptive practices under existing law. Enforcement includes FTC actions, lawsuits by state attorneys general, and private lawsuits by affected individuals, with the FTC required to report enforcement plans and outcomes to Congress.

Maddy summaryThe Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025 (S 2150) prohibits state laws that impose unnecessary restrictions on abortion access before fetal viability. It directly affects patients seeking abortion care and health care providers (including clinics, hospitals, and medical professionals), banning requirements like mandatory in-person visits, location-based travel barriers, or restrictions on telemedicine that don’t apply to comparable medical procedures. The bill overrides conflicting state laws, requires courts to consider factors like cost and travel burden when evaluating restrictions, and establishes federal enforcement through lawsuits to stop violations. It focuses on ensuring access to abortion services without burdens that hinder care, while allowing post-viability abortions only when necessary to protect a patient’s life or health.

Maddy summaryThe Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act of 2025 requires gun dealers to undergo three federal inspections annually (up from one) and increases penalties for violations, raising the maximum prison sentence from one to five years. It mandates secure firearm storage at dealerships and imposes civil fines of up to $10,000 per violation for noncompliance, including for transferring armor-piercing ammunition. The law allows the federal government to suspend a dealer's license or require a physical inventory of firearms if they unlawfully transfer a gun or 10+ crime guns are traced to them. Additionally, it mandates hiring 80 new ATF staff and requires biennial congressional reports on implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs FinCEN (the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) to request specific financial data from banks and other financial institutions within one year. The goal is to develop an advisory identifying how homegrown extremists and domestic terrorists obtain firearms, and how the gun market is exploited to fuel gun violence. FinCEN must consult with the FBI, ATF, and gun sellers before gathering data, and must issue the advisory within 540 days - or if insufficient data is collected, submit a detailed report to Congress explaining the gaps. The bill directly affects financial institutions (by requiring data sharing) and indirectly impacts gun sellers (through consultation).