Sen. Steve Daines

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public colleges and universities from denying religious student groups access to campus facilities or official recognition that is available to other student organizations. It directly affects public institutions of higher education and religious student organizations by requiring equal treatment based on the institution's policies for non-religious groups. The key provision states that no federal funds can be withheld from an institution that denies a religious group access to facilities or recognition due to its religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or conduct codes. The law applies to all public colleges receiving funds under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies federal regulations for industrial hemp by defining it as Cannabis sativa L. material from stalks, seeds (excluding cannabinoid resin), or viable seeds used for fiber, grain, or other non-intoxicating products. It requires hemp producers to formally designate their crop as "industrial hemp" or "hemp for any purpose" and establishes visual inspections with documentation requirements to verify compliance. States and tribes cannot impose stricter production rules than federal standards, though they may enforce penalties for misdesignating crops (e.g., 5-year program ineligibility for knowingly producing non-industrial hemp). The bill affects hemp producers, state agricultural agencies, and tribal governments by standardizing federal oversight and reducing regulatory overlap.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCONRES 8) expresses Congress's formal opinion that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies - mutual aid organizations operating under IRS Section 501(c)(8) - have long provided essential community benefits. It highlights that these societies, with approximately 7 million members nationwide, contribute over $3.8 billion annually through charitable work, volunteerism, and financial security programs. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to support their mission and relieve pressure on government safety net programs. As a non-binding statement of congressional sentiment, it does not change tax law or create new obligations.

Maddy summaryThe Northwest Energy Security Act (S 966) requires federal agencies managing the Columbia River dams (FCRPS) to operate them strictly according to the 2020 Supplemental Opinion, which guides river operations. It prohibits any changes restricting hydroelectric power generation or Snake River navigation at FCRPS dams without explicit new federal law passed after this bill’s enactment. The bill allows limited operational adjustments only for public safety or grid reliability, with amendments requiring unanimous agreement among the three Secretaries (Interior, Energy, and Army). This directly affects how federal agencies manage dam operations in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, preventing unilateral changes to power generation or river access. The law clarifies that routine maintenance and capital improvements for authorized dam purposes remain permitted.

Maddy summaryS 909, the Tribal Firearm Access Act, allows members of federally recognized tribes to use their tribal government-issued ID documents when purchasing firearms from federally licensed dealers. This bill amends federal law to accept tribal IDs as valid identification, replacing the current requirement for state-issued IDs. It specifically applies to tribal members whose tribes are listed under the 1994 Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act. The change streamlines firearm purchases for tribal members without altering gun ownership laws or safety standards. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Merchant Category Code Neutrality Act This bill prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from auditing a taxpayer based primarily on the Merchant Category Codes, or other similar codes, used to classify the goods or services provided by the taxpayer's business. The bill defines Merchant Category Code to mean classification codes assigned by payment card organizations to merchants or payees that accept their payment cards to classify the goods or services provided or furnished by a merchant or payee.

Maddy summaryS 893, the "Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act," raises the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline pilots from 65 to 67 years old for most scheduled passenger flights. It directly affects pilots employed by airlines operating under standard commercial regulations (most major airline flights in U.S. airspace). The bill amends existing FAA rules to allow pilots over 65 to continue flying if already employed before the law's enactment or hired new, while requiring pilots aged 60+ to maintain a current first-class medical certificate. This change aims to retain experienced pilots without altering safety training requirements or medical standards for age.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows meat and poultry products inspected under state programs to be sold across state lines, removing a long-standing restriction that limited such sales to within a single state. It requires the federal government to permit interstate shipment of these state-inspected products and mandates that states cannot ban or restrict their sale or movement. Small meat and poultry processors in states with their own inspection programs - rather than federal inspection - would directly benefit by expanding their market reach beyond state borders. The law makes no changes to inspection standards but enables broader commerce for products already meeting federal safety requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies U.S. tax code to boost research and development (R&D) investment by businesses. It allows companies to immediately deduct R&D costs (instead of amortizing them over 5 years) and expands refundable tax credits for small businesses, raising the annual credit cap from $250,000 to $750,000 by 2032. Small businesses with gross receipts under $15 million can now qualify for higher credit rates (up to 20% of R&D costs) and may exclude years with no R&D expenses when calculating credits. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 2022, directly benefiting R&D-focused startups and small businesses.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 20) seeks to block a 2023 rule from the Department of Justice and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that classified certain firearms with stabilizing braces as rifles under federal law. If passed, it would nullify the rule, meaning firearms equipped with these braces would no longer be subject to the rule’s classification requirements. The resolution uses the congressional disapproval process under Title 5, U.S. Code, to stop the rule from taking effect, directly affecting firearm manufacturers and owners who use stabilizing braces on weapons.