Sen. Thom Tillis

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop guidelines for states and local governments to reform zoning laws that limit housing supply. The guidelines would recommend specific changes like eliminating parking minimums, allowing more housing types (such as duplexes and accessory units), and streamlining approval processes for new projects. It directly affects state and local governments, housing developers, and communities facing housing shortages - addressing a 3.85 million home shortfall cited in the bill. HUD must report to Congress on which states and localities adopt these reforms and their impact on building permits.

Maddy summaryThe Project Safe Neighborhoods Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends funding for the nationwide Project Safe Neighborhoods program through fiscal year 2030, supporting collaboration between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies across all 50 states and territories. It expands allowable uses of grant funds to include hiring crime analysts, covering overtime for officers and support staff, and purchasing technology for violent crime reduction. The bill adds specific funding for multi-jurisdictional task forces and requires the Attorney General to annually report to Congress on fund allocation, community outreach efforts, and violent crime statistics (including murder, robbery, and aggravated assault). These changes update the program’s funding structure and transparency requirements without altering its core focus on reducing violent crime through community-based strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses that sell whole human bodies or body parts for non-transplant purposes (like medical education or research) to register with the federal government. It mandates detailed record-keeping about donor consent, chain of custody, and medical history, along with strict labeling standards showing donor identity and safety information. The law specifically excludes medical schools, funeral homes, and organ networks from these requirements. It aims to ensure transparency, safety, and respect for donors by regulating for-profit entities handling donated remains. Violations can result in fines or loss of registration.

Maddy summaryThe EASE Act (S 1248) creates a new Medicare and Medicaid model to improve access to specialty health care for beneficiaries in rural or underserved areas. It requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to partner with nonprofit provider networks (comprising at least 50 rural clinics or health centers) to deliver specialty care via telehealth and remote technologies, coordinated with primary care providers. Eligible individuals include Medicare Part B beneficiaries or Medicaid/CHIP enrollees living in designated rural or underserved areas. The model mandates that selected provider networks must have proven experience serving rural communities and the capacity to track health data for evaluation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new $1.00 per gallon tax credit for renewable natural gas (RNG) used as fuel in vehicles, boats, or aircraft. It directly affects RNG producers (who must register and certify their product) and businesses that buy or use RNG for transportation fuel. Key provisions require producers to register with the IRS, provide specific certification about the fuel's origin and volume, and limit blended RNG treatment to amounts specified in contracts. The credit expires after December 31, 2035, and applies only to RNG produced and used within the United States.

Maddy summaryThe CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage for telehealth services by removing geographic restrictions that previously limited where patients could receive telehealth care. It allows more healthcare providers to offer telehealth services, including expanding eligibility for practitioners and removing the six-month in-person visit requirement for telemental health. The bill also includes specific provisions for Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural health clinics, and Native American health facilities to better integrate telehealth into their services. Additionally, it establishes program integrity measures to address billing patterns and requires the posting of telehealth service data to improve transparency and quality measurement. These changes aim to make telehealth more accessible for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly in rural areas and for underserved populations.

Maddy summaryThe FEMA Independence Act of 2025 would restructure the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from a component of the Department of Homeland Security into an independent cabinet-level agency directly reporting to the President. This change would transfer all FEMA functions, personnel, and resources from DHS to FEMA, requiring the Director to be appointed by the President with specific qualifications in emergency management and leadership experience. The bill would amend numerous federal laws to update references from "Administrator of FEMA" to "Director of FEMA" and repeal specific sections of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 that related to FEMA's previous structure. This structural change would directly affect FEMA's operational relationship with DHS, its leadership structure, and how federal emergency management policies are implemented across government.

Maddy summarySRES 150 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating April 2025 as "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month" to raise public awareness about the issue. It urges Congress to focus on educating the public about the emotional, psychological, and physical harm caused to children and parents affected by international parental child abduction. The resolution does not create new laws or alter existing policies, but emphasizes the Senate's longstanding support for efforts to prevent and address such abductions, referencing previous resolutions and the work of agencies like the Department of State's Office of Children’s Issues. It directly affects public awareness efforts, advocacy groups, and families impacted by cross-border child abduction cases.

Maddy summarySRES 153 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the contributions of women in U.S. agriculture, citing that women operate over 1.2 million farms (36% of total sales, $222 billion in 2022) and work across diverse roles from farming to education and advocacy. The resolution encourages public acknowledgment of women’s impact on the agricultural workforce and food systems, urging support for women entering the field, leadership opportunities, and global food security. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but formally honors this group during National Women’s History Month and National Ag Week.

Maddy summaryS 1227 (ABC Act) requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Social Security Administration to review and simplify eligibility processes, forms, and communications for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs. It directly affects family caregivers - defined as individuals supporting people with disabilities or health needs - who often face duplicate paperwork and communication barriers when navigating these systems. Key provisions mandate reducing repeated information requests, improving website accessibility (including ADA compliance), cutting call wait times, providing translation services, and gathering input from caregivers and advocacy groups. The agencies must report findings and proposed improvements to Congress within two years, with follow-up reports every two years. This bill focuses on streamlining existing processes, not creating new benefits or funding.