Sen. Thom Tillis

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act (DLARA), requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to improve transparency and oversight of disaster loans. Key provisions include mandating monthly reports on loan funding status (e.g., notifying Congress when unobligated funds drop below 10% of the latest appropriation), requiring detailed budget explanations for disaster loan costs, and prohibiting loan forgiveness without congressional authorization. It also restricts the SBA from issuing rules that increase program costs and mandates reviews by the GAO and SBA Inspector General into recent loan program changes and funding shortfalls. The bill directly affects SBA operations and reporting to Congress, focusing on accountability rather than altering loan eligibility or benefits for borrowers.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes U.S. sanctions on foreign individuals and entities involved in organ harvesting within China, as stated in its policy to address "state-sponsored organ harvesting" linked to Falun Gong persecution. Key mechanisms include requiring the President to create and update a list of sanctioned persons within 180 days, blocking their U.S. property, banning visas, and revoking existing visas for listed individuals. Exceptions cover humanitarian aid (e.g., food, medicine) and national security activities. It also mandates a report within one year on China’s organ transplant practices, including whether Falun Gong persecution constitutes an atrocity under existing law. The sanctions authority expires after five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the VA Secretary to create rules so veterans can get a physical copy of Form 10-3452 (used for travel expense reimbursement claims) by mail or at any VA medical facility. It directly affects veterans who need to submit this form to claim reimbursement for travel costs related to healthcare. The key provision mandates that VA facilities must accept and process these physical forms submitted in person or by mail, ensuring veterans have accessible options beyond digital methods. This changes how veterans interact with the VA for this specific reimbursement process.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal education law to prohibit federally funded athletic programs from allowing individuals assigned male at birth to participate in sports designated for women or girls. It defines "sex" for this purpose as biological sex at birth, based on reproductive anatomy and genetics. The law directly affects schools, colleges, and sports organizations receiving federal funding. Violations would constitute a breach of Title IX, requiring programs to exclude individuals whose sex is male from women's or girls' athletic teams.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 12) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that established procedures for a "Waste Emissions Charge" affecting petroleum and natural gas systems. Specifically, it targets the EPA's November 2024 rule (89 Fed. Reg. 91094) which outlined compliance methods like netting and exemptions for emissions charges. If passed, the resolution would formally disapprove the rule under federal law (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code), preventing it from taking effect. The bill directly affects the oil and gas industry by removing a specific regulatory framework for emissions reporting and fees. This is a procedural disapproval measure, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends IRS rules to require health insurance plans to cover telehealth services without applying deductibles, preventing plans from being disqualified as high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) solely because they waive deductibles for telehealth. It directly affects health insurance plans and employers offering HDHPs by changing how telehealth services are treated under IRS regulations. Key provisions include creating a specific exemption for telehealth services in the Internal Revenue Code and clarifying that such coverage does not disqualify plans from HDHP status. The changes take effect for plan years starting after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThe EARLY Minds Act amends federal mental health law to require states to include evidence-based prevention and early intervention strategies for children and adolescents in their mental health plans. It allows states to use up to 5% of their annual federal mental health funding to support these programs, targeting youth before serious mental illness develops. States must report biennially to Congress on program details, demographics served, and outcomes like reduced treatment delays and milder symptom onset. The bill directly affects states receiving federal mental health funds and focuses on youth mental health prevention. It does not change existing eligibility for treatment but expands funding flexibility for early care.

Maddy summaryS 783, the Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2025, provides new financial assistance to rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems. It authorizes grants, zero-percent or 1% interest loans, and loan modifications/forgiveness for eligible entities facing public health risks or financial hardship in economically distressed areas. The bill requires the Secretary to establish affordability metrics (cost per household as a percentage of median income) to determine eligibility for assistance targeting distressed communities. This directly affects rural water systems in disadvantaged areas by offering flexible financial support to maintain essential services. The legislation focuses on concrete policy changes to improve water system sustainability without speculative outcomes.

Maddy summaryThe Capital Gains Inflation Relief Act of 2025 would allow taxpayers to adjust the basis of certain assets for inflation when calculating capital gains tax. For assets held more than three years, it would create an "indexed basis" (adjusted basis plus inflation adjustment based on GDP deflator changes) for assets like stocks, digital assets, and property. This would potentially reduce taxable capital gains on qualifying assets. The bill would apply to assets acquired after December 31, 2025, with specific exceptions for certain foreign stocks and transactions between related parties.

Maddy summaryS 807, the Guarding Readiness Resources Act, clarifies how the National Guard Bureau handles reimbursement funds from states and territories. It requires that money received from states (like California or Puerto Rico) for using military property must be returned to the specific account that covered the original costs or a similar account. These funds can only be used by the Department of Defense for repairing, maintaining, replacing, or similar upkeep of assets directly used by National Guard units during state duty. The bill directly affects the National Guard Bureau and state/territorial governments managing these reimbursements.