Sen. Jeff Merkley

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the federal government from leasing or authorizing oil and gas exploration, development, or production in the Arctic Ocean's outer Continental Shelf. It directly affects the Department of the Interior (which manages offshore leasing) and companies seeking to drill in Arctic waters. The law amends existing federal law to ban new leases or permits for oil, natural gas, or mineral activities in designated Arctic areas. This creates a permanent restriction on new drilling projects in U.S. Arctic waters.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) to the list of diseases eligible for the FDA's priority review voucher program. The voucher program gives drug companies faster FDA review for new treatments in exchange for developing medicines for neglected tropical diseases. By including coccidioidomycosis, the bill directly encourages pharmaceutical companies to develop new prevention and treatment options for this fungal infection. This primarily affects drug developers and patients in regions where coccidioidomycosis is common, such as the southwestern United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to review whether 49 specific Hong Kong officials still meet criteria for U.S. sanctions under existing laws, including the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and the Hong Kong Autonomy Act. Within 180 days of enactment, the President must submit a detailed justification to congressional committees on whether sanctions should continue against these officials, who include judges, prosecutors, and security officials. The review focuses on whether their actions align with the legal standards for sanctions under the specified laws. Congressional committees overseeing foreign policy and financial matters will receive the review findings. The bill does not change current sanctions but mandates a formal assessment of their continued application.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a new 1% excise tax on large corporations with significant pay gaps between top executives and median employees. It targets employers with at least $100 million in annual gross receipts (adjusted for inflation) and $10 million in annual wages over the prior three years. The tax calculates a "pay disparity factor" based on the ratio of the highest-paid executive's compensation to median employee pay, taxing the excess over a 50:1 ratio. The tax amount is the lesser of 1% of this disparity factor or the company's gross receipts, with automatic inflation adjustments for future years.

Maddy summaryThe TREATS Act (S 3193) modifies federal rules to allow telehealth visits for initial evaluations when prescribing certain medications to treat substance use disorders. It directly affects patients seeking medication-assisted treatment and healthcare providers prescribing FDA-approved medications for addiction (in schedules III-V). The bill replaces the requirement for a mandatory in-person medical evaluation with an option for a telehealth evaluation using approved video or audio systems. This change applies specifically to prescriptions for addiction treatment medications, expanding access for patients in remote or underserved areas. The policy change streamlines the process without altering medication approval or coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to help small- or medium-sized manufacturers (employing ≤750 people in specific manufacturing sectors) improve energy efficiency. Qualified entities like state energy offices or tribes receive funding to provide subgrants, requiring manufacturers to develop energy management plans and use US-made iron/steel products (with limited waivers for cost or availability issues). The program mandates labor compliance standards for contractors and limits administrative costs to 7% of grant funds. It allocates $600 million for these energy efficiency projects, focusing on reducing electricity and natural gas use through concrete funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThe Support Through Loss Act (S 3137) would provide eligible employees with 56 hours of paid leave per year to address pregnancy loss, unsuccessful assisted reproductive technology procedures, failed adoption or surrogacy arrangements, or medical events impacting pregnancy or fertility. This leave can also be used to care for a spouse or domestic partner experiencing these events. Employers with 5 or more employees would be required to provide this leave, with specific notice requirements and protections against discrimination for taking this leave. The bill also includes provisions for research and education on pregnancy loss through the Department of Health and Human Services, including $45 million annually for research on causes and treatments.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to limit corporate deductions for certain high executive compensation. It broadens the definition of "covered individual" to include executives who performed services for a company after 2022, not just current top officers, and requires publicly traded companies to file specific reports about executive pay. Companies can no longer deduct compensation paid to these individuals if it exceeds $1 million in a year, unless it's performance-based. The changes apply to tax years starting after December 31, 2022, and give the IRS authority to prevent companies from avoiding these rules through third-party arrangements. The bill directly affects publicly traded corporations that pay significant bonuses to executives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires schools and state education agencies to break down student performance data into specific ethnic subgroups (such as Cambodian, Hmong, Samoan, and Chamorro) instead of broad categories like "Asian" or "Pacific Islander" under federal reporting rules. It directly affects public schools collecting data under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The bill amends the law to mandate these detailed subgroup categories for reporting and requires the Secretary of Education to develop guidance on reliably collecting this data. The goal is to provide more precise data to address diverse educational needs within these communities.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Unaccompanied Children Act establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsperson within the Department of Health and Human Services to monitor facilities housing immigrant children, investigate claims of abuse or neglect, and advocate for children's best interests. The bill requires detailed monthly data collection on children in custody, including facility locations, length of stay, and demographics, to be made publicly available. It mandates legal representation for unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings, improves access to post-release services, and requires home studies before releasing children to sponsors. The bill directly affects unaccompanied immigrant children in federal custody, the Department of Health and Human Services, and facilities housing these children, while also establishing new standards for facility compliance and preventing family separation.