Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax exemption for money received by individuals who participate in approved clinical trials, allowing them to keep compensation and expense reimbursements without paying federal income tax. It also ensures that these payments are not counted as income or resources when determining eligibility for federal or federally funded assistance programs. The changes apply to any payments made after December 31, 2025, and are designed to help participants in studies covering a broader range of diseases and conditions.

Maddy summaryThe SECURE Tax Filing Act requires the Treasury Department to validate electronic filing identification numbers before they are used to submit tax returns. This validation system will confirm that an ID is active and that the person using it is authorized to file on behalf of taxpayers. The law mandates that tax preparation software must check this status in real-time before allowing any electronic filing to occur. Additionally, the Treasury must create an implementation plan within 180 days and submit regular reports on the system's performance and security. These changes directly affect tax professionals, software developers, and taxpayers who rely on electronic filing services.

Maddy summaryThe Right to IVF Act of 2026 establishes federal protections to ensure individuals can access assisted reproductive technology and intrauterine insemination without state-imposed restrictions, while also mandating that health insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits program cover these services. The bill defines these procedures broadly to include treatments like egg and embryo freezing and requires coverage regardless of whether a patient has been diagnosed with infertility. It further directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide fertility preservation and reproductive assistance to uniformed service members and veterans, including funding for egg or sperm retrieval and storage. Additionally, the legislation grants federal courts the authority to challenge and block any state laws that limit access to these reproductive treatments or discriminate against providers and patients based on protected characteristics.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to develop a strategy within 18 months for using livestock grazing to reduce wildfire risks on federal lands. The strategy must include targeted grazing in high-risk areas (like the wildland-urban interface), controlling invasive grasses such as cheatgrass, and using technologies like virtual fencing to adjust grazing placement. It affects federal land managers, ranchers with grazing permits, and communities in fire-prone regions by integrating grazing into wildfire management plans. The bill does not change existing grazing programs but adds specific provisions for risk reduction during droughts, wildfires, or post-fire recovery. It mandates consultation with states, tribes, firefighting agencies, and local stakeholders to coordinate this approach.

Maddy summaryS 1175, the Small County PILT Parity Act, adjusts payments to small counties for federal lands under the PILT program. It lowers the population threshold from 5,000 to 1,000 for counties receiving higher per-capita payments, directly benefiting counties with populations under 1,000. The bill revises the payment formula to increase payments for these smaller counties, replacing the previous table with new rates (e.g., a 1,000-population county now gets $394.15 instead of lower amounts). This change ensures smaller counties receive fairer compensation for lost tax revenue on federal lands, without altering the overall PILT program structure.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution formally recognizes the significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men in the United States. The document cites data showing that Black women earn roughly 65 cents for every dollar earned by white men and highlights how this disparity impacts their ability to support families and accumulate wealth. By referencing existing laws like the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act, the bill reaffirms Congress's support for equal pay for equal work without proposing new legislation or policy changes. Ultimately, the measure serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the economic challenges faced by Black women due to dual discrimination based on race and gender.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham from South Carolina. It formally acknowledges his extensive career in the military, state government, and Congress, noting his service as a Senator and his roles as Chairman of the Judiciary and Budget committees. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and requests that this tribute be shared with the House of Representatives and Graham's family.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Geothermal Ombudsman and a Permitting Task Force within the Bureau of Land Management to improve how geothermal energy projects on public lands are approved. The Ombudsman will serve as a liaison between different BLM offices and project applicants, help resolve disputes, track permit processing times, and develop better practices for geothermal leasing. The Task Force, led by the Ombudsman, can temporarily assign specialized staff from other parts of the Department to assist with geothermal projects and may offer retention bonuses to keep experienced workers. The law also requires the Ombudsman to submit annual reports to Congress on the Task Force's activities and the effectiveness of geothermal permitting.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers various federal lands in Douglas County, Nevada to the state, county, and the Washoe Tribe for conservation, recreation, and tribal purposes. It designates approximately 12,392 acres as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness, protects tribal cultural resources, and allows for the sale of certain federal lands with proceeds supporting education and open space preservation. The legislation also establishes rules for land use, environmental protection, and management of wildlife and water resources within the designated areas.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating July 10, 2026, as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day to honor the workers who maintain the nation's electricity grid. The bill honors these employees for their critical role in keeping power running daily and for their dangerous work restoring service during disasters and extreme weather. It also commemorates the 130th anniversary of the death of Henry Miller, the first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died while restoring power. Finally, the resolution encourages Americans to observe this day with reflection on the sacrifices made by lineworkers over the past century.