Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Maddy summaryThe Saving the OOI Act of 2026 directs the National Science Foundation to stop using federal money to shut down or reduce the scope of the Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments located off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina, and in the Irminger Sea. Instead, the bill requires the NSF to keep these ocean monitoring systems fully operational until a comprehensive review of the initiative is conducted with input from scientists and coastal communities. This legislation ensures that the existing network continues to function without interruption while the evaluation process takes place.

Maddy summaryThe America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through 2033, increasing its annual funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion. It requires that projects funded by the Legacy Restoration Fund must secure at least 15% of their costs from public donations, which will be solicited through public awareness campaigns, donation locations at recreation sites, and during the purchase of recreation passes. The bill also mandates new reporting requirements for deferred maintenance and disposal of assets no longer serving public interest, while ensuring donations are credited to the Fund and allocated to specific projects.

Maddy summaryThe Esther Coopersmith Award Act creates a new annual award to recognize U.S. diplomats and civil servants who advance women's participation in peace and security efforts. Named after the late diplomat Esther Coopersmith, the award honors individuals who integrate women's perspectives into conflict prevention, promote their safety and economic security, and support early warning systems for violence. The Secretary of State will administer the program, which includes an annual meeting with the recipient, funding for travel to global security conferences, and mandatory training presentations for incoming foreign service officers. Additionally, the bill requires a report to Congress detailing the recipients' work and its impact on resolving conflicts, and the legislation will expire five years after it is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to change federal tax rules so that eligible organizations do not have to pay income tax on micro-grants they receive for food security. It directly affects the specific entities defined by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 that distribute these funds. The key provision adds a new section to the Internal Revenue Code to explicitly exclude these financial assistance amounts from the organizations' gross income. This change would allow the organizations to retain the full value of the grants without using part of the funding to cover potential tax liabilities. The rule would apply to any grants received after the bill is enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands federal support for the agricultural sector by increasing funding for food security programs, providing forgivable loans for small food processors in Alaska, and allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to be used for online grocery delivery in remote areas. It aims to strengthen the seafood industry by creating a new label for wild-caught fish, establishing grants to build local processing infrastructure in coastal communities, and setting specific market names for genetically engineered and laboratory-grown fish. The legislation also directs research toward innovative areas like seaweed farming for methane reduction and urban agriculture, while simultaneously enhancing tribal self-determination by allowing Native groups to manage certain USDA programs and updating the Buy Indian Act.

First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.

Alaska’s Right to Ivory Sales and Tradition Act or the ARTIST Act This act prohibits states from imposing bans on marine mammal products produced by Alaska Natives. Specifically, states may not prohibit the interstate commerce, importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of marine mammal ivory, marine mammal bone, or baleen legally produced by an Alaska Native as an authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing.

Maddy summaryThe FLOWS Act (S 3518) streamlines processes for hydropower operations and creates a new licensing path for small-scale micro hydrokinetic projects. It allows hydropower licensees to make non-substantial alterations and routine maintenance without prior Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval, while requiring notice and maintaining FERC's safety oversight authority. For micro hydrokinetic projects (max 5 megawatts, no water impoundment), it establishes an expedited 1-year licensing process with specific deadlines for notifications and applications, and requires FERC to create regulations within 180 days. FERC must also report on environmental, economic, and energy impacts after five years or once 50 projects are operational.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally acknowledges the strategic value of the Arctic region for U.S. national security and economic interests. It calls for ongoing cooperation with Arctic allies, such as Canada and Nordic nations, to promote stability, sustainable development, and regional security. The measure also highlights the importance of working with Indigenous peoples and maintaining a rules-based order in the face of international competition. While it does not create new laws or funding, it encourages Congress to actively engage with international partners on shared Arctic priorities through diplomatic exchanges and joint initiatives.

North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the individuals and communities that provided financial and other support for the North Platte Canteen in North Platte, Nebraska, during World War II.