Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development to create simplified application forms for rural communities seeking federal economic development grants. It defines rural communities as incorporated municipalities, Tribal areas, or territories with populations of 10,000 or fewer people or those outside metropolitan statistical areas. The legislation mandates that the Assistant Secretary gather input from rural stakeholders on reducing application length, minimizing required documentation, standardizing forms across programs, and eliminating repetitive information requests. Additionally, the bill requires the agency to publicly share sample successful applications, decision-making criteria, and standardized guidance to help rural applicants navigate the grant process.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe NSF AI Education Act of 2026 directs the National Science Foundation to award scholarships and fellowships to undergraduate and graduate students studying artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and related fields. The bill establishes new programs to support AI education at community colleges, vocational schools, and historically underserved institutions, including priority funding for rural, Tribal, and minority-serving institutions. It also authorizes grants for AI research in agriculture and advanced manufacturing, requires the development of guidance for AI use in K-12 education, and mandates the creation of workforce frameworks for AI and other emerging technologies. The legislation includes provisions to restrict funding to institutions with certain civil rights violations and establishes requirements for oversight of public-private partnerships and foreign contributions.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week" to honor the National FFA Organization’s work in agricultural education. It recognizes FFA’s role in developing leadership and career skills for students (with over 1 million members nationally) and celebrates the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s State FFA Association, which has 19 chapters and 493 members. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect but formally expresses Senate support for FFA’s mission.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to require the Treasury Secretary to testify annually before Congress about the Fund's operations. It also strengthens the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program by adjusting guarantee limits and extending the program's authorization period. Additionally, the bill expands capital assistance options for community development financial institutions and creates a new lending program specifically for Native community development financial institutions to support homeownership in Tribal and Native communities.
Maddy summaryThe Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act (S 3916) prohibits federal funding for state or local databases that track lawfully owned firearms or their owners. It defines such databases as those listing firearms possessed by individuals or the individuals themselves who legally own firearms. The bill allows federal funding for databases tracking lost or stolen firearms and their owners, but not for general ownership records. This would require states and localities to cover costs for firearms ownership databases using non-federal funds, shifting financial responsibility away from federal support.
Maddy summarySRES 612 is a non-binding Senate resolution acknowledging the fourth anniversary of Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It reaffirms U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its 1991 borders, condemns Russia’s attacks on civilians and infrastructure, and emphasizes the need for sustained U.S. and transatlantic security guarantees. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but expresses congressional support for Ukraine’s defense and calls for continued international cooperation. It specifically highlights Russia’s targeting of Ukrainian children and U.S. companies as part of its aggression. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect on policy or funding.
Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act or the ROTOR Act This bill addresses aviation safety by increasing requirements for aircraft tracking and communication using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology and expanding oversight. As background, ADS-B for broadcasting (Out) and receiving (In) transmits information (e.g., location and weather information) between aircraft and air traffic control. Under the bill, aircraft must generally operate with ADS-B In equipment to provide the aircraft with location information of other aircraft and traffic advisories. Current law does not require this equipment. Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations allow aircraft performing a sensitive government mission to be excepted from requirements for using ADS-B Out equipment. This bill limits which flights may be considered sensitive government missions (e.g., not training flights) and requires additional reporting and notifications for the exception. The Government Accountability Office must review the use of the ADS-B Out exception and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Transportation must annually audit FAA oversight of operations that use the exception. Further, the bill repeals a 2025 law that exempts certain military helicopters from the ADS-B Out requirements for the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. The bill also requires the OIG of the Army to audit the Army’s coordination with the FAA, the FAA to establish an office to coordinate airspace usage of military aircraft and review the safety of flight operations and routes around airports, and the FAA to enter into memoranda of understanding with military agencies for safety information sharing.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Commerce Department to develop and distribute free training resources to help small businesses adopt artificial intelligence and key emerging technologies like quantum-hybrid computing. The training will cover practical business areas including financial management, cybersecurity, marketing, and supply chain operations, with special focus on small businesses in rural, Tribal, or underserved communities and those in advanced manufacturing. The program requires annual updates to the training materials, distribution through existing Small Business Administration resource centers (like SCORE and small business development centers), and annual reports to Congress tracking participation and business outcomes. The initiative will expire three years after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3866) updates the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) aircraft type certification process to accelerate approval for new aviation technologies like air taxis and advanced air mobility vehicles. It directly affects aircraft manufacturers, FAA staff, and infrastructure providers (such as vertiport operators) by requiring the FAA to publish clear timelines for certification milestones and establish standardized criteria for when the FAA issues formal "issue papers" about safety concerns. Key mechanisms include mandating a public transparency plan within 180 days, setting standard expected timelines for key certification steps (like responses to industry requests), and revising delegation rules to improve efficiency while maintaining safety. The bill aims to reduce delays for innovative aircraft without compromising safety standards, focusing on predictable processes for emerging technologies.
Maddy summaryThe SAT Streamlining Act establishes new processing timelines for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to review satellite and telecommunications licenses and market access applications. It sets specific deadlines for the FCC to act (e.g., 1 year for license applications, 90 days for minor modifications) and creates a "deemed granted" provision if deadlines are missed. The bill also includes provisions for emergency grants during national security or safety concerns, requires national security reviews for certain foreign-owned entities, and prohibits state and local governments from regulating rates for satellite services. This legislation directly affects satellite operators, telecommunications companies, and the FCC, aiming to streamline processes while maintaining national security oversight.