Maddy summaryThe HALO Act of 2026 establishes strict rules for the U.S. Department of Defense regarding the design, testing, and use of artificial intelligence in autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems. It mandates that a human commander must always retain ultimate control over the use of force, requiring these systems to be designed so they cannot engage targets without prior human selection or authorization. The legislation also introduces rigorous pre-development and pre-fielding reviews, mandates detailed record-keeping for every engagement, and prohibits the use of AI for certain surveillance activities that could infringe on civil liberties. Additionally, the bill requires regular public reporting on AI usage, continuous monitoring for system failures, and specific protections for whistleblowers who raise concerns about safety or legal compliance.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to correct burial markers for American-Jewish servicemembers who died in World War I or II and were mistakenly buried under Latin crosses (a Christian symbol) in overseas U.S. military cemeteries. The American Battle Monuments Commission will run this 10-year program, authorizing $500,000 annually to contract with qualified nonprofit organizations to identify affected veterans and contact their families. It directly affects Jewish veterans buried overseas with incorrect markers and their descendants, ensuring their religious heritage is properly recognized. The program requires nonprofits to verify burial records and facilitate marker corrections, with priority given to organizations experienced in Jewish military history.
Maddy summaryThis bill transfers approximately 583.79 acres of federal land (excluding 20 acres of roads) from the U.S. Forest Service to the Pit River Tribe in trust for the tribe's benefit. The land becomes part of the tribe's reservation and is administered by the Secretary of the Interior under standard federal trust regulations. Key provisions require a survey within 180 days of enactment and explicitly prohibit the land from being used for tribal gaming under federal law. The bill directly affects the Pit River Tribe (including its XL Ranch, Big Bend, Likely, Lookout, Montgomery Creek, and Roaring Creek Rancherias) by expanding their reservation land base.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a land exchange between the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (a federally recognized tribe) and the U.S. government. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to accept the tribe’s offer to convey approximately 1,460 acres of tribal land (Non-Federal Land) and convey in return about 1,475 acres of National Forest land (Federal Land), excluding specific forest service road easements. As a condition, the tribe must preserve the Arrowhead landmark site through a separate agreement recorded with San Bernardino County and the Forest Service. The exchange is managed under standard land survey processes and will integrate the federal land into the San Bernardino National Forest.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal assistance program specifically for specialty crop farmers who face financial losses due to disasters, economic crises, or market disruptions. Under the new framework, the Secretary of Agriculture would calculate payments based on the producer's recent sales history and a specific payment factor determined to address the losses. The legislation includes special rules to account for the higher value and input costs associated with growing specialty crops compared to standard commodities. Additionally, it sets payment limits consistent with existing farm bill provisions, with higher maximums allowed for producers whose income is primarily derived from farming activities.
Maddy summaryThe Economic Relief for Specialty Crops Act appropriates $5 billion to the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2027 to provide financial assistance to specialty crop farmers. These funds are designated for a specific program announced by the Secretary of Agriculture, which may include existing marketing support or similar future initiatives. The bill requires that payments follow the terms and conditions outlined in a previous federal notice regarding marketing assistance for these crops. This legislation directly affects producers of specialty crops by allocating resources to help them through designated government programs.
Maddy summaryThe Expanding Market Access Act aims to boost U.S. agricultural exports by improving foreign infrastructure and increasing funding for trade promotion programs. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance, such as training and infrastructure assessments, to help developing markets better handle U.S. agricultural products, with specific funding limits set for 2027 and 2028. Additionally, the bill mandates a biennial report analyzing foreign barriers to U.S. specialty crop exports and outlines how to address these issues through trade negotiations or legal actions. The legislation also significantly increases funding for agricultural trade promotion activities from 2026 through 2031, while repealing two older, unrelated provisions from previous laws.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new competitive grant program to help specialty crop farmers in the United States adopt automation and mechanization technologies. The program provides funding to develop cost-effective tools that reduce manual labor, improve farmworker safety, and increase efficiency in growing, harvesting, and processing crops. Grants will prioritize projects that include training for farmworkers to operate new technology and ensure clear communication of results to the public. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the Department of Agriculture must set aside at least $30 million annually for this initiative to accelerate the development and testing of these innovations.
Maddy summaryThe Increasing Insurance Access for Specialty Crops Act creates a new Specialty Crop Advisory Committee to help design better insurance policies for farmers growing fruits, vegetables, and other non-commodity crops. This committee will include representatives from various regions and diverse backgrounds to advise federal officials on insurance needs and educational programs. The bill also establishes a dedicated coordinator to serve as a direct link between the insurance corporation and specialty crop producers, ensuring their specific risks are addressed. Additionally, the law requires annual reviews of new and specialty crops to be conducted in consultation with this new committee.
Maddy summaryThe Improving Pest and Disease Preparedness for Specialty Crops Act directs federal funding toward high-risk states to better manage plant pests and diseases. It increases the annual budget for these preparedness activities from $5 million to $12 million and adds $150 million for future years. Additionally, the law requires that cooperative agreements for these funds prioritize states identified as having a higher risk for crop threats. These changes aim to strengthen the nation's ability to prevent and respond to agricultural emergencies in specialty crop production.