Maddy summaryThe National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 aims to increase the use of prescribed fire (deliberately set fires to manage wildland fuels) on federal lands. It requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to increase prescribed fire acreage by 10% annually on federal lands, and establishes a Collaborative Prescribed Fire Program to fund projects meeting specific ecological and collaborative criteria. The bill also addresses liability for prescribed fire managers, streamlines environmental reviews, and creates a national education program to improve public understanding of prescribed fire. It requires annual reporting on prescribed fire activities and landscape-scale prescribed fire plans for national forests and Bureau of Land Management districts.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill transfers the Moab uranium mill tailings site in Utah to Grand County, Utah, after the U.S. Department of Energy completes cleanup to a level approved by regulators. The transfer occurs at no cost, but the federal government retains necessary water rights to maintain ongoing groundwater remediation efforts. Grand County cannot sell or transfer any portion of the land to private entities or nonprofits. The transfer requires the Secretary of Energy’s determination that the site meets cleanup standards for land conveyance under federal law.
Maddy summaryThe Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act establishes a federal program to provide grants and technical assistance to small electric utilities, including rural cooperatives, municipally owned systems, and smaller investor-owned companies. The program aims to help these entities deploy advanced cybersecurity technologies and participate in threat information sharing networks to better protect against cyberattacks. Funding is prioritized for utilities with limited security resources or those operating critical infrastructure that supports the national power grid. The bill authorizes $250 million in appropriations over five years, from fiscal year 2027 through 2031, and exempts shared cybersecurity information from public disclosure under freedom of information laws.
Maddy summaryThe Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026 amends the Clean Air Act to officially recognize prescribed fires and cultural burning as "exceptional events," meaning air quality issues caused by these deliberate, managed burns will no longer be counted as violations of pollution standards. The bill requires the EPA to update its regulations within a year to clarify how these fires are defined and to streamline the process for states to petition for exemptions when wildfires or prescribed fires impact air quality. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new "Smoke Ready Communities" grant program that provides up to 90 percent federal funding to states, tribes, and local entities to help communities prepare for and mitigate wildfire smoke hazards in public buildings like schools.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Geo POWER Act, creates a new government program to fund geothermal energy projects in areas where such power has not been previously generated. It directs the Department of Energy to provide milestone-based financing to projects in low-permeability rock formations and regions with limited geothermal activity, including areas on or near Indian lands. The program requires projects to achieve specific technical and financial goals to receive funding, with a minimum of three projects awarded across at least three different states. Each funded project must have the potential to generate at least 30 megawatts of electricity or advance innovative drilling technologies that could enable larger-scale commercial geothermal power.
Maddy summaryThe Save Our Sequoias Act establishes a comprehensive framework to protect giant sequoias on federal lands in California by creating a shared stewardship agreement between federal agencies, the State of California, and the Tule River Indian Tribe. The bill requires the formation of a Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition to conduct health assessments, coordinate emergency responses, and develop reforestation strategies, with annual reporting to Congress. Key provisions include an emergency response authority that allows for hazardous fuels reduction and tree removal without full environmental reviews for projects under 2,000 acres within groves, along with funding mechanisms for grants and a new emergency protection fund supported by philanthropic donations.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, providing federal grants to States, Indian Tribes, and qualified nonprofits to prevent drowning and drain entrapment. It requires grant recipients to spend at least 25% of funds on hiring/training personnel for pool safety enforcement and drain cover inspections, with the remainder for public education on pool safety. The program allocates $2.5 million annually (2026-2030) for grants and a national awareness campaign, prioritizing areas with higher drowning rates and underserved communities. Recipients must report on fund usage, outcomes, and barriers. The law defines "nonprofit" as 501(c)(3) organizations with proven pool safety experience.
Maddy summaryThe Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act of 2025 requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise Clean Air Act regulations to address diesel vehicle challenges in extreme cold. It allows diesel vehicle manufacturers to temporarily disable engine power reductions or shutdowns caused by emissions system faults when temperatures are at or below freezing, but only until temperatures rise above freezing. The bill also grants a year-round exemption from diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system requirements for vehicles primarily operating north of 59°N latitude or in regions with prolonged freezing conditions that make DEF use impractical. This exemption prevents engine derates or shutdowns due to DEF system issues, ensuring critical transportation and emergency services remain functional. The bill does not change overall emissions standards but provides targeted relief for safety and operational needs in cold weather regions.
Maddy summaryThe LIT Act of 2025 repeals three existing Department of Energy energy efficiency rules for general service lamps (common incandescent light bulbs). It directly affects manufacturers and retailers of traditional incandescent bulbs by removing regulatory requirements they previously had to meet. Key mechanisms include amending the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to eliminate specific references to incandescent standards and formally terminating three finalized rules (from 2022 and 2024) that established minimum efficiency levels. This bill makes no new efficiency requirements for these bulbs but removes the existing ones.