Sen. Todd Young

Maddy summaryThe RISE Act amends the Higher Education Act to improve support for college students with disabilities. It requires institutions to accept multiple forms of documentation (like high school IEPs or 504 plans) to verify disability status and mandates transparent, accessible processes for determining accommodation eligibility. Colleges must also report specific disability-related data to federal databases, including the number of students receiving accommodations and degree completions. Additionally, the bill authorizes $10 million annually (2027-2031) for a national center providing technical support to students with disabilities, without altering existing ADA definitions or rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the annual contribution limit for certain retirement accounts from $2,500 to $5,000 under the Internal Revenue Code. It applies directly to individuals participating in defined contribution retirement plans (like 401(k)s) who meet basic eligibility requirements, including those not yet enrolled. The key change modifies tax rules to allow higher contributions toward emergency savings within these plans. The amendments take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. The bill does not create new programs but adjusts existing contribution limits and definitions.

Maddy summaryThe Kids Online Safety Act (S 1748) requires major social media platforms, online video games, and other "covered platforms" to implement specific safety features for minors (under 17). These features include default privacy settings that limit harmful design features like infinite scrolling and auto-play, parental controls for managing minors' accounts, and restrictions on advertising illegal products to minors. The bill also mandates annual transparency reports about how platforms are used by minors and requires platforms to provide clear notices about their content algorithms. It creates a Kids Online Safety Council to advise Congress on online safety issues for children. The law applies to platforms with more than 10 million monthly users in the U.S. and takes effect 18 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends federal funding for the Regional Innovation Program through fiscal year 2030, providing up to $50 million annually to support economic development in specific areas. The bill defines eligible partners as state or nonprofit organizations that offer direct financing, commercialization services, and entrepreneurial support to local businesses. It mandates that the federal government contribute no more than 50 percent of project costs, with an additional 40 percent available based on regional needs, and requires outreach to rural communities and areas facing economic distress. Additionally, the legislation allows agencies to use unspent funds from previous years and updates the program's focus to include specific initiatives aimed at accelerating innovation.

Maddy summaryThe PHD Talent Act of 2026 establishes a five-year pilot program to help universities create accelerated doctoral programs in critical fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology. These programs aim to train U.S. citizens and permanent residents by shortening the time to earn a doctorate, integrating undergraduate and graduate coursework, and providing funding that covers at least three years of doctoral study. The Department of Energy will award grants to universities that partner with national laboratories and industry to offer these tracks, which also include structured mentorship and research rotations to build dual expertise in a specific science and computational methods. The legislation authorizes $250 million for the program between 2028 and 2032 and requires the Department of Energy to submit annual reports to Congress on the initiative's progress and student outcomes.

Maddy summaryThe Strengthening Taxpayer Advocacy Act empowers the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate to make its own staffing decisions and grants it direct access to IRS records, legal advice, and meetings to better assist individual taxpayers. Under this law, the IRS Commissioner must provide requested information and schedule meetings within two weeks, while the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate gains the authority to issue orders that can suspend tax collection actions during government funding lapses. Additionally, the bill removes a specific time limit that previously prevented the Taxpayer Advocate Service from acting when a taxpayer faces economic hardship due to IRS actions. These changes aim to improve the ability of the Taxpayer Advocate to intervene on behalf of individuals dealing with IRS issues.

Maddy summaryThe Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement Act creates a new category called "chameleon carriers" to identify trucking companies that repeatedly change their legal identity to avoid safety penalties, insurance hikes, or enforcement actions. To combat this, the bill requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to develop a specialized automated tool that analyzes business data to detect these patterns during the registration process. The legislation also mandates a study by the Government Accountability Office to estimate the number of such carriers and their impact on road safety, along with an appeals process for applicants denied registration based on the tool's findings.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth National Independence Day to honor the 1865 announcement of freedom to enslaved people in Texas and the Southwestern States. The bill serves as a formal recognition of this historical event and does not create new laws or change federal holidays. It aims to support nationwide celebrations and encourage learning about the history of slavery and emancipation in the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act, authorizes the President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities accused of participating in or facilitating forced organ harvesting in China. The sanctions include blocking property and interests in property within the United States and making listed individuals inadmissible to the United States or ineligible for visas. The bill requires the President to submit lists of sanctioned persons to congressional committees and mandates a report on China's organ transplant policies and practices, including an assessment of whether forced organ harvesting constitutes an atrocity. The sanctions authority includes exemptions for humanitarian assistance and national security activities, and the entire provision expires five years after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 3676, the American Decade of Sports Act, requires the U.S. Department of State to develop and implement a 5-year strategy leveraging major international sports events hosted in the U.S. (2024-2034, including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics) to advance diplomatic goals. The strategy must include plans for partnerships with host cities, diaspora groups, and sports organizations; improved visa processing for athletes and visitors; and cultural exchange programs. The bill creates a new "Office of Sports Diplomacy" within the State Department, mandating at least three dedicated staff to coordinate these efforts through 2034. This directly affects the State Department’s operations, host cities hosting events, and international athletes/visitors attending the designated competitions.