Maddy summaryThe Tick-Borne Livestock Disease Research Prioritization Act directs the Department of Agriculture to provide research and extension grants aimed at addressing emerging tick-borne diseases in livestock, such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis. These funds are specifically allocated for developing vaccines, treatments, and improved surveillance methods to combat threats posed by invasive species like the Asian longhorned tick. Additionally, the bill supports educational programs designed to help veterinarians, state agriculture departments, and producers better recognize and prevent these diseases. By enhancing diagnostic capabilities and providing practical guidance, the legislation seeks to protect herd health and reduce economic losses for beef and dairy producers.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Protect College Sports Act of 2026 establishes new rules to protect student athletes and regulate college sports broadcasting by amending existing federal laws. It requires colleges and athletic associations to allow athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness without losing eligibility, while mandating that athletes disclose agreements worth more than $600 annually. The bill also introduces stricter health and safety standards, including independent medical authority for return-to-play decisions and expanded medical coverage for injuries sustained during competition. Additionally, it creates a new commission to study the future of college athletics and modifies broadcasting laws to ensure local market access for games and prevent large conferences from merging in ways that reduce the number of participating schools.
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 designates the Route 66 National Historic Trail under the National Trails System Act, covering all alignments of U.S. Highway 66 from 1926 to 1985 (approximately 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California). It requires the Secretary of the Interior to administer the trail while respecting its unique character and consulting with affected Native American tribes. Key provisions limit federal land acquisition to no more than 1/4 mile on either side of the trail, prohibit eminent domain, clarify the trail is not part of the National Park System, and ensure existing energy development and transportation activities remain unaffected. The designation does not require new permits or alter current easement authorities for existing infrastructure.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the National Park Service (through the Secretary of the Interior) to enter agreements with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation for hosting private events in designated park buildings (like the Arch Visitor Center and Old Courthouse). The agreement must include strict terms: limiting event frequency, requiring liability insurance, ensuring events align with park purposes, and preventing disruption to public access or park integrity. The Foundation must pay fees covering all costs of wear and tear from events, including administrative expenses. The bill does not restrict the National Park Service from hosting its own events or issuing permits to others.
Maddy summaryThe BOASBERG Act mandates that federal district and appellate courts use random methods to assign civil cases and judges to panels, ensuring that no party, attorney, or judge can influence which judge hears a specific case. While this randomization applies broadly, the bill allows for exceptions in limited situations such as when a judge must recuse themselves, when cases are consolidated for efficiency, or when a chief judge certifies a need for reassignment based on docket management rather than the parties involved. The legislation also requires courts to publish transparency reports explaining any deviations from random assignment and imposes penalties, including sanctions or disciplinary action, on individuals who attempt to manipulate the assignment system.
Maddy summaryThe Patients Deserve Price Tags Act requires hospitals, clinical diagnostic laboratories, imaging services providers, and ambulatory surgical centers to publicly disclose detailed pricing information for healthcare services in machine-readable formats. This includes standard charges, discounted cash prices, payer-specific negotiated rates, and other relevant pricing data that consumers can easily access and compare. The law applies to all facilities that provide services to Medicare beneficiaries, with implementation dates starting in 2026 for hospitals and 2027 for other providers. Non-compliant facilities face daily civil monetary penalties ranging from $300 to $10,000 per day, depending on facility size and duration of non-compliance.
Maddy summaryThis bill simplifies the approval process for biosimilar drugs - medicines that are highly similar to, but not identical to, existing biologic drugs. It amends the Public Health Service Act to clarify when biosimilars are deemed "interchangeable" with the original drug (allowing pharmacists to substitute them without a doctor's specific order), adjusts exclusivity periods for existing biosimilars, and sets a 60-day transition period after enactment. The bill also requires the FDA to update its guidance documents within 18 months to reflect these changes. This directly affects pharmaceutical companies developing biosimilars, the FDA in its review process, and ultimately patients seeking more affordable treatment options.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative memorial in Washington D.C. and its surrounding areas to November 3, 2032. It directly affects the foundation by modifying the expiration date previously set to end a 7-year period. The change ensures the foundation has sufficient time to complete its memorial work within the updated timeframe.
Maddy summaryThe Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 restricts the importation, sale, and use of connected vehicles and related technology from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea to protect national security. Starting in 2027, the bill generally bans these vehicles if they originate from or are controlled by these countries, with separate restrictions on software and hardware taking effect in 2030. The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to issue specific exemptions for items that do not pose a security risk and must publish a list of approved products. The law also requires companies to submit declarations confirming their vehicles comply with the rules and imposes heavy fines for violations.