Sen. Ted Budd

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the National Park Service to extend certain existing park leases without following standard renewal rules, if the leaseholder has held the lease for at least five years and is in compliance with all terms. The Secretary of the Interior must determine that extending the lease benefits park management. The bill requires updating federal regulations within 90 days to formalize this change. It directly affects private businesses and operators leasing land within national parks.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the funding and authorization for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom through September 2028. It directly affects the Commission, which monitors religious freedom violations worldwide and advises the U.S. government on related policies. The legislation amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to update the authorization period from the original 2025-2026 timeframe to 2026-2028. This procedural change ensures the Commission can continue its operations without interruption during the extended period.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase funding for a federal grant program designed to address shortages in the dental workforce. Specifically, it would raise the annual budget allocation from $13.9 million to $15 million for the years 2027 through 2031. The funds are intended to remain available until they are spent, supporting initiatives that help train and recruit dental professionals.

Maddy summaryThe FIRST Act establishes a new program within the Department of State to promote the international deployment of American small modular reactor technology. Managed by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, the program will advocate for U.S. nuclear exports, ensure high safety and security standards, and provide support for project development and workforce training abroad. The legislation requires the program to submit detailed reports and briefings to Congress every 120 days regarding its activities and funding, and it is set to expire in 2034.

Maddy summaryThe Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act directs the Coast Guard to acquire and maintain between six and nine manned aircraft specifically for flying into hurricanes to collect weather data. This legislation updates funding requirements to authorize $2.5 billion over five years for purchasing these planes and an additional $45 million annually for their operation and maintenance. The bill also mandates that the Coast Guard keep backup capabilities to ensure missions continue even if one aircraft is unavailable and requires the retention of qualified NOAA aviators to operate them. By amending existing laws, the act shifts the legal authority for these purchases to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act while setting specific performance goals for data collection and safety.

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.

Maddy summaryThe Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve transparency and predictability in certifying new aircraft and technologies. It directs the FAA to publish a plan within 180 days to streamline handling technical issues during certification, set standard timelines for key steps (like applicant responses), and convert stable issues into published policies. The bill also mandates updated guidance on delegating certification tasks to ensure safety and efficiency, especially for emerging sectors like advanced air mobility. The FAA must consult with industry stakeholders and report annually to Congress on implementation progress.

Maddy summaryThe Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act (S 1759) requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update regulations within one year of enactment to permit civil aircraft to fly supersonically (Mach >1) in U.S. airspace without causing sonic booms to reach the ground. This directly affects commercial aircraft manufacturers and airlines seeking to operate new supersonic passenger or cargo planes. The key provision eliminates the current need for special authorization by mandating FAA rules that ensure no ground-level sonic booms occur during flight. The bill focuses solely on enabling regulated supersonic flight operations, not on environmental impacts or economic outcomes.

Maddy summaryThe Secure Drug Supply Chain Act of 2026 aims to protect the U.S. pharmaceutical supply by preventing the importation of counterfeit or unsafe drugs from countries like China and others designated as adversarial. It requires drug manufacturers to report quarterly details about the origins of their active ingredients and key starting materials, specifically highlighting those sourced from China or other foreign countries of concern. The bill also strengthens enforcement by allowing the government to ban imports from facilities using forced labor or violating sanctions, and it mandates the destruction of refused drugs that pose significant public health risks. Additionally, the law establishes new reporting requirements to track supply chain vulnerabilities and directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to issue regulations and guidance to implement these measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and modifies the American Battlefield Protection Program through 2035, extending funding deadlines and increasing grant percentages for battlefield preservation. It raises the maximum federal share for battlefield acquisition, interpretation, and restoration grants from 50% to 75% and sets a $2 million annual appropriation for these programs. The bill also mandates new studies to identify, assess, and propose preservation options for sites tied to the French and Indian War (1754-1763) and Mexican-American War (1846-1848), requiring consultation with states, tribes, and preservation groups. The studies must be completed within two years and reported to Congress, focusing on site significance, threats, and potential preservation strategies.