Sen. Mike Rounds

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal education law to prohibit federally funded athletic programs from allowing individuals assigned male at birth to participate in sports designated for women or girls. It defines "sex" for this purpose as biological sex at birth, based on reproductive anatomy and genetics. The law directly affects schools, colleges, and sports organizations receiving federal funding. Violations would constitute a breach of Title IX, requiring programs to exclude individuals whose sex is male from women's or girls' athletic teams.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 12) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that established procedures for a "Waste Emissions Charge" affecting petroleum and natural gas systems. Specifically, it targets the EPA's November 2024 rule (89 Fed. Reg. 91094) which outlined compliance methods like netting and exemptions for emissions charges. If passed, the resolution would formally disapprove the rule under federal law (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code), preventing it from taking effect. The bill directly affects the oil and gas industry by removing a specific regulatory framework for emissions reporting and fees. This is a procedural disapproval measure, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryThe Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act (S 773) allows state and local governments receiving federal disaster relief funds to redirect unused money originally set aside for management costs toward disaster preparedness, recovery, or mitigation activities. Specifically, it defines "excess funds" as the difference between the authorized management cost amount and actual spending, making these funds available for up to five years after reallocation. The bill also requires a Government Accountability Office study to review past management costs during major disasters and assess if current funding levels are appropriate, without authorizing new funds. This change applies to grants for disasters declared after the bill's enactment.

Farmers Freedom Act of 2025 This bill excludes certain prior converted cropland from permit requirements under the Clean Water Act, including Section 404 permits for discharges of dredged materials into waters of the United States (WOTUS). The exclusion applies to areas that were converted to cropland prior to December 23, 1985. However, the bill does not exclude an area that has reverted to wetlands and has not been used for agricultural purposes in five years. In recent years, there has not been regulatory consistency about which cropland, such as cropland that has reverted to wetlands, is protected under the scope of the act as WOTUS. In 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the Navigable Waters Protection Rule that, among other provisions, defined  prior converted cropland in order to specify which cropland is excluded from the scope of the act. However, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona vacated the rule in Pascua Yaqui Tribe v. EPA . In 2023, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers issued another rule that excluded prior converted cropland from the scope of the act, but they defined the exclusion more narrowly than the exclusion in the 2020 rule.  Similar to the 2020 rule, this bill broadens the exclusion. The bill determines the scope of the exclusion by defining the term prior converted cropland in statute .

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a streamlined process for out-of-state healthcare providers to enroll in Medicaid or CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) in a state. It directly affects children under 21 enrolled in these programs and healthcare providers located in other states who already meet low fraud risk standards. The key provision requires states to adopt a simplified enrollment process using only basic provider information (like name and National Provider Identifier), granting eligible providers a 5-year enrollment period without repeated screening. This reduces administrative barriers for providers serving out-of-state children under 21 who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP coverage.

Maddy summarySRES 89 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating February 15-22, 2025, as "National FFA Week." It recognizes the National FFA Organization’s role in developing student leadership through agricultural education and celebrates two milestones: the 90th anniversary of New Farmers of America (a historically Black agricultural youth group) and the 75th anniversary of the Federal charter for Future Farmers of America (signed by President Truman in 1950). The resolution does not create new laws or obligations but formally expresses congressional support for these observances. It affects no specific group or policy, serving solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 661) amends existing law to expand legal protections for postal facilities. It replaces the term "post office" throughout Section 404(d) with a broader definition covering "any acceptance, processing, shipping, delivery, distribution, or other facility owned or operated by the Postal Service that supports one or more post offices." This directly affects mail processing centers, distribution hubs, and other support facilities operated by the U.S. Postal Service. The key change ensures these supporting facilities receive the same legal protections previously applied only to traditional post offices.

Maddy summaryS 655, the Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025, prevents U.S. citizens wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad from facing tax penalties during their detention. It postpones tax deadlines and refunds penalties paid for tax years during detention (starting January 2021), directly affecting individuals identified under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery Act. Key mechanisms include requiring the State Department and Attorney General to provide Treasury with lists of affected individuals by January 2026, and enabling refunds for penalties paid during detention via a new Treasury program. The law applies to tax years ending before the bill's enactment, with refunds processed like standard overpayment refunds.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects U.S. citizens unlawfully detained or held hostage abroad by preventing credit bureaus from reporting negative credit information during their captivity. It requires credit agencies to remove any adverse credit details (like late payments) that occurred while the person was detained or held hostage, provided they submit verified documentation. The documentation must be authenticated by the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs or the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and confirm the person's status as a covered consumer under the law. This directly affects Americans wrongfully held abroad, ensuring their credit reports reflect their circumstances accurately during detention. The policy change modifies the Fair Credit Reporting Act to block credit bureaus from including negative items tied to the detention period.

Maddy summarySRES 53 is a bipartisan Senate resolution commemorating the 80th anniversary of the February 19-26, 1945, Battle of Iwo Jima and the iconic U.S. flag-raising on Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. It honors the service members who fought in the battle - including those who received the Medal of Honor - and recognizes the strategic importance of the victory in ending World War II. The resolution encourages public commemoration through ceremonies and events, while affirming U.S.-Japan reconciliation and honoring veterans' sacrifices. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect or direct impact on policy or beneficiaries.