Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

Maddy summaryThe Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026 reauthorizes federal housing assistance for Indian tribes and Native Hawaiians through fiscal year 2033 while expanding eligibility to include families with incomes up to 120 percent of the area median. The bill grants tribes greater autonomy by allowing them to set their own rent, procurement, and environmental review policies, and it streamlines regulatory processes by consolidating environmental reviews and exempting certain small-scale projects from specific federal requirements. Additionally, the legislation establishes new grant programs for homeless American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, creates a rental assistance program for homeless Indian veterans, and extends leasehold interests on trust lands to 99 years to improve financing options.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to establish a 15-day notification deadline for Native Americans who receive emergency medical care from non-Indian Health Service providers or facilities. It directly affects Indigenous individuals seeking emergency treatment outside of IHS facilities by requiring them to notify the Service within 15 days to qualify for payment. The key provision replaces the previous time limitation with a standardized 15-day window for submitting claims. This change simplifies the reimbursement process for emergency care received under existing authority. The bill does not alter eligibility for care but streamlines the administrative requirement for claims processing.

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.