Sen. Rick Scott

Maddy summaryS 855, the Royalty Transparency Act, requires federal employees and certain advisory committee members to publicly disclose royalties earned from inventions developed during their government service. It mandates new financial reports detailing the source and value of these royalties, including payments under the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986. Agencies must publish this information online within 180 days of enactment and annually thereafter, listing individual names and royalty amounts. The bill also establishes annual congressional reporting requirements for agencies on confidential disclosures and conflict-of-interest reviews related to royalty payments.

Maddy summarySRES 393 designates September 25, 2025, as "National Lobster Day" and encourages Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. The resolution recognizes lobster's cultural significance, economic role in coastal communities, and its status as a sustainable seafood choice. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups but formally acknowledges the industry's contributions through a symbolic national observance. This procedural resolution was introduced by Senators King, Shaheen, Collins, and others.

Maddy summarySRES 391 is a symbolic Senate resolution condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative campus advocate and founder of Turning Point USA, who was killed on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University. The resolution expresses the Senate’s strongest condemnation of the killing, extends condolences to his family (including his wife Erika and two children), and honors his work promoting civil discourse on college campuses. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create policy changes or affect any individuals through legislative action.

Maddy summarySRES 392 is a Senate resolution designating November 16, 2025, as "National Warrior Call Day." It encourages all U.S. citizens to reach out to active-duty service members and veterans through phone calls or conversations to reduce isolation and connect them with support resources. The resolution specifically highlights the importance of peer-to-peer connections in addressing mental health challenges, citing veteran suicide statistics as context. As a symbolic measure (not a law), it does not create new programs but urges public engagement to support military personnel transitioning from service.

Maddy summaryThe DECLINE Act requires federal agencies to immediately deactivate government payment cards (like purchase or travel cards) when employees leave their positions, including through separation, retirement, or discharge. Agencies must collect physical cards, remove them from digital wallets, and stop card usage within 30 days of an employee’s departure. This applies to all federal employees, including those in senior executive roles and policy-determining positions. Agencies must also report annually to Congress on compliance, card deactivations, and misuse prevention to prevent fraud or unauthorized spending.

Maddy summaryS 2755, the Protecting American Research and Talent Act, prohibits federal funding for fundamental research collaborations between U.S. universities and specific foreign entities deemed security risks (like certain Chinese institutions linked to military or defense programs). It allows limited waivers for universities with low international enrollment (under 15% overall, and under 5% from "foreign countries of concern"), requiring federal agencies to justify waivers and report detailed data on collaborations, enrollment, and intellectual property terms. The law mandates annual reports to Congress on compliance, including lists of institutions seeking waivers and specifics about any approved research partnerships. This directly affects universities seeking federal research grants involving international partners, particularly those with significant enrollment from designated high-risk countries.

Maddy summarySRES 381 designates September 9, 2025, as "National World War II Italian Campaign Remembrance Day" to honor American and Allied military personnel who liberated Italy from German occupation during World War II. The resolution recognizes the campaign's 602-day duration, the significant sacrifices (including over 150,000 U.S. casualties), and key events like the Salerno landings on September 9, 1943. It encourages the public to observe the day through ceremonies and education, supports preserving historical sites like American cemeteries in Italy, and asks the President to issue a commemorative proclamation. The bill directly affects veterans' legacy and public remembrance, without creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryS 2744, the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2025, changes tax rules for individuals affected by qualifying disasters. It allows higher deductions for personal casualty losses from disasters declared after July 4, 2025, and before January 1, 2027, by increasing the deductible amount above 10% of adjusted gross income. The bill also creates a new tax exclusion for wildfire relief payments received between 2026 and 2030, excluding these payments from gross income while preventing double benefits for the same losses. These provisions directly affect individuals in federally declared disaster areas who incurred losses during specified periods.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding concurrent resolution (SCONRES 21) expresses the U.S. Senate's formal opposition to socialism. It condemns socialism as inherently linked to historical atrocities, citing events like famines and dictatorships under regimes led by figures such as Stalin and Mao. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies; it solely serves as a symbolic statement of congressional opinion. It aims to affirm the U.S. founding principles opposing collectivist systems, but has no legal effect on government actions or citizens.

Maddy summaryS 2702 requires K-12 schools receiving federal funds to obtain parental consent before accommodating students' gender identity expressions that differ from their biological sex. It prohibits schools from hiding such information from parents, encouraging students to conceal gender identity concerns, or facilitating referrals for gender transition procedures without consent. Schools must publicly post compliance policies and provide written policies to families, with violations allowing parents to sue for injunctive relief, attorney fees, and compensation for "harm" from gender transition treatments. The bill directly affects school districts, staff, and families of students under 18, mandating parental involvement in decisions about gender identity accommodations.