Maddy summaryThe Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act of 2026 restructures the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth U.S. Circuit Courts to better align their geographic boundaries with current population distribution. The bill moves Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming from the Ninth Circuit to the Eighth, while transferring Arizona and Nevada from the Ninth to the Tenth Circuit, leaving California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands in the newly defined Ninth Circuit. Each affected circuit receives a specific number of judges based on its new composition, with existing judges assigned to their respective new circuits based on their current locations while retaining their original seniority dates. Additionally, the legislation requires that states changing circuits immediately adopt the legal precedents of their new courts and mandates the General Services Administration to plan for new courthouse facilities in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Trade Deficit Elimination Act of 2026 directs the United States Trade Representative to annually identify countries with which the U.S. has a bilateral deficit in goods trade and designate them as "trade deficit economies." For these designated partners, the bill authorizes the imposition of additional import duties specifically calculated to eliminate the trade imbalance, subject to presidential direction and consultation with congressional committees. The legislation allows for exemptions on goods that are critical to national security or unavailable domestically at reasonable prices. Additionally, it empowers the Trade Representative to negotiate bilateral agreements requiring partner nations to increase purchases of U.S. goods or reduce their exports to the United States.
Maddy summaryThe Ride in Freedom Act prohibits the District of Columbia from requiring individuals to wear protective helmets while operating or riding on motorcycles and motor-driven cycles. The bill repeals the existing local regulation that mandates helmet use for these vehicles, effectively removing the legal requirement for riders in the district. To ensure this change remains permanent, the legislation amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to explicitly prevent the local Council and Mayor from enacting or enforcing any future laws that would reinstate such a mandate.
Maddy summaryS 1735, the Permitting Transparency and Accountability Act, requires government agencies that issue permits (like environmental or construction permits) to publish detailed online status updates for each application. Covered agencies must display on their websites: the stages completed in the review process, how long each stage took, the current status and time spent in that stage, contact information for reviewers, the full process steps needed, and an estimated timeline for a final decision. This directly affects permit applicants by providing clear, real-time tracking of their applications instead of opaque waiting periods. The bill mandates these specific, standardized details to make the permitting process more transparent and accountable for all involved parties.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to overturn a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency that allowed California to set its own stricter greenhouse gas emission standards for new vehicles. By disapproving this waiver, the bill aims to restore federal preemption, ensuring that all states must follow the same national emission rules rather than California's unique requirements. If passed, the measure would effectively cancel the EPA's decision, forcing automakers to comply with uniform federal standards for vehicle pollution control.
Maddy summaryThe USTRx Act establishes a new position for a Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator within the United States Trade Representative office to specifically advocate for and enforce trade agreements related to U.S. pharmaceutical products. The bill requires the USTR to annually identify high-income countries based on World Bank statistics and publish reports evaluating whether their drug pricing policies are fair, transparent, and market-based. If a country’s practices are found to unfairly restrict access or undervalue innovative medicines, the USTR must submit a response plan to Congress within 30 days, which may include initiating trade investigations under existing authority.
Maddy summaryThe Crow Revenue Act transfers specific mineral rights in Montana to the Crow Tribe. It requires the federal government to accept the relinquishment of the Bull Mountains Lease, convey mineral interests to the Hope Family Trust, and then transfer those rights to the Crow Tribe. The bill mandates a revenue-sharing agreement between the Tribe and Hope Family Trust for future development, and exempts these lands from Montana state taxation. This policy change directly affects the Crow Tribe’s land holdings and revenue streams on designated tracts in Musselshell and Big Horn Counties.
Maddy summaryThe K-12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026 allows federal education funds to be used for teaching artificial intelligence to students and training educators on how to use it responsibly. By amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the bill permits schools to spend money on AI curricula that focus on safe and effective usage, as well as professional development for teachers and staff. This change directly affects state and local school districts by expanding the list of allowable expenses to include specific instruction on AI tools and the skills needed to teach them. The legislation defines artificial intelligence using the same standard established in the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 to ensure consistency across programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill, the Special Operations Forces Concealed Carry Act, allows retired special operations personnel to carry concealed firearms in the United States by adding them to the list of individuals permitted under current federal law. To qualify, former service members must have held a special operations role, maintain an honorable discharge, and complete specific training on firearms proficiency and civilian use-of-force standards. The legislation requires these individuals to carry valid government identification proving their status and mandates that they present this ID to law enforcement upon request. Federal agencies are tasked with creating a program to issue official identification cards to eligible veterans within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution condemns the Government of Iran for ongoing human rights abuses, specifically targeting its use of politically motivated espionage claims to justify arbitrary detention and executions. The bill outlines several key provisions, including calls to halt executions based on unsupported security charges and demands for detainees to receive due process and access to independent legal counsel. It also urges the release of individuals imprisoned for peacefully exercising freedoms of expression and religion while supporting the Iranian people's pursuit of democracy. Additionally, the resolution affirms U.S. efforts to hold Iranian officials accountable through sanctions and international investigations for their actions.