Sen. Michael F. Bennet

Maddy summaryThe DRIVE Across America Act of 2026 establishes the Cleaner TRAILS Initiative to promote zero-emission vehicles and fueling infrastructure on National Forest and National Park lands. This program requires the Forest Service and National Park Service to develop a strategy for installing charging stations, purchasing electric vehicles for their fleets, and offering shuttle services that run on clean energy. The bill also directs the Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation to expand electric vehicle charging access near airports and tourist destinations, while authorizing $1 billion in federal funding between 2027 and 2031 to support these efforts. Additionally, the legislation mandates that agreements for transportation services on federal lands give priority to providers using zero-emission vehicles and requires regular reporting to Congress on progress and spending.

Maddy summaryThe Clean Transportation Jobs and Development Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to expand funding and oversight for battery manufacturing, critical mineral processing, and advanced vehicle technologies through 2031. A primary provision increases the authorized budget for battery processing grants to $6 billion for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, while also requiring applicants to include specific workforce safety and fire prevention plans. The bill establishes a new Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation to coordinate supply chain resilience and manages multiple research programs focused on extreme-fast charging, vehicle safety, and heavy-duty commercial vehicle electrification. Additionally, the legislation authorizes over $3 billion in total funding for these research and development activities across five fiscal years to support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources.

Maddy summaryThe Cleaner Transportation Access for All Act extends federal tax credits for purchasing clean vehicles and installing charging equipment through 2031, while also allowing a higher credit amount for home charging installations. It establishes a new Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to coordinate federal efforts on electric vehicle infrastructure and creates an Electric Vehicle Commission to study industry needs and safety issues. The legislation authorizes billions in funding to expand charging networks, with specific requirements that states prioritize underserved communities and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Additionally, the bill mandates that electric vehicle charging stations be permitted on public curbsides and expands access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes for clean vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of August 2 through August 8, 2026, as "National Farmers Market Week" to honor the importance of local food markets. It serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize how these markets support farmers' livelihoods, strengthen local economies, and connect urban and rural communities. The bill does not create new laws or funding but instead formally acknowledges the role farmers markets play in promoting sustainable farming and public health.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates federal laws to ensure that members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force cannot be excluded from jobs or assignments based on their gender. It requires the Department of Defense to establish occupational standards using scientifically rigorous methods that evaluate technical, tactical, cognitive, and physical abilities without gender bias. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reports to Congress detailing any involuntary reclassifications or separations and requires a detailed review of the operational effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground combat units. These changes are scheduled to take effect on September 30, 2026, with the first required report due the following year.

Maddy summaryThe Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act of 2026 directs the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants and loans to help local air pollution control agencies purchase and operate portable air sensors in rural and remote areas. These low-cost devices are intended to measure smoke pollutants like PM2.5 and ozone in locations where traditional monitoring equipment is scarce, thereby improving the accuracy of air quality data for communities affected by wildfires. To ensure success, the bill also authorizes funding for technical assistance to help agencies install and maintain these sensors, while requiring that the data collected be shared with the EPA to update public air quality maps. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually through 2032 for grants and provides additional unspecified funding for loan programs and technical support, with a specific focus on expanding coverage to Indian tribes and areas lacking existing monitoring infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to remove the fees charged for setting up installment payment plans with the IRS for taxpayers with low incomes. Specifically, it would exempt individuals whose adjusted gross income is at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level from paying these administrative costs. The change would only apply to new payment agreements entered into after a 12-month waiting period following the law's enactment. By eliminating these fees, the legislation aims to make debt relief options more accessible to financially struggling Americans without altering the underlying tax obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the IRS to obtain written approval from a supervisor or a specific penalties office before imposing penalties or disallowing tax credits. The approval must be secured before the agency sends the first notice to a taxpayer that allows them to appeal the decision. Additionally, the legislation defines specific timeframes for disallowing certain tax credits and mandates that the Treasury Department publish annual reports detailing how penalties are assessed and enforced. These changes take effect twelve months after the bill is enacted, with the reporting requirement beginning two years later.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Internal Revenue Code to change how the government handles tax refunds for specific individuals who are currently unable to pay their debts. It establishes a rule that prevents the government from automatically taking money from these taxpayers' refunds to cover unpaid taxes, provided the refund amount does not exceed the value of a specific child tax credit they earned. The measure applies only to people officially classified as "currently not collectible" before they request their refund, and the new rules will take effect twelve months after the law is signed.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Internal Revenue Code to improve how the government notifies taxpayers when they are banned from claiming certain tax credits for multiple years. It requires the IRS to send a specific notice explaining exactly which credits were denied, why they were denied, and how long the ban will last. The legislation also grants the Tax Court the authority to review and overturn these multi-year bans if they were imposed incorrectly. Additionally, it shifts the burden of proof in court cases involving these bans and ensures that the time limit for filing a refund claim does not expire while a ban is under judicial review. These changes primarily affect individuals who have had credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit denied and subsequently barred from claiming them again.