Sen. Mike Lee

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 179th anniversary of the 1847 arrival of Latter-day Saint pioneers in the Great Salt Lake Valley. It honors their journey across the American West, noting the hardships they endured and their role in establishing over 500 communities that helped develop the region. The bill formally recognizes their legacy of self-reliance and cooperation as a continuing part of the American story without proposing any new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThe PROTECT Act of 2026 requires online platforms that host user-generated content to verify the identity and age of anyone uploading pornographic images, ensuring all individuals depicted are at least 18 years old. To comply, platforms must obtain explicit written consent from every person shown in an image for both the specific sexual acts performed and the distribution of that image, using standardized forms approved by the Attorney General. The law imposes civil penalties and criminal prison sentences for users and platforms that fail to meet these verification and consent requirements.

Maddy summaryThe GRACE Act prohibits federal education funding for schools and agencies that mandate vaccinations unless they offer a specific exemption process. Under this bill, institutions must allow parents or guardians to request an exemption based on a sincerely held religious belief without requiring any supporting documentation. The law defines a child as anyone under 18 and applies these rules to elementary and secondary schools as well as local and state educational agencies. By removing the need for proof of religious belief, the measure aims to simplify the process for families seeking to opt out of vaccination requirements for religious reasons.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026, proposes to stop the issuance of H-1B work visas for three years and then restrict them to primary workers rather than their families. It would require employers to prove a shortage of qualified American workers and pay a minimum wage of $200,000 per year, while also banning the use of staffing agencies to hire these workers. The legislation further limits the total number of H-1B visas to 25,000 annually, removes the current lottery system in favor of prioritizing higher wages, and prohibits H-1B workers from holding jobs with more than one employer or working for third-party agencies. Additionally, the bill bars federal government agencies from hiring H-1B workers, eliminates optional training programs for foreign students, and generally prevents nonimmigrant visa holders from changing their status to permanent residents while in the United States.

Maddy summaryThe Upper Price River Watershed Project Act of 2025 would transfer approximately 124 acres of federal land in Utah to the city of Price for public use. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey the land, as shown on a specific map dated May 8, 2025, without following standard federal land transfer rules. The city would gain full ownership of the land, which it could then use for public purposes as determined by the city council, subject to any existing rights like easements or private claims.

Brian Head Town Land Conveyance Act This bill directs the Forest Service to convey approximately 24 acres of land within the Dixie National Forest to Brian Head Town, Utah, along with any improvements made to the land. The town must use the land for a public works facility or any other uses determined to be necessary by the town. The Forest Service must convey the land to the town without consideration (such as payment).

Maddy summaryS 1135 directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study on designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail as part of the National Trails System. The trail, a 280-mile system following the historic Bonneville bench from the Idaho-Utah border to Nephi, Utah, would be the focus of this study. The bill requires the study to assess whether formal designation is practical but does not authorize any immediate action or change in trail status.

Maddy summaryThe Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act (S 1759) requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update regulations within one year of enactment to permit civil aircraft to fly supersonically (Mach >1) in U.S. airspace without causing sonic booms to reach the ground. This directly affects commercial aircraft manufacturers and airlines seeking to operate new supersonic passenger or cargo planes. The key provision eliminates the current need for special authorization by mandating FAA rules that ensure no ground-level sonic booms occur during flight. The bill focuses solely on enabling regulated supersonic flight operations, not on environmental impacts or economic outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2969) requires that state laws governing motor vehicle use - including off-highway vehicles - apply on roads within national park and federal land units (referred to as "System units"). It directly affects drivers traveling on roads in these areas, such as national parks managed by the National Park Service. The key provision mandates that state vehicle regulations, including definitions of terms like "off-highway vehicle," become the governing rules for vehicle operation on those roads, replacing any conflicting federal standards. Violating these state laws on System unit roads would be prohibited.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham from South Carolina. It formally acknowledges his extensive career in the military, state government, and Congress, noting his service as a Senator and his roles as Chairman of the Judiciary and Budget committees. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and requests that this tribute be shared with the House of Representatives and Graham's family.