Sen. Lisa Murkowski

This resolution designates February 16, 2024, as National Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. It also encourages the people of the United States and Members of Congress to commemorate the life and civil rights advocacy of Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich by continuing the important work of ensuring equality for Alaska Natives and Native Americans.

Maddy summarySRES 553 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring Jean A. Carnahan, who served as Missouri’s first female U.S. Senator from 2001 to 2002 after her husband’s passing. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow over her death, recognizes her service as First Lady of Missouri and U.S. Senator, and her advocacy for families and veterans. It directs the Senate Secretary to share the resolution with the House and Carnahan’s family, with no substantive policy changes or affected parties. This is a standard commemorative measure with no legislative impact.

Remote Seafood Employee Meals Tax Parity Act This bill provides that the 50% limitation on the tax deduction for business meals shall not apply to meals provided on certain fishing vessels or at certain fish processing facilities.

Maddy summaryThe Working Waterfronts Act of 2024 provides tax credits for hydroelectric facilities with fish passage improvements, expands loan and grant programs for fishing businesses and seafood processing facilities, and establishes a grant program to protect working waterfronts. It includes provisions for rural coastal communities to develop processing infrastructure, support workforce development in maritime industries, and promote ocean innovation through clusters. The bill directly affects commercial fishing operators, seafood processors, mariculture businesses, and rural coastal communities. It authorizes funding for these programs over fiscal years 2025-2029, with specific allocations for different program components including $10 million annually for rural coastal processing grants and $20 million annually for waterfront preservation.

Maddy summaryS 3789, the Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans Land Allotment Extension and Fulfillment Act of 2024, makes specific federal lands in Alaska available for selection by eligible Alaska Native Vietnam Era Veterans. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to immediately offer lands identified in a 2020 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report as suitable for allotment under the existing program. This directly affects Alaska Native veterans who served during the Vietnam era and qualify under current eligibility rules. The legislation ensures previously identified lands in Alaska's National Wildlife Refuge System are accessible for selection without changing the program's requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Medicare beneficiaries to authorize family caregivers to access their personal health information through Medicare's 1-800-MEDICARE line by completing a specific form (CMS-10106). It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries (enrolled in Part A, Part B, or Medicare Advantage plans) and their family caregivers. Key provisions require Medicare to provide clear outreach via websites, notices, and call center training, include the authorization form prominently, and share fraud protection best practices. The bill also mandates multilingual access and feedback opportunities for caregivers, without changing Medicare benefits or costs.

Maddy summarySRES 541 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating January 1 to February 1, 2024, as "National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month" to raise public awareness about human trafficking and modern slavery. It does not create new laws or policies but encourages educational activities and partnerships among government agencies, nonprofits, and survivors during this period. The resolution aligns with historical observances, including National Freedom Day on February 1, which commemorates the 13th Amendment's ratification. It specifically urges coordinated efforts to support victims and combat trafficking through awareness, without implementing any concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily allows large cruise ships (carrying over 1,000 passengers) to operate between Alaska ports or between Alaska and Washington ports without meeting standard coastwise trade requirements. It applies specifically to vessels operating on these defined "covered routes" and requires the ship owner to notify the Coast Guard if they become eligible for coastwise trade. The exemption expires 270 days after notification unless the ship begins offering service on those routes within that period, with a possible 90-day extension if service starts late. This creates a limited transition period for cruise operators to comply with existing coastwise rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a comprehensive report on maternal health care access for military families within two years. The report will analyze staffing shortages (like obstetricians and nurses), challenges in accessing care (including wait times and travel), and continuity issues during military relocations. It will also track funding and out-of-pocket costs over a decade, identifying gaps in facilities located in "maternity care deserts." The bill directly affects military service members' spouses and dependents who rely on TRICARE or military medical facilities for prenatal, birthing, and postpartum care. Its key mechanism is mandating this detailed assessment to inform future improvements.

Maddy summaryThe SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2023 reauthorizes and expands the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), which provides free screenings and care coordination to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured women. It increases annual funding from $275 million in 2024 to $500 million by 2028 and adds specific provisions to reduce racial disparities, including enhanced patient navigation, evidence-based screening strategies, and targeted outreach to underserved communities. The bill directly affects women in all 50 states, territories, and tribal organizations who face barriers to cancer screening, particularly Black women and other minority groups disproportionately impacted by pandemic-related screening declines. Key mechanisms include requiring states to ensure equitable access to services and expanding program goals to focus on prevention, detection, and reducing cancer death rates in high-risk populations.