Sen. John Boozman

Maddy summaryThis bill protects airport sponsors (like public airports or joint-use facilities) from federal environmental liability claims related to PFAS chemicals used in firefighting foam. It specifically exempts them from costs under the federal environmental law (CERCLA) if the PFAS release resulted solely from using the foam as required by the FAA for safety compliance and following FAA guidelines. The exemption does not apply if the airport sponsor acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in using the foam. This law directly affects airports that use FAA-mandated firefighting foam but does not shield them from liability for reckless conduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to allow charitable organizations to provide grants for college housing improvements without losing their tax-exempt status. Specifically, it clarifies that grants for capital improvements to dormitories or residential facilities (like building, repairing, or maintaining student housing) qualify as charitable under IRS rules, as long as the property is primarily for full-time students. It excludes grants for fitness facilities from this provision. The bill directly affects tax-exempt charities making such grants and the colleges or universities operating student housing properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects certain waste and compost facilities from federal environmental liability for PFAS releases under CERCLA. It exempts owners/operators of solid waste facilities and compost processors from lawsuits if PFAS was released during permitted disposal of municipal waste residuals, biosolids management, or compost processing under state law. The exemption does not apply if the facility acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct. This directly affects waste management companies, compost businesses, and government entities operating these facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects public water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and related entities from liability under federal environmental law for PFAS releases, provided they follow all applicable laws during treatment or disposal. It exempts these "protected entities" from cost-recovery claims under CERCLA when handling PFAS in ways consistent with existing water treatment practices, such as managing biosolids, discharging treated water, or disposing of filter media. The exemption does not apply if a facility acts with gross negligence or willful misconduct in handling PFAS. This directly affects water utilities and municipalities managing PFAS-contaminated water or byproducts under current federal and state regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1424) improves access to dental and vision care by requiring health plans to allow doctors of optometry, dental surgery, or dental medicine to charge enrollees up to their standard fees for services not covered by the plan (with exceptions for dental cleanings). It prohibits plans from restricting providers' choices of laboratories or suppliers for materials used in care. The bill also mandates annual state enforcement notifications and clarifies that state laws governing dental/vision plans take precedence over federal provisions. It directly affects health insurance plans offering limited dental/vision coverage, enrollees using these services, and dental/optometry providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts agricultural operations from liability under the federal CERCLA law for releases of specific PFAS chemicals used in farming. It directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses (defined as "protected entities") who produce or harvest crops, shielding them from lawsuits or cleanup costs related to covered PFAS substances. The exemption applies to non-volatile PFAS hazardous substances (excluding gases) used in agricultural practices, but does not protect against liability for gross negligence or willful misconduct. The law changes existing environmental liability rules to specifically exclude routine agricultural activities involving these chemicals.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 183) is a ceremonial Senate measure celebrating the 151st anniversary of Arbor Day on April 28, 2023. It recognizes April 28, 2023, as National Arbor Day and encourages all Americans to participate in tree-planting activities. The resolution highlights Arbor Day’s history since 1872 and emphasizes community efforts in urban forestry, but it does not create new laws or policies. It directly affects the public by promoting awareness of tree planting and environmental stewardship. As a symbolic gesture, it has no binding effect on government actions or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage, canceling policies, or increasing premiums for life, disability, or long-term care insurance solely because someone is a living organ donor, without considering actual health risks. It also updates the Family and Medical Leave Act to include recovery from organ donation surgery as a qualifying condition for leave for private-sector employees and federal workers. Additionally, the bill requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to update public educational materials about living organ donation within six months, covering benefits, risks, and the new insurance protections. These changes directly affect living organ donors, insurers, and employers who must comply with the updated leave and insurance rules.

Maddy summaryThe HELP Copays Act (S 1375) changes how health insurance plans calculate patient cost-sharing. It requires that discounts, financial assistance, or third-party payments (like drug manufacturer coupons) count toward a patient’s deductible, copayment, or out-of-pocket limit. This directly affects individuals enrolled in group or individual health insurance plans who receive such assistance. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act and Affordable Care Act to ensure these payments reduce the actual out-of-pocket costs patients face, rather than being treated as separate expenses.

Maddy summaryThe LAKES Act (S 1358) amends federal laws to streamline how recreation fees are collected and used at water resource projects managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It allows qualified non-Federal public entities (like local governments) and private nonprofit organizations to collect visitor fees for recreation facilities, retain up to 100% of those fees, and use them specifically for operating and maintaining the site where fees were collected. The bill requires that at least 80% of fees collected at a single location must be spent there, and it explicitly states these fees cannot replace regular federal funding for recreation site operations. This directly affects local governments, nonprofit groups managing recreation sites, and the Corps of Engineers, which oversees the implementation.