Sen. Mark Kelly

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how federal highway funds are distributed to states, affecting all states receiving funding for programs like highway safety, freight, and air quality improvements. It requires that each state's combined apportionment for multiple highway programs cannot fall below 95% of the amount calculated based on that state's share of highway user tax payments into the Highway Trust Fund (excluding mass transit funds). The formula adjusts historical allocations to better align with each state's contribution to the trust fund, using the most recent available tax data. This adjustment applies starting in fiscal year 2024 for all affected programs.

Maddy summaryThe Aviation WORKS Act (S 368) expands federal funding to support workforce development in aviation manufacturing and related industries. It creates four new grant programs providing $20 million annually (2024-2028) for: (1) aviation companies designing/producing aircraft components with FAA approvals, (2) schools offering aviation manufacturing programs, (3) workforce partnerships connecting industry and education, and (4) planning for regional aviation training initiatives. These grants fund technical training, scholarships, apprenticeships, career outreach to underrepresented groups, and support for veterans transitioning to aviation careers. The bill directly affects aviation manufacturers, educational institutions with aviation programs, and industry partnerships seeking to build workforce pipelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans with combat-related disabilities and less than 20 years of service to receive both military retired pay and VA disability compensation simultaneously. Previously, such veterans had their retired pay reduced to avoid "concurrent receipt" of both benefits. The bill removes the 20-year service requirement for this group, applying specifically to those retired under Chapter 61 of Title 10 with a combat-related disability as defined in existing law. It does not change eligibility for veterans with non-combat disabilities or those with 20+ years of service.

Maddy summaryThis bill excludes certain federal broadband grants from recipients' taxable income, directly affecting internet service providers, local governments, tribes, and other entities receiving qualifying grants under specific programs. Key provisions clarify that grant money from programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (Section 60102) or State Digital Equity Grants (Section 60304) is not counted as income. It also prevents double tax benefits by disallowing deductions for expenses covered by these grants and reducing the adjusted basis of related property. The rule applies to grants received after March 11, 2021, and covers grants funded through federal broadband initiatives or state/local programs using specific federal funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study assessing how federal highway funds are distributed to states. The study will evaluate whether current funding formulas fairly reflect highway user payments and tax contributions, while also checking if they meet transportation goals. It mandates an assessment of existing data factors, data accuracy, and potential new metrics for future funding formulas. The Secretary must report findings and recommendations to Congress within two years, including options for a revised apportionment method. This study directly affects all states receiving federal highway funds, but does not change current funding allocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new visitor category for Canadian citizens aged 50 or older who maintain a primary residence in Canada. It allows them to enter the U.S. for up to 240 days per year (within a 365-day period) if they own or rent property in the U.S., meet immigration requirements, and agree not to work for U.S. employers or access certain public benefits. The bill also clarifies that these visitors remain classified as nonresident aliens for U.S. tax purposes. It directly affects Canadian retirees seeking extended stays in the U.S. without changing their primary residence or employment status in Canada.

Maddy summarySRES 28 is a symbolic Senate resolution commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003. It honors the seven astronauts who died - Colonel Rick Husband, Commander Willie McCool, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Anderson, Captain David Brown, Captain Laurel Clark, Dr. Kalpana Chawla, and Colonel Ilan Ramon - and expresses condolences to their families. The resolution also recognizes recovery personnel who lost their lives during debris searches and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to safety in space exploration, including future Artemis missions. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal effect but serves as a formal tribute to the crew's sacrifice.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week beginning February 5, 2023, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week" to symbolically recognize these institutions. It directly honors the 35 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities operating across 15 states, which serve over 230 federally recognized tribes and provide higher education access to American Indian, Alaska Native, and other students in underserved communities. The resolution calls for national recognition through appropriate activities but does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes. It is a ceremonial measure without binding legal effect.

Maddy summaryS 260, the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act, amends Medicare rules to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to certify coverage for specialized diabetic shoes for beneficiaries with diabetes. This change directly affects Medicare patients requiring diabetic footwear by expanding the healthcare providers authorized to meet documentation requirements. The key provision updates Section 1861(s)(12) of the Social Security Act to include these providers where "physician" is currently listed. This simplifies access to covered footwear without altering Medicare benefits or costs.

Maddy summaryThe Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2023 creates a new Medicare payment to incentivize medical residency training in rural areas. Hospitals can receive additional funding for residents who spend at least 8 weeks in rural training locations or for residents in programs where over half of training occurs in rural settings. The payment amount is based on updated national medical residency training costs, adjusted annually for inflation. This bill aims to increase the number of physicians trained for rural practice by providing financial incentives to hospitals, critical access hospitals, and sole community hospitals.