Sen. Raphael G. Warnock

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that federal transportation funding restrictions do not apply to state or local general sales taxes or generally applicable sales taxes. It amends two sections of federal law (49 U.S.C. §47107 and §47133) by replacing references to "local taxes" and "State tax" with "local excise taxes" and "State excise tax," respectively. The key change explicitly excludes general sales taxes from being subject to federal rules governing how transportation funds can be used, directly affecting state and local governments that collect these taxes for transportation projects.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 110) honoring the late James George Abourezk, the first Arab American to serve in the U.S. Senate (1973-1979) from South Dakota. It commemorates his legacy, including his work re-establishing the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and co-authoring key Native American rights legislation like the Indian Child Welfare Act. The resolution directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory and send a copy to his family, acknowledging his service as a representative and advocate for Native American communities. As a procedural resolution, it has no legislative effect beyond commemoration.

Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2023 This bill establishes an area wage adjustment floor for Medicare hospital payments in states that are not frontier states and excludes such adjustments from certain budget neutrality rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens protections for whistleblowers reporting securities violations to the SEC. It expands who qualifies as a whistleblower to include groups acting jointly and allows reporting internally to supervisors or designated colleagues who can address misconduct, rather than only to the SEC. It also requires the SEC to process award claims within one year (with limited extensions for complex cases) and prohibits companies from using contracts to waive whistleblower rights or force arbitration. These changes directly affect employees who report suspected violations of securities laws by their employers.

Maddy summaryS 802, the Plant Biostimulant Act of 2023, removes plant biostimulants from regulation under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). It defines plant biostimulants as substances or microorganisms that improve plant growth and nutrient efficiency without relying on their nutrient content, excluding them from FIFRA oversight. The bill requires the EPA to revise regulations within 120 days to reflect this exclusion and mandates a soil health study by the Secretary of Agriculture. This study will evaluate how biostimulants affect soil health metrics like organic matter, nutrient runoff, and carbon sequestration, with a public report due within one year. The bill directly affects producers and users of biostimulant products in agriculture.

Maddy summaryThe PHIT Act of 2023 would allow taxpayers to deduct certain fitness expenses as medical costs on federal tax returns. It defines "qualified sports and fitness expenses" to include gym memberships, exercise classes, and equipment used exclusively for physical activity, with a yearly limit of $1,000 ($2,000 for joint filers). To qualify, fitness facilities must focus on health (not offer golf or hunting) and comply with anti-discrimination laws, while equipment costs are capped at $250 per item. This change would take effect for tax years beginning after the bill's enactment.

This resolution designates March 9, 2023, as National Slam the Scam Day to raise awareness about scams involving individuals impersonating government employees, encourage policies to prevent such scams, recognize those who work to prevent such scams, and encourage the public to report and share information about such scams.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2023 requires the U.S. government to address forced organ harvesting by mandating annual reports on the issue in foreign countries and allowing passport denial or revocation for individuals convicted of organ trafficking. It directs the President to impose sanctions - including asset blocking and visa bans - on individuals or entities involved in forced organ harvesting, with exceptions for humanitarian aid. The bill defines "forced organ harvesting" as organ removal by coercion, deception, or abuse of power, and "trafficking" as recruiting or transporting people for organ removal through similar means. These provisions aim to hold accountable those exploiting vulnerable individuals for organ removal.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop voluntary, industry-led standards for precision agriculture equipment within two years. These standards will focus on improving how farming technology connects and works together - addressing cybersecurity, connectivity needs, and the role of 5G/AI - to make adoption easier for farmers. The Government Accountability Office will then assess these standards annually for eight years, evaluating whether they encourage wider use of precision agriculture and were developed with industry input. The goal is to boost U.S. leadership in global standards-setting, helping farmers use resources like water, fertilizer, and fuel more efficiently.

Maddy summaryS 753, the "Good Jobs for Good Airports Act," requires airports receiving federal funding to pay covered airport service workers a minimum wage of $15 per hour or higher (based on local standards, the Service Contract Act, or state/local laws), plus minimum fringe benefits. It directly affects workers in roles like baggage handling, security, concessions, cleaning, and ticketing at airports classified as "small," "medium," or "large hub" airports. Key mechanisms include annual certification by airport operators that all covered workers meet these standards, with compliance tied to eligibility for federal airport grants. The law does not override stricter state or local wage laws but sets a baseline for federally funded airport projects.