Sen. Brian Schatz

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would give Congress and states the authority to regulate campaign contributions and spending, including setting limits and prohibiting corporations from spending money to influence elections. It explicitly protects freedom of the press by stating the amendment cannot be used to abridge it. If ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures, it would establish a new constitutional standard for campaign finance regulation.

Maddy summaryThe Carbon Dioxide Removal Research and Development Act of 2023 establishes a federal program to research and develop carbon dioxide removal technologies across multiple departments. It creates an Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management within the Department of Energy to coordinate research and authorizes over $10 billion in funding through 2033 for projects including direct air capture, forest restoration, soil carbon management, and ocean-based removal techniques. The bill requires lifecycle analyses and environmental justice assessments for all technologies and establishes competitive demonstration projects with specific cost requirements. Federal agencies must prioritize carbon removal research in their programs, directing billions of dollars toward advancing these technologies to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires current and new Members of Congress, along with their spouses and dependent children (under 19 and IRS dependents), to divest or place most investments - including stocks, bonds, and derivatives - into qualified blind trusts within 120 days of enactment or assuming office, with limited 180-day extensions total. It prohibits acquiring new covered investments during congressional service, except for inheritances (which must be handled within 120 days), and excludes diversified funds, Treasury securities, and retirement plan holdings from the requirement. Non-compliance triggers monthly civil penalties equal to the member’s salary, enforced by ethics offices that must publicly report compliance details. The law aims to prevent conflicts of interest by separating lawmakers' personal financial interests from legislative duties.

Maddy summaryThe Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act requires employers to provide detailed paystubs showing wage calculations, timely final payments within 14 days of termination, and strengthens workers' ability to recover stolen wages. It increases civil penalties for wage theft violations from $10,000 to $22,030 per employee affected for initial violations, and extends the statute of limitations for wage theft claims from 2-3 years to 4-5 years. The bill creates a $50 million grant program to fund community partnerships that prevent wage theft and assist workers in recovering unpaid wages. These provisions target widespread wage theft that disproportionately affects low-wage workers, women, immigrants, and racial and ethnic minorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Supreme Court to establish a code of conduct for justices within 180 days of enactment, with public access to these rules on the Court's website. It sets minimum disclosure standards for gifts, income, and reimbursements received by justices and their law clerks, and strengthens recusal requirements when justices have financial ties to parties in cases. The bill creates procedures for filing complaints about justices' conduct and establishes a judicial investigation panel to review such complaints, while also requiring parties and amicus curiae to disclose gifts to justices and lobbying activities related to the nomination of justices. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in Supreme Court operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits law enforcement and intelligence agencies from purchasing personal data from third-party data brokers, including location information, communication contents, and online activity records. It defines "covered records" as information about people inside the U.S. or U.S. persons outside the U.S., and requires government requests for such information to follow the same legal standards as requests from telecommunications providers. The bill prohibits using illegally obtained information as evidence in court and establishes that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is the exclusive legal process for collecting certain types of data for foreign intelligence purposes. It also prevents agencies from sharing information obtained through improper means with other government entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires credit reporting agencies to use only a consumer's current legal name on credit reports after the consumer requests it. It directly affects individuals who have legally changed their names (e.g., through marriage or court order) but still see old names on their credit reports. The key provision mandates that agencies stop using any prior names upon receiving a consumer's written request, ensuring credit reports reflect the most up-to-date legal identity. This change removes outdated name information from credit reports without requiring additional consumer verification beyond the initial request.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to change eligibility criteria for a specific immigration provision. It replaces the previous requirement of having entered the U.S. before July 1, 1924, or January 1, 1972, with a new rule requiring applicants to have entered at least 7 years prior to their application date. This change would directly affect long-term residents who entered after 1972 but have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least 7 years, making them eligible under this provision. The amendments take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThe Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 strengthens enforcement of the existing Animal Welfare Act by requiring dealers and exhibitors to maintain valid licenses for animal sales or transport. It expands enforcement authority for both the USDA and the Attorney General to pursue civil penalties (up to $10,000 per violation per day), seize animals in violation cases, and use penalty funds to cover temporary care costs for animals during legal proceedings. The bill also clarifies that enforcement applies to rules and regulations under the Act, and mandates a new coordination agreement between the USDA and DOJ to address repeat violators. These changes directly affect animal dealers, exhibitors, and federal enforcement agencies, improving accountability for animal welfare violations.

Maddy summaryThe AI Labeling Act of 2023 requires companies developing or licensing generative AI systems (like those creating images, videos, audio, or text) to clearly label AI-generated content for consumers. This includes visible, permanent disclosures stating the content is AI-made, plus metadata identifying the AI tool and creation time - where technically feasible. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these rules as deceptive practices, and a new working group will develop technical standards to help platforms detect AI content. The bill directly affects AI developers, platform operators, and third-party licensees of generative AI systems.