Sen. Mike Crapo

Maddy summaryThe EMIT LESS Act of 2024 directs the USDA to establish research facilities and training programs focused on reducing methane emissions from livestock digestion. It creates testing labs for methane-mitigating products, funds training at land-grant universities, and updates farm conservation programs to include payments for practices that lower enteric methane. Specifically, it amends the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program to allow payments for livestock feed management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This bill directly affects livestock farmers participating in USDA conservation programs by providing new funding pathways for methane-reducing practices.

Maddy summaryS 4048, the North American Wetlands Conservation Extension Act, increases annual funding for wetlands conservation programs. It amends the existing law to authorize up to $65 million per year (from $60 million) for fiscal years 2024 through 2028, extending the funding period beyond the previous 2021-2025 authorization. This bill directly affects the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund, which provides grants to conservation projects protecting wetlands habitat across North America. The change is purely procedural, adjusting funding levels and timelines without altering program requirements or eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates March 21, 2024, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the contributions of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors, highlighting their role in farming operations, agricultural sales (accounting for 36% of U.S. farm sales in 2022), and workforce development. The resolution encourages all citizens to acknowledge women's impact on the agricultural industry and support their participation in the field through initiatives like mentorship and education. As a symbolic gesture with no legal effect, it does not create new policies or obligations but aims to raise awareness of women's roles in agriculture.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3992) prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from making new direct loans under its 7(a) program, which previously allowed the SBA to lend directly to small businesses. It specifically stops the SBA from issuing new direct loans after the bill's enactment, though it requires the SBA to continue servicing any existing direct loans made before the law took effect. The key mechanism is a clear prohibition on new direct lending, shifting future 7(a) credit access to rely on SBA-guaranteed loans through private lenders instead. This directly affects the SBA's operational authority and the structure of how small businesses access certain types of federal credit.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 9-member commission to study whether the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia should transfer to the Smithsonian Institution. The commission must examine the museum’s collections, finances, governance, legal constraints, and feasibility of integration - including costs for operating a new Smithsonian museum outside Washington, D.C. - and report findings within two years. It will also develop a fund-raising plan and legislative recommendations for potential transfer. The bill does not authorize the transfer itself but sets up a formal review process. The study will directly affect the museum’s future operations and relationship with the Smithsonian.

Maddy summaryThe PAST Act of 2024 amends the Horse Protection Act to strengthen protections against "soring" - the deliberate infliction of pain on horses to exaggerate their gait, primarily affecting Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses at shows, exhibitions, or sales. Key provisions include defining prohibited "action devices" (like certain boots or weighted shoes), implementing stricter disqualification periods for sore horses (180 days, then 1 year, then 3 years), requiring licensed, conflict-free inspectors, and increasing penalties for violations (fines up to $5,000 per offense and up to 3 years in prison). The bill directly affects event organizers, inspectors, competitors, and horse owners by mandating new inspection protocols and enforcement. It focuses on concrete policy changes to prevent animal cruelty in the horse show industry.

Maddy summaryS. Res. 591 is a Senate resolution introduced on March 19, 2024, that formally reaffirms the U.S.-Canada partnership as a strategic asset for economic and national security. It highlights key economic ties, including $1.3 trillion in annual bilateral trade supporting 7.5 million U.S. jobs, and security cooperation on border management, defense, energy, and critical minerals. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws but expresses the Senate’s commitment to deepening collaboration across these areas. The resolution was sponsored by Senators Cramer, King, and others, citing shared democratic values and mutual security interests.

Maddy summarySRES 597 is a Senate resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women. It formally celebrates their historical and ongoing achievements in fields like military service, business ownership, healthcare, science, arts, and civil rights, without creating new laws or policies. The resolution highlights specific examples, such as their roles in the military (including veterans and pioneers like Minnie Spotted Wolf), economic contributions (e.g., over 160,000 businesses owned by Native women), and cultural preservation efforts. As a symbolic gesture, it does not provide funding or mandate action but aims to honor these women's impact on U.S. society.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to collect and standardize data on U.S. recycling and composting systems to improve accountability. It mandates reports on composting infrastructure capabilities, federal agency recycling practices, and end-market sales of recyclables, while creating a national inventory of materials recovery facilities. The law directly affects the EPA, states, local governments, and Indian Tribes by requiring them to provide data on recycling rates, facility capabilities, and material flows. Key mechanisms include standardizing reporting rates, studying material diversion from circular markets, and developing voluntary guidelines for labeling and public education. The bill focuses on building a factual foundation for future policy decisions, not on imposing new recycling mandates.

Maddy summaryThe Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2024 establishes a federal pilot grant program to improve recycling access in underserved communities. It authorizes $30 million annually (2023-2027) to fund competitive grants for eligible entities - including states, local governments, tribes, and public-private partnerships - to build transfer stations, expand curbside recycling, and create hub-and-spoke infrastructure networks. Grants range from $500,000 to $15 million per project, with 70% of funds reserved for single or multiple underserved communities lacking nearby recycling facilities. The program prohibits grant use for education and requires the EPA to report on outcomes, including recycling rate improvements, within two years of first grants.