Sen. Jerry Moran

Maddy summarySRES 839 is a Senate resolution designating September 2024 as "National Student Parent Month." It expresses the Senate's support for student parents - individuals attending college while caring for children - and recognizes their contributions to higher education. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but formally acknowledges the challenges they face, such as balancing education, work, and caregiving responsibilities. It aims to raise awareness about this group, who make up roughly 1 in 5 postsecondary students (nearly 4 million people).

Maddy summaryThe Empowering Main Street in America Act of 2024 would make it easier for small businesses and startups to access capital by expanding securities exemptions and revising investor rules. It increases the revenue threshold for "emerging growth companies" from $1 billion to $2 billion (adjusted for inflation), maintains a $500,000 micro-offering cap with inflation adjustments, and creates new pathways for retail investors to qualify as accredited investors through education-based certification. The bill also requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to publish detailed economic data on capital markets and consider costs and benefits when creating new regulations. These changes would directly affect small businesses seeking funding, investors, and the SEC's regulatory approach to capital markets.

Maddy summaryThe Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2024 would require federal agencies to submit detailed reports to Congress before implementing new regulations, including cost-benefit analyses, economic impact assessments, and information about how the public can access the supporting data. Major regulations (those with significant economic effects) would need congressional approval through a joint resolution within 70 legislative days, while nonmajor regulations would follow a simpler disapproval process. The bill would also require agencies to publish all guidance documents online and create a regulatory budget system to track regulatory costs. This would increase transparency in the regulatory process and give Congress more formal oversight over federal regulations. The bill would affect all federal agencies that issue regulations and would require them to comply with these new review procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates federal grants to help homeowners build or add secondary living spaces (accessory dwelling units, or ADUs) to existing single-family homes. It directly affects homeowners with properties at least 25 years old, requiring them to live in the main home or an ADU for 5 years (or until death) and limiting household income to 150% of local median income. Grants cover up to 50% of an ADU's cost, capped at $100,000 (adjusted for inflation), with a total $200 million in funding authorized. The bill prohibits using funds for property purchases, political activities, or short-term leases under six months.

Maddy summaryThe Ensuring Military Access to Higher Education Benefits Act of 2023 requires the Department of Defense to establish a data-sharing agreement with the Department of Education within one year of enactment. This agreement will automatically count military service time (beginning October 1, 2007) for current and former active-duty service members and military civilian employees toward the public service loan forgiveness program under the Higher Education Act. It eliminates the need for these individuals to submit separate documentation to have their service periods verified. As a result, eligible military personnel can more easily qualify for student loan forgiveness without additional administrative steps.

Maddy summarySRES 818 is a Senate resolution celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (commonly known as the GI Bill). The resolution honors the historical impact of the GI Bill, which provided World War II veterans with educational benefits, home loans, and healthcare, leading to expanded higher education access and economic growth. It does not create new legal requirements or benefits but symbolically recognizes this milestone and encourages public reflection on the Act’s role in shaping the U.S. middle class.

Maddy summaryS 5035 establishes a national "External Provider Scheduling Program" within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve scheduling for veterans using the Veterans Community Care Program. The program requires VA schedulers to use real-time technology that displays availability of community health providers, aiming to reduce wait times from referral to appointment and shorten scheduler processing time. It mandates full implementation at all VA medical centers by September 2025 and requires annual reports to Congress on progress. This directly affects veterans seeking care outside VA facilities under the Community Care Program and the VA's scheduling processes. The bill focuses on concrete operational changes to streamline appointment access.

Maddy summaryS 5042, the "Protecting Our Land from Federal Overreach Act of 2024," amends the Federal Power Act to stop federal use of eminent domain for interstate electric transmission projects and require state consent. It prohibits using federal funds to exercise eminent domain for such projects after enactment and mandates that federal agencies cannot issue permits for transmission facilities in a state that objects. This directly affects states (which gain veto power over federal permitting), landowners (whose property cannot be taken without state approval), and transmission companies (which must secure state approval for projects). The bill shifts authority from federal regulators to state governments regarding siting decisions for electric transmission infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThe Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act amends a federal criminal law to expand penalties for interfering with energy transportation infrastructure, such as pipelines and power lines. It broadens prohibited acts to include vandalism, tampering, disrupting operations, and preventing construction of these systems. This change directly affects individuals who engage in such actions, increasing legal consequences for disrupting energy infrastructure projects. The bill does not create new infrastructure but strengthens existing legal protections for energy transportation networks.

Maddy summaryThe Water Project Navigators Act establishes a federal program to fund "navigators" who assist eligible entities - including states, tribes, local governments, and nonprofits - in developing and implementing multi-benefit water projects. These projects must enhance water supply resilience (e.g., through conservation, efficiency, and climate adaptation) while providing community and ecosystem benefits like improved water quality, habitat, and drought risk reduction. The program prioritizes support for disadvantaged communities, Indian Tribes, and drought-affected areas, with $15 million annually allocated for 2024-2029 to cover up to 75% of project costs. Navigators help with grant writing, technical assistance, and project management, requiring coordination with existing federal water initiatives and compliance with environmental laws.