Sen. Jerry Moran

Maddy summaryS 3755 amends the CARES Act by removing subsection (c) from Section 4024 (15 U.S.C. 9058). This procedural change eliminates a specific federal housing regulation that may have conflicted with state housing laws. The bill directly affects entities subject to CARES Act housing provisions, such as housing providers or agencies receiving federal funds. The key mechanism is the deletion of the specified subsection, aligning the law with state housing regulations as indicated by the bill's title.

Maddy summarySRES 544 designates the week beginning February 5, 2024, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." The resolution recognizes Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) for serving over 230 federally recognized tribes, preserving indigenous languages and cultural traditions, and providing accessible education in economically isolated areas. It calls on the public and organizations to observe the week with activities supporting TCUs, which offer open-enrollment higher education to American Indian, Alaska Native, and other students. This is a symbolic recognition resolution with no direct policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThe Words Matter Act of 2024 updates federal law to replace outdated terms like "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" with "intellectual disability" and "individuals with intellectual disabilities" across numerous statutes. It affects healthcare programs (including Medicare, Medicaid, and mental health courts), education (such as school lunch programs), and social services by revising language in over 30 provisions of federal law. The bill explicitly states this terminology change does not alter eligibility, coverage, rights, or service requirements for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This update aligns federal language with current respectful terminology while maintaining existing program structures and benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program to improve how the government guarantees bonds issued by community development financial institutions (CDFIs). It sets a minimum guarantee of $25 million per transaction while capping total annual guarantees at $1 billion, and extends the program's deadline to four years after enactment. The bill also requires the Treasury Secretary to report to Congress on the program's effectiveness within one and three years of enactment. These changes aim to provide CDFIs with more predictable long-term capital to fund projects in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Space National Guard as part of the organized militia in states, territories, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia where the Space Force operates, and creates a Space National Guard of the United States as the Space Force's reserve component. It defines key terms for these entities in federal law (including requirements for training, federal recognition, and status as a space force), mandates implementation by the Air Force and National Guard Bureau within one year, and requires annual congressional briefings on operations and funding. The bill explicitly states it does not affect existing military installations or require facility relocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Natural Gas Act to give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exclusive authority to approve or deny applications for LNG terminal construction, expansion, or operation for exporting or importing natural gas. It requires FERC to deem LNG exports consistent with the public interest when making decisions, streamlining the approval process for energy companies seeking to build or expand export facilities. The bill clarifies that this change does not affect other federal agencies' responsibilities regarding LNG facilities or existing laws governing imports/exports. It directly affects LNG terminal developers, energy exporters, and the federal regulatory process for natural gas trade.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3646) updates the Housing Act of 1949 to support rural housing projects. It extends the repayment term for rural housing site loans from two years to five years and expands the allowed uses of these loans to include surveying, architecture, and engineering services needed for land development. The changes directly affect nonprofit organizations that develop sites for low- and moderate-income rural families. The key provisions clarify loan flexibility and provide more time for project completion, making it easier for nonprofits to secure and manage these housing developments.

Maddy summaryThe Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act of 2024 requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a study every two years on cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities affecting the agriculture and food sector - including farmers, processors, distributors, and retailers - and assess impacts on food safety, public health, and the economy. The study must identify gaps in current defenses and recommend improvements, with reports submitted to Congress. Additionally, the Act mandates annual simulation exercises over five years to test the sector's response to food supply chain disruptions, involving government agencies and private companies, with findings reported to Congress. The law authorizes $1 million annually from 2024 through 2028 to fund these activities.

Maddy summaryS.1108, the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2023, repeals the federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax for estates of people who die after the bill's enactment. It also modifies the gift tax by establishing a $10 million lifetime exemption (adjusted for inflation) and creating a new tax rate schedule for gifts. This bill directly affects high-net-worth individuals who would have paid estate or gift taxes on large transfers of wealth. The changes take effect after the bill's passage, with the exemption adjusted annually for inflation.

Maddy summaryThe Farm to Fly Act of 2024 amends USDA farm bill programs to explicitly include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a qualifying biofuel, directly benefiting farmers, biofuel producers, and the aviation industry. It updates definitions to define SAF as fuel meeting strict environmental standards (like 50%+ lifecycle emissions reduction) and requires USDA to coordinate a new "Farm to Fly" initiative to advance SAF development. Key provisions include integrating SAF into existing USDA financial assistance programs for biorefineries and renewable chemicals, and directing the Secretary of Agriculture to leverage agricultural resources for SAF commercialization. This bill aims to expand domestic SAF supply chains, support rural economies through new markets for farmers, and advance clean energy goals in aviation.