Sen. Jerry Moran

Maddy summarySRES 523 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin. The resolution expresses the Senate's sorrow at his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to communicate it to the House of Representatives and send a copy to his family, and instructs the Senate to adjourn as a mark of respect. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally commemorates Kohl's service and legacy. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of Senators and passed unanimously on January 11, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 3625, the "Protect Small Business and Prevent Illicit Financial Activity Act," tightens reporting deadlines for small businesses required to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). It changes deadlines from "in a timely manner" or "not later than 1 year" to a strict 90-day window for submitting reports. The bill also explicitly prohibits FinCEN from allowing businesses to skip reporting if they cannot obtain the required information, ensuring all covered entities comply. This directly affects small businesses subject to the beneficial ownership reporting rule under federal law. The changes aim to streamline compliance and enhance transparency to prevent illicit financial activity.

Maddy summary# Summary of "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (Employment Eligibility Verification Provisions) This legislation (primarily Sections 801-816) fundamentally reforms the U.S. employment eligibility verification system by replacing the current E-Verify program with a new, mandatory verification system for employers. ## Key Provisions: 1. **Mandatory Verification System**: Requires all employers to verify the work authorization of new hires through a new verification system established under Section 274A(d). 2. **Phased Implementation Timeline**: - Large employers (10,000+ employees): 6 months after enactment - Medium employers (500-10,000 employees): 12 months after enactment - Small employers (20-500 employees): 18 months after enactment - Very small employers (<20 employees): 24 months after enactment - Agricultural workers: 36 months after enactment 3. **Verification Process**: - Requires examination of specific documents to verify identity and work authorization - Establishes a verification system with confirmation or tentative nonconfirmation within 3 business days - Requires secondary verification process for tentative nonconfirmations 4. **Penalties for Non-Compliance**: - Civil penalties ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 per violation - Criminal penalties for pattern or practice violations ($5,000 per unauthorized alien) - Potential debarment from federal contracts for repeat violators 5. **Fraud Prevention Measures**: - Blocks social security account numbers subject to unusual multiple use - Allows suspension of compromised social security numbers - Protects children's identities from being used for employment verification 6. **Agricultural Workforce Provisions**: - Extended timeline for agricultural workers (36 months) - Specific definitions of agricultural labor - Study on agricultural workforce composition and recommendations 7. **Good Faith Defense**: - Allows employers to avoid penalties if they can demonstrate good faith compliance - Requires reasonable security measures for identity verification This legislation represents a significant expansion of employer verification requirements with substantial penalties for non-compliance, designed to strengthen enforcement against unauthorized employment while establishing a more comprehensive verification system. The phased approach aims to give employers time to adjust to the new requirements based on business size.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 32) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) on May 31, 2023. The rule, published as Regulation B under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), addressed how lenders must evaluate small business loan applications to prevent discrimination. If passed, the resolution would block this rule from taking effect, meaning lenders would not be required to follow these specific small business lending provisions. The bill directly affects the CFPB's regulatory authority and financial institutions that process small business loans under ECOA.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the READINESS Act (S 3530), provides federal agencies with specific options to support employees who are spouses of military members or Foreign Service officers facing a permanent relocation due to their spouse's assignment. It requires agencies to either allow full-time remote work (if job duties permit), transfer the employee to a similar position near the new duty station, or place them in nonpay, non-duty status for up to 36 months. The law applies to permanent federal employees who relocate because their spouse (a military member or Foreign Service officer) is assigned to a new permanent duty station. Agencies must report all requests and actions taken to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) annually, with OPM then submitting a consolidated report to Congress. The bill focuses on accommodating these employees' relocation needs through flexible work arrangements or temporary status, without creating new entitlements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new procedures for financial institutions to challenge regulatory exam findings. It requires agencies to issue final exam reports within 60 days and creates an Office of Independent Examination Review to handle appeals of "material supervisory determinations." Financial institutions can request independent reviews of significant exam findings, with decisions required within 60 days, and prohibits retaliation for using these review rights. The bill applies to all federally regulated banks, credit unions, and their examiners under the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council framework.

Maddy summaryThe Amended Sensible Classification Act of 2023 requires federal agencies to automatically review for declassification any classified records over 25 years old that are requested under FOIA or similar processes, unless the agency head certifies to Congress that declassification would harm national security. It mandates training for agency employees to prevent over-classification (classifying information at a higher level than necessary) and requires agencies to study whether they need to grant certain security clearances, with reports to Congress on minimizing personnel with access to classified information. The bill also directs the development of technology solutions for better classification and declassification systems across government agencies. These provisions apply to all federal agencies with classification authority, affecting how government handles classified information and security clearances.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal grant rules for cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells (orphan wells). It removes a requirement for states to measure methane emissions or conduct specific monitoring activities to qualify for these grants, giving states flexibility to choose whether to collect such data. Additionally, it directs the Interior Department to commission a National Academies study within 180 days to examine how plugging these wells affects local economies, housing, and water quality in communities where many wells were cleaned up. The study must include input from all five U.S. regions and report to Congress within 18 months of the last grant being awarded, using existing funding.

Maddy summaryThe TORNADO Act (S 1284) establishes a new hazard risk communication office within NOAA to improve how the public receives and understands warnings for severe weather events like tornadoes, hurricanes, and flash floods. It requires simplifying warning terminology, developing communication methods based on social science research, and creating a pilot program specifically for tornado warnings. The bill also mandates improved post-storm assessments, updates to tornado rating systems, and prioritizes research funding for minority-serving institutions to study tornado forecasting and communication. These changes aim to make weather warnings clearer, more actionable, and better tailored to vulnerable populations, with the goal of saving lives and reducing property damage.

Maddy summaryThe Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2023 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to disclose pricing information and prohibits them from keeping profit margins between what they charge health plans and what they pay pharmacies. It mandates annual reporting to the Federal Trade Commission about pricing differences, rebates, and formulary changes, and prohibits PBMs from arbitrarily reducing pharmacy reimbursements or increasing fees. The law affects PBMs, health plans, pharmacies, and drug manufacturers by requiring full transparency in drug pricing practices. It includes whistleblower protections for employees who report violations and establishes enforcement mechanisms through the FTC. This legislation aims to increase clarity in the prescription drug pricing system and reduce hidden costs for consumers and healthcare providers.