Sen. John Hoeven

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint three commemorative coins in 2026 to honor Golda Meir (Israel’s first female Prime Minister) and mark the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Israel relations. It specifies $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar coins bearing her image and inscriptions like "Golda Meir, Israel 75, 2026," with surcharges of $35, $10, and $5 per coin respectively. All surcharge revenue will fund Kiryat Sanz Laniado Hospital in Israel, while the coins - minted only in 2026 - will be sold as collectibles with no net cost to the U.S. government.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 25) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific Department of Labor rule regarding wage rates for H-2A agricultural workers. It targets the rule published in the Federal Register (88 Fed. Reg. 12760) that established a methodology for calculating "Adverse Effect Wage Rates" (AEWR) for temporary H-2A nonimmigrant workers in non-range occupations. If passed, the resolution would block this rule from taking effect, directly affecting agricultural employers who rely on H-2A visas and the workers themselves by preventing the implementation of the new wage calculation method. The resolution does not create new policy but aims to halt an existing rule through the congressional disapproval process under U.S. Code.

Maddy summaryThe Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act (S 1237) would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to exclude specific family-owned assets from being counted when calculating a student's financial need for federal aid. It directly affects students from families owning a farm where they reside or a small business (with 100 or fewer full-time employees) that is family-controlled. The bill adds explicit exemptions for these assets in the financial aid formula, removing their value from asset calculations. This change would increase eligibility for need-based aid like Pell Grants for affected students without altering other aid program rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 10) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding reproductive health services for veterans. It requests Congress disapprove the rule (published September 2022) under a process in federal law that allows Congress to halt agency regulations. If approved, the VA rule would be nullified and could not take effect, meaning the VA could not enforce its provisions on reproductive health services for veterans. The bill directly affects the implementation of this VA policy for veterans receiving care at VA facilities.

Maddy summaryS 1212 establishes federal standards for remote and electronic notarizations, enabling notaries to perform these services across state lines for individuals not physically present. Key provisions require identity verification (using two methods or a credible witness), mandatory audio/video recording of remote notarizations (retained for 5-10 years), and secure attachment of electronic signatures to documents. The bill ensures courts and states recognize these notarizations as valid regardless of whether the notary used electronic records or served a remotely located individual. It does not require notaries to offer these services but creates a uniform baseline for interstate recognition, while allowing states to maintain stricter rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends key labor laws to strengthen worker protections and clarify union election processes. It requires employers to provide voter lists for union elections with only one employee-chosen contact detail (like email or phone), mandates secret ballot elections for union representation, and restricts union dues from funding non-representational activities without written employee consent for at least 35 days. The bill also clarifies joint employment standards, making it harder for companies to avoid responsibility for workers' pay and conditions, and adds tribal sovereignty protections to labor law definitions. These changes directly affect employers, unions, and employees in collective bargaining contexts.

Maddy summarySRES 161 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating April 22-30, 2023, as "National Park Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but formally recognizes the National Park System's significance. The resolution highlights the parks' historical value, visitor impact (312 million visits in 2022), and economic contributions ($42.5 billion in 2021). It encourages public engagement with national parks but contains no funding, regulatory changes, or policy mechanisms. As a procedural resolution, it serves purely to honor the parks' legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal agencies from banning lead ammunition or tackle for hunting and fishing on federal lands and waters managed by the Interior Department or Agriculture Department. It directly affects hunters and anglers using these public areas by preventing federal restrictions on lead products, except in limited cases. The exception allows restrictions only on specific federal sites where state wildlife data shows lead use is harming wildlife, and only if approved by the state's fish and wildlife agency. The bill requires federal agencies to explain in public notices how any exception meets these state approval and wildlife harm criteria.

Maddy summarySRES 148 is a ceremonial Senate resolution (not a law) passed in March 2023 that formally recognizes the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women. It highlights their historical and ongoing achievements in areas like military service, business ownership, healthcare, arts, and civil rights through specific examples (e.g., veterans, entrepreneurs, activists). The resolution has no policy or funding mechanisms - it solely expresses the Senate's intent to honor these contributions and acknowledge the need to address barriers they face. It was introduced by Senators Murkowski, Schatz, and others with bipartisan support.

Maddy summarySRES 120 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating March 23, 2023, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the significant contributions of women in U.S. agriculture, citing that they represent over one-third of agricultural producers and generated $148 billion in sales in 2017. The resolution encourages citizens to acknowledge women in the field and supports their roles as producers, educators, mentors, and leaders. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or funding but aims to highlight their impact on the agricultural workforce and food systems.