Sen. Pete Ricketts

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 23) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The rule, published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2022, established regulations for listing endangered/threatened species and designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. If passed, this resolution would nullify that rule, preventing it from having legal effect. The bill directly affects how the National Marine Fisheries Service implements species protection under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 213) expresses the U.S. Senate's support for designating May 2023 as "Renewable Fuels Month." It recognizes renewable fuels' role in reducing carbon emissions, lowering consumer fuel prices, supporting rural communities, and decreasing reliance on foreign energy sources. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges these benefits through symbolic recognition. It directly affects no specific group or policy, serving only as a statement of support.

Maddy summaryThe EARN IT Act of 2023 establishes a National Commission on Online Child Sexual Exploitation Prevention to develop voluntary best practices for interactive computer services (such as social media platforms and messaging apps) to prevent, reduce, and respond to online child sexual exploitation. The Commission will create recommended practices considering different platform sizes and business models, including content moderation, reporting systems, and age verification measures. The bill updates federal law to replace the term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" across numerous statutes and technical amendments. These best practices would be voluntary for platforms to adopt, not mandatory requirements, and must be supported by at least 14 of the Commission's 19 members. The Commission's recommendations will be updated every 5 years and published by the Department of Justice.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a corporate minimum tax provision in the Internal Revenue Code. It directly affects corporations by eliminating their requirement to pay a separate minimum tax (known as the corporate alternative minimum tax) that applied alongside regular corporate income tax. Key provisions amend tax code sections to set the corporate minimum tax amount to zero and remove related adjustments and calculations. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Back the Blue Act of 2023," strengthens federal protections for law enforcement officers by creating new criminal penalties for killing or assaulting them while on duty. It makes it a federal crime to kill or attempt to kill law enforcement officers, federal judges, or federally funded public safety officers (including firefighters and first responders) during official duties, with penalties ranging from 10 years to life in prison or death if the victim dies. The bill also establishes a new federal offense for fleeing interstate to avoid prosecution for killing law enforcement officers and adds a new aggravating factor for death penalty cases involving officers. Additionally, it expands law enforcement officers' rights to carry firearms in certain circumstances and limits federal habeas corpus relief for murder convictions involving law enforcement officers.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 119 recognizes the 202nd anniversary of Greece's independence (celebrated March 25, 2023) and celebrates the shared democratic values between Greece and the United States. The resolution highlights historical ties, including U.S. support during Greece's 1821 independence struggle, Greece's role in World War II, and its current status as a U.S. NATO ally. It also commends Greece's contributions to global security and its support for Ukraine's sovereignty following Russia's invasion. This procedural resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to strengthen bilateral relations without enacting new laws.

Maddy summaryThe RESTART Act (S 1449) streamlines environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act by setting page limits (150 pages for standard environmental impact statements, 300 for complex projects) and strict timelines (2 years for final environmental impact statements, 1 year for environmental assessments). It limits judicial review by requiring lawsuits to be filed within 60 days of publication and setting 180-day deadlines for courts to resolve cases. The bill also modifies Clean Water Act permitting requirements and includes specific provisions expediting approval for the Mountain Valley Pipeline project. These changes primarily affect federal agencies conducting environmental reviews, project sponsors seeking permits, and states involved in environmental permitting processes.

Maddy summaryThe LEOSA Reform Act (S 1462) clarifies and expands federal protections for qualified active and retired law enforcement officers who carry concealed firearms, directly affecting those who meet specific standards. It updates existing law to explicitly allow these officers to carry firearms in National Park System areas and on public property (even with entry fees), while requiring retired officers to maintain recent firearms qualification standards (within 12-36 months) to retain their rights. The bill also explicitly permits qualified officers to carry firearms in certain Federal facilities open to the public, such as Security Level I or II buildings. These changes streamline federal firearm carry rules for law enforcement personnel without altering state laws or creating new restrictions.

Maddy summaryThe SPUR Act (S 1456) streamlines oil, gas, and mineral development on federal lands by requiring quarterly onshore oil and gas lease sales, allowing states to assume permitting authority for these activities, and limiting environmental review delays for energy projects. The bill reduces royalty rates for oil and gas leases to a minimum of 12.5 percent during its 5-year implementation period, prohibits the President from delaying energy leasing without congressional approval, and expedites LNG export approvals with a 45-day decision deadline. It directly affects oil and gas companies seeking permits, state governments that may take over permitting authority, and federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management. The legislation aims to increase domestic energy production by making federal leasing and permitting processes faster and more predictable.

Maddy summarySRES 194 designates May 5, 2023, as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. The resolution directly addresses the disproportionate violence faced by Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women by calling for public commemoration of victims and solidarity with affected families. It uses May 5 - the birthday of Hanna Harris, a Northern Cheyenne woman whose case is cited in the resolution - as the designated date for awareness efforts. As a Senate resolution, it serves as a symbolic recognition of this issue rather than creating new legal obligations.