Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Chesapeake Bay States' Partnership Initiative to help agricultural producers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed improve water quality, restore soil and air resources, and increase climate resilience through conservation practices. It allocates $75 million annually from 2024-2027 for these efforts, with special consideration for projects that reduce nitrogen and sediment. The bill also establishes a pilot program where landowners can enroll in conservation practices without paying for establishment or management, and expands the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program to include riparian buffers. These changes directly affect farmers and landowners in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, and the District of Columbia.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Women's Retirement Protection Act would require spousal consent for certain distributions from defined contribution retirement plans (like 401(k)s), similar to protections already in place for defined benefit plans. The bill mandates that retirement plans provide written explanations of rights before distributions or beneficiary changes, with a 90-day consent period for spouses. It also creates two new grant programs: $100 million annually to improve financial literacy for women and $100 million for low-income women and domestic violence survivors to access retirement assets through divorce settlements. These provisions would directly affect women in workplace retirement plans, particularly those in defined contribution plans who currently lack spousal protections. The bill focuses on concrete changes to retirement plan rules rather than altering Social Security benefits.
Maddy summaryThe Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 strengthens enforcement of the existing Animal Welfare Act by requiring dealers and exhibitors to maintain valid licenses for animal sales or transport. It expands enforcement authority for both the USDA and the Attorney General to pursue civil penalties (up to $10,000 per violation per day), seize animals in violation cases, and use penalty funds to cover temporary care costs for animals during legal proceedings. The bill also clarifies that enforcement applies to rules and regulations under the Act, and mandates a new coordination agreement between the USDA and DOJ to address repeat violators. These changes directly affect animal dealers, exhibitors, and federal enforcement agencies, improving accountability for animal welfare violations.
Maddy summarySRES 312 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing the role of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in enabling independent living for people with disabilities and highlighting ongoing challenges like institutional segregation and disparities in healthcare, employment, and accessibility. It calls on federal agencies - including the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing, and Transportation - to take specific actions to improve home- and community-based services, accessibility, and economic opportunities for people with disabilities. The resolution emphasizes addressing barriers identified 33 years after the ADA's passage, including pandemic impacts and racial disparities affecting disabled communities. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but urges bipartisan collaboration and agency action to advance ADA goals.
Maddy summaryS 2517, the Auto Reenroll Act of 2023, modifies retirement plan rules to allow automatic re-enrollment in 401(k) and similar plans. It permits employers to automatically re-enroll employees who previously opted out of contributions after 1-3 years, without requiring new affirmative elections, provided they don’t actively choose to remain opted out. This affects employees in qualified automatic contribution arrangements (like 401(k) plans) and eligible automatic contribution arrangements, including those who had previously chosen not to participate. The key change ensures employees remain enrolled unless they specifically opt out again, streamlining participation while maintaining their ability to decline contributions.
This bill allows small employers who have a re-enrollment provision in their retirement plans a tax credit for $500 in any taxable year occurring during a specified three-year credit period.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal funding to support mental health programs for school staff. It authorizes $10 million annually for a national awareness campaign to reduce stigma and encourage educators to seek care, and $35 million annually for grants to states, schools, and colleges to create or improve mental health initiatives - including peer support, suicide prevention training, and telehealth access. The grants prioritize schools in high-need areas and require annual reporting on program effectiveness. The bill also mandates a federal review of educator mental health trends and a GAO report on existing federal grant programs addressing this issue.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires pipeline applicants to provide landowners with detailed, written notices 90 days before they can legally intervene in federal approval proceedings. It mandates clear explanations of eminent domain risks, intervention procedures, and the necessity of intervention to preserve future legal challenges. The bill also requires independent appraisals of property before compensation offers are made, sets minimum compensation at fair market value, and prohibits taking possession until payment or court deposit occurs. Additionally, it coordinates environmental reviews for multiple pipeline projects in the same area and strengthens public meeting requirements during environmental assessments.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and updates NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Office to enhance science, education, and ecosystem restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It establishes new programs including a Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training Program for K-12 schools and teacher development, and a Chesapeake Bay Coastal Living Resources Management Program focused on restoring habitats for species like oysters, blue crabs, and fish. The bill requires the Office to coordinate with the Chesapeake Executive Council, ensure scientific peer review for funded projects, and submit biennial reports to Congress. It authorizes $17 million in fiscal year 2024, increasing to $22.6 million by 2027, to fund these activities.
Maddy summarySCONRES 2 is a symbolic congressional resolution commending Iranian protesters who risked their safety to demonstrate against the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, particularly following the death of Mahsa Amini after her arrest by morality police for alleged hijab violations. It specifically highlights protests in over 133 cities where demonstrators, including women removing headscarves, have faced violent crackdowns, with reports of over 500 deaths and 19,000 arrests. The resolution condemns the regime's brutality, supports internet freedom tools to bypass censorship, and urges the administration to impose human rights sanctions on officials responsible for repression. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses congressional support for protesters but does not enact new laws or policies.