Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines forest management projects in areas at high risk from wildfires and pest infestations. It directs the Forest Service to use faster environmental review processes (categorical exclusions) for hazardous fuel reduction and insect/disease treatment projects in designated "insect and disease treatment areas," prioritizing wildfire and pest risk reduction over other planning goals. The bill requires annual public reporting of treated acreage and expands the use of fast-track reviews to include Fire Regime Group IV areas, while excluding wilderness and roadless areas (except under specific existing rules). It directly affects Forest Service project planning and implementation in high-risk forest regions across the U.S.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to fund school safety improvements. It transfers $100 million annually from existing infrastructure funds to the Attorney General for grants to states, which must then distribute 95% of funds to schools and school districts for specific security measures. Eligible uses include installing metal detectors, bullet-resistant windows, crisis notification systems, and digital monitoring tools (with U.S.-only data storage), while requiring states to match funds at 20% and schools at 5%. The program directly affects K-12 schools and districts nationwide, with funding allocated based on the number of children aged 5-17 in each state.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clean Air Act to modify how the EPA grants waivers for fuel formulations. It creates a new pathway allowing fuels to enter commerce if they meet Reid Vapor Pressure standards (a measure of fuel volatility) either by matching certified vehicle fuels or by complying with existing waiver conditions. The changes directly affect fuel retailers and manufacturers seeking EPA approval for fuel blends. Key provisions update waiver procedures and clarify Reid Vapor Pressure requirements, specifically adjusting percentage thresholds and notification timelines for certain fuel types. The bill does not create new regulations but adjusts existing processes for fuel approval under the Clean Air Act.
Maddy summaryThe PHIT Act of 2023 would allow taxpayers to deduct certain fitness expenses as medical costs on federal tax returns. It defines "qualified sports and fitness expenses" to include gym memberships, exercise classes, and equipment used exclusively for physical activity, with a yearly limit of $1,000 ($2,000 for joint filers). To qualify, fitness facilities must focus on health (not offer golf or hunting) and comply with anti-discrimination laws, while equipment costs are capped at $250 per item. This change would take effect for tax years beginning after the bill's enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows physical therapists to use temporary replacement providers (locum tenens) under Medicare, aligning their coverage rules with those already available to physicians. It directly affects physical therapists and Medicare beneficiaries by enabling uninterrupted access to physical therapy services during provider shortages. The key change amends Medicare rules to treat outpatient physical therapy services the same as physician services for temporary staffing purposes. This policy shift takes effect after the bill's enactment, ensuring physical therapy care can continue without disruption during staffing gaps.
Maddy summaryS 741, the Traveler's Gun Rights Act, amends federal gun law definitions to clarify where individuals are considered "residents" for background check purposes. It specifies that active-duty military members can use their duty station state or daily commute location as their "state of residence," and people without a physical home may use a mailbox address. The bill also requires background checks to include either a physical address or mailbox address for the buyer, ensuring consistent application across state lines. This directly affects travelers, military personnel, and individuals using mailboxes when purchasing firearms.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop voluntary, industry-led standards for precision agriculture equipment within two years. These standards will focus on improving how farming technology connects and works together - addressing cybersecurity, connectivity needs, and the role of 5G/AI - to make adoption easier for farmers. The Government Accountability Office will then assess these standards annually for eight years, evaluating whether they encourage wider use of precision agriculture and were developed with industry input. The goal is to boost U.S. leadership in global standards-setting, helping farmers use resources like water, fertilizer, and fuel more efficiently.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. immigration law to add specific criminal offenses as grounds for denying entry or deporting foreign nationals. It expands inadmissibility (under Section 212(a)(2)(F)) and deportation (under Section 237(a)(2)(D)(i)) to include convictions for kidnapping (Title 18, Chapter 55) or sexual abuse (Title 18, Chapter 109A). These changes directly affect immigrants or non-citizens convicted of these specific federal crimes. The policy change requires immigration authorities to bar entry or remove individuals with such convictions, without altering other immigration pathways or creating new penalties.
Maddy summaryS 732, the Biochar Research Network Act of 2023, establishes a national network of up to 20 research sites to study how biochar (a charcoal-like substance made from plant waste) improves soil health, sequesters carbon, and boosts farm productivity across different conditions. It directly affects farmers, ranchers, foresters, and land managers by funding research to provide practical, region-specific guidance on using biochar effectively. The bill mandates testing various biochar types, production methods, and soil applications to understand their impact on crop yields, climate mitigation, and ecosystem health, while generating data for models predicting environmental and economic outcomes. It authorizes $50 million annually (2023-2028) for this research, administered by USDA agencies in coordination with other federal departments.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. Treasury regulations to require the Secretary of the Treasury to consider terrorism facilitation when designating foreign financial institutions as "of primary money laundering concern." It specifically directs the Treasury to evaluate whether institutions knowingly provide banking services to entities designated under federal anti-terrorism regulations or facilitate payments for acts of terrorism defined in the Taylor Force Act (22 U.S.C. 2378c-1). The measure targets foreign banks that maintain correspondent accounts with U.S. banks while allegedly enabling terrorist financing through dollar transactions. It directly affects foreign financial institutions operating with U.S. correspondent banking relationships. The policy change focuses on strengthening anti-terrorism financial oversight by expanding the criteria used in Treasury designations.