Maddy summaryS 1878, the Judicial Efficiency Improvement Act, reorganizes federal judicial circuits by splitting the current Ninth Circuit into two new circuits: the "new Ninth Circuit" (covering California, Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands) and the "Twelfth Circuit" (covering Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington). It adds 2 new circuit judges for the new Ninth Circuit, establishes 13 permanent circuit judges for the Twelfth Circuit, and authorizes numerous additional district judgeships across multiple states (e.g., 37 for Central California, 23 for Southern Texas). The bill also transfers existing cases and assigns judges based on geographic location as of the effective date, with temporary judge assignments allowed between the circuits to manage caseloads. These changes take effect one year after enactment, with the old Ninth Circuit ceasing administrative operations two years post-enactment.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Federal Courts of Appeals Modernization Act (S 1879) establishes a Commission to study the structure of federal appellate courts, focusing on caseload efficiency and fairness - particularly the Ninth Circuit. The Commission, appointed by the Chief Justice and composed of five members, must complete a 300-day study and submit recommendations to Congress within 60 days of finishing. It does not enact changes itself but will propose potential adjustments to court boundaries or structure. The bill authorizes up to $1 million for the Commission’s operations and requires its termination 90 days after submitting the report.
Maddy summaryThe Care for COFA Veterans Act expands health care access for veterans living in the Freely Associated States (Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia) by allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide both service-connected and non-service-connected medical care in those regions. It authorizes VA to cover travel costs for veterans seeking treatment for service-connected conditions within these nations and requires the VA to collaborate with local governments to address legal barriers like health care provider licensing and medical supply delivery. The bill also mandates the VA to conduct outreach with these nations and submit a detailed report within one year on implementation, including options for using local clinics, telehealth, and facility construction.
This resolution designates May 2023 as ALS Awareness Month. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Maddy summaryThe Midwives for MOMS Act of 2023 provides federal grants to expand midwifery education and training. It allocates $15 million annually (2024-2028) for accredited midwifery schools and programs, and $20 million for nurse-midwifery programs in schools of nursing. Grants support student financial aid, program expansion, and training supervisors, with priority given to institutions serving health shortage areas and increasing racial/ethnic diversity in midwifery. This directly affects higher education institutions offering midwifery training and future midwives, aiming to grow the workforce in underserved communities.
Maddy summaryThe Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2023 establishes a program to create 7 regional "Ocean Innovation Clusters" across coastal, Great Lakes, and Gulf of Mexico areas, prioritizing geographic diversity and underserved communities. These clusters, led by non-profits and including businesses, tribes, academic institutions, and government partners, will receive federal grants to foster collaboration in sustainable ocean industries (the "Blue Economy"), such as fishing, tourism, renewable energy, and coastal resilience. The bill authorizes $50 million annually (2024-2029) for grants covering operational costs and one-time investments to build physical "Innovation Centers" that provide shared workspaces, training, and resources for entrepreneurs and workers. It directly affects regional economic development organizations, tribal entities, and small businesses in ocean-dependent sectors by creating structured opportunities for cross-sector partnerships and job growth.
Maddy summaryS 1808 amends the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act to improve collaboration on ocean acidification research and monitoring. It requires federal agencies like NOAA to establish ongoing input channels with coastal stakeholders, fishery councils, Indigenous groups, and non-governmental experts. The bill expands advisory board membership to include two representatives from affected Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, and mandates new policies for Tribal engagement. Key language updates explicitly include "Indian Tribes" and "Indigenous groups" in research planning and vulnerability assessments. These changes directly affect coastal communities, Tribal nations, and federal agencies managing ocean acidification responses.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $5 million annually (2024-2028) to fund grants for family community organizations that support families with a loved one struggling with substance use disorder. It directs these organizations to develop research-backed programs focused on reducing stigma, connecting families to treatment resources, and educating healthcare providers about family impacts. Key provisions include funding for family resilience training, navigating treatment systems, avoiding predatory programs, and building connections between support networks. The bill directly affects families impacted by addiction and the community organizations serving them, with no direct impact on individuals with substance use disorder themselves.
Maddy summaryThe BAH Restoration Act changes how Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is calculated for military members stationed in the United States. It requires the Secretary of Defense to set BAH payments equal to the actual monthly cost of adequate housing in each location, based on the service member's pay grade and whether they have dependents. This adjustment directly affects active-duty service members living off-base across the U.S., ensuring their housing allowance matches local rental costs. The bill replaces the prior formula with a system tied to current housing expenses rather than a fixed standard.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends an existing energy efficiency program to expand access to loans and grants for rural clean energy projects. It adds Indian Tribes and "green banks" (nonprofits using innovative financing for clean energy) as eligible entities, clarifies that energy efficiency measures include renewable systems and appliance replacements, and removes the requirement that borrowers must live in rural areas. The bill also increases grant funding for projects in persistent poverty counties to 10% of loan amounts and extends loan terms to match the useful life of energy systems. These changes aim to accelerate clean energy adoption in underserved communities by broadening program eligibility and streamlining financial support.