Maddy summaryThe FORWARD Act of 2023 authorizes $20 million annually (2024-2028) for research on endemic fungal diseases in the U.S., including Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis), and establishes a federal working group to coordinate efforts across health agencies. The bill creates a new "Endemic Fungal Disease Working Group" with federal and non-federal members to identify research gaps, recommend strategies for treatments/vaccines, and provide annual reports to Congress. It also expands a priority review voucher program to incentivize coccidioidomycosis treatments and allocates $500 million for a new antimicrobial resistance program, requiring at least 20% of funds to support antifungal product development. These provisions directly affect federal agencies (like NIH, CDC, and FDA), research institutions, and patients with fungal diseases such as Valley Fever.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires natural gas and crude oil exporters to use U.S.-documented vessels built or retrofitted in the U.S. with key ship components manufactured domestically, gradually increasing the required percentage of such exports each year. For natural gas exports, the minimum percentage starts at 2% in the first 7 years and rises to 15% by the 22nd year; for crude oil, it starts at 3% and reaches 10% after 14 years. It directly affects exporters of these energy commodities, U.S. shipyards performing retrofits, and manufacturers of specified components like propulsion systems and valves. The bill also mandates training opportunities for U.S. mariners and allows waivers for cost or supply issues, while requiring the Energy Information Administration to track and publish export data.
Maddy summaryThe Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2023 reauthorizes the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) to support economic development and infrastructure projects in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas border counties. The bill authorizes $100 million annually for 2024-2028 and $200 million annually for 2029-2033 for SBRC programs, including grants for transportation infrastructure, housing, health facilities, and water/wastewater systems. It establishes new capacity building programs focused on workforce development, broadband access, and health professional shortages, with special provisions to waive matching requirements for colonias and Indian tribes. The bill also modifies commission membership rules and voting procedures to streamline decision-making and allows for fund transfers from other federal agencies to support SBRC initiatives.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 4,800 acres of federal land (managed by the Bureau of Land Management) to La Paz County, Arizona, upon the county's request. The county must pay the fair market value (determined by appraisal) and cover all conveyance costs, while the land is withdrawn from mining and mineral leasing. Key provisions require the county to protect tribal cultural artifacts through coordination with tribal offices and minimize disturbances, with any unearthed artifacts to be reburied. The bill does not mandate solar development or job creation, as its focus is solely on the land transfer process and associated conditions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to assess how transnational criminal organizations use social media platforms and messaging services for recruitment in the U.S., particularly targeting youth near borders. It mandates a national strategy to improve cooperation between DHS, law enforcement, and covered social media operators (including platforms with messaging or interactive features), focusing on preventing recruitment for drug trafficking, human smuggling, and other cross-border crimes. The strategy must establish a voluntary reporting mechanism for platforms to share information about cartel recruitment efforts and include outreach to youth in border communities. The bill does not regulate content or require platform action, only creating assessment and coordination processes. It affects DHS, law enforcement agencies, and major social media platforms designated as "covered operators."
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 492) honoring the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter. It expresses the Senate's condolences for her passing and recognizes her lifetime of humanitarian work, including her advocacy for mental health care, founding of caregiver support programs, and service with The Carter Center. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a commemorative statement. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2023.
Maddy summaryThe Fans First Act aims to improve transparency and fairness in the ticketing market by regulating how event tickets are sold and marketed. It requires sellers to clearly display the total ticket price (including all fees), disclose key details about ticket seating and refund policies, and prohibits deceptive practices like using artist names without permission or selling tickets a seller doesn't actually possess. The bill directly affects secondary ticketing platforms, resellers, and primary sellers by mandating clear disclosures, requiring proof of purchase for electronic tickets, and strengthening rules against automated ticket-buying systems. It creates new enforcement mechanisms through the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general, with civil penalties for violations. The legislation also mandates studies to assess ticket market practices, including how professional resellers obtain tickets and the prevalence of counterfeit tickets.
Maddy summaryThe SAFER Banking Act provides legal protections for banks and financial institutions that serve state-legal marijuana businesses and related service providers. It creates a "safe harbor" preventing federal banking regulators from penalizing institutions for offering services to these businesses, even though marijuana remains illegal under federal law. The bill also allows income from state-legal marijuana businesses to be considered "legal income" for mortgage qualification purposes and establishes guidance for suspicious activity reporting related to these businesses. Similar protections are extended to hemp-related businesses and service providers, without requiring banks to serve these businesses.
Maddy summaryThe GOSAFE Act prohibits the sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large capacity ammunition magazines (holding more than 10 rounds) in interstate or foreign commerce, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, pre-enactment owners, and certain firearms like single-shot weapons. It requires the Attorney General to publish a list of prohibited firearms within 180 days and establishes a process for manufacturers to seek approval for new firearm designs before selling them to civilians. The bill also authorizes buy-back programs using Byrne grants to compensate individuals who surrender prohibited firearms and magazines, with penalties including fines up to $5,000 or up to 12 months in prison for violations.
Maddy summaryThe FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2023 extends FISA surveillance authorities through 2035 while adding significant new protections for U.S. persons. It requires the FBI to implement stricter procedures for queries of communications, including mandatory training, approval processes for certain queries, and detailed annual reporting on surveillance activities. The bill also mandates accuracy certifications for FISA applications, enhances congressional oversight, and establishes a new FISA Reform Commission to review the surveillance system. These changes aim to balance national security needs with privacy protections for U.S. citizens.