Maddy summaryThis bill defines "ghost guns" as firearms (including frames and receivers) without a unique serial number from a licensed manufacturer or importer. It requires all new firearms to have a serial number engraved by a licensed maker and prohibits unlicensed individuals from manufacturing, selling, transferring, or possessing ghost guns after a one-year transition period (starting one year after enactment). The bill also bans unlicensed engraving of serial numbers on firearms and updates rules to ban undetectable firearms, with penalties including fines and up to 5 years in prison for repeat violations. These changes directly affect unlicensed gun builders, sellers, and possessors of ghost guns, while allowing licensed dealers a grace period for compliance.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe HEAL for Immigrant Families Act of 2023 would expand health insurance access for immigrants by removing immigration status barriers to Medicaid, CHIP, and Affordable Care Act coverage. It makes all lawfully present immigrants eligible for these programs, including those with deferred action status like DACA recipients, and allows states to choose to extend coverage to individuals without lawful presence. The bill specifically addresses reproductive health coverage gaps, ensuring access to contraception, pregnancy-related care, and abortion services for immigrant women who face compounded barriers. It directly affects immigrant families, particularly Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, LGBTQ, and disabled immigrants who currently experience significant health inequities. The legislation aims to address preventable pregnancy-related deaths and improve health outcomes by eliminating discriminatory eligibility restrictions based on immigration status.
Maddy summaryThe AG RESEARCH Act (S 2589) provides funding to modernize agricultural research facilities at schools of agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). It creates a competitive grant program to cover up to 100% of costs for construction, renovation, or equipment at schools of agriculture, requiring equitable distribution across geographic regions, institution types, and facility sizes while limiting any single state to 20% of funds. Additionally, it allocates $200 million annually (2023-2027) for direct payments to address deferred maintenance at ARS facilities, prioritizing the most critical structures based on a 2012 strategy. The bill is funded by mandatory annual transfers of $1 billion for schools of agriculture and $200 million for ARS, with no new appropriations required.
Maddy summaryThe AANAPISI Opportunity Act (S 2582) creates federal grant programs for colleges with at least 10% Asian American or Native American Pacific Islander students that offer agriculture-related degree programs. It provides competitive grants for integrated agricultural research, education, and extension projects (requiring a 50% non-Federal match, with waivers available for specific cases) and establishes scholarship grants to support students pursuing agricultural careers at these institutions. The bill mandates biennial reports to Congress detailing grant allocations, scholarship numbers, and funding amounts. This legislation directly affects eligible institutions and their students in agricultural fields, with no additional provisions for non-education-related outcomes.
Maddy summaryThe Housing for All Act of 2023 addresses housing shortages and homelessness through significant funding increases for existing housing programs and new initiatives. It allocates $45 billion annually to the Housing Trust Fund, expands the housing choice voucher program by 1 million vouchers over four years, and creates new programs including safe parking initiatives and eviction protection grants. The bill also establishes a Commission on Racial Equity in Housing to examine and address racial disparities in housing and homelessness services. It directly affects low-income individuals, seniors, people with disabilities, and communities of color disproportionately impacted by housing instability. Key mechanisms include new funding streams for housing assistance, coordination between health and housing services, and requirements to prioritize vulnerable populations in program administration.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated "Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Coordinator" within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help small businesses adopt and use modern technologies. The coordinator will work with other federal agencies (like the FCC and Commerce Department), identify helpful tools and training, and provide staff training on technologies including AI, IoT, and 5G. It also requires the SBA to conduct a study on how broadband access and emerging tech impact small businesses, including surveys on speed, cost, and usage. The coordinator must submit biennial reports to Congress on these efforts.
Maddy summaryS 2585, the National Office of New Americans Act, establishes a new office within the Executive Office of the President to coordinate federal efforts supporting immigrant and refugee integration. The office, led by a presidentially appointed Director confirmed by the Senate, will focus on welcoming immigrants, promoting English language learning, improving workforce development access, and ensuring citizenship pathways. Key mechanisms include creating specialized deputy director roles (for citizenship, workforce, and children's integration), forming a Federal Initiative with cabinet-level agencies to coordinate services like education and legal assistance, and requiring biannual reports to Congress on integration progress and policy impacts. This bill directly affects immigrants, refugees, and federal agencies responsible for integration programs, aiming to streamline support across government.
Maddy summaryThe Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2023 allocates $20 billion annually for fiscal years 2024-2028 to fund improvements to public school facilities nationwide. It provides grants to states, which then distribute funds to local school districts based on need, prioritizing schools serving high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. The bill requires projects to meet energy efficiency standards, address health and safety concerns (like lead in water or toxic substances), and use American-made materials when possible. It also includes specific provisions for repairing schools with foundations damaged by pyrrhotite, a mineral that causes concrete deterioration.
Maddy summaryThe GusNIP Improvement Act of 2023 amends the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program to expand access to healthy food for low-income individuals. It creates "Scaling grants" for organizations with proven success in running nutrition incentive programs, enabling them to expand operations to more retail settings like independent grocers, farmers markets, and food hubs. These grants require projects to last four years, spend at least $3 million annually, and dedicate 75% of funds to redeemed incentives. The bill also increases annual program funding to $150 million for fiscal years 2024-2028, up from $56 million in 2023.
Maddy summaryS 2565, the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act of 2023, requires the U.S. Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to translate key gun violence prevention materials - including extreme risk protection orders and safe gun storage resources - into the 10 most common non-English languages in the U.S. (like Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean) and make them accessible to limited English proficient populations. The bill mandates that translated materials be reviewed by community-based organizations serving these language groups before release and prioritizes grant applications that include targeted outreach plans for limited English proficient communities. It also directs both departments to launch public awareness campaigns using culturally appropriate, in-language messaging about gun violence prevention strategies and safe firearm practices. This law directly affects federal agencies, community organizations, and non-English speaking individuals seeking access to gun safety resources.