Sen. Joni Ernst

Maddy summaryThe REMOTE Act requires federal agencies to collect and retain data on teleworking employees' digital activity, including login frequency, connection duration, and data usage, for at least three years. Agencies must report this data in budget documents, comparing telework patterns to in-office work while protecting personal information. Managers must also document reasons for revoking telework privileges, including employee details and circumstances, to improve oversight of telework programs. This bill directly affects all Executive departments and their teleworking staff, including contract workers.

Maddy summaryS 22, the SWAMP Act, would require most federal executive agencies (excluding defense, intelligence, energy, and homeland security agencies) to relocate their headquarters out of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area within one year of enactment. Agencies already located in the area could remain but could not renovate, renew leases, or secure new leases for their current headquarters. The bill establishes a competitive bidding process where states or localities can submit proposals to host relocated agencies, considering economic impact, relevant expertise, and national security. The General Services Administration would manage this process using existing funds, with proceeds from selling federal properties potentially offsetting relocation costs.

Maddy summaryS 23, the "DRAIN THE SWAMP Act," requires federal agencies to relocate at least 30% of their Washington, D.C.-based headquarters employees to offices outside the Washington metropolitan area within one year of enactment. It mandates that relocated employees receive pay based on their new location’s pay locality, cannot telework full-time, and excludes national security staff (e.g., Defense, Intelligence, and Homeland Security personnel) from the requirement. The bill also directs agencies to reduce headquarters office space by 30% within two years and requires annual reports to Congress detailing employee relocations, telework status, and disability accommodations. It directly affects federal employees with permanent Washington, D.C. duty stations (excluding exempt national security roles), altering their work location, pay structure, and telework eligibility.

Maddy summaryThe Beagle Brigade Act of 2023 establishes a National Detector Dog Training Center under the U.S. Department of Agriculture to train dogs and handlers for detecting foreign pests and diseases threatening U.S. agriculture and natural resources. The Center will collaborate with federal agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection and state agricultural departments, while ensuring dog welfare and facilitating adoptions for retired or non-completing dogs. The law requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report within one year detailing current threats, the Center’s role, and recommendations for improving coordination and adoption programs. This bill directly affects federal agencies, state agricultural officials, and the dog-training program, focusing on concrete policy changes to enhance pest and disease prevention.

Maddy summaryThe Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act requires the Justice Department's Inspector General to review how often Bureau of Prisons staff face sexual harassment or assault by inmates, including analyzing past punishments used over the last five years. Within one year of the bill's enactment, the Inspector General must complete this review and submit a report to Congress and the Attorney General within 180 days. Based on the report, the Attorney General will then establish national standards for preventing and addressing such incidents against prison staff within one year. This process aims to improve safety protocols for correctional officers and other Bureau of Prisons employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to relocate at least 30% of headquarters employees (those based at agency main offices in Washington, D.C.) to offices outside the D.C. area within one year. It directly affects federal workers currently stationed in D.C. headquarters offices, with exceptions for national security personnel and employees with disability accommodations allowing full-time telework. Key mechanisms include changing employees' pay to local rates at their new location, banning full-time telework for relocated staff, and mandating agencies to reduce headquarters office space by 30% within two years. Agencies must report progress to Congress and include specific workforce data in budget requests starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Telework Transparency Act of 2024 requires federal agencies to make telework policies transparent and track telework usage. Agencies must submit their telework policies to the Office of Personnel Management within 180 days and make them publicly available on their websites. The bill mandates standardized tracking of telework in payroll systems, establishes a public online tool for telework data, and sets a goal of at least 60% office space utilization. It also requires agencies to assess telework's impact on performance metrics including customer service, cost efficiency, and space utilization.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends existing federal tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel producers and users through 2025, replacing the previous 2024 expiration date. It directly affects biodiesel producers, refiners, and businesses using these fuels by maintaining their eligibility for tax credits on qualifying fuel sales or use. Key provisions include extending the biodiesel credit (Section 40A) and the biodiesel mixture credit (Section 6426), while adding a rule preventing double claims for fuel covered under another credit (Section 45Z(a)). The changes apply to fuel sold or used after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThe DETERRENCE Act (S 5398) adds enhanced federal sentencing penalties for certain crimes committed "at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government." It applies to offenses like kidnapping, murder-for-hire, stalking, attacks on federal officials, and threats against their family members. For these crimes, judges may increase prison sentences by up to 10 years if foreign government involvement is proven, with additional increases for serious outcomes like bodily injury or death. The bill directly affects individuals convicted under these specific federal statutes who are found to have acted with foreign government coordination.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting fraud related to pandemic relief programs from 5 years to 10 years. It specifically applies to offenses involving funds from major pandemic-era laws like the CARES Act, Paycheck Protection Program, and American Rescue Plan. The key provision changes the deadline for filing charges, allowing prosecutors more time to pursue cases involving misuse of these specific relief funds. This affects federal prosecutors and individuals accused of fraud related to these programs. The bill does not create new offenses but adjusts the timeframe for existing prosecutions.