Sen. Mike Braun

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all federal agencies and their contractors operating working dog programs (like those used for drug detection or search/rescue) to implement specific health and welfare recommendations from a 2022 Government Accountability Office report within 180 days of the law's enactment. Agencies must submit reports to Congress detailing how they met these requirements, and new programs established after the law takes effect must follow the recommendations from the start. The law does not authorize new funding for implementation. It directly affects agencies like DHS and DOJ that use working dogs, ensuring standardized care based on the GAO's findings.

Maddy summaryThe Jenna Quinn Law (S.1147) creates federal grants to fund community-driven programs in schools and communities focused on preventing, recognizing, responding to, and reporting child sexual abuse among K-12 students. It directly affects teachers, school staff, students, parents, and community organizations by requiring grant recipients to provide age-appropriate prevention education for students and training for adults who work with children. Key provisions include 5-year grants for evidence-based initiatives, annual reporting on program outcomes, and mandatory federal evaluations to assess effectiveness and avoid duplication of existing programs. The law aims to strengthen prevention efforts through targeted training and community engagement without mandating specific curricula.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Agency Performance Act of 2024 requires federal agencies to conduct annual reviews of progress toward strategic goals, with agency leaders assessing risks and identifying improvement strategies. It mandates that agencies publicly report quarterly performance data and long-term trends toward these goals, updating the Federal Performance website with more detailed information. The bill also requires federal government priority goals to be updated during the first year of each presidential term and made public alongside budget submissions, while establishing co-leadership roles for each goal. This legislation affects all federal agencies, the Office of Management and Budget (which will issue implementation guidance), and the Comptroller General (who must report on the Act's effectiveness within 18 months).

Maddy summaryThe Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (S 3502) limits how consumer credit reports can be shared during mortgage applications. It prevents credit reporting agencies from sending these reports to third parties solely based on a mortgage-related request, unless the third party has the homebuyer's explicit authorization or is directly involved in the loan (like the mortgage lender, loan servicer, or their bank holding the homebuyer's account). This directly affects homebuyers applying for residential mortgages by restricting unauthorized sharing of their credit data. The bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to add these privacy protections without creating new government programs or altering existing mortgage processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to review the automatic maximum coverage amount for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) every three years, starting January 1, 2024. The review compares the current coverage limit to an inflation-adjusted amount calculated as $400,000 multiplied by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since 2005. This adjustment ensures coverage limits keep pace with inflation for eligible servicemembers and veterans enrolled in these insurance programs. The results of each review must be submitted to Congress.

Maddy summaryThe Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 establishes a pilot program allowing qualified individuals or organizations (defined as "Good Samaritans") to remediate historic mine residue at abandoned hardrock mine sites without facing liability for their actions. The Environmental Protection Agency would grant up to 15 permits for projects that address pollution from abandoned mines, with applicants required to demonstrate they meet specific eligibility criteria (not being responsible owners/operators, having no role in creating the residue, and possessing adequate resources). The program includes liability protection for permitted activities, requires detailed remediation plans with baseline condition assessments, public notice, and environmental reviews, and establishes a fund for long-term operations and maintenance. This 7-year pilot program would directly affect communities near abandoned mine sites and qualified remediation groups seeking to address environmental contamination.

Maddy summaryS 1478 designates the segment of U.S. Route 20 running through Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts as the "National Medal of Honor Highway" to honor Medal of Honor recipients. The bill updates all federal references in laws, maps, and documents to use this new name for the designated highway segment. It does not create new benefits or obligations but serves as a commemorative designation recognizing military valor.

Maddy summaryS 1008, the *Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act*, requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to create new safety standards for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The law directs the CPSC to specifically address fire risks by defining the scope of batteries and devices covered under the new standard. These standards will function as official safety rules under existing law, mandating concrete safety measures for manufacturers. The bill directly affects consumers who use these devices and manufacturers producing lithium-ion batteries for them.

Maddy summaryThe FDA Modernization Act 3.0 requires the FDA to issue a final rule within 180 days of enactment to implement regulations for nonclinical testing methods used in drug development. This affects pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs by establishing standardized requirements for preclinical safety testing before human trials. The bill also makes a technical amendment to renumber a subsection related to clinical trial diversity plans, clarifying existing provisions without changing their substance. The key change is the FDA's obligation to finalize these testing regulations, aiming to modernize the drug approval process.

Maddy summaryThe STEP Act requires federal agencies to identify programs at risk of significant improper payments, particularly new programs exceeding $100 million in annual spending during their first four years. Agencies must annually estimate improper payments using approved methods, report these estimates with CFO certification, and include detailed fraud risk management plans in their financial statements. Key provisions mandate agencies to document fraud risk profiles, antifraud strategies, and progress on internal controls for high-risk areas like payroll and grants. This law directly affects all executive agencies managing federal payments by imposing new transparency and accountability standards for financial reporting.