Sen. Jerry Moran

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies tax rules for government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It amends the tax code to specify that the U.S. government or its agencies are not considered "tax-exempt entities" when applying certain rules to these GSEs' stock. The change affects how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are treated under tax law but does not create new housing programs or directly impact rural housing investments. The title "Preserving Rural Housing Investments" is misleading, as the bill addresses only a narrow tax clarification with no direct policy changes for housing. The amendment applies to taxable years ending after July 30, 2008.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires manufacturers and sellers of pill-making machines (like tableting or encapsulating machines) to permanently affix a unique serial number to each device. It directly affects companies that produce or distribute these machines, mandating serial numbers to track their movement. The bill prohibits tampering with or removing these serial numbers, and bans transporting machines with altered or missing numbers. These changes aim to make it harder to secretly produce illicit pills by creating a traceable record for law enforcement.

Maddy summaryS 4487, the Small Business Artificial Intelligence Training Act of 2024, requires the Secretary of Commerce to develop free training resources and toolkits on AI and key emerging technologies (like quantum-hybrid computing) for small businesses. These materials will cover practical areas including financial management, cybersecurity, marketing, and government contracting, with specific focus on businesses in rural, Tribal, or underserved communities and advanced manufacturing. The training will be distributed through existing Small Business Administration networks like small business development centers and SCORE. The Secretary must update the resources every two years and report to Congress on their distribution and measurable outcomes, such as the number of businesses using them and impacts on revenue or workforce.

Maddy summaryThe NSF AI Education Act of 2024 creates federal scholarship programs for undergraduate and graduate students studying artificial intelligence (AI) at U.S. colleges and universities. The bill establishes specific scholarship tracks for AI and agriculture, AI and education, and AI and advanced manufacturing, with priority given to students at rural-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges, and historically underserved communities. It also creates Centers of AI Excellence at community colleges and vocational schools, funds AI resources for schools, and requires the development of guidance for AI use in K-12 classrooms. The legislation aims to expand access to AI education across diverse educational settings and support workforce development in AI-related fields.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hotels, motels, and online booking platforms to display the full price of short-term lodging - including all mandatory fees (like cleaning or resort fees) - before a customer books. It prohibits advertising prices that exclude these fees, though government taxes and special district assessments remain excluded. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general can enforce this rule through civil actions. The law takes effect 450 days after enactment, applying only to new bookings made after that date.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 30, 2024, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day" to honor individuals who report government misconduct. It directs federal agencies to inform employees, contractors, and the public about their legal right to report waste, fraud, or misconduct through honest and good-faith disclosures. Agencies must also acknowledge whistleblowers' contributions to combating fraud and protecting public funds. The resolution is ceremonial and does not create new legal protections or alter existing whistleblower laws. It focuses on raising awareness and recognizing the role of whistleblowers in safeguarding taxpayer resources.

Maddy summaryThe Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act creates a new federal tax credit for veterans starting small businesses. It provides a 15% credit on the first $50,000 in qualified startup costs (like equipment, rent, or business expenses) for businesses owned and controlled by veterans or their spouses that operate in underserved communities (such as HUBZones, poverty-designated areas, or enterprise communities). To qualify, businesses must meet size limits (under $5 million in annual revenue or 50 full-time employees) and be in an eligible community. The credit applies only to the first two years of business operations and requires taxpayers to elect it.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S. 3249, Public Law 118-75) designates the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic at 9201 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas, as the "Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic." It changes the official name of the facility and updates all federal references to the clinic to reflect this designation. The bill has no policy impact on veterans' benefits or services - it is a purely ceremonial naming resolution honoring Captain Elwin Shopteese. It was enacted on July 30, 2024, after passing both chambers of Congress.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides federal funding to support permanent transportation infrastructure in cities hosting major international sporting events like the Olympics or World Cup. It authorizes $50 million annually for grants to eligible entities (states, local governments, transit agencies within 100 miles of the event site) to fund non-temporary transportation projects that improve movement of people and goods during these events. The bill also requires the Commerce Department to conduct studies on how hosting these events impacts U.S. travel and tourism, including changes in travel frequency, business revenue, and employment, with reports due after each event concludes. These studies will specifically cover the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Veterans Community Care Program to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure continuity of care for veterans receiving services outside the VA system. The key provision adds a new requirement that veterans' health care providers must maintain consistent treatment plans when transitioning between VA and community care settings. This change directly affects veterans who rely on the community care program and the healthcare providers administering those services. The legislation focuses on establishing procedural safeguards to prevent disruptions in ongoing medical treatment rather than creating new funding or eligibility criteria.