Sen. Jerry Moran

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3832) creates new Medicare Part D coverage rules for specific non-opioid pain management drugs starting in 2025. It requires Medicare plans to waive deductibles and place these drugs on the lowest copay tier for beneficiaries, while banning step therapy (forcing opioid use first) and prior authorization for them. The bill applies to Medicare Part D beneficiaries seeking pain treatment and directly affects Medicare plans' coverage rules. To qualify, drugs must be FDA-approved for pain, non-opioid, have no equally effective alternative drug available, and meet cost limits set by the government.

Maddy summary# Summary of FAA Legislation This comprehensive legislation contains numerous amendments to FAA-related laws and regulations, focusing on several key areas: ## Workforce Development - **Air Traffic Control Staffing**: Requires revision of staffing standards by September 2024, with a National Academies study to evaluate current methodologies (Section 521) - **Aviation Safety Inspectors**: Mandates review and revision of staffing models to align with historical recommendations (Section 524) - **Contract Tower Program**: Expands training capabilities for air traffic controllers (Section 528) - **Remote Towers**: Establishes milestones for design approval of remote tower systems (Section 619) ## Airport Infrastructure and Funding - **AIP Eligibility**: Expands eligible projects to include renewable energy infrastructure, digital construction management systems, and unleaded aviation fuel infrastructure (Section 601) - **Apportionments**: Increases minimum apportionments for smaller airports and provides special treatment for military-use airports (Sections 602, 605) - **Terminal Development**: Creates a discretionary fund for terminal development at transitioning airports (Section 606) - **Accessibility**: Establishes a pilot program for airport accessibility improvements meeting ADA standards (Section 610) ## Technical Standards - **Instrument Landing Systems**: Requires expedited installation of 15 ILS systems by January 2025 (Section 526) - **Solar Taxiway Lighting**: Directs engineering brief for solar-powered taxiway edge lighting at basic nonprimary airports (Section 615) - **ADS-B Transmitters**: Waives benefit-cost ratio requirements for additional ground transmitters in Alaska (Section 616) ## Funding Mechanisms - **General Aviation Partnership**: Creates a program for public-private partnerships at general aviation airports (Section 611) - **Cost-Sharing**: Establishes 50% federal cost share requirement for certain programs (Section 611) - **Civil Penalties**: Increases penalties for violations of airport grant assurances (Section 621) The legislation emphasizes safety improvements, workforce development, accessibility, and modernization of airport infrastructure while establishing clear funding mechanisms and implementation timelines through 2028.

Maddy summarySRES 553 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring Jean A. Carnahan, who served as Missouri’s first female U.S. Senator from 2001 to 2002 after her husband’s passing. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow over her death, recognizes her service as First Lady of Missouri and U.S. Senator, and her advocacy for families and veterans. It directs the Senate Secretary to share the resolution with the House and Carnahan’s family, with no substantive policy changes or affected parties. This is a standard commemorative measure with no legislative impact.

Maddy summarySRES 551 is a symbolic Senate resolution (not a law) introduced by multiple senators on February 8, 2024, to formally celebrate Black History Month. It acknowledges the historical contributions of African Americans to U.S. society and encourages the public to reflect on their legacy during February. The resolution contains no new policies or requirements - it simply expresses the Senate's recognition of Black History Month as an opportunity to honor these contributions and learn from history. It does not affect any individuals, groups, or government programs. This is a standard annual commemorative resolution, consistent with similar resolutions passed each February.

Maddy summaryS 3755 amends the CARES Act by removing subsection (c) from Section 4024 (15 U.S.C. 9058). This procedural change eliminates a specific federal housing regulation that may have conflicted with state housing laws. The bill directly affects entities subject to CARES Act housing provisions, such as housing providers or agencies receiving federal funds. The key mechanism is the deletion of the specified subsection, aligning the law with state housing regulations as indicated by the bill's title.

Maddy summarySRES 544 designates the week beginning February 5, 2024, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." The resolution recognizes Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) for serving over 230 federally recognized tribes, preserving indigenous languages and cultural traditions, and providing accessible education in economically isolated areas. It calls on the public and organizations to observe the week with activities supporting TCUs, which offer open-enrollment higher education to American Indian, Alaska Native, and other students. This is a symbolic recognition resolution with no direct policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThe Words Matter Act of 2024 updates federal law to replace outdated terms like "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" with "intellectual disability" and "individuals with intellectual disabilities" across numerous statutes. It affects healthcare programs (including Medicare, Medicaid, and mental health courts), education (such as school lunch programs), and social services by revising language in over 30 provisions of federal law. The bill explicitly states this terminology change does not alter eligibility, coverage, rights, or service requirements for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This update aligns federal language with current respectful terminology while maintaining existing program structures and benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program to improve how the government guarantees bonds issued by community development financial institutions (CDFIs). It sets a minimum guarantee of $25 million per transaction while capping total annual guarantees at $1 billion, and extends the program's deadline to four years after enactment. The bill also requires the Treasury Secretary to report to Congress on the program's effectiveness within one and three years of enactment. These changes aim to provide CDFIs with more predictable long-term capital to fund projects in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Space National Guard as part of the organized militia in states, territories, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia where the Space Force operates, and creates a Space National Guard of the United States as the Space Force's reserve component. It defines key terms for these entities in federal law (including requirements for training, federal recognition, and status as a space force), mandates implementation by the Air Force and National Guard Bureau within one year, and requires annual congressional briefings on operations and funding. The bill explicitly states it does not affect existing military installations or require facility relocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Natural Gas Act to give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exclusive authority to approve or deny applications for LNG terminal construction, expansion, or operation for exporting or importing natural gas. It requires FERC to deem LNG exports consistent with the public interest when making decisions, streamlining the approval process for energy companies seeking to build or expand export facilities. The bill clarifies that this change does not affect other federal agencies' responsibilities regarding LNG facilities or existing laws governing imports/exports. It directly affects LNG terminal developers, energy exporters, and the federal regulatory process for natural gas trade.