Sen. Jerry Moran

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3646) updates the Housing Act of 1949 to support rural housing projects. It extends the repayment term for rural housing site loans from two years to five years and expands the allowed uses of these loans to include surveying, architecture, and engineering services needed for land development. The changes directly affect nonprofit organizations that develop sites for low- and moderate-income rural families. The key provisions clarify loan flexibility and provide more time for project completion, making it easier for nonprofits to secure and manage these housing developments.

Maddy summaryThe Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act of 2024 requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a study every two years on cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities affecting the agriculture and food sector - including farmers, processors, distributors, and retailers - and assess impacts on food safety, public health, and the economy. The study must identify gaps in current defenses and recommend improvements, with reports submitted to Congress. Additionally, the Act mandates annual simulation exercises over five years to test the sector's response to food supply chain disruptions, involving government agencies and private companies, with findings reported to Congress. The law authorizes $1 million annually from 2024 through 2028 to fund these activities.

Maddy summaryS.1108, the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2023, repeals the federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax for estates of people who die after the bill's enactment. It also modifies the gift tax by establishing a $10 million lifetime exemption (adjusted for inflation) and creating a new tax rate schedule for gifts. This bill directly affects high-net-worth individuals who would have paid estate or gift taxes on large transfers of wealth. The changes take effect after the bill's passage, with the exemption adjusted annually for inflation.

Maddy summaryThe Farm to Fly Act of 2024 amends USDA farm bill programs to explicitly include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a qualifying biofuel, directly benefiting farmers, biofuel producers, and the aviation industry. It updates definitions to define SAF as fuel meeting strict environmental standards (like 50%+ lifecycle emissions reduction) and requires USDA to coordinate a new "Farm to Fly" initiative to advance SAF development. Key provisions include integrating SAF into existing USDA financial assistance programs for biorefineries and renewable chemicals, and directing the Secretary of Agriculture to leverage agricultural resources for SAF commercialization. This bill aims to expand domestic SAF supply chains, support rural economies through new markets for farmers, and advance clean energy goals in aviation.

Maddy summarySRES 523 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin. The resolution expresses the Senate's sorrow at his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to communicate it to the House of Representatives and send a copy to his family, and instructs the Senate to adjourn as a mark of respect. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally commemorates Kohl's service and legacy. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of Senators and passed unanimously on January 11, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 3625, the "Protect Small Business and Prevent Illicit Financial Activity Act," tightens reporting deadlines for small businesses required to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). It changes deadlines from "in a timely manner" or "not later than 1 year" to a strict 90-day window for submitting reports. The bill also explicitly prohibits FinCEN from allowing businesses to skip reporting if they cannot obtain the required information, ensuring all covered entities comply. This directly affects small businesses subject to the beneficial ownership reporting rule under federal law. The changes aim to streamline compliance and enhance transparency to prevent illicit financial activity.

Maddy summary# Summary of "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (Employment Eligibility Verification Provisions) This legislation (primarily Sections 801-816) fundamentally reforms the U.S. employment eligibility verification system by replacing the current E-Verify program with a new, mandatory verification system for employers. ## Key Provisions: 1. **Mandatory Verification System**: Requires all employers to verify the work authorization of new hires through a new verification system established under Section 274A(d). 2. **Phased Implementation Timeline**: - Large employers (10,000+ employees): 6 months after enactment - Medium employers (500-10,000 employees): 12 months after enactment - Small employers (20-500 employees): 18 months after enactment - Very small employers (<20 employees): 24 months after enactment - Agricultural workers: 36 months after enactment 3. **Verification Process**: - Requires examination of specific documents to verify identity and work authorization - Establishes a verification system with confirmation or tentative nonconfirmation within 3 business days - Requires secondary verification process for tentative nonconfirmations 4. **Penalties for Non-Compliance**: - Civil penalties ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 per violation - Criminal penalties for pattern or practice violations ($5,000 per unauthorized alien) - Potential debarment from federal contracts for repeat violators 5. **Fraud Prevention Measures**: - Blocks social security account numbers subject to unusual multiple use - Allows suspension of compromised social security numbers - Protects children's identities from being used for employment verification 6. **Agricultural Workforce Provisions**: - Extended timeline for agricultural workers (36 months) - Specific definitions of agricultural labor - Study on agricultural workforce composition and recommendations 7. **Good Faith Defense**: - Allows employers to avoid penalties if they can demonstrate good faith compliance - Requires reasonable security measures for identity verification This legislation represents a significant expansion of employer verification requirements with substantial penalties for non-compliance, designed to strengthen enforcement against unauthorized employment while establishing a more comprehensive verification system. The phased approach aims to give employers time to adjust to the new requirements based on business size.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 32) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) on May 31, 2023. The rule, published as Regulation B under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), addressed how lenders must evaluate small business loan applications to prevent discrimination. If passed, the resolution would block this rule from taking effect, meaning lenders would not be required to follow these specific small business lending provisions. The bill directly affects the CFPB's regulatory authority and financial institutions that process small business loans under ECOA.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the READINESS Act (S 3530), provides federal agencies with specific options to support employees who are spouses of military members or Foreign Service officers facing a permanent relocation due to their spouse's assignment. It requires agencies to either allow full-time remote work (if job duties permit), transfer the employee to a similar position near the new duty station, or place them in nonpay, non-duty status for up to 36 months. The law applies to permanent federal employees who relocate because their spouse (a military member or Foreign Service officer) is assigned to a new permanent duty station. Agencies must report all requests and actions taken to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) annually, with OPM then submitting a consolidated report to Congress. The bill focuses on accommodating these employees' relocation needs through flexible work arrangements or temporary status, without creating new entitlements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new procedures for financial institutions to challenge regulatory exam findings. It requires agencies to issue final exam reports within 60 days and creates an Office of Independent Examination Review to handle appeals of "material supervisory determinations." Financial institutions can request independent reviews of significant exam findings, with decisions required within 60 days, and prohibits retaliation for using these review rights. The bill applies to all federally regulated banks, credit unions, and their examiners under the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council framework.