Sen. John Kennedy

Maddy summaryS 1047, the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2023, allows state and federal correctional facilities to use jamming systems to block cell signals from contraband devices or inmates within the facility. The bill restricts jamming to housing areas only, requires states operating such systems to cover all costs, and mandates consultation with local law enforcement before implementation. It also requires facilities to notify the Bureau of Prisons about their use of jamming systems. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is prohibited from blocking this specific use of jamming technology, but the law does not authorize jamming outside correctional facilities or for general security purposes.

Maddy summaryThe Farmer-Informed WOTUS Act of 2023 establishes a 32-member advisory committee composed entirely of farmers and ranchers to study how federal Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations affect agricultural operations. The committee will examine specific issues like exemptions for farmland, common farming practices not covered by current rules, and regulatory inconsistencies, then submit recommendations to the Agriculture Secretary, Environmental Protection Agency, and congressional committees within one year. This bill directly involves U.S. farmers in reviewing WOTUS rules without altering existing regulations, aiming to incorporate on-the-ground farming perspectives into future policy discussions. The committee’s findings will inform potential adjustments to how WOTUS regulations impact agriculture, food supply chains, and rural infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the National Flood Insurance Program Consultant Accountability Act of 2023, creates new rules for ending contracts between the federal flood insurance program and third-party service providers (like lawyers, consultants, or companies that help administer flood insurance policies). The federal administrator can terminate a contract if a provider's actions harm the program, after giving 14 days' notice. Providers can appeal a termination but won't receive early termination payments. The law applies only to contracts entered into after the bill becomes law and directly affects these service providers and the insurance companies that work with them under the federal flood insurance program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all schools covered by Title IX (K-12 and colleges) to implement new grievance procedures for sexual harassment claims within 12 months of enactment. It mandates specific due process protections, including written notice to both parties, equal access to evidence and advisors, privacy safeguards for medical records, and a presumption that the accused student is not responsible until proven otherwise. Key provisions prevent schools from using informal resolutions without written consent, require trained personnel to avoid bias, and prohibit cross-examination by the parties themselves (only allowing advisors to question at live hearings for colleges). The law aims to ensure schools handle complaints fairly while protecting all individuals from retaliation for reporting or participating in the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 22) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Education regarding federal student loan modifications. It targets the rule titled "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans," which included a one-time debt relief program announced in October 2022. The resolution requests Congress disapprove the rule under the Congressional Review Act, preventing the Department from implementing it. If approved, the rule would have no legal effect, directly affecting how student loan borrowers could access modifications or debt relief under that specific policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an FBI hotline for anonymous tips about individuals acting on behalf of China's government or Communist Party to surveil, harass, intimidate, or coerce people in the U.S. (including pressuring Chinese nationals to return to China). It also makes it a federal crime for anyone to perform law enforcement functions in the U.S. on behalf of China or the Chinese Communist Party. The law specifically prohibits surveillance, harassment, intimidation, or coercion carried out for these entities. Violators face fines or up to 10 years in prison.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to require the U.S. Supreme Court to have exactly nine justices. Currently, Congress sets the Court's size through legislation, but this amendment would make the nine-justice structure a permanent requirement in the Constitution. It would need ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years to become part of the Constitution. If adopted, it would prevent Congress from changing the Court's size via ordinary legislation.

Maddy summary# Summary of the TAPP American Resources Act This comprehensive legislation (referred to as the "TAPP American Resources Act") focuses on streamlining energy development on federal lands while modifying environmental review processes and altering revenue structures. Key provisions include: 1. **Reduced Royalty Rates**: - Oil and gas royalty rates reduced from 16.5-18.75% to 12.5% for both onshore and offshore development - Minimum rental rates reduced from $10 to $1.50 per acre for first 5 years 2. **Streamlined Permitting**: - Creates a 50-year maximum term for pipeline rights-of-way (down from 30 years) - Expedites processing of permits to 30 days for completed applications - Allows states to handle certain permitting processes - Creates a new "E-NEPA" portal to streamline environmental reviews 3. **Reduced Environmental Review Requirements**: - Limits environmental reviews to areas directly affected by proposed actions - Excludes consideration of downstream effects of oil and gas consumption - Allows use of previously completed environmental assessments 4. **Mineral Development Protections**: - Prohibits the President from pausing, restricting, or delaying mineral development - Bars rescission of existing leases, permits, or claims without statutory authorization - Creates a "non-competitive leasing" process to maintain existing mineral operations 5. **Revenue Sharing Changes**: - Alters Gulf of Mexico revenue distribution (37.5% to Gulf States, 62.5% for other uses) - Creates new offshore wind revenue sharing formula (50% to eligible coastal states) - Exempts certain payments from sequestration 6. **Expanded Access**: - Allows oil and gas exploration on non-Federal surface with state permits - Removes need for Federal permits for certain activities on non-Federal surface The legislation aims to accelerate domestic energy production while reducing regulatory burdens on energy development on federal lands, with significant changes to existing permitting processes, royalty structures, and environmental review requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the weight thresholds triggering enhanced federal sentencing for fentanyl and synthetic opioid offenses. It amends the Controlled Substances Act to lower quantities from 400 grams to 20 grams for mandatory minimums (and similar reductions for other penalties), directly affecting individuals convicted of fentanyl-related trafficking. The bill also directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to update federal sentencing guidelines within 120 days to align with these changes. Additionally, it requires the U.S. Postal Service to increase chemical screening devices, dedicate personnel for 24/7 analysis, and allocates $9 million for interdiction efforts targeting fentanyl and synthetic opioids in mail shipments.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies U.S. tax code to boost research and development (R&D) investment by businesses. It allows companies to immediately deduct R&D costs (instead of amortizing them over 5 years) and expands refundable tax credits for small businesses, raising the annual credit cap from $250,000 to $750,000 by 2032. Small businesses with gross receipts under $15 million can now qualify for higher credit rates (up to 20% of R&D costs) and may exclude years with no R&D expenses when calculating credits. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 2022, directly benefiting R&D-focused startups and small businesses.