Maddy summaryThe REDUCE Act of 2023 imposes a gradually increasing tax on virgin plastic resin and single-use plastic products entering or sold in the U.S., starting at 10 cents per pound in 2024 and rising to 20 cents per pound by 2026. Manufacturers, producers, and importers of plastic resin will pay this tax, with exemptions for small businesses producing less than 10 tons annually. Revenue from the tax will fund a Plastic Waste Reduction Fund to support recycling infrastructure, marine debris cleanup, and environmental justice initiatives. The bill defines "covered items" as single-use plastic products like packaging, beverage containers, and food service items, while excluding certain medical and hygiene products. The tax will begin on January 1, 2024, with rates adjusted annually for inflation after 2026.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits states from automatically removing voters from registration lists due to factors like not voting or not responding to mail. It requires states to use only objective evidence (such as death records or proof of permanent move out of state) for removals and mandates 48-hour notice to voters with reinstatement options. Voters who move within a state can update their address through election day to vote at their new location. The law directly affects registered voters and election officials who must implement these verification and notice requirements.
Maddy summaryThe CARE for Moms Act aims to reduce maternal mortality in the United States by expanding healthcare access and addressing racial disparities. It provides $35 million annually for State-Based Perinatal Quality Collaboratives to improve maternal care, requires 12-month continuous Medicaid/CHIP coverage for pregnant and postpartum individuals (up from 60 days), and adds oral health services to Medicaid benefits. The bill also funds doula workforce development ($50 million for 2024) and establishes rural mobile health units ($10 million annually) to improve care in underserved communities. These provisions directly affect pregnant and postpartum women, with specific attention to reducing the disproportionately high maternal mortality rates experienced by Black women.
Maddy summaryThe Schedules That Work Act requires employers in retail, food service, hospitality, and cleaning industries to provide 14 days' advance notice of work schedules and pay predictability pay for last-minute changes. It gives eligible nonexempt workers the right to request schedule adjustments for family care, health needs, education, or second jobs, with employers required to grant these requests unless they have a bona fide business reason for denial. The law applies to covered employers with 15 or more workers and prohibits retaliation against employees who exercise these rights. The legislation aims to address widespread issues with unpredictable scheduling that disproportionately affect low-wage workers, particularly women and people of color, by providing greater schedule stability and control.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hire the maximum number of new air traffic controllers each year from 2024 through 2028, based on the training capacity of the FAA Academy. It directly affects the FAA, which must set annual hiring targets aligned with its ability to train new controllers. The law does not change existing hiring rules but mandates that the FAA utilize its full training capacity each year for new controller hires during this period. It excludes certain individuals specified under federal law, but the core provision focuses on maximizing new controller recruitment within available training resources.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week beginning September 11, 2023, as "National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week" to recognize institutions that enroll at least 25% Hispanic students. It directly affects Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), which serve over 5 million students across 28 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The resolution calls for public observance through ceremonies and activities during that week to honor HSIs' role in advancing educational access, economic mobility, and Hispanic Heritage Month. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding policy impact but formally acknowledges these institutions' contributions.
Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would give Congress and states the authority to regulate campaign contributions and spending, including setting limits and prohibiting corporations from spending money to influence elections. It explicitly protects freedom of the press by stating the amendment cannot be used to abridge it. If ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures, it would establish a new constitutional standard for campaign finance regulation.
Maddy summaryS 2804, the Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act, prohibits the government from withholding Social Security, Railroad Retirement, and Black Lung benefits to pay off unrelated debts like federal student loans or tax obligations. It amends the Social Security Act and related laws to nullify provisions allowing such administrative offsets, restoring protections that previously existed before a 2020 change. The bill ensures Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance benefits receive identical protections to Social Security benefits. These changes apply to all offset collections occurring after the bill's enactment date.
Maddy summaryS 2789, the African Diaspora Heritage Month Act of 2023, would require the President to annually designate a month as "African Diaspora Heritage Month" through a formal proclamation. The proclamation would call on state and local governments and the public to observe the month with programs and activities celebrating the contributions of the African diaspora community. This bill does not create new government programs or funding but adds a recurring national observance to federal law. The African diaspora community - encompassing people of diverse African heritage living in the United States - would be the focus of this recognition.
Maddy summaryS 2776, the Disarm Hate Act, prohibits firearm sales, possession, shipment, or transport for individuals convicted of a misdemeanor hate crime or receiving an enhanced sentence for such a crime. It directly affects people convicted under state, federal, or tribal law of a misdemeanor involving bias motivation (based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability) and physical threat or force. The bill amends federal gun laws (18 U.S.C. §§922(d) and 922(g)) to add this restriction, while excluding cases where convictions were expunged, pardoned, or where legal rights were waived improperly. This is a concrete policy change affecting firearm access for a specific category of offenders, not a broader hate crime prevention measure.