Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new program to support peer-to-peer technical assistance for farmers, ranchers, and forest owners through "farmer-to-farmer networks." It creates cooperative agreements with eligible groups (like nonprofits, tribes, local governments, and agricultural organizations) to build these networks, prioritizing historically underserved producers including beginning, veteran, socially disadvantaged, and limited-resource farmers. Key provisions require funded networks to facilitate mentorship, provide language access for non-English speakers, and organize local events to share conservation practices. The program aims to increase access to practical, science-based farming support through community-led learning rather than direct government service.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe AG RESEARCH Act (S 2589) provides funding to modernize agricultural research facilities at schools of agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). It creates a competitive grant program to cover up to 100% of costs for construction, renovation, or equipment at schools of agriculture, requiring equitable distribution across geographic regions, institution types, and facility sizes while limiting any single state to 20% of funds. Additionally, it allocates $200 million annually (2023-2027) for direct payments to address deferred maintenance at ARS facilities, prioritizing the most critical structures based on a 2012 strategy. The bill is funded by mandatory annual transfers of $1 billion for schools of agriculture and $200 million for ARS, with no new appropriations required.
Maddy summaryS 2559, the *Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment Act*, imposes a 1-cent fee per milligram on opioid pain relievers sold by manufacturers, producers, or importers, while excluding medications used for addiction treatment and non-opioid ingredients. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish rebates or discounts for cancer patients, hospice patients, and others with specific pain needs to prevent them from bearing the fee cost. Revenue from the fee (after rebates) must be directed to states for opioid addiction treatment programs, including building facilities, expanding residential care, supporting mental health providers in underserved areas, and housing for families affected by addiction. The bill mandates a congressional report within two years assessing the fee’s impact on opioid costs, patient access, and how funds improve treatment services.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2647, SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023) provides federal funding to improve stillbirth data collection, research, and education. It authorizes $5 million annually for states to collect stillbirth data using existing health records while protecting privacy, $1 million for developing standardized data collection guidelines and public educational materials, and $3 million for specialized training programs in perinatal pathology and stillbirth research. The bill directly affects state health departments, medical professionals (like obstetricians and pathologists), and families impacted by stillbirth through improved data systems and educational resources. Key provisions require standardized data reporting, consultation with affected families and healthcare providers, and mandatory reports on program progress within five years of enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes federal funding for aquaculture research programs at $15 million annually from 2024 through 2028. It directly affects research institutions and organizations receiving federal grants for aquaculture development by changing how indirect costs (like administrative expenses) are handled. Specifically, it applies a standard indirect cost limitation to these grants while removing a separate restriction that previously applied. These changes aim to streamline funding for U.S. aquaculture research competitiveness without altering the core grant structure.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Defense to provide free, regular cancer screenings to its firefighters during annual health assessments. It mandates specific screenings based on gender and risk factors: annual mammograms for female firefighters aged 40+, colon cancer screenings starting at age 40, and annual prostate screenings for male firefighters aged 50+ or high-risk individuals (like African American firefighters or those with family history). The bill also requires documentation of screening rates and cancer trends, with strict privacy protections removing personal identifiers before analysis. Data from these screenings may be shared with the CDC to better understand cancer risks among firefighters. Firefighters can opt out of any screening service provided under the bill.
Maddy summarySRES 312 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing the role of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in enabling independent living for people with disabilities and highlighting ongoing challenges like institutional segregation and disparities in healthcare, employment, and accessibility. It calls on federal agencies - including the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing, and Transportation - to take specific actions to improve home- and community-based services, accessibility, and economic opportunities for people with disabilities. The resolution emphasizes addressing barriers identified 33 years after the ADA's passage, including pandemic impacts and racial disparities affecting disabled communities. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but urges bipartisan collaboration and agency action to advance ADA goals.
Maddy summaryThe Farmland Access Act establishes a new "buy-protect-sell" mechanism within the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program to help transfer protected farmland to active farmers and ranchers. It allows eligible entities - such as land trusts, tribes, or local governments - to purchase land, secure an agricultural easement to protect it, and then transfer ownership to a farmer or rancher within three years (with possible extensions). If the transfer isn’t completed, the eligible entities must reimburse the federal government for the easement cost. The bill also permits multiple eligible entities to jointly apply for program funds and ensures buy-protect-sell transactions follow the same rules as other program transactions.
Maddy summaryThe Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2023 aims to increase employee ownership in S corporations by making it easier for companies to adopt Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Key provisions include extending tax deferral for sales of company stock to ESOPs, creating a Treasury Department office to provide technical assistance for ESOPs, and amending small business laws to ensure ESOP-owned businesses remain eligible for small business programs. The bill also establishes a dedicated Advocate for Employee Ownership within the Department of Labor to promote ESOP adoption, provide education, and help resolve disputes related to ESOPs. This legislation directly affects S corporations considering employee ownership transitions, their employees who would become partial owners, and small businesses that want to maintain eligibility for small business programs after an ESOP transition. The bill seeks to expand a model that studies show provides employees with retirement savings and greater job stability compared to traditional companies.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal funding to support mental health programs for school staff. It authorizes $10 million annually for a national awareness campaign to reduce stigma and encourage educators to seek care, and $35 million annually for grants to states, schools, and colleges to create or improve mental health initiatives - including peer support, suicide prevention training, and telehealth access. The grants prioritize schools in high-need areas and require annual reporting on program effectiveness. The bill also mandates a federal review of educator mental health trends and a GAO report on existing federal grant programs addressing this issue.