Sen. Angus S. King, Jr.

Maddy summaryThe Healthy H2O Act (S.806) provides federal grants to help rural households, renters, multi-unit property owners, and child-care facilities with contaminated drinking water. It funds certified point-of-use or point-of-entry water filtration systems, including installation, maintenance, and water testing, for those with health contaminants like lead or arsenic. Grants cover costs up to reasonable limits but exclude households earning over 150% of the median rural income in their state. The program requires third-party certification for filters, installers, and testing labs to ensure effectiveness and safety.

Maddy summaryS 804, the Black Sea Security Act of 2023, directs the U.S. government to develop a coordinated strategy for the Black Sea region within 180 days. It requires the National Security Council to coordinate with agencies like State and Defense to enhance security assistance, energy diversification, and economic partnerships with Black Sea states (Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia). The strategy must address security challenges like Russian aggression, promote democratic resilience through media and anti-disinformation efforts, and strengthen economic ties to counter Russian and Chinese influence. This bill mandates concrete policy actions but does not fund specific programs, focusing instead on interagency coordination and long-term planning.

Maddy summarySRES 105 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating March 6-10, 2023, as "National Social and Emotional Learning Week." It recognizes the role of social and emotional learning (SEL) in supporting students' academic success, mental wellness, and long-term well-being, as well as educators' and families' health. The resolution encourages expanding access to SEL programs and urges federal agencies to advance SEL initiatives to benefit students, parents, and communities. It does not create new laws or funding but symbolically highlights SEL's proven benefits, such as improved academic performance and stress management, based on research cited in the resolution's preamble.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the minting of commemorative coins to mark the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Foreign Service. It specifies three coin types: up to 50,000 $5 gold coins (90% gold), 400,000 $1 silver coins (90% silver), and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins, all to be issued in 2025. A surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollars) will be added to each coin's sale price, with all funds going directly to the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training to support its diplomatic history preservation work. The bill ensures no net cost to the government by requiring all design, production, and marketing expenses to be recovered through coin sales.

Maddy summaryThe PHIT Act of 2023 would allow taxpayers to deduct certain fitness expenses as medical costs on federal tax returns. It defines "qualified sports and fitness expenses" to include gym memberships, exercise classes, and equipment used exclusively for physical activity, with a yearly limit of $1,000 ($2,000 for joint filers). To qualify, fitness facilities must focus on health (not offer golf or hunting) and comply with anti-discrimination laws, while equipment costs are capped at $250 per item. This change would take effect for tax years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to expand educational and risk management assistance for farmers. It directly affects agricultural producers and crop insurance providers by adding language translation services to training programs and listing new conservation practices like soil health improvements, sustainable water systems, and agroforestry. Key changes include raising the 5-year payment cap from $50,000 to $200,000 per farmer, increasing annual funding to $30 million, and authorizing $20 million yearly for new conservation efforts. The bill also adds specific support for diversified farming, organic certification, and climate risk mitigation.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses Congress's support for the Local Radio Freedom Act by opposing new fees for local radio stations playing music over the air. It states that imposing performance fees would harm the longstanding relationship between radio stations and the music industry, jeopardize emergency broadcasts and local programming, and cause economic hardship for radio stations and small businesses (like bars and retail stores) that rely on free music licensing. The resolution specifically urges against any new fee, tax, or royalty related to radio stations' public performance of sound recordings. As a non-binding statement, it does not create new law but formally advocates for maintaining the current system.

Maddy summaryThe Data Care Act of 2023 requires online service providers (like social media apps, streaming platforms, and websites) to protect users' personal data. It mandates that companies securely store data, promptly notify users of breaches involving sensitive information, and avoid using data in ways that harm users or cause financial/physical harm. The law also restricts selling or sharing user data without strict contracts ensuring third parties follow the same security and privacy rules. These requirements apply to most major digital services collecting personal data, with enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general. The law does not override existing privacy laws but adds new standards for data handling.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2023 requires the U.S. government to address forced organ harvesting by mandating annual reports on the issue in foreign countries and allowing passport denial or revocation for individuals convicted of organ trafficking. It directs the President to impose sanctions - including asset blocking and visa bans - on individuals or entities involved in forced organ harvesting, with exceptions for humanitarian aid. The bill defines "forced organ harvesting" as organ removal by coercion, deception, or abuse of power, and "trafficking" as recruiting or transporting people for organ removal through similar means. These provisions aim to hold accountable those exploiting vulnerable individuals for organ removal.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFI) through specific annual funding levels for fiscal years 2024-2028. It directs the USDA to use Commodity Credit Corporation funds, setting $25 million for 2024, $30 million for 2025, $35 million for 2026, $40 million for 2027, and $50 million annually starting in 2028. The initiative provides grants and loans to support grocery stores and food retailers in underserved communities, particularly in low-income areas lacking access to healthy food. This reauthorization ensures continued federal funding for programs that expand access to affordable, nutritious food options.