Sen. Gary C. Peters

Maddy summaryThis bill makes certain post-graduation scholarship grants tax-free for recipients. It applies to grants paid by eligible nonprofits (like community trusts) to help repay qualified student loans, but only if the recipient lives and works in a community with below-average bachelor's degree attainment. The grants must be paid directly to the loan holder, and the tax exclusion prevents double benefits (e.g., tax-free grants plus interest deductions). It affects graduates in designated communities who receive these specific grants, not general scholarship programs. The bill amends tax code provisions to clarify this treatment and requires reports on implementation.

Maddy summaryThe Democracy Restoration Act of 2023 (S 1677) would restore voting rights for most U.S. citizens with criminal convictions who are not serving a felony sentence in prison. It requires states to notify individuals when they regain voting rights, with specific timelines for notification after sentencing or release from custody. The bill prohibits states from requiring payment of fines or fees to restore voting rights, affecting over 4.6 million disenfranchised citizens. It applies only to federal elections and would take effect for elections held after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 1703, the PACE Part D Choice Act of 2023, gives Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in PACE programs (who do not receive Medicaid) the option to choose an external prescription drug plan starting in 2025. It requires that any external plan chosen must have equal or lower estimated out-of-pocket costs and comparable federal subsidies compared to the PACE program's own drug plan. PACE programs must provide enrollment information and assistance to members, monitor drug use for those who switch, and share claims data with the external drug plan provider. This bill directly affects PACE enrollees who are Medicare-only beneficiaries seeking prescription drug coverage.

Maddy summarySRES 215 is a Senate resolution designating May 9, 2023, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day. It supports raising public awareness about the dangers of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills, which are often disguised as legitimate medications and contribute to overdose deaths. The resolution encourages existing law enforcement efforts to combat counterfeit pill distribution and acknowledges the severe impact of fentanyl on young people, citing statistics on rising overdose deaths. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the issue through congressional support.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of May 14-20, 2023, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. It recognizes 444 officers killed in 2022 (including specific names listed in the resolution) and acknowledges 32 officers killed in 2023, while expressing support for law enforcement personnel. The resolution encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement officers and promoting awareness of their essential service. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policy or alter existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution fills a vacancy on the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents by appointing Antoinette Bush of Washington, D.C., as a citizen regent. It specifies that her six-year term begins on April 25, 2023 (the date Steve Case's term expired) or the resolution's enactment date, whichever is later. The resolution directly affects Antoinette Bush by confirming her appointment to this specific position on the Board of Regents, as required by federal law.

Maddy summarySJRES 28 is a procedural joint resolution reappointing Roger W. Ferguson as a citizen regent on the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. It fills a vacancy created when Ferguson's term expired on April 25, 2023, by reappointing him for a new six-year term starting on that date or the resolution's enactment date. The bill directly affects the Smithsonian Institution's governance by maintaining Ferguson's position on its board. This resolution follows standard procedure under 20 U.S.C. § 43 to reappoint an incumbent regent, with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution reappoints Michael Govan as a citizen regent of the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents, filling a vacancy caused by his term expiration on May 6, 2023. It directly affects Govan (a California resident) and the Smithsonian Institution by extending his service. The resolution authorizes a six-year term beginning on the later of May 6, 2023, or the resolution's enactment date, as required by law. This is a procedural measure to maintain board continuity without new nominations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new 21-day administrative leave for active-duty service members to obtain reproductive care not provided at military medical facilities (such as abortions or fertility treatments like IVF), or to accompany a spouse or dependent receiving such care. It also authorizes travel and transportation allowances for this care, explicitly covering abortion and assisted reproductive technology. The bill prohibits additional requirements like mandatory counseling or chaplain consultations for requesting this leave, while prioritizing privacy for service members and their families. It defines "non-covered reproductive health care" to include specific procedures like egg retrieval, sperm processing, and in vitro fertilization, ensuring these are eligible for the new leave and travel benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new authorities for the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to detect, identify, monitor, and mitigate drone threats to designated high-risk facilities including critical infrastructure, government buildings, airports, and other security-sensitive locations. It establishes a 5-year pilot program allowing select state and local law enforcement agencies to use specific drone detection technologies, with strict requirements for privacy protections, training, and coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration. The bill limits the use of technologies that disrupt radio or electronic signals, requires intercepted communications to be maintained for no more than 180 days, and mandates annual congressional reporting on the use of these authorities. It also includes detailed provisions for risk-based assessments, privacy safeguards, and coordination with transportation authorities to ensure national airspace safety.