Maddy summaryThe PAST Act of 2024 amends the Horse Protection Act to strengthen protections against "soring" - the deliberate infliction of pain on horses to exaggerate their gait, primarily affecting Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses at shows, exhibitions, or sales. Key provisions include defining prohibited "action devices" (like certain boots or weighted shoes), implementing stricter disqualification periods for sore horses (180 days, then 1 year, then 3 years), requiring licensed, conflict-free inspectors, and increasing penalties for violations (fines up to $5,000 per offense and up to 3 years in prison). The bill directly affects event organizers, inspectors, competitors, and horse owners by mandating new inspection protocols and enforcement. It focuses on concrete policy changes to prevent animal cruelty in the horse show industry.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe EAT Local Foods Act of 2024 establishes a federal program to provide $200 million annually (through mandatory funding and appropriations) to state, local, and tribal governments for purchasing food from local producers and distributing it within their communities. It requires that at least 51% of all food purchased under the program must come from small, beginning, or underserved farmers, ranchers, or fishers, and all food must be sourced within 400 miles of the delivery location. Funds must be used to support underserved communities, spent within three years, and at least half of administrative costs must go toward technical assistance for farmers. The program is authorized for fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
Maddy summarySRES 597 is a Senate resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women. It formally celebrates their historical and ongoing achievements in fields like military service, business ownership, healthcare, science, arts, and civil rights, without creating new laws or policies. The resolution highlights specific examples, such as their roles in the military (including veterans and pioneers like Minnie Spotted Wolf), economic contributions (e.g., over 160,000 businesses owned by Native women), and cultural preservation efforts. As a symbolic gesture, it does not provide funding or mandate action but aims to honor these women's impact on U.S. society.
Maddy summaryThe Telehealth Modernization Act makes permanent Medicare's temporary telehealth coverage rules that were set to expire in 2024, ensuring continued access for beneficiaries. It expands eligibility for healthcare providers who can offer telehealth services under Medicare, allowing the Secretary to add more professions (like nurse practitioners or therapists) after stakeholder consultation. The bill also changes payment rules for community health centers and rural clinics, treating telehealth services provided after 2025 as if delivered in person for billing purposes. Additionally, it permanently allows audio-only telehealth visits for Medicare coverage, removing previous restrictions.
Maddy summarySRES 590 designates March 15, 2024, as "Long COVID Awareness Day" to recognize the condition affecting over 22 million Americans, including symptoms like fatigue and cognitive issues. The resolution urges federal agencies to expand research, public education, and support for people living with Long COVID, which disproportionately impacts minorities, women, and those with lower incomes. It does not create new laws or funding but symbolically highlights the need for greater attention to this health issue.
First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act of 2024 This bill modifies the first-time homebuyer tax credit. It allows a first-time homebuyer of a principal residence a tax credit for 10% of the purchase price of the residence, not to exceed $15,000. The bill revises the income formula for determining the maximum allowable credit amount, replaces the limitation on the credit based on purchase price (currently $800,000) with a limitation based on area median purchase price, and revises rules relating to transfer and recapture of the credit and to members of the Armed Forces.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to improve mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth (including nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit youth). It funds eligible organizations to provide trauma-informed care, cultural competency training for caregivers, school bullying prevention guidelines, and family support resources. The bill explicitly bans the use of grant funds for conversion therapy and requires the development of a federal survey measuring mental health outcomes among these youth. It also mandates reports on mental health care in foster care and social services programs within two years.
Maddy summaryThe Medicaid Bump Act increases federal Medicaid funding for states that spend more on behavioral health services (including mental health and substance use treatment) than they did in 2019. States qualifying for this new funding must use it to supplement, not replace, existing state spending and must direct funds toward improving service delivery, such as raising provider payment rates to reduce staff turnover. The bill requires the HHS Secretary to issue guidance defining behavioral health services within 180 days and mandates annual reports to Congress on state payment rates, service utilization, and rationales for funding decisions. This policy change directly affects all states administering Medicaid programs and aims to boost access to behavioral health care through enhanced federal support.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal transportation funding rules to change how transit agencies can pay for new buses. It allows recipients of federal bus funding to make advance payments to manufacturers (up to 20% of the total cost) without needing prior government approval or requiring manufacturers to provide performance bonds. Transit agencies must still have a signed contract with advance payment terms, preaward authority, and meet other existing requirements. The change directly affects local transit agencies receiving federal funds under Title 49, streamlining their purchasing process while capping early payments to protect public funds.
Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a tiered tax on large real estate investors purchasing single-family homes. Investors owning 16-25 homes pay a 1% tax, 26-100 homes pay 3%, and over 100 homes pay 5% on each new purchase. It excludes qualifying affordable housing organizations, government entities, public housing authorities, land banks, and community land trusts from the tax. Revenue generated will fund affordable housing programs: 65% to the Housing Trust Fund and 35% to the Capital Magnet Fund. The tax applies to purchases after December 31, 2023, with reporting requirements for investors.