Sen. Tina Smith

Maddy summarySRES 378 is a Senate resolution designating September 25-October 1, 2023, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes the work of institutions that enroll at least 10% Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander students and highlights their role in serving over 46% of such students nationwide. The resolution encourages eligible institutions to seek federal funding and marks the 16th anniversary of the program established by the 2007 College Cost Reduction Act. It does not create new policies or funding but formally acknowledges these institutions' contributions to higher education.

Maddy summaryThis bill replaces "Columbus Day" with "Indigenous Peoples’ Day" as the official federal holiday observed on the second Monday in October. It amends U.S. Code Section 6103(a) and updates all existing federal laws, regulations, and official documents to use the new holiday name instead of Columbus Day. The change directly affects federal government operations, including employee pay, public office closures, and official communications on that date.

This resolution supports the designation of September 21, 2023, as National Teach Ag Day and recognizes the important role of agricultural education and the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Maddy summaryS 2960, the "Expanding the VOTE Act," requires states and local election officials to provide voting materials (including digital and printed ballots, notices, and instructions) in minority languages when communities meet specific population thresholds. It clarifies that "voting materials" now explicitly include digital content and mandates new notices for jurisdictions near population thresholds. For American Indian and Alaska Native communities with unwritten languages, it requires oral assistance instead of written translations, while still mandating written materials for election workers. The bill also creates $15 million in grants to help jurisdictions provide materials in languages that don’t yet meet coverage thresholds, and directs a study on lowering population thresholds for language access requirements.

Maddy summaryS 2932, the Housing ACCESS Act, requires the federal government to create guidance helping states connect Medicaid beneficiaries (people receiving medical assistance) with housing services. It directs agencies to simplify coordination between healthcare and housing providers, develop agreements aligning eligibility and outcomes tracking, and support housing providers in seeking Medicaid reimbursement. The bill also mandates a national study to set fair reimbursement rates for housing services, aiming to ensure living wages, reduce staff turnover, and maintain a 1:15 case manager-to-client ratio. States must report on progress within two years, focusing on racial equity in housing stability and health outcomes.

Maddy summaryThe End Diaper Need Act of 2023 increases funding for diaper assistance through the Social Services Block Grant Program, allocating $1.9 billion over four years (2024-2027) to help low-income families with infants, toddlers, medically complex children, and adults with disabilities. The bill requires states to distribute free diapers and incontinence supplies through community programs, integrate with existing assistance programs like Medicaid and WIC, and report on how funds are used while ensuring funds supplement rather than replace existing state funding. It also expands the definition of "medically necessary diapers" for tax purposes and requires Medicaid waivers for medically complex children to include 200 diapers per month, with additional amounts available if a healthcare provider specifies medical need. The law includes evaluation requirements to measure the program's impact on health outcomes related to diaper need, with reports to Congress and public availability of results.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations to directly administer their own Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits using existing self-determination contracting frameworks. It enables tribes to enter agreements with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to plan, conduct, and manage SNAP services for tribal members, rather than relying on state agencies. The bill modifies the Indian Self-Determination Act to include SNAP under tribal self-governance authority, requiring USDA to use the same contract terms and procedures as for other tribal programs. This change directly affects tribes seeking greater control over their food assistance programs, aligning SNAP administration with tribal self-determination principles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs to create clear anti-harassment policies covering harassment based on race, sex, disability, religion, and other protected characteristics. These policies must specifically prohibit harassment occurring online (via emails, social media, or institutional networks), on campus, in dorms, and during school-sponsored activities. It also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund campus prevention programs, counseling services, and training for students, faculty, and staff on recognizing and addressing harassment. The law adds these requirements to existing federal protections under Title IX and the Civil Rights Act, without replacing them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to include hazing incidents in their annual security reports and publish detailed public transparency reports. It defines hazing as intentional acts causing physical or mental harm during group initiation or membership, and mandates institutions to create annual Campus Hazing Transparency Reports. These reports must list verified hazing incidents, organizational involvement, investigation timelines, and sanctions - while protecting student privacy - starting 12 months after enactment. Reports must be updated twice yearly and remain publicly available for seven years. The law applies to all U.S. institutions participating in federal higher education programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases loan limits for farmers under the Farm Service Agency (FSA). It raises the maximum farm ownership loan limit from $600,000 to $850,000 (and guaranteed loans from $1.75 million to $3 million), and the operating loan limit from $400,000 to $750,000 (and guaranteed loans from $1.75 million to $2.6 million). It also doubles the microloan cap from $50,000 to $100,000 and creates a new program allowing distressed farm loans to be refinanced into direct FSA loans if borrowers can demonstrate a "reasonable chance of success" for their operation. These changes directly affect farmers and ranchers seeking FSA loans, particularly beginning farmers and those with struggling operations.