Maddy summaryThis bill requires the USDA's Office of Pest Management Policy to coordinate more closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during pesticide registration and reevaluation. It mandates that USDA provide EPA with specific agronomic data (from USDA, commercial, and industry sources) and information on the economic viability of pesticide alternatives before EPA makes decisions affecting agricultural producers. The bill also requires EPA to give USDA 90 days to comment on proposed label changes or restrictions, publicly respond to those comments, and delay implementation if USDA identifies no economically viable alternatives - potentially extending the use of existing pesticide stocks until after the growing season. These changes directly affect farmers who rely on pesticides and aim to improve decision-making by ensuring USDA's agricultural expertise is formally integrated into EPA's regulatory process.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act of 2023 makes the 7-year tax depreciation recovery period for motorsports entertainment complexes permanent. This directly affects businesses operating racetracks and motorsports facilities by allowing them to spread the tax deduction for certain assets over seven years instead of a shorter period. The bill amends Section 168(i)(15) of the Internal Revenue Code by removing a temporary provision (subparagraph (D)) that previously limited this recovery period. As a result, these businesses will retain the 7-year tax benefit indefinitely without needing future legislative changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. President to negotiate a tax agreement with Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). It would create a formal tax treaty to prevent double taxation and reduce tax evasion for U.S. businesses and taxpayers operating with Taiwan, directly benefiting companies engaged in cross-border trade and investment. The agreement must follow standard U.S. tax convention rules (like the 2016 Model Convention) and requires congressional approval via a specific concurrent resolution before taking effect. The bill does not finalize the treaty but establishes the process for negotiation and U.S. approval.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Defense from using military funds to cover travel, lodging, meals, or transportation expenses related to abortions for service members or their dependents, except in cases where the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life, results from rape, or results from incest. It also terminates a 2022 Department of Defense memo that allowed access to abortion-related care and bans using medical convalescent leave or administrative absences for abortion-related travel under the same limited exceptions. The bill directly affects active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their dependents who might seek abortion care. It modifies existing travel and leave regulations under U.S. Code titles 37 and 10 to restrict these benefits, aligning with existing federal law that limits abortion funding. The policy change removes prior allowances for abortion-related travel expenses and leave under military benefits programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of State to designate the Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization under existing law (Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act). It applies this designation to any affiliated or successor entities engaging in malign activities globally, including in Ukraine, Africa, and the Middle East. The bill mandates an annual report to Congress on the Wagner Group's international activities and allows the President to waive sanctions if determined necessary for U.S. national security. The legislation directly affects the Wagner Group and its associated entities, imposing formal U.S. government designation as a terrorist organization.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage for obesity treatment. It allows more healthcare providers - including nurse practitioners, dietitians, and clinical psychologists - to offer intensive behavioral therapy for obesity, with requirements for coordination with primary care physicians. It also adds Medicare Part D coverage for FDA-approved medications used to treat obesity or manage weight in adults with related health conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure). These changes directly affect Medicare beneficiaries with obesity, aiming to improve access to proven treatment options. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on implementation progress.
Maddy summaryThe PATHS to Tutor Act of 2023 establishes a federal grant program to fund high-quality tutoring in high-need schools, primarily benefiting students in schools struggling with teacher retention or high new-teacher turnover. It provides $500 million in grants to local partnerships (including schools, educator programs, and community groups) to hire and train tutors - such as college students in teacher prep programs or certified educators - to deliver small-group tutoring aligned with school curriculum. Grants cover tutor stipends, materials, transportation, meals, and professional development, with 85% of funds required to directly support students. The program prioritizes schools serving underserved communities and requires tutors to supplement, not replace, existing teaching staff.
Maddy summaryS 2430 amends the 1986 Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act to exclude certain air emissions from animal waste at farms from emergency notification requirements. This bill directly affects agricultural operations that handle animal waste, removing a requirement to report specific airborne emissions to emergency planners and the public. The key provision adds a new exception (B) to the notification rules, explicitly excluding "air emissions from animal waste (including decomposing waste) at a farm" as defined under related environmental law. This change simplifies reporting obligations for farms while maintaining other emergency planning requirements under the Act.
Maddy summaryThe CHANGE Act of 2023 requires Medicare to include standardized cognitive impairment screening during annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical exams for beneficiaries starting in 2024. It mandates that doctors use National Institute on Aging-approved tools to detect early signs of dementia, documenting results in patient records. This directly affects Medicare beneficiaries (primarily seniors), healthcare providers, and the Medicare system by integrating routine dementia screening into standard preventive care. The bill aims to improve early diagnosis, enabling timely care planning and access to support services, as highlighted by findings showing Alzheimer's affects 6.7 million Americans and costs $345 billion annually.
Maddy summaryThe Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023 would expand Medicare coverage to include audiology services provided directly by qualified audiologists without requiring a physician referral, supervision, or that the patient be under a physician's care. Starting January 1, 2025, Medicare would cover hearing and balance assessments and treatments that audiologists are legally permitted to perform under state law, with payment set at 80% of the cost. This change would improve access to hearing care for Medicare beneficiaries and allow audiologists to practice more independently under Medicare. The bill does not alter the existing scope of covered services beyond what was available as of December 31, 2024.