Sen. Jon Tester

Maddy summarySJRES 4 is a joint resolution that removes the 1972 deadline for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which was originally proposed in House Joint Resolution 208. It declares that the ERA is valid as part of the U.S. Constitution if ratified by three-fourths of states (38), regardless of the expired deadline. The resolution directly affects the ERA ratification process, making it possible for states to complete ratification without time constraints. As of 2023, 38 states had already ratified the ERA, and this resolution would finalize its inclusion in the Constitution if enacted.

Maddy summaryThe CLAIM Act protects insurance companies from federal penalties when providing coverage to cannabis businesses operating legally under state laws. It prohibits federal agencies from banning, penalizing, or forcing insurers to cancel policies solely because a business is cannabis-related, or because an owner, operator, or employee works in the cannabis industry. The bill also shields insurers from federal liability for offering such coverage or investing income from it, as long as the business complies with state or tribal cannabis regulations. It does not require insurers to cover cannabis businesses but ensures they can do so without federal interference. This primarily affects insurers and cannabis businesses operating within legal state frameworks, addressing a key barrier to accessing insurance.

Maddy summaryThe LAKES Act (S 1358) amends federal laws to streamline how recreation fees are collected and used at water resource projects managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It allows qualified non-Federal public entities (like local governments) and private nonprofit organizations to collect visitor fees for recreation facilities, retain up to 100% of those fees, and use them specifically for operating and maintaining the site where fees were collected. The bill requires that at least 80% of fees collected at a single location must be spent there, and it explicitly states these fees cannot replace regular federal funding for recreation site operations. This directly affects local governments, nonprofit groups managing recreation sites, and the Corps of Engineers, which oversees the implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends current Medicare payment rates for durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs and oxygen) in non-rural areas until December 31, 2024. It delays the implementation of new, lower payment rates for all areas (including rural) until January 1, 2025. The bill directly affects Medicare providers who supply durable medical equipment, giving them additional time to adjust to potential payment changes. It modifies how Medicare administers payment rules without altering the underlying rates themselves.

Maddy summaryS 897, the Expedite Veteran Appeals Act of 2023, increases the permanent number of judges serving on the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims from seven to nine. This change directly affects veterans whose appeals are processed through this court, aiming to reduce delays in resolving their claims. The key provision is a straightforward staffing adjustment in Title 38 of the U.S. Code, adding two permanent judicial positions. This policy change focuses on improving processing capacity without altering the appeals process itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for individuals or organizations charging veterans unauthorized fees when assisting with VA benefit claims. It directly affects veterans who might be targeted by unscrupulous representatives and the representatives themselves who attempt to charge such fees. The key provision adds a new subsection (b) to Section 5905, making it illegal to solicit, charge, or receive any fee for preparing or submitting VA claims - except as allowed under specific other sections. Violations can result in fines, up to one year in prison, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to train and hire transitioning military service members and veterans as U.S. Border Patrol agents. It directs the Department of Homeland Security, in collaboration with Defense and Veterans Affairs, to use the existing Defense SkillBridge program to transition service members into Border Patrol roles. The program requires annual reports tracking participant demographics (including active duty, veterans, spouses, and dependents) and terminates after five years.

Maddy summaryThe Caring for Survivors Act of 2023 (S 414) increases monthly payments for surviving spouses of veterans. It changes how dependency and indemnity compensation is calculated, replacing a fixed amount with 55% of another veterans' compensation rate, and ensures survivors whose veterans died before January 1, 1993, receive the higher of the old or new payment amount. The bill also modifies rules for survivors of veterans who were totally disabled at death, reducing the required continuous disability rating period from 10 to 5 years, with payments adjusted proportionally for shorter periods. These changes directly affect surviving spouses of veterans, particularly those with veterans who died prior to 1993 or who had shorter disability ratings before death. The bill takes effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct research on how cannabis affects veterans with chronic pain or PTSD. It mandates an 18-month observational study (using existing VA health records and surveys) to compare health outcomes - like pain levels, opioid use, mental health, and sleep - between veterans who use cannabis and those who don’t. If the study supports it, the VA could later run clinical trials on cannabis use for these conditions. The research directly involves VA-enrolled veterans with chronic pain or PTSD, but does not change access to cannabis or VA benefits.

Maddy summaryThe INSULIN Act of 2023 sets cost-sharing limits for insulin products under most health insurance plans. Starting in 2024, health plans must cover selected insulin products with no deductible and cost-sharing capped at $35 per 30-day supply before 2025, and at the lesser of $35 or 25% of the negotiated price after 2025. The bill defines "selected insulin products" to include at least one of each dosage form (vial, pen, inhaler) and type (rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting, pre-mixed) of insulin. It also requires pharmacy benefit managers to pass through 100% of insulin rebates to health plans and mandates a report on insulin market competition and barriers to biosimilar adoption. This legislation directly affects millions of people with diabetes who rely on insulin and their health insurance plans.