Sen. Ted Budd

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Act of 2023 amends a federal law to prohibit the slaughter of horses and other equines (such as donkeys) for human consumption. It extends an existing ban on slaughtering dogs and cats for food to include equines, closing a gap in current law. The key change modifies Section 12515 of the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act to replace "dog or cat" with "dog, cat, or equine" in the prohibition language. This directly affects meat processors and businesses that might have engaged in slaughtering equines for human consumption, making such activity illegal under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state and local governments from imposing additional production standards on agricultural products grown in another state but sold in interstate commerce, unless those standards already apply under federal law or the state where production occurs. It directly affects farmers, distributors, and businesses operating across state lines by preventing states from creating new barriers to interstate agricultural trade. Key provisions include creating a federal legal right for affected parties to challenge such state regulations in court, with automatic preliminary injunctions to halt enforcement pending resolution. The law also sets a 10-year limit for filing lawsuits and specifies where cases can be heard.

This resolution celebrates the 246th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. flag, recognizes that the Pledge of Allegiance has been a valuable part of life for the people of the United States for generations, and defends the constitutionality of the pledge.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets new annual and aggregate limits for federal unsubsidized student loans for graduate and professional students, effective July 1, 2024. It increases annual loan limits to $20,500 for regular graduate students and $40,500 for professional students (like law or medical students), with total lifetime limits of $65,000 and $130,000 respectively (including undergraduate borrowing). The bill also ends eligibility for Federal Direct PLUS loans for graduate and professional students starting July 1, 2024, with institutions required to notify students of this change by July 30, 2024. Existing borrowers who received loans before July 1, 2024, may continue using prior limits for the 2024-2025 academic year if they haven’t graduated.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows volunteer pilots operating charitable flights for 501(c)(3) organizations to be reimbursed for actual operational costs (like fuel, rental fees, or lodging) without triggering commercial aviation regulations. It defines "covered flights" as those conducted by volunteer pilots meeting specific safety certifications (e.g., private pilot license, 500+ hours) and ensures reimbursement does not constitute "compensation" under federal law. The bill exempts compliant pilots and organizations from certain FAA operating rules (e.g., air carrier requirements) and prohibits enforcement actions against good-faith compliance until regulations are finalized. It directly affects volunteer pilot organizations and individual pilots arranging flights for charitable purposes under IRS 501(c)(3) status.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits displaying any flag other than the U.S. flag on the exterior of public buildings or in their hallways. It directly affects all federal, state, and local government buildings, including courthouses, libraries, and military installations. Exceptions allow specific flags, such as POW/MIA flags, visiting diplomats' national flags, state flags for congressional offices, military unit flags, tribal flags, and local jurisdiction flags. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on flag display rules without altering other policies.

Maddy summaryS 305 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell commemorative coins (gold, silver, and half-dollar denominations) to mark the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary in 2025. Each coin sale includes a surcharge ($5 to $35 per coin) that will fund the Marine Corps Heritage Center's educational programs, with proceeds paid directly to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The coins will be sold from January 1 to December 31, 2025, and the surcharge structure ensures no net cost to taxpayers by covering production expenses through sales. This bill directly affects the U.S. Mint (in coin production), the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (as recipient of funds), and the public (as potential buyers).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to prioritize classical or traditional architectural styles for new or renovated federal buildings costing over $50 million, including courthouses, agency headquarters, and District of Columbia buildings. It defines "preferred architecture" as classical styles (like Neoclassical or Georgian) that "uplift public spaces" and "command respect," while limiting approvals of modern styles like Brutalism or Deconstructivism. The GSA must notify Congress and justify any deviation from preferred designs, including cost comparisons and public input, and submit annual reports on building styles. The bill creates a 5-year advisory council to recommend design policy updates and ensure compliance with these standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to exclude certain payments received by property owners from state-run disaster mitigation programs from taxable income. It directly affects homeowners who receive funds from state or state-regulated programs to make property improvements (like reinforcing roofs or fire-resistant landscaping) specifically designed to reduce damage from windstorms, earthquakes, or wildfires. The key provision creates a new tax exclusion for "qualified catastrophe mitigation payments" made for these sole purposes, meaning such payments won't be counted as income. The change applies to taxable years beginning after 2020, with an option for retroactive tax filings to claim the exclusion.

Maddy summaryThe Tanning Tax Repeal Act of 2023 eliminates a federal excise tax on indoor tanning services that was previously imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. This bill directly affects tanning salons and their customers by removing a 10% tax on indoor tanning services performed after the law's enactment. The key mechanism is amending the tax code to repeal Chapter 49, which contained the tanning tax provision. The repeal takes effect for services provided after the bill becomes law, meaning tanning businesses will no longer collect or pay this specific tax.