Sen. Thom Tillis

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the federal Tree Assistance Program to better support orchardists and nursery tree growers affected by tree loss. It removes a 15% mortality threshold (replacing it with "normal mortality"), allowing assistance for losses beyond typical rates without adjustment. The bill also permits growers to replant using different tree varieties, densities, or locations (within cost limits), requires decisions on applications within 120 days, and exempts farmers with 75%+ income from farming from gross income restrictions. These changes streamline the program to address tree loss more flexibly while maintaining clear timelines and eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Justice Department to develop a scenario-based training curriculum for law enforcement focused on de-escalation, officer safety, community relations, and crisis intervention. It establishes a grant program to fund states and local agencies in implementing this training (or substantially similar curricula) for law enforcement personnel. The curriculum must cover topics like use-of-force decision-making, stress response, and community engagement, with mandatory consultation with police associations and community groups. Grantees must report on training access and effectiveness, and the Justice Department must submit annual reports to Congress on participation rates and program improvements. The bill uses existing DOJ funding without authorizing new appropriations.

Maddy summaryS 2618 (Office of Technology Assessment Improvement and Enhancement Act) renames the Office of Technology Assessment to the Congressional Office of Technology throughout federal law. It updates the office's core functions to provide timely briefings, technical assistance, and policy options to Congress on science and technology issues without requiring Board review. The bill requires the office to balance assessment requests from both political parties when possible and mandates coordination with the Congressional Research Service and Government Accountability Office to avoid duplicated work. These changes directly affect how the Congressional Office of Technology serves members of Congress and supports legislative decision-making on technology-related matters.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to create a new exception for farmers and ranchers seeking disaster program benefits. It allows individuals or entities where at least 75% of their average adjusted gross income comes from farming, ranching, silviculture, agritourism, direct-to-consumer sales, or related agriculture activities to qualify for payments. The exception removes income-based eligibility barriers for these qualifying agricultural producers under specific existing programs, including payments under the 2014 Agricultural Act (Subtitle E, Title I) and the 1996 Farm Bill (Section 196). This change directly affects farmers who meet the 75% income threshold but would otherwise be disqualified due to income limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2647, SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023) provides federal funding to improve stillbirth data collection, research, and education. It authorizes $5 million annually for states to collect stillbirth data using existing health records while protecting privacy, $1 million for developing standardized data collection guidelines and public educational materials, and $3 million for specialized training programs in perinatal pathology and stillbirth research. The bill directly affects state health departments, medical professionals (like obstetricians and pathologists), and families impacted by stillbirth through improved data systems and educational resources. Key provisions require standardized data reporting, consultation with affected families and healthcare providers, and mandatory reports on program progress within five years of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe INDEX Act requires investment advisers managing passively managed funds (like index funds) to follow voting instructions from the fund's actual investors for non-routine corporate proposals (e.g., major mergers, governance changes). It applies when an adviser controls over 1% of a company's voting shares through such funds, mandating they distribute voting materials and wait 5 business days for instructions. Advisers may still vote freely on routine matters (e.g., board elections) or use a "mirror voting" exception for majority-approved proposals. This directly affects retail investors in index funds and the advisers managing them, ensuring investor preferences shape votes on significant corporate issues.

Maddy summaryThe Safer Supervision Act of 2023 reforms federal post-prison supervision by requiring courts to conduct individualized assessments before imposing supervision terms and considering early termination. It establishes a presumption for early termination after 50% of the supervision term (66.6% for certain offenses) if defendants demonstrate good conduct and pose no public safety risk, while requiring courts to consider offense nature, criminal history, and victim input. The bill also ensures crime victims’ rights apply in termination hearings and allows courts to appoint counsel for defendants seeking early release. Additionally, it mandates a GAO study on post-release supervision and a report on pay parity for probation officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which helps local law enforcement reduce violent crime, through fiscal years 2024-2028. It allows funding to be used for hiring crime analysts, covering overtime for officers and prosecutors, and purchasing crime-fighting technology. The bill also requires the Attorney General to annually report to Congress on how funds are spent, prosecution outcomes, community outreach, and specific violent crime statistics (like murder and assault) in each participating area. This directly affects all 94 federal judicial districts across the U.S. and their law enforcement partners.

Maddy summaryThe Strong Communities Act of 2023 creates a new grant program (COPS Strong Communities Program) under the Omnibus Crime Control Act. It provides competitive federal grants to local law enforcement agencies to cover training costs for officers and recruits at eligible entities like colleges or police departments, with the requirement that participants serve full-time in their local communities for at least four years within specified distances from their long-term residence. If participants don't complete this service, they must repay the training benefits, though regulations will allow for exceptions due to extenuating circumstances. This directly affects local law enforcement agencies, officers, and recruits who participate in the training program.

Maddy summarySRES 166 is a symbolic Senate resolution honoring the U.S. Coast Guard for its maritime border security work. It recognizes the Coast Guard's 2022 achievements, including interdicting over 330,000 pounds of narcotics, intercepting 12,500 illegal immigrants, and patrolling over 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline. The resolution expresses the Senate's gratitude to Coast Guard personnel for their "exemplary service" in safeguarding borders. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes.