Maddy summaryS 2005, the Mandatory Materiality Requirement Act of 2023, would require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to specify in new disclosure rules that public companies must only disclose information the company determines is important for investment decisions. The bill amends the Securities Acts of 1933 and 1934 to mandate that the SEC explicitly state in rulemaking that disclosure obligations apply only when information is material - meaning a reasonable investor would consider its omission significant to their decision. This applies to all SEC rulemaking on disclosure requirements for public companies, though it excludes rules that would reduce disclosure burdens. The bill does not change current disclosure standards but alters how future SEC rules must be structured.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires group health plans (like employer-sponsored insurance) to provide equal cost-sharing (such as copays and deductibles) for oral anticancer medications as for intravenous or injected versions, provided a doctor deems the oral drug medically necessary. It prohibits plans from changing coverage to increase out-of-pocket costs for oral drugs or impose stricter limits on them compared to IV drugs. The requirement applies to FDA-approved anticancer drugs used to treat cancer, with plans still allowed to use prior authorization. The law takes effect for 2024 plan years.
Maddy summaryThe CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 expands Medicare telehealth coverage by removing geographic restrictions, allowing services to be provided from home and other locations, and expanding who can offer telehealth services. The bill repeals the six-month in-person visit requirement for telemental health and allows telehealth use in hospice care recertification. It also includes program integrity measures to address inappropriate billing patterns and requires posting of telehealth service data to improve transparency. This legislation directly affects Medicare beneficiaries, healthcare providers, and telehealth technology vendors by making telehealth more accessible, particularly for rural and underserved populations, those with mobility challenges, and individuals in areas with healthcare workforce shortages.
Maddy summaryThe Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program Enhancement Act of 2023 removes a longstanding exclusion that previously prevented crops and grasses used for grazing from receiving disaster aid. This change allows farmers who grow forage crops and grasses for livestock grazing to access program benefits if their crops are damaged by natural disasters like droughts or floods. The bill amends two specific sections of the existing law to eliminate the exclusion, making grazing crops eligible under the program. Regulations implementing this change must be issued by the Secretary of Agriculture within 90 days of the bill's enactment.
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.
Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would authorize Congress to pass laws prohibiting physical desecration of the U.S. flag, such as burning, mutilating, or trampling it. If ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years of congressional submission, it would enable federal laws to criminalize such acts. The amendment requires states to approve it within a seven-year window after the Senate introduces the resolution.
Maddy summaryThe Payment Choice Act of 2023 requires most retail businesses accepting in-person payments at physical locations to accept cash for transactions up to $500. It prohibits businesses from charging higher prices for cash payments compared to other payment methods. Exceptions include temporary cash system failures, insufficient change, or using a compliant prepaid card device on-site. The bill also temporarily exempts businesses from accepting $50+ bills for five years after enactment and establishes civil penalties for violations, including $250 minimum damages or $500-$1,500 fines.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates housing benefits for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders. It allows qualified volunteers to deduct $18,000 annually from their income when applying for USDA single-family home loans, and qualifies them for HUD’s discounted home programs reserved for first responders. To qualify, volunteers must be certified in their state or tribe, have served at least 200 hours per year for two consecutive years, and provide verification from their volunteer organization. The bill directly affects local volunteer first responders seeking affordable homeownership through federal housing programs.
Maddy summaryThe Veterans' COLA Act of 2023 increases compensation rates for veterans with service-connected disabilities and for survivors of certain disabled veterans, effective December 1, 2023. These increases will be calculated using the same percentage as the Social Security Act's cost-of-living adjustment for that year. The bill affects veterans receiving disability compensation under section 1114 of Title 38, as well as survivors receiving dependency and indemnity compensation under sections 1311, 1313, and 1314. Specific provisions include adjustments to wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowances, and survivor benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs will publish the adjusted rates in the Federal Register by the date required for Social Security Act adjustments.
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).