Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Maddy summaryThe BUMP Act of 2023 (S 1909) prohibits the sale, possession, and transfer of devices that increase the rate of fire on semiautomatic firearms, including "bump stocks" and similar modifications. It directly affects owners of semiautomatic firearms modified to speed up firing or mimic machineguns, requiring them to register such weapons within 120 days of enactment. Key provisions ban devices designed to eliminate the need for separate trigger pulls per shot and define "semiautomatic firearm" to exclude machinegun-like modifications. The bill exempts government entities and pre-existing legal modifications from the ban, provided they are registered.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update its annual staffing reports for each air traffic control facility. It mandates reporting four specific data points: current certified controller staffing levels, the Collaborative Resource Workgroup's (CRWG) target staffing levels, projected attrition for the next three years, and the number of trainees. These changes aim to improve transparency around workforce planning by making staffing targets and future needs more visible in official reports. The requirement applies to all FAA-operated facilities and takes effect upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryS 1906, the Promising Pathway Act, creates a faster FDA approval pathway for new drugs treating serious or life-threatening conditions, allowing provisional approval within 90 days of application. It requires drug sponsors to establish patient registries tracking usage and outcomes (with 90% participation minimum), mandates insurers to cover these drugs identically to fully approved drugs, and sets 2-year provisional approval periods renewable up to three times (max 8 years total). The bill includes safety monitoring, with withdrawal if serious side effects outweigh benefits or if full approval isn’t sought within 180 days. This directly affects drug manufacturers, patients with serious conditions, and health insurers by altering approval timelines, coverage rules, and post-approval monitoring.

Maddy summaryThe Judicial Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act of 2023 restricts federal judges and justices from holding certain investments and business interests that could create conflicts of interest, requiring divestment of stocks, commercial real estate, and business ownership. It creates a new Federal Employee Investment Account system allowing judges to maintain investments without conflicts, while establishing civil penalties of up to $50,000 for violations. The bill strengthens gift restrictions, improves transparency by requiring judges to publicly disclose recusal-related interests and make speeches available online, and establishes a Supreme Court Complaints Review Committee to handle misconduct complaints against justices. It also clarifies ethical standards and creates new disclosure requirements for judicial conduct. These provisions directly affect all federal judges, justices, and their financial holdings.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Advisory Council to Support Victims of Gun Violence, which will identify and organize resources for individuals affected by gun violence. It directly impacts victims (including those wounded, threatened, witnessing incidents, or connected to victims) and their families, as defined by the bill to cover suicide, homicide, domestic violence, mass shootings, and other firearm-related incidents. The council will assess victim needs, compile best practices for medical, financial, mental health, and legal support, and publish accessible resources online and to government offices. The council must report to Congress and state agencies within 180 days of enactment, with a follow-up report two years later, but requires no new federal funding and expires after five years.

Maddy summaryS 1846, the MAPLE SYRUP Act, amends an existing agricultural program to increase funding and rename it for maple syrup producers. It changes the "Acer Access and Development Program" to the "Maple Research and Market Promotion Program" under the Agricultural Act of 2014, requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to establish this program. The key change is boosting annual funding from $20 million (2014-2023) to $30 million (2024-2028) for research, marketing, and education support. This directly benefits small-scale and underserved maple syrup producers by providing more resources to promote their products and improve industry practices. The bill makes a concrete policy change to increase federal support for the maple syrup sector without altering eligibility or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage for diabetes self-management training by removing cost-sharing (100% coverage) and allowing more providers, including nurse practitioners and other qualified professionals, to deliver the services. It sets specific limits: beneficiaries receive 10 initial training hours plus up to 2 hours annually for ongoing support. The bill also establishes a pilot program (starting 2025) to test virtual training options, aiming to improve health outcomes like lower A1c levels and reduce hospitalizations. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, particularly those in rural or underserved communities seeking accessible care.

Maddy summaryS 769 designates March 9 as "U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day" and establishes a specific flag to honor citizens held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. The bill requires the President to issue an annual proclamation for the day and mandates that the designated flag be displayed at the Capitol, White House, State Department, and Defense Department buildings on March 9, Flag Day (June 14), Independence Day (July 4), and on days when a U.S. citizen returns from detention or dies while detained. This affects federal government locations and officials responsible for flag displays, not individual citizens. The measure is procedural, focusing on symbolic recognition through designated dates and flag protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 to help Afghans who worked with U.S. forces or organizations in Afghanistan obtain special immigrant visas. It increases the annual visa cap from 38,500 to 58,500 and extends the processing deadline from 2024 to 2029. The bill requires U.S. agencies to develop a strategy for efficient processing, allows for reopening denied applications, provides reimbursement for medical exams, and permits virtual interviews. It also mandates annual reports on processing efficiency and backlogs to improve the visa application process for affected individuals.

Maddy summaryThe Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act establishes a federal program to track mercury pollution across the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will set up monitoring sites in national parks, wildlife refuges, and communities with high mercury exposure risks to measure mercury levels in air, water, soil, and wildlife like fish and birds. Data collected will be stored in a public online database and used to produce biennial reports for Congress, including assessments of mercury levels and needed emission reductions. The program is funded with $37 million for 2024 and $29 million annually for 2025-2026.