Sen. Cory A. Booker

Stop Overdraft Profiteering Act of 2021 This bill prohibits a depository institution from engaging in certain acts in connection with overdraft coverage. Each depository institution that offers overdraft coverage for accounts must disclose overdraft coverage fees and certain related information. A depository institution must provide certain other disclosures regarding its overdraft protection program, including prompt notification of the account's overdraft status. Regarding overdraft fees, the bill limits the number of overdraft fees a consumer may be charged each month and year, provides that such fees must be reasonable, and prohibits an overdraft coverage fee if the overdraft results solely from a debit hold amount that exceeds the actual dollar amount of the transaction. The bill also prohibits a depository institution from charging a non-sufficient fund fee for any debit card transaction, or reporting negative information regarding consumer use of overdraft coverage to any consumer reporting agency when the overdraft amounts and coverage fees are paid under the terms of an overdraft coverage program.

Maddy summarySRES 613 is a Senate resolution supporting National Minority Health Month in April 2022. It calls for raising public awareness about health disparities faced by specific minority groups, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but serves as a symbolic statement to highlight these inequities, referencing statistics on higher rates of conditions like diabetes, HIV, and infant mortality in these communities.

Respect, Advancement, and Increasing Support for Educators Act of 2022 or the RAISE Act of 2022 This bill allows eligible educators (i.e., any elementary or secondary teacher and any early childhood educator) a refundable tax credit of $1,000 plus an additional amount (based upon a specified student poverty ratio) for eligible educators employed at a qualifying school (i.e., a public elementary or secondary school that is eligible for certain federal assistance or is funded by the Bureau of Indian Education), or an early childhood education program for children receiving certain federal assistance. The bill also increases the amount of the tax deduction for the expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers and expands such credit to include early childhood educators. The bill provides additional funding to local educational agencies that maintain or increase the salaries of their teachers.

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress and the President must stop price gouging and excessive price increases by oil and gas companies and help consumers and small businesses harmed by rising energy prices. The resolution also calls for the United States to transition to a clean energy economy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 603) recognizes April 2022 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. It expresses the Senate's support for efforts to educate the public about sexual violence, improve treatment for survivors, and prosecute perpetrators. The resolution acknowledges the work of organizations like RAINN and the Department of Defense's Safe Helpline, but does not create new laws or funding. As a symbolic gesture, it has no direct policy impact on affected individuals or services.

Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address chronic wasting disease afflicting deer, elk, and moose populations. Specifically, the bill directs USDA to establish a program to research and manage the disease. Under the program, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with state or tribal wildlife agencies and departments of agriculture, institutions of higher education, and research centers to support research on the transmission of, resistance to, and diagnosis of the disease. In addition, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with such agencies and departments to support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies that address the disease. USDA must also develop and maintain materials to inform the public on chronic wasting disease and techniques to help prevent the spread of the disease. In addition, USDA must solicit public feedback on potential updates and improvements to standards of the chronic wasting disease herd certification program.

Sexual Harassment Independent Investigations and Prosecution Act This bill provides for the inclusion of sexual harassment as an offense subject to the authority of special trial counsel under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and sets forth requirements related to independent investigations of sexual harassment under the UCMJ.

Neighborhood Tree Act of 2022 This bill provides for additional assistance to states, Indian tribes, units of local government, approved organizations, and local community tree volunteer groups to plant and maintain trees. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall establish a Neighborhood Tree Fund from which to provide assistance to such entities to increase and improve the overall health of the tree canopies in their communities. In providing the assistance, USDA must give priority to those entities with proposed projects that include and prioritize tree planting and tree maintenance in underserved communities and neighborhoods, including those that are low-income or have a lower tree canopy. The bill modifies the composition of the membership of the Forestry Advisory Council by (1) increasing the number of council members to 16, and (2) including as a member of the council one individual who is the resident of a low-income community.

This resolution recognizes the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program for 30 years of providing internship opportunities to Hispanic and underrepresented students attending Hispanic-serving institutions and other institutions of higher education.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates April 2022 as "Preserving and Protecting Local News Month." It affirms that local news serves an essential function in U.S. democracy, recognizes local journalism as a public good, and acknowledges journalists' contributions to community well-being. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or requirements - it is a symbolic recognition of local news' role in informing citizens and supporting democratic engagement. It follows extensive context about declining local news outlets and workforce challenges, but the resolution itself only makes these affirmations.