Sen. Ben Ray Luján

Maddy summaryThe CARE Act of 2024 strengthens child labor protections for agricultural workers by revising age requirements to limit work for children under 16, prohibiting children under 18 from being pesticide handlers, and expanding employer definitions to include independent contractors. It increases civil penalties for violations, requires new reporting on child labor and work-related injuries, and creates coordination between labor enforcement agencies. The bill directly affects agricultural employers and children working in farming, with the goal of improving safety and limiting hazardous work conditions for young workers. These changes will apply to violations occurring after new regulations are implemented within one year of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates March 21, 2024, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the contributions of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors, highlighting their role in farming operations, agricultural sales (accounting for 36% of U.S. farm sales in 2022), and workforce development. The resolution encourages all citizens to acknowledge women's impact on the agricultural industry and support their participation in the field through initiatives like mentorship and education. As a symbolic gesture with no legal effect, it does not create new policies or obligations but aims to raise awareness of women's roles in agriculture.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands protections against unwanted robocalls by modifying the "Do Not Call" rules under the Communications Act. It removes the restriction to "residential" numbers, meaning the rules now apply to all phone numbers (including mobile and business lines), and prohibits any single robocall from an entity - not just repeated calls. The Federal Communications Commission must update its regulations within 270 days to implement these changes. This directly affects all American consumers who receive unsolicited automated calls, strengthening their ability to block such calls. The bill focuses on clarifying and broadening existing protections, not creating new penalties.

Maddy summaryThe PAST Act of 2024 amends the Horse Protection Act to strengthen protections against "soring" - the deliberate infliction of pain on horses to exaggerate their gait, primarily affecting Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses at shows, exhibitions, or sales. Key provisions include defining prohibited "action devices" (like certain boots or weighted shoes), implementing stricter disqualification periods for sore horses (180 days, then 1 year, then 3 years), requiring licensed, conflict-free inspectors, and increasing penalties for violations (fines up to $5,000 per offense and up to 3 years in prison). The bill directly affects event organizers, inspectors, competitors, and horse owners by mandating new inspection protocols and enforcement. It focuses on concrete policy changes to prevent animal cruelty in the horse show industry.

Maddy summaryThe EAT Local Foods Act of 2024 establishes a federal program to provide $200 million annually (through mandatory funding and appropriations) to state, local, and tribal governments for purchasing food from local producers and distributing it within their communities. It requires that at least 51% of all food purchased under the program must come from small, beginning, or underserved farmers, ranchers, or fishers, and all food must be sourced within 400 miles of the delivery location. Funds must be used to support underserved communities, spent within three years, and at least half of administrative costs must go toward technical assistance for farmers. The program is authorized for fiscal years 2024 through 2028.

Maddy summarySRES 597 is a Senate resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women. It formally celebrates their historical and ongoing achievements in fields like military service, business ownership, healthcare, science, arts, and civil rights, without creating new laws or policies. The resolution highlights specific examples, such as their roles in the military (including veterans and pioneers like Minnie Spotted Wolf), economic contributions (e.g., over 160,000 businesses owned by Native women), and cultural preservation efforts. As a symbolic gesture, it does not provide funding or mandate action but aims to honor these women's impact on U.S. society.

Maddy summaryThe AI CONSENT Act requires companies (such as social media platforms, apps, or online services) to obtain clear, explicit consent from users before using their personal data to train artificial intelligence systems. It mandates that companies provide simple, easy-to-understand disclosures about how data will be used for AI training and ensures users can revoke consent as easily as they grant it, without losing access to services. If consent is withdrawn, companies must immediately remove the individual's data from AI training datasets. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these rules under existing authority for unfair or deceptive practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the INCLUDE Project at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance research on Down syndrome. It authorizes $250 million annually (2025-2029) for studies on chromosome 21’s effects, co-occurring health conditions (like Alzheimer’s and heart disease), and developing treatments. The program requires NIH to coordinate research across agencies, expand clinical trials for individuals with Down syndrome, and submit biennial reports to Congress. It directly affects NIH’s research priorities and funding for Down syndrome studies, without altering medical care for patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Transportation Secretary to evaluate current space launch regulations (part 450) for delays and uncertainty, then report findings and propose improvements. It creates a committee for industry input on rule changes and modifies licensing to accept reasonable safety plans while assigning dedicated staff to applicants. For remote sensing, it clarifies that technical instruments (e.g., for spacecraft health) aren't considered remote sensing and speeds up license reviews. The bill directly affects commercial space companies launching rockets or operating satellites.

Maddy summaryThe NURSE Act (S 3953) creates a federal grant program to help public schools hire more school nurses, specifically targeting schools serving high-need communities. It prioritizes schools where at least 20% of students qualify for free school lunches (indicating higher poverty levels) and gives priority to districts with no nurses or the greatest student health needs. The program covers up to 75% of hiring costs for the first year, with the federal share gradually decreasing over time to encourage long-term local funding. This aims to address the current shortage - where nearly two-thirds of schools lack full-time nurses - by supporting student health services, chronic disease management, and mental health support directly in schools.