Sen. Ben Ray Luján

Maddy summaryThis bill requires current and new Members of Congress, along with their spouses and dependent children (under 19 and IRS dependents), to divest or place most investments - including stocks, bonds, and derivatives - into qualified blind trusts within 120 days of enactment or assuming office, with limited 180-day extensions total. It prohibits acquiring new covered investments during congressional service, except for inheritances (which must be handled within 120 days), and excludes diversified funds, Treasury securities, and retirement plan holdings from the requirement. Non-compliance triggers monthly civil penalties equal to the member’s salary, enforced by ethics offices that must publicly report compliance details. The law aims to prevent conflicts of interest by separating lawmakers' personal financial interests from legislative duties.

Maddy summaryS 2766, the Honoring National Recovery Month Act, authorizes $1 million annually (2024-2028) for federal activities to support National Recovery Month. The bill directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to fund toolkits, public service announcements, websites, and community engagement efforts that celebrate people in recovery from substance use disorders or mental illness, combat related stigma, and educate the public. It does not change eligibility for services or create new benefits but focuses on awareness through federally funded communications. The primary direct effect is on the Department of Health and Human Services, which will implement these activities, while the broader impact supports communities and individuals affected by mental health and substance use challenges.

Maddy summaryThe Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act requires employers to provide detailed paystubs showing wage calculations, timely final payments within 14 days of termination, and strengthens workers' ability to recover stolen wages. It increases civil penalties for wage theft violations from $10,000 to $22,030 per employee affected for initial violations, and extends the statute of limitations for wage theft claims from 2-3 years to 4-5 years. The bill creates a $50 million grant program to fund community partnerships that prevent wage theft and assist workers in recovering unpaid wages. These provisions target widespread wage theft that disproportionately affects low-wage workers, women, immigrants, and racial and ethnic minorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires car manufacturers to include AM radio receivers as standard equipment in all new vehicles sold in the U.S., without additional cost to buyers. It mandates that AM radio controls be clearly visible on the dashboard for drivers. For vehicles sold before the rule takes effect, manufacturers must label them to disclose the absence of AM radio. The bill aims to maintain access to AM radio broadcasts, which are used for emergency alerts, but does not mandate new emergency systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a provision in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to explicitly allow schools using federal funds to offer hunter safety education and similar activities like archery or culinary arts as part of approved educational programs. It directly affects schools and educational programs receiving funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act by removing a previous restriction on using those funds for such activities. The key mechanism is a new exception inserted into Section 8526(7), clarifying that these educational programs remain permissible. The bill does not change funding levels or create new programs, but specifically permits existing funds to be used for these instructional activities. This is a technical amendment to clarify funding eligibility for certain educational offerings.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the tax deduction available to eligible educators for out-of-pocket classroom expenses from $250 to $1,000 annually. It directly affects elementary and secondary school teachers who itemize deductions on their federal tax returns. The key change modifies Internal Revenue Code sections to raise the deduction limit and update reference years to align with current tax filing periods. The updated deduction applies to tax returns filed for 2023 and subsequent years.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Supreme Court to establish a code of conduct for justices within 180 days of enactment, with public access to these rules on the Court's website. It sets minimum disclosure standards for gifts, income, and reimbursements received by justices and their law clerks, and strengthens recusal requirements when justices have financial ties to parties in cases. The bill creates procedures for filing complaints about justices' conduct and establishes a judicial investigation panel to review such complaints, while also requiring parties and amicus curiae to disclose gifts to justices and lobbying activities related to the nomination of justices. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in Supreme Court operations.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution directs the Archivist of the United States to immediately certify and publish the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution, claiming it was validly ratified after Virginia became the 38th state to approve it in 2020. It asserts that the ERA meets all constitutional requirements under Article V, including the completion of ratification by three-fourths of states (38 states total), and references historical precedents like the 27th Amendment’s delayed certification. The resolution does not alter legal rights or create new law - it solely addresses the Archivist’s statutory duty under 1 U.S.C. §106b to formally recognize the ERA’s ratification. It affects only the Archivist’s office, requiring them to fulfill a procedural step without delay.

Maddy summaryThe Sustainable Farms, Fibers, and Forests Act of 2023 defines "sustainable fibers" (including plant-based fibers like cotton and hemp, animal-based fibers like wool, and natural dyes) and adds them to the definition of "food" under agricultural programs. It makes agroforestry and demonstration infrastructure for farmers eligible for funding, and requires the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure diversity in agricultural products supported by regional partnerships - including sustainable fibers. This directly affects farmers producing sustainable fibers, the National Agroforestry Center (which gains explicit inclusion in technical assistance), and the Department of Agriculture’s program administration. The bill creates concrete changes to eligibility criteria and program requirements without altering funding levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Farmworker Coordinator position within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve how farmworkers access federal programs. The Coordinator will assess existing outreach, develop coordination plans across USDA agencies (like the Farm Service Agency and Food and Nutrition Service), and communicate program eligibility information directly to farmworker employers. Key duties include measuring program outcomes for farmworkers, identifying research priorities, and recommending new initiatives. The bill directly affects farmworkers by aiming to make USDA programs more accessible and effective, while requiring coordination across multiple USDA offices.