Refund Equality Act of 2023 This bill permits legally married same sex couples to amend their tax returns to file as married filing jointly for returns outside of the statute of limitations.
Maddy summaryS 2121, the DELETE Act, requires data brokers (entities that collect personal information from people they don’t have direct relationships with and sell or share it) to register annually with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and publicly disclose their data practices. It establishes a centralized system allowing individuals to submit one deletion request to remove their personal data from all registered brokers, with brokers required to delete data within 31 days (except for limited exceptions like legal compliance or human subjects research). Brokers must also undergo annual audits and submit reports on deletion request completion rates. The law aims to give individuals greater control over their personal information while setting national standards that preempt conflicting state privacy laws.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies a federal disaster assistance program to provide full financial coverage for crop losses caused by drought or other disasters to farmers and ranchers in New Mexico who rely on acequia water systems. It also removes the requirement for special permits for routine maintenance and minor repairs (like ditch cleaning or infrastructure repairs) conducted by community members managing acequias on federal lands. The bill mandates a Department of Agriculture report within two years detailing how many acequia-dependent farmers received disaster aid, access to other agricultural programs, and available targeted assistance. These changes directly support New Mexico's acequia communities by strengthening their financial resilience and reducing bureaucratic barriers to maintaining their century-old water infrastructure.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to directly pursue legal action to recover unpaid fines for violations of telemarketing rules (Section 227 of the Communications Act) if the Attorney General does not act within 120 days. It directly affects telemarketers and companies that violate restrictions on automated calls or unsolicited communications. The key change requires the FCC to take over enforcement for unpaid fines over $25 million after the 120-day window, covering costs and expenses of the litigation. This streamlines the process for recovering large penalties without waiting for the Justice Department to initiate lawsuits.
Maddy summaryThe Equality Act (S 5) amends federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, and jury service. It expands existing protections under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by clarifying that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity constitutes sex discrimination, as established by the Supreme Court's Bostock decision. The bill directly affects businesses, employers, housing providers, financial institutions, and government services that receive federal funding, requiring them to provide equal access and treatment regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. It includes specific provisions addressing discrimination in foster care and adoption, where LGBTQ individuals often face barriers, and clarifies definitions of terms like "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" for consistent application. The law creates a uniform national standard for nondiscrimination where many states lack such protections, aiming to eliminate barriers to full participation in society for LGBTQ individuals.
Maddy summaryS 2061 establishes a federal task force to address the theft of catalytic converters and other high-value auto parts containing precious metals. The 11-member task force, including DOJ, transportation officials, and state/local law enforcement representatives, will assess current laws and recommend prevention strategies to deter theft and trafficking. It must submit an initial report within 90 days and final recommendations within 18 months to Congress, the Attorney General, and state attorneys general. This directly affects law enforcement agencies and vehicle owners facing rising theft risks.
Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2023 prohibits states from restricting or penalizing individuals for traveling to another state to access legal reproductive health care, including abortion services. It also bans discrimination against those who assist with such travel or provide the care, and overrides conflicting state laws that interfere with these rights. The bill allows individuals, healthcare providers, and the federal government to sue to enforce these protections in court, with remedies including injunctions and attorney fees. It directly affects patients seeking care across state lines, healthcare providers, and organizations facilitating such travel.
Maddy summaryS 2023, the *Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act*, establishes a $75 million annual funding set-aside to support the development of publicly available plant and animal varieties through federally funded breeding programs. It directly affects public research institutions (like land-grant universities), breeders developing non-proprietary varieties, and farmers who use these public cultivars or animal breeds. Key mechanisms include requiring that any public cultivar or animal breed developed with federal funds must be produced substantially in the U.S., prioritizing projects for climate resilience and Indigenous food systems, and creating a USDA coordinator to oversee research coordination and public reporting. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress tracking funded projects, commercialized varieties, and research gaps.
Maddy summaryThe LIFT the BAR Act of 2023 would expand access to basic public benefits for lawfully present noncitizens by removing restrictions established by the 1996 welfare law. It repeals specific provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 that limited access to programs like food assistance, Medicaid, housing, and child nutrition benefits based on immigration status. The bill redefines "qualified alien" as "qualified noncitizen" and specifically includes categories of noncitizens who were previously excluded, such as those with special immigrant juvenile status, pending nonimmigrant visa applications, and those who qualified under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This would allow states to not deny benefits based on immigration status for these programs, ensuring more lawfully present noncitizens can access essential services.
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.
