Sen. Ben Ray Luján

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 summaryThe Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2023 would authorize $300 million annually for five years to expand school-based mental health services. It requires schools to partner with community mental health providers to implement comprehensive programs that include universal mental health screenings, trauma-informed training for staff, and family engagement initiatives. The law mandates that programs be culturally appropriate, evidence-based, and track specific outcomes like improved academic performance, reduced disciplinary actions, and increased access to mental health care. This legislation directly affects public schools, students with mental health needs, and community mental health providers nationwide.

Maddy summaryThe Headwaters Protection Act of 2023 reauthorizes and improves the Water Source Protection Program under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. It expands eligibility for projects to include acequia associations, stormwater/wastewater managers, land-grant mercedes, and private water delivery entities, while requiring express support from adjacent landowners for projects on their property. Key provisions mandate that projects prioritize protecting water supply/quality against drought/flood risks, use nature-based solutions (like wetland restoration), and give priority to disadvantaged communities. The bill increases annual funding to $30 million (2024-2033) and requires non-Federal partners to contribute to project costs and planning. It directly affects National Forest projects, local water infrastructure managers, and adjacent landowners within watersheds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to include questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics (intersex traits) in their demographic surveys, such as the census and health studies. Agencies must establish data standards within 360 days of the bill's enactment, using methods that ensure voluntary participation, privacy, and confidentiality, while avoiding personally identifiable information after three years. The law directly affects federal agencies conducting covered surveys, aiming to fill a gap in current data collection where intersex populations are not measured. Reports based on these surveys must include this data within three years, though agencies may request case-by-case waivers if compliance would harm survey quality or violate privacy laws.

Maddy summaryThe Midwives for MOMS Act of 2023 provides federal grants to expand midwifery education and training. It allocates $15 million annually (2024-2028) for accredited midwifery schools and programs, and $20 million for nurse-midwifery programs in schools of nursing. Grants support student financial aid, program expansion, and training supervisors, with priority given to institutions serving health shortage areas and increasing racial/ethnic diversity in midwifery. This directly affects higher education institutions offering midwifery training and future midwives, aiming to grow the workforce in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryS 1836, the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act of 2023, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to contract with agricultural colleges (like land-grant universities) to review the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program. The review will assess the program's effectiveness in preventing tick spread, evaluate benefits and compliance burdens for cattle producers, examine treatment protocols, and analyze funding allocation. Within one year of the contract, the Secretary of Agriculture must submit a report to Congress detailing findings and recommendations for improving the program, specifically aiming to reduce producer burdens. This bill directly affects cattle producers in tick-affected areas and the federal/state agencies managing the tick eradication program.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the DEPOSIT Act, helps low-income renters cover security deposits and moving costs when using housing choice vouchers or HOME program funds. It requires public housing agencies and participating jurisdictions to return unused deposit assistance to reuse for future tenants. The bill authorizes federal funding to cover these costs directly and mandates a study on alternatives to traditional security deposits, like insurance premiums, examining their impact on different tenant groups. It specifically targets very low- and low-income families facing housing barriers.

Maddy summarySRES 231 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating June 2, 2023, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and June 2023 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or policies but expresses support for these designations to highlight gun violence statistics, including over 43,000 annual gun-related deaths. The resolution calls on the public to wear orange, promote gun safety awareness, and hold community discussions during June, particularly noting summer as a period of heightened gun violence. It is non-binding and serves solely to raise public awareness, referencing historical data and the legacy of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old victim of gun violence.

Maddy summaryThe LISTOS Act requires large online platforms (with at least 10 million monthly active U.S. users) to implement consistent content moderation practices across languages in which they monetize. It mandates annual public reporting on staffing levels (including language proficiency), automated content detection systems, and content moderation outcomes by language. Platforms must also ensure user reporting tools and policies are accessible in all supported languages. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce these requirements, with states able to bring enforcement actions for violations. The bill aims to address historical disparities in content moderation for non-English content that have led to increased harmful content and targeting of non-English speaking communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows federally recognized tribes to take over meat inspection authority currently held by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on tribal lands. Tribes must first adopt a USDA-approved food and agriculture code, then enter into a self-determination contract with the Secretary of Agriculture to administer inspections under federal meat safety laws. The bill also ensures tribes operating under these contracts remain eligible for rural development loans and grants. It directly affects tribal nations with meat processing facilities on reservations, shifting administrative responsibility from the federal government to tribal governments. The key mechanism is creating a formal pathway for tribes to self-govern meat safety oversight while maintaining federal standards.