Sen. Martin Heinrich

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Texas and New Mexico portions of the future Interstate-designated segments of the Port-to-Plains Corridor as Interstate Route 27, along with specific designations for different segments (I-27E, I-27W, and I-127N). It amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to establish these numbering designations for future highway planning. This legislation affects transportation planning and signage in Texas and New Mexico for the Port-to-Plains Corridor, providing a standardized numbering system for these highway segments.

Maddy summaryThe PRO-HEAL Act of 2024 establishes a federal grant program to expand health care provider training pipelines. It authorizes $215 million (2025-2029) for competitive grants to states and institutions of higher education to create or expand programs training medical doctors, nurses, physician assistants, behavioral health providers, and other health professionals. Priority is given to programs serving rural/underserved communities, focusing on primary care, or recruiting locally. Grantees must report annually on program demographics, admission rates, and outcomes, with 25% of funds reserved for specific higher education institutions. The bill directly affects health care training programs across all states and territories, aiming to address workforce shortages.

Maddy summaryS 4048, the North American Wetlands Conservation Extension Act, increases annual funding for wetlands conservation programs. It amends the existing law to authorize up to $65 million per year (from $60 million) for fiscal years 2024 through 2028, extending the funding period beyond the previous 2021-2025 authorization. This bill directly affects the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund, which provides grants to conservation projects protecting wetlands habitat across North America. The change is purely procedural, adjusting funding levels and timelines without altering program requirements or eligibility.

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 summaryThe ACCESS Act of 2024 provides $200 million annually (2024-2028) in federal grants to healthcare providers in states where abortion is legal (outside life/health exceptions) to expand their capacity for abortion and reproductive health services. Eligible recipients include clinics, hospitals, nonprofits, and tribal governments that offer unbiased abortion care or referrals. Grants fund specific capacity-building activities like facility expansions, hiring clinical/nonclinical staff (including doulas and counselors), telehealth services, medical equipment, and culturally appropriate patient resources. The bill prioritizes entities serving the highest numbers of out-of-state patients, directly addressing increased demand and long wait times following state abortion restrictions.

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 summaryThis bill creates competitive grants for colleges and universities to implement research-backed programs aimed at improving graduation rates for high-need students, including those from low-income backgrounds, first-generation college students, caregivers, students with disabilities, and military-connected students. Eligible institutions (like public colleges, Tribal Colleges, or partnerships) must use grant funds for specific evidence-based services such as mentoring, tutoring, career coaching, and improved transfer pathways between schools. The bill requires grantees to set annual outcome goals, evaluate program effectiveness, and report on student demographics and participation, with 2% of funds reserved specifically for Tribal Colleges and Universities. It focuses on concrete policy changes like requiring data-driven planning and accountability, rather than speculative outcomes.

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 summaryThis bill creates two tax credits to incentivize domestic infant formula manufacturing in the United States. The Domestic Infant Formula Manufacturing Investment Credit provides a 30% tax credit for eligible companies that invest in qualifying manufacturing facilities, with a limit of $150 million per project and $750 million total. The Infant Formula Production Credit offers a $2 per pound tax credit for eligible infant formula manufactured and sold in the U.S., limited to 18 million pounds annually per company. Both credits are available only to companies with global revenue under $750 million and expire after 10 years. These provisions aim to encourage domestic production of infant formula that meets U.S. safety standards.

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.