Sen. Martin Heinrich

Maddy summaryThis bill requires National Park Service units to eliminate the sale of disposable plastic water bottles and other single-use plastics (like food containers and bags) within 180 days of enactment, after regional directors assess factors like waste reduction, costs, visitor safety, and concessioner impacts. It mandates visitor education about water refill stations, consistent implementation across parks, and biennial evaluations tracking visitor satisfaction, waste collection rates, and safety outcomes. The policy directly affects park operations, concessionaires (park vendors), and visitors who rely on park-provided water products.

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 summarySRES 319 is a non-binding Senate resolution (introduced July 27, 2023) that declares racism a public health crisis in the United States. It cites documented health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minorities, including lower life expectancy for Black and Native American people, higher maternal mortality rates, and disproportionate COVID-19 impacts. The resolution commits the Senate to developing a nationwide strategy to dismantle systemic racism, address health inequities, and advance reforms targeting social determinants of health. It directly affects all racial and ethnic minority communities facing these documented health disparities, though it does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summaryThe Farmers Feeding America Act of 2023 increases funding and improves access to food assistance for low-income individuals through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP). It raises annual storage and distribution funding from $100 million to $200 million and allocates $500 million yearly for food commodities from 2024 through 2028. The bill specifically helps geographically isolated states (Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories) by allowing alternative delivery methods for food shipments and permitting up to 20% of allocated commodities to be used as cash for locally grown food purchases. Additionally, it requires the program to prioritize nutritious food by considering factors like product variety and transportation distance when buying fresh produce.

Maddy summaryThe Strengthening the Office of Tribal Relations Act of 2023 creates a new Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Tribal Relations position within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This role will oversee the Office of Tribal Relations, coordinate tribal programs across USDA agencies, and ensure tribal input in rulemaking affecting tribal projects. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize appointing individuals with tribal relations experience and adjusts compensation to reflect this new position. It directly affects the USDA’s operations and its engagement with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.

Maddy summaryThe AIR FAIR Act of 2023 imposes new surcharges on private jet travel and first/business class air travel to address aviation's environmental impact. Private jet operators pay a surcharge based on estimated greenhouse gas emissions from fuel consumption, with rates varying by flight duration. First/business class passengers pay a surcharge based on flight time, with potential reductions for sustainable fuel use or efficient aircraft. Revenue from these surcharges will fund airport decarbonization programs, clean air initiatives, and research on sustainable aviation fuels. The bill directly affects private jet operators and first/business class passengers, aiming to reduce aviation's contribution to climate change.

Maddy summaryThe Tribal Access to Nutrition Assistance Act of 2023 requires tribal food distribution programs on Indian reservations to allow eligible households to participate in both tribal food assistance and the federal SNAP program simultaneously. This directly affects Native American households living on or near tribal lands who qualify for either program. The bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to update tribal distribution plan requirements, removing barriers that previously prevented dual enrollment in both programs. This change streamlines access to nutrition assistance without altering program benefits or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines "ghost guns" as firearms (including frames and receivers) without a unique serial number from a licensed manufacturer or importer. It requires all new firearms to have a serial number engraved by a licensed maker and prohibits unlicensed individuals from manufacturing, selling, transferring, or possessing ghost guns after a one-year transition period (starting one year after enactment). The bill also bans unlicensed engraving of serial numbers on firearms and updates rules to ban undetectable firearms, with penalties including fines and up to 5 years in prison for repeat violations. These changes directly affect unlicensed gun builders, sellers, and possessors of ghost guns, while allowing licensed dealers a grace period for compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new program to support peer-to-peer technical assistance for farmers, ranchers, and forest owners through "farmer-to-farmer networks." It creates cooperative agreements with eligible groups (like nonprofits, tribes, local governments, and agricultural organizations) to build these networks, prioritizing historically underserved producers including beginning, veteran, socially disadvantaged, and limited-resource farmers. Key provisions require funded networks to facilitate mentorship, provide language access for non-English speakers, and organize local events to share conservation practices. The program aims to increase access to practical, science-based farming support through community-led learning rather than direct government service.