Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 469) formally commends the Las Vegas Aces basketball team for winning the 2023 WNBA championship. It recognizes their achievement as the first back-to-back WNBA champions in 21 years and highlights their championship victory over the New York Liberty. The resolution directs the Senate to send a formal copy to team owner Mark Davis, president Nikki Fargas, general manager Natalie Williams, and head coach Becky Hammon. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - its sole purpose is to honor the team's sporting accomplishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires websites and mobile apps owned by Chinese entities (including state-owned companies or businesses based in China) to clearly disclose to U.S. users three key facts: whether they are owned by Chinese entities, where user data is stored (specifically if in China), and whether Chinese entities can access that data. It applies to any app or website meeting these criteria, directly affecting U.S. users who download or use such services. The law mandates transparent, conspicuous disclosures starting one year after enactment and prohibits false statements about these points. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce the rules under existing laws against deceptive practices, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts.

Maddy summaryThe DATA Privacy Act would establish comprehensive data privacy requirements for businesses that collect personal data from 50,000 or more individuals annually. It requires these "covered entities" to provide clear privacy notices, obtain opt-out consent for general data collection, and get affirmative consent for sensitive data like health information or precise location data. The bill gives individuals the right to access, correct, delete, and transfer their personal data while requiring businesses to implement data minimization practices and strengthen security measures. Larger companies would need to appoint privacy officers to oversee compliance, with enforcement handled by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general.

Maddy summaryThe AVERT Crises Act of 2023 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a high-frequency emergency communications system in all VA medical facilities within two years. This system must function independently during disasters without external infrastructure, enable coordination with other agencies, and help maintain healthcare services for veterans. The bill mandates VA staff training, annual emergency exercises, and regular reporting to Congress on system performance, including a three-year Inspector General audit to assess effectiveness and staffing. These changes directly affect VA medical facilities, their staff, and veterans relying on VA healthcare during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThe PROKID Act establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsperson within the Department of Health and Human Services to monitor and advocate for immigrant children in government custody. The Ombudsperson will conduct regular facility visits (at least monthly for influx/unlicensed facilities), investigate complaints of abuse or mistreatment, and review data on children's custody conditions. The bill requires the Office of Refugee Resettlement to collect and publicly share detailed data about immigrant children in custody, including length of stay, facility conditions, and demographic information. It also mandates a coordination agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure unobstructed access for oversight activities and compliance with standards like the Flores settlement agreement.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the National Science Foundation to fund competitive research on privacy-enhancing technologies (like tools that anonymize data or secure data sharing) through merit-reviewed grants. It requires coordination with NIST and the FTC to accelerate development and adoption of these technologies in both public and private sectors. The bill also mandates a 3-year report to Congress on research progress, voluntary industry resources, and policy recommendations for broader use. It primarily affects researchers, tech developers, and organizations handling personal data by creating federal research support and coordination mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3324) increases penalties for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1993. It adds criminal penalties for intentional telemarketing violations, including up to 1 year in prison for basic offenses and up to 3 years for aggravated cases (like making over 10 million calls yearly, causing $5,000+ in losses, or targeting felonies). It also raises civil penalties for false caller ID information from $10,000 to $20,000 per violation. The bill directly affects telemarketers, robocallers, and businesses making unsolicited calls, strengthening enforcement against abusive calling practices.

Maddy summaryThe Encounter Data Enhancement Act (S 3307) requires Medicare Advantage plans to include specific new details in their encounter data reports starting in 2026. This affects Medicare Advantage plans directly, mandating they report payment types (like capitation or fee-for-service), allowed amounts, patient cost-sharing, and indicators for different health risk assessments (in-home, outside-home, or by specific entities). Key provisions also require network status for services and provider identifiers for certain items like lab tests, durable medical equipment, and home health services. The bill aims to improve data transparency for oversight of Medicare Advantage spending and service delivery without changing coverage rules.

Maddy summaryS 3296, the Upskilling and Retraining Assistance Act, increases tax-free educational benefits for employees by raising the annual exclusion limit from $5,250 to $12,000 for tax years 2024-2025. It expands eligible expenses to include education-related tools and technology (like computers, software, internet access, and trade-specific equipment) required for job training, certification, or career advancement. The bill allows employees to retain these tools after completing training, and applies to employer-provided education assistance paid on or after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects workers in skilled trades and professions seeking certification or career progression through employer-supported programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases home modification benefits for disabled veterans under VA home health services. It sets a new $9,000 annual benefit limit for veterans applying after the law's enactment, while maintaining a $6,800 limit for veterans who applied before but later have their condition deemed service-connected. Benefits will automatically adjust yearly based on changes in residential construction costs. The bill also limits veterans to three home modifications or structural alterations under this benefit.