Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Small Business Act to explicitly include "smoke" from wildfires as a qualifying disaster for small business assistance. It directly affects small businesses in areas impacted by wildfire smoke, expanding their eligibility for existing SBA disaster relief programs. The key mechanism is adding "smoke" to the definition of "disaster" under the law, allowing affected businesses to qualify for aid they previously could not access.

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.

Maddy summaryS 1773, the "Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act," directs federal agencies to address mental health disparities affecting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. It mandates a national outreach strategy to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health resources and reduce stigma (Section 4), requires a study on AANHPI youth mental health crises including suicide rates and barriers to care (Section 5), and directs a workforce study to increase AANHPI behavioral health professionals (Section 6). The bill authorizes $3 million annually for the outreach strategy and $1.5 million each for the youth and workforce studies, with reports to Congress on progress and findings. These provisions aim to improve access to care through targeted programs, data-driven solutions, and workforce development for AANHPI populations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 209) is a symbolic Senate measure recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It formally celebrates the historical contributions of these communities to the United States, highlighting their diverse cultural impact and achievements. The resolution does not create new laws or policies - it simply encourages the Senate to observe the month with recognition of these communities' roles in U.S. history. It follows longstanding tradition, as May was chosen to honor key milestones including the arrival of Japanese immigrants and Chinese laborers on the transcontinental railroad.

Maddy summaryS 1702 requires K-12 public schools receiving federal education funding to incorporate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history into American history and civics curricula. It amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to mandate this inclusion across all relevant programs, teacher training, and national assessments. The bill directly affects public school districts, educators, and students by requiring existing curriculum frameworks to explicitly cover these histories. This addresses documented gaps in current curricula that have historically excluded these communities' contributions to U.S. history.

Maddy summaryThe Small Business Innovation Voucher Act of 2023 establishes a grant program (the Innovation Voucher Grant Program) that provides small businesses with funds to purchase technical assistance and services from eligible entities like universities or research labs. It directly affects small businesses, particularly those in underserved markets (including rural areas, HUBZones, or owned by veterans, women, or socially disadvantaged individuals), by offering grants of $15,000-$75,000 to cover 50-75% of costs for developing new products or services. The bill requires 40% of annual funding to target underserved businesses or regions historically lacking federal R&D support, with mandatory reporting on project outcomes and program impact. This creates a structured mechanism for small businesses to access research expertise and advance innovation without requiring new infrastructure.

American Infrastructure Bonds Act of 2023 This bill allows the issuer of an American infrastructure bond a tax credit for 28% of the interest payable under such bond.

Maddy summaryThe Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2023 extends the timeframe for individuals to file claims related to radiation exposure from nuclear testing and uranium mining operations. It increases compensation amounts for certain claims from $50,000-$75,000 to $150,000, expands eligibility criteria for leukemia and other specified diseases, and adds medical benefits for claimants. The bill extends the fund's operational period from 2 years to 19 years after enactment, allows affidavits to support claims, and creates a new $3 million annual grant program to study uranium mining's health impacts. These changes primarily affect individuals exposed to radiation during atmospheric nuclear testing (1944-1962) or who worked in uranium mines/mills (1942-1990), including miners, millers, core drillers, and their family members.

Maddy summaryThe Affordability is Access Act of 2023 requires health insurance plans to cover over-the-counter contraceptives approved by the FDA without cost-sharing (such as copays or deductibles). It directly affects millions of people, especially those who rely on birth control but face cost barriers, including low-income individuals and people in contraceptive deserts. The bill clarifies that insurance coverage must include FDA-approved OTC contraceptives even without a prescription, and it mandates retailers to provide accurate information about these products without interfering with access. Retailers may refuse to sell the product if payment cannot be made, but they cannot block access or spread misinformation.

Maddy summaryThe Reforming Disaster Recovery Act establishes a Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund to provide grants for long-term recovery after major disasters, primarily benefiting low- and moderate-income households in communities most impacted by disasters. It creates a new Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program that requires grantees to allocate at least 70% of funds to help low- and moderate-income people, with funds distributed based on unmet needs for housing, economic revitalization, and infrastructure. The bill mandates detailed planning with public input before funds are distributed, requires grantees to prioritize mitigation activities in hazard-prone areas, and includes provisions for preliminary funding to speed up recovery before final assessments are complete. It also requires annual reporting on fund usage to ensure transparency and accountability, while coordinating with FEMA and other agencies to prevent duplication of benefits.