Maddy summaryS 1474 creates the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program to encourage SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients to buy common dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese using their benefits. The program provides point-of-sale incentives at grocery stores for purchasing "naturally nutrient-rich dairy" (defined as milk, yogurt, and cheese made from cow’s milk) when SNAP benefits are used. It allocates $10 million annually to fund competitive grants for state/local governments or nonprofits to run pilot projects, requiring projects to prioritize direct incentives for SNAP users and use electronic point-of-sale systems. The bill also transitions existing dairy incentive projects from a 2018 law into this new program, ensuring no disruption to current efforts.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2023 changes the tax treatment for certain payments received by nurses in the Nurse Corps program. It makes payments and scholarships under the Public Health Service Act's Section 846 tax-exempt, aligning them with similar benefits under other programs. This directly affects nurses participating in the Nurse Corps who receive these specific educational or service payments. The change applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1424) improves access to dental and vision care by requiring health plans to allow doctors of optometry, dental surgery, or dental medicine to charge enrollees up to their standard fees for services not covered by the plan (with exceptions for dental cleanings). It prohibits plans from restricting providers' choices of laboratories or suppliers for materials used in care. The bill also mandates annual state enforcement notifications and clarifies that state laws governing dental/vision plans take precedence over federal provisions. It directly affects health insurance plans offering limited dental/vision coverage, enrollees using these services, and dental/optometry providers.
Maddy summarySRES 188 is a symbolic Senate resolution celebrating the 75th anniversary of Israel's founding on May 14, 2023. It formally recognizes Israel's establishment, reaffirms the U.S.-Israel partnership, and highlights shared democratic values, security cooperation, and diplomatic achievements like the Abraham Accords. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on individuals or legislation - it serves solely as a ceremonial expression of support. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and passed without implementing new laws or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1400) amends USDA conservation programs to expand access to technical service providers (TSPs) who help farmers and ranchers implement conservation practices. It creates new pathways for non-Federal entities (like state agencies, agricultural cooperatives, or professional societies) to certify TSPs, streamlines certification for existing professionals (e.g., certified crop advisors), and sets fair payment rates for TSP services. The law requires USDA to maintain a public registry of certified providers, track usage metrics, and report on how TSPs improve conservation outcomes. This directly affects agricultural producers seeking technical assistance and TSPs wanting to deliver services under USDA programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill, the Ending Forced Arbitration of Race Discrimination Act of 2023, prohibits employers from requiring employees to resolve claims of race discrimination through private arbitration. It invalidates any pre-dispute arbitration agreement or waiver for disputes involving discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on race, color, or national origin under federal, tribal, state, or local law. Employees can now choose to file such claims in court instead of forced arbitration, and courts - not arbitrators - will determine if an arbitration clause applies. The law applies to claims arising after the bill's enactment date.
Maddy summaryThe Citizenship for Essential Workers Act would allow certain essential workers who performed critical jobs during the pandemic to adjust to lawful permanent residence without numerical limits. It covers workers in healthcare, emergency response, sanitation, food services, construction, agriculture, domestic work, and other essential sectors, provided they earned income in these fields during the public health emergency period. The bill includes provisions for background checks, employer documentation requirements, worker protections against retaliation for requesting documents, fee exemptions for low-income applicants, and employment authorization while applications are pending. It also establishes procedures for appeals and judicial review, and waives certain inadmissibility grounds for humanitarian, family unity, or public interest reasons. The Department of Homeland Security would need to issue interim rules within 180 days of enactment.
Maddy summarySJRES 4 is a joint resolution that removes the 1972 deadline for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which was originally proposed in House Joint Resolution 208. It declares that the ERA is valid as part of the U.S. Constitution if ratified by three-fourths of states (38), regardless of the expired deadline. The resolution directly affects the ERA ratification process, making it possible for states to complete ratification without time constraints. As of 2023, 38 states had already ratified the ERA, and this resolution would finalize its inclusion in the Constitution if enacted.
Maddy summaryThe New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act establishes a federal grant program to fund local restoration projects protecting water quality and wildlife habitats across the New York-New Jersey Harbor watershed. It provides competitive matching grants (up to 90% federal funding for small/rural/disadvantaged communities) to state/local governments, nonprofits, and tribal entities for activities like habitat restoration, stormwater management, and climate resilience projects. The program requires coordination with existing regional plans (such as the Hudson River Estuary Program) and prioritizes projects benefiting communities facing environmental injustice. Funding is authorized at $20 million annually (2024-2029), with at least 75% dedicated to grants, and mandates annual progress reports to Congress.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Independent Financial Technology Working Group, chaired by the Treasury Secretary, to research and address terrorist and illicit financial activities using new technologies like digital assets. The group includes federal agency representatives (Treasury, DOJ, DHS, State, CIA) and five private-sector members from fintech, blockchain, financial institutions, and research organizations. Key provisions require the group to develop regulatory proposals, submit annual reports to Congress on findings, and produce a final report after its 4-year term. The bill also mandates a presidential report within 180 days detailing digital asset risks to national security and a congressional briefing after two years. The Working Group terminates after four years, with ongoing activities allowed to complete.