Sen. Sherrod Brown

Maddy summaryThis bill requires car manufacturers to include AM radio receivers as standard equipment in all new vehicles sold in the U.S., without additional cost to buyers. It mandates that AM radio controls be clearly visible on the dashboard for drivers. For vehicles sold before the rule takes effect, manufacturers must label them to disclose the absence of AM radio. The bill aims to maintain access to AM radio broadcasts, which are used for emergency alerts, but does not mandate new emergency systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2757) freezes current payment rates for veterans' transportation services provided through "special modes" (like non-emergency medical transport) starting January 1, 2023, preventing the VA from lowering these rates without strict conditions. It directly affects veterans relying on these transportation services and the contractors providing them. The key provision allows rate increases but requires the VA to conduct a detailed economic impact review, consult with veterans' groups and industry experts, and ensure new rates cover actual costs before any decrease can occur. This aims to protect veterans' access to care by preventing rate cuts that could disrupt transportation services.

Maddy summaryThe Workforce Investment Disclosure Act of 2023 (S 2751) requires public companies to disclose detailed workforce data in their annual SEC filings. It mandates reporting on demographics (including race, ethnicity, and gender), workforce stability (turnover rates), diversity composition, training programs, health/safety records, compensation structures, recruitment practices, and employee engagement. These disclosures must be disaggregated by employee status (full-time, part-time, contingent), wage quintiles, and demographic groups where feasible. The bill applies to all "covered issuers" (public companies filing SEC reports), with exemptions for emerging growth companies regarding certain sections. The law aims to standardize workforce transparency for investors without mandating specific outcomes.

Maddy summaryThe School Bus Safety Act of 2023 requires school buses with a gross vehicle weight over 10,000 pounds to include 3-point seat belts at every seating position, fire suppression systems for engine fires, and safety technology like automatic emergency braking and event data recorders. It also mandates 8 hours of behind-the-wheel training for school bus drivers and creates a grant program to help schools purchase or retrofit buses with these safety features. The rules apply to new buses manufactured within one year of final regulations being issued. This directly affects students riding school buses and school districts responsible for bus safety and procurement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a provision in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to explicitly allow schools using federal funds to offer hunter safety education and similar activities like archery or culinary arts as part of approved educational programs. It directly affects schools and educational programs receiving funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act by removing a previous restriction on using those funds for such activities. The key mechanism is a new exception inserted into Section 8526(7), clarifying that these educational programs remain permissible. The bill does not change funding levels or create new programs, but specifically permits existing funds to be used for these instructional activities. This is a technical amendment to clarify funding eligibility for certain educational offerings.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the tax deduction available to eligible educators for out-of-pocket classroom expenses from $250 to $1,000 annually. It directly affects elementary and secondary school teachers who itemize deductions on their federal tax returns. The key change modifies Internal Revenue Code sections to raise the deduction limit and update reference years to align with current tax filing periods. The updated deduction applies to tax returns filed for 2023 and subsequent years.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases tax-exempt bond limits for agricultural and manufacturing projects. It raises the $10 million cap for manufacturing facility bonds to $30 million (adjusted annually for inflation) and expands eligible facilities to include those producing intangible goods like software. For first-time farmers, it doubles the bond limit from $450,000 to $1 million and changes farm size calculations from median to average. These changes apply to bonds issued after the bill's effective date, directly affecting manufacturers and new farmers seeking tax-advantaged financing.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a federal provision (subsection (b) of section 14 of the National Labor Relations Act) that allowed states to enact "right-to-work" laws. These laws prohibit mandatory union membership as a condition of employment. By removing this federal barrier, the bill would prevent states from passing or enforcing such laws, directly affecting workers in states with existing right-to-work statutes. The key mechanism is the federal preemption of state right-to-work laws, making union membership voluntary nationwide without requiring state action.

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.