Sen. Markwayne Mullin

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 204) is a ceremonial Senate expression of congratulations to the University of Oklahoma women's gymnastics team for winning the 2023 NCAA national championship - their sixth title overall. It recognizes the team's specific achievements, including a record-setting score and multiple individual honors, and honors their coach and university staff. The Senate formally requests that a copy of the resolution be sent to the University of Oklahoma president, athletics director, and head coach. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect or policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program to strengthen cybersecurity protections. It mandates that the program coordinate with the HHS Chief Information Security Officer to address vulnerabilities and requires all participating local crisis centers and the program’s network administrator to report cybersecurity vulnerabilities or incidents within 24 hours. The law also directs a study by the Comptroller General to evaluate cybersecurity risks for the lifeline within 180 days of enactment. These changes directly affect the national lifeline program and all local crisis centers using the 9-8-8 system.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of May 1-7, 2023, as "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week" to raise public and medical community awareness about the condition. It does not create new laws or policies, but encourages individuals to learn about Tardive Dyskinesia, a movement disorder linked to long-term use of certain medications (like antipsychotics). The resolution focuses solely on awareness, with no direct impact on affected individuals or healthcare requirements. It is a symbolic, non-binding gesture by the Senate.

Maddy summaryS 1445, the Stand Your Ground Act of 2023, amends federal law to expand self-defense protections in certain criminal cases. It creates an affirmative defense for using force (including deadly force) when facing a "forcible felony" (like assault, robbery, or sexual battery) without requiring a defendant to retreat first. The bill directly affects individuals accused of crimes in federal court who claim self-defense, shifting the burden to prove this defense to a preponderance of evidence. Key provisions remove the "duty to retreat" requirement, allowing a defendant to stand their ground if they are not engaged in criminal activity and are in a place they have a legal right to be. This applies only to federal prosecutions commenced after the law's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an exemption from federal environmental liability for fire departments and facilities using specific firefighting foam. It protects entities with approved fire suppression systems that release PFAS-containing foam during lawful activities like training or emergency responses, provided the system meets current fire codes and engineering standards. The exemption does not apply if the entity acts with gross negligence or continues using the foam 5 years after safer alternatives become available. This directly affects fire departments, airports, and industrial facilities that use aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing PFAS chemicals, shielding them from CERCLA cleanup cost claims for routine discharges.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects airport sponsors (like public airports or joint-use facilities) from federal environmental liability claims related to PFAS chemicals used in firefighting foam. It specifically exempts them from costs under the federal environmental law (CERCLA) if the PFAS release resulted solely from using the foam as required by the FAA for safety compliance and following FAA guidelines. The exemption does not apply if the airport sponsor acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in using the foam. This law directly affects airports that use FAA-mandated firefighting foam but does not shield them from liability for reckless conduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects certain waste and compost facilities from federal environmental liability for PFAS releases under CERCLA. It exempts owners/operators of solid waste facilities and compost processors from lawsuits if PFAS was released during permitted disposal of municipal waste residuals, biosolids management, or compost processing under state law. The exemption does not apply if the facility acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct. This directly affects waste management companies, compost businesses, and government entities operating these facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects public water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and related entities from liability under federal environmental law for PFAS releases, provided they follow all applicable laws during treatment or disposal. It exempts these "protected entities" from cost-recovery claims under CERCLA when handling PFAS in ways consistent with existing water treatment practices, such as managing biosolids, discharging treated water, or disposing of filter media. The exemption does not apply if a facility acts with gross negligence or willful misconduct in handling PFAS. This directly affects water utilities and municipalities managing PFAS-contaminated water or byproducts under current federal and state regulations.

Maddy summaryS 1435 requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director to withdraw the proposed "Conservation and Landscape Health" rule (88 Fed. Reg. 19583, April 3, 2023). The bill prohibits the BLM from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing this specific rule or any substantially similar rule. This directly affects the BLM’s regulatory process by halting a proposed conservation policy related to landscape health management.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts agricultural operations from liability under the federal CERCLA law for releases of specific PFAS chemicals used in farming. It directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses (defined as "protected entities") who produce or harvest crops, shielding them from lawsuits or cleanup costs related to covered PFAS substances. The exemption applies to non-volatile PFAS hazardous substances (excluding gases) used in agricultural practices, but does not protect against liability for gross negligence or willful misconduct. The law changes existing environmental liability rules to specifically exclude routine agricultural activities involving these chemicals.