Sen. Jeff Merkley

Maddy summaryThis bill requires National Park Service units to eliminate the sale of disposable plastic water bottles and other single-use plastics (like food containers and bags) within 180 days of enactment, after regional directors assess factors like waste reduction, costs, visitor safety, and concessioner impacts. It mandates visitor education about water refill stations, consistent implementation across parks, and biennial evaluations tracking visitor satisfaction, waste collection rates, and safety outcomes. The policy directly affects park operations, concessionaires (park vendors), and visitors who rely on park-provided water products.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal 36% annual cap on interest rates and all associated fees for most consumer loans, directly affecting borrowers of payday, car title, overdraft, and online installment loans. It defines "fee and interest rate" to include all charges - such as late fees, overdraft fees, and credit insurance - preventing lenders from circumventing the cap through hidden fees. Lenders must disclose this rate as "FAIR" on loan documents, replacing the previous finance charge disclosure. The cap applies broadly but allows limited exceptions for small application fees or state-authorized fees under specific conditions. State laws offering stronger protections remain in effect.

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 summarySCONRES 19 is a non-binding concurrent resolution introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 27, 2023, by Senators Booker, Coons, and others. It urges the President to establish a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation to address historical racial inequities. The resolution identifies over 400 years of systemic oppression against Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, including discriminatory policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act and residential segregation. The proposed commission would aim to "jettison the belief in a hierarchy of human value," "embrace our common humanity," and eliminate persistent racial inequities. As a resolution, it does not create the commission itself but formally calls on the executive branch to take action.

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.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates August 20th as "Slavery Remembrance Day" to commemorate the arrival of the first 20 enslaved Africans at Fort Monroe, Virginia, on August 20, 1619. It encourages all Americans to observe the day through ceremonies and activities to acknowledge slavery's history and its lasting impacts. The resolution is symbolic - requiring no new laws or funding - and asks the President to issue a proclamation urging public observance. It does not directly affect specific groups or alter existing policies.

Maddy summarySRES 319 is a non-binding Senate resolution (introduced July 27, 2023) that declares racism a public health crisis in the United States. It cites documented health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minorities, including lower life expectancy for Black and Native American people, higher maternal mortality rates, and disproportionate COVID-19 impacts. The resolution commits the Senate to developing a nationwide strategy to dismantle systemic racism, address health inequities, and advance reforms targeting social determinants of health. It directly affects all racial and ethnic minority communities facing these documented health disparities, though it does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summarySRES 326 is a procedural Senate resolution (not a law) designating August 23, 2023, as "National Poll Worker Recruitment Day." It formally recognizes the importance of poll workers in elections and encourages eligible citizens to volunteer for this role in the 2023 elections. The resolution has no binding effect but aims to raise awareness about the need for poll workers. It directly affects the public by inviting them to participate in election administration.

Maddy summary# Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024: Summary This comprehensive appropriations bill allocates funding for the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and related agencies for fiscal year 2024, with several key provisions and restrictions: ## Major Funding Allocations - **Indian Health Service**: $4.719 billion (becoming available October 1, 2024), including $998.755 million for Purchased/Referred Care, $74.138 million for the Indian Health Care Improvement Fund, and $291.702 million for the Electronic Health Record System. - **Indian Health Facilities**: $508.326 million (becoming available October 1, 2024), including $457.063 million for Sanitation Facilities Construction and Health Care Facilities Construction. - **Environmental Protection Agency**: Specific funding for various programs, including $85 million for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. - **National Institutes of Health**: $83 million for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. ## Key Provisions and Restrictions - **Wild Horse and Burro Protections**: Prohibits destruction of healthy, unadopted wild horses/burros and sale for commercial processing; requires humane treatment for transferred animals. - **Contract Support Costs**: Limits funds for contract support costs arising from self-determination or self-governance contracts for fiscal year 2024. - **No-Bid Contracts**: Prohibits no-bid contracts unless specifically authorized by law. - **Use of Funds**: Prohibits using funds for: - Promoting legislative proposals - Destruction of healthy wild horses/burros - Certain environmental regulations (e.g., greenhouse gas reporting requirements for manure management) - Regulating lead content in ammunition - Accepting oil and gas leasing in Chaco Canyon without cultural resources investigation ## Program Authorizations and Extensions - **National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund**: Requires allocation of funds within 45 days of enactment. - **Land and Water Conservation Fund**: Requires specific allocation of funds for projects. - **Forest Service Facility Realignment**: Extends authority through September 30, 2024. - **Tribal Leases**: Requires consultation with tribes on lease implementation. - **Wild Horse and Burro Program**: Authorizes transfer of excess animals to government agencies for use as work animals. ## Other Notable Provisions - **Funding Restrictions**: Prohibits use of funds for computer networks that don't block access to pornography websites (except for law enforcement). - **Biomass Energy Policies**: Requires interagency coordination on forest biomass energy policies. - **Timber Sales**: Sets requirements for timber sales in Alaska, including deficit sales restrictions. - **Rescissions**: Permanently rescinds $100 million from unobligated balances of National Park Service grants and $350 million from unobligated balances of other funds. The bill contains numerous technical corrections, extensions of existing authorizations, and specific program requirements designed to guide agency implementation of federal environmental and resource management programs.