Maddy summaryThe Watershed Results Act establishes up to five watershed pilot programs in Reclamation States (including Western states under the 1902 Reclamation Act, Hawaii, and Alaska) to improve water quality and habitat. It requires using "advance watershed analytics" to plan projects, then paying for verified outcomes (like increased water volume or habitat quality) through "pay-for-performance contracts" funded by a dedicated Environmental Outcomes Fund. The Fund receives $15 million annually from the Reclamation Fund starting in 2024, with projects needing to demonstrate measurable results to receive federal payments. This program directly affects federal agencies (like the Interior Department), state/local entities, and qualifying projects that meet the defined outcome targets. The pilots run for five years, with annual reports to Congress on progress and outcomes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS. 482 amends the Klamath Project's water and power management to reduce costs for irrigation users while supporting environmental restoration. It requires the Secretary to implement local water conservation recommendations within 180 days of enactment, aiming to align power costs with a benchmark, with annual progress reports starting in 2025. The bill authorizes habitat restoration projects for fish (including Tribal resources), allows 69% reimbursement for Pumping Plant D operations, and treats C Canal flume replacement as emergency maintenance under existing law. These provisions directly affect irrigation districts, tribal fisheries, and power users in Oregon and California.
Maddy summarySRES 901 is a non-binding Senate resolution supporting Transgender Day of Remembrance by recognizing the epidemic of violence against transgender people in the U.S. It memorializes 38 transgender individuals, including transgender women of color, who were killed between October 2023 and September 2024. The resolution affirms the need for solutions to this violence while upholding the dignity of all transgender people. As a symbolic measure, it does not enact new policies or laws.
Maddy summaryThe Sutton Mountain and Painted Hills Area Wildfire Resiliency Preservation and Economic Enhancement Act establishes the Sutton Mountain National Monument in Oregon, covering approximately 65,000 acres across two units (Upper and Lower). The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop a management plan within 3 years that prioritizes wildfire resiliency through juniper removal and habitat restoration, while allowing sustainable grazing and recreation. It authorizes specific land exchanges between private landowners and the federal government and directs the conveyance of 1,327 acres of federal land to the City of Mitchell for public recreation purposes. The monument will be managed to balance ecological health, wildfire risk reduction, and sustainable resource use, with required coordination with local governments including Wheeler County.
Maddy summaryThe Fair Ball Act (S 5362) would amend federal labor law to extend minimum wage and overtime protections to minor league baseball players covered by an active union contract. Currently, these players are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), but the bill removes that exemption specifically for unionized players. This means minor league players with a current collective bargaining agreement would now be entitled to the same minimum wage and overtime pay as other workers under federal law. Players without union representation would remain exempt under existing rules.
Maddy summarySRES 897 is a Senate resolution designating November 2024 as National Native American Heritage Month and recognizing the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day, as established by the 2009 Native American Heritage Day Act. It formally acknowledges the contributions of Native Americans to U.S. history, culture, and society, including their roles in agriculture, environmental stewardship, military service, and the influence of Indigenous governance concepts on the U.S. Constitution. The resolution encourages the public to observe these designations through educational programs and activities. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or communities.
Maddy summaryThis bill would modify the de minimis exemption (allowing low-value imports without duties) to better prevent smuggling of illicit goods like fentanyl. It requires importers to provide additional documentation including product descriptions, country of origin, and Harmonized Tariff Schedule classifications for low-value shipments. The bill also creates new penalties for false information and limits exemptions for certain goods, such as those subject to anti-dumping duties or identified as high-risk. It would require importers to pay a $2 fee per shipment under the exemption and mandates regular reports to Congress on how the exemption is being used. These changes aim to protect U.S. revenue, prevent illicit goods from entering the country, and improve transparency in low-value imports.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the Secure Rural Schools program, which provides payments to counties and states with federal land, through 2026. It also adjusts related deadlines for special projects on federal land and county fund expenditures, pushing them to 2028 and 2029 respectively. Additionally, the bill adds a pilot program allowing regional foresters to appoint resource advisory committee members, set to end on October 1, 2028. These changes maintain funding stability and administrative flexibility for rural communities dependent on federal land management.
Maddy summarySRES 888 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the late James Ralph Sasser, a former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (served 1976-1993). It formally expresses the Senate’s "profound sorrow" over his death and requests the Secretary of the Senate transmit the resolution to his family. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or entities - it is solely a commemorative gesture. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies.