Sen. Robert P. Casey, Jr.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit system for bonds that community colleges can use to finance infrastructure projects. It allows states to issue up to $1 billion in these bonds annually for specific purposes like building or renovating college facilities, providing broadband access, or offering student childcare and housing. The bonds must be used in underserved areas and meet green building standards, with priority given to colleges serving historically underserved communities. The program requires states to apply for allocations and ensures construction projects meet prevailing wage standards. This directly affects public community colleges in qualified areas and the states that issue these bonds.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5179) adds a new Medicaid funding mechanism to reimburse states 75% of costs for approved direct support worker training programs starting in 2025. It directly affects states administering Medicaid and eligible homecare workers (including home health aides and nursing assistants) who serve Medicaid recipients. The key provision requires states to approve training programs that cover core competencies for homecare aides and provide career advancement opportunities, with reimbursement tied to workers having at least 30% of their client volume on Medicaid. The bill defines "eligible direct support worker" to include specific roles meeting this Medicaid client volume threshold.

Maddy summaryThe CREATE Graduates Act creates a federal grant program to help states and institutions identify and award associate degrees to students who have completed sufficient credits but didn't receive the degree. It requires institutions to identify students with 45+ credits who lack an associate degree, provide outreach to those eligible for the degree or needing 12 or fewer credits to complete it, and waive nonacademic barriers like library fines. The bill prohibits charging students fees for participating in the program and mandates institutions to report on implementation, including demographic data on students who received degrees. States must use at least 80% of grant funds for subgrants to institutions and report annually on outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts the premium tax credit program under the Affordable Care Act to make health insurance more affordable for lower-income households. It establishes a new sliding scale for the percentage of income people pay toward premiums based on household income relative to the federal poverty line (ranging from 150% to 400% of the poverty line). For example, households earning 150-200% of the poverty line would pay 0-2% of income, while those earning 300-400% would pay 6-8.5%. The changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, and directly affect individuals purchasing health insurance through marketplace plans who qualify for these tax credits.

Maddy summaryThe Fair Flood Protection Act of 2024 reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program through 2034 and makes several key changes to improve its financial stability and affordability. It eliminates the Community Rating System over 2-4 years, caps reimbursement rates for private insurers participating in the "Write Your Own" program at 25% of premiums, and requires annual transparency reports showing how premiums are calculated for policyholders. The bill creates a Flood Protection Affordability Program that subsidizes premiums for eligible homeowners based on income, funded by a new 20% annual fee on policies (30% for non-residential properties). Additionally, it establishes a levee development program and authorizes $200 million annually for flood resilience projects from 2025-2034.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new protections for warehouse workers by requiring employers to provide clear written descriptions of performance quotas and workplace monitoring systems. It prohibits quotas that prevent workers from taking required breaks, using bathroom facilities, or complying with safety standards, and bans adverse employment actions based on certain types of performance data. The bill creates a new Fairness and Transparency Office within the Department of Labor to oversee enforcement, gives workers the right to request their work speed data in plain language, and adds protections against retaliation for exercising these rights. It also amends OSHA standards to improve ergonomic protections and medical treatment access for warehouse workers. The bill applies to large warehouse employers (with over 200 employees) in specific industry sectors like warehousing, distribution, and delivery services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits possessing firearms within 100 yards of a federal election site (such as polling places or ballot-counting locations) unless specific exceptions apply. It directly affects anyone near these sites, including voters, election workers, and others in the vicinity, by restricting firearm access in that zone. Key provisions include exceptions for law enforcement officers on duty, firearms remaining in vehicles, and lawful private property possession, while imposing penalties of up to 1 year in jail for basic violations and up to 5 years if firearms are intended for criminal use. The law also enhances penalties for homicides occurring during election site violations involving firearms.

Maddy summaryThe Keeping Obstetrics Local Act aims to improve access to maternity care by requiring states to study costs of obstetric services and setting minimum Medicaid payment rates that are higher than current rates (starting at 150% of Medicare rates for 2026). It creates "anchor payments" for low-volume obstetric hospitals to help them stay open, requiring states to pay hospitals meeting specific criteria the difference between what they're paid and what they need to operate. The bill also mandates 12-month continuous coverage for pregnant individuals under Medicaid and CHIP, and requires hospitals to notify communities 180 days before closing obstetric units, including details on service impacts and steps to address gaps. These provisions directly affect rural hospitals, Medicaid/CHIP recipients, and pregnant individuals seeking obstetric care.

Maddy summaryThe Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act prohibits Amtrak from requiring customers to use private arbitration or waive class action rights for consumer and civil rights disputes. It invalidates pre-dispute agreements forcing arbitration or blocking collective claims related to Amtrak services (like personal injuries) or discrimination (e.g., based on race, gender, or disability). Courts, not arbitrators, will decide if a dispute falls under this law, ensuring customers can pursue claims in court. The bill applies to all claims arising after its effective date, directly affecting Amtrak and all its customers who use passenger services.

Maddy summaryThe CARE for Kids Act of 2024 expands eligibility for free school meals under the National School Lunch Program. It adds new categories of children who automatically qualify, including those in kinship care (e.g., with grandparents or relatives who have legal authority), children receiving adoption or kinship guardianship payments, and children living in designated low-income housing with older caregivers. The bill also requires school districts to honor existing meal eligibility for children who transfer to a new district, extending it by one year if they began living with a qualifying relative caregiver within the prior 12 months. Additionally, it links Medicaid eligibility to school meal eligibility, automatically qualifying children receiving Medicaid benefits under specific programs. This primarily affects low-income children and school districts administering meal programs.