Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue detailed reports after major disasters when its Disaster Information Reporting System activates for at least 7 days. The reports must document outages in broadband, mobile services, and 911 systems, include public hearings with affected communities and providers, and recommend improvements to network resilience. It also directs the Office of Management and Budget to reclassify public safety telecommunicators as "protective service occupations" in federal job statistics. Additionally, the FCC must report on compliance with Kari’s Law, which mandates direct 911 access in multi-line phone systems. These provisions aim to improve disaster communications transparency and response coordination without creating new funding or regulatory requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 229, the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act of 2023, directs the SelectUSA program (part of the Department of Commerce) to boost foreign investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, specifically targeting vulnerable supply chain segments like chip fabrication and advanced packaging. It requires SelectUSA to coordinate with state economic development organizations within 180 days to identify investment barriers, opportunities, and recommendations, and to submit a report to Congress within two years detailing progress and strategies. The bill uses existing program funds without authorizing new appropriations. It directly affects semiconductor manufacturers, state economic development groups, and foreign investors seeking U.S. opportunities, aiming to strengthen supply chain security through private investment rather than new government spending.
Maddy summarySRES 499 is a non-binding Senate resolution honoring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, for her career as an Arizona State Senator, judge, and advocate for civic education through her organization iCivics. The resolution formally acknowledges her legacy as a trailblazer and educational advocate, extends condolences to her family, and requests communication of the resolution to the House of Representatives and her family. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new law or policy but serves as a formal tribute to her lifetime service.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3540) creates a federal grant incentive for states that require cosmetology and barber license applicants to complete domestic violence prevention training. States implementing such training (covering recognition, response, and resource referrals) can receive up to a 10% increase in their existing federal crime prevention grants. The program authorizes $5 million annually (2024-2030) for these grant increases, with states limited to receiving the incentive for up to three years. It directly affects cosmetology and barber license seekers in participating states, while encouraging state-level adoption of domestic violence training in these professions.
Maddy summarySRES 497 is a Senate resolution (introduced December 13, 2023) expressing the Senate's view that the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and similar phrases are antisemitic and constitute a call for genocide against the Jewish state. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies; it is solely a symbolic statement of the Senate's position. The resolution formally declares the Senate's "sense" on the meaning of the slogan, based on the signers' interpretation. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect on citizens, government actions, or future legislation.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from providing health care or processing health care claims for individuals unlawfully present in the United States who are not already eligible for VA benefits under existing law. It directly affects non-citizens without legal immigration status who would otherwise seek VA health services. The key mechanism bans VA health care services and claims processing for this group, while preserving eligibility for veterans and others legally residing in the U.S. The bill does not alter current VA eligibility rules for citizens or lawfully present individuals.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal committee to study how to improve the transmission of accurate location information for calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, particularly affecting people in rural or small communities who may struggle to get emergency responders to their exact location. The committee, composed of representatives from telecom companies, crisis centers, public safety agencies, and state/local governments, will examine privacy concerns, technical standards for sending location data, and potential costs for service providers. It must submit a report within one year with recommendations for potential future legislation to address these location challenges. The bill itself does not change current law but sets up a study to inform future policy.
Maddy summaryThe Value in Health Care Act of 2023 simplifies participation in Medicare's Shared Savings Program for care coordination groups (like hospital-doctor networks). It removes barriers for smaller or rural groups by eliminating separate rules for "low" and "high" revenue groups, requiring benchmarks to exclude their own spending data, and creating a new 100% shared savings option where providers keep all savings but also bear full risk for losses. The bill adjusts payment thresholds for providers over time, gradually increasing the percentage of savings they can keep (starting at 50% for 2026-2027), and mandates technical support for rural or underserved providers. It directly affects Medicare ACOs and doctors/hospitals participating in value-based payment models, aiming to make cost-saving incentives more accessible and predictable.
Maddy summaryS 3492, the Safe and Open Streets Act, amends federal law to make it a crime to intentionally block public roads in a way that disrupts commerce or the movement of goods. The bill adds a new offense under 18 U.S.C. §1951, prohibiting anyone from purposefully obstructing, delaying, or affecting commerce by blocking roads or highways, with penalties including fines or up to five years in prison. It directly affects individuals or groups who intentionally block roads to interfere with transportation or commerce, such as during protests or demonstrations. The law aims to protect the free flow of commerce on public roads by criminalizing deliberate roadblocks that impede movement. This is a federal criminal law change, not a program or funding measure.
Maddy summaryThe Kids Online Safety Act requires social media platforms and other online services used by minors to implement safety features protecting children under 17. It mandates default privacy controls, limits addictive features like automatic media playback, restricts advertising of harmful products (tobacco, gambling, alcohol) to minors, and requires annual transparency reports about online risks. Platforms with over 10 million monthly U.S. users must provide parental tools, conduct independent audits, and make de-identified data available for research on online harms. The bill focuses on preventing mental health disorders, bullying, sexual exploitation, and addictive behaviors through platform design changes.