Maddy summaryS 1990, the Tax on Wall Street Speculation Act, imposes a small tax (0.005% to 0.5%) on most financial trades, including stocks, bonds, derivatives, and digital assets. The tax applies to transactions cleared in the U.S. or involving U.S. persons, with rates varying by security type (e.g., 0.5% for stocks, 0.005% for digital assets), and is paid by exchanges or brokers, not individual traders. It includes exemptions for initial stock sales, short-term debt, and securities lending, while providing a tax credit for eligible low-income individuals (over 18, not students, with modified AGI under $50,000). The bill aims to generate revenue from frequent trading, with the credit offsetting costs for qualifying individuals. The tax takes effect for transactions after December 31, 2023.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 1934, the *Empowering States' Rights To Protect Consumers Act of 2023*, would allow states to set their own maximum interest rates for most consumer credit (like credit cards or personal loans), overriding federal limits. It directly affects consumers and lenders in states with stricter rate caps than current federal law, excluding residential mortgages. The bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to require that non-mortgage credit transactions follow the highest rate limit permitted by the consumer’s state of residence. This shifts regulatory authority from federal to state level for these financial products.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare for reserve component members (such as National Guard and Reserves) who are not on active duty and not covered by TRICARE Prime. It requires the VA to provide hospital care, medical services, and mental health support to these reserve members during periods they are not on active orders. The bill mandates a phased enrollment of reserve members into the VA's patient enrollment system: all uninsured reserve members must be enrolled by December 31, 2023, and all other reserve members by December 31, 2024, with automatic enrollment for new members after that date. Additionally, the VA must conduct a study on improving healthcare access for reserve members and submit a report to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
Maddy summaryS 1940, titled "Canyon’s Law," bans the use of M-44 devices (cyanide-laced "predator control" tools) on public lands. It directly affects federal, state, and county agencies that deploy these devices to kill wildlife like wolves and coyotes. The bill prohibits preparing, placing, or using M-44 devices on public lands and requires all existing devices to be removed within 30 days of enactment. These devices, which use highly toxic sodium cyanide, have caused injuries to people (including children), killed non-target animals like eagles and bears, and harmed endangered species.
Maddy summaryThe SECURE Act would allow certain foreign nationals to adjust their immigration status to lawful permanent residence. It specifically targets individuals who are nationals of countries designated under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or who were in TPS, and who have been continuously present in the U.S. for at least three years. The bill includes provisions for work authorization while applications are pending, fee exemptions for vulnerable applicants (such as minors, low-income individuals, and those in foster care), and a "stay of removal" for those with pending applications. It also contains confidentiality protections for application information and requires detailed reporting when countries lose TPS status. The bill aims to streamline the process for eligible TPS holders to obtain permanent residency without having to file motions to reopen prior removal orders.
Maddy summaryThe BUMP Act of 2023 (S 1909) prohibits the sale, possession, and transfer of devices that increase the rate of fire on semiautomatic firearms, including "bump stocks" and similar modifications. It directly affects owners of semiautomatic firearms modified to speed up firing or mimic machineguns, requiring them to register such weapons within 120 days of enactment. Key provisions ban devices designed to eliminate the need for separate trigger pulls per shot and define "semiautomatic firearm" to exclude machinegun-like modifications. The bill exempts government entities and pre-existing legal modifications from the ban, provided they are registered.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office within the U.S. State Department to monitor and combat Islamophobia abroad. It requires the Secretary of State to appoint a Special Envoy to lead this office within 120 days of enactment. The bill mandates that State Department annual reports on human rights (under the Foreign Assistance Act) and international religious freedom (under the International Religious Freedom Act) include specific, detailed assessments of Islamophobic acts in foreign countries. These assessments must cover physical violence against Muslims or Muslim institutions, hate propaganda, government responses to such incidents, enforcement of religious freedom protections, and anti-bias education efforts. The reporting requirements apply to all countries where such acts occur.
Maddy summaryThe Clean Shipping Act of 2023 (S 1917) requires commercial vessels over 400 gross tons operating on U.S. routes (between U.S. ports or U.S. to foreign ports) to gradually reduce the carbon intensity of their fuel. It sets phased targets: 20% less carbon intensity by 2029, 45% by 2034, 80% by 2039, and 100% by 2040, compared to a 2024 baseline. Vessels must report annual fuel carbon intensity and emissions, with exemptions for voyages under 30 days and allowances for averaging emissions across vessels under common ownership. The bill also mandates in-port emission reductions for greenhouse gases and air pollutants by 2030, with feasibility adjustments allowed.
Maddy summaryThe Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2023 would authorize $300 million annually for five years to expand school-based mental health services. It requires schools to partner with community mental health providers to implement comprehensive programs that include universal mental health screenings, trauma-informed training for staff, and family engagement initiatives. The law mandates that programs be culturally appropriate, evidence-based, and track specific outcomes like improved academic performance, reduced disciplinary actions, and increased access to mental health care. This legislation directly affects public schools, students with mental health needs, and community mental health providers nationwide.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires airlines to make in-flight safety videos and entertainment programming accessible to passengers with disabilities. It mandates features like open/closed captioning, American Sign Language options, and audio description for video content, plus non-visual operation controls for touchscreens, apps, and web portals used for inflight services. Airlines must comply within 180 days of the law's enactment. Passengers with disabilities can pursue legal action if airlines fail to meet these standards, with courts able to award damages and cover legal fees. The law directly affects all airlines (including foreign carriers) operating in the U.S. and ensures equal access to safety and entertainment content.