Maddy summaryS 2807, the Help Our Kelp Act, creates a federal grant program to fund projects conserving, restoring, and managing kelp forest ecosystems. It directly affects eligible entities like fishing industry groups, Indian Tribes, universities, nonprofits, and local governments, which can apply for grants totaling $5 million annually (2024-2028), with at least $750,000 reserved for tribal projects. Key provisions require applicants to address significant kelp declines, prioritize ecosystem resilience and Indigenous knowledge integration, and provide a 15% non-Federal cost share (with limited waivers). The program mandates science-based project evaluation and focuses on concrete actions like restoring natural food chains through urchin removal and monitoring kelp health.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 2776, the Disarm Hate Act, prohibits firearm sales, possession, shipment, or transport for individuals convicted of a misdemeanor hate crime or receiving an enhanced sentence for such a crime. It directly affects people convicted under state, federal, or tribal law of a misdemeanor involving bias motivation (based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability) and physical threat or force. The bill amends federal gun laws (18 U.S.C. §§922(d) and 922(g)) to add this restriction, while excluding cases where convictions were expunged, pardoned, or where legal rights were waived improperly. This is a concrete policy change affecting firearm access for a specific category of offenders, not a broader hate crime prevention measure.
Maddy summaryThis bill provides $16 billion in federal funding over five years (2024-2028) to stabilize the child care sector. It directly affects child care providers by offering grants to offset operating costs, support higher wages for early childhood educators without increasing fees for families, and expand access to high-quality care. Key provisions include funding for providers in underserved areas (like rural communities, infant/toddler care, and inclusive services for children with disabilities) and a requirement that 99% of funds go directly to providers. The funds are administered through the existing framework of the American Rescue Plan Act's child care program.
Maddy summarySRES 337 designates the week beginning September 10, 2023, as "National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week" to honor workers who provide essential in-home and community-based support to people with disabilities. The resolution recognizes these professionals - including personal assistants and in-home support workers - who help individuals live independently, avoid institutional care, and access community activities, while also urging the Bureau of Labor Statistics to collect specific data about this workforce.
Maddy summaryS 638, the Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act, requires large multinational corporations (with annual revenue above a set threshold) to disclose financial data broken down by country or tax jurisdiction. Covered companies must report aggregated revenue, profit, taxes paid, employees, and assets for each tax jurisdiction where they operate, including subsidiaries without a tax residence. The reports, to be submitted in machine-readable format and made publicly available online, must align with U.S. or international standards. This applies to U.S. public companies that are part of multinational enterprise groups meeting the revenue threshold. The bill does not change tax laws but mandates transparency about corporate financial activity across jurisdictions.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2757) freezes current payment rates for veterans' transportation services provided through "special modes" (like non-emergency medical transport) starting January 1, 2023, preventing the VA from lowering these rates without strict conditions. It directly affects veterans relying on these transportation services and the contractors providing them. The key provision allows rate increases but requires the VA to conduct a detailed economic impact review, consult with veterans' groups and industry experts, and ensure new rates cover actual costs before any decrease can occur. This aims to protect veterans' access to care by preventing rate cuts that could disrupt transportation services.
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 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 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.