Maddy summaryThe Youth Voting Rights Act aims to increase voting access for young people aged 18-29 by addressing systemic barriers they face. Key provisions include requiring states to implement pre-registration for 16-year-olds, treating public colleges as voter registration locations, mandating on-campus polling places for federal elections, and treating student ID cards as valid voter identification. The bill also prohibits age-based restrictions on mail-in voting and provides grants to states for youth voter engagement programs. It addresses documented issues like higher rejection rates for young voters' provisional ballots and mail-in ballots compared to older voters. The legislation seeks to normalize voting for young people early in their civic engagement.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 2960, the "Expanding the VOTE Act," requires states and local election officials to provide voting materials (including digital and printed ballots, notices, and instructions) in minority languages when communities meet specific population thresholds. It clarifies that "voting materials" now explicitly include digital content and mandates new notices for jurisdictions near population thresholds. For American Indian and Alaska Native communities with unwritten languages, it requires oral assistance instead of written translations, while still mandating written materials for election workers. The bill also creates $15 million in grants to help jurisdictions provide materials in languages that don’t yet meet coverage thresholds, and directs a study on lowering population thresholds for language access requirements.
Maddy summaryS 2936 establishes the Organic Market Development Grant Program as a permanent initiative under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill provides federal grants to eligible entities - including organic producers, cooperatives, nonprofits, tribal governments, and processors - to expand storage, processing, and distribution capacity for certified organic products. Grants support activities like equipment upgrades, market development, compliance with organic standards, and technical assistance, with funding set at $75 million annually from the Commodity Credit Corporation. Projects can receive up to $3 million (or $100,000 for equipment-only), requiring a 50% cost match for most grants. This program directly benefits domestic organic supply chain participants seeking to grow market access and modernize operations.
Maddy summarySRES 367 designates September 2023 as "National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month" to highlight the impact of spinal cord injuries affecting over 300,000 people in the U.S. The resolution supports increased research funding, clinical trials for new treatments, and commends organizations, researchers, and volunteers working to improve quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries and their families. It emphasizes the need for better therapies and a cure, referencing statistics on annual injuries and the high societal costs associated with these injuries. The resolution has no binding effect but aims to raise public awareness and encourage continued support for affected communities.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal program to help rural water and wastewater systems prepare for and respond to disasters. It authorizes $20 million annually (2024-2028) to provide grants to qualified nonprofit organizations with disaster response expertise. These nonprofits will offer on-site technical assistance during emergencies, develop disaster plans, conduct vulnerability assessments, repair critical infrastructure (like pumps and pipes), and support disadvantaged communities lacking resources. The program specifically targets rural water systems and requires grantees to coordinate with federal, state, and local emergency agencies.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary definition for "agrivoltaic systems" (where solar energy and farming coexist on the same land) and requires the USDA to develop a permanent definition within two years, considering regional factors. It amends the Rural Energy for America Program to prioritize solar projects using agrivoltaic systems and mandates data collection on farmland types, soil management, and project details. The bill also directs the USDA to create public guidance on soil and water protection for solar installations on farmland and requires a 3-year study on agrivoltaic systems' compatibility with crops and livestock. These changes directly affect farmers, solar developers, and USDA programs managing farmland, solar energy, and conservation efforts.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2918) extends the funding period for an existing public health program focused on tracking and educating about infections linked to illicit drug use and related risk factors. It amends the Public Health Service Act to change the program's authorization from 2019-2023 to 2024-2028, ensuring continued operation without altering the program's core activities. The bill directly affects the federal program itself, maintaining its current surveillance and education efforts. No new policies or changes to program scope are introduced - only a renewal of its legal authorization period.
Maddy summaryS 2933, the Safe Response Act, increases annual funding for a specific public health program. It amends Section 546(h) of the Public Health Service Act to raise the funding level from $36 million annually (fiscal years 2019-2023) to $57 million annually (fiscal years 2024-2028). This reauthorization directly affects the program funded under this section, providing higher financial support for its operations. The bill makes no changes to program requirements or eligibility, only adjusting the authorized funding amount. The change applies to the specified future funding period without altering existing program structure.
Maddy summaryThe Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2023 requires companies that deploy automated decision systems making critical life decisions (such as for housing, employment, healthcare, or financial services) to conduct impact assessments before and after implementation. Covered entities include businesses with over $50 million in annual revenue or those handling data for more than 1 million consumers, which must document system impacts and mitigate negative effects on consumers. Companies must submit annual summary reports to the Federal Trade Commission detailing their assessments, with the FTC creating a public repository of anonymized information to inform consumers and researchers. The law mandates transparency about how systems affect consumers but does not require full disclosure of all assessment details. This bill establishes concrete requirements for accountability in automated decision-making systems affecting critical aspects of consumers' lives.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs to create clear anti-harassment policies covering harassment based on race, sex, disability, religion, and other protected characteristics. These policies must specifically prohibit harassment occurring online (via emails, social media, or institutional networks), on campus, in dorms, and during school-sponsored activities. It also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund campus prevention programs, counseling services, and training for students, faculty, and staff on recognizing and addressing harassment. The law adds these requirements to existing federal protections under Title IX and the Civil Rights Act, without replacing them.