Maddy summaryThe Primacy Certainty Act of 2023 sets clear deadlines for the EPA to review state applications for primary enforcement authority over Class VI wells (used for carbon dioxide injection). If the EPA fails to act within 180 days, it must provide a written explanation of delays; if no decision is made within 210 days total, the application is automatically approved. This directly affects states seeking to regulate Class VI wells, preventing indefinite federal delays in transferring oversight authority. Key provisions include requiring the EPA to work with states on pre-application steps, designate a single EPA contact per state, and transfer pending permits upon approval. The bill ensures states can assume regulatory control without federal conditions beyond existing requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Disclose Government Censorship Act (S 1672) requires U.S. government employees to publicly disclose communications with social media platforms about restricting user content. It mandates that most such communications be posted online within 7 days, unless related to law enforcement or national security (which must be shared with Congress within 60 days). The bill applies to executive and legislative branch employees discussing content moderation actions, including algorithmic decisions. It creates dedicated public websites for these disclosures and imposes penalties for non-compliance. The law aims to increase transparency around government influence on online content without defining or regulating platform content policies.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Veterans Community Care Program to ensure veterans can access mental health and substance-use services in the community when they cannot get timely in-person care through the VA. It amends eligibility rules to prevent denials based solely on provider wait times and requires the VA to prioritize veterans' preferred care options. New standards mandate that residential mental health programs providing community care must be state-licensed and accredited, with limited waivers allowed. The VA must also track and report metrics on mental health care requests, approvals, and denials. Finally, it requires congressional approval for any future changes to community care access rules.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of May 14-20, 2023, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. It recognizes 444 officers killed in 2022 (including specific names listed in the resolution) and acknowledges 32 officers killed in 2023, while expressing support for law enforcement personnel. The resolution encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement officers and promoting awareness of their essential service. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policy or alter existing laws.
Maddy summaryS 1654, the Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2023, allows credit bureaus to include positive payment history for utility and telecommunications services in consumer credit reports. It directly affects consumers who pay utility bills (electric, gas) or telecom services on time, as well as utility and telecom companies that may now report these payments to credit bureaus. The bill permits reporting of payment performance under lease agreements for housing, utility payments, and telecom contracts, but only includes payment-related details - not usage data - and prohibits reporting late payments if a consumer is on a valid payment plan. A GAO study on the bill's impact is required within two years of enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies federal regulations for commercial driver's license (CDL) testing. It allows states or certified third-party examiners to administer CDL knowledge tests if they hold valid examiner certification, complete required training, and meet specific instruction standards. It also permits any state to administer CDL skills tests to applicants regardless of where the applicant lives or received training. The bill directly affects CDL applicants and state/local examiners by streamlining testing options and reducing location-based restrictions.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 23) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The rule, published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2022, established regulations for listing endangered/threatened species and designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. If passed, this resolution would nullify that rule, preventing it from having legal effect. The bill directly affects how the National Marine Fisheries Service implements species protection under federal law.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a corporate minimum tax provision in the Internal Revenue Code. It directly affects corporations by eliminating their requirement to pay a separate minimum tax (known as the corporate alternative minimum tax) that applied alongside regular corporate income tax. Key provisions amend tax code sections to set the corporate minimum tax amount to zero and remove related adjustments and calculations. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022.
Maddy summaryS 1554, the National American Indian Veterans Charter Act, grants a federal charter to the existing nonprofit organization National American Indian Veterans, Incorporated. This charter formally recognizes the group as a federally chartered entity under Title 36 of the U.S. Code, authorizing it to operate as a nonprofit dedicated to serving American Indian veterans. Key provisions include granting the organization exclusive rights to its name and insignia, requiring it to maintain tax-exempt status, and mandating annual reports to Congress on its activities (though these reports are not public documents). The bill directly affects American Indian veterans by legally solidifying the organization’s role as their representative body for advocacy, outreach, and support services.
Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Back the Blue Act of 2023," strengthens federal protections for law enforcement officers by creating new criminal penalties for killing or assaulting them while on duty. It makes it a federal crime to kill or attempt to kill law enforcement officers, federal judges, or federally funded public safety officers (including firefighters and first responders) during official duties, with penalties ranging from 10 years to life in prison or death if the victim dies. The bill also establishes a new federal offense for fleeing interstate to avoid prosecution for killing law enforcement officers and adds a new aggravating factor for death penalty cases involving officers. Additionally, it expands law enforcement officers' rights to carry firearms in certain circumstances and limits federal habeas corpus relief for murder convictions involving law enforcement officers.