Sen. James E. Risch

Maddy summaryThe Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2023 amends immigration detention procedures to extend the length of detention for certain aliens without time limits, except as specified in the bill. It changes terminology from "parole" to "recognizance" throughout the process and establishes new criteria that make it more difficult for certain aliens to be released on bond during removal proceedings. The bill adds specific circumstances under which detention can continue beyond the standard removal period, including for aliens convicted of certain crimes, those deemed a threat to national security, or those who fail to cooperate with removal efforts. These changes primarily affect immigrants facing removal proceedings who may be held in detention for extended periods without bond eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 73822), which addressed "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights." If enacted, it would block the rule from taking effect, directly affecting retirement plan fiduciaries (such as those managing 401(k) plans) who must follow these standards. The resolution uses a specific disapproval process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, to nullify the rule without altering its content. This is a procedural action targeting the rule's implementation, not a new policy.

Maddy summarySRES 36 is a Senate resolution urging the Nigerian government to conduct free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections in 2023. It specifically calls for full implementation of Nigeria's 2022 Electoral Act, which requires funding the election commission (INEC) independently, ensuring safe voting conditions free from violence or intimidation, and promoting equitable voter access for all citizens. The resolution also encourages Nigerian civil society, political parties, and citizens to support democratic reforms, reduce electoral violence, and increase participation by women and youth, while urging the U.S. government to continue supporting Nigeria's democratic development through funding and diplomatic engagement.

Maddy summaryS 293, the Fair Access to Banking Act, prohibits large financial institutions (with $10 billion+ in assets) from denying banking services to lawful businesses based on political reasons, bias, or industry category. It requires these "covered banks" to justify service denials using documented, objective risk assessments - not subjective political judgments - and to provide written explanations for denials. The bill directly affects businesses operating legally in industries often targeted by banks (like cannabis or firearms), ensuring equal access to services like loans, credit cards, or payment processing. Violations allow affected businesses to sue for treble damages and attorney fees, with payment networks and credit unions also barred from blocking access based on "reputational risk."

Maddy summaryS 244, the STOVE Act, prohibits federal agencies from proposing, implementing, or finalizing any rule or guidance that categorically bans natural gas-powered appliances, including stoves, in the United States. This bill directly affects homeowners purchasing gas appliances and manufacturers producing them by blocking potential federal restrictions. The key provision prevents agencies from creating regulations that would restrict or ban the use or purchase of natural gas appliances nationwide. It does not impact state or local regulations but specifically targets federal rulemaking.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow individuals with valid concealed carry permits from their home state to carry concealed handguns in other states that either permit concealed carry for residents or don't ban it. It requires permit holders to have a government-issued ID, meet federal firearm possession rules, and carry only handguns (excluding machineguns or destructive devices). Carrying would still follow local restrictions in the destination state, such as bans in schools or government buildings. The bill does not change how states issue permits but creates automatic recognition of valid permits across participating states.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCONRES 3) is a symbolic statement affirming religious freedom as a fundamental human right protected under the U.S. Constitution. It specifically recognizes the 237th anniversary of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (enacted January 16, 1786) and affirms that religious freedom allows all people - of any faith or no faith - to live, work, and worship according to their beliefs. The resolution emphasizes that religious freedom is a unifying principle essential to American democracy, citing historical documents like the First Amendment and presidential proclamations. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any specific group, but serves to publicly affirm this principle on Religious Freedom Day.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public elementary and middle schools receiving federal funding to obtain parental consent before changing a student's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on school forms, or before allowing changes to sex-based accommodations like bathrooms or locker rooms. It directly affects parents of K-8 students in these schools by mandating their involvement in decisions about their child's gender-related information and facility access. The key mechanism is a condition for continued federal funding, requiring schools to seek parental permission for these specific changes. The bill aims to prevent schools from making such decisions without parental knowledge, as cited in its findings about specific school districts.

Maddy summaryS 202 reauthorizes the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program through 2032, extending its current authorization period and increasing the annual funding cap from $4 million to $8 million. The bill expands eligible projects to include wildfire risk reduction across public, tribal, private, and state lands (including the wildland-urban interface), watershed health improvements, and innovative financing mechanisms like conservation agreements. It requires collaborative projects to include federal staffing plans and standardized monitoring for ecological outcomes. This directly affects forest management groups, landowners, and communities working on landscape-scale restoration across diverse land ownerships.

Maddy summaryS 201 requires most federal agencies to submit zero-based budgets every six years. This means agencies must re-examine all programs, operations, and costs to identify the most essential activities and consider alternatives, ranking programs by importance. Agencies (excluding the Department of Defense and National Nuclear Security Administration) must also recommend at least a 2% cut to discretionary spending in their budget proposals. The bill mandates these submissions to the Office of Management and Budget and congressional budget committees for the next fiscal year and the following four years. This directly affects how federal agencies plan and justify their funding requests.