Sen. Mike Rounds

Maddy summaryThis bill requires car manufacturers to include AM radio receivers as standard equipment in all new vehicles sold in the U.S., without additional cost to buyers. It mandates that AM radio controls be clearly visible on the dashboard for drivers. For vehicles sold before the rule takes effect, manufacturers must label them to disclose the absence of AM radio. The bill aims to maintain access to AM radio broadcasts, which are used for emergency alerts, but does not mandate new emergency systems.

Maddy summaryThe TICKET Act requires ticket sellers (both primary issuers and secondary markets like StubHub) to clearly show the total price of an event ticket - including all fees - before a customer selects a ticket. It mandates that sellers display the base ticket price and an itemized list of all fees (like service or delivery charges) in advertisements and at the start of every purchase transaction. Sellers must also disclose if they don’t currently hold the physical tickets (e.g., "speculative" sales) before the customer completes a purchase. This law aims to prevent hidden fees and misleading pricing in ticket sales, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission.

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 amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to allow schools to use existing federal funds for student sports clubs, teams, training, and related outdoor wellness activities. It directly affects K-12 schools by removing a previous restriction that barred such uses of ESEA funds. The key mechanism is an exception added to Section 8526(7), explicitly permitting these activities before the period ending that section. The change applies to funds already allocated under the ESEA, not creating new spending.

Maddy summaryS 2623, the Protecting Small Business Information Act of 2023, delays the implementation of certain Treasury rules under the Corporate Transparency Act. It requires the Treasury Secretary to certify to Congress that all required rules have been issued and will take effect simultaneously before any rule can go into effect. This directly affects small businesses that would otherwise have faced new beneficial ownership reporting requirements, by postponing those obligations until the Treasury completes its rulemaking process and certifies synchronization. The bill does not create new requirements but changes the timing for existing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the appointment process for the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). It requires the President, with Senate confirmation, to appoint the director instead of the Secretary of the Treasury. The bill also sets the director's pay at Executive Schedule Level IV and includes a transition provision allowing the current director to serve until the new appointee is confirmed. These changes directly affect how FinCEN leadership is selected and compensated within the Treasury Department.

Maddy summaryThe Transitioning Servicemember Food Security Act of 2023 requires the Department of Defense to include information about federal food assistance programs in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for service members separating from military service. Specifically, it mandates that TAP provide counseling about programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) nutrition program, developed in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture. This change directly affects transitioning service members by ensuring they receive guidance on accessing food assistance during their civilian transition. The bill does not alter SNAP or WIC programs but adds a new requirement for TAP to share this information.

Maddy summaryS 2671, the DRIVE Act, prohibits the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from requiring large trucks (over 26,000 pounds gross weight) operating in interstate commerce to install speed limiting devices. This directly affects commercial trucking companies and operators transporting goods across state lines with qualifying vehicles. The bill prevents the agency from creating a new rule mandating these devices, effectively maintaining the current regulatory status for such vehicles. The legislation focuses solely on blocking this specific requirement, without altering other safety regulations.

Maddy summaryThe LEAD Act of 2023 establishes new accountability systems within the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve oversight, management, and transparency. It creates a new Office of Transparency, Engagement, Accountability, and Management (TEAM Office) to track recommendations from oversight bodies and an Office of the Medical Inspector to review healthcare quality and safety. The bill requires biennial employee surveys on accountability and management, creates a centralized database to track accountability actions and investigations, and strengthens whistleblower protections. These changes directly affect VA employees and aim to improve healthcare delivery and accountability across the Department.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Secretary of Defense to conduct cyber operations in coordination with other agencies to counter Mexican transnational criminal organizations engaged in cross-border illegal activities like drug trafficking, human trafficking, and weapons smuggling. It requires the Defense Secretary to submit a detailed cyber strategy within 60 days of enactment, including assessments of criminal groups' cyber presence, past operations, resource needs, and cooperation plans with Mexico and private sector partners. The bill mandates quarterly briefings to Congress on specific cyber operations conducted, including locations, purposes, durations, and personnel involved. It explicitly prohibits using this authority to collect data on U.S. persons and emphasizes collaboration with Mexican authorities and interagency partners to address these threats.