Sen. Katie Boyd Britt

Maddy summarySRES 215 is a Senate resolution designating May 9, 2023, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day. It supports raising public awareness about the dangers of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills, which are often disguised as legitimate medications and contribute to overdose deaths. The resolution encourages existing law enforcement efforts to combat counterfeit pill distribution and acknowledges the severe impact of fentanyl on young people, citing statistics on rising overdose deaths. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the issue through congressional support.

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 makes the Feral Swine Eradication Program permanent by removing "pilot" language from the 2018 Agriculture Act and extending its funding period to 2024-2028. It directly affects agricultural producers in areas with feral swine and USDA agencies (APHIS and NRCS), requiring them to monitor eradicated areas for one year and report progress. Key provisions include annual monitoring after eradication, expanded funding for eligible counties, and mandatory reports to Congress detailing program activities, cost savings, and effectiveness. The reports must quantify reductions in agricultural damage, health risks, and improvements from swine removal.

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 prohibits healthcare professionals from performing or referring minors (under 18) for gender transition procedures, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or surgeries like genital or non-genital transition surgeries. It imposes criminal penalties (fines, up to 5 years imprisonment) on providers who violate this prohibition, while protecting minors from prosecution for the procedures. The bill explicitly excludes medical treatments for disorders of sex development or emergencies where surgery is needed to prevent death or serious harm. It defines key terms like "gender transition procedure" and "biological sex" to clarify the scope of the ban. The law does not affect adults or medical care for conditions unrelated to gender transition.

Maddy summarySRES 195 is a ceremonial Senate resolution congratulating students, parents, teachers, and leaders of charter schools nationwide for their contributions to education. It formally supports the 24th annual National Charter Schools Week (May 7-13, 2023), encouraging public recognition of charter schools' role in providing diverse educational options. The resolution does not create new policies, funding, or obligations - it solely expresses legislative support for charter schools as part of a symbolic observance. It directly affects the charter school community by acknowledging their work during a designated national week.

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.

Maddy summaryThe Campus Free Speech Restoration Act (S 1511) strengthens student free speech protections at colleges and universities receiving federal funding. It defines "expressive activity" broadly to include peaceful assembly, protests, distributing literature, and other First Amendment-protected speech, while prohibiting schools from restricting such activities through overly broad speech codes or "free speech zones." The bill requires institutions to clearly disclose their speech policies online and in student handbooks, establishes a complaint process for students who believe their rights were violated, and allows for loss of federal funding if institutions don't comply with the new standards. It applies to public institutions and private institutions receiving federal funds, with exemptions for religiously controlled schools.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic Senate resolution (SRES 201) supporting National Nurses Week, observed annually from May 6-12. It recognizes nurses' contributions to healthcare, their role as patient advocates, and their status as the largest healthcare profession (over 4.5 million registered nurses in the U.S.). The resolution encourages the public to observe the week with recognition and activities but does not create new laws, funding, or requirements. It has no direct effect on policy or nursing practice.