Sen. James E. Risch

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 64) seeks to block a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 4128, January 22, 2024) that implements provisions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act related to preventing digital discrimination. It requests Congress disapprove the rule under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, which would prevent the rule from taking effect. The resolution directly affects the FCC's ability to enforce digital discrimination prevention measures under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. If passed, the rule would have no legal force or effect, halting the FCC's regulatory action on this specific issue.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 65) seeks to disapprove an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have revised national air quality standards for tiny air particles (particulate matter), which are pollutants linked to health issues like asthma and heart disease. The EPA rule, published on March 6, 2024, proposed updating these standards to tighten pollution limits. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, maintaining the current standards without changes. This directly affects the EPA’s ability to implement the proposed revisions to air quality regulations, impacting public health protections and industry compliance requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Geothermal Energy Optimization Act (S 3954) streamlines small-scale geothermal exploration on federal lands by creating a new "geothermal observation test project" category. It allows leaseholders to conduct limited, temporary exploration drilling (under 10 acres disturbance, under 120 days, with temporary infrastructure) without full environmental reviews, using a categorical exclusion process. The bill also establishes a Geothermal Ombudsman and Strike Team within the Bureau of Land Management to improve permitting efficiency, resolve disputes, and develop best practices for geothermal leasing. These changes directly affect geothermal leaseholders and federal agencies managing land use, aiming to accelerate development while maintaining environmental safeguards.

Maddy summaryS 3929 prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from implementing a specific Forest Service notice (88 Fed. Reg. 88042, December 20, 2023) that proposed land management actions for old-growth forest conditions across National Forest System lands. The bill directly affects the Department of Agriculture's management authority over federal forest lands by blocking the adoption of this particular plan direction. It does not create new policy but prevents the executive branch from moving forward with the proposed actions outlined in that specific notice. The bill's effect is limited to halting this one administrative step related to old-growth forest management.

Maddy summaryS 3933, the Laken Riley Act, amends immigration law to require mandatory detention for non-citizens charged with certain crimes like theft or burglary, rather than allowing release. It directly affects individuals facing these charges and gives state attorneys general the legal standing to sue federal agencies (like DHS or the State Department) if they claim immigration policies caused the state or residents financial harm exceeding $100. Key provisions include requiring Homeland Security to take custody of such individuals and establishing new court procedures for states to seek injunctions against federal immigration enforcement actions. The bill does not change border policies but focuses on detention requirements and state legal challenges to federal immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryThe HELPER Act of 2023 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program allowing eligible first responders and K-12 teachers to secure home loans with **no down payment**. It directly affects full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and public/private K-12 teachers who have worked in their roles for at least 4 of the past 5 years. Key provisions include requiring housing counseling, verifying employment status, and prohibiting monthly mortgage insurance premiums (replacing standard FHA requirements). The bill authorizes $660,000 for 2024 and $160,000 annually from 2025-2030 to fund this program, which expires after 5 years.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 63) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Labor (DOL) concerning worker classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The DOL rule (published January 10, 2024) aimed to clarify how businesses must classify workers as employees or independent contractors for purposes of minimum wage and overtime pay. If passed, this resolution would formally disapprove the rule under a statutory process (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code), preventing it from taking effect. The rule directly affects employers across industries who use independent contractors and their workers, as it would change how worker status is determined under federal labor law.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives a requirement that state veterans homes use domestically produced materials for certain construction projects. It specifically applies to projects with applications submitted by April 15, 2022, and listed on the VA's FY 2023 State Home Construction Grants Priority List. The waiver removes the domestic content preference under the Build America, Buy America Act for these approved projects. It directly affects state veterans home construction projects meeting these specific timing and priority criteria.

Maddy summaryS 3840 (Protect America’s Lands Act) prohibits national securities exchanges from processing transactions in securities issued by "natural asset companies." These are companies that manage land for conservation, restoration, or sustainable use of natural assets (like forests or wetlands) and ecosystem services (such as clean water or carbon absorption), without harming natural resources. The bill directly affects these conservation-focused companies and securities exchanges, banning exchanges from facilitating trades in their stocks or bonds. It creates a specific regulatory barrier for this emerging investment sector without altering broader securities rules. The law focuses on restricting how these natural asset investments can be traded, not on the conservation activities themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the current minimum wage rate for H-2A agricultural workers through December 31, 2025. It directly affects farm employers who hire temporary foreign workers under the H-2A visa program, ensuring they continue paying the wage rate in effect as of December 31, 2023. The key provision maintains the existing wage rate without modification for two additional years, avoiding potential increases. It also clarifies that job duties will be evaluated to determine the applicable wage rate for workers performing multiple tasks.