Rep. Eric Sorensen

Maddy summaryHR 926 would require the Supreme Court to establish a code of conduct for justices within 180 days of enactment, along with procedures for handling ethics complaints against them. The bill mandates minimum disclosure standards for gifts, income, and reimbursements received by justices and their law clerks, and requires justices to recuse themselves when they or their family received gifts from parties in a case. It would also require parties and amici curiae to disclose gifts given to justices and lobbying contacts related to justices' nominations, and establish a judicial investigation panel to review complaints against justices. The legislation aims to increase transparency in Supreme Court ethics processes and provide clearer recusal standards for justices.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes significant changes to US corporate tax rules to prevent tax avoidance through foreign operations. It requires corporations to calculate foreign income tax liabilities country-by-country, limits interest deductions for large international financial reporting groups, and modifies rules for "inverted corporations" (where US companies move tax residence abroad). The bill also creates new rules treating foreign corporations managed primarily in the US as domestic corporations for tax purposes. These changes aim to close tax loopholes related to outsourcing and foreign tax planning.

Maddy summaryHR 882, the American Teacher Act, requires states to ensure full-time teachers in public elementary and secondary schools earn at least $60,000 annually (adjusted for inflation), with part-time teachers receiving proportional pay. It provides federal grants to states to fund these salary increases, mandating sustainability plans beyond the 4-year grant period and prioritizing schools in high-poverty areas. The bill also includes cost-of-living adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index and funds a national campaign to promote teaching as a career. It explicitly states grant funds must supplement existing education budgets without reducing current teacher pay or state loan forgiveness programs.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 13 is a concurrent resolution expressing Congress's support for maintaining the current policy that prohibits imposing new fees on local radio stations for playing music. It states that Congress should not impose any performance fee, tax, royalty, or charge on local radio stations for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on businesses like bars and restaurants that play music publicly. The resolution argues that such fees would harm local radio stations - critical sources for emergency information and community programming - and jeopardize the economic model that has supported both radio and the music industry for decades. This resolution does not create new law but formally opposes potential legislative changes to the existing fee structure.

Maddy summaryHR 770, the ESP Family Leave Act, amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to create specific eligibility rules for education support professionals and school support staff in public schools and public higher education institutions. It changes the standard FMLA work-hour requirement (1,250 hours) to a new threshold: these workers qualify if they've worked at least 60% of their expected monthly hours for the previous school year. Employers must maintain records of each employee's expected monthly hours, and the bill defines "education support professionals" to include roles like paraeducators, secretaries, custodians, food service workers, security staff, and health support staff. The bill directly affects these support staff members, making it easier for them to qualify for FMLA leave under the revised hours calculation.

Maddy summaryHR 715, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2023, requires background checks for all firearm transfers between private individuals, not just those through licensed dealers. It mandates that unlicensed sellers must involve a licensed dealer to conduct a background check before transferring a firearm, with exceptions for family transfers (like spouses or parents/children), law enforcement, temporary safety transfers, and certain hunting or range activities. The bill also requires licensed dealers to provide a notice and certification form in both English and Spanish to buyers. It explicitly states it won't create a national gun registry or override state laws on the same topic. The law would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 660, "Ethan's Law," requires gun owners in homes where minors (under 18) or individuals prohibited from owning firearms under federal/state law reside to store firearms securely. It makes unsecured storage unlawful if a minor or prohibited person could access the firearm, with fines of $500 per violation and enhanced penalties (up to 5 years in prison) if injury or death occurs. The bill also establishes a federal grant program to help states implement similar secure storage laws and provides funding incentives for states that already have such laws in place.

Maddy summaryHR 648, the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2023, increases federal funding for key USDA export promotion programs to boost U.S. agricultural sales abroad. It raises annual funding for the Market Access Program from $200 million to $400 million and for the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program from $34.5 million to $69 million, effective 2024-2029. These changes directly benefit U.S. farmers and agricultural businesses exporting commodities like soybeans, beef, and dairy by expanding their access to international markets. The bill aims to counter competitive disadvantages as foreign competitors grow their export programs faster than U.S. funding has kept pace. This represents a significant funding adjustment to address years of stagnant investment in these programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the U.S. Code to expand appeal rights for certain postal employees. It allows non-unionized postal workers in supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial roles (covered under the Executive and Administrative Schedule) to directly appeal personnel decisions to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Previously, these employees may have lacked this specific appeal path. The change clarifies their eligibility under Section 1005(a)(4)(A)(ii)(I) of Title 39, U.S. Code, ensuring they can seek MSPB review for employment-related disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide written proposals to supervisors' organizations 60 days before pay/benefit decisions expire or after new collective bargaining agreements are reached. It directly affects postal supervisors and managers covered by collective bargaining agreements regarding their pay policies, schedules, and fringe benefits. The key mechanism establishes clear timelines for negotiations and mandates that any dispute resolution panel must issue a binding final decision within 15 days of receiving input from both parties. This aims to streamline the process for resolving pay and benefits disputes between the Postal Service and supervisory staff organizations.