Rep. Kevin Mullin

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide federal grants to public housing agencies to modernize public housing through energy efficiency upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and renewable energy systems. It requires all public housing to become "zero-carbon homes" that produce enough renewable energy to meet their own consumption within 10 years. The bill includes specific requirements for workforce development, hiring from low- and very low-income communities (40% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 90% after that), and contracting with resident-owned businesses (20% in year 1, 30% in year 2, 50% after that). It also mandates resident and community engagement in planning, and requires public housing agencies to meet specific energy efficiency and water quality standards. The bill directly affects all public housing agencies managing housing for low- and very low-income residents across the United States, including tribal housing entities.

Maddy summaryHR 7770, the Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell three commemorative coins honoring women who worked on the U.S. home front during World War II. It specifies $5 gold coins (max 50,000), $1 silver coins (max 400,000), and half-dollar coins (max 750,000), all to be issued between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Each coin sale includes a surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar), with all surcharge funds directed to the Rosie the Riveter Trust for maintaining the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and educational programs. The coins will feature designs reflecting the legacy of diverse women workers and must meet specific weight, diameter, and composition standards.

Maddy summaryHR 7771 designates March 21 as National Rosie the Riveter Day to honor the over 6 million American women who joined the workforce during World War II. The bill requests the President issue an annual proclamation encouraging all levels of government to observe the day with ceremonies and educational programs. It does not create new programs or funding but formally recognizes these women's contributions to the war effort and their legacy of empowerment. This procedural resolution directly affects the President and government entities through ceremonial recognition, not policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to fund projects restoring native kelp forests, directly affecting eligible entities like fishing industry members, tribes, universities, nonprofits, and state/local governments. It requires projects to address the greatest kelp declines, focus on ecosystem resilience (including natural predator-prey relationships), integrate Indigenous knowledge, and avoid commercial harvesting. The program allocates $5 million annually (2024-2028), with at least $750,000 reserved for tribal projects, and mandates that federal funds cover up to 85% of project costs (with possible waivers). Grants prioritize areas identified in tribal or government restoration plans and require monitoring plans to measure project effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThe PTO Act establishes a standard for paid annual leave, requiring most employers to provide employees with 1 hour of paid leave for every 25 hours worked, up to a maximum of 80 hours per 12-month period. It directly affects private sector employees and certain government workers, including those at the Government Accountability Office, Library of Congress, and federal agencies covered under the Congressional Accountability Act. The bill prohibits employers from interfering with employees' use of leave for any reason, requires clear notice of leave policies, and protects employees from retaliation for taking leave. It includes enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Labor, allowing employees to file complaints or lawsuits for violations of their leave rights. The Act takes effect 180 days after enactment, with specific provisions for collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits owners or operators of non-barge vessels from abandoning them on U.S. navigable waters for more than 45 days. It requires the Coast Guard to notify owners of potentially abandoned vessels, conduct a 45-day review, and impose a $500 penalty for violations. The Coast Guard must create a public inventory of abandoned vessels using geographic data and establish a process for states, tribes, or individuals to report such vessels. Removal costs can be covered by the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund if the Coast Guard confirms abandonment and the action serves the public interest.

Maddy summaryHR 7722, the Blue Ocean Energy Innovation Act of 2024, establishes a Department of Energy program to fund research and development of "blue energy technologies" - renewable energy systems or greenhouse gas capture systems operating in aquatic environments. The program directly affects the Department of Energy, national laboratories, and industries like maritime transportation, algae biofuels, and ocean tourism by providing funding to improve these technologies, reduce costs, support coastal job creation, and address unique marine environment challenges. Key mechanisms include creating a dedicated "Blue Economy Center of Excellence" at a national lab, requiring cross-agency coordination with agencies like NOAA and the Maritime Administration, and authorizing $1.5 billion over 10 years (2024-2034) for R&D. The bill aims to advance ocean-based renewable energy while supporting ecosystem restoration and workforce development, without replacing existing funding.

Maddy summaryHR 7651, the Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act, establishes a federal program to fund research and development for better methane leak detection and mitigation technologies in the natural gas infrastructure. The bill directs the Secretary of Energy to create a Methane Emissions Measurement and Mitigation Research Consortium (including oil/gas operators, researchers, and community groups) to share data, prioritize research, and develop best practices for pipelines, wells, and storage facilities. It authorizes $36 million to $44 million annually (2025-2029) for this program and $15 million to $23 million annually for National Institute of Standards and Technology facilities to test methane measurement technologies. The effort directly affects oil and gas operators through improved leak detection tools and aims to protect public health by addressing methane emissions from infrastructure. The bill focuses solely on research, not regulatory requirements, with annual congressional reporting on progress.

Maddy summaryHR 7634, the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, prohibits plastic pellets and pre-production plastic materials from being discharged into water through wastewater, spills, or runoff from specific facilities. It directly affects plastic polymer production facilities, plastic molding and forming facilities, and any point source (like packaging or transport operations) handling plastic pellets. The bill requires the EPA to issue a final rule within 60 days of enactment banning these discharges and updating all relevant wastewater, stormwater, and performance standards in permits and regulations. This creates a legal requirement for facilities to prevent plastic pellet pollution in waterways, targeting a major source of ocean plastic pollution.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCONRES 97) recognizes the gender wage gap, noting that women working full-time earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by men. It highlights racial disparities (e.g., Latinas earn 57 cents, Black women 69 cents) and the economic impact of the gap, including $965 billion in annual lost wages for women. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the issue and reaffirms Congress’s commitment to addressing wage inequality.