Rep. Jared Huffman

Maddy summaryHR 4785, the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2023, requires oil and gas companies conducting hydraulic fracturing operations to disclose detailed chemical information to state agencies or the EPA. Specifically, companies must provide a pre-operation list of chemicals (including CAS numbers and volumes) and a post-operation report of chemicals actually used, which states must then make publicly available online. The bill also mandates immediate disclosure of proprietary chemical formulas to medical personnel during emergencies, without requiring prior written consent. It explicitly excludes natural gas storage from the definition of hydraulic fracturing. This bill directly affects oil and gas operators and state environmental agencies managing disclosure requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act to define "high need communities" as small areas (under 10,000 people) with high disaster risk, not already covered by existing programs. It requires FEMA to issue guidance on extreme temperature events within one year and mandates that state and local hazard mitigation plans include resilience goals, address disparities in underserved communities, and integrate nature-based solutions. The bill also allows communities meeting advanced building codes to use disaster funds for resilience projects and directs FEMA to provide technical assistance for implementing these plans. These changes primarily affect small, high-risk communities and state/local governments managing disaster recovery funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the CLOSE Act (HR 4782), removes a loophole that allowed oil and gas facilities to aggregate emissions from multiple sources when calculating pollution levels under federal law. It requires the EPA to add hydrogen sulfide - a pollutant linked to health harm - directly to the list of hazardous air pollutants within 180 days of the bill becoming law. The EPA must then, within a year, define specific categories of oil and gas wells and other sources that emit hydrogen sulfide. This change directly affects oil and gas operators by subjecting hydrogen sulfide emissions from their facilities to stricter federal pollution controls.

Maddy summaryThe FRESHER Act of 2023 requires the Secretary of the Interior to study stormwater runoff impacts from oil and gas operations on environmental contamination and groundwater resources. The study must analyze measurable contamination levels, groundwater conditions, and aquifer vulnerability to contamination in affected areas. The Secretary must complete the study and submit a report to Congress within one year of the bill’s enactment. This bill does not impose new regulations on the oil and gas industry but mandates a federal review to inform future environmental policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThe CLEANER Act of 2023 requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate within one year of enactment whether waste from oil, gas, and geothermal energy production - such as drilling fluids and produced waters - is hazardous. If determined hazardous, these wastes must be listed and regulated under existing hazardous waste rules, with potential modifications to address their unique properties while ensuring health and environmental protection. For non-hazardous waste from these sources, the EPA must establish new facility requirements, including groundwater monitoring, location standards, and financial assurance for cleanup. This bill directly affects oil, gas, and geothermal energy producers and facilities handling such waste.

Maddy summaryHR 4811 requires oil, gas, and geothermal companies conducting hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations to test nearby underground drinking water sources before, during, and after activities. It mandates testing at specific intervals (e.g., before starting operations, every 6 months during operations, and annually for five years post-operation) and submitting results to the EPA within two weeks. Companies must test using EPA-certified labs for contaminants linked to fracking, with results stored in a public, searchable EPA database by ZIP code. The requirement does not apply if no accessible drinking water source exists within one mile of the site. The bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to establish these testing and reporting obligations.

Maddy summaryHR 4796, the Reproductive Health Patient Navigator Act of 2023, establishes a federal grant program to fund organizations that help individuals access abortion services. Eligible entities - such as abortion funds, community groups, or local governments - would receive grants to provide services like connecting people to providers, coordinating travel/financing costs, offering culturally appropriate information, and ensuring data confidentiality. The bill includes strong legal protections, prohibiting states from restricting or penalizing navigators for assisting people seeking abortion services, even in states where abortion is illegal. It also allows affected navigators to sue states that violate these protections. The program is funded for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

Maddy summaryHR 4733 provides EPA grants to local air quality agencies to help communities prepare for wildfire smoke and extreme heat. Funds support concrete actions like monitoring air quality, installing air filtration in public buildings, distributing masks and protective equipment, and community outreach in areas vulnerable to poor air quality. The bill prioritizes communities with high wildfire smoke exposure or extreme heat risks, particularly those already facing air quality challenges. It also establishes research centers and planning grants, but the primary mechanism is direct funding for local preparedness efforts.

Maddy summaryThe SHADE Act creates a federal grant program to plant trees in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods, primarily targeting redlined areas (former HOLC "hazardous" zones) and overburdened areas (where at least 35% of households are low-income, or 40% identify as minority/tribal, or 40% are limited English proficiency). Eligible entities - like cities, tribes, or nonprofits - must submit applications with 5-year plans, community input strategies, and evidence of housing policies preventing displacement. Grants cover tree planting, maintenance for 5 years, and training, with $50 million annually authorized through 2034. The bill directly affects communities facing environmental inequities by linking tree planting to neighborhood revitalization efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 4812, the Food for Thought Act of 2023, provides federal grants to eligible colleges and universities to offer free on-campus meals to low-income students. The bill targets institutions with high Pell Grant enrollment (at least 30% of undergrads), prioritizing community colleges, minority-serving institutions, and those in areas with high need. Participating schools must provide 1-10 free meals weekly to students facing food insecurity, with priority given to those with greatest financial need, and must report on student outcomes like retention and graduation rates. Grants cover meal costs, campus food pantries, and SNAP enrollment support, with funds allocated for 5 years and requiring detailed reporting on program impact.