Rep. Young Kim

Maddy summaryHR 9455 (IDEA Act) requires the US Patent Office to collect voluntary demographic information (gender, race, military/veteran status, and other categories) from US patent inventors listed on patent applications. The data must remain confidential, separate from patent reviews, and anonymized in public reports. Annual reports will display patent application and issuance trends disaggregated by demographic group, technology field, and state, while biennial reports to Congress will evaluate the data collection process. This directly affects US patent inventors who choose to participate in the voluntary data submission.

Maddy summaryHR 3161, the CDFI Fund Transparency Act, requires the Treasury Secretary (or their designee) to annually testify before the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking Committee about the operations of the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. This testimony would cover the Fund's activities from the previous year and is requested at the discretion of the committee chairs. The bill does not change how the CDFI Fund provides funding but mandates regular reporting to Congress on its operations. It directly affects the Treasury Department's reporting obligations and the congressional committees overseeing the Fund. This is a procedural transparency measure, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryThe SPEED Act targets Chinese businesses operating in sub-Saharan Africa accused of causing environmental harm through practices like illegal mining and pollution. It authorizes U.S. sanctions - including visa bans and asset freezes - against foreign entities or individuals responsible for severe environmental incidents, such as water contamination or ecosystem damage. The bill requires the State Department and USAID to develop a 180-day strategy for collaborating with African nations on remediation and accountability. Exceptions cover humanitarian aid, UN operations, and law enforcement, with the law expiring five years after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 9274, the SHAWL Act, establishes two new Smithsonian museums: the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women’s History Museum. It authorizes both museums to be located within the National Mall’s "Reserve" area, overriding prior restrictions, and requires federal agencies managing potential sites to transfer jurisdiction to the Smithsonian after notifying congressional committees. The bill mandates that both museums accurately represent diverse cultures, histories, and viewpoints within Latino and women’s communities through exhibits and programs, requiring input from a broad range of community experts. It also requires the Smithsonian to submit biennial reports to Congress detailing compliance with these representation requirements.

Maddy summaryHRES 1394 is a non-binding resolution celebrating the U.S.-India partnership based on shared democratic values, religious pluralism, and human rights, while highlighting the contributions of the Indian diaspora in the United States. It specifically recognizes the 50th anniversary of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha's community work, including its spiritual centers (mandirs) and volunteer efforts across the country. The resolution does not create legal obligations but formally acknowledges these ties and achievements.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a federal crime to steal packages that have been delivered by private carriers (like FedEx or UPS) but not yet received by the recipient. It directly affects package recipients, carriers, and thieves who target unclaimed deliveries left on porches or in mailboxes. The key provision amends federal law to include these delivered-but-unclaimed packages under the same legal protections as mail in transit. This changes the law to treat stolen packages at the delivery stage as a federal offense, similar to theft of postal mail. The bill does not create new penalties but expands existing theft statutes to cover this specific scenario.

Maddy summaryThe BRAIN Act (HR 9113) establishes new research networks and funding mechanisms to advance brain tumor treatment and care. It requires the NIH to create a searchable database of brain tumor biospecimens, authorizes $50 million annually for a Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network, and allocates $10 million yearly for CAR-T cell therapy research. The bill also mandates a national awareness campaign about clinical trials and biomarker testing, and funds pilot programs to improve long-term care for brain tumor survivors. These provisions directly affect researchers, patients, healthcare providers, and survivors, with funding allocated for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement annual sensitivity training for all VA employees handling military sexual trauma (MST) claims, including staff processing claims, communicating about evidence, and making decisions. It also mandates that the VA automatically obtain a veteran's service records when processing MST claims and directs the VA to report on improving training for contracted health care professionals who examine veterans filing such claims. The changes aim to ensure VA staff and contracted medical personnel are properly trained to avoid retraumatizing veterans during the claims process. The VA must submit a report to Congress within 90 days detailing current training and future plans for these requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Rohingya GAP Act establishes a U.S. Special Coordinator for Rohingya Atrocities Prevention and Response to coordinate U.S. government efforts on Rohingya issues. It authorizes $10 million annually for atrocity investigations and $8 million for a Burma-focused conflict observatory to document human rights violations. The bill directs U.S. agencies to support Rohingya refugees' protection, education, and livelihoods in Bangladesh while promoting durable solutions including safe return to Myanmar with full citizenship rights when conditions allow. It requires annual reporting on U.S. efforts to address atrocity risks, protect Rohingya, and advance accountability for crimes against them. The legislation aims to address root causes of violence against Rohingya through empowerment, inclusion in decision-making, and support for transitional justice mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThe PAID Act of 2024 requires the U.S. government to publicly list foreign entities from designated adversary countries (including China, Russia, Iran, and others) that are using American patents or trade secrets related to critical technologies without authorization. U.S. owners of such intellectual property can petition the government to investigate and identify an entity, with a 90-day deadline for a decision. The government must publish the list in the Federal Register, and entities can be removed if they secure a license or agreement with the IP owner. This law increases transparency about foreign use of U.S. technology without permission, focusing on critical and emerging fields.