Rep. Young Kim

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain firefighters who previously worked in state roles later replaced by federal positions to count their prior state service toward federal worker's compensation benefits. It specifically affects firefighters employed by states as fire suppression personnel (including wildland firefighters, EMTs, and rescue workers) who were later appointed to equivalent federal roles. The key provision amends federal law to count all service in "reclassified State positions" (state roles mirrored by federal positions) as qualifying service for federal firefighter benefits. This change ensures those transitioning from state to federal firefighting roles can accumulate service time for benefits without losing prior experience. The bill directly impacts eligible firefighters' eligibility for federal worker's compensation under Title 5, U.S. Code.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $20 million trust fund to compensate specific surviving victims of the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. It defines qualifying individuals as U.S. citizens over 45 on December 3, 1991, who worked for Pan Am that day, were named in a prior lawsuit, and were alive as of August 14, 2008. The Foreign Claims Settlement Commission will verify claims within 60 days of filing, then certify eligible claimants to the Treasury for payment. Compensation will be calculated by dividing the $20 million fund equally among all approved claims. The bill directly affects qualifying survivors (or their estates) who met all five defined criteria.

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 summaryThis bill requires USAID to prioritize partnerships with local organizations in development and humanitarian aid programs. It mandates specific changes like simplifying funding access for local partners, allowing applications in local languages, increasing direct funding to local entities, and updating internal policies to support these partnerships. USAID must implement these changes within 180 days and report annually on progress, including funding amounts directed to local partners. The policy aims to make aid more sustainable by enabling local communities to lead programs they directly benefit from.

Maddy summaryHR 7256, the U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, requires the President to certify within 30 days whether South Africa's foreign policy actions undermine U.S. national security, based on findings about its support for Hamas, cooperation with Russia and China, and domestic governance issues. It mandates a 120-day comprehensive review of U.S.-South Africa relations by the executive branch, covering diplomatic, military, and economic ties. The review will assess South Africa's alignment with entities like Hamas (a U.S. designated Foreign Terrorist Organization) and its strategic partnerships with Russia and China, as detailed in the bill's findings. This procedural bill directs the administration to evaluate the relationship but does not impose new restrictions or change existing policy.

Maddy summaryHR 6727 establishes the United States Foundation for International Conservation, a nonprofit organization that will provide grants to support long-term management of protected and conserved areas in eligible countries. The Foundation requires a 2:1 cost match from other sources, demands host country and community consent through binding agreements, and prioritizes areas with high biodiversity or species of significant importance. It will be governed by a Board of Directors including government officials and private sector experts, operate for 10 years with $1 million authorized for 2024 and $100 million annually from 2025-2035, and must follow international conservation standards while prohibiting funding for countries supporting terrorism or violating human rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends budget scoring rules to require the Congressional Budget Office to account for long-term savings from preventive health programs when evaluating legislation. It directs the CBO to assess if a bill reduces future government costs through evidence-based preventive health services (like screenings or vaccinations) and include those savings in budget projections. The change affects how Congress scores the fiscal impact of health-related bills, requiring them to consider savings over 20 years (not just the current budget cycle). It does not create new programs but changes the budget analysis process for preventive health measures.

Maddy summaryHR 7698 establishes a new Office of Civic Bridgebuilding within the Corporation for National and Community Service to support programs reducing polarization and improving social cohesion. It authorizes $25 million annually (2025-2027) for competitive grants to nonprofits, community groups, and educational institutions to fund projects addressing local needs like healthcare gaps or environmental concerns through research-backed methods. Grantees must demonstrate how projects engage diverse communities, ensure participant safety (especially for marginalized groups), and use standardized metrics to track effectiveness. The Office will oversee grants, support training, and maintain a public research base on civic bridgebuilding best practices.

Maddy summaryHRES 1080 is a congressional resolution expressing that the U.S. and partner nations must coordinate to address humanitarian crises faced by North Koreans in China, particularly forced labor, trafficking, arbitrary detention, and forced repatriation. It directly affects North Korean refugees (especially women and girls) and U.S. import policies, urging action to stop seafood imports from China processed using North Korean labor - citing reports that such labor fuels North Korea’s nuclear program. Key mechanisms include enforcing the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (which bans goods made with North Korean labor), pressuring China to comply with refugee conventions, and using sanctions authorities like the Global Magnitsky Act against Chinese officials. The resolution calls for diplomatic coordination with allies and UN action to protect refugees and end forced labor practices.

Maddy summaryHRES 1076 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the Girl Scouts of the United States of America on its 112th anniversary. It celebrates the organization’s longstanding mission to provide girls with safe, inclusive spaces for leadership development, mental wellness, and skill-building in areas like STEM and civic engagement. The resolution highlights Girl Scouts’ century-long impact, including its role in fostering community, supporting mental health, and preparing girls for leadership through programs like the Gold Award. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the organization’s contributions.