Rep. Josh Harder

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a one-time $40,000 payment to former Air America employees who served at least five years during 1950-1976, or to their survivors (widows/widowers, dependents, or children). Additional $8,000 payments are provided for each full year of service beyond five years. The total funding is capped at $60 million, with claims due within two years of regulations being finalized. It does not create ongoing benefits or change Air America’s legal status, and payments are issued as a single lump sum.

Maddy summaryThe Safe Schools Improvement Act (HR 6031) requires public elementary and secondary schools to implement comprehensive anti-bullying policies that specifically prohibit harassment based on protected characteristics like race, gender identity, disability, religion, and sexual orientation. It mandates schools to collect and publicly report annual data on bullying incidents while establishing clear grievance procedures for students and parents. The bill also requires states to submit biennial reports on school compliance and supports evidence-based interventions, such as restorative practices, to reduce exclusionary discipline. This legislation directly affects all public K-12 schools and students in the U.S., aiming to create safer learning environments through standardized policy requirements and data transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a previous exclusion that prevented temporary federal employees (including U.S. Postal Service staff and Members of Congress) from counting service after January 1, 1988, toward their retirement benefits. It allows these workers to have their post-1988 temporary service counted toward retirement eligibility if they pay a deposit to the retirement system. The change applies to anyone employed by the federal government on or after the bill's enactment date. The Office of Personnel Management must notify affected employees and create rules to implement this change.

Maddy summaryHR 5979, the VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2023, requires lenders using the standard home loan application form to add a specific disclaimer below the military service question. The disclaimer states: "If yes, you may qualify for a VA Home Loan. Consult your lender regarding eligibility." This change must be implemented within six months of the bill's enactment. The bill also mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study within 18 months to check if less than 80% of lenders are including this disclaimer. The policy directly affects veterans and military service members who may qualify for VA home loans but are not currently being informed of this option during the loan application process.

Maddy summaryHR 5941, the Ban Corporate PACs Act, prohibits for-profit corporations from establishing or operating political action committees (PACs). It amends federal election law to restrict separate segregated funds for political purposes to nonprofit organizations (like 501(c) groups), not for-profit companies. The bill also limits contributions to these funds to only executive and administrative personnel - not shareholders - and requires existing corporate PACs to dissolve within one year of enactment. This directly affects for-profit corporations that currently run PACs and their shareholders, shifting political fundraising authority to nonprofits.

Maddy summaryHR 5908, the "Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act," authorizes $200 million to $240 million annually (2024-2028) for the Department of Labor to fund summer youth employment programs. It requires grantees to provide subsidized summer jobs (minimum 4 weeks at minimum wage) for youth under 25, including mandatory mentoring, job training, and post-program support to improve graduation rates, college enrollment, employment, and reduce crime. Programs must prioritize communities with high youth unemployment and violent crime, and serve historically underserved youth in rural or suburban areas. The bill also mandates independent evaluations to measure long-term impacts on participants’ education, employment, and criminal justice outcomes.

Maddy summaryHR 3369, the Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act, directs the Commerce Department to study accountability measures for AI systems used in communications networks and social media. The bill requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to analyze how these measures can address cybersecurity risks, promote digital inclusion, and close the digital divide, while consulting industry, academia, and consumers. Within 18 months, the department must submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations for improving AI accountability. This bill does not impose new regulations but aims to inform future policy through research and stakeholder input.

Maddy summaryThe Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2023 directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to study causes of sinkholes - such as extreme weather, drought, and water management changes - and create maps identifying areas at high risk of sinkhole formation. These maps will be updated every five years and made publicly available on a dedicated USGS website for use by community planners and emergency managers. The bill authorizes $40 million annually (2024-2028) to fund this mapping program and related research. It directly affects local governments and emergency response teams by providing data to inform land-use decisions and disaster preparedness.

Health Care Practitioner Disaster Protection Act This bill extends certain liability protections available for health care practitioners who provide voluntary health care services in declared emergencies through a community health center other than the one that initially sponsored them. Current law makes the liability protections available to volunteer practitioners that are sponsored by a particular community health center. This bill maintains the liability protections for a volunteer practitioner who provides services through a different community health center if the center (1) seeks the assistance of the volunteer practitioner to respond to a declared emergency, and (2) promptly notifies the Department of Health and Human Services that the volunteer practitioner will be providing services.

Maddy summaryHRES 751 is a non-binding resolution designating October 1, 2023, as "National Animal Rescue Day" to raise public awareness about animal adoption and spaying/neutering. It directly supports animal shelters, rescue organizations, and the public by encouraging adoption events, educational activities, and charitable support on that date. The resolution aims to reduce shelter overcrowding and euthanasia rates by promoting adoption and responsible pet ownership through nationwide observance. It does not create new laws or funding but expresses congressional support for existing animal rescue efforts.