Rep. Diana DeGette

Maddy summary# Summary of "Protecting Communities from Plastics Act" (Title II) This comprehensive legislation addresses the environmental, health, and environmental justice impacts of plastics production and use. Key provisions include: ## Environmental Justice Protections - Requires environmental justice assessments for permits of "covered facilities" (plastics manufacturing facilities) - Mandates consultation with "fenceline communities" (communities near facilities) including: * Prompt notification in multiple languages * Public hearings with translation services * Community benefit agreements - Establishes a 45-day waiting period before approving permits after public hearings ## Regulatory Requirements - Amends Clean Air Act to establish new source performance standards for plastics facilities - Requires continuous monitoring of air emissions (benzene, nitrogen oxides, etc.) - Amends Clean Water Act to prohibit discharge of plastic pellets in wastewater - Requires financial assurance for facility closure and emergency response - Prohibits new facility permits within 5 miles of community buildings (schools, hospitals, etc.) ## Research and Monitoring - Requires study of microplastics in food (including fish, meat, fruits, vegetables) - Mandates research on microplastics in human bodies (urine, breastmilk, stool) - Establishes a pilot program to test technologies for microplastic removal - Requires inventory of plastics manufacturing and distribution ## Additional Provisions - Temporary permitting moratorium on new plastics facilities (during "temporary pause period") - Requires listing of discarded polyvinyl chloride as hazardous waste - Limits National Recycling Strategy to exclude chemical recycling technologies - Creates grants to reduce single-use plastics in agricultural packaging - Requires biodegradable alternatives to plastic weed barriers The legislation aims to address the disproportionate environmental and health impacts of plastics production on vulnerable communities while establishing comprehensive regulatory frameworks for plastics manufacturing and disposal.

Maddy summaryHR 6963, the Pediatric Cancer Drug Supply Act of 2024, creates a federal pilot program to prevent shortages of essential pediatric cancer drugs. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will enter agreements with manufacturers to maintain a 6-month reserve supply of each covered drug - defined as drugs on a list developed by the Secretary that treat pediatric cancer and meet specific criteria - held in the U.S. by manufacturers. Manufacturers must store extra inventory beyond normal levels, ensure drugs have over a year of shelf life, and allow the government to audit compliance. During shortages, the Secretary can order these reserves distributed to patients, with recipients paying the government's purchase price to replenish the supply. The program is funded with $500 million for fiscal year 2024.

Maddy summaryHRES 916 is a procedural resolution that allows the House to immediately begin debating H.R. 625, the bill proposing regulations on large capacity ammunition feeding devices. It waives all objections to considering the bill and sets specific debate rules: one hour of evenly split discussion between the Judiciary Committee leaders, followed by a vote without further amendments. This resolution does not change the content of H.R. 625 but streamlines its legislative process. It directly affects the House's ability to move forward with voting on the ammunition regulation bill.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 allocates $7 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) during fiscal year 2024. The ACP provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. This funding ensures the program can continue supporting eligible households throughout the year, with the money remaining available until fully spent. The bill extends existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and extends funding for programs addressing substance use disorders and opioid addiction, including residential treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, first responder training, and community recovery initiatives. It increases funding levels for these programs, adds xylazine to Schedule III of controlled substances, and requires a study on remote monitoring for patients prescribed opioids. The bill also expands Medicaid coverage requirements for medication-assisted treatment and mandates reporting on mental health condition data alongside substance use disorder data, directly affecting individuals with substance use disorders, healthcare providers, and state and tribal governments.

Maddy summaryHRES 907 is a non-binding House resolution condemning rising antisemitism in the U.S., citing increased hate crimes (25% rise in 2022 per FBI data) and campus incidents (41% increase from 2021-2022 per ADL). It calls on all Americans, including campus leaders and government agencies, to combat antisemitism and urges implementation of the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. The resolution specifically requests increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to strengthen safety protections for Jewish communities. It directly affects Jewish Americans, campus communities, and government agencies responsible for hate crime prevention and community safety.

Maddy summaryThe Refuge System Protection Act of 2023 allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to seek legal action against individuals or entities that damage protected resources within national wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries, or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-managed lands. It authorizes the Attorney General to sue for "response costs" (like cleanup) and "damages" (such as replacement costs for destroyed resources), but only if claims exceed $5,000. Recovered funds must be returned to the specific refuge unit where the damage occurred to cover restoration, cleanup, or monitoring. The bill also permits accepting donations to cover immediate response costs and clarifies that liability under this law supplements, but does not replace, existing federal or state laws.

Maddy summaryHRES 793 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives calling on Hamas to immediately release all 199 hostages taken during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution condemns Hamas for the attack, the taking of hostages, and threats against hostages, while stating that holding hostages violates international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions. It demands the immediate release of all hostages and expresses sympathy for victims and their families. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create legal obligations but formally expresses the House's position.

Maddy summaryHR 6451, the Mental Health Justice Act of 2023, provides $250 million in federal grants to states, tribes, and localities to hire mental health professionals as first responders for specific emergencies. It directs these professionals to replace police in situations involving mental health crises, substance use, or intellectual/developmental disabilities - such as when a 911 caller describes a mental health emergency or a first responder identifies someone needing mental health support. The bill requires grantees to train responders in de-escalation techniques, link individuals to community-based services (not incarceration), and report on outcomes like reduced arrests or use of force. It also mandates data collection on demographics and prevents funneling people into institutional settings, with annual reports to Congress on program effectiveness.

Maddy summaryHR 6298, the Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act, prohibits the detention of pregnant, lactating, or postpartum noncitizens in immigration custody, requiring their immediate release except in narrow cases involving an immediate threat to safety. It bans the use of restraints during labor, delivery, and postpartum care, except under strict conditions with documented justification, and mandates access to comprehensive reproductive health services including abortion. Detention facilities must conduct biweekly reviews to reassess detention needs and report detailed data on restraint use, detention lengths, and pregnancy outcomes. The bill applies directly to pregnant noncitizens held under U.S. immigration law and requires training for DHS staff on its provisions.