Rep. Joe Courtney

Maddy summaryHR 9060 extends tax credits for biodiesel and renewable diesel producers and users through 2025, replacing the previous 2024 expiration date. It amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the biodiesel credit (Section 40A) and biodiesel mixture credit (Section 6426) for fuels sold or used after December 31, 2024. The bill also adds a provision preventing double benefits by requiring the credit amount to be zero for fuels already claiming another credit under Section 45Z(a). This directly affects biodiesel producers, refiners, and businesses using these fuels for tax purposes.

Maddy summaryThe Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act creates a 20% tax credit for converting non-residential buildings into affordable housing. To qualify, buildings must be at least 20 years old and nonresidential, with conversion costs exceeding 50% of the building's adjusted basis or $100,000. The converted housing must be rent-restricted for 30 years for residents earning 80% or less of area median income (60% in certain designated areas), with a $12 billion national credit limit. Special provisions apply for economically distressed areas and rural historic preservation projects, primarily affecting developers who convert vacant commercial buildings in downtown or main street areas into affordable housing.

Maddy summaryHRES 1345 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Ireland, established on October 7, 1924. It commemorates the historical milestone, highlighting the strong cultural ties (with over 30 million Americans claiming Irish heritage), economic partnership (over $1 trillion in annual trade), and shared values supporting peace in Northern Ireland. The resolution does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or entities, as it is purely symbolic. It affirms congressional support for continued U.S.-Ireland friendship and the enduring people-to-people connections between the two nations.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends existing federal grant programs focused on the Long Island Sound through 2028. It updates the funding periods for two key programs: the "Long Island Sound Grants" (under the Clean Water Act) and the "Long Island Sound Stewardship Grants" (under the 2006 Stewardship Act), changing their authorization from 2019-2023 to 2024-2028. The bill does not create new programs or change funding levels - it simply continues current grant mechanisms for five more years. These grants support state and local projects aimed at improving water quality and ecosystem health in the Long Island Sound region.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Federal Employees' Compensation Act to include physician assistants and nurse practitioners as eligible providers for injured federal workers. It defines "other eligible provider" as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant within their state-authorized scope of practice. The law updates key sections to replace "physician" with "physician or other eligible provider" for treatment, certification, and claim processes. The Secretary must finalize implementing regulations within six months of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal framework for "extreme risk protection orders" (ERPOs) that temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a risk of harming themselves or others. Family members or law enforcement officers can petition a federal court for a temporary order (up to 14 days) based on probable cause, followed by a hearing within 72 hours to determine if a longer-term order (up to 180 days) is warranted. The bill requires clear and convincing evidence of risk at the hearing and mandates respondents to surrender firearms to law enforcement within 48 hours. It also includes provisions for reporting, training law enforcement on ERPOs, and a federal grant program to support state ERPO implementation, without preempting state laws.

Maddy summaryHRES 901 is a U.S. House resolution expressing support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan. It calls on the U.S. President and Secretary of State to collaborate with Pakistan to uphold democratic processes, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution urges Pakistan to protect freedoms of speech, assembly, and press, and to avoid arbitrary detention or suppression of political participation. It also condemns efforts to undermine Pakistan's electoral or judicial systems, including harassment of citizens during protests or interference with elections.

Maddy summaryHR 8732, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act, would establish new labor protections for domestic workers including nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers who work in private homes. The bill requires written agreements between employers and domestic employees, provides earned sick days, ensures fair scheduling practices, and prohibits unfair wage deductions for cash shortages or communications. It also creates a Domestic Employee Standards Board to recommend workplace standards and establishes a National Domestic Employee Hotline for assistance. The bill specifically targets domestic workers who have historically been excluded from labor protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Civil Rights Act, benefiting an estimated 2.2 million domestic workers in the U.S. who are disproportionately women of color and immigrants.

Maddy summaryHR 537 authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor 60 diplomats who saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust by issuing visas and passports against their governments' orders, risking expulsion and personal danger. The medal will be presented to the next of kin of these diplomats, alongside representatives from their home countries, and permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This legislation recognizes the diplomats' humanitarian actions without creating new government programs or altering existing laws.

Maddy summaryThe Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2024 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisory employees. The Federal Labor Relations Authority will determine if each state's laws "substantially provide" for these rights, and if not, federal standards will apply to that state. These standards include the right to self-organization, collective bargaining, recognition of labor organizations, and procedures for resolving disputes. The bill preserves existing collective bargaining agreements and excludes certain employee categories like emergency services workers from some provisions.