Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 2365, Public Law 118-66) directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Parkinson’s Project. It requires HHS to create and update a coordinated national plan for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and researching Parkinson’s disease and related disorders (including multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy), while coordinating federal research and care efforts across agencies like the NIH, CDC, and VA. The law mandates annual progress assessments, an advisory council with patient advocates and diverse experts, and annual reports to Congress on federal Parkinson’s programs and recommendations for improvement. It affects federal agencies managing Parkinson’s-related programs and aims to improve care coordination and research efficiency for patients and caregivers, with the law sunsetting in 2035.

Maddy summaryHRES 1330 is a non-binding resolution supporting Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June. It recognizes the significant impact of Alzheimer’s disease on millions of Americans, including high prevalence among women and racial/ethnic minorities. The resolution encourages the public to educate themselves about Alzheimer’s, advocate for research and support services, and offer assistance to affected individuals, families, and caregivers. It does not create new programs, funding, or legal obligations. The resolution is directed at raising public awareness and fostering community support during the designated month.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow families to deduct the cost of private umbilical cord blood or tissue banking as a medical expense on their federal income taxes. It directly affects families who pay for these services through accredited banks meeting specific health regulations. The key change amends tax law to add private cord blood/tissue banking services to the list of deductible medical care expenses, effective for tax years starting in 2024. This makes the cost of storing a newborn's cord blood or tissue for potential future family use tax-deductible, similar to other medical services.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the sunset period for certain Burma sanctions from 8 to 10 years and modifies reporting requirements. It mandates annual assessments (for 7 years) by the President to determine if specific Burmese state-owned enterprises, the Myanma Economic Bank, and jet fuel sector entities meet sanctions criteria, requiring reports to Congress. The bill also limits U.S. support for increasing Burma's International Monetary Fund shareholding if the military-led State Administration Council governs, with limited waiver authority. Additionally, it creates a U.S. Special Coordinator at the State Department to coordinate diplomatic efforts promoting human rights and democratic restoration in Burma, including multilateral sanctions and engagement with Burmese civil society. The bill directly affects U.S. sanctions enforcement, Burma's military leadership, and entities operating in Burma's economy.

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 summary# American Privacy Rights Act of 2024: Summary The American Privacy Rights Act of 2024 (APRA) is a comprehensive federal privacy law that would establish a uniform national privacy standard in the United States, preempting most state privacy laws while preserving certain state protections. Key provisions include: ## Core Privacy Rights - **Individual rights**: Consumers gain the right to access, correct, delete, and port their personal data - **Data minimization**: Requires companies to collect only necessary data for specified purposes - **"Do Not Sell or Share" option**: Creates a national "Do Not Sell or Share" mechanism - **Sensitive data protections**: Includes specific requirements for biometric, genetic, and health information ## Key Definitions - **Covered data**: Personal information that identifies or relates to an individual - **Sensitive covered data**: Includes biometric information, health information, precise geolocation, financial account numbers, and more - **Covered entity**: Businesses that collect or process covered data ## Enforcement Framework - Creates a new FTC privacy bureau within the Federal Trade Commission - Allows both federal and state enforcement (with coordination) - Establishes a private right of action for individuals - Creates a Privacy and Security Victims Relief Fund - Includes a "pilot program" for privacy-enhancing technologies ## Children's Privacy Protections - **COPPA 2.0**: Major amendments to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 - Requires "verifiable consent" (not just parental consent) for collecting children's data - Prohibits targeted advertising to children without explicit consent - Establishes new requirements for educational applications - Creates a "common verifiable consent mechanism" option ## Data Broker Requirements - Requires data brokers to register with the FTC - Mandates a publicly available website with clear privacy notices - Creates a "Do Not Collect" and "Delete My Data" request system - Prohibits selling data for stalking, harassment, or fraud ## Preemption Provisions - Preempts most state privacy laws but preserves: - Consumer protection laws - Employee privacy laws - Student privacy laws - Data breach notification requirements - Health privacy protections - Certain criminal laws related to privacy The law would take effect 180 days after enactment, with most provisions phased in over time, and includes specific provisions for children's privacy protection that would supersede some existing state laws while preserving others.

Maddy summaryThis bill rescinds unspent funds from specific federal programs. It targets leftover money from pandemic relief (like the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan) and certain infrastructure initiatives (including education stabilization funds and transportation programs like the Congestion Mitigation Program). The rescission is limited to amounts already allocated for Israel, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific security supplements under recent appropriations. Unspent funds must be returned to the Treasury, with no new spending created.

Maddy summaryHRES 1303 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 14, 2024, that condemns the Biden administration's suspension of pending approvals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to countries without free trade agreements with the U.S. The resolution argues this action is politically motivated, citing studies showing economic benefits of LNG exports and noting that previous administrations conducted similar environmental reviews without halting permits. It calls for lifting the suspension to restore confidence in the energy sector, prioritize U.S. workers and communities, and align with the administration's stated goals of economic growth. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but formally expresses congressional disapproval of the administration's approach.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funding for colleges and universities that maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or offices. It requires institutions to certify they do not advocate for or support DEI initiatives - defined as classifying individuals by race, gender, or other protected characteristics and providing preferential treatment based on those classifications. Colleges receiving federal funds (including student loans) would lose eligibility if they fail this certification. The bill directly affects all higher education institutions reliant on federal financial assistance, imposing a funding cutoff for those with DEI programs.

Maddy summaryHR 5012 (SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023) authorizes federal funding to improve stillbirth research and data collection. It provides $5 million annually for states to collect standardized stillbirth data (including risk factors) while protecting privacy, $1 million annually for developing public educational materials and data collection guidelines, and $3 million annually for medical fellowships training pathologists in perinatal autopsy and stillbirth research. The bill directly affects state health departments, medical professionals (like obstetricians and pathologists), and families who experience stillbirth by improving data quality for future research. It requires federal reports on guidelines and program effectiveness within five years but does not provide direct medical care or financial assistance to families.