Rep. Ed Case

Maddy summaryHR 10037, the Invasive Species Response Act, establishes the Invasive Species Strike Team Program within the Department of the Interior to manage invasive species on Federal lands, primarily affecting the National Wildlife Refuge System. The bill requires the Secretary to create regional response teams trained in rapid management, develop standardized taxonomy and reporting systems (using platforms like EDDMapS and iMapInvasives), and coordinate with state, tribal, and local partners. It authorizes $15 million annually (2025-2029) for these efforts and mandates annual reports to Congress detailing progress on priority invasive species. The law directly impacts how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and collaborating entities address invasive species threats through prevention, detection, and rapid response.

Maddy summaryThe Albatross and Petrel Conservation Act establishes federal protections for albatrosses and petrels by requiring conservation measures including habitat protection (Sec. 103), management of invasive species (Sec. 102), and reduction of bycatch in fisheries (Sec. 104). It prohibits the "take" (harming, killing, or disturbing) of these birds except under specific permits for research, indigenous needs, or emergency situations (Sec. 201-202), with exemptions for military and Coast Guard activities (Sec. 203). The law mandates annual reporting to Congress on species status and conservation actions (Sec. 402), and establishes international cooperation mechanisms for conservation efforts (Sec. 501). This act applies to U.S. waters and activities by U.S. vessels and citizens worldwide, with enforcement handled by the Departments of Interior and Commerce.

Maddy summaryHR 9983, the Save Our Ships Act, establishes a new $5 million annual grant program under the Department of the Interior to preserve historic military vessels. The program provides competitive grants to museums, memorials, and other public sites displaying decommissioned military ships (like those operated by the Navy, Coast Guard, or Maritime Commission) for physical repairs, environmental hazard mitigation, and education programs about maritime careers. Eligible recipients include state/local governments and nonprofit organizations managing these sites, with funds specifically targeting the upkeep of vessels and workforce development in shipbuilding. This bill directly supports the long-term preservation of these vessels for public education and historical access.

Maddy summaryHRES 1537 is a non-binding House resolution condemning Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, including 7 Americans still held captive. It calls on Hamas to immediately surrender, cease attacks, and release all hostages unconditionally, while reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense. The resolution also urges international organizations to condemn Hamas' actions and address the global surge in antisemitism following the attacks. As a symbolic statement, it does not create new laws or alter policy but expresses congressional position. The bill specifically references the ongoing captivity of seven U.S. citizens: Edan Alexander, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Gadi Haggai, Judith Weinstein Haggai, Omer Neutra, and Keith Siegel.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a process for state education agencies to access specific demographic data about military members and applicants who graduated high school in their state. It requires the Defense and Homeland Security Secretaries to establish a confidential data-sharing system within 18 months, enabling states to integrate information like education level, military branch, rank, AFQT test scores, and graduation details into their education databases. The data includes details for both active service members (e.g., separation dates, military specialty) and applicants denied military service. All data sharing must comply with strict privacy laws to protect individual information, with no new data collection mandated beyond existing military records.

Maddy summaryHR 9836, the Pacific Ready Coast Guard Act, creates a new Center of Expertise in Indo-Pacific Maritime Governance within the Coast Guard to train partner nations on maritime governance best practices, including building regional capacity. It requires the Coast Guard to submit annual plans and budget displays detailing Pacific operations, projected needs, and resource requirements to specific congressional committees. The bill also mandates reports on establishing forward operating bases, Coast Guard attachés in embassies, and the feasibility of a standing Indo-Pacific maritime group for humanitarian and law enforcement missions. These provisions directly affect the Coast Guard (which must implement them), partner countries in the Indo-Pacific (which receive training and engagement), and Congress (which gains oversight through reports and briefings).

Maddy summaryHRES 1504 designates October 2024 as Filipino American History Month to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States. The resolution urges the American public to observe the month through educational programs and activities highlighting the community's early settlements, military service (including World War II veterans' contributions), and roles in healthcare, labor movements, and other fields. As a non-binding congressional resolution, it formally recognizes Filipino American heritage without creating new legal obligations or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the budget baseline calculation method under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act. It adds a specific exclusion for emergency funding and supplemental appropriations when determining the baseline deficit figure. This change directly affects how federal budget deficits are measured and reported under current law. The key provision prevents emergency and supplemental funds from being counted toward the baseline, altering the calculation used for deficit targets. The bill makes a technical adjustment to budget scoring rules without creating new spending or policy requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $5 million annually from 2024 to 2034 to continue efforts against Rapid Ohia Death (ROD), a fungus killing over 1 million native ohia trees in Hawaii. It requires collaboration between the Interior and Agriculture Departments, the State of Hawaii, and local stakeholders to conduct research on ROD transmission, manage invasive animals affecting forests, and propagate disease-resistant trees for restoration. The funding supports ongoing activities like preventing ROD spread, restoring native forests, and maintaining research infrastructure at the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. This directly affects Hawaii's native ecosystems and forest management, with no changes to existing laws or new regulations for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends VA regulations to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover both the purchase price and shipping costs for adaptive vehicles delivered to veterans. It directly affects veterans who receive VA-funded adaptive vehicles under Section 3902 of Title 38, U.S. Code. The key change updates the payment mechanism so veterans no longer bear the cost of shipping the vehicle to their location. This policy change simplifies the process by ensuring full delivery costs are covered in a single VA payment.