Rep. Eric Sorensen

Maddy summaryHR 3416, the Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2023, funds after-school and summer programs for youth aged 6-18 (including those in underserved communities) to build job skills and career pathways. It requires grants to community-based organizations partnering with employers, schools, and local agencies to provide career exploration, mentorship, work-based learning, and job training aligned with local industry needs. The program must track outcomes like school attendance, skill development, and job placement, with $100 million authorized annually for 2024-2028. It directly affects youth, community organizations, and local workforce boards through structured, measurable workforce readiness services.

Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act This bill allows funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program to be used to provide bonuses for the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers or career law enforcement officers.

National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Program. The bill further directs DOJ to award a grant under the program to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for the expenses associated with community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs operated by the of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and National Law Enforcement Museum.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the National Weather Service (NWS) to replace its outdated internal messaging system (NWSChat) with a commercial cloud-based solution to improve communication among staff. It mandates the NWS Director to implement this upgrade by 2027, using up to $3 million annually from existing NWS funding for fiscal years 2024-2027. The new system must support future growth and handle increased user demand. This directly affects NWS personnel who rely on internal communications for weather forecasting and public safety operations. The bill focuses solely on updating the technology infrastructure, not on new weather policies or public services.

Maddy summaryThe FIGHT Act (HR 2742) amends the Animal Welfare Act to specifically target animal fighting events, such as cockfighting, by defining "rooster" as any male chicken over six months old and banning the live broadcasting (simulcasting) of such events. It prohibits using the postal service or interstate transport to move roosters for animal fighting purposes and adds civil enforcement tools allowing citizens to sue violators after a 60-day notice period. Fines up to $5,000 per violation may be imposed, and property used in animal fighting ventures can be seized. These changes strengthen enforcement against animal fighting by expanding legal remedies for the public and authorities.

Maddy summaryHR 2723 (Local Farms and Food Act of 2023) reforms the Local Agriculture Market Program to support local food systems. It extends funding periods to 2024-2028, increases annual funding to $75 million for program grants and $30 million for partnerships, and creates simplified application processes for projects under $100,000. The bill defines "food hub" to include businesses aggregating and distributing local food products, and adds new project categories like farmers market staff support and food safety equipment. It directly affects small local farms, food hubs, and rural communities by improving access to grants and reducing administrative barriers for market development.

Maddy summaryHRES 372 is a non-binding House resolution expressing support for designating May 2023 as "Mental Health Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally urges the nation to recognize mental health as a priority. The resolution supports reducing stigma around mental illness, expanding access to mental health services, and emphasizing that mental well-being is as important as physical health. It highlights the need for greater awareness and resources, particularly for youth, veterans, and communities of color facing mental health disparities, but does not mandate any specific policy changes.

Maddy summaryHRES 381 is a non-binding House resolution supporting National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2023. It aims to increase public awareness about the dangers of counterfeit fentanyl pills - fake pills that mimic prescription medications and are linked to over 70,000 overdose deaths in 2021, including 80% of deaths among youth aged 14-23. The resolution encourages existing law enforcement efforts to combat counterfeit pills and acknowledges that only 48% of youth are aware fentanyl is used in these fake pills. It does not create new laws or programs but formally recognizes the need for greater awareness, particularly for young people vulnerable to these deadly substances.

Maddy summaryThe PAST Act of 2023 amends the Horse Protection Act to ban specific devices used to cause pain (soring) in horses at shows, particularly affecting Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses. It defines prohibited "action devices" (like boots or chains causing friction) and requires licensed, conflict-free inspectors at events to enforce rules. The bill increases penalties for violations to up to $5,000 fines or 3 years in jail, and mandates longer disqualifications for repeat offenses (180 days → 1 year → 3 years). Horse show organizers, exhibitors, and participants must comply with these new inspection and penalty requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 3228 establishes the Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program to expand the workforce of school-based mental health providers. It authorizes the Education Secretary to partner with eligible graduate schools (offering accredited programs in school counseling, psychology, or social work) to cover up to 50% of participating students' tuition costs, with schools matching that contribution. The program prioritizes students who received Federal Pell Grants or attended certain institutions as undergraduates. It directly affects graduate students in school-based mental health fields and participating institutions, aiming to increase the pipeline of licensed providers for schools.