Rep. Sharice Davids

Maddy summaryHRES 289 is a resolution recognizing the week of April 11-17, 2023, as the sixth annual "Black Maternal Health Week" to raise awareness about maternal health disparities. It highlights that Black women in the U.S. face disproportionately high rates of pregnancy-related deaths (2.6 times more likely than White women) and complications, driven by systemic inequities. The resolution urges national attention on these issues and supports policy solutions like the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to address racial gaps in maternal care. As a non-binding recognition, it does not enact new laws but aims to amplify community-driven efforts to improve outcomes.

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 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 3235 grants a federal charter to the National American Indian Veterans, Incorporated, a nonprofit organization. This bill creates a new chapter (1504) in the U.S. Code governing the organization's structure, purposes, and restrictions. The charter allows the group to operate as a federally chartered entity with specific requirements, including maintaining tax-exempt status, prohibiting stock or dividends, and submitting annual reports to Congress. The organization will advocate for American Indian veterans' needs, promote their welfare, and provide technical assistance to tribal veterans services, without receiving federal funding or endorsement.

Maddy summaryHR 3238, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023, updates the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to increase the availability of affordable housing across the United States. The bill makes several key changes including increasing state funding formulas, modifying tenant eligibility rules to better serve vulnerable populations (such as domestic violence victims and students), and expanding credit eligibility for projects in rural and Native American communities. Specific provisions raise the credit for properties serving extremely low-income households, clarify rules around tenant income increases, and require housing providers to protect victims of domestic violence. The bill also updates terminology from "low-income" to "affordable" throughout the tax code and enhances program transparency through data sharing requirements. These changes aim to make the LIHTC program more effective at creating and preserving affordable housing units for low-income households nationwide.

Maddy summaryThe Beagle Brigade Act of 2023 establishes a National Detector Dog Training Center to train dogs and handlers for detecting foreign pests and diseases threatening U.S. agriculture and natural resources. The Center will collaborate with agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection and state agriculture departments to safeguard farms and ecosystems. It requires annual funding for operations and mandates a congressional report within one year detailing pest threats, Center effectiveness, and recommendations for improving detection capabilities. The law directly affects agricultural protection efforts by enhancing canine-based prevention of invasive species.

Maddy summaryThis bill resolves a long-standing land dispute involving the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation's historic reservation in Illinois. It confirms the Tribe's ownership of 129 acres they already purchased (Repurchased Lands) while ending tribal ownership rights to the remaining 1,280-acre reservation area. The bill provides $50 million over five years to the Tribe as full settlement for historical claims, and confirms land ownership for non-Indian occupants (including Illinois, Dekalb County, and private parties) who have held the land since 1849. It also establishes a 1,151-acre "Replacement Area" near Shabbona for future tribal land acquisition using settlement funds.

Maddy summaryHR 2757, the Puerto Rico Status Act, establishes a process for Puerto Rico to determine its political status through a plebiscite on November 2, 2025, offering three options: independence, sovereignty in free association with the United States, or statehood. If no option receives a majority in the initial vote, a runoff plebiscite would be held on March 8, 2026. The bill outlines transition processes for each option, including constitutional conventions, implementation steps, and provisions for citizenship, immigration, and economic benefits. It mandates bilingual voter education materials and requires oversight by the Elections Commission and the Attorney General to ensure fair representation of all options. This legislation directly affects Puerto Rico's residents by providing a structured process to choose their permanent political relationship with the United States.

Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2023 This bill elevates the current position of the Director of the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within HHS.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility under federal health benefits programs to include employees of Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), alongside existing Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. It amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to explicitly allow TCUs (defined under the Higher Education Act) to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, enabling their employees to purchase coverage. Additionally, it creates a new "Tribal Insurance Administrative Account" under Title 5 to collect a capped administrative fee (max 3% of average premiums) from tribal employers using the FEHB Program, funding the program's administration. The changes directly affect tribal entities and TCUs seeking to provide federal health benefits to their employees.