Rep. Melanie A. Stansbury

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies federal highway funding rules to prioritize safety for cyclists and pedestrians. It allows states and local governments to receive 100% federal funding for projects that connect existing bike/pedestrian infrastructure or reduce safety risks for these users, instead of the usual lower federal share. The bill also requires projects to align with state safety plans focusing on vulnerable road users and includes specific "Proven Safety Countermeasures" for cyclists/pedestrians. These changes directly affect states administering federal highway funds and local governments seeking to improve non-motorized transportation infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThe Continental Divide Trail Completion Act (HR 1317) requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail as a continuous route by November 2028. It mandates voluntary land acquisitions (via purchase, donation, or easements) to close gaps between trail segments and optimize trail placement on federal land where beneficial for recreation and conservation, while prohibiting eminent domain. The bill establishes a federal team to coordinate these efforts, consult with local landowners, tribes, and trail organizations, and submit annual progress reports to Congress detailing land acquisitions and future plans. This directly affects federal agencies, landowners in the trail corridor, and local communities through land-use coordination and trail development.

Maddy summaryThe Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act designates approximately 12,898 acres of federal land in Taos County, New Mexico (managed by the Bureau of Land Management) as the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness. It permits the continued maintenance of existing wildlife water structures (like guzzlers) within the wilderness if they enhance wildlife populations and minimize visual impacts. The bill also requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a cooperative agreement with New Mexico within one year to define terms for wildlife management activities in the area.

Maddy summaryThe Food Deserts Act creates a federal grant program to help establish grocery stores in underserved communities by funding state revolving funds. States receive capitalization grants (up to $150 million for FY2022) to provide low-interest loans to grocery stores that meet specific criteria, such as selling unprocessed, affordable healthy foods and matching 20% of the loan with non-federal funds. Priority is given to stores hiring local workers, offering nutrition education, sourcing from local farms, and having established supply chains. The program directly supports grocery store operators in areas with limited access to fresh food, aiming to improve community health outcomes through increased access to nutritious options.

Maddy summaryThis bill withdraws approximately 4,288 acres of federal land in the Placitas, New Mexico area (Tracts A-D) from new mining claims and mineral development under federal law. It directly affects the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which administers this land, by preventing new mineral leasing or sales for extraction. The bill allows surface management under existing laws (like the Federal Land Policy and Management Act) but requires all surface transfers to reserve mineral rights to the federal government. This creates a permanent restriction on mineral development while permitting surface use.

Maddy summaryThe Outdoors for All Act establishes a federal grant program to fund outdoor recreation projects in underserved communities. It authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to award grants to eligible entities (like states, cities, tribal organizations, or nonprofits) for acquiring land, developing parks, or renovating outdoor facilities in qualifying urban areas (population 25,000+ or tribal lands) or low-income communities (where 30%+ of residents have incomes at or below 80% of local median income or 200% of the federal poverty line). Grants require a 100% cash or in-kind match (with limited waivers), prohibit funding for indoor facilities or maintenance, and prioritize projects enhancing park access, engaging youth, creating jobs, or improving environmental benefits like reducing urban heat islands. The program mandates annual reporting and focuses on concrete community outcomes rather than speculative results.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of New Mexico's 1973 Bilingual Multicultural Education Act, the first state law requiring bilingual education that integrates cultural preservation. It recognizes how the law supports Indigenous languages (like Navajo and Pueblo languages) and Spanish in schools, including current programs such as the 520 Alternative Certificate for tribal language teachers. The resolution expresses support for expanding bilingual education initiatives, maintaining Indigenous languages, and advancing the Seal of Biliteracy, but does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - female telephone operators who served in the Army Signal Corps during World War I. They provided critical battlefield communications in France (connecting 26 million calls), wore military uniforms, and faced combat risks, but were denied veteran benefits for 60 years due to being classified as civilian contractors. The medal recognizes their pioneering service, devotion, and the decades-long struggle to gain military recognition. The award follows similar recognition for other WWII women veterans and aims to correct the historical injustice they faced.

Maddy summaryThe Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act of 2023 expands eligibility for federal school meal programs to include children enrolled in an Indian tribe or with at least one parent who is enrolled in an Indian tribe. It adjusts reimbursement rates for schools near reservations and establishes a pilot program allowing tribal entities to operate meal programs (like school lunches and summer feeding) with reimbursements structured as if they were state agencies. The pilot will fund 10 tribal organizations for up to two years with grants between $10,000 and $100,000 annually, targeting schools and early childhood programs on or near reservations. This directly affects Native American children and tribal schools participating in the pilot.

Maddy summaryThe SVB Act (HR 1602) repeals Title IV of the 2018 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, which had relaxed banking regulations. It directly affects banks previously subject to those relaxed rules, particularly smaller institutions that benefited from the 2018 changes. The bill’s key mechanism is restoring the pre-2018 regulatory framework, reversing the specific provisions that eased oversight. This returns banking oversight to the structure that existed before the 2018 law took effect, without creating new rules.