Rep. Susie Lee

Maddy summaryThe SOAR Act (Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act) modernizes recreation permitting on federal lands by creating single joint permits for trips crossing multiple federal land units, reducing processing times and costs through categorical exclusions, and establishing clearer fee structures for recreation service providers. It requires federal agencies to improve online application systems for special recreation permits and enhances coordination between the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture. The bill also creates a program to coordinate Federal and State recreation passes to improve visitor access to parks and public lands. These changes directly affect recreation service providers, federal land management agencies, and visitors to national parks, forests, and public lands.

Maddy summaryHR 1465, "Violet’s Law," requires federal research facilities to establish standards for placing eligible animals (dogs, cats, primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits) no longer needed for research with animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or individuals. Federal departments and agencies operating such facilities must create these placement standards within one year of the law's enactment. The law mandates that animals must be vet-certified as healthy (free of infectious disease or physical issues) before placement and prohibits facilities from using animals for commercial trade, breeding, or public exhibitions. This policy directly affects federal research facilities and aims to provide permanent homes for research animals through defined, safe pathways.

Maddy summaryHR 1274, the Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act, extends the authorization period for the existing Lake Tahoe Restoration program through 2034. It amends two key sections of the original 2000 law: changing the funding timeframe to end on September 30, 2034, and adjusting the cooperative authorities period to begin with this bill's enactment. This procedural bill directly affects the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Tahoe Restoration Program by ensuring continued funding and operational authority for the project.

Maddy summaryHR 2403, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2023, modifies federal firearm background check procedures to address delays. It requires firearm licensees to wait at least 10 business days after a prospective buyer submits a petition verifying they are not prohibited from owning firearms before completing a sale, if the background check system hasn't cleared the transaction. The bill also mandates the Attorney General to create an electronic petition form, provide timely responses to petitions, and track delays. Additionally, it requires multiple reports analyzing implementation, transaction delays, denial reasons by state, and potential impacts on domestic violence victim safety, with the first report due within 150 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe International Human Rights Defense Act of 2023 creates a permanent Special Envoy at the State Department to coordinate U.S. efforts against discrimination and violence targeting LGBTQI+ people globally. The bill requires the development of an annual global strategy to address criminalization, discrimination, and violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. It also mandates that U.S. country reports on human rights practices include detailed information about laws and practices affecting LGBTQI+ communities. The legislation authorizes U.S. foreign assistance programs to support LGBTQI+ rights through health services, legal protections, and community capacity building. This bill aims to strengthen U.S. diplomatic engagement on LGBTQI+ rights as part of broader human rights policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Veterans Affairs Secretary to expand or modify an existing national cemetery (under National Cemetery Administration control) before Arlington National Cemetery reaches capacity, ensuring it provides full military honors using the same standards and eligibility criteria that applied to Arlington as of March 31, 2023. It directly affects veterans and their families seeking burial with full military honors at national cemeteries nationwide. The bill also mandates a joint report within one year to Congress on expanding cemetery capacity and assessing whether interment criteria should recognize exceptional service, including impacts on women, non-combat veterans, and other groups. The key mechanism is preserving current military honors standards at alternative cemeteries to prevent Arlington's capacity limits from disrupting existing burial practices.

Maddy summaryHR 1831 would award Billie Jean King a Congressional Gold Medal to honor her lifelong advocacy for equal rights in sports and society. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal and have it presented by congressional leaders, recognizing her pivotal role in advancing women's equality through tennis (including founding the Women’s Tennis Association and securing equal prize money) and her broader impact on society through initiatives like Title IX advocacy.

Maddy summaryHR 1777 establishes a $50 million annual fund (2024-2028) for collaborative defense research between the U.S. and Israel in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, directed energy, and automation. The bill directly supports U.S. and Israeli military forces by enabling joint development of new warfare capabilities to address current and future defense challenges. Key provisions include authorizing $50 million per year for collaborative projects, building on existing U.S.-Israel defense partnerships like counter-tunnel and counter-drone systems. This funding aims to strengthen bilateral defense innovation without altering existing military aid structures.

Maddy summaryThe Spectrum Coordination Act (HR 1341) requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve coordination when managing radio spectrum, directly affecting federal agencies that rely on spectrum for operations (like military, emergency services, and scientific uses). It mandates that NTIA publicly share details about spectrum actions - including impacted federal entities and any technical or policy concerns raised - before FCC decisions. The FCC must also publish an interagency summary with final rules, explaining how concerns were addressed. The bill updates the existing FCC-NTIA coordination agreement every three to four years to reflect technological changes, ensuring federal input is systematically considered in spectrum management.

Maddy summaryHR 1354, the Information and Communication Technology Strategy Act, requires the Commerce Secretary to produce a report within one year of enactment assessing the U.S. information and communication technology (ICT) supply chain. The report must identify critical technologies for economic competitiveness, evaluate U.S. and trusted vendor capacity, and analyze dependence on "untrusted" vendors (defined as companies posing national security risks under existing law). Based on this report, the Secretary must develop a government-wide strategy within 180 days to strengthen trusted ICT vendors and reduce reliance on untrusted sources. The strategy will outline specific agency roles, needed resources, and potential changes to federal programs or laws to support this goal.