Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a section of law governing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee compensation to clarify that disputes over whether an employee received the correct pay amount under existing rules are not considered "adjustment of compensation" under the statute. It specifically excludes grievances challenging pay accuracy from the definition of "establishment, determination, or adjustment of employee compensation." The change directly affects VA employees covered under Section 7421(b) who might file such pay-related grievances. The bill makes a technical clarification to streamline how these disputes are categorized within VA's compensation process.

Maddy summaryHRES 1355 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of July 10 as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors lineworkers who maintain electrical infrastructure under hazardous conditions, including during disasters, and commemorates Henry Miller, the first president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who died on July 10, 1896, while troubleshooting an electrical outage. The resolution encourages public recognition of these workers' contributions but does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHR 8974 establishes a voluntary certification program recognizing employers in industries with high human trafficking risk for providing employee training to identify and respond to suspected trafficking. Employers must apply annually with details about their training, and the Homeland Security Secretary awards a one-year certificate to eligible businesses. The program prohibits false displays of the certificate and requires annual reports to Congress on participation, fees, and program costs. It directly affects private-sector employers in designated high-risk industries, not public agencies or all businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends existing federal grant programs focused on the Long Island Sound through 2028. It updates the funding periods for two key programs: the "Long Island Sound Grants" (under the Clean Water Act) and the "Long Island Sound Stewardship Grants" (under the 2006 Stewardship Act), changing their authorization from 2019-2023 to 2024-2028. The bill does not create new programs or change funding levels - it simply continues current grant mechanisms for five more years. These grants support state and local projects aimed at improving water quality and ecosystem health in the Long Island Sound region.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 2365, Public Law 118-66) directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Parkinson’s Project. It requires HHS to create and update a coordinated national plan for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and researching Parkinson’s disease and related disorders (including multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy), while coordinating federal research and care efforts across agencies like the NIH, CDC, and VA. The law mandates annual progress assessments, an advisory council with patient advocates and diverse experts, and annual reports to Congress on federal Parkinson’s programs and recommendations for improvement. It affects federal agencies managing Parkinson’s-related programs and aims to improve care coordination and research efficiency for patients and caregivers, with the law sunsetting in 2035.

Maddy summaryHR 8859, the Deafblind DATA Act, requires the Census Bureau to create and publish a new annual table starting in 2026 showing the number of people in the U.S. who reported both hearing and vision loss in the American Community Survey. This table will display data by state, including sex, race, age, and economic factors like employment and income, without revealing personal details. The bill directly addresses the lack of a centralized count for deafblind individuals, who currently aren't accurately represented in census data. By cross-referencing existing survey responses, the Act aims to provide a clearer national picture to better understand and serve this population's needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to standardize and publish geospatial data about public ocean and waterway access rules on a public website within 4 years. It mandates detailed information on where fishing is restricted, waterway closures, speed limits, allowed vessel types (like motorboats or kayaks), and fishing method rules. The data will include geographic boundaries of protected areas, seasonal closures, and navigation details like depth charts. This directly affects recreational users (boaters, anglers) and commercial operators who need clear, up-to-date access information for Federal waterways and fishing areas. The bill does not change existing fishing regulations but makes compliance information more accessible.

Maddy summaryHR 6841 creates a new Coastal and Estuarine Resilience and Restoration Program under the Coastal Zone Management Act, authorizing the Secretary of Commerce to protect and restore coastal and estuarine areas. The program prioritizes lands with ecological, recreational, or community value that face development threats or climate impacts, with special focus on low-income communities and climate mitigation. It requires non-governmental organizations applying for grants to demonstrate public access or ecological protection, and includes $47 million annually (2024-2028) for these efforts. This directly affects coastal states, local communities, and conservation groups managing vulnerable coastal lands.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 8827) renames a specific U.S. Postal Service facility in Rochester, New York, at 216 Cumberland Street as the "Minister Franklin Florence Memorial Post Office." It directly affects USPS records, maps, and official documents by updating all references to this location to the new name. The bill contains no policy changes or funding provisions; it solely serves to honor Minister Franklin Florence through a ceremonial naming. This is a standard procedural bill with no impact on postal services or operations.

Maddy summaryHR 8821, the HOPE with Fertility Services Act, requires group health plans and health insurance issuers that cover obstetrical services to provide comprehensive coverage for infertility treatments and fertility preservation when medical treatments (like cancer therapy) cause or risk iatrogenic infertility. It defines infertility broadly and mandates coverage for procedures like IVF, egg freezing, and ovulation induction, while allowing standard cost-sharing but prohibiting insurers from discouraging or penalizing these services. Insurers must annually submit analyses of their coverage rules for these treatments to the Secretary of Labor for 5 years after enactment, with potential civil penalties for noncompliance. The law applies to all applicable plans starting January 1, 2026.