Rep. Greg Landsman

Maddy summaryHR 7127, the FAIR Act, establishes pay adjustments for federal employees in 2025. It increases base pay by 4% for most federal workers under statutory pay systems and for "prevailing rate" employees (like those in specific geographic areas), while raising locality pay rates by 3.4%. The bill directly affects all federal employees receiving pay under these systems, as it modifies their 2025 salary calculations. These changes are based on statutory formulas under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, with no new policy mechanisms beyond the specified percentage increases. The adjustments apply to pay rates in effect as of the end of fiscal year 2024.

Maddy summaryHR 7108, the Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2024, authorizes federal grants to help high-need public schools hire and retain mental health staff. It targets schools that meet specific criteria: being in the top 15% of need (based on student poverty or other metrics) and failing to meet minimum staffing ratios for counselors, psychologists, or social workers. Grants fund recruitment (through salary stipends or loan repayment), retention (via professional development or incentives), and evidence-based mental health services, with grantees required to contribute 25% matching funds and report annually on provider numbers, demographics, and student-to-provider ratios. The program runs through 2029 and requires all services to comply with privacy laws like FERPA.

Reducing Accidents In Locomotives Act or the RAIL Act This bill addresses safety requirements for rail carriers and trains transporting hazardous materials. Specifically, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must issue safety regulations for trains carrying hazardous materials to require that rail carriers (1) provide state emergency response commissioners with advance notice and information about the hazardous materials; (2) reduce blocked rail crossings; and (3) comply with certain requirements regarding train length and weight specifications, track standards, speed restrictions, and response plans. DOT must also establish requirements for wayside defect detectors. These are used by railway systems alongside the tracks to detect defects and failures (e.g., wheel bearing failures). Current federal regulations do not require their use, but federal guidance does address their placement and use. Under the bill, DOT must issue regulations establishing requirements for the installation, repair, testing, maintenance, and operation of wayside defect detectors for each rail carrier operating a train carrying hazardous materials. Further, these regulations must establish requirements that safety placards be able to withstand heat in excess of 180 degrees. The bill also increases the maximum fines DOT may impose on rail carriers for violating safety regulations, requires DOT to update rail car inspection regulations and audit the federal inspection program, phases out certain railroad tank cars by May 1, 2028 (one year sooner than required under current law), expands training for local first responders, and imposes a new fee on certain rail carriers.

Maddy summaryHR 7063 prohibits federal funding for pregnancy centers that steer individuals away from seeking care from licensed medical professionals. It directly affects pregnancy centers receiving federal funds by cutting off that support if they engage in practices that divert people from comprehensive medical care. The key provision explicitly states no federal money can be provided to any center found diverting individuals from licensed medical professionals. This policy change applies to all federal funding streams used by such centers, with no exceptions for centers that prioritize medical referrals.

Maddy summaryHR 7056, the Access to Family Building Act, establishes federal rights for individuals to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) like IVF without unreasonable restrictions, directly affecting patients seeking fertility treatments and health care providers offering ART services. The bill prohibits states from imposing limitations on ART that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures, fail to advance safety, or unduly restrict access, while allowing health and safety regulations that are necessary and least restrictive. It creates federal enforcement mechanisms, including lawsuits by the Attorney General or affected individuals to challenge violating state laws, and preempts conflicting state regulations. The bill explicitly preserves state authority over health/safety regulations and does not alter existing state insurance coverage laws for ART.

Maddy summaryHRES 973 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' position that Congress should fully fund border security personnel, immigration judges, and border technology at the southern border. It does not create new laws or spending requirements but states the House's preference for these specific funding priorities. The resolution directly addresses Congress as the body responsible for budget decisions, targeting resources for border operations and immigration processing. It focuses on personnel and technology needs without specifying amounts or timelines. This resolution is procedural and symbolic, not a legislative mandate.

Maddy summaryHR 7034, the Mauritania TPS Act of 2024, grants Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to nationals of Mauritania currently living in the United States. It provides an 18-month period of protection from deportation and work authorization, requiring applicants to have continuously resided in the U.S. since the law's enactment and meet other eligibility criteria. The bill establishes a $360 application fee with waiver options and permits limited travel abroad under emergency circumstances, subject to approval by the Secretary of Homeland Security. This directly affects eligible Mauritanian nationals who qualify under the specified requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act establishes a new federal grant program to improve public transportation service. It provides funding to urban areas, states, and Indian tribes to cover up to 50% of public transit operating costs (up to 80% in persistent poverty areas and 100% for Indian tribes), with requirements to report on service frequency, access to jobs, and conduct community surveys. The program mandates that a majority of funds must benefit underserved communities and areas of persistent poverty, defined as census tracts with high poverty rates or minority populations. Recipients must maintain their transit funding levels and report on improvements in access to essential services. The bill authorizes $20 billion annually for fiscal years 2024-2027.

Maddy summaryHRES 962 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy, specifically celebrating his 95th birthday on January 15, 2024. It symbolically affirms his teachings by condemning hate, discrimination, and prejudice against Black Americans, Indigenous people, Jewish, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Muslim, Hispanic/Latino communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies - it solely expresses the House's support for Dr. King's values of diversity, tolerance, and equality through non-binding statements. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect or direct impact on any group or individual.

Maddy summaryThe NO TIME TO Waste Act establishes an Office of Food Loss and Waste within the Department of Agriculture to coordinate national efforts to reduce food loss and waste. It creates a grant program for states, local governments, and tribal entities to collect data on food waste reduction policies and develop model policies, while requiring federal contractors to report on their food waste reduction efforts. The bill sets a goal to reduce food loss and waste by 50% by 2030 compared to 2016 levels, with annual reports tracking progress to Congress. It also establishes regional coordinators to facilitate food recovery and partnerships between government, food businesses, and nonprofits, and mandates a national education campaign to teach consumers about food preservation, safety, and composting. Funding is authorized for fiscal years 2024-2028 to support these initiatives.