Rep. Kim Schrier

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 summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Forest Service to increase transparency in its Legacy Road and Trail Remediation Program. It mandates that the agency annually publish, by region, a list of projects considered for funding, accept public comments on those projects, and consider public feedback when making final selections. The bill also requires detailed public reports for each region, including project descriptions, public comments received, project rankings, and expected outcomes for funded projects. These changes directly affect the Forest Service's funding decisions and give the public a formal role in the selection process for road and trail remediation projects.

Maddy summaryThe Transit Emergency Relief Act (HR 7012) amends federal transportation law to provide more flexible funding for public transit agencies facing emergencies. It allows funds designated for emergency relief (under 49 U.S.C. § 5324) to remain available until spent, be used for prior or current fiscal years, and not reduce existing funding. The bill also increases annual funding caps for transit programs and adds $50 million per year (2024-2027) specifically for this emergency relief program. Public transportation agencies receiving federal grants are directly affected, as the changes simplify access to funds during crises while requiring compliance with labor standards (49 U.S.C. § 5333). This creates more predictable support for transit systems recovering from unexpected disruptions.

Maddy summaryHR 3650, the Opportunities in Organic Act of 2023, amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to create a new "Opportunities in Organic" program. It provides federal reimbursement for organic certification costs (up to $1,500 per producer, with higher amounts possible for socially disadvantaged farmers or in high-cost regions) and establishes new funding for nonprofits to support farmers transitioning to organic practices. The bill directly affects socially disadvantaged farmers, small/mid-sized farms, and eligible nonprofit organizations by covering transition costs like soil testing, equipment, land access barriers, and technical assistance. Key provisions include $50 million annually for fiscal years 2024-2025, increasing to $100 million by 2027, with specific requirements for reporting on program outcomes and participant demographics.

Maddy summaryHR 6963, the Pediatric Cancer Drug Supply Act of 2024, creates a federal pilot program to prevent shortages of essential pediatric cancer drugs. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will enter agreements with manufacturers to maintain a 6-month reserve supply of each covered drug - defined as drugs on a list developed by the Secretary that treat pediatric cancer and meet specific criteria - held in the U.S. by manufacturers. Manufacturers must store extra inventory beyond normal levels, ensure drugs have over a year of shelf life, and allow the government to audit compliance. During shortages, the Secretary can order these reserves distributed to patients, with recipients paying the government's purchase price to replenish the supply. The program is funded with $500 million for fiscal year 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new USDA program to directly connect fresh produce producers with community food programs serving low-income individuals. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to contract with eligible entities (like farms, distributors, and nonprofits) to buy U.S.-grown fresh produce - ensuring at least seven varieties per delivery, locally sourced when possible, and aligned with dietary guidelines - and distribute it to qualifying organizations (such as food banks, schools, and tribal programs) facing food insecurity. The program prioritizes contracts with beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, veteran farmers, and small/mid-sized family farms, while mandating 30% upfront payment and requiring annual reports on distribution metrics and program effectiveness to Congress. It aims to strengthen local food supply chains, reduce farm waste, and improve access to fresh produce for vulnerable communities.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 allocates $7 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) during fiscal year 2024. The ACP provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. This funding ensures the program can continue supporting eligible households throughout the year, with the money remaining available until fully spent. The bill extends existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023, allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer whole milk as an option during lunch. It amends the school lunch law to explicitly permit schools to serve flavored and unflavored whole milk alongside reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free milk choices for students. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust meal regulations to account for saturated fat from whole milk, ensuring it doesn't count against meal fat limits. This change directly affects participating schools and the students who receive school lunches, expanding their milk beverage options.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to help schools located near federal lands (like military bases and tribal reservations) with aging, unsafe facilities. It authorizes $250 million annually for four years to fund construction, renovation, and repairs of school buildings that don't meet basic safety standards. The program prioritizes schools with urgent health and safety hazards, offering full federal funding to those with no bond capacity and requiring local matching funds based on financial need for other schools. Schools must use funds to improve existing facilities, not purchase land, and must supplement but not supplant existing funding for school infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHR 6664 requires the FDA to apply pediatric drug testing requirements to orphan drugs (treatments for rare diseases) that were previously exempt. It directs the FDA to issue guidance within 18 months on how these requirements will work, including when waivers for impractical studies are allowed, and increases annual funding for pediatric studies to $50 million. Drug sponsors developing orphan medications must now provide more pediatric safety data, while the FDA gains clearer enforcement rules for compliance. The bill also mandates an FDA report on compliance and a government study on the law's impact on rare disease drug development.