Rep. Jennifer A. Kiggans

Maddy summaryThe Sailor Standard of Care Act of 2023 requires the Navy to improve mental health support for service members designated for "limited duty" (temporarily restricted from full duties due to medical needs). It mandates quarterly mental health screenings for these members, additional medical staff in units with over 15 such personnel, and a framework for centralized care coordination during their limited duty period. The bill also directs the Navy to study multiple suicides within units, report on TRICARE mental health provider credentialing timelines and reimbursement rates, and establish a dashboard tracking quality-of-life program usage. These provisions directly affect active-duty Navy members in limited duty status and aim to address systemic gaps in mental health care access and response.

Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act This bill extends through FY2033 and increases funding for the National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund. The funding is provided from revenues from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases, and awards from the fund are made to states and other entities, including tribes and nonprofits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish new regulations for commercial drone operations beyond the operator's line of sight (BVLOS) within 2 years. It mandates specific risk assessment methodologies, certification standards for remote pilots, and operational rules to enable safe BVLOS drone use. The bill creates a new Office of Associate Administrator for UAS Integration and a UAS Certification Unit within the FAA to oversee drone integration and certification processes. These changes aim to modernize drone regulations, accelerate commercial drone adoption, and help the U.S. maintain global leadership in drone technology. The bill directly affects drone manufacturers, commercial drone operators, and the FAA's regulatory framework for unmanned aircraft systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that AM radio receivers be included as standard equipment in all new motor vehicles (such as cars and trucks) sold in the United States, with a rule to be issued by the Department of Transportation within one year. The rule must ensure AM radio is easily accessible on the dashboard and allows manufacturers to use digital AM radio technology instead of traditional AM. During the one-year period between the bill's enactment and the rule's effective date, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio. The bill also directs a study to evaluate whether an alternative system could deliver emergency alerts as reliably as AM radio across the country, especially during crises.

Law Enforcement Training for Mental Health Crisis Response Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Office of Justice Programs within the Department of Justice to award grants to law enforcement and corrections agencies for behavioral health crisis response training.

Maddy summaryHR 3359, the Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act of 2023, requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy within 120 days to counter fentanyl trafficking using existing authorities. The strategy must detail how the Department of Defense will detect and monitor fentanyl trafficking across air, land, and sea domains, support other agencies, train law enforcement, and strengthen cooperation with Mexico and Canada. It also mandates reports on past reimbursements for law enforcement support and an assessment of enhanced security cooperation with Mexico. This bill directly affects the Department of Defense, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and international security partners.

Maddy summaryHRES 375 is a ceremonial resolution supporting National Nurses Week (May 6-12, 2023), recognizing nurses' contributions to healthcare. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges nurses' roles as frontline caregivers, patient advocates, and key contributors to public health. The resolution encourages the public to observe the week through recognition and activities, highlighting nurses' impact across all healthcare settings. It directly affects the nursing profession by affirming their value, though it has no binding effect on legislation or funding.

This resolution reaffirms the central role of local frontline health workforces in achieving global health objectives. The resolution also urges greater global attention and support for local frontline health workers.

Maddy summaryHR 3240 grants a federal charter to the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), a California-based nonprofit already recognized as a veterans service organization under IRS tax law. The bill establishes specific rules for VAREP, requiring it to maintain its tax-exempt status, submit annual reports to Congress, and follow restrictions like not issuing stock, making political contributions, or claiming government authority. VAREP must continue its existing mission of supporting veterans through financial literacy programs, housing assistance (including foreclosure prevention), workforce development, and suicide awareness initiatives. This charter does not create new government benefits but formally recognizes and regulates this specific organization's federal status.

Maddy summaryHR 3238, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023, updates the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to increase the availability of affordable housing across the United States. The bill makes several key changes including increasing state funding formulas, modifying tenant eligibility rules to better serve vulnerable populations (such as domestic violence victims and students), and expanding credit eligibility for projects in rural and Native American communities. Specific provisions raise the credit for properties serving extremely low-income households, clarify rules around tenant income increases, and require housing providers to protect victims of domestic violence. The bill also updates terminology from "low-income" to "affordable" throughout the tax code and enhances program transparency through data sharing requirements. These changes aim to make the LIHTC program more effective at creating and preserving affordable housing units for low-income households nationwide.