Rep. Jerry L. Carl

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to meet specific on-time delivery performance standards for periodicals (newspapers and magazines) before the Postal Regulatory Commission can approve new rate increases for those services. It mandates annual public reports tracking USPS's on-time delivery performance for both in-county and out-of-county newspaper mail, with requirements for data collection if individual mail tracking isn't feasible. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study alternative pricing models for periodicals that don't cover their costs, with a report due within two years. These provisions directly affect USPS operations, newspaper publishers, and the postal rate-setting process, aiming to link service quality to financial decisions.

Maddy summaryThe Secret Service Readiness Act of 2024 requires the Secret Service to establish uniform fitness standards for Special Agents and Uniformed Division Officers that apply equally to all applicants, regardless of gender. These standards must be at least as rigorous as the current fitness requirements for male applicants and existing personnel. The Director of the Secret Service must implement these standards within 90 days of the bill’s enactment and submit a report on the process to Congress within 180 days. This bill directly affects Secret Service personnel by standardizing fitness requirements to ensure consistency and maintain current performance expectations.

Maddy summaryHJRES 164 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the Department of Commerce regarding firearms license requirements. It directly targets the rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 34680), which would have revised licensing procedures for firearms dealers. If passed, the resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect by invoking the congressional disapproval process under federal law. The bill does not create new regulations but aims to halt an existing rule affecting gun license applicants and dealers.

Maddy summaryHR 897 designates a specific area off Alabama's coast as the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary to protect an ancient cypress forest (50,000-70,000 years old) exposed by Hurricane Ivan. The bill prohibits activities like cutting trees, drilling, or using dredges within the sanctuary boundaries, while allowing exceptions for fishing, diving, emergency responses, and existing oil/gas operations. It requires the Secretary of Commerce to develop a management plan within two years, focusing on resource protection, public access, and coordination with stakeholders like Alabama’s conservation department. The bill authorizes $1 million annually for sanctuary operations from 2024-2028.

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 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 summaryHRES 1317 designates the week of June 24-July 3, 2024, as "National Tire Safety Week" to promote public education on proper tire maintenance, such as checking tire pressure and tread depth. It encourages American motorists to learn about these practices, which can prevent accidents by reducing tire-related failures like underinflation or worn treads. The resolution expresses congressional support for this observance but does not create new laws or regulations. It aligns with existing tire safety recommendations from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 6180, officially recognizes the Poarch Band of Creek Indians as a federally recognized tribe under the Indian Reorganization Act. It reaffirms all lands previously taken into trust for the tribe by the U.S. government as valid trust lands, ratifying the Secretary of the Interior's actions. The law applies retroactively to June 18, 1934, covering all existing and future legal challenges regarding the tribe's land titles or the validity of trust acquisitions. This directly affects the Poarch Band of Creek Indians' land holdings and legal standing on federal trust lands.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 1208) amends the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act to clarify that the Secretary of the Interior can take land into trust for any federally recognized tribe, updating outdated language. It specifically revises Section 19 to replace "any recognized Indian tribe now under Federal jurisdiction" with "any federally recognized Indian Tribe." The bill also ratifies and confirms all past land trust decisions made for federally recognized tribes, protecting those actions from legal challenges based on historical recognition status. This change directly affects federally recognized tribes by ensuring their land trust authority remains valid under current law.

Maddy summaryHR 5012 (SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023) authorizes federal funding to improve stillbirth research and data collection. It provides $5 million annually for states to collect standardized stillbirth data (including risk factors) while protecting privacy, $1 million annually for developing public educational materials and data collection guidelines, and $3 million annually for medical fellowships training pathologists in perinatal autopsy and stillbirth research. The bill directly affects state health departments, medical professionals (like obstetricians and pathologists), and families who experience stillbirth by improving data quality for future research. It requires federal reports on guidelines and program effectiveness within five years but does not provide direct medical care or financial assistance to families.