Rep. John S. Duarte

Maddy summaryHRES 1437 is a ceremonial resolution designating the week beginning September 9, 2024, as "National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) - colleges and universities with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment - and their role in educating low-income students, advancing economic mobility, and serving 31.7% of all undergraduate students. The resolution calls for the public and organizations to observe this week with ceremonies and activities during Hispanic Heritage Month. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change existing policies - it is purely a symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the rural surface transportation grant program to expand eligibility for funding. It defines "covered counties" as those with annual agricultural production exceeding $1 billion (adjusted annually for inflation) and at least $500,000 per square mile. The bill requires 10% of annual program funds to be reserved specifically for "farm-to-market roads" located within these covered counties. The Secretary of Transportation, with input from the Secretary of Agriculture, must maintain an annual list of eligible counties meeting these agricultural thresholds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Council on Environmental Quality to annually publish detailed reports starting in 2024, tracking how the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) impacts federal projects. The reports will include data on lawsuits challenging NEPA compliance (listing agencies and case outcomes), the length of environmental impact statements (page counts over 5 years), and timelines for completing environmental reviews (over 10 years). These reports must be publicly available with underlying data, directly affecting federal agencies that manage NEPA reviews and providing transparency for Congress and the public. The bill focuses on collecting factual data about NEPA's implementation, not changing the law itself.

Maddy summaryHR 9479 would create a refundable tax credit for individuals with medical expenses related to in vitro fertilization (IVF). The credit covers up to $30,000 annually in qualified IVF costs (such as medical procedures), minus any credits claimed in prior years. It applies to expenses for the taxpayer or their spouse (for joint filers) and prevents double benefits by reducing other deductions for the same expenses. This policy change would take effect for expenses paid after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 7362, the SPACE Act of 2024, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish cooperative agreements with land-grant universities for research using satellite and remote sensing data to improve wildland fire management. The bill directs the Secretary to provide these institutions with existing satellite data (including real-time images and infrared capabilities) and mandates they share research findings on fire behavior, smoke patterns, and data gaps. It also requires two reports: one within one year detailing opportunities to expand research partnerships, and another within 180 days outlining plans to integrate satellite technology for fire forecasting, containment strategies, and resource deployment. The law directly affects land-grant universities, USDA agencies, and federal fire management entities like the National Interagency Fire Center.

Maddy summaryHR 7015, the CAREERS Act, expands federal funding for workforce training programs to better serve rural communities. It modifies eligibility to include career and technical education schools and requires training programs to align with specific rural industry sectors like broadband, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and water services. The bill mandates grantees to report on employment outcomes for participants and addresses rural workforce challenges such as worker displacement and youth migration. This directly affects rural workforce development boards, training providers, and workers in designated rural industries seeking job skills and career pathways.

Maddy summaryHR 9274, the SHAWL Act, establishes two new Smithsonian museums: the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women’s History Museum. It authorizes both museums to be located within the National Mall’s "Reserve" area, overriding prior restrictions, and requires federal agencies managing potential sites to transfer jurisdiction to the Smithsonian after notifying congressional committees. The bill mandates that both museums accurately represent diverse cultures, histories, and viewpoints within Latino and women’s communities through exhibits and programs, requiring input from a broad range of community experts. It also requires the Smithsonian to submit biennial reports to Congress detailing compliance with these representation requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 8880, the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to commission an independent assessment of its claim forms within 30 days of the bill's enactment. This assessment, conducted by a federally funded research center (FFRDC) in consultation with veterans' service organizations and legal experts, must identify how to make VA forms clearer and better organized for claimants. The VA must then implement the recommended changes within two years, submitting the assessment to Congress within 90 days of receiving it. The bill directly affects veterans filing claims by aiming to reduce confusion in the paperwork process, without altering benefit eligibility or amounts.

Maddy summaryHRES 1365 is a non-binding House resolution calling for the immediate termination of Kimberly Cheatle as U.S. Secret Service Director. It directly addresses the Secret Service Director and the executive branch, though it has no legal force to remove her from office. The resolution’s sole provision is a formal request for her termination, reflecting the sponsors' position on her leadership. As a symbolic gesture, it does not change her employment status or require any action from the President or Secret Service.

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.