Rep. Jim Costa

Disposable ENDS Product Enforcement Act of 2023 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to update its enforcement guidance regarding Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) products to include certain disposable ENDS products. In April 2020, the FDA published revised guidance on how it intends to prioritize enforcement resources with respect to ENDS products that do not have premarket authorization (i.e., that have not received FDA approval). The guidance specifies that the FDA intends to prioritize enforcement against (1) flavored, cartridge-based ENDS products (except for tobacco or menthol flavored products); (2) other ENDS products for which the manufacturer has not taken adequate measures to prevent access to minors; (3) any ENDS products that are targeted or promoted towards minors; and (4) any ENDS products for which the manufacturer has not submitted an application for market approval or did not receive approval. For purposes of this guidance, cartridge-based ENDS products do not include disposable products that are completely self-contained . The bill requires the FDA to incorporate these products, including nicotine products that are not derived from tobacco, into its enforcement priorities. The bill additionally specifies that the FDA may prioritize enforcement against these products in advance of updating the guidance. The FDA must also annually report on its enforcement actions with respect to these products.

Maddy summaryHR 907, the Protecting Community Television Act, is a procedural bill that modifies the legal definition of "franchise fee" in the Communications Act of 1934. It changes the wording from "includes" to "means" and adds "other monetary" before "assessment" in the fee definition. This amendment does not alter actual fee amounts, payment requirements, or protections for community television providers. It solely adjusts the technical language used in federal law to describe these fees. The bill has no direct impact on community TV operations or funding, as it only refines the statutory definition.

Maddy summaryHR 949, the Insular Area Medicaid Parity Act, removes federal funding caps on Medicaid for U.S. territories, directly affecting Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. The bill amends the Social Security Act to eliminate the existing limit on federal Medicaid funding for these territories, allowing them to receive full federal matching funds like states. This change takes effect for fiscal year 2023, ending the previous restriction that required territories to fund a portion of their Medicaid costs themselves. The policy change ensures these territories can access the same level of federal Medicaid support as states.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands health care coverage under TRICARE for military dependents. It eliminates a separate premium for young adults aged 21-26 enrolled in the TRICARE Young Adult Program, meaning they will no longer pay an extra fee for coverage. The bill also removes an eligibility restriction that previously limited coverage for some dependents in this age group. These changes directly affect military service members' adult children and spouses who rely on TRICARE Young Adult coverage. The policy update simplifies enrollment and reduces out-of-pocket costs for these beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor all U.S. Army Dustoff crews who served during the Vietnam War (1962-1973). It recognizes their critical role in evacuating nearly 900,000 wounded personnel, including U.S., South Vietnamese, and allied forces, under extreme combat conditions. The medal, designed with input from the Secretary of Defense, will be presented to the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum for permanent display. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to cover costs, but the primary action is the commemorative recognition of these crews' service.

Maddy summaryHR 1002, the "Saving the Civil Service Act," restricts how federal government positions can be moved between competitive hiring (where most federal jobs are filled through merit-based exams) and non-competitive "excepted service" positions. The bill prevents agencies from moving positions out of the competitive service unless they fit specific schedules in place as of September 2020, requires Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approval for certain transfers, and mandates employee consent for any position transfer between service types. It also limits the number of employees that can be moved from competitive to excepted service during a presidential term - capping it at 1% of an agency's workforce or five employees, whichever is greater. The bill directly affects federal employees and agencies by making it harder to shift positions out of the competitive hiring system without strict oversight.

American Port Access Privileges Act of 2023 This bill requires port authorities that receive funding under the Port Infrastructure Development Program or Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Program to provide preferential berthing for loading and unloading certain vessels, including U.S. flagged vessels and those under contract to the federal government. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics may collect data on berthing and cargo practices at U.S. ports.

Maddy summaryHR 987 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring Golda Meir, Israel's first female Prime Minister, and the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Israel relations. It specifies three coin types: $5 gold coins (max 50,000), $1 silver coins (max 400,000), and half-dollar clad coins (max 750,000), with detailed weight and composition requirements. All coins will include Golda Meir's image, her name, and commemorative inscriptions, and will be sold during 2026. A surcharge ($35 for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins, $5 for half-dollars) will be paid to the American Friends of Kiryat Sanz Laniado Hospital Inc. to support its hospital operations.

Maddy summaryHR 621, the PART Act, requires catalytic converters on vehicles to be stamped with a visible vehicle identification number (VIN) using special high-visibility paint to deter theft. It creates a federal grant program to help auto dealers, repair shops, and law enforcement implement this stamping at no cost to vehicle owners. The bill also mandates that sellers of catalytic converters retain buyer identification and vehicle details for two years, and adds new federal criminal penalties for stealing or trafficking in catalytic converters.

Maddy summaryHR 926 would require the Supreme Court to establish a code of conduct for justices within 180 days of enactment, along with procedures for handling ethics complaints against them. The bill mandates minimum disclosure standards for gifts, income, and reimbursements received by justices and their law clerks, and requires justices to recuse themselves when they or their family received gifts from parties in a case. It would also require parties and amici curiae to disclose gifts given to justices and lobbying contacts related to justices' nominations, and establish a judicial investigation panel to review complaints against justices. The legislation aims to increase transparency in Supreme Court ethics processes and provide clearer recusal standards for justices.