Rep. Jim Costa

Maddy summaryThe Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023 makes several key changes to ocean shipping regulations. It requires the Federal Maritime Commission to collect and publish data on marine terminal operations and equipment dwell times at major ports, and establishes new complaint mechanisms against shipping exchanges for anticompetitive practices. The bill prohibits U.S. port authorities from using Chinese logistics platforms like LOGINK and mandates an independent study of the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. These provisions primarily affect ocean common carriers, port authorities, and shipping exchanges operating in U.S. foreign commerce.

Maddy summaryHR 7770, the Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell three commemorative coins honoring women who worked on the U.S. home front during World War II. It specifies $5 gold coins (max 50,000), $1 silver coins (max 400,000), and half-dollar coins (max 750,000), all to be issued between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Each coin sale includes a surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar), with all surcharge funds directed to the Rosie the Riveter Trust for maintaining the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and educational programs. The coins will feature designs reflecting the legacy of diverse women workers and must meet specific weight, diameter, and composition standards.

Maddy summaryHR 6727 establishes the United States Foundation for International Conservation, a nonprofit organization that will provide grants to support long-term management of protected and conserved areas in eligible countries. The Foundation requires a 2:1 cost match from other sources, demands host country and community consent through binding agreements, and prioritizes areas with high biodiversity or species of significant importance. It will be governed by a Board of Directors including government officials and private sector experts, operate for 10 years with $1 million authorized for 2024 and $100 million annually from 2025-2035, and must follow international conservation standards while prohibiting funding for countries supporting terrorism or violating human rights.

Maddy summaryHR 6610, the Passport System Reform and Backlog Prevention Act, aims to reduce delays in U.S. passport processing for citizens applying for routine new or renewal passports. It mandates a 30-day processing standard from document submission to mailing, requires technology upgrades like digital tracking dashboards and mobile apps for applicant updates, and authorizes hiring up to 100 temporary staff annually for passport offices. The bill also sets cybersecurity standards, maintains affordable fees, and requires regular progress reports to Congress on implementation. These changes directly affect U.S. citizens seeking passports, particularly those in remote areas with limited access to processing centers.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1086) is a symbolic gesture expressing the House's support for designating March 19, 2024, as "National Agriculture Day." It does not create new laws or policies, but instead formally recognizes agriculture as a vital industry in the U.S. economy. The resolution celebrates agriculture's broad economic impact without imposing any requirements or changes on farmers, consumers, or government programs. It is a commemorative statement, not a substantive legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 149) is a symbolic congressional statement condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, specifically the forcible transfer and abduction of Ukrainian children. It directly addresses the Russian government, citing evidence including Ukrainian reports of over 2,300 children kidnapped and Russia's policy granting citizenship to children born in occupied territories after February 24, 2022. The resolution formally declares these actions violate the Genocide Convention (Article II(e)) and claims Russia is attempting to erase Ukrainian identity by targeting children. As a non-binding resolution, it holds no legal force but expresses the House's official stance against these practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. app stores, hosting services, and distributors from enabling foreign adversary-controlled applications (like TikTok, owned by ByteDance) to operate within U.S. borders. It requires companies to provide users with their data in a machine-readable format before a ban takes effect, and imposes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per affected user for violations. The law directly affects major app platforms, app stores, and internet hosting services, targeting applications owned by entities controlled by designated "foreign adversary" countries (e.g., China). It includes exemptions for companies that divest U.S. operations to non-adversary entities before the ban date.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCONRES 97) recognizes the gender wage gap, noting that women working full-time earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by men. It highlights racial disparities (e.g., Latinas earn 57 cents, Black women 69 cents) and the economic impact of the gap, including $965 billion in annual lost wages for women. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the issue and reaffirms Congress’s commitment to addressing wage inequality.

Maddy summaryHR 7629, the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2024, allocates $1.4 billion annually (2025-2029) to the U.S. Postal Service for high-security collection boxes and replacing physical universal mailbox keys with electronic versions, directly affecting USPS operations and letter carriers. It requires the Attorney General to appoint specialized prosecutors in each district to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of postal-related crimes, such as assaults on carriers or mail theft. The bill also mandates the U.S. Sentencing Commission to adjust guidelines so that assaults or robberies against postal employees are treated with the same severity as assaults against law enforcement officers. These provisions aim to enhance safety through infrastructure upgrades, improved prosecution, and stricter sentencing for crimes targeting postal workers.

Maddy summaryThe American High-Speed Rail Act authorizes $35 billion annually for high-speed rail corridor development (with $3 billion for corridor planning), requiring at least 20% of project costs to come from non-Federal sources. It defines "high-speed rail" as services reaching 186+ mph and "higher-speed rail" as 110-186 mph, with no more than 20% of funds allocated to higher-speed rail projects. Key provisions include allowing advance acquisition of rail corridors before environmental reviews, creating tax exclusions for rail carriers selling property to high-speed rail projects, and requiring consideration of equity, sustainability, and economic development impacts in planning. The bill affects federal agencies, state and local governments, rail carriers, and communities along proposed rail corridors.