Rep. Mike Levin

Maddy summaryThe GLOBE Act of 2023 requires the U.S. Department of State to document and report on violence and discrimination against LGBTQI people worldwide in annual country reports, with specific requirements to identify countries criminalizing LGBTQI status. It establishes a Special Envoy for LGBTQI Human Rights to coordinate U.S. government efforts internationally and creates targeted sanctions against foreign officials responsible for human rights violations against LGBTQI individuals, including denying visas and imposing financial penalties. The bill also includes provisions to improve U.S. foreign assistance programs to better support LGBTQI communities, reform immigration processes to better protect LGBTQI asylum seekers, and ensure inclusive policies in diplomatic and consular settings. These measures aim to advance LGBTQI rights globally through diplomatic, financial, and policy mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 3489, the Restore Veterans’ Compensation Act of 2023, prevents the military from reducing or taking back veterans’ disability compensation when they receive separation pay or voluntary separation benefits upon leaving service. The bill amends federal law to ensure veterans’ disability compensation (paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs) cannot be reduced because they received separation pay, and limits deductions from retirement pay to 25% per month, with hardship considerations. It requires the military to provide clear 90-day notice before deductions and allows waivers if repayment would cause financial hardship. This directly affects veterans who received separation pay and later qualify for disability compensation or retirement pay under VA or military programs.

Maddy summaryHR 3978, the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act, prohibits the federal government from issuing new oil and gas leases in the Southern California planning area. It directly affects the Secretary of the Interior and potential oil and gas companies by banning exploration, development, or production leases in that specific region, as defined in the 2018 National OCS Leasing Program. The bill amends existing law to permanently block new leasing in this coastal zone, with no new permits allowed under current or future federal leasing programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies collecting demographic survey data to begin including questions on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics (intersex traits) within 360 days of enactment. Agencies must review existing surveys to identify gaps, develop privacy-protective methods for collecting this data (including anonymization and data destruction protocols), and incorporate it into relevant reports within three years. The law applies to all federal surveys that collect standard demographic data (like race, ethnicity, and age), such as the census or health surveys, but does not compel individuals to disclose their status. It emphasizes maintaining confidentiality, allows limited agency waivers if standards can't be met, and mandates a congressional report on implementation within two years.

Maddy summaryThe Neighborhood Homes Investment Act creates a new tax credit for developers who rehabilitate or build affordable homes in distressed communities. The credit is calculated based on the difference between rehabilitation costs and the sale price, with homes required to be sold at affordable prices to qualified homeowners with incomes up to 140% of the local median family income. The bill targets specific "qualified census tracts" defined by high poverty rates, low homeownership, and below-average home values. Developers must ensure homes are sold to qualified homeowners who use them as primary residences for at least five years, with additional safeguards to prevent program abuse and ensure fair housing practices.

Pets Belong With Families Act This bill prohibits public housing agencies from imposing breed restrictions on pets owned by residents of public housing units. The bill continues to allow public housing agencies to prohibit ownership of dangerous animals in public housing, but prohibits classification as dangerous by breed and requires that any such classification be based on specific behaviors or actions of the animal.

Maddy summaryHR 3850, the Pride In Mental Health Act of 2023, establishes a federal grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse services for LGBTQ+ youth (including nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit individuals). The bill directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to fund eligible organizations to provide trauma-informed care, cultural competency training for caregivers, school bullying prevention guidelines, and family support resources. It explicitly prohibits grant funds from being used for conversion therapy or advertising related to such therapy. The bill also requires data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and a federal survey to measure psychological distress.

Maddy summaryThe Spent Fuel Prioritization Act of 2023 amends federal law to change how the U.S. government prioritizes accepting spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste for disposal or storage. It requires the Secretary to prioritize waste based on four specific factors: whether the reactor is decommissioned, the population size of the reactor's area, the earthquake hazard level of the area, and national security risks related to continued on-site storage. This directly affects nuclear power plant operators and communities near reactors, particularly those with decommissioned plants, large populations, high earthquake risk, or significant security concerns. The bill establishes a clear, factor-based system for determining acceptance order, with highest priority given to decommissioned reactors and areas facing the most severe risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Defense to add the names of 74 crew members lost when the USS Frank E. Evans sank in 1969 to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall within one year of the bill's enactment. It requires consultation with other agencies to address space limitations for name placement and explicitly exempts this addition from standard commemorative memorial rules under the Commemorative Works Act. The measure directly honors the deceased crew members and affects how their names are displayed on a national memorial.

San Gabriel Mountains Protection Act This bill designates wilderness areas and wild and scenic rivers in California and modifies the boundaries of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in California to include additional National Forest System (NFS) land. Specifically, the monument shall include approximately 109,167 acres of additional NFS land. The bill designates parcels of NFS land as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System to create the Condor Peak Wilderness and Yerba Buena Wilderness and to add to the San Gabriel Wilderness and Sheep Mountain Wilderness. The bill designates specified wild and scenic rivers. The Department of Agriculture may issue a special use authorization to the owners of a water transport or diversion facility located on NFS land in the Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness for the continued operation, maintenance, and reconstruction of the facility if specified conditions are met.