Rep. Maxwell Frost

Maddy summaryThis bill improves access to donor human milk for high-risk infants by supporting nonprofit milk banks. It amends the Child Nutrition Act to allow states to use funds for collecting, storing, and transferring unprocessed human milk to registered nonprofit milk banks, and creates $3 million in emergency grants for milk banks facing high demand or supply shortages. The bill also requires a public awareness campaign distributing educational materials to healthcare providers (like pediatricians) and WIC program participants, focusing on the safety and benefits of donor milk. These changes directly affect nonprofit milk banks, healthcare providers, and families of high-risk infants needing this resource.

Maddy summaryThe Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023 bans cosmetic animal testing in the United States, prohibiting companies from conducting or contracting such testing after its enactment (effective 1 year later). It also bans selling or transporting cosmetics developed using animal testing conducted after that date within U.S. interstate commerce. The law directly affects cosmetic manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers operating in the U.S. market, requiring them to use non-animal testing methods for safety evaluations. Exceptions exist for foreign regulatory requirements or when no alternative testing methods are available for specific ingredients.

Maddy summaryThe No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act would deny tax deductions for employers who attempt to influence employees' decisions about union activities, including unfair labor practices like firing workers for organizing or using captive audience meetings. It targets expenses related to union-busting tactics, such as consulting fees and other costs used to sway workers' opinions about collective bargaining. Employers would need to report these expenses on tax returns and would no longer be able to deduct them from taxable income. The bill aims to prevent employers from using tax-deductible expenses to influence union elections, aligning with existing rules that deny tax deductions for political spending. It would apply to expenses incurred in taxable years beginning 240 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe FABRIC Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to establish new protections for workers in the garment industry. It prohibits piece-rate pay, requiring employers to pay hourly wages that meet or exceed minimum wage standards, while allowing incentive bonuses. The bill creates joint liability for "brand guarantors" (brands that contract with garment manufacturers) for labor violations, and requires garment manufacturers and contractors to register with the Department of Labor, providing detailed business and employee information. The law also establishes an Undersecretary of the Garment Industry and a support program to fund workforce development and equipment for U.S. garment manufacturers. These provisions directly affect garment workers, manufacturers, contractors, and major fashion brands that contract with them.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals convicted of a misdemeanor hate crime or who received an enhanced sentence for a hate-motivated misdemeanor from obtaining, possessing, shipping, or transporting firearms. It directly affects people convicted under state, federal, or tribal law of a misdemeanor involving physical force or credible threat motivated by bias against race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The law amends existing federal gun laws (18 U.S.C. §§ 922(d) and 922(g)) to add this category to the list of prohibited persons, with specific exceptions for cases where the conviction was expunged, the person had proper legal counsel, or civil rights were restored. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to restrict firearm access for this specific group, not broader speculation.

Maddy summaryHR 5433, the Child Care Stabilization Act, provides $16 billion annually from 2024 to 2028 to stabilize the child care sector through grants administered by the Health and Human Services Secretary. It directly affects licensed child care providers by offering stable funding to cover operating costs, while supporting higher wages for early educators without raising family fees. Key provisions include expanding access to high-quality, affordable care - especially for infants/toddlers, rural communities, and children with disabilities - and addressing shortages in underserved areas. The funding builds on existing American Rescue Plan resources, aiming to strengthen the child care workforce and increase available options for working families.

Maddy summaryHR 5428, the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act, prevents employers from deducting certain expenses related to influencing workers' decisions about union representation. It targets spending on tactics like anti-union meetings, workplace surveillance, or consultants during organizing campaigns, making these costs non-deductible for tax purposes. Employers must report such expenses on their tax returns, including details about the activities and amounts spent. The bill aims to remove tax incentives for employer interference in union elections, aligning with federal labor law protections for workers' collective bargaining rights.

Maddy summaryHR 3152, the "Fight CRIME Act," aims to maintain international restrictions on Iran's missile-related activities by requiring diplomatic efforts to extend these restrictions before they expire in October 2023. The bill mandates annual reports detailing U.S. diplomatic strategies, potential impacts of expiration, and measures to deter missile technology transfers to Iran. It establishes sanctions against foreign individuals or entities that knowingly support Iran's missile or drone programs, including asset freezes and visa restrictions. These sanctions apply regardless of whether UN restrictions remain in effect after their expiration, directly affecting foreign entities involved in these activities.

Maddy summaryHRES 668, the BUDS Resolution, amends House rules to allow bipartisan joint sponsorship of public bills and resolutions by one majority-party and one minority-party member. This change directly affects House members seeking to co-sponsor legislation with cross-party support, updating the existing rules for naming cosponsors and submitting constitutional authority statements. The key mechanism requires that for joint sponsorship, one sponsor must represent the majority party and the other the minority party, with both sponsors sharing responsibility for related procedural steps. This procedural adjustment streamlines the process for bipartisan co-sponsorship without altering legislative policy.

Maddy summaryHR 5322, the Time Off to Vote Act, requires most private employers (with 25+ employees) to provide two consecutive hours of paid leave for employees to vote in federal elections. Employers must grant this leave upon request, can schedule it during early voting periods if permitted by state law, and cannot include lunch breaks in the leave period. The bill prohibits retaliation against employees who take this leave and ensures it does not affect accrued employment benefits. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per offense, enforced by the Department of Labor.