Rep. Darren Soto

Maddy summaryThe Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2023 directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to study causes of sinkholes - such as extreme weather, drought, and water management changes - and create maps identifying areas at high risk of sinkhole formation. These maps will be updated every five years and made publicly available on a dedicated USGS website for use by community planners and emergency managers. The bill authorizes $40 million annually (2024-2028) to fund this mapping program and related research. It directly affects local governments and emergency response teams by providing data to inform land-use decisions and disaster preparedness.

Health Care Practitioner Disaster Protection Act This bill extends certain liability protections available for health care practitioners who provide voluntary health care services in declared emergencies through a community health center other than the one that initially sponsored them. Current law makes the liability protections available to volunteer practitioners that are sponsored by a particular community health center. This bill maintains the liability protections for a volunteer practitioner who provides services through a different community health center if the center (1) seeks the assistance of the volunteer practitioner to respond to a declared emergency, and (2) promptly notifies the Department of Health and Human Services that the volunteer practitioner will be providing services.

Maddy summaryHRES 754 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinas in the United States. It highlights Latinas' roles in business (owning over 2 million businesses), military service (45,710 active duty), arts (Oscar-winning artists like Rita Moreno), and public service, while noting persistent challenges like the 57-cent pay gap. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally honors these contributions and acknowledges the need for further progress toward equality. It was introduced by multiple representatives and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

Maddy summaryHRES 734 is a House resolution supporting the designation of October 1 as "National Latino and Latina Physician Day." It highlights that Latino and Latina physicians represent only 6% of U.S. doctors and aims to raise awareness about the need for greater diversity in medicine. The resolution emphasizes that increasing representation benefits Latino and Latina communities by improving health outcomes and addressing barriers like language and cultural gaps in care. It does not create new laws but formally expresses congressional support for this symbolic observance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of technology needs for securing U.S. maritime borders within two years of enactment, with biannual updates for four years. The analysis must evaluate current and emerging technologies to address threats like drug trafficking, human smuggling, cybersecurity risks, and gaps in surveillance, while considering operational impacts and coordination with agencies. DHS must report findings to Congress, focusing on how technology can enhance border security, improve resource deployment, and support legal trade without mandating specific technology purchases or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the CDC to launch public education campaigns about blood clot risks, symptoms, and prevention, with special focus on high-risk groups including Black Americans, cancer patients, seniors, and hospitalized individuals. It creates a new 18-month advisory committee to study DVT/PE data collection, develop prevention guidelines, and recommend improved care standards for at-risk patients. The bill also mandates a federal study on electronic health record systems for better DVT/PE surveillance and authorizes $20 million annually for these efforts through fiscal year 2029. These provisions aim to reduce preventable deaths and improve early diagnosis, directly affecting millions at risk of blood clots nationwide.

Maddy summaryHR 5797, the Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2023, targets fraud in immigration services by imposing criminal penalties on individuals who falsely claim legal authority or defraud immigrants. It makes it a federal offense to execute schemes involving false promises about immigration services (up to 10 years in prison) or falsely represent oneself as an attorney (up to 15 years), requiring full reimbursement to victims. The bill mandates that immigration service providers (non-lawyers charging fees) identify themselves and disclose fees when assisting applicants, and allows immigrants to withdraw fraudulent applications without penalty. It also requires government agencies to create outreach programs educating immigrants on legitimate legal services and establish procedures for corrected filings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to adjust contract prices to reimburse contractors for paying employees during government funding lapses (e.g., shutdowns). It covers costs for furloughed, laid-off, or reduced-hour workers, or for restoring paid leave used during the lapse, with a weekly cap of $1,442 per employee. Directly affecting federal contractors and their employees who experienced work disruptions due to funding gaps, it mandates agencies to make these adjustments promptly after enactment. Contractors must provide proof of costs, and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy must report on implementation to Congress within a year.

Maddy summaryHR 5758 would reimburse federal employees, District of Columbia workers, and federal contractors for out-of-pocket costs (like loan payments or credit card fees) incurred during government shutdowns. It requires the Treasury to pay these costs as soon as possible after a shutdown ends, with applicants submitting documentation within one year. States that cover federal programs during shutdowns lasting 14 days or more would also receive reimbursement for those expenses. The bill establishes a Reserve Fund in the Treasury to cover future reimbursement costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents federal regulators from requiring banks, credit unions, and trust companies to treat custody assets (like digital assets held for clients) as liabilities on their financial statements or to hold extra capital against them. It specifically stops institutions from recognizing liabilities for digital asset services they don’t own, unless those liabilities exceed related expenses. The law applies broadly to depository institutions but includes an exception: commingled cash held for third parties must still be listed as a liability. Key provisions aim to clarify accounting rules for digital assets, reducing regulatory complexity for financial institutions managing client custody. It directly affects banks, credit unions, and trust companies handling digital assets or custody services.