Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter

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 summaryThe American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023 sets specific timeframes for state and local governments to approve requests for placing, constructing, or modifying broadband infrastructure, requiring decisions within 60-150 days depending on facility type. If deadlines are missed, requests are deemed approved, and local governments must avoid discriminatory regulations that would prevent service improvements or new infrastructure. The bill also establishes rules for fees that must be competitive, neutral, and based on actual costs, and requires written decisions with evidence for denials. This directly affects broadband providers seeking to deploy infrastructure and the local governments that regulate such deployments.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of September 25-29, 2023, as "National Clean Energy Week" to recognize the growing role of clean energy in the U.S. economy. It expresses support for clean energy jobs and innovation, noting the sector employed about 8.1 million people in 2022. The resolution encourages federal, state, and local investment in affordable clean energy technologies and promotes "commonsense solutions" for energy needs. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal force or funding implications - it simply urges recognition of clean energy's economic and environmental contributions.

Maddy summarySammy's Law of 2023 requires large social media platforms (defined as those with over 100 million monthly users or $1 billion in annual revenue) to create and maintain application programming interfaces that allow parents or legal guardians to delegate account management for children aged 13 or older to third-party safety software providers. These providers must register with the Federal Trade Commission, agree to use data solely for child safety, and follow strict rules about data disclosure. The law establishes a national standard that prevents states from creating their own requirements for this feature while including FTC enforcement mechanisms and data security provisions. The legislation aims to give parents more tools to monitor and protect children from specific online harms like cyberbullying, trafficking, and violence on major social media platforms.

Maddy summaryHRES 739 is a House resolution disapproving of a September 11, 2023, sanctions waiver that would release $6 billion in Iranian assets held in South Korea. The resolution states this waiver weakens U.S. policy by allowing Iran access to funds that could support its nuclear program and terrorism, and criticizes the delayed notification to Congress. It specifically condemns the administration's nonenforcement of mandatory sanctions and the release of assets without proper congressional review. The resolution demands the administration submit any Iran nuclear agreement to Congress before further sanctions relief. This is a procedural disapproval, not a law altering sanctions.

Maddy summaryHR 5641, the Pay Our Troops Act, ensures military personnel and their support staff continue receiving pay during fiscal year 2024 if Congress fails to pass regular budget appropriations. It appropriates existing Treasury funds to cover pay and allowances for active-duty troops, reserve components, and civilian employees or contractors supporting military operations. The bill automatically terminates on January 1, 2025, or earlier if Congress enacts a regular budget or continuing resolution. This provision directly affects service members, Department of Defense staff, and Coast Guard personnel (when not under the Navy) during budget implementation gaps.

Maddy summaryThe Rural Forest Markets Act of 2023 establishes a USDA program to guarantee bonds, loans, or investment vehicles for rural private forest landowners to access voluntary environmental credit markets (like carbon credit sales). It directly affects small-scale rural landowners who may not have previously participated in these markets, particularly those not historically served by USDA programs. Key provisions include requiring projects to use approved sustainability methodologies, prohibiting artificial price floors for credits, and mandating that tree planting occur on historically forested land using native species. The program is capped at $150 million in guarantees and expires September 30, 2028.

Maddy summaryHRES 692 designates September 2023 as "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month" to promote education about sickle cell disease (SCD) across the U.S. It directly affects communities impacted by SCD - estimated at 100,000 people in the U.S., with higher prevalence among African and Hispanic Americans - and encourages broader public awareness. The resolution calls for educational events focused on early detection, effective treatments, preventative care, and complications related to SCD. It also urges federal agencies to address barriers to equitable access to SCD therapies and supports efforts by organizations like the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. This is a symbolic resolution without new legal requirements, aiming to raise public knowledge and support for SCD-related initiatives.

Maddy summaryHRES 720 designates the week of September 24-30, 2023 (and annually thereafter) as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week" to honor families who have lost loved ones in military service. It specifically recognizes the sacrifices of families of fallen service members and veterans, and encourages Americans to observe the week through community service and celebrating the lives of those who died protecting the nation. This resolution is procedural and symbolic, with no new funding, regulations, or policy changes - only a formal designation to honor these families. It directly affects Gold Star families (those with members who died in military service) and the broader public through its call for observance.

Maddy summaryHRES 684 is a symbolic congressional resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 14, 2023, condemning New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's emergency order that temporarily suspended open and concealed carry firearm rights for 30 days. The resolution asserts the order violated the Second Amendment, citing Supreme Court precedents (Heller, McDonald, Bruen) and noting a federal judge had already blocked the order's firearm restrictions. It does not change any laws or impose legal consequences - it is solely a formal expression of disapproval from Congress. The resolution directly addresses the Governor's actions but has no effect on New Mexico's laws or citizens' rights.