Rep. Ed Case

Maddy summaryThe Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2023 strengthens the Americans with Disabilities Act's requirement that individuals with disabilities receive long-term services and supports in community settings rather than institutions. It defines "community-based" services to include specific housing options where individuals with disabilities can live independently with maximum control over their lives, including access to integrated housing, employment, and community participation. The bill requires states to develop transition plans to move people from institutional settings to community-based services within 12 years, with measurable annual targets for reducing institutionalization. It establishes enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services to ensure compliance with these requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 2726, the Small Business Payment for Performance Act of 2023, requires U.S. government agencies to provide small businesses with interim partial payments when they unilaterally change construction contract terms. Specifically, it mandates that agencies pay at least 50% of the estimated additional costs requested by small businesses within the timeframe specified by the contract. The bill also requires small businesses to pass these interim payments to first-tier subcontractors and any lower-tier subcontractors who incurred increased costs due to the contract change. This law applies directly to small business concerns awarded federal construction contracts and takes effect by October 1, 2025, or the start of the next full fiscal year after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 808, the Veterans Patient Advocacy Act, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide patient advocates at VA medical facilities. Starting one year after the bill's enactment, the VA must ensure at least one patient advocate serves every 13,500 enrolled veterans, with specific efforts to ensure rural veterans can access these advocates, including through rural clinics. The bill also mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report within two years to evaluate how well the VA implements this requirement. This legislation directly affects veterans receiving care through the VA system and VA medical facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use existing funds more flexibly to assist homeless veterans and veterans in HUD housing programs. It authorizes the VA to provide immediate needs like food, shelter, transportation for appointments, and communication devices (e.g., phones, tablets) to support veterans' stability and health. The law expands how VA funds can be applied beyond traditional housing assistance, focusing on urgent, practical support. It directly affects homeless veterans and those in HUD's housing assistance program by enabling faster, more adaptable aid. The bill amends existing VA law to improve responsiveness to veterans' immediate survival and health needs.

Trigger Leads Abatement Act of 2023 This bill prohibits credit reporting agencies from providing a credit report not initiated by a consumer if the report is being provided on the basis that the consumer has had a credit inquiry regarding a home mortgage loan. This practice, known as producing a trigger lead, provides notice to other mortgage lenders that the consumer is seeking a mortgage loan.

Maddy summaryThe Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2023 exempts certain foreign-owned cargo vessels (over 1,000 gross tons) from U.S. coastwise trade documentation requirements when operating in noncontiguous trade, such as between Hawaii or Alaska and the continental United States. It allows these vessels to be registered under foreign registry without U.S. approval and removes the need for a U.S. coastwise endorsement. The bill requires all vessels in U.S. coastwise trade - including these exempt vessels - to meet minimum international labor and environmental standards while ensuring foreign shipping companies operating in U.S. waters comply with applicable U.S. laws, including environmental and tax regulations.

Noncontiguous Shipping Reasonable Rate Act of 2023 This bill provides that a rate for service in noncontiguous domestic ocean trade is reasonable if such rate is within 10% of a rate set by a comparable international ocean rate index recognized by the Federal Maritime Commission. (Under current law, a rate is required to be reasonable, and the Surface Transportation Board generally has the authority to determine whether certain rates are reasonable.)

Noncontiguous Shipping Competition Act This bill revises coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, that govern domestic transportation of merchandise or passengers by vessels. The Jones Act generally requires that a vessel transporting merchandise or passengers from one U.S. point to another U.S. point be (1) built in the United States, (2) at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and (3) mostly crewed by U.S. citizens. The act also includes several exemptions and exceptions. The bill exempts carriage on a route in noncontiguous trade from Jones Act requirements unless (1) at least three owners or operators of coastwise qualified vessels regularly operate such a vessel on the route, (2) each of such owners or operators transports at least 20% of the volume of goods on that route, and (3) none of such owners or operators are under common ownership. (Generally, noncontiguous trade is trade between two U.S. points where at least one of the points is in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or an insular territory or U.S. possession.)

Maddy summaryHR 2585, the Hawaii Air Tour Management Act of 2023, requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create a management plan for air tours in Hawaii areas not within national parks, working with Hawaii's Governor. This plan must be established within two years of the bill's enactment and will govern how air tour operators function in those non-park areas. Until the plan is finalized, the FAA can grant temporary operating authority to existing air tour operators. The bill also specifies that standard federal administrative procedures (the Administrative Procedure Act) do not apply to creating this management plan. The bill directly affects air tour operators flying in Hawaii's non-park regions.

Maddy summaryHR 2626, the Air Tour and Sport Parachuting Safety Improvement Act of 2023, requires commercial air tour operators (like sightseeing flight companies) to obtain specific FAA certificates by 2026, with a 5-year temporary exception for those already applying. It mandates new pilot training focused on avoiding terrain collisions and instrument meteorological conditions, and directs FAA committees to develop rules for flight data monitoring, terrain awareness systems, and parachute operation safety standards. The bill also establishes expedited processes for certificate applications and requires annual reports on certification efficiency. These provisions directly affect commercial air tour operators and sport parachute companies by imposing new safety standards and regulatory requirements.