Rep. Garret Graves

Maddy summaryThe PSA Act (HR 9569) modernizes AmeriCorps programs by creating a 1,500-hour service option (shorter than the current 1,700-hour program), expanding age eligibility for the National Civilian Community Corps from 24 to 26, and establishing a stipend option in lieu of educational awards for some participants. The bill increases administrative cost allowances from 5% to 10% of funds, creates an Office of Alumni Engagement to support former members, and expands how educational awards can be used for career training programs. It also establishes a new non-competitive hiring process for AmeriCorps alumni to transition into federal careers through a certification system. These changes directly affect AmeriCorps participants, alumni, and the Corporation for National and Community Service that administers the program.

Maddy summaryHJRES 168 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a specific environmental regulation by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). It targets the CEQ's "National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions Phase 2" rule, published in the Federal Register on May 1, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 35442). If passed, this resolution would use a statutory process under Title 5, U.S. Code, to nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect. The bill directly affects the CEQ's regulatory authority over federal environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes border states (adjacent to the U.S. northern or southern border) to place movable, temporary structures on federal land near the border for security purposes without needing a special use permit. States must notify the relevant federal agency (e.g., Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service) at least 45 days before placement, and structures can remain for up to one year, with possible 90-day extensions if U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines "operational control" hasn't been achieved. The bill directly affects border states and federal land management agencies by streamlining temporary border security measures on public lands.

Maddy summaryThe SAVE Act (HR 8281) requires U.S. citizens to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It defines acceptable proof as documents like passports, REAL ID-compliant IDs, military IDs, or birth certificates, and mandates that states verify citizenship using information from government agencies like DHS and Social Security. States must establish processes for voters without required documentation to provide an attestation under penalty of perjury. The law also requires states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls when verified evidence shows they're not citizens. This bill directly affects all applicants registering to vote in federal elections and state election officials who must implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 897 designates a specific area off Alabama's coast as the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary to protect an ancient cypress forest (50,000-70,000 years old) exposed by Hurricane Ivan. The bill prohibits activities like cutting trees, drilling, or using dredges within the sanctuary boundaries, while allowing exceptions for fishing, diving, emergency responses, and existing oil/gas operations. It requires the Secretary of Commerce to develop a management plan within two years, focusing on resource protection, public access, and coordination with stakeholders like Alabama’s conservation department. The bill authorizes $1 million annually for sanctuary operations from 2024-2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 2365, Public Law 118-66) directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Parkinson’s Project. It requires HHS to create and update a coordinated national plan for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and researching Parkinson’s disease and related disorders (including multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy), while coordinating federal research and care efforts across agencies like the NIH, CDC, and VA. The law mandates annual progress assessments, an advisory council with patient advocates and diverse experts, and annual reports to Congress on federal Parkinson’s programs and recommendations for improvement. It affects federal agencies managing Parkinson’s-related programs and aims to improve care coordination and research efficiency for patients and caregivers, with the law sunsetting in 2035.

Maddy summaryThe Fisheries Data Modernization and Accuracy Act of 2024 aims to improve recreational fishing data collection and management by modernizing the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP). It establishes a standing committee with the National Academies to advise on data collection methods and requires consultation when MRIP data has high uncertainty (PSE > 30%) for seasonal fisheries. The bill creates a grant program for states to develop their own recreational fishing data collection programs that can replace or supplement federal MRIP data, allowing states to use their own data for federal management decisions. States will be able to collect and use their own data for stock assessments and catch monitoring, with the goal of reducing data uncertainty and improving management decisions. The bill also includes provisions for stock assessment plans and fishery-independent surveys by independent entities to enhance data quality.

Maddy summaryHRES 1298 is a symbolic resolution designating the second Friday of June as "National Service and Conservation Corps Day." It recognizes over 150 Service and Conservation Corps programs that provide education, workforce training, and community service opportunities to approximately 22,000 young adults and post-9/11 veterans annually. The resolution urges citizens to acknowledge these corps' contributions and supports their continuation under existing law, without creating new funding or policy changes. It is purely commemorative, highlighting the corps' work in conservation, disaster response, and community projects like park maintenance and climate resilience efforts.

Maddy summaryHRES 965 is a non-binding resolution calling for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan since August 2022. It directly affects Corbett (held in poor conditions without charges) and other Americans detained by the Taliban. The resolution demands the Taliban release Corbett unconditionally, urges respect for his human rights, commends Qatar’s role as U.S. protecting power, and condemns the Taliban’s practice of detaining U.S. citizens. It does not create new law but formally expresses congressional support for Corbett and other wrongfully detained Americans.

Maddy summaryHR 8508, the Bycatch Reduction and Mitigation Act of 2024, creates a new Bycatch Mitigation Assistance Fund administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to help commercial fishermen reduce accidental catch (bycatch) of non-target species. The fund will use donations to provide financial assistance for fishermen to purchase gear, equipment, or technology that reduces bycatch, with at least 60% of funds directed to small vessels (65 feet or less in length). It requires annual public reporting on fund usage and mandates consultation with NOAA and fishery councils to ensure efficient spending. The bill directly affects commercial fishing operations, particularly small-scale fishermen, by providing new resources to adopt more selective fishing practices.