Rep. C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger

Choosing Our Own Lives Over Fast Firearms Act or the COOL OFF Act This bill establishes a three-day waiting period for certain handgun transfers. Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful for a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell or transfer a handgun to an unlicensed individual unless three business days have elapsed since the licensee initiated a background check. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to one year in prison, or both. Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful for an unlicensed individual to receive a handgun from another unlicensed individual unless at least three business days have elapsed since the recipient most recently offered to take possession of the handgun. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. The three-day waiting period does not apply to certain handgun transfers, such as for a loan between spouses for a lawful purpose.

Maddy summaryHR 660, "Ethan's Law," requires gun owners in homes where minors (under 18) or individuals prohibited from owning firearms under federal/state law reside to store firearms securely. It makes unsecured storage unlawful if a minor or prohibited person could access the firearm, with fines of $500 per violation and enhanced penalties (up to 5 years in prison) if injury or death occurs. The bill also establishes a federal grant program to help states implement similar secure storage laws and provides funding incentives for states that already have such laws in place.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the possession, sale, or transfer of most large-capacity ammunition magazines (holding more than 15 rounds) for the general public, while exempting law enforcement officers (including campus security officers), retired officers, and certain licensed entities like nuclear facility security. It requires new magazines manufactured after enactment to have serial numbers and manufacturing dates, and allows federal grant funds to support buy-back programs for these devices. Existing owners of such magazines lawfully possessed before the law's enactment are exempt from the prohibition. The law applies to devices not already covered under current exemptions for law enforcement, nuclear security, and retired officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the U.S. Code to expand appeal rights for certain postal employees. It allows non-unionized postal workers in supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial roles (covered under the Executive and Administrative Schedule) to directly appeal personnel decisions to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Previously, these employees may have lacked this specific appeal path. The change clarifies their eligibility under Section 1005(a)(4)(A)(ii)(I) of Title 39, U.S. Code, ensuring they can seek MSPB review for employment-related disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide written proposals to supervisors' organizations 60 days before pay/benefit decisions expire or after new collective bargaining agreements are reached. It directly affects postal supervisors and managers covered by collective bargaining agreements regarding their pay policies, schedules, and fringe benefits. The key mechanism establishes clear timelines for negotiations and mandates that any dispute resolution panel must issue a binding final decision within 15 days of receiving input from both parties. This aims to streamline the process for resolving pay and benefits disputes between the Postal Service and supervisory staff organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts federal employee pay rates for 2024. It increases basic pay for all federal workers under statutory pay systems and prevailing rate systems by 4.7%, and raises locality pay adjustments by 4.0%. These changes directly affect all federal employees covered by the specified pay systems, including those in wage areas and under sections 5348/5349 of Title 5. The bill implements these raises without altering existing pay system structures or requirements.

Maddy summaryHRES 59 is a non-binding resolution recognizing January 2023 as "National Mentoring Month." It formally acknowledges the value of mentoring relationships for youth development, highlighting how mentors support academic achievement, career exploration, and mental well-being. The resolution encourages expanding quality mentoring programs nationwide but does not create new laws or allocate funding. It directly affects all young people in the U.S. by raising public awareness of mentoring's benefits and urging collaboration among communities, schools, and organizations to address the "mentoring gap" where one in three youth lacks a supportive adult outside their home.

Maddy summaryHR 475 creates a federal grant program to help state, tribal, and local governments protect witnesses in serious criminal cases. It authorizes $30 million annually (2024-2028) for competitive grants to fund witness protection programs targeting cases involving homicide, serious violent felonies, drug offenses, gangs, or organized crime. Grants are awarded based on criteria like witness intimidation rates, unprosecuted cases due to intimidation, and local crime statistics. Recipients must report on their programs, leading to the development and nationwide sharing of best practices for witness safety, relocation, and financial/housing assistance.

Maddy summaryHR 451, the Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act of 2023, creates a federal crime for knowingly misrepresenting the source or nature of DNA used in fertility treatments like IVF or sperm insemination. It directly affects fertility clinics, patients, and individuals who commit such fraud by making it punishable by fines or up to 10 years in prison. The law applies when the fraud involves interstate commerce (e.g., payments, communications, or materials crossing state lines) or occurs within U.S. territories. It also extends the statute of limitations for prosecution to 10 years after DNA identifies the perpetrator. This bill targets specific deceptive practices in assisted reproductive technology, not broader fertility care.

Maddy summaryHR 286, the Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2023, provides federal grants to healthcare providers to improve security at their facilities. The bill authorizes the Secretary to fund security services and physical/cyber security enhancements, including video surveillance, data privacy measures, and structural improvements. These grants directly help healthcare facilities, personnel, and patients by addressing safety concerns. The law specifies that funds must be used for necessary security costs to ensure safe access to healthcare services. It does not create new mandates but offers financial support for security upgrades.