Rep. John P. Sarbanes

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 summaryHRES 719 is a symbolic resolution designating the week beginning September 24, 2023, as "National Source Water Protection Week." It does not create new laws or directly affect individuals or entities, but expresses congressional support for raising public awareness about protecting drinking water sources. The resolution highlights the importance of safeguarding water quality and quantity for public health, the environment, and community resilience. It encourages collaboration among local, state, and federal entities to promote water conservation and protection efforts.

Maddy summaryThe Supporting Armenians Against Azerbaijani Aggression Act of 2023 authorizes $30 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance for Armenians in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh affected by Azerbaijani military actions and blockade. It repeals a longstanding restriction on aid to Azerbaijan, allocates $10 million for military assistance to Armenia, and requires the U.S. government to develop a strategy protecting Armenians' rights in Nagorno-Karabakh. The bill also mandates a report on alleged Azerbaijani atrocities, authorizes $650 million for energy sector development in Armenia, and requires sanctions on Azerbaijani officials responsible for attacks and the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act to require all U.S. colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to create detailed anti-harassment policies covering physical, online, and institution-sponsored settings. It mandates policies prohibiting harassment based on race, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, religion, and other protected characteristics, including harassment via institutional email, computers, or electronic messaging. The bill also establishes a $50 million annual grant program to fund colleges developing prevention programs, victim support services, and training for students and staff on recognizing and addressing harassment. These policies and grants must comply with existing civil rights laws like Title IX but add specific requirements for reporting and prevention.

Maddy summaryHRES 703 is a symbolic resolution supporting the designation of September 2023 as "National Voting Rights Month" to raise awareness about voting access. It encourages all U.S. citizens to uphold voting rights, urges Congress to pass specific voting rights legislation (like the Freedom to Vote Act and Democracy Restoration Act), and recommends that schools teach about voting history and current voter access issues. The resolution does not create new laws or directly affect specific groups, but it aims to promote broader public engagement with voting rights through education and advocacy. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses support for these goals without implementing any concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Chesapeake Bay States' Partnership Initiative to help agricultural producers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed implement conservation practices that improve water quality, restore soil resources, and increase climate resilience. It allocates $75 million annually for fiscal years 2024-2027 to support these efforts through targeted enrollment in existing conservation programs, with special consideration for activities that reduce nitrogen and sediment. The bill also creates a pilot program where landowners can enroll in riparian buffer programs without paying costs or submitting additional paperwork, and amends conservation programs to better integrate Chesapeake Bay conservation goals. These provisions directly affect agricultural producers in six states (Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia) and the District of Columbia that are part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Maddy summaryThe Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 amends the Animal Welfare Act to strengthen enforcement of animal welfare standards. It gives the Attorney General authority to bring civil cases for violations, including seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation and injunctions to remove or relocate animals. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and Attorney General to coordinate through a new Memorandum of Understanding, focusing on repeat violators. These changes directly affect dealers, exhibitors, and enforcement agencies by expanding civil enforcement tools and clarifying jurisdiction over rule violations.

Maddy summaryThe John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023 would strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by updating the criteria for which states and localities must obtain federal preclearance before changing voting practices. It would establish new standards for proving vote dilution and vote denial by requiring courts to consider historical discrimination, racial polarization in voting, and whether voting practices disproportionately burden minority voters. The bill would also require states and localities to provide public notice of voting changes and share demographic data about polling locations. These changes would primarily affect jurisdictions with a history of voting rights violations, aiming to prevent discriminatory voting practices before they take effect.

Maddy summaryThe Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023 bans cosmetic animal testing in the United States, prohibiting companies from conducting or contracting such testing after its enactment (effective 1 year later). It also bans selling or transporting cosmetics developed using animal testing conducted after that date within U.S. interstate commerce. The law directly affects cosmetic manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers operating in the U.S. market, requiring them to use non-animal testing methods for safety evaluations. Exceptions exist for foreign regulatory requirements or when no alternative testing methods are available for specific ingredients.

Maddy summaryThe No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act would deny tax deductions for employers who attempt to influence employees' decisions about union activities, including unfair labor practices like firing workers for organizing or using captive audience meetings. It targets expenses related to union-busting tactics, such as consulting fees and other costs used to sway workers' opinions about collective bargaining. Employers would need to report these expenses on tax returns and would no longer be able to deduct them from taxable income. The bill aims to prevent employers from using tax-deductible expenses to influence union elections, aligning with existing rules that deny tax deductions for political spending. It would apply to expenses incurred in taxable years beginning 240 days after enactment.