Rep. Haley M. Stevens

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the National Weather Service to partner with the weather industry to deploy atmospheric sensors on commercial aircraft, collecting critical weather data like water vapor and turbulence information. It mandates improved turbulence forecasting for aviation safety and directs coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration to identify data gaps and transition research into operational use. The program is authorized to receive up to $10 million annually (2024-2028) to fund data procurement, vertical weather profiling, and enhanced forecasting capabilities. These changes directly affect commercial airlines (through sensor deployment), the National Weather Service, and all air travelers via safer, more accurate flight forecasts.

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 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 summaryThis symbolic resolution designates September 17, 2023, as "National Physician Suicide Awareness Day" to raise public awareness about high suicide rates among physicians and reduce mental health stigma. It urges the House to support national discussions on physician mental health, honor those lost to suicide, and encourage research into barriers preventing help-seeking behavior. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or impose obligations - it is a non-binding call for awareness and education.

Maddy summaryHR 5467, the Gun Suicide Prevention Act, requires firearm manufacturers and retailers to attach a specific label to all firearms and their packaging. The label must be in both English and Spanish, display the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number, and include a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark before the hotline message. This mandate applies to all firearms sold in the U.S. and takes effect two years after enactment. Violations would be enforced under the Consumer Product Safety Act, subjecting offenders to existing penalties for safety violations. The bill directly affects firearm sellers by requiring this standardized suicide prevention information on all products.

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 summaryThis bill creates federal grants to help hospitals with emergency departments improve follow-up care for patients experiencing acute mental health crises. It directly affects emergency departments licensed to treat mental health emergencies and the patients treated there, aiming to reduce gaps in transitioning to ongoing care. Grants can fund coordination with community providers, expand psychiatric bed availability, implement telehealth support in EDs, and establish follow-up systems like phone check-ins. The bill authorizes $15 million annually (2024-2028) for these programs, requiring hospitals to demonstrate needs and coordinate with local health systems before receiving funds.

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.

Maddy summaryHR 5433, the Child Care Stabilization Act, provides $16 billion annually from 2024 to 2028 to stabilize the child care sector through grants administered by the Health and Human Services Secretary. It directly affects licensed child care providers by offering stable funding to cover operating costs, while supporting higher wages for early educators without raising family fees. Key provisions include expanding access to high-quality, affordable care - especially for infants/toddlers, rural communities, and children with disabilities - and addressing shortages in underserved areas. The funding builds on existing American Rescue Plan resources, aiming to strengthen the child care workforce and increase available options for working families.