Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan

Maddy summaryHR 3543, the Grow Your Own Food Act, increases funding for community food security programs by raising micro-grant limits under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. It raises per-recipient grant amounts from $5,000 to $10,000 and from $10,000 to $15,000, extends funding through fiscal year 2023, and maintains a $30 million annual cap. The bill also adds a tax provision excluding these grants from recipients' gross income, meaning community gardens, urban farms, and food banks receiving the funds won’t owe taxes on them. This directly benefits local food security organizations by making grants more substantial and financially accessible.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $11.5 billion from unobligated Treasury funds for fiscal year 2023 to replenish the Disaster Relief Fund. The funds directly support disaster relief efforts under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act for major disasters declared by the federal government. The bill designates these funds as an emergency requirement under budget rules, allowing them to bypass standard budget scoring procedures. It does not create new policy or alter eligibility for disaster assistance - only provides funding to maintain existing relief programs.

Maddy summaryThe Equality Act (HR 15) would amend federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public accommodations, housing, employment, credit, and jury service. It amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics under existing sex discrimination provisions. The bill would require businesses, housing providers, employers, and government entities to provide equal access and services without regard to a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. It includes specific definitions for gender identity and sexual orientation to clarify protections across all covered areas. The law would apply to all entities covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including those receiving federal funding.

Maddy summaryHR 4218, the Puerto Rico National Scenic Trail Study Act, designates a 200-mile trail system across Puerto Rico as a National Scenic Trail under federal law. The trail would run from Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve in Fajardo to Morrillos Peninsula in Cabo Rojo, passing through El Yunque National Forest, the Sierra de Luquillo, Sierra de Cayey, Cordillera Central, and southwestern dry forests. This designation incorporates the trail into the National Trails System, subjecting it to federal management standards and potential conservation funding. The bill directly affects Puerto Rico's natural landscapes and communities along this route by establishing a framework for preservation and public access.

Maddy summaryHR 4121, the Right to Contraception Act, establishes a federal statutory right for individuals to access contraceptives and contraception services without government restriction or coercion, directly affecting all people seeking reproductive care and health care providers. The bill prohibits state or federal laws that limit access to contraceptives (defined broadly to include devices, drugs, and fertility methods), prevent individuals from obtaining or using them, or allow providers to refuse services based on personal beliefs. It preempts conflicting state laws, requires any restrictions to be justified by "clear and convincing evidence" of advancing access with no less restrictive alternative, and allows private lawsuits to challenge violations. The Act applies nationwide to all health care providers and individuals, protecting access regardless of factors like race, income, or location.

Maddy summaryThis bill gives the FDA authority to request access to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) for microbial sampling during foodborne illness outbreaks. CAFOs must provide reasonable access for sampling plants, animals, water, or environmental samples to investigate outbreaks or address public health needs. The law does not impose new food safety requirements on CAFOs beyond this sampling during specific investigations and explicitly maintains existing USDA oversight for meat, poultry, and egg products. It also requires FDA to share collected data with USDA and state health agencies to support outbreak response efforts.

Maddy summaryThe American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 would create two pathways to permanent residency for certain immigrants. The "Dream Act" portion would provide conditional permanent resident status to individuals who entered the U.S. as children, have lived continuously in the U.S. since January 1, 2021, and meet educational requirements (such as completing high school, earning a degree, or enrolling in education programs). The "American Promise Act" portion would provide permanent residency to individuals eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) as of specific dates (January 1, 2017, or January 20, 2021). The bill includes provisions for background checks, fee exemptions for low-income applicants, and processes for removing conditional status after meeting specific criteria like completing higher education or earning income.

Maddy summaryHJRES 72 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove the exception in the Thirteenth Amendment that allows slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. If ratified, this amendment would ban the use of forced labor in prisons as a criminal penalty, directly affecting how the U.S. criminal justice system handles sentencing. The resolution clarifies it does not interfere with voluntary work programs in correctional facilities, existing employment protections for incarcerated people, or community service alternatives. This change aims to eliminate a historical loophole that has disproportionately impacted Black Americans since the 1860s.

Maddy summaryHRES 486 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing June 8 as World Oceans Day. It affirms the U.S. duty to protect, conserve, and rebuild ocean resources, highlights ocean health as critical to climate, food security, and coastal economies, and cites specific threats like plastic pollution, ocean acidification, and climate impacts. The resolution commits the House to increasing federal investment in ocean science research and monitoring to address these challenges. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds but serves to raise awareness and encourage coordinated action on ocean conservation.

Maddy summaryHR 3850, the Pride In Mental Health Act of 2023, establishes a federal grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse services for LGBTQ+ youth (including nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit individuals). The bill directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to fund eligible organizations to provide trauma-informed care, cultural competency training for caregivers, school bullying prevention guidelines, and family support resources. It explicitly prohibits grant funds from being used for conversion therapy or advertising related to such therapy. The bill also requires data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and a federal survey to measure psychological distress.