Rep. Kathy E. Manning

Maddy summaryHR 3541, the Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2023, amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to include accounting education in school curricula. It requires schools to offer accounting career awareness and programs, particularly to students from groups underrepresented in accounting careers. The bill positions accounting as a STEM field and aims to expand student exposure to accounting through grade 12 courses. This change directly affects K-12 students and schools by integrating accounting into educational opportunities to diversify the future accounting workforce.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal standards for labor-management cooperation between public safety employers (state and local governments) and public safety workers (law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel). It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine if states substantially provide rights like collective bargaining, union representation, and binding arbitration for these workers. States found lacking would need to follow federal bargaining procedures after a two-year transition period or following the next legislative session. The bill explicitly respects existing state laws that provide comparable or better rights to public safety workers. It also prohibits strikes or work stoppages that would disrupt emergency services.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to create a threat assessment on how terrorists and foreign actors use cyber harassment - including doxing - to threaten individuals. The assessment must detail tactics, notable incidents, and risk indicators for law enforcement, while coordinating with privacy offices. It requires DHS to share the report with Congress within 180 days and publish it online, with state/local law enforcement receiving it via fusion centers. The bill does not create new laws or penalties but focuses on information gathering about existing threats. (Procedural bill; summary limited to key action and scope.)

Maddy summaryHRES 417 is a non-binding resolution commending North Carolina Central University's (NCCU) football team for winning the 2022 Celebration Bowl, the HBCU national championship. It specifically recognizes their 41-34 overtime victory over Jackson State University on December 17, 2022, marking NCCU's fourth Black College Football National Title. The resolution formally congratulates the team, university community, and requests that an official copy be sent to NCCU's chancellor, provost, and head coach. This is purely ceremonial with no policy changes or funding implications.

Maddy summaryThe Fund the TSA Act sets a new aviation security fee of $7.60 per one-way air trip (capping round trips at $15.20) and requires annual inflation adjustments starting in 2026. It creates three dedicated funds from these fees: $250 million yearly (2024-2028) for airport security technology development (including $12.5 million for small businesses), $1.14 billion in 2024 for TSA worker salaries and benefits, and $130 million in 2024 for airport security programs like law enforcement reimbursements and exit lane security grants. These funds replace diverted revenues and directly support TSA operations, technology upgrades, and workforce needs. The bill affects air travelers (via the fee), TSA employees (through funding), and small businesses (through technology development opportunities).

Maddy summaryHR 3442, the America’s CHILDREN Act of 2023, creates a pathway to permanent residency for certain college graduates who entered the U.S. as children on specific work visas. It directly affects individuals who were lawfully present as dependents of nonimmigrant visa holders (like H-4 or L-2) for at least 8 years, graduated from a U.S. college, and have lived in the U.S. for 10+ years total. Key provisions include protecting applicants from "aging out" of eligibility by basing age calculations on when their parent’s visa petition was filed (not current age), and allowing them to retain their original visa application date ("priority date") if they later switch to a different visa category. The bill aims to provide stability for young adults who grew up in the U.S. but face immigration barriers due to visa status.

Enhancing COPS Hiring Program Grants for Local Law Enforcement Act This bill allows funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program to be used to provide bonuses for the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers or career law enforcement officers.

National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Program. The bill further directs DOJ to award a grant under the program to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for the expenses associated with community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs operated by the of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and National Law Enforcement Museum.

Maddy summaryHR 3331, the Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act, requires public schools participating in federal school meal programs to integrate mental health into their wellness policies. The bill mandates schools to form teams including mental health professionals to develop and update these policies, and to promote mental health assessments, encourage mental health support, and build resilient school environments. It amends the National School Lunch Act to add mental health promotion alongside physical activity and eating disorder prevention, and extends a policy review deadline from 2014 to 2026. This directly affects all K-12 schools receiving federal nutrition funding.

Maddy summaryThe PAST Act of 2023 amends the Horse Protection Act to ban specific devices used to cause pain (soring) in horses at shows, particularly affecting Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses. It defines prohibited "action devices" (like boots or chains causing friction) and requires licensed, conflict-free inspectors at events to enforce rules. The bill increases penalties for violations to up to $5,000 fines or 3 years in jail, and mandates longer disqualifications for repeat offenses (180 days → 1 year → 3 years). Horse show organizers, exhibitors, and participants must comply with these new inspection and penalty requirements.