Rep. Don Bacon

Maddy summaryHR 3788, "Hammers' Law," amends a section of U.S. law (46 U.S.C. § 30307) that sets liability limits for certain accidents. It expands the scope from "commercial aviation accidents" to also include "cruise ship voyages," directly affecting victims and operators of cruise ships meeting specific criteria. The bill defines a "cruise ship" as one carrying at least 250 passengers with sleeping accommodations on U.S.-embarking voyages (excluding coastwise travel), and clarifies "nonpecuniary damages" as compensation for loss of care, comfort, and companionship. This change applies existing liability rules for aviation accidents to similar incidents on qualifying cruise ships.

Maddy summaryThe SHOPP Act (HR 3127) expands the types of healthy foods SNAP participants can buy with their benefits. It allows fresh frozen fruits and vegetables to count toward nutrition incentives year-round and adds legumes (like beans and lentils) to the list of eligible items. This directly affects SNAP recipients by increasing access to affordable, nutritious options beyond just fresh produce. The changes take effect March 6, 2024, modifying the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act.

Maddy summaryHR 3036, the Increased TSP Access Act of 2023, amends conservation program rules to expand access to third-party providers (TSPs) who offer technical assistance to farmers on conservation practices. It creates new pathways for non-Federal entities like agricultural cooperatives or professional associations to certify TSPs, streamlines certification processes (requiring Secretary review within 10 business days), and sets payment rates for TSPs equivalent to government-provided technical assistance. The bill mandates public reporting on certification numbers, payment details, and a target utilization rate for TSPs to improve conservation program delivery. It directly affects farmers participating in USDA conservation programs by increasing options for technical support and requiring transparency in how TSPs are certified and compensated.

Maddy summaryHRES 434 is a non-binding resolution declaring a mental health crisis among U.S. youth, citing statistics like 49.5% of adolescents experiencing mental health disorders and a 30% rise in emergency visits for youth during the pandemic. It urges states and schools to improve educator training, expand on-campus mental health resources, remove harmful practices (such as risk assessment teams disproportionately affecting students of color), and address barriers for undocumented and low-income students. The resolution also emphasizes combating stigma, integrating mental and physical health care, and reaching high-risk communities with better resources. As a declaration - not a law - it expresses congressional support for historic federal investments in youth mental health care but does not create new policy.

Maddy summaryHR 3736, the "Extending Access to Addiction Treatment Act," extends the deadline for states to include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in Medicaid plans. It amends the Social Security Act to change the requirement from ending in 2025 to 2035, giving states an additional decade to implement this coverage. This directly affects Medicaid programs nationwide and the millions of people with substance use disorders who rely on MAT for treatment. The bill makes no new coverage requirements but simply delays the existing deadline for states to provide this specific benefit.

Maddy summaryHR 3713 creates federal grants to fund comprehensive school-based mental health programs for students in grades K-12, including those in Bureau of Indian Education schools. It requires partnerships between schools and community mental health providers to deliver trauma-informed, culturally appropriate services addressing suicide risk, grief, violence, and trauma exposure. The bill authorizes $300 million annually (2024-2027) for these programs, mandating privacy protections under HIPAA and FERPA, and requires annual reporting on program effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThe PREVENT HPV Cancers Act of 2023 requires the CDC to launch a national public awareness campaign to increase HPV vaccination rates, particularly among males and underserved communities. It mandates culturally tailored materials targeting rural areas, Black and Hispanic women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and populations with high HPV cancer rates, while combating misinformation about vaccine safety. The campaign, funded at $5 million annually from 2024-2028, will use media, community partnerships, and provider outreach to promote vaccination for adolescents aged 9-17. Additionally, the bill increases annual funding for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to $300 million per year through 2028. The bill directly affects adolescents, healthcare providers, and communities facing HPV cancer disparities.

Secure Testing Resources Instead of Prosecuting Act or the STRIP Act This bill exempts the possession, sale, or purchase of fentanyl drug testing equipment, including test strips, from criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.

This resolution condemns all manifestations of expressions of racism and anti-Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander or ethnic intolerance. The resolution calls on federal law enforcement officials, working with state and local officials, to expeditiously and vigorously investigate all reports of hate crimes and threats against Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States; work to improve the reporting of such hate crimes; and hold the perpetrators of those crimes, incidents, or threats accountable and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Maddy summaryHRES 442 is a symbolic resolution designating May 24 as "National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day" (or "National AMT Day") to recognize the work of aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs). It does not create new laws or policies but formally encourages the House to acknowledge AMTs' critical role in ensuring aircraft safety and reliability through daily inspections, repairs, and maintenance. The resolution highlights AMTs' contributions to the aviation industry's safety record and their technical expertise, without altering any regulations or funding. This is a commemorative gesture, not a legislative action with concrete policy changes.