Rep. Ann M. Kuster

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages colleges and universities to develop evidence-based campus mental health and suicide prevention plans, without creating new mandatory requirements. It directs the Education Secretary to coordinate with the Health Secretary and align efforts with existing federal programs like the 21st Century Cures Act and Garrett Lee Smith Act. The Secretary must report to Congress on these efforts within one and three years of enactment. The bill focuses on voluntary collaboration with experts and existing initiatives, not regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThe Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act establishes a program allowing eligible borrowers to refinance existing Federal Direct and FFEL loans. Borrowers with loans first disbursed or applications received before July 1, 2024, can apply to have their loans reissued with a new interest rate calculated as the 10-year Treasury note yield plus 1 percent. The bill also eliminates origination fees for future Federal Direct Loans and prevents interest capitalization on certain loans, meaning borrowers won't pay interest on unpaid interest. This program aims to provide relief by potentially lowering interest rates while maintaining original repayment terms for eligible borrowers. The refinancing program will expire on a date determined by the bill's provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management within the Department of Energy to coordinate federal research on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. It authorizes over $2 billion in funding for research, development, and demonstration projects focused on direct air capture, soil carbon management, forest restoration, and other CDR approaches across multiple federal agencies. The legislation requires lifecycle analyses of environmental impacts, considers social and economic factors, and mandates cross-agency coordination. It creates a framework for competitive demonstration projects with cost-sharing requirements for private sector participation. The bill aims to advance CDR technologies to help address climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through federally funded research and development.

Maddy summaryHR 5250, the Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act of 2023, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a national study on flood risks to agricultural lands within two years, analyzing economic losses, downstream effects, and existing flood data. It amends the Emergency Watershed Program to allow federal restoration projects that exceed immediate needs for long-term watershed health and adjusts funding for watershed rehabilitation projects, providing up to 65% federal cost coverage (up to 90% for "limited resource areas") for structural repairs near or past their lifespan. The bill directly affects farmers, agricultural producers, and local watershed management groups by mandating a comprehensive flood risk assessment and modifying federal support for flood prevention infrastructure. Key provisions include requiring detailed reports on flood impacts to crops/livestock and establishing new funding tiers for rehabilitation projects.

Maddy summaryHR 5203, the AGRITOURISM Act, establishes a new Office of Agritourism within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This office, led by a Director appointed by the Secretary, will promote agritourism activities - including farm-based education, recreation, direct sales, accommodations, and dining - to support rural agricultural businesses. The bill requires the USDA to coordinate with existing agencies, update programs, provide technical assistance, and share best practices for agritourism businesses. It directly affects small and family-run farms in all states by integrating agritourism into USDA's existing support systems. The legislation focuses on structural changes within the USDA, not new funding or regulations.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 67 designates the week of September 17-23, 2023, as "National Fall Prevention Awareness Week" to highlight fall risks among older adults (aged 65+). It cites CDC data showing falls cause ~39,000 preventable deaths and $50 billion in annual medical costs for this group. The resolution supports existing evidence-based fall prevention programs - like balance exercises, home hazard reduction, and medication management - and encourages collaboration between federal agencies, community organizations, and healthcare providers to raise awareness. It does not create new laws but formally recognizes ongoing efforts to reduce falls.

Maddy summaryHRES 709 is a symbolic resolution designating September 2023 as "National Cholesterol Education Month" and September 30, 2023, as "LDL-C Awareness Day." It encourages all U.S. residents - particularly underserved communities disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease (including people of color and rural populations) - to know their LDL cholesterol levels. The resolution highlights that high LDL-C is a key preventable risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, citing low testing rates (e.g., only 27% of heart attack patients get tested post-hospitalization). It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise awareness about the importance of LDL-C screening and management.

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 summaryThe FACTS Act (HR 5625) creates a pilot program to fund partnerships between schools and public health agencies to prevent synthetic opioid misuse among students. It authorizes $50 million annually to support evidence-based prevention programs, including professional development for school staff, student workshops, and community outreach. The bill requires schools to collect data on synthetic opioid prevalence and mandates that school health centers stock naloxone. It also amends national surveys to track youth opioid use patterns and establishes an interagency task force to coordinate prevention efforts. These provisions aim to address the growing crisis of synthetic opioid misuse among young people through education, data collection, and prevention programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public Health Service Act to improve how the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) is operated. It changes the contracting process by allowing the Secretary to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to public or private entities for the OPTN, with specific provisions to ensure distinct operations for the network and its governing board. The bill also includes technical corrections to existing law and requires a GAO review of the OPTN's historical financing within two years of enactment. This legislation directly affects the organizations and processes managing organ donation and transplantation in the United States.