Rep. Ann M. Kuster

Maddy summaryThe Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act requires drug and biologic manufacturers to submit consistent patent-related information to both the FDA and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including certifying that data provided to the FDA matches what was shared with the USPTO. If a company fails to comply with these disclosure requirements, the FDA cannot approve a new drug or biologic application. The bill also creates a new defense in patent infringement lawsuits for generic drug manufacturers if a brand company did not properly disclose required information to the USPTO. These provisions directly affect pharmaceutical companies seeking FDA approval and aim to improve transparency in patent disclosures.

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 summaryHR 5418, the Honoring National Recovery Month Act, authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct specific activities celebrating National Recovery Month. The bill requires the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to develop toolkits, public service announcements, websites, and community engagement best practices to educate the public, combat stigma around substance use disorders and mental illness, and recognize individuals in recovery. It authorizes $1 million annually for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to fund these activities. The bill directly affects HHS agencies and organizations coordinating National Recovery Month events, but does not create new benefits or regulations for the public.

Maddy summaryHRES 688 is a non-binding House resolution expressing support for designating September 16-23, 2023, as "National Estuaries Week." It highlights estuaries' critical role in the U.S. economy, noting they support 39% of jobs, 47% of economic output, and 68% of commercial fish by value. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about estuaries' ecological importance - such as providing habitat for fish, flood control, and carbon sequestration - and encourages efforts to protect and restore them. It does not create new laws or funding but symbolically acknowledges ongoing conservation work by federal, state, and community partners.

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 summaryThe Green Ribbon Act of 2023 establishes a voluntary program to recognize schools and institutions meeting three environmental goals: graduating environmentally literate students, reducing emissions from buildings/operations, and achieving a net positive environmental impact on students and staff. It creates a federal award program where schools can earn recognition through State nominations, with $10 million authorized for fiscal years 2024-2029 to fund grants, honorariums ($10,000 per award), and technical assistance. The program directly affects K-12 schools, tribal schools, and institutions of higher education, requiring States to allocate at least 40% of grant funds to underresourced schools. Key provisions include updated criteria aligning with EPA and CDC health standards, annual reporting requirements, and a new Office of School Infrastructure within the Department of Education.

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.

Maddy summaryHR 5428, the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act, prevents employers from deducting certain expenses related to influencing workers' decisions about union representation. It targets spending on tactics like anti-union meetings, workplace surveillance, or consultants during organizing campaigns, making these costs non-deductible for tax purposes. Employers must report such expenses on their tax returns, including details about the activities and amounts spent. The bill aims to remove tax incentives for employer interference in union elections, aligning with federal labor law protections for workers' collective bargaining rights.

Maddy summaryThe Jobs in the Woods Act creates a federal grant program to train workers for forestry jobs in rural communities. It provides competitive grants (ranging from $500,000 to $2 million) to eligible groups like states, tribes, nonprofits, or schools for career training programs in forestry operations and products. Priority is given to projects addressing aging workforces, youth engagement through school partnerships, and job placement. The program is funded at $10 million annually from 2024 through 2028, targeting low-income rural areas with populations under 50,000.

Maddy summaryHRES 668, the BUDS Resolution, amends House rules to allow bipartisan joint sponsorship of public bills and resolutions by one majority-party and one minority-party member. This change directly affects House members seeking to co-sponsor legislation with cross-party support, updating the existing rules for naming cosponsors and submitting constitutional authority statements. The key mechanism requires that for joint sponsorship, one sponsor must represent the majority party and the other the minority party, with both sponsors sharing responsibility for related procedural steps. This procedural adjustment streamlines the process for bipartisan co-sponsorship without altering legislative policy.