Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Maddy summaryHR 4999, the ALYSSA Act, requires school districts receiving federal education funds to install silent panic alarms in every elementary and secondary school. These alarms, defined as manual devices for signaling life-threatening emergencies (like active shooters or lockdowns), must be used to alert law enforcement during security crises. The bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to make this requirement a condition for receiving federal funds, directly affecting all local educational agencies that receive such funding. It mandates that schools be prepared for security emergencies through these silent alarm systems, with no mention of funding specifics or implementation details beyond the basic requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program to coordinate habitat restoration and water quality improvements across the shared watershed region. It creates a grant program providing competitive federal funding (up to 90% for disadvantaged communities) to state/local governments, nonprofits, and tribes for projects like river restoration, green infrastructure, and community engagement. The program prioritizes environmental justice communities, advances climate-resilient solutions, and requires annual congressional reporting. The bill authorizes $20 million annually from 2024-2029, with a sunset provision ending in 2030.

Maddy summaryHR 4911 establishes a 3-year pilot program to improve law enforcement responses to mental health crises. It provides grants of up to $300,000 each to community mental health centers (in each of four U.S. census regions) to place licensed social workers with small law enforcement agencies (under 100 officers). These social workers will coordinate on calls involving mental health issues, aiming to enhance safety for both officers and community members. The program, funded by $2.5 million over three years, expires after three years, requiring the Attorney General to report on outcomes to Congress.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new federal requirements for employers to prevent heat-related illness and injury among workers. It mandates that employers provide safe work environments by implementing specific measures, including access to cool water, scheduled rest breaks in shaded areas, employer-paid cooling equipment, and training for employees and supervisors on recognizing heat illness symptoms. The Secretary of Labor must create these standards within one year, requiring employers in high-heat occupations (like construction, agriculture, and outdoor labor) to adopt engineering controls, administrative schedules, and health protocols. Key provisions include ensuring hydration, rest, and language-accessible training, while preserving existing safety protections and allowing for updates as scientific evidence evolves.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies legal pathways for victims of terrorism to collect judgments against foreign states that sponsor attacks. It removes barriers by updating references in federal law to ensure victims can pursue claims under Section 2333(d)(1) without being blocked by prior legal interpretations. The bill also expands the definition of "national of the United States" to include U.S.-organized entities for these cases, making it easier for more victims to qualify. These changes apply to all pending or future lawsuits filed after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 4942 extends and modifies the Conrad State 30 program, which allows states to sponsor foreign medical graduates to work in medically underserved areas in exchange for a commitment to practice for three years. The bill directly affects foreign medical graduates seeking to work in the U.S., states that sponsor them, and health facilities in underserved communities. Key provisions include creating mechanisms for physicians to change employers or states if they face issues with their current employment, adding requirements for employment agreements (including prohibitions on non-compete clauses), and establishing exceptions to the three-year work requirement under certain circumstances. The bill also creates a process for states to recapture waiver slots when physicians leave their employment and requires annual reporting on the program's usage. These changes aim to improve physician retention in underserved areas by providing more flexibility and protections for foreign medical graduates.

Strategic Lebanon Security Reporting Act This bill requires the Department of State to provide Congress with a report addressing security in Lebanon. Specifically, the report must include details regarding the extent of Iranian and Syrian influence in Lebanon, the capability of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Lebanese Armed Forces' actions to prevent the forced return of refugees to Syria, Hezbollah's influence on governmental and financial institutions in Lebanon, and implementation activities related to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and successor resolutions.

Maddy summaryHR 3933, the TAP Promotion Act, requires standardized presentations about Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits during military transition counseling for service members separating from the armed forces. These presentations must be approved by the VA, delivered by authorized veterans service organizations (VSOs), and include information on how VSOs assist with VA claims - without encouraging membership in specific organizations. The bill mandates a one-hour limit per presentation and requires the VA to submit annual reports to Congress detailing which VSOs presented, attendance numbers, and recommendations for improvement. This policy directly affects service members preparing for civilian life and the VSOs providing these transition resources.

Maddy summaryHR 1776, the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2023, would amend U.S. foreign assistance law to strengthen global tuberculosis (TB) programs. The bill requires U.S. assistance to align with the World Health Organization's End TB Strategy, aiming to reduce TB deaths by 95% and incidence by 90% by 2035. It mandates annual reporting on TB diagnosis and treatment progress, prioritizes research for new diagnostics and treatments, and emphasizes integrating TB services into primary health care. The legislation affects U.S. government agencies, global health partners, and countries with high TB burdens, particularly focusing on low- and middle-income nations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Treasury to mint commemorative coins marking the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary in 2025. It authorizes three coin types: $5 gold coins (max 50,000), $1 silver coins (max 400,000), and half-dollar coins (max 750,000), with surcharges of $35, $10, and $5 respectively. The surcharge proceeds will fund the Marine Corps Heritage Center's educational programs, with no net cost to taxpayers as the Treasury must recover all minting costs through the surcharges. The coins can only be issued during 2025, and the Treasury must ensure all costs are covered before distributing funds to the Heritage Foundation.