Rep. Melanie A. Stansbury

Maddy summaryHR 5604, the Agricultural Right to Repair Act, requires farm equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide farmers and independent repair shops with necessary repair materials - including documentation, parts, software, tools, and farm equipment data - on "fair and reasonable terms." This directly affects farmers who own equipment and independent repair providers who fix it, ensuring they can access the same resources as authorized repair shops without restrictive conditions like mandatory registration or exclusive partnerships. Key provisions mandate that manufacturers cannot impose unreasonable costs, restrict how materials are used, or hinder access to diagnostic tools, while also allowing limited circumvention of security features for repair purposes under copyright law. The bill is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and explicitly protects safety systems and emissions compliance, prohibiting modifications that would deactivate safety features or violate environmental laws.

Maddy summaryThe REDUCE Act of 2023 imposes an excise tax on virgin plastic resin and certain single-use plastic products, starting at 10 cents per pound in 2024 and increasing to 20 cents per pound by 2026 (with annual inflation adjustments). The tax applies to manufacturers, producers, and importers of plastic products, with exemptions for small businesses producing less than 10 tons annually. Revenue from the tax will fund the Plastic Waste Reduction Fund, which will support recycling infrastructure, reuse systems, and marine debris cleanup efforts. The bill specifically excludes medical products, certain packaging, and hygiene items from the tax requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides federal retirement benefits to educators at tribal schools. It makes employees of tribally controlled schools eligible for the same federal retirement pension (FERS) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) as other federal employees. The Bureau of Indian Affairs will pay the government's share of these contributions. This directly affects educators working at tribal schools operating under specific federal contracts or grants, such as those under the Indian Self-Determination Act or Tribally Controlled Schools Act.

Maddy summaryHR 5569, the Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act of 2023, increases funding for child care nutrition programs. It adds a 10-cent per meal reimbursement for providers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), applying to all meals and supplements served. This change directly affects child care centers, family day care homes, and group day care homes that receive CACFP funding. The additional reimbursement is calculated alongside existing payment rates and applies to all meals served after the bill's enactment. The bill modifies specific sections of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to implement this funding increase.

Maddy summaryThe Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act would expand benefits for part-time workers by reducing the eligibility requirement for family and medical leave from 12 months to 90 days, applying to federal, state, and congressional employees. It prohibits employers from discriminating against part-time workers based on hours worked, requiring equal treatment in compensation, benefits, and promotion opportunities. The bill mandates employers to obtain written statements from employees about desired work hours and prioritize scheduling existing employees before hiring new staff or using contractors. It applies to employers with more than 15 employees across various sectors and establishes enforcement through the Department of Labor with civil penalties for violations. The bill would take effect one year after enactment, with regulations to be issued within 180 days of passage.

Maddy summaryHR 5566, the *Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2023*, establishes an 18-year term limit for all Supreme Court justices. It requires the President to nominate one new justice every two years (during first and third years after presidential elections), with Senate confirmation within 90 days, and prohibits lifetime appointments. Current justices are automatically retired in order of service length as new justices are appointed, while retired justices may temporarily fill vacancies through a randomized process. The bill directly affects all sitting and future Supreme Court justices by restructuring appointments and retirement timelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish the Civilian Climate Corps, a national workforce program that would employ and train 50,000 to 400,000 young adults annually through 2028 to work on climate-related projects. The program would provide participants with a minimum living allowance of $17 per hour, health care benefits, and $25,000 in educational benefits per term of service. It would require 50% of projects to be located in under-resourced communities (with 10% specifically in Indian country) and ensure at least 50% of participants come from these communities. The Corps would focus on climate resilience, clean energy infrastructure, environmental remediation, and creating career pathways in the growing clean economy sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office within the Department of Justice to address racial disparities in missing and murdered Black women and girls cases. The Office will collect data on case resolution times, coordinate with law enforcement, and create a public dashboard tracking these cases. It also creates grants for community organizations to provide culturally appropriate services, prevention programs, and training for law enforcement targeting violence against Black women and girls. The bill directly affects Black women and girls who are victims of violence and their communities, focusing on improving data collection and support systems rather than changing criminal laws.

Maddy summaryHR 5052, the Rural Outdoor Investment Act, provides federal funding to support outdoor recreation projects in rural communities to spur economic development. It authorizes $30 million annually (2024-2028) for grants to rural areas, plus $5 million and $2.5 million for specific project types, and mandates training programs for small businesses on accessing existing recreation funding. The bill also establishes a "Recreation Economy for Rural Communities" program through the USDA, EPA, and Forest Service to connect rural entities with federal funding opportunities. It requires consultation with six designated regional commissions (like the Appalachian Regional Commission) to ensure tailored support for rural economic growth.

Maddy summaryThe Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 amends the Animal Welfare Act to strengthen enforcement of animal welfare standards. It gives the Attorney General authority to bring civil cases for violations, including seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation and injunctions to remove or relocate animals. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and Attorney General to coordinate through a new Memorandum of Understanding, focusing on repeat violators. These changes directly affect dealers, exhibitors, and enforcement agencies by expanding civil enforcement tools and clarifying jurisdiction over rule violations.