Rep. Jamaal Bowman

Maddy summaryHR 7132 creates a federal grant program to help state and local governments, tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations develop and implement housing plans. Grants fund both planning (creating strategies) and implementation (putting strategies into action) to increase housing supply and affordability while avoiding displacement of current residents. At least 10% of funds must support rural communities, and recipients must report annually on progress and submit final evaluations after three years. The program requires comprehensive plans addressing housing needs, land use reforms, and community engagement to expand housing options.

Maddy summaryHR 7127, the FAIR Act, establishes pay adjustments for federal employees in 2025. It increases base pay by 4% for most federal workers under statutory pay systems and for "prevailing rate" employees (like those in specific geographic areas), while raising locality pay rates by 3.4%. The bill directly affects all federal employees receiving pay under these systems, as it modifies their 2025 salary calculations. These changes are based on statutory formulas under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, with no new policy mechanisms beyond the specified percentage increases. The adjustments apply to pay rates in effect as of the end of fiscal year 2024.

Maddy summaryHR 7056, the Access to Family Building Act, establishes federal rights for individuals to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) like IVF without unreasonable restrictions, directly affecting patients seeking fertility treatments and health care providers offering ART services. The bill prohibits states from imposing limitations on ART that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures, fail to advance safety, or unduly restrict access, while allowing health and safety regulations that are necessary and least restrictive. It creates federal enforcement mechanisms, including lawsuits by the Attorney General or affected individuals to challenge violating state laws, and preempts conflicting state regulations. The bill explicitly preserves state authority over health/safety regulations and does not alter existing state insurance coverage laws for ART.

Maddy summaryHR 7041, the Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2024, imposes a corporate tax penalty on large companies where the CEO's pay exceeds 50 times the average worker's pay. The penalty adds 0.5% to 5% to the corporate tax rate, depending on how much higher the CEO's pay is relative to workers (e.g., 50-100:1 ratio adds 0.5%, over 500:1 adds 5%). It applies only to corporations with over $100 million in average annual revenue, exempting smaller businesses. The law aims to address extreme pay disparities by increasing taxes on companies with the highest CEO-to-worker pay ratios, effective for tax years after 2024.

Maddy summaryThe Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act establishes a new federal grant program to improve public transportation service. It provides funding to urban areas, states, and Indian tribes to cover up to 50% of public transit operating costs (up to 80% in persistent poverty areas and 100% for Indian tribes), with requirements to report on service frequency, access to jobs, and conduct community surveys. The program mandates that a majority of funds must benefit underserved communities and areas of persistent poverty, defined as census tracts with high poverty rates or minority populations. Recipients must maintain their transit funding levels and report on improvements in access to essential services. The bill authorizes $20 billion annually for fiscal years 2024-2027.

Maddy summary# Summary of "Protecting Communities from Plastics Act" (Title II) This comprehensive legislation addresses the environmental, health, and environmental justice impacts of plastics production and use. Key provisions include: ## Environmental Justice Protections - Requires environmental justice assessments for permits of "covered facilities" (plastics manufacturing facilities) - Mandates consultation with "fenceline communities" (communities near facilities) including: * Prompt notification in multiple languages * Public hearings with translation services * Community benefit agreements - Establishes a 45-day waiting period before approving permits after public hearings ## Regulatory Requirements - Amends Clean Air Act to establish new source performance standards for plastics facilities - Requires continuous monitoring of air emissions (benzene, nitrogen oxides, etc.) - Amends Clean Water Act to prohibit discharge of plastic pellets in wastewater - Requires financial assurance for facility closure and emergency response - Prohibits new facility permits within 5 miles of community buildings (schools, hospitals, etc.) ## Research and Monitoring - Requires study of microplastics in food (including fish, meat, fruits, vegetables) - Mandates research on microplastics in human bodies (urine, breastmilk, stool) - Establishes a pilot program to test technologies for microplastic removal - Requires inventory of plastics manufacturing and distribution ## Additional Provisions - Temporary permitting moratorium on new plastics facilities (during "temporary pause period") - Requires listing of discarded polyvinyl chloride as hazardous waste - Limits National Recycling Strategy to exclude chemical recycling technologies - Creates grants to reduce single-use plastics in agricultural packaging - Requires biodegradable alternatives to plastic weed barriers The legislation aims to address the disproportionate environmental and health impacts of plastics production on vulnerable communities while establishing comprehensive regulatory frameworks for plastics manufacturing and disposal.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 allocates $7 billion in funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) during fiscal year 2024. The ACP provides subsidies to low-income households to help cover the cost of internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. This funding ensures the program can continue supporting eligible households throughout the year, with the money remaining available until fully spent. The bill extends existing program funding without changing eligibility criteria or service requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 6754, the School Violence Prevention Act, establishes a federal grant program to fund evidence-based violence prevention programs in schools located in communities with high rates of youth gun violence. The bill authorizes $25 million annually for 5-year grants to partnerships between state/local education agencies (meeting specific homicide or violent crime thresholds) and community nonprofits serving youth. Grantees must implement trauma-informed, culturally competent programs for K-12 students, focusing on skills like conflict resolution, mental health support, and community engagement, while collecting data on outcomes like graduation rates. The program requires annual reporting to the Secretary of Education and CDC, with evaluations to assess impacts on reducing youth violence risks.

Maddy summaryHR 6830, the "Books Save Lives Act," requires covered schools (elementary/secondary schools receiving federal funds) and public libraries receiving federal assistance to maintain staffed libraries with diverse book collections. These collections must include books written by, illustrated by, or about individuals from underrepresented communities - defined as racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, or people with disabilities. The bill states that excluding such "covered books" could be used as evidence of discrimination under civil rights laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It also mandates a report on the impact of book-banning campaigns on these communities within 180 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Brittany Clardy Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Act establishes a new Office within the Department of Justice to address the disproportionate rates of missing and murdered Black women and girls in the U.S. The Office will collect and analyze data on these cases - including case resolution times, Amber Alert usage, and trafficking links - and create a public dashboard for tracking. It also creates a grant program for community organizations to provide culturally appropriate prevention services, law enforcement training, and victim support. The Office must submit biennial reports to Congress with findings and recommendations to improve the criminal justice response to these cases. This bill directly affects Black women and girls facing violence, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations providing related services.