Rep. Marcus J. Molinaro

Maddy summaryHR 4076 establishes a joint U.S.-Israel program to fund health technology development, authorizing $4 million annually (2024-2026) through the U.S. Health and Human Services Department. It requires Israel to match U.S. funding and focuses on collaborative projects in artificial intelligence, vaccines, telemedicine, diagnostic tests, and data-driven personalized medicine for emerging infectious diseases. The program can either build on an existing U.S.-Israel agreement or create a new one under a 2008 science cooperation framework. This bill directly affects U.S. federal health agencies and the Israeli government, with funds restricted to joint projects meeting specific technological and health priorities.

Maddy summaryHR 4053, the Studying Suboxone Act, directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review and update scientific evaluations of buprenorphine-naloxone medications (used to treat opioid addiction) and recommend updated scheduling under federal law. The Attorney General must then review HHS's findings, consider legal factors, and decide whether to adjust the medication's legal classification. This bill specifically affects the scheduling status of these medications, which impacts how they can be prescribed and distributed under federal drug laws. The process aims to ensure the scheduling aligns with current medical evidence, without changing treatment access or prescribing rules directly.

Maddy summaryHR 4040, the Recycling and Composting Accountability Act, requires federal agencies and states to collect and report detailed data on recycling and composting practices. It mandates the EPA to create reports on composting infrastructure capabilities, federal agency recycling/composting rates, and end-market sales of recyclables, while also developing a national inventory of materials recovery facilities. The bill directly affects federal agencies, state and local governments, and Indian Tribes by requiring standardized reporting on recycling rates, facility capabilities, and contamination rates. Key mechanisms include biannual facility inventories, standardized reporting metrics for recyclable diversion rates, and voluntary guidelines to improve labeling and public education on proper sorting. The goal is to strengthen data collection to address contamination issues and support infrastructure improvements, without imposing new regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThe Senior Legal Hotline Act of 2023 creates a federal grant program to fund statewide legal assistance hotlines for older adults. It authorizes $10 million annually (2024-2028) for competitive grants to nonprofit organizations or partnerships that establish free legal hotlines providing telephone-based counseling, referrals, and advocacy to seniors. These hotlines must prioritize older individuals with the greatest economic and social need, coordinate with state agencies and other legal aid providers, and ensure trained staff/volunteers serve all areas of the state. The bill directly affects seniors across all 50 states through expanded access to no-cost legal help for civil issues like housing, benefits, and elder abuse.

Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill makes changes to the authorities and programs of regional economic and infrastructure development commissions. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) and establishes and expands NBRC grant programs. Regional commissions may make grants for the planning, construction, equipment, and operation of health, nutrition, and child care projects. The bill also authorizes these regional commissions (as part of economic and infrastructure development grants) to promote the production of housing to meet economic development and workforce needs. Each commission may accept transfers of funds from other federal agencies. Discretionary grants made by a commission to implement significant regional initiatives, to take advantage of special development opportunities, or to respond to emergency economic distress may be made without regard to specified percentage limitations. The bill limits the aggregate amount of discretionary grants.

Maddy summaryHR 4126, the Future of Aviation Act, requires public-use airports to assess their current and future electrical power needs - including heating/cooling, ground vehicles, gate electrification, and electric aircraft charging - and develop plans to meet those demands. It provides reimbursement for airports conducting these assessments and offers grants to fund energy efficiency upgrades or infrastructure projects based on the assessments. The bill also establishes a 5-year pilot program at up to 10 airports to support electric aircraft charging infrastructure, including equipment acquisition and utility upgrades. This bill directly affects airport sponsors (like local governments or authorities managing public airports) by mandating planning and providing funding for energy infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases per diem payments for homeless veterans receiving VA services. It raises the daily payment rate from $115 to $200 for certain housing-related services, including emergency responses. The change directly affects homeless veterans who qualify for these VA-funded housing supports. The key provision adjusts the payment rate in Section 2012(a)(2)(B) of the U.S. Code to provide higher funding for services assisting homeless veterans.

Maddy summaryThe Trauma Support and Mental Health in Schools Reauthorization Act of 2023 extends federal funding for school-based mental health and trauma support services from fiscal years 2024 through 2028, replacing the previous 2019-2023 period. This reauthorization amends the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to continue grants enabling schools to improve mental health care for students. The bill directly affects schools and educational settings eligible for these grants, allowing them to maintain and expand trauma support programs. It does not change program requirements but ensures uninterrupted funding for existing services addressing student mental health needs.

Maddy summaryThe Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act of 2023 requires federal highway and rail bridge projects receiving federal funding to use certified contractors trained in corrosion control. It mandates a corrosion management system covering surface prep, protective coatings, materials selection, and environmental protection, and requires contractors to employ personnel certified through qualified training programs. The bill also expands federal grant funding eligibility to include corrosion control work on rail bridges and directs the Transportation Secretary to study best practices for inspecting and repairing weathering steel bridges within 18 months. These changes directly affect contractors, state transportation departments, and local governments managing federally funded bridges.

Access and Dignity for All People Who Travel Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule regarding flight seating accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability. The bill also requires DOT to establish a pilot program for known service animal users. In carrying out the flight seat accommodations rulemaking, items DOT must consider include the scope and anticipated number of individuals with a disability who (1) may need to be seated with a companion to receive assistance during a flight, and (2) should be afforded bulkhead seats or other seating considerations. DOT must also establish a pilot program to exempt certain known service animal users from current documentation requirements for air travel with a service animal. An individual with a disability may participate in the voluntary program if the individual (1) requires the use of a service animal because of a disability, and (2) submits an application to DOT. In establishing the pilot program, DOT must consult with disability advocacy entities, air carriers, and accredited service animal training programs. DOT may award a grant or enter into a contract or cooperative agreement to carry out the program.  Further, DOT must maintain and publish a list of accredited service animal training programs and authorized registrars that evaluate service animals. Finally, in consultation with the Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee, DOT must issue guidance on how to improve training for airline personnel (including contractors) in recognizing when an individual with a disability is traveling with a service animal.