Rep. Suzanne Bonamici

Maddy summaryHR 2918, the Fair Housing for Survivors Act of 2023, amends the Fair Housing Act to explicitly protect survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking from housing discrimination. It adds "survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or severe forms of trafficking" as a protected class under the law, prohibiting landlords and housing providers from refusing to rent, evicting, or charging more based on this status. The bill also clarifies that discrimination based on survivor status - including denial of housing due to protective orders, shelter stays, or prior incidents - is illegal. This directly affects survivors who face barriers like denied rentals, evictions, or higher costs when seeking safe housing, addressing documented discrimination reported by 67% of survivors in New York studies. The law preserves survivors' ability to pursue other discrimination claims under the Fair Housing Act.

Raise the Age Act of 2023 This bill establishes new restrictions on the sale or transfer of certain semiautomatic firearms to individuals under 21 years of age. Specifically, this bill makes it unlawful for a licensed gun dealer, importer, manufacturer, or collector to sell or deliver a semiautomatic center-fire rifle or semiautomatic center-fire shotgun that has (or has the capacity to accept) an ammunition feeding device with a capacity of more than five rounds to an individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is under age 21. The prohibition does not apply if the individual under age 21 is a full-time law enforcement officer or active-duty member of the Armed Forces. The bill also requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation to report on the operation of its public access line, including a description of information sharing protocols and recommendations for improving such protocols.

Maddy summaryThe Right to Read Act of 2023 defines an "effective school library" as one with certified librarians, adequate resources, and support for digital and information literacy. It requires states and school districts to ensure all students, particularly those in under-resourced schools, have access to such libraries through new reporting requirements and funding mechanisms. The bill provides $500 million annually for literacy programs and mandates biennial data collection on school library resources. It also protects staff from liability for following right-to-read policies and requires school libraries to uphold First Amendment rights by providing diverse reading materials without political bias.

Maddy summaryHRES 324 is a non-binding House resolution expressing support for library staff across public, school, academic, and special libraries. It recognizes these workers as essential community resources providing access to information, internet services, and social support - especially for underserved populations - and highlights their expanded roles during crises like the opioid epidemic and pandemic. The resolution calls for adequate funding, protects staff from threats while performing their duties, supports their right to unionize, and upholds the public’s right to free access to library resources. It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges these priorities during National Library Week.

Maddy summaryHR 2825, the Prison Libraries Act of 2023, establishes a federal grant program to fund library services in state and territorial correctional facilities. It directly affects incarcerated individuals by providing access to books, digital resources, educational programs, and staff support, with funds requiring states to submit detailed plans demonstrating need and measurable goals like improving literacy or job skills. Key provisions include funding for modern library infrastructure, hiring qualified librarians, and programming such as job training, digital literacy, restorative justice, and cultural activities - all while prohibiting use for food, general prison operations, or unrelated staff costs. The program authorizes $10 million annually for six years (2024-2029), prioritizing grants that align with library standards, prioritize post-secondary education, and show clear impact on reducing recidivism.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to clarify and preserve the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community in Oregon. It ensures the existing 1986 "Grand Ronde Hunting and Fishing Agreement" remains in effect until replaced by new government-to-government agreements between the tribe and Oregon, requiring mutual consent for any changes. Future agreements cannot alter tribal rights (including treaty or aboriginal rights), limit Oregon’s ability to negotiate separately with other tribes, or be used in court to modify tribal treaty rights. All rights under new agreements would derive solely from Oregon’s authority, not tribal sovereignty.

Maddy summary# Summary of the National Apprenticeship Act of 2023 This proposed legislation establishes a comprehensive framework to modernize and expand apprenticeship programs in the United States, creating a National Apprenticeship System designed to address current workforce needs and increase opportunities for underrepresented populations. ## Key Provisions ### System Framework - Establishes clear quality standards for apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and youth apprenticeship programs - Requires programs to meet specific criteria including: - Minimum 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning (with flexibility for some occupations) - Structured related instruction (minimum 144 hours per year for time-based programs) - Progressive wage scales - Safety training and equipment - Equal opportunity for participation ### Program Types - **Apprenticeship Programs**: Time-based, competency-based, or hybrid models for full-time workers - **Pre-apprenticeship Programs**: Designed to prepare individuals without meeting minimum qualifications for apprenticeship - **Youth Apprenticeship Programs**: For high school students, integrating academic and work-based learning ### Diversity & Inclusion Requirements - Requires programs to actively recruit and support nontraditional apprenticeship populations: - Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities - Long-term unemployed - Individuals impacted by the criminal or juvenile justice system - Foster and former foster youth - Individuals with barriers to employment ### Registration & Oversight - Requires formal registration of programs with a registration agency - Mandates annual performance data collection and reporting - Establishes procedures for program review, technical assistance, and deregistration ### Grant Program (Title II) - Authorizes $4 billion over five years ($400M-$800M annually) for competitive grants - Funds will support: - Creation and expansion of apprenticeship programs in high-demand sectors - Encouraging employer participation, particularly with small- and medium-sized businesses - Supporting intermediaries (national and local) - Strengthening educational alignment with secondary and postsecondary systems ### Evaluation Requirements - Mandates independent evaluations of grant programs - Requires collection of disaggregated data by program type and demographic factors - Focuses on measuring outcomes including: - Program completion rates - Employment rates in related fields - Wage growth - Increased participation of underrepresented groups ### Conforming Amendments - Repeals outdated sections of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to align with the new apprenticeship system This legislation represents a significant investment in workforce development, aiming to create a more inclusive, high-quality apprenticeship system that responds to 21st-century labor market needs while expanding opportunities for historically underrepresented groups.

Maddy summaryThe Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2023 amends the Fair Housing Act to prohibit housing discrimination based on source of income, veteran status, or military status. It defines "source of income" broadly to include housing vouchers, Social Security benefits, child support, and other lawful income sources like savings or gifts. This change directly affects renters using these income types and requires landlords to avoid discrimination. The bill also updates multiple sections of the Fair Housing Act to include these protections and extends the certification period for housing agencies by 40 months.

Ending Qualified Immunity Act This bill eliminates the defense of qualified immunity in certain civil actions for deprivation of rights. Qualified immunity is a judicially created doctrine that protects government officials from being held personally liable for constitutional violations. The bill provides that, under the statute allowing a civil action alleging deprivation of rights under color of state law, it shall not be a defense or immunity to any such action that (1) the defendant was acting in good faith or believed that his or her conduct was lawful at the time it was committed; (2) the rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution or federal laws were not clearly established at the time of their deprivation; or (3) the state of the law was such that the defendant could not reasonably have been expected to know whether his or her conduct was lawful.

Maddy summaryHR 1788, the "Goldie’s Act," strengthens USDA enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. It requires annual inspections of all regulated animal businesses (like dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors) and mandates immediate, humane confiscation of animals suffering due to violations, while prohibiting owners from destroying animals during this process. The bill increases civil penalties to $10,000 per violation, requires hearing panels including veterinarians, and mandates that penalties consider business size and violation severity. It also requires USDA to share violation records with local animal control within 24 hours.