Rep. Earl Blumenauer

Maddy summaryThe Ending PUSHOUT Act of 2023 aims to reduce discriminatory school discipline practices that disproportionately push students of color, particularly girls of color, out of school. It requires schools to collect detailed data on disciplinary actions disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability status, and other factors to identify patterns of overuse and discrimination. The bill provides grants to schools to implement trauma-informed practices, restorative approaches, and mental health supports instead of exclusionary discipline, while prohibiting out-of-school suspensions for minor infractions in early grades and banning practices like corporal punishment and certain restraints. It also establishes a joint task force with diverse representation to study discipline disparities and recommend solutions to prevent students from being pushed out of schools. The legislation seeks to create safer school environments by addressing the root causes of discipline issues rather than relying on punitive measures.

Maddy summaryHR 2682, the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act, creates a federal exemption allowing veterans to use, possess, or transport state-legal medical marijuana without facing federal penalties. It specifically protects veterans in states or tribal lands where medical marijuana is permitted, and permits VA physicians to discuss or recommend it as a treatment for pain or conditions like PTSD. The bill mandates the VA to conduct research on medical marijuana's effects for veterans within 180 days and study veterans' access to state programs within two years. This exemption expires automatically five years after the bill’s enactment.

Harnessing Opportunities by Pursuing Expungement Act of 2023 or the HOPE Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to states and local governments to reduce the financial and administrative burden of expunging convictions for state cannabis offenses. The bill also requires DOJ to study and report on (1) the effects on an individual of a criminal record report of a conviction for a criminal offense related to cannabis, and (2) the costs incurred for incarcerating an individual for a criminal offense related to cannabis.

Maddy summaryThe "For the 99.5 Percent Act" (HR 2676) would increase estate and gift taxes for large estates by lowering the basic exclusion amount from $750,000 to $3.5 million and implementing higher tax rates for estates over that threshold. It would limit discounts on estate valuations for family-owned businesses and nonbusiness assets, require minimum 10-year terms for certain trusts, and eliminate tax exemptions for transfers to certain beneficiaries. These changes would directly affect individuals with estates valued over $3.5 million, particularly those using complex trust structures to minimize tax liability. The bill aims to increase tax revenue from the top 0.5% of estates by making it harder to avoid estate taxes through various valuation techniques and trust arrangements. The changes would take effect for estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after December 31, 2023.

Trigger Leads Abatement Act of 2023 This bill prohibits credit reporting agencies from providing a credit report not initiated by a consumer if the report is being provided on the basis that the consumer has had a credit inquiry regarding a home mortgage loan. This practice, known as producing a trigger lead, provides notice to other mortgage lenders that the consumer is seeking a mortgage loan.

Small Business Tax Equity Act of 2023 This bill exempts a trade or business that conducts marijuana sales in compliance with state law from a provision in the Internal Revenue Code that prohibits business-related tax credits or deductions for expenditures in connection with trafficking in controlled substances.

Maddy summaryHR 2441, the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023, improves support for veterans who experienced military sexual trauma by reforming disability claims processing and expanding access to mental health care. The bill establishes new standards for evaluating claims involving military sexual trauma, requiring specialized VA teams to process these claims and creating clearer guidelines for evidence and communication with veterans. It expands eligibility for counseling and treatment to include all former reserve members and creates a pilot program providing interim mental health care when veterans face wait times exceeding 14 days for residential treatment. The legislation also mandates a Comptroller General study on access to care and requires the VA to provide better communication and support throughout the claims process.

Maddy summaryThe Veterans Equal Access Act (HR 2431) allows Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care providers to give recommendations and opinions to veterans about participating in state-legal marijuana programs. It directly affects veterans living in states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, or federally recognized tribes where marijuana is permitted under state law. The bill requires the VA Secretary to authorize VA physicians and staff to provide these recommendations, complete related forms, and override any conflicting federal restrictions that previously prohibited such advice. This change enables veterans to receive guidance from VA providers regarding state marijuana programs without fear of VA disciplinary action.

Maddy summaryHR 1351, the "Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act," repeals Section 3003 of the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, which had mandated transferring 2,422 acres of Oak Flat in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest to foreign-owned Resolution Copper for mining. The bill withdraws this land from all mining activities, preventing Resolution Copper from using destructive block cave mining that would destroy the sacred site and harm water resources. Oak Flat, a National Register-listed Traditional Cultural Property sacred to Indigenous tribes, would be protected from a mine projected to deplete 775,000 acre-feet of groundwater over 40 years and create a 4,000-acre toxic waste dump. The legislation directly affects Resolution Copper (owned by Rio Tinto and BHP) and aims to halt the project that would obliterate cultural resources and exacerbate regional water shortages.

Maddy summaryHR 2630, the Safe Step Act, requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to establish a clear, transparent process for patients or their doctors to request exceptions to medication step therapy protocols. These protocols typically force patients to try cheaper drugs first before covering more expensive alternatives. The bill mandates that plans must approve exceptions when prior treatments failed, delay would cause serious harm, a treatment is unsafe, or a patient is stable on a previously approved drug, with strict 72-hour (or 24-hour in emergencies) decision timelines. It also requires plans to publish the exception process online and limit documentation requests to only necessary medical information. This law directly affects health insurers, employers offering health plans, and patients using step therapy for prescription drugs.