Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón

Maddy summaryHR 7108, the Expanding Access to Mental Health Services in Schools Act of 2024, authorizes federal grants to help high-need public schools hire and retain mental health staff. It targets schools that meet specific criteria: being in the top 15% of need (based on student poverty or other metrics) and failing to meet minimum staffing ratios for counselors, psychologists, or social workers. Grants fund recruitment (through salary stipends or loan repayment), retention (via professional development or incentives), and evidence-based mental health services, with grantees required to contribute 25% matching funds and report annually on provider numbers, demographics, and student-to-provider ratios. The program runs through 2029 and requires all services to comply with privacy laws like FERPA.

Maddy summaryHR 7107, the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Act, requires the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) to create a mandatory training program for state, local, tribal, territorial, and educational institution law enforcement officers. The training covers recognizing human trafficking indicators, understanding victim-centered responses, reporting protocols, relevant federal and state laws, and high-risk locations. The bill authorizes $2.3 million annually from 2024 through 2029 to fund this program and mandates coordination with the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign. It also requires integrating this training into existing FLETC programs. The law defines human trafficking per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.

Maddy summaryThe PREPARE Act of 2023 establishes an Interagency Council composed of senior officials from 25 federal agencies to coordinate extreme weather resilience efforts across the government. The law requires each federal agency to develop and update comprehensive extreme weather plans that integrate climate considerations into agency operations, with plans submitted annually to the Office of Management and Budget. The Council will create a public website to share resources, best practices, and progress updates, and will issue annual reports to Congress detailing implementation and effectiveness. This legislation directly affects all federal agencies by mandating they incorporate extreme weather planning into their operations and budgeting processes. The Act aims to improve government coordination on climate resilience without creating new regulatory requirements or duplicating existing federal programs.

Maddy summaryHR 3925 establishes a federal grant program to fund youth fishing projects in coastal and Great Lakes areas. The bill authorizes $2 million annually (2024-2028) for grants to eligible entities like nonprofits, schools, state/local governments, or Tribal organizations to cover equipment, transportation, licenses, and educational components for youth. Priority is given to projects serving underserved communities, defined as groups facing systemic barriers due to race, disability, poverty, or inequality. Recipients must report annually on grant usage and participant numbers to Congress.

Maddy summaryHRES 967 would amend House rules to allow Members who have recently given birth to vote by proxy for up to six weeks after childbirth. Specifically, a new rule permits a Member to designate another Member as their proxy during this period to cast votes on their behalf. The proxy cannot be used to count the Member's presence for quorum purposes in the House or its committees. This change directly affects female Members during their postpartum leave, with no other proxy voting allowed under the amendment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to clarify rules about animal fighting, specifically for bird fighting ventures. It removes an extension of federal prohibitions to U.S. territories and adds a provision stating that activities involving live birds in fighting ventures are only unlawful if the event occurs in a state where such activities are already illegal under state law. This change affects individuals who sponsor, exhibit, or transport birds for fighting ventures, clarifying that federal enforcement depends on whether the activity violates existing state laws. The bill's title references "Honoring Indigenous Traditions," but the actual text focuses solely on modifying animal fighting regulations - no provisions relate to indigenous traditions.

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 6781 reauthorizes the Marine Debris Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for fiscal years 2018 through 2028. This extension ensures continued funding for efforts to reduce marine debris, such as plastic waste in oceans and coastal areas. The program directly supports coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and industries by funding cleanup initiatives and prevention strategies. The bill amends the Marine Debris Act to update the authorization period, replacing an expired timeframe with a specific 10-year window for program operations.

Maddy summaryHR 6567 establishes a new FEMA program to improve disaster recovery in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program will identify and address recurring challenges - such as outdated infrastructure, remote locations, language barriers, and limited staff - that delay recovery after hurricanes and other disasters. FEMA must provide tailored technical assistance, develop training courses, and create best practices for territories applying for federal disaster funding. The bill authorizes $50 million annually (2024-2028) for this program and requires biennial reports to Congress on progress and recommendations for continuation. It directly affects territories struggling with slow recovery due to unique geographic, economic, and administrative hurdles.

Maddy summaryHR 6641, the Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act, establishes a federal task force to identify and address critical needs of working waterfronts, which are coastal areas used for commercial fishing, boating, aquaculture, and related activities. The bill creates a grant program to help coastal states, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations develop and implement plans to preserve and expand working waterfronts through property acquisition, facility improvements, and climate adaptation measures. It also establishes a loan fund to provide financial assistance for waterfront preservation, with special provisions for disadvantaged communities and requirements for covered entities to develop plans ensuring waterfronts remain available for their intended uses. The legislation authorizes $50 million annually from 2024-2028 for these programs, with reporting requirements to track implementation and effectiveness.