Rep. Steve Cohen

Maddy summaryThe Protecting Communities from Plastics Act of 2024 establishes new environmental standards for plastic production facilities, including a temporary moratorium on new permits for covered facilities during a "temporary pause period." It requires environmental justice assessments for permits affecting fenceline communities (low-income communities and communities of color near plastic facilities) and sets specific targets to reduce single-use plastics by 25% and increase reusable/refillable packaging by 30% by 2034. The bill mandates comprehensive reporting on plastic production and distribution, including a national inventory of plastic manufacturing, and requires continuous air and water quality monitoring near plastic facilities. This legislation directly affects plastic producers, manufacturers, and communities located near plastic production facilities, particularly those disproportionately impacted by plastic pollution.

Maddy summaryHR 7585, the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2024, requires states to transition all SNAP (food stamp) EBT cards to chip-enabled technology by 2029, phasing out magnetic stripes. It mandates states to provide mobile-friendly digital interfaces for managing EBT accounts, including real-time transaction alerts, fraud reporting tools, and virtual card numbers for online purchases. The bill prohibits states from using outdated password requirements inconsistent with federal cybersecurity standards and ensures no replacement fees for cards lost, stolen, or damaged due to fraud or expiration. States will receive reimbursement for costs related to upgrading cards and payment terminals, directly affecting 40 million SNAP recipients and state agencies managing the program.

Maddy summaryThe ACE Veterans Act (HR 9094) requires the VA to provide female veterans enrolled in its healthcare system with the option to receive a full year's supply of hormonal contraceptives - such as pills, patches, or vaginal rings - instead of monthly refills, upon request. It directly affects veterans who are prescribed these specific contraceptive products through VA care. The bill mandates that VA providers notify these veterans about the full-year supply option at the time of prescription. This change simplifies access to consistent contraceptive care without requiring additional clinic visits for monthly refills. The policy applies to all eligible veterans enrolled in the VA’s annual patient enrollment system who receive such prescriptions.

Maddy summaryThe Summer Meals Act of 2024 amends the National School Lunch Act to improve access to summer meals for children, primarily affecting public schools, community organizations, and low-income families. Key changes include reducing the required integration of summer education and meals from 50% to 40%, expanding meal service to include after-school hours, weekends, and school holidays for non-school sites, and creating a $10 million annual grant program to support mobile meal trucks and transportation in underserved areas. The bill authorizes grants for service institutions that serve both breakfast and lunch or offer educational programs, with priority given to those increasing participation at congregate feeding sites. These provisions aim to simplify program administration and reach more children during summer breaks in hard-to-access communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates federal grants for states that meet specific requirements regarding police training and independent review of officer use of deadly force. It mandates annual 8-hour sensitivity training for new officers (covering racial bias, cultural diversity, and interactions with vulnerable groups) and 4-hour training for active officers, with states required to certify completion. States must also establish independent prosecution systems for cases involving police use of deadly force resulting in death or injury, defined as requiring prosecutors not from the same county as the incident. States failing to comply with either requirement during a fiscal year lose eligibility for these federal grants. The law directly affects all states receiving funds under Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control Act.

Maddy summaryThe NO BAN Act (HR 9244) prohibits U.S. immigration authorities from denying visas or entry based on national origin, religion, or sex. It amends immigration law to explicitly ban such discrimination in visa decisions and tightens restrictions on the president’s power to suspend entry of certain groups under Section 212(f). The bill requires specific evidence, narrow tailoring, time limits, and congressional notification for any entry restriction, while mandating public reports on visa denials and waivers. It directly affects nonimmigrant visa applicants (e.g., students, workers) and federal agencies administering immigration policy.

Maddy summaryThe Sustaining America's Fisheries for the Future Act of 2024 aims to improve the long-term health of U.S. fisheries by addressing climate change impacts, supporting fishing communities, and modernizing management practices. The bill requires federal agencies to incorporate climate science into fishery management decisions and mandates regular vulnerability assessments of fish stocks to environmental changes. It establishes new grant programs to help coastal communities preserve working waterfronts and improve data collection systems through electronic monitoring technologies. The legislation also strengthens transparency by requiring more detailed reporting on fishery management council activities and expanding tribal representation on regional councils. Additionally, the bill creates a standardized national program to track and reduce bycatch across all fisheries while updating international fisheries management agreements.

Maddy summaryHR 8699, the Humane Transport of Farmed Animals Act, requires the U.S. Transportation and Agriculture Secretaries to create an inspection and enforcement system within 180 days to ensure carriers comply with animal transport rules. It directly affects rail, trucking, and shipping companies transporting livestock interstate, mandating they follow new standards. The bill prohibits moving livestock deemed "unfit to travel" (e.g., sick, injured, newborns with unhealed navels, pregnant animals near delivery, or those unable to stand) across state lines, referencing the World Organisation for Animal Health’s standards. An exception allows movement for veterinary care. The law focuses on defining specific conditions requiring transport restrictions and establishing government oversight.

Maddy summaryHR 9223, the Nondebtor Release Prohibition Act of 2024, prohibits bankruptcy courts from approving plan provisions that release non-debtor entities (like other companies or individuals) from liability for claims against them. It specifically blocks courts from discharging, releasing, or modifying liabilities of entities other than the debtor or estate, and limits stays on lawsuits against non-debtors to 90 days without the affected party's explicit consent. This bill directly affects creditors and third parties who might otherwise be shielded from liability through bankruptcy proceedings. The law amends Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to clarify that courts cannot create authority for nondebtor releases or extended stays, applying to all pending or future bankruptcy cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, which provides federal funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to reduce backlogs in processing DNA evidence from crime scenes. It extends the program's funding period from fiscal years 2024 through 2029 (previously ending in 2024). The bill also updates audit requirements to ensure grant funds are used properly through 2029. This directly affects law enforcement agencies that receive these grants to accelerate DNA analysis for criminal investigations.