Rep. Colin Z. Allred

Maddy summaryThe PLAYS in Youth Sports Act establishes federal grant programs to improve youth sports access, safety, and health for underserved children. It provides up to $2.5 million in grants to national nonprofits and $250,000 to local organizations, requiring them to fund subgrants for regional sports groups. These subgrants - ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 - must support coaching training (emphasizing child development over winning), reducing participation barriers for low-income or disabled youth, and implementing safety measures like background checks and concussion protocols. The bill allocates $75 million total, with a focus on evidence-based practices to increase healthy sports participation and safety across communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $30 million annually (2024-2028) for the National Institutes of Health to expand research on uterine fibroids, including studies on racial disparities (noting Black women are 80% likely to develop fibroids by menopause versus 70% of White women). It also requires the creation of a Medicaid database to track treatment services for fibroids and mandates a congressional report on related costs and coverage. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop public education materials about fibroid symptoms, treatment options (including non-hysterectomy care), and racial prevalence differences. It directly affects women with fibroids - particularly those from racial minority groups - and aims to improve data collection and awareness around a condition causing significant health burdens and healthcare costs.

Maddy summaryThe Building Chips in America Act of 2023 streamlines environmental reviews for semiconductor manufacturing projects receiving federal financial assistance under the CHIPS Act. It exempts certain facility construction, expansion, or modernization projects from standard National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews if they meet specific criteria, such as being on existing sites with limited additional development. The bill allows states to assume some environmental review responsibilities with federal oversight, requires reliance on prior environmental studies, and establishes specific categorical exclusions for semiconductor projects. These changes aim to accelerate semiconductor manufacturing facility construction by reducing regulatory delays for projects eligible for federal assistance.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution condemns the April 2023 conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), calling for an immediate ceasefire and adherence to prior cease-fire agreements. It urges the U.S. government to scale up humanitarian aid, prioritize support for displaced civilians and children, and apply sanctions against those obstructing Sudan’s democratic transition or violating international law. The resolution directs U.S. agencies to coordinate with local actors, ensure aid reaches civilians, and develop strategies for civilian-led negotiations. As a non-binding statement, it expresses congressional support for Sudanese civilians and democratic transition without creating new legal requirements or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 4610 amends federal tax law by changing a specific date in the Tax Reform Act of 1984 from October 9, 1969, to March 1, 1985. This adjustment aligns federal tax rules with the Texas Constitution, allowing the State of Texas to continue leveraging the Permanent University Fund (PUF) for public university funding without triggering federal tax penalties. The PUF, which supports Texas public universities, has historically benefited from a special tax rule enabling its financial investments, and this bill maintains that benefit. The change takes effect upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2023 requires the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs to study noncitizen veterans removed from the U.S. between 1990 and 2023, documenting their service history and reasons for removal. It establishes a system to identify noncitizen veterans before removal proceedings and creates a Military Family Immigration Advisory Committee to review cases and recommend against removal for veterans. The bill also creates a program to facilitate citizenship for noncitizen service members and provides pathways for previously removed noncitizen veterans to adjust to lawful permanent residence. These provisions directly affect noncitizen veterans and their family members facing immigration proceedings, aiming to better recognize military service in immigration decisions.

Maddy summaryHR 4588, the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2023, renames and enhances the existing "IDEAS" grant program to increase U.S. student participation in study abroad. It authorizes $10 million annually to fund competitive grants for colleges and universities (especially minority-serving institutions and those with world language programs), requiring grantees to demonstrate plans for expanding access to underrepresented students, ensuring diversity in participation, and prioritizing study in developing countries. The bill sets a goal of 1 million U.S. undergraduates studying abroad annually within 10 years, with a focus on low-income students, students of color, and community college attendees who are currently underrepresented. It mandates annual reports to Congress on program implementation and requires grantees to maintain health/safety protocols for students abroad.

Maddy summaryHR 4550 creates a federal grant program to help public elementary, secondary, and preschool schools recruit and retain paraprofessionals (school support staff like teaching assistants). The bill directs the Secretary of Education to fund state education agencies, which then distribute subgrants to schools - prioritizing those serving high numbers of low-income students - to support activities like mentoring programs, professional development, and wage increases or certification assistance (e.g., for special education or English learner support). States must report annually on wage baselines, paraprofessional numbers, and program outcomes. This bill directly affects schools and paraprofessionals, with funding authorized for fiscal years 2024-2028.

Maddy summaryThe DISCLOSE Act of 2023 would increase transparency in political spending by requiring organizations making campaign-related disbursements over $10,000 to disclose the names and addresses of their major donors, including the top five funders for political communications. It would close loopholes allowing foreign nationals to secretly fund election activities through corporations or other entities by expanding the definition of prohibited foreign contributions. The bill would mandate "stand by every ad" disclosure requirements for political communications across all media, including audio, video, and internet ads, requiring clear identification of funders. It would also require reporting of disbursements related to Federal judicial nominations, which currently aren't subject to disclosure requirements. These provisions would apply to corporations, labor organizations, and certain nonprofits that engage in political activity.

Maddy summaryThe IDEA Full Funding Act (HR 4519) mandates specific annual increases in federal funding for special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It requires Congress to appropriate increasing amounts each fiscal year - from $5.87 billion for 2024 up to $55.53 billion for 2033 - to reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for public schools by 2033. This directly affects all public school districts serving students with disabilities, as federal IDEA funding supports their special education services. The bill sets fixed dollar amounts or percentage targets (whichever is greater) for each fiscal year, aiming to gradually close the long-standing gap between promised and actual federal funding. It does not alter eligibility for services but mandates higher, phased funding levels to meet the 40% target.