Rep. Derek Kilmer

Maddy summaryThe Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters Act (REAADI for Disasters Act) requires that individuals with disabilities and older adults be included in decision-making for all phases of disaster management. It mandates accessible communication methods (including American Sign Language, captions, and plain language), ensures disaster shelters and services are accessible without segregation, and requires compliance with civil rights laws in crisis standards of care. The bill also establishes training centers to support disability-inclusive disaster management and creates a national commission to review past settlement agreements related to disability rights in disasters. This legislation directly affects individuals with disabilities and older adults, as well as government agencies responsible for disaster planning and response.

Maddy summaryThe Women's Health Protection Act of 2023 would protect access to abortion services by prohibiting states from imposing restrictions that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures. The bill would ensure people can obtain abortion services before fetal viability without unnecessary limitations like mandatory waiting periods or biased counseling, and after viability when necessary to protect the patient's life or health. It would preempt state laws that conflict with these protections and allow for civil enforcement actions to challenge restrictive state laws. This bill directly affects people seeking abortion services (including transgender and nonbinary individuals who can become pregnant), health care providers, and states that have implemented abortion restrictions.

Protecting Gold Star Spouses Act of 2023 This bill provides interim appropriations for the Coast Guard Retired Serviceman's Family Protection and Survivor Benefits Plans if a bill providing appropriations for the plans has not been enacted before the fiscal year begins. The bill provides the appropriations at the rate of operations and under the terms and conditions provided by the most recent law making full-year appropriations for the plans. The appropriations provided by this bill are not available after a bill is enacted that (1) provides appropriations for the plans, or (2) provides appropriations for the Coast Guard without funding the plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the law governing Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for uniformed service members stationed in the U.S. It changes the calculation method so that BAH amounts must equal the actual monthly cost of adequate housing in each location, as determined by the Secretary of Defense. This directly affects active-duty service members and their families who receive BAH for housing. The key provision replaces the previous formula with a requirement that BAH payments match local housing costs for members in the same pay grade and dependency status. The change ensures BAH reflects current housing expenses rather than an older calculation method.

Maddy summaryHR 1465, "Violet’s Law," requires federal research facilities to establish standards for placing eligible animals (dogs, cats, primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits) no longer needed for research with animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or individuals. Federal departments and agencies operating such facilities must create these placement standards within one year of the law's enactment. The law mandates that animals must be vet-certified as healthy (free of infectious disease or physical issues) before placement and prohibits facilities from using animals for commercial trade, breeding, or public exhibitions. This policy directly affects federal research facilities and aims to provide permanent homes for research animals through defined, safe pathways.

Supporting Our First Responders Act This bill establishes a competitive grant program to support medical transport and emergency medical services (EMS). The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award the grants to EMS organizations (including for-profit organizations) or state, tribal, territorial, or local governments. Grant-funded activities include (1) providing salaries and stipends for EMS workers; (2) purchasing vehicles, personal protective equipment, and other resources; and (3) establishing community paramedicine or mobile integrated health care initiatives. HHS must also report to Congress about health insurance reimbursement for medical transport and EMS and the feasibility of establishing a federal EMS office.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 32 is a symbolic resolution supporting International Transgender Day of Visibility, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 30, 2023. It encourages Americans to observe the day through ceremonies and activities, celebrates transgender achievements, and recognizes the community's fight for dignity amid ongoing discrimination and anti-trans legislation. The resolution does not create new laws or policies - it is a non-binding statement of support, referencing over 700 anti-trans bills introduced in 2021-2023 that target education, healthcare, and identity documents. It directly acknowledges transgender individuals and their contributions without altering any legal rights or obligations.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 48 proposes a constitutional amendment stating that rights protected by the U.S. Constitution apply only to human beings ("natural persons"), not to corporations or other artificial entities. This would remove constitutional protections for corporations, allowing governments to regulate them without constitutional constraints. The amendment also includes campaign finance provisions requiring public disclosure of contributions and expenditures, and specifies that spending money to influence elections is not protected speech under the First Amendment. It explicitly preserves the freedom of the press as a constitutional right.

Maddy summaryHR 2403, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2023, modifies federal firearm background check procedures to address delays. It requires firearm licensees to wait at least 10 business days after a prospective buyer submits a petition verifying they are not prohibited from owning firearms before completing a sale, if the background check system hasn't cleared the transaction. The bill also mandates the Attorney General to create an electronic petition form, provide timely responses to petitions, and track delays. Additionally, it requires multiple reports analyzing implementation, transaction delays, denial reasons by state, and potential impacts on domestic violence victim safety, with the first report due within 150 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe International Human Rights Defense Act of 2023 creates a permanent Special Envoy at the State Department to coordinate U.S. efforts against discrimination and violence targeting LGBTQI+ people globally. The bill requires the development of an annual global strategy to address criminalization, discrimination, and violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. It also mandates that U.S. country reports on human rights practices include detailed information about laws and practices affecting LGBTQI+ communities. The legislation authorizes U.S. foreign assistance programs to support LGBTQI+ rights through health services, legal protections, and community capacity building. This bill aims to strengthen U.S. diplomatic engagement on LGBTQI+ rights as part of broader human rights policy.