Rep. Gregory F. Murphy

Maddy summary# Summary of Proposed FEMA Reform Legislation (FEMA Act of 2025) This comprehensive legislative document proposes significant reforms to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, with four main sections addressing: ## 1. Disaster Assistance Reforms - **Expanded eligibility** for assistance, including clarifying that absence of a fixed address doesn't disqualify individuals from sheltering assistance - **Improved rental assistance** with consideration of local post-disaster rent increases - **Direct assistance** for those unable to use financial assistance, with no requirement to show other assistance can cover costs (except insurance) - **Enhanced notices** for applicants, including documentation of denial decisions - **Clarification of displacement assistance** eligibility, stating insurance shouldn't be considered a duplication of benefits ## 2. Mitigation Program Enhancements - **Preapproved project mitigation plans** requiring states to develop plans with peer review processes - **Improved allocation of funds** with formulas prioritizing vulnerable communities, high-risk areas, and rural/economically distressed communities - **Resilient buildings** requirements for housing retrofits using the latest building codes - **Streamlined application processes** for hazard mitigation funds across multiple programs - **Study on mitigation benefits** to evaluate cost savings and effectiveness ## 3. Transparency and Accountability Measures - **Public dashboards** for both individual assistance (431) and public assistance (432) showing application status, approvals, denials, and funding - **Transparency requirements** for disaster declarations with detailed justifications for approvals/denials - **GAO studies** on numerous topics including: - Identity theft in disaster assistance (409) - Insurance utilization for public assistance facilities (410) - Wildfire management plans (411) - Effectiveness of alerting systems (412) - Cost savings of repair/rebuilding reforms (415) - **Prohibition on political discrimination** in assistance distribution ## 4. Workforce and Operational Improvements - **Study on workforce retention** in noncontiguous communities - **Pilot program** for preliminary damage assessments in remote communities - **Fast-moving disasters working group** to develop best practices for rapid response The legislation focuses on improving efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of disaster relief programs while prioritizing vulnerable populations and communities with higher risk of disasters. It also emphasizes data-driven decision making through required studies and reports to continuously improve disaster management policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. sanctions law to target Chinese entities and officials involved in fentanyl trafficking. It redefines "foreign opioid trafficker" to include Chinese chemical companies or government officials (like those in the National Narcotics Control Commission) that fail to prevent fentanyl precursor trafficking or cooperate with U.S. efforts. Key mechanisms include requiring China to implement stricter chemical shipment labeling and "know-your-customer" procedures, extending sanctions periods from 5 to 10 years, and mandating annual presidential reports to Congress on drug trafficking emergencies. The bill explicitly excludes importation of goods from sanctions coverage.

Maddy summaryHRES 642 is a symbolic resolution expressing congressional support for federal efforts to recover the endangered red wolf population. It directly supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Red Wolf Recovery Program, which maintains 270 captive wolves and protects the only wild population (15 wolves) in eastern North Carolina. The resolution specifically highlights planned wildlife corridors along Route 64 in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge to create safe passage for wolves and reduce vehicle collisions. This resolution does not create new laws or funding but affirms the need for continued federal, state, and partner collaboration on recovery efforts.

Maddy summaryThe Working Waterfront Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act creates a 30% tax credit for businesses that invest in qualifying disaster mitigation projects on "working waterfront" property, such as commercial fishing facilities or boatyards. The credit covers up to $300,000 per year (adjusted for inflation after 2026) for projects designed to prevent flood, erosion, or storm damage using methods like structural elevation, floodproofing, or shoreline stabilization. To qualify, property must be used for water-dependent activities (e.g., commercial fishing or boating) with average annual gross receipts under $47 million and meet specific building code requirements for disaster resilience. The credit is limited to 10 years per business and applies to projects placed in service after 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 4780 (USTRx Act) creates a new Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator within the U.S. Trade Representative's office to address foreign government drug pricing policies. The bill requires annual reports assessing whether high-income countries' pharmaceutical pricing practices are unfair, non-market-based, or deny U.S. market access. If such practices are found, the USTR must submit a response plan within 30 days to Congress. This bill directly affects U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers and consumers by aiming to ensure foreign governments pay their "fair share" for drug innovation developed in the U.S.

Maddy summaryHR 4710, the No Surprises Act Enforcement Act, increases penalties for health insurance plans and issuers that violate balance billing protections, which prevent surprise medical bills. The bill raises fines from $100 to $10,000 per violation for specific balance billing rule violations and adds a new penalty of three times the difference between initial payment and out-of-network rates for late payments after Independent Dispute Resolution decisions. It requires health plans and nonparticipating providers to make timely payments within 30 days of a payment determination, with interest accruing on late payments. The bill also establishes new transparency reporting requirements for the Secretary to submit regular reports to Congress about audits, enforcement actions, and penalties. These provisions directly affect health insurance issuers, group health plans, and nonparticipating healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal right for livestock producers to sell meat and dairy products across state lines without facing conflicting state regulations. It prevents states from imposing production standards (like animal welfare rules) on products not raised within that state, ensuring a uniform national market for covered livestock products. The law specifically covers animals raised for meat or dairy (including milk products), but excludes egg production. This aims to eliminate barriers to interstate commerce for these products while aligning with U.S. trade obligations.

Veterans' Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers Act of 2025 or the Veterans' ACCESS Act of 2025 This bill addresses the administration of the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) and other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care matters. Among other provisions regarding the VCCP, the bill establishes in statute access standards that determine when a veteran is eligible to receive non-VA care through the VCCP, requires the VA to notify veterans regarding their eligibility for care within two business days after the VA is aware the veteran is seeking care, and extends the deadline for the submittal of claims under the VCCP by health care entities and providers. The VA must address its mental health treatment programs by establishing a standardized screening process to determine whether a veteran satisfies criteria for priority or routine admission to a mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program or a program for residential care for mental health and substance abuse disorders, tracking the performance of medical facilities and Veterans Integrated Service Networks in meeting the requirements for mental health treatment screenings and timely admission to treatment programs under such screenings, and establishing an appeal process for when a veteran is denied admission to a covered treatment program or is accepted into a program but not offered bed placement in a timely manner. Additionally, the VA must establish an online self-service module for veterans to request and manage appointments, track referrals, and appeal and track decisions related to requests for care.

Maddy summaryHR 4620 amends federal law to include rioting as a form of racketeering activity under Title 18, United States Code. This change would allow prosecutors to charge individuals who organize or participate in riots as part of a larger criminal enterprise under federal racketeering laws. The bill specifically targets coordinated riot activities linked to organized crime, not isolated or spontaneous protests.

Maddy summaryHR 4033 exempts farmed sturgeon and their offspring from certain protections under the Endangered Species Act until they are intentionally returned to the wild. This directly affects sturgeon farmers and aquaculture facilities operating in controlled environments, allowing them to continue their activities without ESA compliance for captive sturgeon. The bill requires these operators to maintain records proving their sturgeon qualify under the exemption and to provide documentation to the Secretary upon request. It does not create new conservation measures but clarifies existing ESA rules for commercial sturgeon farming.