Rep. Jeff Hurd

Maddy summaryThe ReCement Act amends federal regulations to allow cement manufacturers to use non-hazardous secondary materials as fuel or ingredients without classifying them as waste. This change directly affects the cement industry by permitting the use of recovered resources that meet specific legitimacy criteria, such as being managed as valuable commodities or processed before use. By updating the definition of what constitutes waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the bill aims to increase material efficiency in cement production through the incorporation of alternative fuels and recovered materials.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the federal Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program through 2031, updating its focus to integrate advanced technologies for more accurate snowpack measurement and water supply forecasting. It specifically requires the use of commercially available technologies like airborne laser altimetry, imaging spectroscopy, and physics-based modeling to provide real-time, spatially complete data. The program must now emphasize activities that improve forecasting responsiveness to changing conditions, integrate data with water management decisions (including interstate disputes), and build partner capacity in key river basins. The changes directly affect federal water management agencies and Western states relying on snowmelt for water supply planning.

Maddy summaryThe TSP Modernization Act allows individuals to electronically transfer money from their Thrift Savings Fund accounts to qualified retirement plans at brokerage firms, a change that takes effect one year after the law is passed. To initiate this transfer, account holders must provide the necessary information to the Federal Retirement Thrith Investment Board. Additionally, the bill requires the board to submit a report to Congress one year after enactment detailing how the electronic transfer process was implemented.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Tribal Regulatory Reform Implementation Act of 2026, shifts administrative duties from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of the Interior, effectively consolidating authority within that single department. The change applies specifically to responsibilities related to the Authority established under the Indian Tribal Regulatory Reform and Business Development Act of 2000. Once enacted, all jurisdiction previously assigned to the Secretary under that earlier law will be transferred to the Secretary of the Interior to streamline oversight. This adjustment impacts how federal regulations are managed for tribal entities without altering the underlying business development goals of the original 2000 legislation.

Maddy summaryThe Local Data for Better Conservation Act requires the federal government to include data collected by states when deciding whether to list or remove species from the endangered species list. This change directly impacts state agencies and conservationists who gather information about local wildlife populations. By mandating the integration of state-collected data, the bill aims to ensure that federal decisions are based on a more comprehensive set of regional observations. The legislation does not alter the overall process for listing species but modifies how evidence is considered during those determinations.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers federal land - including Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam, and associated infrastructure in Ouray County, Colorado - to the City of Ouray, along with related water rights. The city must maintain the land as public open space for free recreational access (e.g., fishing), manage water rights under Colorado law, and avoid commercial development. The federal government will cover conveyance costs but requires the city to pay for surveys. Failure to comply with these terms could trigger the land reverting to federal ownership.

Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act This bill allows five Alaska Native communities in Southeast Alaska to form urban corporations and receive land entitlements. Specifically, the bill allows the Alaska Native residents of each of the Alaska Native villages of Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell, Alaska, to organize as Alaska Native urban corporations and to receive certain settlement land. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to convey specified land to each urban corporation. Further, Interior must convey the subsurface estate for that land to the regional corporation for Southeast Alaska. The land conveyed to each urban corporation must include any U.S. interest in all roads, trails, log transfer facilities, leases, and appurtenances on or related to the land conveyed to the urban corporation. The bill also allows each urban corporation to establish a settlement trust to (1) promote the health, education, and welfare of the trust beneficiaries; and (2) preserve the Alaska Native heritage and culture of their communities.

Maddy summaryHR 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from automatically sending veterans' personal information to the national background check system (NICS) solely because a court has appointed a fiduciary (like a guardian) to manage their benefits. This directly affects veterans who have a fiduciary appointed due to mental health or cognitive challenges but are not deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill requires a court order finding the veteran poses a danger before any such information can be shared with the NICS. It changes VA procedures to block unnecessary barriers to firearm ownership for veterans who qualify for fiduciary support without a judicial determination of danger.

Maddy summaryThe Rural Hospital Revitalization Act of 2026 provides zero-interest loans to specific rural hospitals for building new facilities or renovating existing ones. To qualify, a hospital must be located in a county with fewer than 20,000 people, be at least 35 miles from the nearest hospital, have operated for at least 30 years, and demonstrate financial stability. The loans are initially interest-free for five years and can be refinanced later at standard rates if the hospital's financial situation improves, or renewed once under strict conditions if the hospital struggles financially. Additionally, receiving hospitals become eligible for technical assistance grants designed to help improve their operations and financial health.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program by an additional five years, allowing rural hospitals to continue receiving Medicare payment adjustments designed to help them compete with larger health systems. The legislation amends existing federal laws to change the program's timeline from a 15-year extension to a 20-year extension, ensuring these financial incentives remain in place for a longer period. It also includes specific rules for hospitals that joined the program later, ensuring they receive the same extended benefits during the final years of the new timeframe. The primary effect is to maintain current funding mechanisms for participating rural hospitals without altering the core rules of the demonstration.