Rep. Jimmy Panetta

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the IRS to specify exactly what information it seeks from third parties (like banks or employers) before contacting them, rather than making vague requests. It gives taxpayers a minimum 45-day window to provide that specific information themselves before the IRS contacts others. Exceptions apply for cases involving tax collection or when the IRS determines information is necessary regardless of whether the taxpayer could provide it. The law applies to notices issued after a 12-month delay from its enactment date. It directly affects taxpayers whose information is sought by the IRS from third parties.

Clergy Act This bill establishes a two-year window for certain members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners to revoke their exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes on ministerial earnings. Under current law, such individuals who object to participation in public insurance programs on religious or conscientious grounds may apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an irrevocable exemption and will not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits in retirement unless they have qualifying credits from other employment. The IRS must develop a plan to inform members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners of their eligibility to revoke prior exemptions, pursuant to the bill's changes.

Maddy summaryThe Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026 aims to speed up care decisions and increase transparency for Medicare Advantage enrollees and providers. Starting in 2028, the bill requires insurance plans to respond to most prior authorization requests within 72 hours and to provide real-time decisions for low-risk services, while also banning requirements for re-authorization when a treatment plan is clinically modified. The legislation introduces a new compliance scoring system that will publicly rank plans and reduce payments to those with poor performance, alongside stricter rules ensuring medical necessity standards match those of traditional Medicare.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to set a standard for how quickly veterans receive appointments after being referred for care, whether at VA facilities or through community providers. The VA Secretary must publish this standard in the Federal Register and report to Congress quarterly on how many referrals meet the timing requirement, broken down by service type and medical center performance. Each report must also include a ranking of VA medical centers from best to worst in meeting the standard, with data available to the public on a VA website. The VA must update the standard as scheduling processes change and include annual progress reports on steps taken to improve care timeliness.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April as "Community College Month" to recognize the significance of community colleges across the United States. It celebrates over 1,000 institutions for their role in providing accessible higher education and workforce training, and for contributing to the nation's economic prosperity.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies tax credit rules for nuclear power plants to allow them to claim investment credits without certain restrictions that currently apply to other energy facilities. Specifically, it removes a limitation that previously prevented public utility companies from claiming these credits for nuclear facilities and eliminates a rule that capped credits based on how quickly the project was completed. These changes would affect nuclear power generators and investors starting with taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026. The bill does not create new tax credits but adjusts existing ones to treat nuclear facilities more similarly to other qualified energy projects.

Maddy summaryThe "Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act" proposes to increase authorized funding for specific programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This bill sets new appropriation levels for Part C of IDEA, which provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. It also increases authorized funding for Section 619 of IDEA, which supports preschool special education for children aged three to five. These funding authorizations are scheduled for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, directly affecting children with disabilities and the state and local agencies that provide these services.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 1208 expresses the House of Representatives' support for honoring Earth Day and its historical role in promoting environmental protection and action. It encourages American citizens to engage in environmental stewardship and urges the President and the U.S. Government to take immediate action to address climate change, environmental injustices, and rejoin international climate agreements.

Maddy summaryThe Save Willy Act of 2026 establishes a four-year pilot program to create a Cetacean Desk within the San Francisco Vessel Traffic Service, directly affecting maritime operators and federal agencies managing vessel traffic in the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Strait. This desk will employ up to two staff members to monitor large whale sightings, coordinate with ship operators to enforce safety guidelines, and share real-time data to reduce the risk of vessel strikes and disturbances. The bill also mandates the use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence for better detection, requires regular reports on the program's effectiveness, and ensures collaboration with local governments, tribes, and research institutions to protect these marine mammals.

Maddy summaryHR 5543, the Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025, requires the U.S. State and Defense Departments to submit a report within 180 days of enactment. The report will assess emerging military, cyber, hybrid, and political threats to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, including the roles of Russia, Belarus, China, Iran, and other actors. It will also evaluate U.S. and NATO military presence in the region, opportunities for defense cooperation, and recommendations to strengthen deterrence, cybersecurity, and democratic resilience in the Baltic countries. This bill directly affects U.S. foreign policy and defense planning regarding the Baltics, but does not create new programs or funding.