Rep. Bryan Steil

Maddy summaryThe Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act requires states and tribes to create a public safety report system for defendants charged with specific violent crimes, including murder, rape, assault, kidnapping, robbery, and firearm offenses. The system provides judges and prosecutors with free, detailed reports containing criminal history, bail eligibility, and offense-specific criteria within 48 hours of arrest. Prosecutors must deliver these reports to courts before bail decisions, and courts must consider them when setting bail for these defendants. The reports are also submitted to the National Crime Information Center, and the bill additionally amends federal law to include bail bonds in fraud-related provisions.

Maddy summaryThe COCOA Act of 2024 amends the Help America Vote Act to confirm Congress's constitutional authority to send election observers to monitor election administration procedures. It requires states to allow designated congressional election observers (House or Senate committee employees) full access to observe all election administration procedures, including ballot processing, tabulation, and certification at polling locations. The bill prohibits observers from handling ballots, interfering with voting, reducing voter privacy, or disrupting election administration, and establishes procedures for removing observers with 24-hour notification requirements to congressional committees. This legislation directly affects all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories by mandating access for designated observers during federal elections.

Maddy summaryThe COCOA Act of 2024 codifies Congress’s existing constitutional authority to send observers to monitor federal election processes. It requires states to grant designated congressional observers (House or Senate staff) full access to all election administration areas - including ballot handling, counting, and certification - during pre- and post-election activities. The bill prohibits observers from interfering with voting, handling ballots, or compromising voter privacy, while establishing a 24-hour notice requirement to congressional committees if an observer is removed for violating these rules. It does not create new congressional powers but formalizes existing constitutional authority under Article I, Sections 4 and 5 of the U.S. Constitution.

Maddy summaryHJRES 136 is a resolution seeking to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have set new emissions standards for light and medium-duty vehicles sold in 2027 and later model years. The EPA rule, published in April 2024, aimed to require vehicle manufacturers to meet stricter pollution limits for these vehicles. If passed, this resolution would cancel the rule, preventing the EPA from enforcing the new standards. It uses a congressional process that allows Congress to reject agency rules with a simple majority vote.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Lands Amplified Security for the Homeland (FLASH) Act authorizes the construction of navigable roads on Federal lands along the southern border to improve U.S. Customs and Border Protection access, while establishing policies to reduce trash accumulation and address environmental damage from unauthorized border crossings. The bill requires agencies to develop protocols for mitigating wildfire risks through vegetation management, prohibits Federal funds from being used to provide housing for unauthorized immigrants on Federal lands, and includes provisions to address illegal cannabis cultivation and pesticide use. It mandates annual reports on waste collection and environmental impacts, and authorizes $16 million annually for initiatives to address contamination from trespass cannabis cultivation on covered Federal lands. The legislation directly affects land management operations on approximately 50 million acres of Federal lands administered by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service along the southern border.

Maddy summaryHJRES 133 is a congressional resolution seeking to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule titled "Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3." This rule, published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024, established new emissions requirements for large trucks and commercial vehicles. The resolution, if passed, would prevent the EPA rule from taking effect by formally disapproving it under standard congressional review procedures. The measure directly affects the EPA’s regulatory authority and vehicle manufacturers who would have been required to comply with the proposed standards.

Maddy summaryHR 1425, the "No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act," requires the U.S. Senate to approve any World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic preparedness treaty through a two-thirds vote. The bill deems any convention, agreement, or international instrument on pandemic prevention drafted by the WHO’s International Negotiating Body (INB) as a treaty subject to Senate ratification, rather than allowing it to take effect as an executive agreement. This directly affects U.S. foreign policy implementation regarding WHO agreements, ensuring Congress has a formal role in approving such binding international commitments. The bill stems from congressional concerns about WHO’s pandemic response and public skepticism toward the organization, as outlined in its findings.

Maddy summaryThe Preventing the Financing of Illegal Synthetic Drugs Act (HR 1076) requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study how criminal groups finance synthetic drug trafficking into the U.S., including the use of social media platforms and payment apps like CashApp. The study will examine business models, money laundering tactics, government efforts to disrupt these networks, and overlaps with human trafficking. It must be completed within one year of enactment, with findings reported to Congress. This bill does not change existing laws but aims to provide data to inform future policy decisions on combating illicit drug finance.

Maddy summaryHR 8399, the Preventing Foreign Interference in American Elections Act, expands restrictions on foreign contributions to U.S. elections by prohibiting foreign individuals or entities from funding specific activities like voter registration, ballot collection, voter identification, get-out-the-vote efforts, communications about political parties, or election administration. It also treats indirect funding (e.g., through intermediaries) as direct violations and requires political committees to certify compliance under penalty of perjury. The bill includes additional provisions protecting donor privacy for tax-exempt organizations by restricting federal agencies from collecting or disclosing donor identities, with limited exceptions for agencies like the IRS or FEC. These changes directly affect foreign actors attempting to influence U.S. elections and political committees handling campaign finances.

Maddy summaryThe SEC REVIEW Act of 2024 requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to obtain formal approval from the Chairman or a majority of commissioners before certain actions - such as decisions on shareholder proposals or new rules - take effect. It mandates that the SEC provide annual reports to Congress analyzing how these actions protect investors, maintain fair markets, and avoid viewpoint discrimination. The bill directly affects the SEC's internal decision-making processes and increases congressional oversight of its regulatory activities. These changes aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the SEC's handling of key financial regulations.