Rep. Jimmy Panetta

Maddy summaryHR 2095, the Postal Police Reform Act of 2025, amends existing law to clarify the roles of USPS police officers and their authority over property. It explicitly includes "Postal Service police officers" alongside Postal Inspectors in Section 3061 of Title 18, U.S. Code, and gives the Postmaster General new authority to create rules for protecting USPS-owned or controlled property. These rules can include fines or up to 30 days in jail for violations, with penalties clearly defined under the law. The bill directly affects USPS police officers and individuals on USPS property by standardizing their regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryHR 2162, the Honey Integrity Act, requires U.S. honey packers to test honey for economically motivated adulteration (EMA) - such as substitution or dilution to increase value - using scientifically validated methods like DNA and NMR testing. Qualifying commercial honey packers (those paying fees to the National Honey Board) must conduct testing, certify compliance, and report results to the FDA within 180 days of the law’s enactment. The bill mandates immediate reporting of EMA findings to authorities and prohibits accepting adulterated honey, with the FDA required to investigate and share data with agencies like Customs and Agriculture. This directly affects honey packers in interstate commerce, aiming to improve product integrity through standardized testing and enforcement.

Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Program Act of 2025 or the ROCR Value Based Program Act This bill establishes a specialized payment program under Medicare for providers and suppliers of radiation oncology services.  Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must establish a program under which radiation therapy providers (i.e., hospital outpatient departments) and suppliers (i.e., physician group practices and freestanding radiation therapy centers) receive payments for each episode of care provided to individuals with specified types of cancer. An episode of care  means the period beginning on the day radiation therapy planning is furnished to the individual and ending (1) for individuals with bone or brain metastases, 30 days later; and (2) for individuals with other cancer types, 90 days later. Participation in the program is mandatory for providers and suppliers that participate in Medicare, unless the provider or supplier is part of a state-based Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation model or qualifies for a significant hardship exemption. The CMS must set payment rates for the program based on national payment rates with specified adjustments (e.g., geographic adjustments). Providers and suppliers who provide certain transportation services for individuals under their care may receive an additional payment. Providers and suppliers must be accredited in accordance with certain standards, subject to payment reductions. The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) implementation of the program, and (2) underserved areas that are in need of more or newer radiation therapy resources.

Maddy summaryHR 2092, the SPEAK Act of 2025, requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to create guidance for healthcare entities within one year of enactment. This guidance focuses on improving telehealth access for people with limited English proficiency, directly affecting health IT companies, hospitals, insurers, language service providers, and interpreters. Key provisions include best practices for using interpreters during video appointments, providing multilingual patient materials (like appointment reminders and prescriptions), and making digital health portals accessible. The bill aims to standardize language access in telehealth services without changing existing laws.

Maddy summaryHR 2111 would exempt premium cigars from certain federal tobacco regulations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It redefines "premium cigar" to include only cigars meeting strict criteria: made entirely of tobacco leaf (no filters, additives, or flavorings), handmade, and weighing over 6 pounds per 1,000 units. This exemption directly affects small, family-owned premium cigar manufacturers, shifting regulatory oversight from federal to state levels as determined by a recent court ruling. The bill cites data showing premium cigars are used primarily by adults (1% of U.S. adults), involve lower health risks than other tobacco products, and are rarely used by youth.

Maddy summaryThe Credit for Caring Act of 2025 creates a federal tax credit for family caregivers of elderly or disabled relatives. It allows eligible caregivers (with over $7,500 in earned income) to claim a credit equal to 30% of qualified caregiving expenses exceeding $2,000, capped at $5,000 per year. Qualified expenses include human assistance, home modifications, respite care, counseling, lost wages for unpaid time off, and transportation, all requiring certification from a licensed healthcare provider that the care recipient has long-term needs. The credit phases out for higher earners (over $75,000 single/$150,000 joint) and requires documentation of expenses and care recipient certification.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer (i.e., breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body). Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. Under current law, individuals generally must wait 5 months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.

Maddy summaryHR 2081, the Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the 627 women who served as Red Cross volunteers in the Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program during the Vietnam War. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike the medal, which will be presented by Congress and then given to the Smithsonian Institution for display. It also allows the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint fund. This commemorative act recognizes the volunteers' service supporting over 280,000 troops through recreation programs across Vietnam from 1965 to 1973.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how individual investors in mutual funds (regulated investment companies) are taxed on certain dividends. It allows investors to defer paying tax on capital gain dividends that are automatically reinvested in additional fund shares through a dividend reinvestment plan. The deferred tax is recognized later when the investor sells shares or upon their death. It also establishes that shares acquired through this reinvestment are treated as held for over one year from the start, potentially qualifying for long-term capital gains rates. The rule applies only to individual investors (not estates, trusts, or dependents claimed by others).

Maddy summaryHR 2033, the Military Spouse Hiring Act, expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include spouses of active-duty military personnel. It adds "qualified military spouse" as an eligible category for the tax credit, meaning employers who hire such spouses can claim the credit. A "qualified military spouse" is defined as someone certified by a local agency as married to an active-duty service member at the time of hire. The credit applies to hires occurring after the bill's enactment date. This directly affects military spouses seeking employment and employers hiring them, providing a tax incentive to encourage their hiring.