Rep. John Garamendi

Maddy summaryThe MATCH Act of 2025 creates a new emergency watershed program allowing state, local, or tribal governments to incur costs for urgent cleanup work after natural disasters *before* formally agreeing with the federal government. It requires the Secretary to identify eligible emergency measures and establish a state-level process for sponsors to request reimbursement for these preagreement costs within 180 days. Sponsors assuming these costs bear the financial risk, but if a formal agreement is later signed, those preagreement costs count toward the sponsor’s required contribution. The bill does not obligate the federal government to enter agreements, focusing solely on enabling reimbursement for specific, pre-approved emergency actions.

Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 This bill expands the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authority with respect to research on rare pediatric diseases, including by permitting the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to satisfy pediatric study requirements and by reauthorizing programs that support pediatric research.  Specifically, the bill modifies requirements relating to molecularly targeted pediatric cancer investigations to permit research on new drugs in combination with active ingredients that have already been approved, provided certain conditions are met; permits the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to comply with pediatric study requirements, if such sponsors demonstrated a lack of due diligence in satisfying the requirement; renews the FDA’s authority to award priority review vouchers to sponsors of new products intended to treat rare pediatric diseases through September 30, 2029; and reauthorizes through FY2027 certain funding for the National Institutes of Health to support priority pediatric research.  The bill also provides statutory authority for the FDA’s interpretation of the orphan drug exclusivity period. The bill specifies, consistent with FDA regulations, that the seven-year market exclusivity period for drugs for rare diseases or conditions (i.e., orphan drugs) prohibits the approval of the same drug for the same approved use or indication with respect to the disease or condition. (In Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Becerra , a court rejected the FDA’s interpretation and held that orphan drug exclusivity extends to all uses or indications for the disease or condition.)

Maddy summaryHR 5652, the Wildfire Recovery Act, increases federal reimbursement for wildfire response by setting a minimum 75% federal cost share under Section 420 of the Stafford Act, directly benefiting states, local governments, and Tribal governments that deploy firefighting resources. It requires FEMA to develop rules within three years to determine when the federal share could exceed 75% based on a state's financial impact from wildfires. The bill also updates FEMA policy to allow reimbursement for predeployment of fire assets (like crews or equipment) before a fire occurs. These changes aim to provide more predictable and timely federal support for wildfire recovery efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 4802, the Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act of 2025, bans the use of federal funds for certain foreign-made LiDAR technology in transportation projects. It prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from procuring, obtaining, or contracting for LiDAR technology from specified "covered foreign countries," "covered LiDAR companies," or "covered LiDAR technology" starting June 30, 2026. Contractors must certify they will not use banned technology, and the Secretary may grant limited waivers for national security reasons, requiring congressional notification. This directly affects transportation infrastructure projects funded by the Department of Transportation, including grants and contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Army Corps of Engineers (acting through the Chief of Engineers) to improve coordination for maintenance dredging contracts. It mandates consulting stakeholders and prioritizing dredging in waters used for commercial navigation, emergencies, environmental timing windows, or national interests over recreational or non-essential uses. The bill also requires the Corps to notify local project partners within three business days of any changes affecting contract timelines and to provide capability numbers for dredging activities upon request. These provisions directly affect commercial ports, navigation infrastructure, and local entities partnering with the federal government on dredging projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act to make water infrastructure financing more accessible to small communities and rural water projects. It lowers the maximum eligible project cost from $5 million to $1 million, provides technical assistance for small communities (population ≤ 25,000) to develop project proposals, and clarifies definitions to include projects for federally recognized Indian Tribes. The bill introduces collaborative project delivery methods like design-build and construction management at-risk, and authorizes $68 million annually for the EPA and $15 million annually for the Army Corps of Engineers through fiscal year 2029. These changes directly affect small communities and rural water projects seeking federal assistance for water infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new loan forgiveness program for public service workers with federal student loans taken out after its enactment. It provides 15% forgiveness after 24 months of qualifying public service employment, with additional 15% increments at 48, 72, and 96 months, totaling 100% forgiveness after 120 months (10 years) of service. Only borrowers with new federal Direct Loans made after the bill passes qualify, and the bill simplifies employment certification through self-certification forms or automatic verification. Interest accrued during the application process is also canceled.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Disarm Hate Act (HR 6258), bars individuals convicted of a hate-motivated misdemeanor crime or who received an enhanced sentence for such a crime from purchasing, possessing, shipping, or transporting firearms under federal law. It directly affects people convicted in any court of a misdemeanor that involved hate or bias (based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability) and included physical force, threats, or credible safety threats. The bill amends existing federal gun laws (Section 922(d) and 922(g)) to add these new prohibitions, preventing gun sales to and possession by these individuals. It does not apply to expunged convictions, pardons, or cases where legal rights were properly waived.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for federal TIFIA loans to include most airport infrastructure projects, such as new terminals, security systems, or surface transportation links, regardless of revenue generation or public access. It raises the maximum loan amount from $75 million to $100 million and removes certain eligibility barriers for airport projects seeking loan waivers. The changes directly affect airport authorities and developers seeking federal financing for aviation facility construction or upgrades. Key provisions clarify that projects enhancing air transportation safety, passenger movement, or airport operations qualify under TIFIA. The bill modifies existing transportation law to simplify access to federal credit for airport infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThe Electricity Transmission Scorecard Act (HR 6176) requires electricity transmission owners and regional grid operators to publicly report on their performance using standardized metrics. It mandates biannual reports from transmission owners (TIAPS) and annual reports from regional grid operators (RIAPS) covering affordability, investment effectiveness, system reliability, interconnection fairness, and other key performance indicators. The bill establishes a framework for transparent, comparable data that would be publicly accessible through a government portal, allowing ratepayers and stakeholders to evaluate transmission service quality. This applies to all entities operating transmission facilities, including those not previously subject to FERC reporting requirements, aiming to improve transparency and accountability in electricity transmission.