Rep. Josh Harder

Maddy summaryHR 712, the Child and Animal Abuse Detection and Reporting Act, amends federal law to require the national clearinghouse tracking child abuse and neglect data to also collect information on animal abuse incidents connected to child abuse cases. Specifically, it expands the existing data collection framework to include "the incidence of any such cases related to animal abuse," such as when a family's pets are harmed during a child abuse situation. This means state child welfare agencies reporting to the federal clearinghouse must now include animal abuse data tied to child abuse incidents, without requiring separate animal cruelty reports. The bill directly affects the federal agency managing the clearinghouse (within the Department of Health and Human Services) and state child welfare systems that provide this data.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to strengthen federal efforts addressing harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia events. It requires a federal Task Force to develop a comprehensive Action Strategy every five years examining causes, ecological impacts, and economic consequences of HABs across marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems, including the Great Lakes and coastal waters. The bill establishes a National-Level Incubator Program to fund innovative prevention and control strategies, with priority given to solutions protecting public health, biodiversity, and vulnerable communities. It mandates enhanced coordination among federal agencies, states, Indian tribes, and local communities to improve monitoring, forecasting, and response capabilities for HAB events. The bill authorizes $19.5 million annually for NOAA and $8 million annually for EPA to implement these provisions from 2026-2030.

Maddy summaryHR 623, the LICENSE Act of 2025, modifies federal commercial driver’s license (CDL) regulations to improve testing flexibility and standards. It requires the Transportation Secretary to revise two key regulations: (1) allowing third-party examiners to administer knowledge tests only if they hold valid certification, complete specific training, and have 1 unit of required instruction (per 49 CFR §384.228), and (2) enabling any state to administer skills tests to CDL applicants regardless of their state of residence or where they received training (per 49 CFR §383.79). These changes directly affect CDL applicants, states administering tests, and third-party examiners. The bill focuses on streamlining testing processes while establishing clearer examiner qualifications and removing geographic barriers for skills testing.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 requires federal funding to provide training and containment devices for first responders, specifically to prevent exposure to fentanyl and other dangerous substances during emergencies. This bill directly affects police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel who face accidental exposure risks while responding to drug-related incidents. The key provision amends existing federal law to mandate both training resources and the purchase of specialized containment equipment for first responder use. The policy change aims to reduce health risks from secondary exposure without altering drug enforcement or criminal law.

Maddy summaryThe PURR Act of 2025 creates a uniform federal regulatory framework for pet food in the United States, replacing inconsistent state and historical livestock feed regulations. It preempts state laws on pet food labeling, advertising, and marketing (while preserving state food safety oversight), establishes a 90-day review timeline for new pet food ingredients, and allows ingredients listed in the AAFCO publication to be considered "Generally Recognized as Safe" without specific FDA approval. The bill sets clear rules for ingredient labeling (including "sometimes present" for fats, flavors, and grains) and permits certain marketing claims like "natural" or "hairball control" without premarket approval, provided specific conditions are met. This legislation directly affects pet food manufacturers, pet owners, and veterinarians by creating a more consistent regulatory environment for pet food products nationwide. The FDA must issue specific guidance on pet food nutrition, labeling, and safety within 18 months of enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 581, the Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025, provides $100 million in federal funding (2025-2031) to address childcare shortages in underserved areas called "child care deserts." It authorizes competitive grants to states and tribal entities for two purposes: (1) workforce grants to help child care providers earn portable credentials and improve retention through training and support, and (2) facility grants to construct, expand, or renovate childcare centers and family child care homes. These grants require states to detail how projects will increase affordable, accessible childcare during nontraditional hours in targeted areas. The bill mandates that funds supplement, not replace, existing federal workforce and childcare programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax deduction for cash tips received by workers in specific service occupations that traditionally accepted tips before 2024 (like servers, barbers, and beauticians). It allows a deduction of up to $25,000 per year for qualified tips included on employer statements, but excludes employees who earned over a certain threshold ($220,000 in 2023) from the same employer the previous year. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after December 2024 and is designed to reduce taxable income for eligible workers. It directly affects service industry workers in qualifying tip-dependent jobs who receive cash tips, not the general public.

This bill increases the annual limit on the tax credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenses (also referred to as the short line railroad tax credit) and expands eligibility for claiming the credit. Under current law, the tax credit is limited each tax year to $3,500 multiplied by the sum of the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the taxpayer (miles owned or leased) and the number of railroad track miles assigned to the taxpayer by a Class II or III railroad (miles assigned). This bill increases the annual limit to $6,100 multiplied by the sum of miles owned or leased and miles assigned. The $6,100 amount used in the calculation of the tax credit limit is adjusted for inflation for tax years beginning after 2025. The bill also expands eligibility for the tax credit to include gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2024. Under current law, the tax credit is limited to gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2015.

Maddy summaryHR 485, the Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes Congress to award a gold medal in recognition of Muhammad Ali's lifetime contributions to sports, civil rights, and humanitarian causes. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to strike the medal and present it to Ali's widow, Lonnie Ali, following his death in 2016. It also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This is a commemorative measure with no policy impact, solely honoring Ali's legacy through a symbolic medal.

Maddy summaryHR 500, the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025, removes Medicare's longstanding exclusion of hearing aids and related examinations from coverage. This change would directly affect Medicare beneficiaries with hearing loss by allowing them to receive coverage for hearing aids starting January 1, 2026. The bill amends the Social Security Act to eliminate the specific exclusion, making hearing aid coverage a standard Medicare benefit. Additionally, it requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study existing hearing aid programs and submit a report with recommendations to Congress within 18 months of the effective date.