Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis

Canadian Snowbird Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to admit into the United States qualifying Canadian citizens as long-term nonimmigrant visitors. A qualifying Canadian citizen is an individual who (1) is at least 50 years old, (2) maintains a Canadian residence, (3) owns a U.S. residence or has rented a U.S. accommodation for the duration of the individual's stay, (4) is not inadmissible or deportable, (5) will not engage in employment or labor for hire in the United States other than for a non-U.S.-based person or entity by whom the Canadian citizen was employed in Canada or for whom the Canadian citizen performed services in Canada, and (6) will not seek certain forms of assistance or benefits. A qualified individual may be admitted for up to 240 days during any single 365-day period. The spouse of such an individual may be admitted under the same terms, except that the spouse is not required to separately satisfy the requirement for owning or renting a residence in the United States. An individual admitted into the United States under this bill shall have nonresident alien tax status.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily allows doctors to prescribe and dispense certain Medicare-covered medications directly to seniors in their offices from 2026 to 2030, under specific conditions. It requires prior in-person visits, limits dispensing to group practices, and mandates billing through the physician’s practice. The bill also directs the GAO to study whether physician-owned pharmacies are becoming common and how such arrangements might affect prescribing. It directly affects seniors receiving Medicare Part D drugs and physician practices participating in these arrangements. The exception expires in 2030, with no changes to Medicare Part D program rules.

Maddy summaryHRES 345 is a symbolic resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating April 2025 as "Parkinson's Awareness Month." It highlights that Parkinson's disease affects over 1 million people in the U.S., is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, and requires increased research and support for patients and caregivers. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness and recognize ongoing efforts to improve quality of life for those impacted. It underscores the disease's growing prevalence and annual costs, urging continued focus on research and community support.

Maddy summaryHRES 340 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing April 2025 as "Community College Month" to celebrate the role of over 1,000 U.S. community colleges. It highlights these institutions' work in providing affordable higher education, workforce training, and economic support - serving 10.2 million students annually and contributing significantly to national economic growth (e.g., generating $898 billion in alumni income in 2020). The resolution emphasizes community colleges' accessibility (average $3,990 tuition for in-district students, 10-mile average student commute) and their role in workforce development across sectors like healthcare and manufacturing. As a non-binding recognition, it does not create new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 2817, the Coastal Broadband Deployment Act, exempts certain broadband infrastructure projects in floodplains from standard federal environmental and historic preservation reviews. It directly affects telecom companies seeking to deploy or modify broadband facilities entirely within floodplains (as defined by federal regulations) and requiring Federal Communications Commission (FCC) permits. The bill removes the need for environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and historic preservation assessments under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) for these specific projects. This change streamlines the approval process for broadband infrastructure in coastal floodplain areas without altering the underlying FCC permitting requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 2810, the Family Cord Blood Banking Act, allows individuals to deduct payments for private umbilical cord blood or tissue banking as medical expenses on their federal taxes. It directly affects people who pay for these private banking services through accredited providers meeting specific federal safety standards. The bill amends the tax code to add private cord banking services as a qualifying medical expense, effective for tax years starting after December 31, 2024. This change simplifies tax treatment for those using private cord banking without altering insurance coverage or public banking access.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires FEMA to reimburse local governments and electric cooperatives for interest paid on disaster recovery loans. It covers interest calculated as the lesser of actual payments or what would have been paid at the current prime rate, for loans where at least 90% of funds were used for disaster-related projects. The reimbursement includes interest from the past nine years and mandates FEMA to process payments within one year of the bill's enactment.

Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act of 2025 or the SOAR Act of 2025 This bill establishes certain requirements with respect to the payment and provision of supplemental oxygen and related services under Medicare. For example, the bill provides for separate payments, indexed to inflation, of oxygen and related equipment, supplies, and services under Medicare (rather than under the competitive acquisition program). It also specifically covers services that are provided by respiratory therapists under Medicare and provides for an additional payment adjustment for these services. Additionally, the bill (1) requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop an electronic template for providers to use when prescribing oxygen and related equipment, supplies, and services; and (2) establishes certain rights for beneficiaries receiving these items and services, such as the right to choose their suppliers and to receive clear communications and be informed about the services provided.

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process under which an applicant may submit other evidence to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill allows for a private right of action against an election official who registers an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses, including registering an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.

Maddy summaryThe National Biotechnology Initiative Act of 2025 establishes a coordinated federal strategy for biotechnology across 14 participating departments and agencies, including Agriculture, Defense, and Health and Human Services. It creates a National Biotechnology Coordination Office and an Interagency Committee to oversee activities related to research, regulatory streamlining, workforce development, and international partnerships. The bill authorizes $22 million in fiscal year 2026, increasing to $35 million by 2027, and requires annual reports and a national strategy every five years. Key provisions include developing a centralized website for biotechnology information, standardizing regulatory pathways for biotechnology products, and improving workforce development programs. This legislation aims to reduce duplication, improve coordination across government departments, and enhance U.S. competitiveness in biotechnology.